1.25.11

A brief review of my Wish List:

1. Renovate house in Bataan
A necessity still, but only very minor repairs.

2. Repair house in Augustus
Quotation in. Still in quandary over expenses.

3. Save short-term and long-term
As of today, yes, there are short-term savings
And I think the long-term one has also begun.
Long-term target: When I turn 55 or 2015!!!

4. Travel locally with Tatay & Nanay and travel abroad
Maybe, the local travel will be in Banaue.
And the travel abroad scheduled this year: Bangkok, USA, Australia

5. Read one book a month
Done with three.
Currently: Just Like Jesus

6. Print first personal book
Ho-hum

7. Publish 4 major books for Kaloob/CSM
Tud Bulul will be first.
Currently: BS Guides / 50 Payo Series

8. Learn more by reviewing more
A review of my 1995!
And there are lessons re-learned.

9. Play tennis again
Today was my third week of tennis re-training.
I am content with just hitting the ball.
Way over the challenge of running after each ball.
Make the coach work for his fee.

10. Be health-conscious
Less caffeine, less meat
A bit more of exercise
More sleep

11. Watch film once a week
Done with I think five or six?
Will watch: Hereafter by Clint Eastwood, starring Matt Damon

12. Indulge once a month
My indulgence time and budget over
Shopped and massaged!

13. Retreat once a quarter
On sked

14. Write
The continuity of this blog is by itself a miraculous whiff.
When there’s a will, albeit a small one, there is a way.

15. Be better
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Getting there.

Quadro was adopted by Ricky.
Trish was adopted by Loren.
And I felt sad giving them away.
Hu-hu-hu!!!

REFLECTIONS
Exodus 32-34

Why was Aaron so gullible?
Why were the people forgetful about what a mighty God they have?
Why was Moses so burdened with concern?
And boy, oh, boy!
What an intercessor!
This is what intercession is about!
(Review Genesis 18 – Abraham’s intercession with God for Sodom and Gomorrah)

Note the dialogue between God and Moses:
Exodus 32:9 (The Lord)
Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.

Exodus 32:11-13 (Moses)
“O LORD, why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’”

The result of the dialogue:
Exodus 32:14
Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

A few notes:
* Aaron, the chosen spokesman of God was a liar!
Exodus 32:24
…they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!

* Moses commanded at least 3,000 people to be killed by those in favor of the Lord.
Life is lent.
Life is taken back.
And who are we to argue?

* The Lord struck the people with plague!
But though this life is meant to be enjoyed, there are also rules to follow.
And number one rule: DO NOT MESS WITH GOD!


* The Lord’s “indecisiveness”?
Exodus 33:5
‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’

(Another side of the Lord:)
Genesis 6:6
The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

* Moses and the Lord
Exodus 33:11
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.

(Moses, preceding Solomon in asking God’s favor)
Exodus 33:13
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.

Moses: Show me your glory.
Lord: Likod na lang, huwag na mukha. Kung hindi, tigbak ka!

* The Lord’s proclamation of himself
Exodus 34:6-7 “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

His demand:
Exodus 34:20
No one is to appear before me empty-handed.

* The radiant face of Moses
A result of fellowshipping with God