Why your Passion shouldn't Define your Identity

Writer's Note: To see the whole context of this post, I'd just like to share that aside from my day job as a web marketing officer, I run my own video game blog and moonlight (wow do people still use that term) as a game reviewer for an online web forum. Prior to this post I used to believe that since I work within the video games industry, being a gamer defines who I am, aside from being a Christian. Because of that mindset, I have formed my own beliefs around that fact and have acted accordingly, and because of this specific mindset I hurt someone who was truly dear to me. So without further ado: While I was reading the book “What God Does When Men Lead” on the LRT while I was on my way to work. There was this part where Bill Peel (the author) Quoted Tony Dungy:

It was the first time I was able to look at football as something that God was allowing me to do, not something that should DEFINE me. I couldn’t take my identity from this sport; I had to consciously make sure that God was in first place. Tony Dungy, in his book Quiet Strength, mentioned on page 47 of "What God Does When Men Lead".

The statement struck a nerve since Dungy's words reminded me of my stand when it comes to video games. Dungy’s realization after his subsequent inactivity for a season as a NFL player redefined his way of thinking as an American Football player. The same goes for myself since I once claimed that video games is part of me and that it defines me. It was when I read that statement that I finally realized and understood the folly of my thoughts. God allowed me to work within the grounds of the video game industry. God allowed me to have a passion on it because He wants me to go into it in His own way. It shouldn’t have been part of me in the first place. I would’ve saved myself from heartaches and well, hurting someone else if I just realized that a year ago. Christ should be the one that DEFINES me, not anyone or anything else. So what now? All I can say is that my passion is still in the video games industry. Now I am firm on what defines me. While it may be hard for me to let this go since I have been so immersed in it already. But when the time comes to decide. I know and I will, let go of video games if He so tells me to. Because above all else, I am His son. This entry is originally from Vincent's blog.

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Monitor Backlinks Tool | Backlink Checking Tool

  Anyone who's been exposed to search engine optimization (SEO) will definitely say that links play a BIG, if not the biggest, part in it. If you think about SEO as the elections, what would it take to win in it...the answer: VOTES. SEO (BACKLINKS) = ELECTIONS (VOTES) Backlinks are incoming links to your website. It's simple really...you vote for a candidate that you fully support or find most interesting. Similarly, you link to websites (or anything for that matter) that you think gives great value. As an SEO specialist, backlinks are one of the things you strive for in order to outrank your competitors. Here's where it gets juicy...what if, one day, you find out that your backlinks have suddenly vanished into thin air or have undergone a "nofollow" transformation? (Nofollow links don't give out "link juice" or "link love" which is used by Google for their PageRank system.) Well, one developer by the name of Daniel Damian has done the tough part of solving this problem through his backlink monitoring tool at MonitorBacklinks. Let's check it out:

Why God Answers Prayers | God and You

Are you seeking for answers today? Do you have a request you long for God to answer? Have you prayed about this? How often have you prayed about it? This post is an inspiration of my quiet times with the Lord, the circumstances in our country right now, from the movie Hachiko and the book 'Too Busy Not to Pray" by Bill Hybels. It is interesting enough that our social media today allows us to connect to one another as easy as a site, as fast as a button and as diverse as a click. Many times, I see posts such as "I wish I had this" and a photo of a modern car or gadget, or something like "I want this for my birthday" and another photo of a desired object. Nothing wrong with this. But I was reminded today and so in turn, also encourage you that as soon as a desire pops in your heart, would you pray? Pray that God is pleased with that desire (2 Cor. 10: 5). If He is, then pray expectantly and unceasingly (Micah 7:7). God is Able. Due to the gravity of damage the non-stop rains and typhoons have caused, I couldn't help but ask God for help. I know that He alone can stop the rains. If He Wills it, He will rescue the people. And that He loves our countrymen more than I ever could. Admittedly, there are times when I feel that my petty request may not have reached God's ears, that perhaps my desires may be shallower compared to the desires of others. But God through Bill Hybels' book, told me 'NO'. He hears my every prayer, He knows my every desire and He can answer (Psalms 50:15). Today, I was made aware that those times when I didn’t pray with much confidence, it was because I did not have much faith. It was NOT because God was too busy to hear my concerns, rather I did not believe it enough that my prayers could be answered. It was not God with the problem; it was my impatient, faithless heart that is the cause of my prayer-less walk. If you have felt or understand where I am coming from, dive into Gods Word and know that:

1. In Joshua 1, Joshua was led and comforted by God in leading the Israelites to the Promise Land.

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

1. In Exodus 16, God provided manna from heaven as food for the Israelites in their journey.

^15b Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. ¹⁶ This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer^[a] for each person you have in your tent.’”

1. In John 9, Jesus heals a blind man from the goodness of his heart.

¹¹ He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

1. In Exodus 11: 1-8, God changed the hardened heart of Pharoah to let the Israelites go.

God is Willing. In line, with His ability, is God’s generosity. Our God owns the world. He created and made everything possible. He willingly gave you your life, those opportunities, your family and friends; all blessings. How then therefore, could He not answer your hearts' desires if it so pleases Him? Matthew 7: 9-11, "⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! " Don't leave 1% to doubt or laziness. Learn to pray in 100% confidence to God. If a dog could wait patiently for his mater, as God's child, won't you also faithfully wait for Him?  

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Why Women Worry more than Men

Women are multi-taskers. They could be talking on the phone on one hand and preparing her child's sandwich on another. A friend of mine was talking to me about her experience in zipline in Cagayan de Oro then in the middle of it, she remembered her unfinished report on climate change and started talking about that! Random? Not exactly, more on REAL if you're a girl. Dr. Stephens describe women as sponges and men as turtles in his book Lost in Translation. Here, I'll talk about how and why I personally agree with him. Sponges absorb liquids as much as it can. It doesn't spill unless you press them. It just takes everything in. I’m reminded of a conflict between my sister and her husband. For the millionth time, she reminded him about locking the car doors once they start moving. Unfortunately, John just doesn't find this necessary. So in frustration, my sister said, “If I don’t think about these things, who would?” Studies say that women are more stressed than men. A probable reason for this could be because just like a sponge, they try to take in as much stress, responsibility and pressure as they can. Another reason could be is that women find it hard to say 'No' when faced with a task. Still another, they find it hard to let go of a concern and have it go over their minds in all possible angles they know. Men as turtles, however, do not react this way. When faced with stress, the natural reaction would usually be to roll on their backs. They would not pay much attention to something that makes them feel unsure, undecided and unstable. This way, their shells remain hard, strong. As my dad would say, “Sleep on it. Maybe in the morning, you’ll get a new perspective on how to solve the problem.” “What if I don’t? How sure are you that I would?”, was how I usually responded. Let’s have a quick comparison of the two: Sponges (Usually Women)

1. Overanalyze concerns. Check every possible detail, look at different scenarios (“what-ifs”) which can add stress
2. Internalize and admit feelings
3. Socialize thoughts and feelings

Turtles (Usually Men)

1. Deny or postpone concerns. Dislike the feeling of uncertainty so would rather think of other things
2. Suppress “unmanly” emotions
3. Strategize and act on what to do

Studies also say that men are more stressed than they realize. They don’t pay close attention so they don’t notice stress related behaviors such as forgetfulness, binge eating, smoking, drinking and the like which may already signal stress to their partners. One important condition that both the turtle and sponge should be careful about is overcompensation. This often times happen without the couple's knowledge. When a turtle’s shell is too strong, the sponge feels she has to absorb MORE. This way, the sponge says, we can get things done. Then the turtle counteracts what he sees by having a STRONGER shell in order to avoid more drama. This is where it gets ugly. In reality, turtles and sponges both need to be more familiarized on how each other react in order to work together. Sponges admittedly envy the strong shells of turtles and really hope they could worry less. Turtles on the other hand should come out of their shells and step up to the challenge.

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Learn SEO Copywriting

As a writer, we paint. We make sure that our words create visions in our reader's minds. We play. We create art. Wordplay is one of a writer's most important skills. In SEO Copywriting, that is tuned up a bit to Wordsmithing. What's the difference?

3 Signs that you Should Break Up

"Breaking up is Hard to Do" says Neil Sedaka (I'm pretty sure you know this song). And I believe that this is completely true. I also believe that staying with the wrong person is even harder. This entry has been inspired by Craig Groeschel's book ' Going all the Way - Preparing for a marriage that goes the distance' We dread breakups because of the emotional pain and trauma that it brings along. No one likes a breakup. And there is no such thing as a 'good breakup' because you have just given away part of your self to another person and now, you have to 'break it off'. The Love Binge Maybe you're with someone who has 'potential' and you're not so sure if you have a future together. At times you want to end it. At times you don't understand each other. At times, it feels like heaven and you think 'Maybe - just maybe - this could work.' How can you really know if you should break up with someone? A Question of Integrity The first thing you need to check with your girlfriend or boyfriend is if he or she lives without integrity. Integrity covers a lot more than just that he or she is nice and makes you feel special. A person with integrity measures his or her inner desires and values by the standard of God's truth - and that inner commitment is matched by outward behavior, even in the little things that no one else sees. "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." - Proverbs 11:3 I'm not perfect. And chances are, neither are you. But I'm not saying that we should search for perfection, rather we are looking for someone who is saying to God in his or her life, "Lord, change me. Make me more like You." When your girlfriend or boyfriend does something against God's Word, see how quickly he or she repents. A good mark of maturity is a short time span between sin and repentance. If she lies, admits it quickly, and asks for forgiveness, she's on the right track. If, on the other hand, he lies, covers his tracks, lies again, then yells at you for not trusting him... you have a problem. You are looking out for a person with integrity because whether you like it or not, integrity will protect your marriage. Marrying a person with a huge hole in integrity can mean that your marriage will suffer - for life. Imagine the damage it can do to your family. To yourself. To your relationship with God and other people. A Question of Influence If you're with someone who pushes you into sin - dishonesty, drugs, alcohol, rebellion, sexual immorality, law-breaking - don't fight it. Run from it. "Bad company corrupts good character" - 1 Corinthians 15:33 If the person you're dating lacks self-control in one area, he'll likely lack it in several other areas. Ask yourself: Is dating this person drawing me closer to God? Or am I finding myself drawn away from Him? Don't flirt with anyone or anything that hurts your walk with Christ. A Question of Belief If your boyfriend or girlfriend isn't committed to Jesus, the two of you are trying to build a life together using different sets of blueprints - two opposing worldviews. Two conflicting sets of values. Chances are great that this person will pull you away from God, that that you'll pull the person closer to God. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14 If you life is surrendered to Christ, and his or hers isn't, I'm sorry to say this, but to continue the relationship is cruel for both of you. Do yourselves a Favor Save your heart. The fact is, you can't marry the best when you're dating the runner-up. While you're searching for Mr. Right, don't settle for Mr. Right Now.

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Why Men Should Carry the Burden of Temptation

Lust is such a powerful word to us men. It carries a connotation of something dirty. Something we don't want to be attributed to. It stings whenever we hear the word. And the reason behind it is we all know that we're guilty. We've been tempted, we've fallen and we don't want people to know. But this entry is not about just that. This blog post is for all the men who are in a relationship and who are planning to be in one someday. There is an existing, lurking temptation in every relationship with the opposite sex. It is strong, powerful and it will have its way if you don't fight against it. It didn't start with you and me. It started way before. It started with Adam and Eve. "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? ” - Genesis 3:1 Where was Adam when all this happened? He was right beside her. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." - Genesis 3:6 What's wrong with this picture? Adam let Eve deal with the temptation. He let Eve carry the burden. He let Eve decide. And he didn't do anything to fight, he didn't say anything to draw the line. He didn't have any defense built beforehand. Men: in your relationship, when you are tempted, carry the burden of temptation. Don't let your girl do it. Don't even think of asking her to be the one to push you away when you're 'feeling like doing it'. Set up boundaries. Build your defenses. Prepare for the time when temptation will strike. Preparation means denying the pleasure of watching pornography. Setting up boundaries means agreeing with your girl about the things you shouldn't do when you're together - things that ignite lustful thoughts. Building defenses means immersing yourself in the Word of God. When temptation comes, be ready. Make your move. Protect your girl. Keep her from getting into the crossfire of your struggle. God designed us to lead. He designated us to protect. Let's do our job especially in the lives of the women we love.

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