Destiny...

"I believe a man does what he can...until his destiny is revealed to him".

A wise saying which came out of the film The Last Samurai. Honestly, it touched me deep considering the fact I'm involved with it. I'm practically chasing my destiny as well... I believe God brought me to Holland for a purpose and it's that very purpose the one I'm trying tu fullfil now.

As you may have read already, has this year had a great beginning and things have taken place in an impressive way. I'm now trying as hard as I can to reach my goals. It's no easy way. Every time it's asking more and more of me. This relentless passion of mine thrives me into the sea of loneliness which I fear the most. Every time I make a turn to follow this path, do I have to leave safe ground therefore entering new regions involving new faces and sorroundings along with it. At this moment I feel I'm surrounded by those who appreciate me, love me, and even admire me. However, it's solely me in my room sitting behind the PC writing this lament of mine. Most of them whom I love are out of humane reach. They're not palpable but rather digital words with sentimental meanings behind the electronics of a screen. It's painful because that particular human warmth cannot be transmitted through the radiation of such screens. I miss it... I need it... I long for it...

...the destiny of a man...it can be relative though imperative as well. It can be imperative if you choose to give your all for a certain purpose. Well, how can you deny the imperativeness of a decision when you know that it's for your own best? I've chosen for God's will for me. What can be better than that? It ain't easy as you may realise. Though following Him is no easy task, He grant me a whole new life and a whole new start towards awesome dreams! The most beautiful of it all, is the fact that His will is real. I'm living it and experiencing every moment I live. Otherwise, there would be nothing such as the job I have now, the fact that I can study and sport here, the fact that all doors are open to follow my dreams and make them come true?! So this is my destiny so far, He's revealed his will (destiny?) to me and I'm ready to follow it. It may be lonesome at times, but He's always with me and I know and trust that one day, one unique and special day will I be able to see my loved ones face to face once again. Until then...

I trust you Lord for you know who I am, my pain, my longing and my needs. If you don't grant me something, I know it's not because you forgot me or fainted me but instead, because there's something greater awating for me. My trust and hope lie in You, Amen.

Nieuwe tijden, nieuwe kansen!

In the midst of a renaissance from a new solar calendar, is this the time to give thanks and be grateful to my Creator who broke through the shadows clouding my sight as I strove reaching out to the end of doubt. It's like the end of the tunnel where I hope for that gleaming light welcoming the end of a dark and unclear pathway. It's over, the brume has cleared and once again, do I have the priviledge of enjoying God's glory shine over me.

What did God do for me so far eversince my arrival?
From the moment I touched ground for about two years and a half of constant effort to open ways where they did not exist, do I find myself in the priviledged position of being able to say, "God made ways where there seemed to be none." He cleared the way!!!

* In first place, has He given me a third language, that of my own blood.
* He grant me and unforgetable trip to the place where titans ans gods come from. Hence, giving me the chance to let people know where HE comes from by means of sport. People, Sport and above God in the land where sport was born.
* I was chosen out of about two thousand for a selected group who'd be able to study the science of knowing and healing the human body in a completely natural form.
* A few months later, did I have the chance to become member of a sport center which I believed was way too high for my standards and a dream not to ever come true. I was wrong, God put me in service there allowing me to develop myself toward my sport related goals.
* After a deep campaign leading people to a purpose-driven life and a deep letdown related to the course of my actions due to it, have I learned the valuable lesson of not underestimating reality if faith does not overcome it.
* Nevertheless, have those actions led me as well to the position of leaving everything behind taking a chance in the sportworld as part of it in a fulltime basis from the which my experience and management skills rocketed up high opening new doors broadly for my future sport carreer. Sadly enough, could my life not be set aside for more than 4 months instead of the 1 year planned. Life was calling me to move further on and grasp my dreams once again and not let them go until I'm so far.
* Everything is planned: the time, the chances, the contacts, the trainer, the training team, absolutely everything I needed was now in place, except the essence of it: finances (my weakest point). God proved himself faithful once again to me by granting me a couple of working days helping me to come out of the deep.
* However, a few working days are not enough for covering the expenses of long-term plans. I knocked the door once again, and with no delay God made it open for me in the most unexpectable way: He grant me a job fitting exactly to the longings of my heart. I'm there and the excruciating way to this has finally paid it's toll. Now it's time to move on, and head forwards to the goal!

It's been seven days now from the new calender year and all of a sudden has a every day brought new positive news for me. I've got the facilities, the chances, and capabilities of making these so-longed dreams of mine some day come true. Let's go for it and trust in God who's faithful to make promises true! Praise be to God almighty for His never ending mercy and love for those who seek His presence and His will!!! It's awesome living a life for Him!

Why Jesus for me?

Click on the pic and find out:

Every star has its angel

Have you ever thought about the story of the three shepherds in the fields grazing their sheep in the midst of a starry night with no clouds anywhere to be seen? Do you remember when all of a sudden a star enlightened the dark skies and guided their path all the way to Bethlehem? Only by reaching out for that unnatural phenomena have they been able to find the way to their Saviour. This story is not exactly the same, but surely quite similar.

This is for you, Angel of mine.

Wondering at the black deep heavens and its thousands, if not millions of stars shining to give that sparkle of life to such vastness of dark haze did I have to ask: "Who might be the one meant for me? The chances are almost as vast as that strip of sky I'm contemplating at now." God says: "Trust me and hold on". I did so, and what He had prepared awaiting for me was way more than what I had ever expected. That, He let me know with "Four Cups of Wine". Four unforgetable days that would drastically change my way of life and approach towards love. God gave me the impossible. God grant me an unreachable star. An angel watching afar.

As a beacon guarding for the safety of the coasts, is the Angel of mine protecting me from evil roads. As a star that burns miles and miles away, does touching her, feeling her, embracing her or even seeing her become impossible for sure. However, one fact I know: as a beam of light breaks through any lapse of distance or time, has our love torn these obstacles down for over a year now. It goes on, faithfully strong at every minute gone.
There's no logical nor reasonable explanation to this argumentation; but someday, someday will this endeavour break through and once and for all will it unite this two with a love so true that all will their glory present solely to YOU!!!

Common sense says: "Wake up! You're dreaming!" Faith says: "Go on! Follow your heart!" I say: "Love, hold on! We're almost there... Listen to God, follow His lead, and obey His paths. He united us not only in heart but like one-winged angels are we one soul now!"

Love:"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth." 1 Corinthians 13:7,8 Praise be to God!!!

Show time!

It's show time! The vacations are over, the students fill the classrooms again and all those who travelled on vacation are back. Yes! It's time let the show go on my friends! It's exciting, it's thrilling, it's boring? Hopefully not! It's a whole new chance to make your stand and effort to move a step further, to grow a bit higher, or even yet, to make a difference on this world! What are you going to do? No matter what you do, do it thoroughly, righteously, and be wise for it ain't no easy way. Once you're done, the results will speak for themselves!

As for me, I'll work as a Lifeguard, cycle as far as my legs and possibilities will let me, keep on studying, meeting lots of new people..... [breathe].....organize a whole bunch of sport events, give lots of therapeutic massages, instruct people in the sportcenter, and a whole lot more that life requires me to do. All of it, with the amazing helpful hand from God!

Are you ready? Let the show begin! :-D

Taken safe ashore

This is the time, I see your mercy on me at every step I take.
I'm hitting the wheel with all my strength right on a curve attempting to reach the 40km/h speed in seconds to catch up with the pelotoon. At this moment I realize that God's Word is faithful indeed. He said, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58) All the arduous hours of riding, training, & watching on my weight hasn't been worthless. Now that I can stand up speeds round the 40 kilometers per hour for long enough, I know that God is faithful on His work. He led me to this path and He gave me the possibilities to become who I am nowadays. He made me a Cyclist, and I want to be one, for His honour. Every step taken, every stone moved out of the way, every effort, He led the way. I had once three ways to go to. Now is every aspect of my life leading to one way so that I may reach the goal. Praise be to God for who He is! I'm finally starting to taste the pleasurable side of His will. The way is surely difficult, but the satisfaction of knowing that I can be agreeable unto my Father's eyes is what makes the pain and struggle which this sport involves, worth it all. Now, not alone anymore but in the verge of beginning a contestant's life, in the right place, at the right moment, with the right people beside me, am I ready to head forward and stedfastly follow through that I may bring Glory to God, my Father who loved me even before since the beginning of days. He's my fortress, He's my Lighthouse, and in Him will I abide.

Thank you oh God for leading my ship safely ashore. I'm not lost nor confounded anymore, but I trust and believe that you perfect Will may be done here upon Earth.
In your name I pray, Amen.

Lost...

Today happened what I was fearing the most; totally unexpected as a matter of fact.
This morning I approached my employer to organize my new working schedule. During two weeks had I been studying to become a Lifeguard and now I finally had the chance to work as one. That's what I thought at least, but no. As soon as the congratulations and greetings were over, did she tell me that the managers were on vacations during three weeks. The idea was to start right away. The only reason I had given up my vacation was to work and save my financial situation. Over three weeks would my vacation be over without any worthwhile work done at all.
Anger was no good. I chose for heading home and burst in tears while lying on my carpet. Why? Because precisely during those 3 weeks of 'free time' an evangelical campaign would go on in Israel where I should've been. No, I couldn't go due to finances. So 'ironically', during the only three weeks of the year that I actually have free time, am I not able to do what I'm supposed to do due to money.

I always promised to myself, "Don't let ever money be a limiting factor for God's will for you." Voilá! For the first time ever in my entire life of faith and miracle over miracle has that promise been torn into pieces. Lack of faith maybe? bad luck? a "Reality check, baby"?

Now, swallowed by the sea of unfaithfulness and living the real world like I've never done before, am I becoming more and more a natural man whom I'm not. Far from home, with no church to feel home at, with my dearest friends further than ever from me, and Spiritually, totally torn appart, am I here adrift like a sailboat with no sail led deep into the ocean by these waterseas...
By God's mercy and grace may I again find the sail, that Faith needed to lead me safely to the Lighthouse, to the Tower of strength, and to the place where reality has no meaning. A place in which God's Greatness overwhelm the rationalism and His Will overpowers any sort of understanding. A place where Faith does have a meaning.

Worry...

Stress, pressure, limitation, lack of resources; words closely related to a shortage of money. One way or the other has that situation got to be solved. It may be sometimes a blessing while other times it can become your worst enemy; no matter how much you have. This is my story:

Part 1:
Due to a money shortage was I compelled to work in order to pay all bills. One way or the other, have I always had the chance to work in a place where I could call myself useful due to my capabilities. This time the case was totally different. After relentlessly searching for something suitable to my person had I realized that my only chance so far was to work in a logistics deposit. Sorting boxes, opening them, stickering them, and later closing them again was the routine of the day; nothing more. Having to wake up at 5:30am and coming back home at the same time in the afternoon, did I have no energy or mood left but to lie flat on my bed due to exhaustion and frustration.
Frustrated because instead of moving forward, did I feel myself moving backwards. Praise be to God that I at least have a job and the chance to make myself useful for something regadless the task. However, I had to learn humbleness while at the same time did I realize God doesn't give us talents for them to be wasted and lost for the sake of money or the lack of possibilities. The frustration and anger within bursted out when right after the last day of work I was neglected by two other possible and preferable jobs. I felt helpless, powerless. The fact that I couldn't do better was tearing me down. The fear for having to do that job for a longer period of time was consuming me from inside out.

"Do Not Worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
25 “I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes?
26 “Look at the birds of the air. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?
27 “Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don't work or make clothing.
29 But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers.
30 “If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won't he dress you even better? After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. Your faith is so small!
31 “So don't worry. Don't say, ‘What will we eat?’ Or, ‘What will we drink?’ Or, ‘What will we wear?’
32 People who are ungodly run after all of those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them.
33 “But put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.
34 “So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

What have I done wrong? When did I lose my target? Did I learn to trust You? Will you take me out of this depth and lift me up? What are you trying to tell me?
Oh Father, please forgive me for my faith hath fainted and withered into the oceans of troubles. Rising billows of doubt and confusion crush into my heart and soul. I can hardly rely on the tower of strength which is Jesus Christ. Please forgive me for who I am. For not trusting you even when the days are dark and sinister. Oh Father, I'm deeply wretched for forgetting that the sun shines nevertheless. Please, give me patience and trust enough to remember that the rain will pass away. Though I must also be grateful for this rain. Without it, how will the flowers blossom?

A Gift of Love

Last moments of the son's glory of the day
Before it hides, lets it its rays fade away
With unthinkable colours showering the skyline
Sharing this moments with an amazing friend of mine
Has God granted me an unforgetful day
Which makes me think of His love everyday

He's awesome, He's great, He's all
In the midst of it all God lets you know He's there
Even when you run elsewhere out of His protecting hand
Will God's love for you let you know He takes care of it all
So don't fear, trust and wait on Him when life's not fair
He'll ensure your feet have a safe land
Be patient and hang on until He's ready to call

Until the time is due to come
I will worship and give Him awe
For He has let His creation speak
To this creature so weak

So weak and meaningless as I am
Keeping an eye from high above
And letting know He's the Great I am
Has He given me, that gift of love

The beginning of a longed dream ever to come true...

...of a dream you only see happen in your wildest ilusions as a little child riding in you 2nd category mountain bike riding past by the commercial boards standing along the way with professional cycling figures on them. A dream so unreal, a dream so untouchable, a dream never to come true, unless...

Yeah, unless you have a Father who loves you so much but so unbelievable much that He's willing to answer to the longing of your heart. He says it in His Word: "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Matthew 6:26
Ask to your Father and it shall be given unto to you! (Matthew 7:11) If you're not yet his son or daughter keep this in mind:
He's willing to be your Father. Are you willing to be his child?

The life He has given me as His son is absolutely amazing and full of wonders. He has just proved it during the Pro-Tour in Eindhoven. It's been a dream and longing for me being able to watch the Tour of France live. Even this summer did it seem impossible, but I was wrong. The Tour of France came right next to my door. I call that faithfullness. You may call it coincidence, luck, or simply fate. I let you decide while you share my dream enjoying the pics I managed to take...

The start point...you don't know how or in which place you're going to end, but if you don't first at least try how will you ever know?