Take all of me

I'd like to ask you guys this question... Who is Jesus to you? What's your relationship with Him? Do you know him? You might say... "yeah" but think about this... How much do you know him? Are you his friend or a simply acquaintance? Think hard my friend :)

Being friends with someone means having a relationship with that person. In the past I can say that I have knowledge of Jesus... I knew that he died for me... but I didn't really understand what it means... I didn't have a relationship... he was mearly an acquaintance of mine. I did things my way... I saw things... in my way... when I don't get what I wanted... I mocked him.

Friendship equates to trust and faith in someone... do you whole-heartedly have faith in him? Trust and Faith are two very strong words - infact it's synonymus! If you say yes... then ask yourself... "Have you counted the cost?"... How much do you love Jesus? How much do you trust him? How much faith do you have? Imagine you're in a plane that's about to crash... and you'll have to jump off the plan using a parachute... basically you're entrusting yourself on the parachute... that's what faith is... now... do you have "that" relationship with Jesus? Do you have total trust in Him? Trust not only in one aspect of your life... or your schedule... but rather... every aspect of your being.

Can you surrender your life to him? Give him everything you've got! Everything that you have? Can you? Don't simply say it... but do you really mean what you say? You probably understand what I'm saying but... think about this... what's stoping you of giving that 100%? When will you start?

Statistically speaking... most people in their death-bed call unto God prior to death... even those who don't believe in him. Now I ask you... will you wait until that time?

While you're at it... why not read the lyrics of the song below :)

Artist: Australia Hillsongs
Song: Take all of me

You broke the night like the sun
and healed my heart with Your great love
any trouble couldn't bear
You lifted me upon Your sholders

Love that's stronger
Love that covers sin
and takes the weight of the world

I love You
all of my hope is in You
Jesus Christ take my life
take all of me

You stand upon mountain tops with me
with You I walk through the valleys
You gave Your only Son for me
Your grace is all I rely on

Love that's stronger
Love that covers sin
and takes the weight of the world

I love You
all of my hope is in You
Jesus Christ take my life
take all of me

I love You so, and I give up my Life to say
I need You so, my everything

I feel weak :(

Well just met my classes today. It's unfortunate that I wasn't in "fighting form" :( (I have the flu).

I opted to come to class even with my condition. I promised the Lord that I will give my 100% for Him in my work. That this simple ailment will not hinder me to worship the Lord my God. I'm thankful that he gave me the energy to talk to my class, that the fire that is inside me... the passion I have to teach my students was still there... the passion of doing my best for the honor of God.

My Prayer to the Lord

Lord God I feel weak... my mind and body is at its limits... but my heart Lord continues to work for Your glory. I pray Lord that you give me the strength to overcome this obstacle... that I maybe able to serve you even with this ailment. I love you Lord God, and this simple sacrifice of mine is not enough for what you have done for me 2000 years ago on that cross... by dying for my sins - You have saved me from the fires of hell. I know Lord God that I should not fear anyone or anything because You are my defender, my redeemer, my strength, my hope, my shield, my comforter... as you promised and as I have experienced... You're always am with me.

Have you?

Just woke up a few minutes ago... now I'm gonna get ready to go to the sunday service @ Republic of Malate. Hmmm, I have a sore throat (again!)... Wahhh! How will I sing for the Lord later at service? How will I talk to my students this week?

Usually we only get to appreciate things, senses, and talents given by God when you lose it. Think about this my friend... have you used the senses, talents He has given you at all? If so, another question... how did you use it? If not - why?

Below are a couple of stories from my life that I'd like to share with you guys

The Sketching Story

When I was in grade school I used to draw (pencil, pastels, charcoal)... I drew landscapes and people... in fact I even entered drawing contests - I can say that I was good at it! Then came a point where I simply given-up drawing (high school)... and one time while walking, I met my grade school art teacher; you can say that he's my mentor with regards to the drawing and painting. He asked me "Hello Norman, kamusta?" I replied "Ok lang sir" with a smile. He then asked me "O, nag-draw-drawing ka pa ba?" I then replied "Sir hindi na". With a sad face he said "Sayang naman". His words and the expression on his face still haunt my thoughts till this very day.

The Tae Kwon Do Varsity

In highschool, my friend Ligert asked me to join the Tae Kwon Do club. At first it was simply exercise but as the months past by my view on Tae Kwon Do transformed; from exercise to serious pursuit of the art. I can say the pursuit was because of my friend’s passion for the art and my respect and admiration to our mentor Mr. Rolly Paterno. Tae Kwon Do was my world was in everything that I do.

Then the last tournament that I and Ligert had for LSGH came, National Tae Kwon Do Championship (the biggest event in all of Philippine Tae Kwon Do events wherein there are 5 fighters and for the entire team to advance 3/5 must win their individual matches). After several months of training... after all the pain... here is the arena to prove myself... and to give honor to my school, my team mates and my mentor. But during that time I had to overcome adversity, there was an oversight on the weight category that I was in. I was overweight by 10lbs and had to remove those pounds in a week’s time. It was the lowest and the most painful time of my all highschool days - but my mentor stuck with me through that endeavor. With Sir Rolly's help I reached the required weight, but at a price. All the hardwork, the training has gone to waist... I was famished! I felt weak! The speed and power of my kicks, my reflexes have all been diminished due to that 1 week’s journey.

But I can't simply give-up! During the two days tournament - I fought with my all my heart! During the team huddle Sir Rolly even commented "I'd like to commend Norman, his attitude, kita nyo naman na wala syang lakas pero he still fought ang gave his all. Let's have that attitude, that heart". My friend Ligert also encouraged me. Our team won battle after battle but came the turning point of it all... we lost our bronze medal fight... the only time that me and Ligert lost. After the match Sir Rolly talked to me and Ligert. He said thanks for our effort and dedication; he encouraged us to continue our pursuit of Tae Kwon Do even in our college days... and even said that with hard work we might even end up in the Philippine team. (We were in tears as Sir Rolly said though encouraging words). It's sad that Ligert and I stopped Tae Kwon Do when we reached our 2nd year in college.

Conclussion

Now thinking about my past... here are men who believed in my skills, my talents... men who saw something in me, who encouraged me to use my skills & talents... and I simply put it to waste. I can simply imagine what could have happened if I continued with my drawing... my art work might already be in different art galleries... if I pursued Tae Kwon Do... I could be fighting right now for the glory of our nation.

In the past, I drew and fought to please my mentors and other people. The result is I gave-up. I started the race but never did I finish it. Yes I had passion... but never did I channel that passion to a greater pursuit... for a greater purpose. Yes I was out to please someone... but not THE ONE who gave me ALL the gifts and talents that I have.

When I think of my mentors right now... the sadness on their face knowing that I gave up... that I didn't use the skills and talents given to me... I think of how God must have been feeling all this time. From my birth until my adulthood I have a squandered what He has given. Me - not going to my full potential! Me limiting myself! Me not using his gifts for His glory. Me not doing what He has planned for me! Me not doing His will!

Open your Bible and read Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents).

God gave us all these gifts; the more you use the gifts that He gave can lead to new gifts... a grander purpose... I can imagine now that if I used my gift of drawing, I would have excelled and might have lead to me knowing how to paint and not simply sketch... it would be an instrument for me in advancing God's kingdom. Or if I pursued Tae Kwon Do, I might be in the Philippine Team right now and again... God would have used me for His purpose there.

I know God gave me the gift of teaching... he also gave me a talent for singing... and now, having this relationship with Jesus Christ - I get to appreciate the love that God have for me. Grabe bro! He's a very very loving God talaga! Everyday He shows me what he gave - and I didn't know that I had them all along pala. Bro, I'm simply am scratching the surface of His majesty... His gifts for me... and I'm ecstatic! C'mon! Now I'm going to use the gifts that I know I have... teaching and singing... unlike my younger years where I would do things to please people... this time... I'm going to please My God! When I said that I will follow you Lord... I made a covenant! I will finish this race! I will be God's champion! I will use everything that He has given me for His purpose for His kingdom for His Glory!

I will teach my students not only academics but what life is all about... about values... about faith... I will use God's gift of singing as I train under the Music Ministry and I know one day God will ask me to perform for Him and sing for Him in front of the children of God.

I will teach and sing with my heart and my soul... when I'm weak... I'll call upon the Lord to grant me the strength to overcome any obstacle... so that I can further His kingdom here on earth!

I encourage you to use it! It's God given!

Friend, what do you think you'll answer when God asks you when you're judged... what have you done with the gifts I given you? I pray it's not - "wala... I opted to watch TV and party all day and night"

Going back to my questions at the start of my post.

Usually we only get to appreciate things, senses, and talents given by God when you lose it. Think about this my friend... have you used the senses, talents He has given you at all? If so, another question... how did you use it? If not - why?

The BEST Decision!

Just came from Campus Harvest. What? You weren't there? I tell you... you missed alot! Talk about PASSION for Christ! Man! The best! Don't worry though... if you were unable to join this years "Harvest"... it's not too late... I believe next year's "Harvest" will be even more bountiful! Ei... last year I wasn't part of the event... and now... WOW! C'mon! :D

Now I wanna ask you something my bro/sis... What is the best decision you did in your entire life? Ok... wait and reflect... think... was it applying in school / course / job you wanted? Asking out the girl of your dreams (for guys)? Accepting a date from your crush (girls)? Getting married? Accepting a promotion? Going on a trip? Etc... etc... Now some/all of these might be "valid" decisions... some might even be life changing... but I tell you this bro/sis - for me... everything that the world can offer can't be compared to what the Lord has in store... The best decision for me is not... getting that dream job... it's not asking out and being accepted to a date from the girl of my dreams... etc... But rather... the best and I mean the BEST! Is accepting and surrendering my life to the Lord!

I was focussed on the wrong things... my life was work and/or relationships... and it led to depression & stress... talk about existing and walking through life not knowing what my purpose is... everything seemed "robotic".

But since the Lord has taken control of my life... He has shown me amazing things! He has opened my eyes to the TRUTH! By surrendering to His will... to His Lordship... I began to see changes in the way I think... the way I do things... the way I interact with people... even the way I "feel". Everything is so simple... he also has continually blessed me from day one! I can't imagine what He'll give me tomorrow... the day after... two years from now... etc... Exciting bro/sis!

Ei bro/sis... when God makes a promise... He means it... just like my post last April 3... He'll give those who are faithful to Him the desires of their heart. I never thought that God is this giving! Cool! Hmmm, I can babble all day long and you won't understand what I'm saying... but I know! You're questioning my post right this very moment... "totoo ba yan?"... "wushu"... "bola"... "stir".... "ano ba yan mga desires nya?"... “malamang hindi mangyayari mga sinasabi nya”… “dreamer”

I tell you… don’t take my word for it... you have to experience it yourself! I challenge you! To take that leap of faith... focus your energies to having THE relationship… a relationship with Jesus Christ... If you think you know him… think again! Bro/Sis you have nothing to lose... but all to gain! Believe me it'll be the best decision you’ve done! :)

If you need help on how to start a relationship with Jesus... feel free to send an email through norman.g.lee@gmail.com or through my cell number 09178552066.

All glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ! :D