REASONS FOR HOPE: IN THE MOSAIC OF YOUR LIFE

REASONS FOR HOPE: IN THE MOSAIC OF YOUR LIFE
By
Carl Kerby
I really love reading True-to-Life stories especially when I am down and out and I feel the weight of the whole world on my shoulders.

Remember the line: “Been there and than that!”

Well… I think anyone can relate to what Carl Kerby have gone through. I am delighted about this book not because the Author has visited the Philippines or mention my country. It is because this book is written in a down-to-earth, no holds barred manner. The honesty was touching and humorous that everyone can appreciate.

Carl Kerby was a son of a Wrestler, grew up hooked on drugs and alcohol, sign up with the Military/Air Force out of desperation. Just went to church for the sake of his Japanese wife, some how become an Air-Traffic Controller and along the winding road of life, he found God, what it means to be a Christian and founded a Ministry.

This is not only Mr. Carl Kerby’s testimonial, but the book is more than that and it is divided into three parts:

• PART ONE OFFERING REASONS FOR HOPE IN A HOPELESS WORLD
• PART TWO MY STORY: From Wrestler’s Son to Professional Speaker
• PART THREE: ANSWERING COMMON OBJECTIONS TO THE CHRISTIAN FATE

Although some contents seems to be redundant or perhaps the Author was putting so much emphasis to his background. Still I find this book inspiring about the mosaic broken life of Carl Kerby and how he had risen from the brokenness to become God’s decorative masterpiece.

I RATE THIS BOOK: 3 STARS ***





NOTE: I received this book from B & B Media Group for a book review

ITS’ MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES(especially if you are in Manila)

Due to some paper work required by my Company, I have to go to Manila.
It was a business and pleasure. I am rediscovering Manila and what’s left of the old days. I am appreciative of anything vintage.


Exploring those landmarks didn’t cost me a lot. Just bring a bottle of water, umbrella and your handy dandy camera.







There is something about the past that one can still enjoy and learn from it.
Like how majestic looking Manila Cathedral from a far.




Balikbayans, Fil-Ams and Foreigners should visit those sites of the bygone days.
As always, the photo addict within me is visible. Don’t leave home without it.

There were so many changes in Intramuros, but it still gives that Spanish era feeling.

THE BONIFACIO SHRINE 

My hubby never likes PHOTO-OPS. However, for the sake of ART I asked him to strike a pose and be nationalistic for a day.


A few walks away from this Shrine is another marker that depicts those heroes of Martial Law. I forgot to take photos of it to my regret. It shows the names of those countless martyrs fighting for freedom or opposing a dictator.

VISITING BAHAY NAKPIL

A short detour to Quiapo we passed by this very old Spanish looking house. It turns out to be the house of the second wife of National Hero Andres Bonifacio. Aside from Dr. Jose Rizal, Bonifacio is one of those heroes I admire while studying history during my…..hmm….Goodness! I cant’ remember anymore (blame it to old age!).
From his humble beginnings, he had risen up as an “Action Man.” Until the some elite Filipinos steps in and Bonifacio who fought bravely ended up being branded as a traitor and the death came not by the hand of Spaniards, but among his Katipuneros---fellow Filipinos. (Sounds familiar?).

(My Hubby facing the window of Bahay Nakpil)

Mang Raymond who is acting on behalf of the curator was full of enthusiasm as he retells what transpire in this old house where Julio Nakpil (the second-in-command) after Andres Bonifacio live along with the window of the fallen hero--- Gregoria de Jesus.

It is nice to see what they wear during those period and the old bed that has withstand the test of time.

Gregoria de Jesus likes Kapeng Barako or coffee so much as evidence by this very old Coffee grinder. I was told she took several cups of coffee in a day. It is no wonder I fell in love with her house. We are so much alike, she was so devoted to country and her children.

Inside Plaza San Luis, Intramuros Manila

“A must-see” if you want that Spanish Era ambience.

Below is a painting version of the same place by artist Noli Espanola

Plaza San Luis
Painting by
NOLI ESPANOLA

I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM THE VAMPIRES

(photo from public domain-edited using EASY PHOTO EFFECTS)

It’s no big secret. I love reading books and watching movies that dealt with those blood suckers! I have this huge respect for Bram Stoker for having such an imagination.

Ok…before I get burn at the stake. Yes! This is my personal blog and not entirely a book blog. I am indeed a Christian and I used to be a Goth! Please don’t stereotype people who looks or act different. I still like wearing black clothes and listen to Gothic music.

And no! no! no! I am not a big fan of Twilight! But I am a big, big fan of The Vampire Diaries and True Blood.

Of course, before the series I read the books first.
I have one copy of L.J Smiths Vampire Diaries book series. Why did I faithfully watched the series? Perhaps, the plot or the Love Triangle angle ( yeah…similar to the Twilight Saga). 

But Season 3 have gotten a whole lot better with the introductions of other interesting vampire characters such as Klaus, Elijah and Kol.

Kol played by Nathaniel Buzolic have come up with an interesting video that I like to share with you. Interesting…in the sense that he is not ashamed to share his faith and love for the BIG GUY FROM ABOVE whom famously known as Jesus!
I find it Cool in every aspect. I hope more Hollywood Celebrities are more like this young actor and I prayed he won’t let stardom ruin him.

Another thing they choose pretty good "PLAYLIST" from the tv series. Check this out:
Track Listing - "The Original Television Soundtrack: The Vampire Diaries"
1. Stefan’s Theme - Mike Suby
2. Running Up That Hill - Placebo
3. Currency of Love - Silversun Pickups
4. Hammock - Howls
5. Sleep Alone (909s in the DarkTimes Mix) - Bat for Lashes
6. Bloodstream (Vampire Diaries Remix) - Stateless
7. We Radiate - Goldfrapp
8. Obsession - Sky Ferreira
9. Head Over Heels - Digital Daggers
10. Down - Jason Walker
11. Beauty of the Dark - Mads Langer
12. Cut - Plumb
13. All You Wanted - Sounds Under Radio featuring Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy
14. The Fellowship - Smashing Pumpkins
15. On Melancholy Hill (Feed Me Remix) - Gorillaz
16. 1864 - Mike Suby
For those Tears for Fears fans out there, the cover version of HEAD OVER HEELS by Digital Dagger is awesome! Really!

THE LIFE BOOK

Open publication - Free publishing - More jesus

What is The Life Book Movement?


Founded by The Gideons International, The Life Book Movement (TLBM) is an innovative strategy to reach high school students with God's Word. TLBM works through churches and their students to saturate high schools with God's Word.


The Life Book Movement is best described as a short-term mission trip in which high school students get the opportunity to offer the gift of The Life Book to their classmates during school.


The Life Book's unique design engages searching high school students with the truth of God's Word as they are introduced to Jesus Christ. Using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins, readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever.


The Life Book Movement provides free copies of The Life Book to Christian students to give to classmates during school. Because it is legal for students to distribute religious literature in public schools, this unique approach provides an opportunity for churches and youth ministries to get God's Word in the hands of every student in every high school they serve.

THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE by DENISE HUNTER

Shay Brandenberger is a single mom who tries to keep up with the demands of keeping her ranch, raising a daughter and she is at her wit’s end about her financial troubles.

To add insult to injury, she crossed path with the person she hates the most---her high school sweetheart who left her once at the Altar!

Until fate brought them again together and their make-believe wedding turns out to be real!

This is a feel good romance tale with a bit of drama, lots of humor and tension between the two main characters---Shay and Travis. Reading this book also gives me a glimpse of ranch life as it usually comes to my mind that it is nothing but horses and cowboys!

Of course, it more than that and I was drawn to Shay because most women can really relate to her as to what she has gone through: Heartbreak, betrayal, a marriage gone wrong, abandonment and trying to be a good single parent.

A vivid portrayal of a woman hanging on and keeping up with her faith that things can work out right if you trust God with all your heart and a man hunted with his past and redeeming himself in every possible way.

I find the back-story or flashback well written in a way you will not get lost. Furthermore, I find myself sympathizing with Shay with her series of unfortunate events.

Moreover, it is a story of finding God’s will in our lives and what the power of prayer can do.

Visit the Author’s website: www.denisehunterbooks.com

I RATE THIS BOOK: 5 STARS *****

NOTE: I received this book from B & B Media Group for a book review

TEN by Terry Smith

“Humanity is in somewhat of a mess, but things can get better. God intends for them to get better. Because of his active participation in our lives and in our world, we can believe that good will defeat evil, love will conquer hate, hope will crush despair and ultimately that will lead to a better future.”
----Terry Smith, Author of Ten-

The Book challenges you to answer a basic question: “How de you rate your life?”

Actually, whenever I applied for a new job and the Interviewer would ask me--- what is seems like a tricky question “How do you rate yourself?"

This question gives a glimpse of the clueless on how to rate my own life. I mean if it is job related and the interviewer would ask me “How do you rate yourself in the scale of 1 to 10?”

I usually reply a quick 7 answer as I find it more a safe rather rate myself a perfect 10 as this might irked him/her that I look like I was professionally boasting.

So how do we rate our life in terms of fulfillment? Is getting a “perfect 10” kind of life possible? How much do we want it? Why do are the hindrances on getting a level-Ten kind of living?

Of course, we all strive for significance in one way or the other so I thought this is another self-help book like any other self-help book.

But still Terry Smith has something “new” to offer because he encourage you to strive better for the future, get your act together so not only you can maximized your potential, but also make a positive change to others.

The Author gives a more structured approach such as following the seven-step plan.

1. Awaken: Wake up to God’s dreams for your life

2. Discover: Learn how to discover your life’s calling

3. Imagine: Learn how the discipline of imagination makes the future real

4. Grow: Develop the life infrastructure to sustain success

5. Act: Take action to create your future

6. Lead: Learn to lead yourself and others to the best possible future

7. Go: Accept the call to get started living the life God dreams of you

Some chapters’ offers bite-size tips, quotes, inspiring stories enough for you to take the important step towards a more promising future.

I might add this is not your typical self-development book that concentrates more on the self-gratification, but rather it encourages you to become a Leader. You will gain more insight when reach “Chapter 15” of this book explores more of the many facets of human nature. Discover what motivates others and why others seem to have lack the drive or persistence.

Therefore, this book is a must-read for those who work in Church, who inspires to be part of a Ministry, aspires to lead a cell group. For business organizations and for the individual curious enough to find out that indeed getting a “Scale of 10” is possible for a fulfilling life ahead.

I RATE THIS BOOK: 5 STARS *****

TERRY SMITH is the lead pastor of THE LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH in West Orange, New Jersey. A member of the board of New York Leadership Center, where he is an instructor in its Leadership Fellows program and a gifted speaker both national and international. Married for 28 years and has three grown children.

Know more about this exciting book at www.livingten.com/book

NOTE: I received this book from The B&B Media group for a review.

UNLEASH THE PHOTOGRAPHER WITHIN YOU

Open publication - Free publishing - More 365

CSM Encourages Kids to go Outdoors!

Kids today are growing disconnected to nature. They spend more time indoors than outdoors, and even when they are outdoors, they seldom take time to notice their surroundings. Their ears are plugged with earphones and their eyes are glued to their cellphones and other handheld games. This disturbing lifestyle of our kids today also leads them to become unaware of the role that has been entrusted to our care.

Encouraging children to spend time outdoors and observe natural environment and its inhabitants is a big step towards helping them become good stewards of creation.

Church Strengthening Ministry shares the vision for the kids to rediscover and appreciate the wonders of the natural world and know God more with their latest VBS offering for 2012, The Great Outdoors VBS Camp: Exploring Nature, Experiencing God. More than the usual indoor fun, now kids will have a chance to explore five different terrains (field, water, mountain, trees, sky) and to experience some of God’s amazing attributes as they go outdoors.

Why do VBS outdoors? Here are five very good reasons:

1. Creation teaches us many things about our Creator and Savior.

2. As stewards of God’s creation, we need to be acquainted with what we are commanded to tend and protect.

3. Contact with and enjoyment of creation lead to appreciation and concern for creation.

4. Studies show that exposure to nature is vital to a child’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.

5. Learning is double fun when done outdoors!

It’s now time to let kids experience the delights of the great outdoors during VBS!

The Great Outdoors VBS camp is open to Campers ages 4-12. Parents and guardians are welcome to join, too! The whole church is also encouraged to get involved in the exciting activities and experience what the great outdoors can reveal.

The Great Outdoors VBS Camp material comes in one convenient box containing: 50 Camper’s Nature Journals, 3 Teachers’ Manuals, 1 Director’s Manual, 1 music CD, 1 instructional DVD, 50 nametags, 50 ID laces, 250 attendance beads, 4 whistles, and 1 promotional poster. Each Camper’s Nature Journal also comes in full-color which makes it more interesting for the students to write on.

The Great Outdoors VBS Camp package costs P1,999 and is available in English and Conversational Tagalog. This is available at the CSM Bookcorner at tel. nos. 852-7301 to 02 & 04 local 205 and at all Christian bookstores nationwide. Also visit www.csm-publishing.com for the downloadable items to complete your VBS program.

Youtube Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlb3_CMMFcc

2012 Starbucks Tumbler and Yeah Notebooks

I simply love Yeah Notebooks.

It fulfills my need to write something on at an affordable price.

You can get them at any SM Department branches that has a stationery section.

Moleskine notebooks is too expensive for me while I can buy a lot of Yeah Notebooks and won’t burn a hole in my pocket.

Recently, something caught my fancy that I can’t resist. It compliments my 2012 Starbucks Tumbler (Valentine Edition).

There is a site at tumbler on which you can join and share your notebook collections or your fascination with notebooks.

P

SAYING GOODBYE TO 2011 WITH BOOKS

I like to say goodbye to 2011 with
books that have created an impact to me or least made a lasting impression. It was a good year and it was also a bad year.
A bad year when my country have been visited by terrible Storms and one that almost wiped out a province but also brings out the best among Filipinos here and abroad---the gift of caring!
Filipinos are a resilient lot…maybe it was faith.
It was the year when people are not made to forget. One cannot move forward, if you can’t right the wrongs of the past.
One must face justice either within the laws of man or within the power of God. I always believe in Karma.
It was the year that I made a lot of friends, It was the year I felt so betrayed by these so-called friends (however, just a few as I have friends who are true). I thank God for them. I had been crushed and burned. But it helps you have the support of family and books that guide you and inspired you. Life must go on despite of everything.
BOOKS I’D TO RECOMMEND TO OTHER PEOPLE:

• The New Living Translation Bible or The Message
  
• God Never Blinks by Regina Brett
  
• The Artist Way by Julia Cameron

Negosyo by Joey Conception and Pera Mo Palaguin Mo 2 by Francisco Colayco

(Those two books are great reads to start 2012 if you want to start a business or learn more about financial planning). I wish I have gotten the book by Mr.Colayco earlier when I graduated from college and become a working woman, but it is never too late to learn something new.

· Your Road Map for Success by John Maxwell
· Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
· Chocolate for a Woman’s Soul
· Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (This inspires me to take the plunge
· to travel abroad with my close friends)
· Speaking of Jesus by Carl Medearis
· All books written by Paolo Coelho!!!!


BOOKS I NEVER THOUGHT I’D CAME TO LOVE:

• World War Z by Max Brooks
  
• Halo: First Strike by Eric Nylund
  
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larson

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
May you find books that would uplift you. Choose books wisely.