Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 9)

(Day 9)

We may never leave any memorials behind; no one may even notice when we are gone; but God remembers each and every little thing we have done for His praise and glory; so we hold on to His promise, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne." (Revelation 3: 21)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Hope Springs Eternal

Are you suffering from excruciating pain because of a lingering illness? Do you have mountains of problems that you feel you have already reached the end of the line? Is your situation so desperate that you feel you are already at the very edge of a cliff, ready to fall into a deep ravine? Are you suffering from sleepless nights, worrying and fearful of what tomorrow will bring? Do you feel so alone and lonely as if everybody has left and deserted you? The antidote to all these is HOPE.

And so, we hold on to that hope that after all the trials we are encountering, we will find peace, light and deliverance at the end of that dark tunnel. Hope is not dreaming nor wishful thinking. We cannot just dream that our fairy godmother will pop out of thin air and give us everything that our hearts desire. Nor do we dream that we will win the high stakes lotto and wipe all our troubles away. No, it will never work that way.

Hope is anchored on a divine promise. Let us just take one divine promise of hope. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Now we know that God's plan for us is to prosper us and to give us hope and a future. So we hold on to this divine promise no matter what situation we may be in right now. But wait a minute. There is a price for this. Nothing is free in the economy of God. We have to work for everything. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

The price is just that. We must seek God's kingdom and His righteousness first.
In other words, we have to walk in His ways and follow His divine will and not our own. Then and only then can we really hope to achieve everything that our hearts desire.


Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 8)

(Day 8)

We may have shed copious tears before the Lord that tears may have been our constant companion; tears may have been the "reward" we receive from an uncaring and unappreciative flocks for the untold services we have rendered unto the Lord; but take heart and hold on to God's promise, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalms 126: 5- 6)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Rediscovery- The Reawakening Of Our Soul

As we walk in the threshold of a new beginning in our lives, it's timely to reawaken the long dormant dreams and joys in our hearts and rediscover the things that can change our lives forevermore.

Let us rediscover the joy of communing with God in our hearts, of cleansing ourselves of all the dirt and stains of worldly living and walk with faith with Him once more.

Let us rediscover the beauty of nature as we wonder in awe at the majestic mountains rising above everything else in our view.

Let us rediscover the beauty of the sunset in our favorite bay walk as peace and harmony settle down to our boisterous environment.

Let us rediscover the unfolding sunrise in our favorite beach by the seashore as we watch flocks of sea birds flying ecstatically in the skies.

Let us rediscover the joy and thrill of watching in awe the first cry of a new born infant as she struggles to make a resounding impact to a new beginning.

Let us rediscover the joy of expressing our artistic talents once more. They have lain dormant in our creative attic for so long because of our frenzied struggles to eke out a decent living.

Whatever it is that will bring us joy to rediscover that we are still wonderfully alive, let us do it with the exuberance and enthusiasm of youth.

Let us rediscover the joy of actively living and make each moment of our lives truly a magical one. LET US REDISCOVER OURSELVES ONCE MORE.

Top Of The World - The Carpenters

Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 7)

(Day 7)

God is not seeking for perfect men, He knows we can never be perfect; He is not seeking for self righteous and seemingly "good" men, only God is truly good and righteous. He is seeking men with these qualities: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66: 2b)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Love- The Unquenchable Fire That Warms Our Hearts

Amidst all the darkness, the bitterness, the hatred, the loneliness and sorrows that abound the world, there is a bright shinning element that lightens up the heavy burdens of our existence, and that is love. It is the unquenchable fire that warms our hearts and thaws the coldness of even the most frigid individual. There is no exception. All individuals have the right to love and be loved.

When the eyes of those who are truly in love are locked in that longing and endearing glance, there is that moment of magic that no power on earth can ever negate. And when that longing and endearing glance ends up in a passionate embrace and tender kiss, the world stops revolving for a time to give way to that instance of magic and enchantment.

Yes, no words can ever describe the joy and the increasing beat of the heart of the one who is truly in love. There is no distance, no hindrance, no barrier that could ever separate two souls truly in love with each other. The heart knows, the heart discerns the presence of a love one because time stands still whenever our beloved is around. Music fills the air and the surrounding scenes turn rose colored. There is magic everywhere and we feel like dancing to the beat of the rhythm of our hearts. Our souls soar to heavenly heights screaming with pure joy and ecstasy. Yes nothing, no force on earth can ever replicate the marvelous feeling of being in love. LOVE CONQUERS ALL.

Vignettes From The Pearly Gates (Part 6)

(Day 6)

Everybody else may seem to have the better things in life; we may seem to be perennial losers in the rat races of the world; others may seem to be more appreciated, highly honored and continually praised by men; but remember this, we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of the Father and realize that, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2: 9)

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational