Somewhere I have never traveled..

"The First Time I loved Forever" (theme from tv series Beauty and the Beast)

Somewhere I Have Never Traveled 

by E. E. Cummings

Somewhere I have never traveled, gladly beyond
any experience, your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which I cannot touch because they are too near

Your slightest look easily will unclose me
though I have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skillfully, mysteriously) her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, I and
my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility: whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(I do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

As I was reviewing wedding song choices for a friend, and listening to them on youtube. This caught my heart and imagination and brought me to "Love World" instantly. I heard this audio poem from the theme song "The First Time I loved forever" from the tv series Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990). Not the disney movie, or the modern 2012 series.. And I instantly fell in love with the lyrics. It seems to me that the author of the poem wanted so much to hold yet with fear,  a love for someone so dear, so fragile and so precious...simply because that someone is too BEAUTIFUL..

I find the poem analysis on this site great and helpful. With added information about the poet and excerpts of his life http://www.johwey.com/2010/09/28/somewhere-i-have-never-traveled/

Prisoner and Prayer

Sin is the darkness that envelopes our souls.

It imprisons our whole being

that we are frozen to do good.

It gradually takes us afar,

so distant from the One who can set us free.

Sin makes our lives miserable,

with no joy, peace and love in our hearts.

It makes us restless, lonely in the darkness

with hearts crying for freedom and salvation.

Dearest Jesus, help us to desire

to seek and find You

that sin may not bind us.

Increase our hunger and thirst for You

so we may choose what is good and not evil.

Shield our ears from the taunting of the enemy.

Fortify our hearts that we may resist his temptations.

You are the Light who can free us from darkness.

Release us from this prison

and let Your divine unconditional love

conquer our whole being

that we may manifest You and not the Evil One

in every deed that we will do in our lives. Amen.

Dare to sing and strum

So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. - Romans 12:6

One of my to do list this year is to learn to play a musical instrument: Guitar.

I love singing, but singing with accompaniment is way better! Noon, uso pa ang minus-one. Now?not much. And people prefer live acoustic performances. I am a fan of acoustic versions of songs i love listening to, a super fan of Boyce Avenue and Princess..including some friends really inspired me to learn to play guitar.

Last summer 2013, my officemate Love offered to have summer guitar lessons for the youth in their church and invited us to join. From parts of the guitar to basic chords, strumming pattern. and finally, having a recital with other fellow future musicians.hahaha!

Lakas Angkan Ministries' summer music lessons graduates

I played Just Give Me a reason by pink, although it wasn't perfect. It was my best performance so far being a newbie, having few sessions on basic guitar. Although mom told me, wala lang sa tono ang guitar. My friends told me, ok a. pagkakanta! (hey, its a GUITAR RECITAL). But it's fair enough to be honest to have a reasons of many things to improve. 

 teacher Patrick always reminds us, in guitar, there's no secret but Keep practicing!As bro. Bo also reminded every talented, for every skill allow 10,000 hours to perfection! 

Tips for learning guitar:LISTEN well...decide the beat..you may sing with every touch of string...take a lot of patience (extra! extra!) and practice! and of course, humugot ng inspirasyon sa mga nagigitara (both baguhan at magaling)..and of course- consult Youtube for video tutorials. ;)

 Its never too late to start to learn to play a guitar...Thanks to teacher Patrick, Gelo, love,mae ann, brielle, friends and other classmates.

soooon...to create a song with a melody :)

Enjoy!

TELL ME, HOW CAN I NOT LOVE?

Dear God, I thank you for loving me.

You loved me even though the one person I love is myself...

I was selfish, you you told me I love you.
I pretend to care for others and their needs,
but only to show that 'I am kind and generous.'
When in fact, i'm not. I only care about myself.

Yet you cared for me, like there's no other person in the world
 but You and me.
You gave me all that I need, You protected me from all dangers, embraced me in my loneliness, comforted my in my sorrow and pain.
YOU LOVED ME.

I go out to the world trying to be good,
But I cannot help myself getting angry at times,
 judge people, or even hurt a friend.
But You my Lord, never stopped greeting me with wonderful sunshine each day, or sending me smiles through friends and strangers.
You never stopped being a friend. YOU LOVED ME, despite of my being me.

I am proud and conceited, all I care is to
 hear people, 'You are great! You did well!'
And often forget that everything I am comes from You.
But still, You were never boastful and offended or demanded from me, 'Praise me! Thank me! Give glory to me, for I am your Creator.'
You were silent and proud of who I am. YOU LOVED ME.

I tell the world, ' I AM A FRIEND OF JESUS CHRIST!' But the truth, is I don't truly know You or could even walk straight with You on the path of righteousness. I just liked being attached to you.
 It is an honor.... a prestige... a title...

Honestly, I only want to experience happiness, those happy promises. Of feeling good being with You and other people.  I couldnt truly care for other people or even pray for them sincerely. To love others like You do. To suffer for them and with them, embrace pain because of love.

Yet, You never fail being a friend, You loved me despite of being me. You never let go of my hand. And never fail to whisper, I LOVE YOU.

I am impatient, never gentle, I am demanding. 
But You? ...You waited patiently for me. 
You never stopped being gentle and kind.

I couldnt stand enough to listen to long sighs of a friend, to listen intently with all ears and heart...Yet You? ...You would be happy or excited enough to hear about everything I have to say. YOU LOVED ME.

I shouted at You, 'I am a sinner! How can you even love me!!!'
You replied, ' You are my beloved child. Nothing can separate me from you. You are precious to me. And I LOVE YOU.'

At times, I felt ashamed of You. Ashamed to proclaim your love to my friends. To preach about how you loved me, that they may be able to allow themselves to be thoroughly loved by You.

But You never hid your face, or turned your back on me. You sit patiently at my side. Simply smiled, ' I will never leave you. You are my greatest friend.'

I serve others, I sometimes fool myself of being busy for you of doing everything for you. Yet , it seems at times I am not pleasing you. But You, you never demanded anything. You simply looked into my eyes and told me, 'ALL I EVER WANTED IS TO BE WITH YOU...'

I hurt you...
I can't seem to please you...
I abandon prayer at times...
I get mad at You!
I simply cannot forgive, like you can...
I often fail You....
I feel guilty...

Yet YOU NEVER STOPPED BELIEVING IN ME. NEVER STOPPED LOVING ME...

Of all these things of being me, inspite and despite of being just me. YOU LOVED ME..fully.

Tell me, HOW CAN I NOT LOVE?

HOW CAN I NOT HELP BUT LOVE?

HOW CAN I NOT HELP BUT SHARE ABOUT YOUR LOVE?


Friend, We love because God loved us first. (1John4:19) We cannot truly love, unless we experience how much God loved us personally. I am still moved to tears, upon writing this or even reading this over and over. Because, it is a reminder of His so much love for me, also for you. You can stay listening or read all day, hear about God's love. Know about God's love. But let me ask you, How did God loved you in your life personally? Look at yourself, look at your life. How did he loved you today? Enjoy listing about God's abundant love.

God bless you and know that everyday He gives us something to smile about each day. ;)

Point of Reflection: HOW TO BE A GOOD SHEEP?

Point of Reflection (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY): HOW TO BE A GOOD SHEEP?
In order for us to become a good shepherd, we understand how to be a good sheep first.

1) KNOW the voice of the Shepherd

2) LISTEN 

3) FOLLOW the Shepherd
(John 10:27-30)


But in this present world, of so much noise and voices, how to know/recognize the voice and listen to? The voice is the VOICE OF LOVE and TRUTH. We hear Him through intimacy in PRAYER and conscience.  - Fr. Louie, Good Shepherd Sunday mass, St. Padre Pio Center

The Lord seldom scream, He whispers in a low and loving voice. So like the sheep, it won't scare them away.

Today we offer this sunday to all the Sheperds of the church, the missionaries, the guides, the priests,deacon, head of different ministry, other vocation, especially to our pope Francis who radiates humility and kindness.

" Lord, help me become a sensible sheep so i may always recognize your voice. listen and follow wherever you lead me.I also pray for my shepherd, the leaders, our pope that they may be, like Christ a good Shepherd who would lay down their life in love and service.amen."

Who is your First Love?

Early morning as I leave for work. A song popped up in my memory entitled First love. This was the song dedicated also to me by my pinakada best friend Lot2...I tried searching for the lyrics and guitar chords because she used to sing and play this with her guitar during breaktime in highschool back then in CMULHS, Musuan, Bukidnon.

FIRST LOVE

Remember when you first knew in your heart that He loves you
And all you wanted to do with your time is to spend it all with Him
Remember when you first knew in your heart you would follow
And all you wanted to do with your time was to always be with Him

Then everything seems brand new
All you wanted to do was to seek His face
Hear His words and hold Him deep within you

Chorus:

Your first love is here right now,
He will never ever leave you
He would never let you down
Your first love is here right now.
Remember and return to your first love

Oh Jesus is here, let Him hold you
Hold him close, hold him near you
No one loves you more, there's no one like the Lord!

Your First love is here right now
Remember and return to your ..First love

HIS PLAN FOR YOUR MATE

You long to give yourself completely to someone...
Have a deep soul relationship with another...
To be loved thoroughly and exclusively

BUT GOD SAYS

NO, not until you are satisfied fulfilled and content
With being loved by Me alone...
With giving yourself totally unreservedly to Me...
To have an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone,
Discovering that in Me is your satisfaction to be found,
Then you will be capable of the perfect human relationship
 that I have planned for you.

You will never be united with another until you are united with Me.
Exclusively of anyone or anything else,
exclusively of any other desires or longings,
I want you to stop planning...
    stop wishing and allow Me
   to give you the most thrilling plan existing....
One that you cannot imagine.

I want you to have the best.
Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just expect the greatest things..keep listening and learning
Just wait. that's all.

DON'T BE ANXIOUS. DON'T WORRY.

Don't look around at the things other have gotten
    or that I have given them.
Don't look at the things you think you want.
Just keep looking off away and up to Me
    or you'll miss the things I want to show you.

And then when you're ready,
I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than what you dream of

You see, until you are ready and until that one I have for you is
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you,
You can't experience the love that exemplifies your relationship
and thus, PERFECT LOVE.

And dear one, I want you to have this wonderful love in my time.
I want you to see in flesh, a picture of yourself with Me.
and enjoy materially and concretely that everlasting union of beauty,
  perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.

Know that I love you utterly. Believe and be satisfied. :)