[I love 3D children movies. Not only that I am amazed with the technology and effects used, but also they make me feel comfortable and relaxed.]

What if humans came face to face with other humanoid beings who can talk the same language as we have, who have an organized community more than what we have, who have different concept of aliens? Humans are in the height of galactic exploration but there have not been a account when astronauts were able to talk to fellow rational being outside the Earth. Through science fiction, humans have different ideas of life forms from other worlds. We think of aliens are green beings with antenna on their heads; while Star Trek made a variety of species from different quadrants of the galaxy. As much as humans explore the universe, what if we discover that there are actually humanoids out there and they also have different concept of how aliens look like?

That would be an exciting but could be disastrous encounter! And that’s what happened on Planet 51. Planet 51 is much like the Earth—communities, people, children, love story, courtship, movies, science fiction, cars, roads, police, rain, sun, etc. The people may look slightly different but they have language and order in the society. Then suddenly a man came in the name of exploration. But because of too much scientific query and fictional movies and comics, the people perceived that they are being conquered and will be turned into food. So well, there goes the story of having too much imagination!

But the movie is more than aliens and the other worlds. It is a story of friendship. Lem (the major character in the story) tried to help the alien (Charles, the human astronaut) from escaping the military. Through their encounter, they have forged friendship and learning—being Lem disproving to his world that their planet is not alone but there is a vast universe surrounding them. They came to trust each other including Lem’s friend. And like any other children’s movie, the ending came to as “they live happily ever after.”

It is a nice movie depicting that the Earth is not the only planet vulnerable to alien invasion but as we explore the universe, we may come to know that we are the one invading other planets. I just hope that when that time comes (maybe not in my lifetime), the people of the Earth won’t be hostile but will forged friendship.

Movie tagline: Something strange is coming to their planet…us!
Directed by: Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad, Marcos Martínez
Produced by: Ignacio Perez Dolset, Guy Colins
Written by: Joe Stillman
Release date(s): November 14, 20, 2009 (US); December 4 (UK), December 10 (Aus.)
Running Time: 91 mins.

Many of us do not realize that the best things in life are actually free; that is because we are confined in a very materialistic world and we measure the best things in terms of price, weight, karat, size, model, etc. In this book, however, Todd Outcult reminded me of the things that I have but not really aware of them—those things that make me happy—people, faith, love, hope, work and experiences. It is not actually the material things that define a person. He wrote, “the best things often happen to us when we are not aware of them.” True enough, as I flipped through the pages, it made the realize that some things are taken for granted.

I got the book as second hand, it was the author’s gift to Jeff and Arlene (whoever they are). And because they received it for free, they gave it away for free. Have you ever tried “free taste”? Product manufacturers and promoters let prospective customers taste their products for free to let people know that theirs are the best. And “free taste” really are best compared to the same products found on the shelves.

After book made me more conscious in the things I see and feel and more aware of my environment. It made me notice the the simple things and pleasures that may remain unnoticeable when I am always busy or rushing. For example, a street kid smiling at me brightens up the day.

The book is divided into five parts where Outcult pours his experiences and the lessons he learned in his entire life. This is sort of an autobiographical account of the author but it is also his biographical account for the people he encountered that taught him the best things in life. Though the narratives came from the stories of his childhood and adulthood, his lenses are very sharp to capture the moments. He used very elaborate words of description as if wanting the readers to experience the same in their own eyes.

Like reconnecting with friends, this Lent is also an opportunity for us to reconnect with our God. Jesus is our friend, too. There were times I felt too disconnected with God but practicing Centering Prayer everyday this Lent allowed me to be in connection with Him. Though there are still times within the day when I feel so distracted with thoughts, I just go back to my prayer word and it enables me to remember the presence of God in everything that I am doing.

What made today a little lighter was reciting repeatedly the Jesus prayer, “Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me.” I became aware of the presence of God throughout the day. I wasn’t nervous at all because I know that God was guiding me in the right direction through the panelists and my adviser. Whenever some troubling thoughts would disturb me, I would just go back and recite the Jesus prayer for a couple of times. It was comforting. It allowed me to meditate in everything that I have done and be aware that the Spirit of God is just beside me, leading and embracing me.

Lord, take away these burdens from me. I am hungry of your love and comfort.

But for me, I appreciate silence. I am always comfortable when there is a long pause before the preacher would begin his/her prayer, which many people are not. It seems that the one to be praying does not know what to say; but for me the silence is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to move in between our conversation to God.

Lately, silence has been helpful to me. I like working when everybody at home is already asleep. I could hear my breathing and it helps me think. More than that, thoughts would flow right into the paper.

It is difficult to be in silence especially when you are asking God for discernment. I would always want to open my mouth and be the attorney for my case before God. But the Psalms always remind us that blessed are those who wait for the Lord—in silence. In silence, it is when the Lord would speak to our hearts. It is when our mind is opened to a reality where words could not express, where words are no longer needed. That is contemplation.

Contemplation is hot thinking a thought over and over rather it is a prayer practice when you calm yourself in the presence of God, imagining that you are in the arms of God. It is like how a mother cradle her child in her arms while it sleeps.

The love of Jesus sweet and marvelous (3x)
Oh, oh, wonderful love
Higher than the mountains
Deeper than the ocean
Wider than the universe
Oh, oh, wonderful love

While reading Ephesians 3:14-19 this morning, I was reminded with that children Sunday school song above. I sang this song cheerfully as a child. I would stretch up my arms as high as I can get, sideways as far as it I can go even pushing my seatmates, and as deep as I can imagine.

Today, I received a prayer email. At the bottom of the page wrote: “A kid asked Jesus… How much do you love me? Jesus replied, ‘I love! You this much.’ and He stretched His arms to the cross and died for us.”

Sweet isn’t it. With simple gesture of stretching our arms sideways, upward or downward, we are reminded how much Jesus loved us—wide, long, high and deep. We may never grasp the meaning of this love but his love never ceases.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
—Ephesians 4:22-24

Everyday is an opportunity for transformation, an opportunity to evaluate oneself to put off the old self and replace it with new one that radiates the love and light of God.

Create in me a Clean Heart
(Keith Green)

Create in me a clean heart oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart oh God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away
From thy presence oh Lord
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

Previous days have been stressful with all the decisions and plans that needed to be made. There are concerns and needs that have to be addressed—something that would benefit a larger number of people.

The reading today in Ezekiel 36:24-28 just gave an assurance about God giving a new heart to people whose hearts were turned into stone. This to me is an affirmation that God wants to renew his church even at some point the church turned its back to the real mission—bringing people to Christ.

I looked at the calendar and it says today is the World Day of Prayer. If only many more people would discover the benefits of prayer or maybe just the basic of how to pray, then the world could be transformed.

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray.

Search me, Lord, and change my heart. I am trading my confusions and frustrations for joy and love. Shine a light on my way and lead me to the path you intended me to walk. Dream dreams for me. May the desires of my heart be one with your plans.