Lora G. Recommends...

1. MERE CHRISTIANITY by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis has become one of my favorite authors because he represents the kind of writer I want to become: versatile, never redundant, flexible, and, most of all, always sharing his craft in light of the Lord. I've come across some of his writings: The Chronicles of Narnia, which spectacularly showcased both his skill and his faith in a legendary story both the young and the young-at-heart will love; The Problem of Pain, more of a string of essays that explain human suffering and the reason God allows it despite his love for us (definitely for a more mature audience, as his use of words in t his particular book can be rather intellectually intimidating). Larry has just started reeading The Screwtape Letters, another fictional book that brings about an entirely different topic and evokes quite an interesting mood (it speaks about how the workings of the devil's mind--I think C.S. Lewis was going after the "know how the enemy works" strategy) and says it's also a worthwhile read. I would recommend, though, to put MERE CHRISTIANITY on top of the C.S. Lewis reading list.

I've been glued to it not because of impressive prose and its potential to further improve my vocabulary and my writing. The book has become kind of a condensed "manual" for me, giving me a much simpler structure to cling to as far as living as a good Christian is concerned. Here, C.S. Lewis tackles the things those that occupy our thoughts and actions daily: our social lives, family, forgiveness, even love and sex. I know that reading books shrouded in Christian "Law" have a tendency to turn some people off because of the many preconceived notions about Christians being closed-minded, tunnel-visioned and downright preachy, but I do hope you give this book a chance. C.S. Lewis does not preach, he shares. He does not dictate, he educates. reading the book is making me realize just how far off some of my first impressions about Christianity are, and reaffirms a lot of the good I feel embracing Christianity will introduce me to. As I go along I wll write about my won reflections on some of the more hard-hitting topics in the book, but I pray it won't take that long for you to grab your own copy. Bottomline, it's the book you want to put alongside your Bible, especially when the tougher verses get to you and you feel like you're hearing God but are not sure you are fully understanding what He says--Mere Christianity will narrow down the perspectives for you to grasp, taking the guesswork out of living the Christian way.

2. www.ccf.org.ph

I've been attending Sunday service at CCF (Christ's Commission Fellowship) for more than a year now, and it is at this point in time that I feel compelled to share just how much those Sundays have been instrumental in bringing me closer to the Lord, and completely changing how I choose to live my life. I invite all of you to come and attend Sunday service at CCF St. Francis Square (here's a huge auditorium big enough to fit all of us, for sure)--you won't regret it. The best way to describe the first time I attended service is being woken up from a long, uneventful sleep and stepping into the livelier, lovelier times.

If you don't have the opportunity to come soon, you can log on to ccf.org.ph--they post transcripts of weekly messages (that are very helpful and hands-on applications of the BIble), and even do video streaming of the wackiest pastors strutting their stuff for all of God's believers every week! If you want to get into volunteer work or join different ministries in your free time--especially if you're where I'm at right now: the "What's my purpose?" phase--CCF may just open the right doors for you.

I do hopw I see you guys there, soon. :)

3. Larry's testimony at the CCF Anniversary: http://hoopstv.blogspot.com/2006/09/larry-fonaciers-story.html

I am still, frankly, in shock that my hugely private boyfriend decided to deliver his testimonly in front of thousands at the Araneta Coliseum last August 27. He's played in front of that many people, but to TALK was an entirely different story. By God's grace (and a lot of convincing and prayers from me and his mom), he was given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share his inspiring story to people.

Larry and I have been together since we were seventeen, and this year maks the seventh year we've been together. I can't say we've had God between us the whole time--maybe that explains the many "turbulent" moments (his words) and the nagging doubts that kept us from simply loving each other WHILE doing God's work individually and as a couple until the past few years. Now, though, I am certain we were brought (and allowed to STAY) together for a very good reason: the Lord. As a sign of utter gratitude for keeping us together and making us even closer than we thought possible after so many years (and many trials,too), we would like to work hand-in-hand in bringing OTHERS close to God as well, and to stand as reminders that God also uses love and relationships as instruments to perform His work.

I asked his permission to post this link on this blog, and he said that he would say yes to anything that would magnify God's glory, so here it is: a video of Larry delivering his heartfelt testimony. I know it took so much honesty on his part to admit his past shortcomings to the whole world (perhaps also to me), and I think that already earns him the position he's at: that of someone people MUST listen to and allow to touch their lives. I am praying that I can muster up the same kind of courageone day and talk about MY story (though it definitely isn't as "interesting" as his) to people. Well, I maybe doing a bit of that now, but maybe one day I'll get the chance to do it LIVE. But I'd have to think about the Araneta deal for a bit. ;-P

Lighting The Fire

"It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others."

Ephesians 2: 10

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but in the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."

Matthew 5: 14-16

I write for a living. Though I did not always plan to spend most of my days married to anything that serves the purpose of a keyboard and a monitor, I've been doing this long enough to claim that yes, I have indeed been given a tighter grasp of (or maybe it's just a more stubborn never-give-up attitude towards) putting words together than most people, and that I have done my part in putting such an ability to good use: thus the constant byline in countless publications, the occasional reader mail peppered with words of appreciation, and THAT somewhat illustrious "title".

I love my job, and the people closest to me can attest that I am most excited when I find myself turning seemingly incoherent thoughts into a string of words that manage to make sense; I live for that minor sense of enlightenment. To be able to put order into the chaos that usually crowds my brain by putting it all in words that are easier to understand--this is what keeps me on my toes, spewing out articles and essays about anything and everything I focus my interest on at a given time. I've written about the mundane, the superficial, the skin-deep. And then there are the emotion-driven pieces that have come about because of a spillover of feelings from either side of the spectrum. A couple of years ago I would've told you, without batting an eyelash, that I've written about everything there is to be written about--from the arguably useless to the supremely relevant--but today, even after hours and hours of looking for just ONE article I've written that can define the real importance, the real purpose of MY writing, I am at a complete loss.

I am slowly realizing that in the way I've chosen to use this talent, I have alienated its very source. I have been too busy "putting this gift to good use" that I have successfully evaded the BEST way I could ever use it. I have yet to write about God.

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I was born into a deeply religious Catholic family. I spent thirteen years being educated in Catholic institutions, even more living life the way I always thought I was expected to live as a Catholic. I had God in my life, no doubt about that. And this was precisely why I was more offended that honored (which, looking back, I should have been) when someone I loved put me in a position of reassessing my relationship with the Lord. I felt like I was being tricked into admitting that I was less of a person than he was, and that my every move was being watched, every little slip-up a huge "A-hah!" chance to bring up my many shortcomings as a person in general. I remember thinking, "How dare you question me about God? I HAVE GOD IN MY LIFE!" It honestly pains me to think of how much I resented the insecurity the topic of "God" elicited in me then--it reminds me of how self-centered I was, thinking it was about ME. I had unknowingly allowed selfishness and pride get in the way of seeing that "having God in my life" meant so much more than praying regularly, attending Sunday mass, 'owning' a religion. It was never about merely having God in my life, not about the ability to fit Him in my schedule and having the awareness that He can answer my prayers when I need Him to--it was about living my entire life, every second of it, with Him, and knowing that it's never about what He can do for me, but what I can do FOR Him.

It was (and is, everyday) a struggle, getting to know more about God and constantly redesigning my life and my decisions around Him. Initially, I'd beat myself up over seeing change in my life, feeling frustration creep up every time I find myself falling short of the ideals I've learned God wants us to become. But it's amazing how God always finds a way to give me that reassuring pat on the back, whether it's in the form of an inspiring verse I come across when I read my Bible, a few words of wisdom from the pastor speaking at service, the fruitful interaction I have with my D-group friends, or the kindness and patience of the same person I resented (now with so much remorse for the mistake and appreciation for loving me that much to help me through my journey) not so long ago for trying to bring me back to the Lord.

There is always something new to learn about Him and how He works in our lives--that's one thing I know for sure. I think that once we ask Him to come into our lives, the journey only becomes more exciting: there are new questions to ask (not of doubt but of pursuit of Him), new ways to live His Word (which are not always easy), and a need to SERVE, which I'm very much experiencing now. It's challenging, and admittedly, quite scary, to figure out how the Lord intends to use us while we're "on assignment" here on Earth. But without a doubt, I know it will be worthwhile.

THIS is part of my journey: my own questions, my pursuit of the truth that I hope will also be useful in YOUR own journey to get to know Him. This is my commitment to serve Him with the abilities He has equipped me with, and will also be a reminder to myself to always, ALWAYS do my best in being the kind of woman He designed me to become. This is my long (and always ongoing) thank you letter to the people I love and look up to, the people who are walking with me and giving me the strength (and occasionally, the push) I need on this journey, who willingly share with me their own lives in Christ. And lastly, this is my chance to go above the person I've been the past years and become someone who doesn't only make readers smile, but make God smile, too. Father, this is for You.

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Starting today, I will no longer just write for a living.

I will write so that others may live in Christ.