BoringYetGraceful

Seedlings

There was a time in my life that I don't have any interest in playing the guitar. During my freshman year in highschool, I bought my father's guitar because friend D ask for it for a school subject performance, I think it wasn't for MAPEH. That's the only time I bought the guitar which I don't have anything to do with it. Stephen Speaks still resonates in my ears.

A Christ follower must be transparent in their life because the life of Christ is so transparent. That during His first tenure here on earth, the darkness of this world cannot take it, and they nailed Him into the cross. To the Christian reading this post, does your heart still beats for this world or just a passerby whose chief end is to glorify God forever?

Growing up in a household where both married couple professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior doesn't mean Christian na din agad yung anak. Faith in Christ is personal, but it is something worthwhile when the legacy of faith is passed down at home. The parents are only the tool, but it's the work of the Spirit that works inside the child. Growing up inside the church is different from growing up in faith. Christ followers have different paths and they knew where they came from and they knew their chief end. Nothing compares sa mga material blessing here on earth to the blessing of glorifying God forever.

Heart of Worship

I don't know if some people still remember. During my sophomore year in highschool. It was intramurals, I was with my classmates and we visited the annexed school, I forgot why I'm with them. Then we decided to go to a nearby woods, I can't say it's forest basta kakahuyan. It's a long walk, then we have company from other school tailing us, hinayaan lang namin. Once we are in the river, and the cute na falls, the fun started, while the they watched us.

I don't know how to swim but I took off my t-shirt but still wearing my pants, and jump off the cliff, I was hyped by D and A. In short, I got drowned, thankfully both saved me. There's a little commotion but still ends up in laughter. Sira ulo daw ako. Then a few minutes passed. Our company from the other school moves trying to surround us, one of our classmates observed them and they carry a knife blade, and they're after one of us. This was the time uso yung mapagtripan kayo sa ibang school at kargado pa ata sila, and the best, walang ibang tao.

We quickly put our uniforms and move, na kunwari hindi namin alam, we end up walking the other way which there's a path papuntang bayan, and they continue to tail us but they end up not pursuing us. It was a thrilling moment still alive in my memory. What if we stay there? I don't know what's next, maybe your not reading this post.

As I said before, porke lumaki ka sa church, magulang mo Christian, doesn't mean Christian ka na din. One Sunday, around between Aug-Sept of 2003, I'm 13 years old, the song was Heart of Worship, I was at the back. God struck my heart for the first time. That was the time I put my faith and trust in Him, Lord and Savior. Yes, I did encounter Him multiple times before it, from random verse kung saang lumalop sa bahay noon, to coffee cups na nakalagay 'When I grow up, I just want to be like you, Jesus” not knowing to be like Him, is more than life.

Gujangjang Begins...

Fast forward, another random day that year, almost kasunod lang. There was an eagerness in me to learn to play the guitar. The guitar was a long time tambay sa bahay since I'm small. Father and bigbro plays guitar. My interest that time wasn't to be like Yngwie Malmsteen, I just want to play the guitar. Gratefully, bigbro brought home that songhits filled with Christian songs with minus-one na CD. Sa pagkaalala ko, I learned the basic chords within 3 months, I didn't learned any song but practiced to play the chords cleanly. Within the first 6 months if I remember correctly, I learned to play In Your Hands, As The Dear, and Numb by Linkin Park. And pushed myself to sing In Your Hands while playing. Fast forward again, that same year or 2004, I started playing sa church dahil kulang musician. My first instrument to play was the drums, naaalala ko pa yung mga unang salang ko.

Church musicians have different stories but it's their faith in God matters most. You can sweep-pick, tump, do gospel-chops, slap & pop, etc. yet the heart is not aligned, then you're like a clanging cymbals, a noisy gong. Wala na ko maisip. This is the genesis of my journey how I end up being a church musician, not because I Iove music but I love God whom loved me first before the foundation of the world. Soli Deo Gloria.

We love, because He first loved us. — 1 John 4:19

Previous post consists of my favorite Christian music albums. As for this post, it will be a short talk about albums outside Christian music.

Todo Combo – Moonstar 88 (2008)

Third studio album of the band coming out with their new vocalist that time. Though its not a big issue for me, same way what happened with Mojofly. I have the first 2 album in CD back in the day (thanks kay ate doon sa may dry goods sa palengke noong nasa may MNHS pa sila). The sound of the album is fresh and distinct compared from the previous two. The well known song for this 18-track album is Migraine which kung M88 fan ka you can still relate with Ang Pagibig Kong Ito and Torete, the M88 sawi song series didn't stop. The fillers are funny and a good pause along the whole album. It also contain other well known song they cover: Senti by Yano and Panalangin by APO Hiking Society, which also a hit from this release. Sakin lang walang tapon lahat ng kanta dito sa album na 'to. Among the tracks na LSS ako is: Late Ka Na Naman, Dot Song, Friendster, Di Kita, Di Kasi, the last track, Damang-dama.

Brand New Eyes – Paramore (2009)

Third studio album of the famous pop-punk group Paramore. I'm updated and listened to all of their studio release except This Is Why. The first two album is edgy and screaming, after BNE there is a change in sound yet still carry the maturity coming from BNE held by Hayley. BNE for me have all elements of Paramore sound, the previous edgy screaming sound are softened like they found the gold their digging. It's just sad that after this album, umalis yung gitarista which for me malaking influence sa instrumental sound of the band though the vocalist carry the torch and continue the journey buti na lang bumalik yung drummer.

Cafe Bossa – Sitti (2006)

One of the best selling OPM album, and its on the class of its own. That time I'm trying to learn bossa nova and ended giving up. I listened to the OG bossa nova by Joao Gilberto specially that Getz/Gilberto album, and some other albums then I discovered Sitti sa nagbebenta ng burned CD per album noong liberation day celebration Mariveles (in short sa bargain). The album is mind blowing lol, she covered some well known song and arranged it in bossa nova (I think many artists already do that but this is 2006). It contains her hit song Para Sa'akin that touch that bossa feels. The whole album is gold.

Grow – Chon (2014)

A silent homies I am, even they already disband, sad. Grow literally a growth album of this math rock instrumental quartet from California. I listened to this album on repeat during my pre-Spotify days using Power Amp music player in my Android phone. I listened a lot of instrumental guitar in rock and metal, so this one was not new, then I found out this was called math-rock, I don't care about the sub-genre, what matters it's a guitar instrumental. The album is technically cheesy, no scalar shred runs but filled with licks here and there. The drums and bass doesn't just fill the rhythm section, they also harmonize with the guitars. It's a refreshing sound though I still return listening to Jeff Loomis debut album.

Define The Great Line – Underoath (2006)

This one is memorable since college days . I was in a computer shop, paper and pen on hand, writing the songs of the album. Reference once I set on sail the seven seas or if I have some fund to burn a CD. Then someone poke in my back then I turn my head, its the father of a friend which is a pastor. Nakalimutan ko na nangyari, ewan ko lang kung nakita nya yung ginagawa ko, lol. This is a metalcore album, if you read the previous post, the vocalist there is the drummer here and also the backup or clean vocals. The album is not a typical metalcore as it also leaning in a mathcore. What I like in this album is overall raw sound lalo na yung sa guitars even there's no solo, everything is pure riffage that gives off that Underoath sound.

Let me introduce you to some of my favorite music albums. When I say favorite, there's come a time in my life that I listened to them repeatedly, some took months until my ears goes off. And this was before I step into the world of Spotify and streaming music. Thanks to the seven seas of the Internet and we are able to download mp3 or FLAC files, and burn them in plastics disc with an aluminum layer.

It Is Well – Kutless (2009)

A Christian rock album consist of some known worship songs in CCM circles. Didn't know one of their song from this album became a hit back then when I'm into this release. I'm not new Kutless as I already listened their previous releases but this one hits well in my heart and ears, specially the title track It Is Well. The rock arrangement plus the choir in the intro is banger the comes the heart touching words of this old hymn while shout It Is Well, not that song All Is Well. Worth listening if you like worship songs arranged in a lively radio friendly rock genre.

To The Ends Of The Earth – Hillsong United (2002)

One of those early Hillsong United line up with pop-punk sound, harmonize overdriven guitar sounds, energetic drums, and uplifting choruses that you want to jump and shout I'm free! I know the sound of this album would sound cheesy today. As for the songs, halos lahat gusto ko. The title track is easier said than done.

Hymns Live – Shane & Shane (2019)

While that Kutless release became a foundational album to me, S&S was a game changer as I dive into more hymns but modern. I'm not well versed in all the songs (didn't grew up singing them in the church) but the words stirs up, and the modern arrangement is super bonus. Thank God for the life of this group, I was able to get to know more Christian artist who sung a ton of modern hymns.

Anthem Song -Aaron Gillespie (2011)

Aaron is a drummer of the metalcore band, Underoath. The band is known in the Christian metal circles but yup, there are some changes through the years, try listening to their first 2 albums. As for this album, the southern roots of the drummer opened up singing worship songs. Earnestly I Seek Thee and Your Song Goes On Forever is a must listen.

Worthy – Beautiful Eulogy (2017)

Lastly, this is a hiphop/rap music album. Filled with Bible verses here and there as two pastors take their sermon with a beat.

Wisdom, power and praise Glory, honor and strength Worthy! To the Lamb who was slain Be wisdom, power and praise Forever! And to the King on the throne Be glory, honor and strength You are worthy!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

This is a part of a writing challenge.

What are the best things to do for the last few days of this year?

Eat Samgyup

You can take this advice for real or not. it's up to you. It's a wonderful Korean food that takes over the Filipino palette due to the unlimited aspect of the restaurant that opened here. Yet it still depends on how the meat is cooked and the mix. It's not just about filling yourself a ton of meat. The taste still matters.

Reflection

How did this year go well with you? If you take life for granted, I'm sure reflection about life is not a part of your routine unless something happens that really shit you out of the blue. Ask yourself some questions about your life. The internet is a good source of self reflection ideas if you're not familiar with it. I did this before when I remember doing it, lol.

Planning

After reflecting on the past year, then comes the planning for the future. Life is not easy unless you have a ton of money, but having more money doesn't mean life would be easier. You will be prone to kidnapping and burglar, and bad people will chase you and hire some private army to guard you. That's what you called planning.

This is a part of a writing challenge

We lose our patience when we overthink, but to have more patience is to think more mindfully. Patience is virtue, but that virtue must be into action, practice, and tested. Life is full of tests compared to what we had encountered from school. The grading is not just about getting a passing grade. The result sometimes gives birth to more tests and problems.

Thinking mindfully is knowing everything, what is in your mind, and where it must go. It would be difficult, but it is worth a million smiles and peace in your heart rather than having an anxiety overthinking. Every hard challenge gives an easy life; patience is easier said than done; that's why what all you need is to think more.

This is a part of a writing challenge

Recently, the appeal of jazz music was enchanting to my ears, though I knew the genre years ago as someone who listened and played music. I don't listen to it a lot as my musical taste is different. I learned to play guitars, then automatically I was introduced to pop, rock, and metal. The only thing I knew about jazz is when the chords of certain songs would have m7/M7 chords. My perspective would be, “Oh, that's sounds jazzy.” And the drums swings a lot, and I called it Dixie land kind of jazz, but I'm wrong.

When I'm interested in a certain genre what would I do is look for top recommendation from known sources and through that I begin my journey. Well, the musicians that introduce to me is the Chick Corea Electrik Band. I'm into guitars back then, and into the technique called sweep picking, that points me to Frank Gambale which is a member of the Electrik Band. The genre of the band is jazz fusion. Its leaning to rock with jazz elements but this list open me more to the world of jazz music.

“It takes an intelligent ear to listen to jazz” — Art Blakey

This is a writing challenge for me. I am hoping to write consecutively for 30 days. Then what should I write? I don't know. I'll just let my mind wander and keep the words flow.

I will create a return post during the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and lastly, the 30th day. The consecutive days are optional. Only a space of 1 day is valid.

As I said before, from my previous post. My goal here is to have 100 chapters. See you.

Learned to play guitars accidentally in the 2nd year of my high school. The guitar at home was there before I was born. My old man is a country dude, and my big bro plays the instruments too.

It's a sudden enthusiasm for me to play a song from that Xtian song magazine that my big bro brought along with a CD that contains it minus-one tunes. I still remember struggling to play “As The Deer,” “In Your Hands,” and “I Offer My Life”.

Chord Chart was my best friend. Thanks to that magazine, and a few words of wisdom from my old man. I must study first the basic 3 finger chords and make them sound whole, not tunog kabag. My strumming is a different story. This took weeks before entering to learn a song.

My first song I learned was In Your Hands by Hillsong and Numb by Linkin Park. Please see the chords for those songs why I chose those. It took me some weeks again to play and sing along, man, that was difficult.

The learning journey was satisfying, which made my parents angry because after school, I just played guitars for hours (learning the chords and song and strummed my heart out while singing lol)

Yup, those are the days, I'm so freaking happy learning a piece either from church or secular and figuring them out, that made me buy song hits. Kahit 1 kanta lang naman habol mo, bibilhin mo yung isang issue.

Timing and playing by feel is a different story (will talk differently on that). If your enthusiasm is high in learning the song and the background of how to learn things in and out, that would build you up to advanced stuff in guitar.

Kung yung basic di mo magawa, tapos gusto mag ala-Malmsteen. Mangosteen bagsak mo sir. Wala akong interest sa totoo lang to play lead guitars, eh sana shred shred na din ako agad noong simula? I prefer na poste lang ako (which mahirap din).

Note to the reader: Everything written here is an opinion, and I'm not an expert. Consult professionals for better information. Thank you.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. — James 1:19-20

Anger or getting angry is okay. It's a normal emotion of a normal human being but sometimes humans tends to be abnormal and it's not okay. Specially when you want your anger to be validated even it is not. Human emotions are complicated, and we like to choose that way because we have reasons.

Positively its fine, as it release you from pain. Negatively anger results in bad stuff like murder. Can't imagine someone getting released from their pain if they ended someone life. That's insanity.

Take It Slow

Our heart beats fast when we are angry. Our inner being wanted something to control to, like losing in an argument or you get cut in a line where you stay for hours, well you're really get angry on that.

Controlling anger leads us to have options. When you take the fast lane, that will end in war but when you take it slow, to understand things and yourself. You're promoting peace to others and to yourself also.

This process is hard at first but its rewarding of you don't want to have a highblood pressure and have a sudden heart attack. Our heart aren't good in fast pace especially if it's emotionally driven in a negative way.

Process

As you choose not to get angry. Process is the next thing. Why did you get a get angry? What is the best reaction instead of getting angry? This leads us to have more options. See, getting angry is easy but the opposite is difficult but the path to easy life is hard, take note on that and that includes on that getting quickly angry.

Anger is a quick fix thing, the opposite takes a lot of process like cooking a food that have a number of ingredients and dozen of process. Will you choose a fast food over a healthy food?

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, — Ephesians 4:26

Let It Go ASAP

As stated above, anger wants something to release, e.g. ending someones life. To be not angry, you must release the anger itself ASAP. Some people can process but they'll not let go. In the end, it will return and will go in cycle. That's why the best solution is let it go ASAP.

For me, I follow the Bible verse above. There is no peace if I kept this negativity in me, given that I'm a Christian, and it was stated in the Bible. Anger must be let go before the sun goes down, I take that literally. God forgives us, why we can't forgive if we are already forgiven by Him. For a Christian reading this, are you able to live those verses mentioned above?

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin? — Job 31:1

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. — Psalm 119:9

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. — Psalm 119:11

I don't know, maybe in most Christian weddings, the ceremonial “you may kiss the bride” wasn't their first kiss at all. If you're a Christian guy and also for the gals reading this thing, look at those verses above and take some time to embrace the book of Romans. I know the struggle is real, but God's mercy is new every morning.

Now you're thinking, why does the title don't have a relation to the opening part, well that's life. Gusto ko ng click bait!

Leveling up in life (Christian life) takes a lot of courage and time , and your spiritual life is tested too, always naman. I'm not an expert on these things, but I'll just throw some quick words. Parang car crash videos lang, sa isang iglap...life changing sya “ano tong pinanood ko?”

Be Founded In Christ

The sweet and landian moments are given, but if you're a Christian couple who love God the most. Take time to be rooted in Him individually & together. I won't elaborate pero dapat given na din yung: pray together, read the Bible together, do a devotion together, and it's the men who must lead these things.

I know, guys love physical stuff (mga kamay na hindi alam saan patungo) pero kamusta naman kung hatakin ka ni Satanas sa kadiliman at wala kang panlaban? Maski yung babad sa Bible nadadale boi, matindi ang laban sa part na ito, eh paano yung hindi?

Stand Beautifully

Once founded, then you can stand together beautifully. Easier said than done. Relationships takes time to build parang mga projects ng SMC, SMDC, at DMCI etc. Our relationships can stand on our own, but those founded in God are beautiful and sweet and maybe sour? Syempre if magtagal masasabi mo pa din may asim pa kayo, lol.

For His Glory

You stand together beautiful for His glory alone. The chief end of man is to enjoy God forever. Well for a couple who devoted their relationship to the Author, the goal is not just having kids, a house, a car, travel the universe, etc. It is to glorify the Author of life and the love that they have and proclaim who He is in their life.

We love, because He first loved us. — 1 John 4:19