I’m sitting in front of my computer tonight listening to the sound of the wind howling outside. It feels good to hear that sound again after many months of sweltering heat. It’s quite incredible to think that barely weeks ago, it was so hot here in Metro Manila that not even my air conditioning system was enough to cool my little room. It’s good to be reminded that after that heat, there are still days and nights when rain would pound on my roof and the wind would make that lovely sound as it bounces off my window.

Yes it’s already the rainy season here in the Philippines, and while my blogging friends from the US and other parts of the world are talking about summer over at Bridget Chumbley’s blog, I’m writing about the typhoon that’s about to hit Metro Manila in a few hours. Our local weather bureau just announced signal number 1 over Manila some hours ago while the other parts of the country are in signal numbers 2 and 3. Elementary and high school classes are suspended tomorrow. There might be floods in Manila if rain would pour even for an hour. We have the worst drainage in the world.

I miss old praise and worship songs like this. Most young people today have never heard of Ron Kenoly but for us who attended church in the 90s, before there was Hillsong Music, Planetshakers, CitiPointe Live and Chris Tomlin, there was the old familiar voice of Ron Kenoly. That was the time when praise and worship concerts were really all about praise and worship and God, not stage props and visual effects. That was also the time when worship lyrics were all about God, not about falling in love and emotions. In my opinion, Ancient of Days is Ron Kenoly’s greatest song ever. Look at the lyrics below and sing with this video if you can so you’ll know what I mean.

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn’t ever end even when the sky is falling. I’ve seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new. That’s what faith can do!

This song has been playing in my playlist and in my head this past week. When I woke up this morning, I remembered it again and decided to look up the lyrics on the internet. As the title suggests, the song speaks of overcoming the odds when you simply have faith in God. I love how they say it in the chorus about hope that doesn’t end even when the sky is falling. I praise God for Kutless band who did this song. Enjoy and be blessed!

I just started watching Naruto. I know I’m a little too late for this. Right now, there are already 220 Naruto episodes produced and another 166 of Naruto Shippuden. The total viewing time for all these would take months for me and I’m not even sure if I could ever catch up with the hardcore fans. That’s okay though, everybody’s got to start somewhere.

There are a few things I noticed while watching the show. First is the way the Japanese portray spirituality. From Hayao Miyazaki’s movies to the Dragon Ball series to Naruto, I noticed the not so subtle insinuation that with disciplined training, people can cross over to the spirit world and take advantage of its powers. Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth. Biblically speaking, we can’t really crossover like that and the way to spiritual strength is not ninja discipline.

Many people blame God for everything that goes wrong with their lives. They think God doesn’t care or He is too busy with God-business that He doesn’t have time for us mere mortals. Others make this an excuse not to believe in God. “If there is a God up there, how could He let this happen to me?”

Whenever I hear people gripe like this, there is only one picture that pops in my mind: a one way street. You could only drive towards one direction and you can’t make a U-turn without endangering yourself.