I believe in God, that truth that He sent Jesus His only son to save us from death and eternal damnation. But that knowledge alone didn't help me fully understand the gravity of this massive demonstration of love (John 3:16). I couldn't fully appreciate the role of Jesus in this war against the evil forces in the spiritual realm. This might sound superficial and crazy but this battle could not be any more real than it is. I was at bay and didn't want to be considered by others as a fanatic and too proud to approach a God I never got to know up close and personal. I was doing fine and sourcing my strength and power to continue living from the negative emotions and feelings I harbored as I grew up.
I thought the path I headed was "okay" since everyone seemed to be going in that direction. They just go with the flow of the rotten system. It doesn't matter if something is wrong, it doesn't matter if they talk about people behind their back, it doesn't matter if they say hurtful and insulting words as long they have the fun and pleasure of it, it doesn't matter if they step on others just to enhance their own image and a lot more things that I thought and was foolishly convinced that doesn't really matter.
My resistance didn't take long and eventually went with the flow. I thought it would be easier if I do what others do, but it only gave me a hard time. I kept on rejecting the system no matter how much I tried to embrace it. I had a hard time and was left conflicted, lost to who I am and how should I really deal with the world.
Lost, I was in need of direction, like a compass that would tell me where to go or what to do. All my plans for my career, dreams, family, my life as a whole were for naught. Everything was in vain as I recognized the dirt inside me that almost ate me up alive, swallow me whole and spit me in the deepest and darkest pit of hell. I was drowning. I was alive but barely breathing. I was in dire need of salvation from my sin and worst from myself. I was like a ticking bomb ready and wanting to explode in a split second. Self-destruction was just around the corner. Everything didn't make sense. I wanted to see the end of my worthless, shameful, and sinful life.
So here comes the question: why Jesus? Does he have anything to do with my life or with your life? Just who really is He? What's the big deal about Him? Maybe, these are just some of the questions you have in mind. Or if you already received the answers, praise God if that is the case. But if you are still searching and seeking the answers to these questions, then these are just some answers you might need right now. The book Why Jesus? tells us the need to have Jesus in our lives. The author Nicky Gumbel enumerates three reasons why Him, why Jesus:
- He satisfies our hunger for meaning and purpose in life
- He satisfies our hunger for life beyond death
- He satisfies our hunger for forgiveness
So again why Jesus for me, and for you too...
BECAUSE He gave me an opportunity to make a restart (2 Corinthians 5:17). He died on the cross and took all the guilt and shame (Romans 5:8). He defeated death so we can have eternity with and through Him (2 Timothy 1:10). And more wisdom and encounter to bless you and me as we journey and develop that personal and intimate relationship with Him... <3
And why not really? What better reasons do you have for you not to put your faith in Him? Nada.
What if myths were real? A small-town gamer girl discovers friendly mythological creatures among humans and embarks on a quest to save the world.
Here's another new book about myths by a Filipino author we can all look forward to. It is published under Penguin Random House and here's a little teaser for you all before its official release.
Of Myths And Men
By: Catherine Dellosa
Genre: YA fantasy
Tropes/Keywords: Vampires, Mythological Creatures, Gamer Geek, Save The World
Blurb:
Eighteen-year-old Ava has saved the world 152 times—ever since she got her hands on her first console. It's all fun and games, but after a mysterious encounter with not-a-vampire Brad, she discovers that the mythological creatures she’s only ever seen in video games are actually totally real. Brad reveals they’re alien refugees living among humans—bonus points because Ava finds the guy really, really cute.
As she's suddenly thrust into a quest with a surfer wendigo, a friendly manananggal, a telepathic nine-tailed fox, a Sudoku-loving centaur, and a huggable Bigfoot, Ava embarks on an actual mission to fend off an alien invasion—and she soon realizes that this time, she just might need to save the world for real.
Where's a save point when you need one?
Release dates:
SINGAPORE - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
- Penguin Random House SEA - https://penguin.sg/book/of-myths-and-men/
- Kinokuniya Singapore - https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789814954297
MALAYSIA - FEBRUARY 20, 2022
PHILIPPINES - MARCH 15, 2022
AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15, 2022
- Penguin Random House Australia - https://www.penguin.com.au/books/of-myths-and-men-9789814954297
- Amazon Australia - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/9814954292?_encoding=UTF8&tag=prhau08-22
- Booktopia - https://www.booktopia.com.au/of-myths-and-men-catherine-dellosa/book/9789814954297.html
- Kinokuniya Australia - https://australia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789814954297
- Abbey's - https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/of-myths-and-men-9789814954297.do
- Angus & Robertson - https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/of-myths-and-men-catherine-dellosa/p/9789814954297
- Fishpond Australia - https://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Of-Myths-And-men-Catherine-Dellosa/9789814954297
NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 15, 2022
- Penguin Random House New Zealand - https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/of-myths-and-men-9789814954297
- Mighty Ape - https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/of-myths-and-men/35601770
- Fishpond New Zealand - https://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Of-Myths-And-men-Catherine-Dellosa/9789814954297
US, UK, CANADA - PRE-ORDER LINKS COMING SOON
Author bio:
Catherine Dellosa Lo plays video games for a living, reads comics for inspiration, and writes fiction because she’s in love with words. She lives in Manila, Philippines with her husband, whose ideas fuel the fire in her writing. She has penned The Bookshop Back Home and Raya and Grayson’s Guide to Saving the World as part of #romanceclass, a community of Filipino authors who’re equally in love with words too.
While she’s never had to befriend Bigfoot in real life, she swears that Jimmy is based on an actual person. She one day hopes to soar the skies as a superhero, but for now, she strongly believes in saving lives through her works in fiction. Check out her books at bit.ly/catherinedellosabooks, or follow her on FB/IG/Twitter at @thenoobwife.
Contact info (available for interviews, video chats, readings, features, what-have-yous):
Name: Catherine Dellosa
Email: catherinedellosabooks@gmail.com
Website: bit.ly/catherinedellosabooks
Amazon: amazon.com/author/thenoobwife.catherinedellosa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thenoobwife
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thenoobwife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNoobWife/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/TheNoobWife
#ofmythsandmen #teambrad #teamconnor
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Everything happens for a reason. There's no doubt there is, always. No single event in this universe exists wholly for itself, everything is related and interconnected. You and I, she and he, they and them, we all are, just like Daniel Bae and Natasha Kingsley. It may sound superficial, but it is the truth. You know it is, and you don't have to deny it.
My first book in 2022, tanan, The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, is a young adult book for a not-so-young adult like me. haha
Yoon's book is dreamy, yet ironically realistic. The drama and comedy of life are vivid in this short-lived love story between Daniel and Natasha. Fate brought them together and soon enough they got separated in a one-day time. A fast-paced love rendezvous from morning 'til nighttime of two youngsters who have opposing beliefs about love.
The alternate point of view of the male and female leads in the book brings equilibrium to the whole concept of the story. It balances the opposing ideas incorporated in the story. Life is a comedy and a tragedy. Love is superficial and scientific. Human existence can be good and bad. But it is the whole experience of living the life where we can get the most of it. That despite the pain, there can still be joy.
We only have a dainty span here on earth and the best we can do is to live it with a purpose. Have you found your purpose in this confusing world? I pray that you already did, if not yet, let's continue to pray about it. Let's go!
The pacing is divine. The timing is perfect. The book is superb. A good book to start the year right!
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;it hastens to the end—it will not lie.If it seems slow, wait for it;it will surely come; it will not delay.
After many years, we finally had a visit to our relatives in Nueva Ecija. As far as I remembered, ever since I started working as a teacher we never visited the place as a family. It might have been 11 years since my last visit. It appeared that we had an extra budget this year so visiting the province was made possible. Praise God! <3 It would be nice to do this every year, I thought.
We stayed at our relatives' house for 3 days and 2 nights. We were provided with delicious and native food during our stay. Adobong manok, ginataang manok, tinumis and binagoongang karne were my favorites. The meat was all fresh from the pen, we ate native chickens! There was quite a difference in the taste compared to the 45-day chicken we usually bought at the market in a city. Native chicken meat absorbs flavors better and richer.
I also missed the espasol my sister and I used to eat whenever we went to Nueva Ecija during school vacation when we were just kids. I was delighted when my father bought a tub of espasol and kalamay. Espasol is the best, not too sweet, just perfect, and the texture is chewy not too soft or hard, just perfect as well. Perfect score for the superb espasol!
We also had a chance to drop by at Farm Villaronte at San Antonio, Nueva Ecija. The place reminded me of the Sirao Flower Garden of Cebu. There was an entrance fee of 50 pesos per person. We were supposed to visit the ancestral houses at Gapan City, the newest and latest attraction in town, but that did not happen because we were always sleepy early at night and I preferred to sleep. haha We will and should visit it next time.
There were different kinds of flowers but Zinnia got me the most. They were everywhere even our relatives had those flowers in their backyard. I wanted to ask my father to bring at least one plant of daisies, but we were pretty cramped up in the vehicle so I decided not to push through with my wants. Maybe next time. I must say that Farm Villaonte is a nice venue for a prenup, hehe, a good recommendation for those who plan to get married and have something like a prenup photoshoot.
Beauty and wit are noticeable concepts at Farm Villaronte, perfect for people who are fond of posting Instagrammable pictures. We felt like we traveled to some famous places in the world, and encountered replicas of a few iconic and historical items. There were also some funny memes in the area, haha, one is a swing for the singles which I didn't even attempt to sit on. haha
Lovely Zinnias <3 I am in love with God's creation, bless your eyes with these picturesque photos of flower power! haha To be honest, I thought they were Daisies and I was wrong. They are actually Zinnias, thanks to Bixby Vision I double-checked the name of the flower before publishing this blog entry. haha
Paying a visit to our relatives in the province was a bit nerve-wracking on our part except for my father. The last time we went there was a misunderstanding among adults. Time healed everyone and God's timing made it all possible. My father so wanted to come and see his brothers and sisters and cousins and friends. He was excited and couldn't hide it, just how the song said it. He missed them and the home he used to live in. It was just sad that a cousin of ours passed away during this festive season that urged us to push through going to Nueva Ecija. All went well for good by God's grace, and we ate the best ulam during our short stay.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
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