Through this blog, it is my first time reacting to a movie I watched. I thought I should just go for books, but I guessed we could also go get inspiration in movies just like I thought so.
The first film is Weathering With You. I saw posts about this movie for quite some time on one of my social media accounts. I was interested since I heard that the main characters of the animated movie Your Name made a cameo, but my curiosity was not enough to make me want to watch it during those times.
Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with animated movies and the likes so it is only natural for me to watch this kind of film whenever I find the time to browse the internet and find an interesting film to get myself busy in times of idleness or if I want to have a break from reading books.
Weathering with You or Tenki no Ko is a kind of movie genre that I will definitely get myself into. It is heartwarming, full of drama, and has a sprinkle of romance. I got teary-eyed as I watched an animated film like this. I didn't expect that it was flavored with fantasy I thought it was more like the word 'weather' in the title was something like the struggles that the main characters experienced in their lives as teenagers. In literal meaning, it seems like I was wrong in my assumptions with the title, but in figurative aspects, I guess my assumptions make sense. It's like weathering with you means going through with you or with someone in facing struggles and challenges in life particularly in our society.
I admire how the characters defy the odds in realizing what their hearts desire the most. I had this thought of how I wished I could be brave like them, young as they were, they already determined what they want and what to do. Yet the plot of the story clearly showed the limitations of their desire at its resolution part, and as what the society expects them to behave. They are young and have to answer to the authority which presents the realistic part of the story. There are consequences they have to accept after pursuing their desire while neglecting their safety and without the approval of the people who are in charge of them.
This film burns with passion and warmth despite its rainy and watery season setting almost throughout the movie. Let's keep weathering!
It was morning and I was not feeling well. I felt cold and warm so I took a nap hoping the feeling would fade away. I prayed as I tried to get a little sleep to ease the cold and warmth I was feeling. It sounded ironic the way I put it, but if you are a normal human being this is exactly how you feel when you are about to get sick, you feel cold and hot. As I experienced this irony in my body, anxiety began to take over me about my plans for the first few days of 2021. I might put it behind and lose some finances due to my sickness.
Episodes just like this in my life remind me of my humanity, that there is a weakness in me, that I am limited in different aspects, yet I know that I am enough for the purpose He has entrusted me. God has supplied and will supply whatever I need. This is also a loving nudge from God that I must learn to let go of the things I can't control and fully trusting Him that all things will work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The year 2021 is not an exemption to the war that has been occurring even before I existed here on earth. A spiritual war has been going on since Satan rebelled against God. And the battleground for this war is our mind, thus we should fill our minds with good thoughts and ideas that edify us towards the kingdom of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ~2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
Living a victorious life is never easy, surely there are times of failure and losses, but He is faithful and Christ is enough. He will bring comfort in our troubled times. He will be with us when we face tribulation in our life. He will not forsake us. The LORD is always with us.
I am in the process of knowing God more and seeking Him to have that personal and intimate relationship. There are times that I waver and neglect my time with Him so I tried to improve some of my habits that will help me in my journey to know and experience Him more. I listed down below some of the materials that help me with this spiritual journey with God:
1. Journal Notebook
Ever since I decided to become a writer I always tend or prefer to pen down my thoughts and feelings in a notebook, but I was never consistent. Most of the time I just brush off the chances of penning down those thoughts and feelings. But the year 2020 made the difference, I was more determined to utilize my journal notebook in talking my thoughts and feelings with God. Hopefully, 2021 will bring the same determination as I continue to seek more of God.
2. 365-Day / Everyday Devotional
Recently, I began reading the Bible from the beginning, the book of Genesis. I was having trust issues with what the church was telling about Jesus. This was a struggle I opened to my Discipleship Group leader and other members. They prayed for me and gave references for me to watch, read, and meditate upon. Aside from reading the Bible, I thought it would be nice to have this everyday devotional book by Max Lucado.
3. Pens and Highlighters
I use Dong-A Fine Tech, they are more affordable than its other competitor. I get the quality I want at a much lower price. It is also refillable. For highlighters, I have ones from Stabilo Boss and Schneider Job collections. I just need the basics for penning down my thoughts and feelings, and sometimes my conversations with God. I also tried writing stories and poems on notebooks, but it appears to me that I am not making any progress right now.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Happy new year! God bless everyone!
Where to travel this 2020?
I know that you are also wondering about an answer to this question. Where can we go for our travel goals this 2020? During this time of the pandemic, many of us have already cancelled plans, be it related to our study, career, business, family, and a lot more things. We may feel disappointed by all these, maybe now is not the right time, maybe there is more perfect timing for our plans to happen. We may not understand why, but when it is time all will make sense.
Every year before the year ends, I travel with a friend and as years go by, a friend turned to friends. We are growing and continue recruiting (that sounds so business-like haha). We like to travel for experience and 'feels'. Our experiences may not be always pleasant, but there are always the fun and happy parts of our journey. Seeing and feeling in the breathtaking view of God's wonderful creation is the best experience we can all share together. Meeting and observing people from different places is also a joy for us. We learn from them and from the places we set our foot on. It is a privilege, and we are thankful to God making these opportunities.
This year-end travel has been a ritual going on for five years which started in 2015. Travelling to beautiful places was wishful thinking for us until we decided that 2015 should begin the journey and it went on until 2019. Maybe similar to your circumstance, we also silently decided all together (using our telepathic ability haha) that this year 2020 would make the difference. Not pushing through with our travel plans is for the best, and that is also silently agreed upon by everyone. During this pandemic, a lot of people struggle and we are not excused to those challenges. We can only pray and try our best to help others the best we can. We are limited, but we know God is limitless. He is sovereign and still in control.
This year 2020, we were supposed to go to Romblon, since one of our travel buddies slash colleagues slash friend is from this beautiful place. We are aware of its wonders and beauty through our social media accounts. Photos are posted on the different travel-themed group page on Facebook. We are in awe just by looking at the pictures and we still look forward to seeing Romblon in person, certainly not this year, but we are hopeful this coming 2021.
So our travel goal in 2020 is at the gym (haha), but we will see you soon Romblon!
August 5, 2020, was the day when this book arrived in an LBC branch near our area. This was shipped with the other 21 books. Most of them were preloved and old copies, mostly had tanned pages already, there at least 5 new books out of those 21 books. I was so excited about opening the package in my office/bookstore, I felt satisfied at first knowing I got the best deal for 500 pesos from the purchase I did through one of my personal social media accounts, but gradually as I looked at books I realized that these were not books I saw posted on that social media account of the seller. I began to feel disappointed and dissatisfied with my purchase. My mind was clouded with negative thoughts and I felt cheated. Without confirming and rationalizing my thoughts and conclusions, I sent a message of complaint to the seller and accused him of sending me the wrong bundle of books. Our conversation went on as I continued to lash out my concerns in a manner that was not very nice, yet on the other end, the seller appeared to be calm as he tried to explain and resolve my issues. I was turned off toward myself with the way I dealt with him in those circumstances, I was ashamed of myself for jumping to a negative conclusion. I thought to myself that was not so Jesus-like. As we went on with our conversation, it turned out that I received the correct books we both agreed upon. The original bundle of books I wanted to buy was sold out and he informed me in advance, so I decided to buy a different bundle of books he offered to me. I forgot that part of the deal and was not mindful enough not to jump into wrong accusations. I was so ashamed of myself, I was rude and wrong. All I could think of and do during that time was to apologize and he accepted it.
Because of that incident, I was reminded again of WWJD which stands for What Would Jesus Do. Before jumping to any conclusion, I should ask this question to myself, if not always, at least most of the time. I was impulsive during that time, I thought I had overcome that stronghold. I know that overcoming strongholds needs moment by moment surrendering to Jesus. Every day, we battle with forces unseen. There is a spiritual war that is happening around us, thus we have to be on guard with God's Word.
The Jesus Movement by Edward E. Plowman is a record of accounts of how people in some parts of America got to know Jesus as the solution to all the problems that the human race faces right now. I would like to see a world where we love like Jesus did, care for others how Jesus did, all the things He did while He was here on earth to set an example for all of us, for our sake. I am aware that it is not that simple, I myself have a lot of struggles and have this uncertainty sometimes if I can be Jesus-like. Yet, I have this assurance that in Him everything is possible. That through Him, it is possible to finish this race if I continue to seek His kingdom first. I try to consistently meditate on the Scriptures day and night and do my journal. These are the little things I do so I can stay on the track and run the race He has set for me. I am trying to live a Spirit-filled life because without it continuing the race will be impossible for me. Only through Jesus, I will be able to go on and finish the race. My prayer always is that I will depend on and trust Him in everything, and obey everything He has commanded me. May I always have a heart that seeks only Him. My LORD and Saviour. The Source of my strength.
Satan may be louder, but Jesus is much, much stronger. Jesus lives and has defeated the enemy.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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