Weeeeeeeeeeeee! It's Sunday, the first day of the week and it started with abundance. Here are the keys to a life of abundance: 

1. Rejoice in the Lord always.

2. Pray without ceasing.

3. In everything, give thanks.

4. Faith

Our Pastor focused on the last key, faith (Hebrews 11). But my favorite is in verse 31: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down..."

I also have a wall of Jericho in front of me, that keeps me from enjoying what God has for me. My future is beyond the wall. The wall is the sum or totality of all my insecurities and fears. It reminds me of expectations. And I find myself not having the motivation, the will, to do anything about it. I let time pass staring at the wall, fooling myself to believe that where I am is where I am supposed to be.

But by faith, I will destroy my wall. Aja! Let us break down all our walls!

Last Sunday, our youth pastor gave us this illustration: Performance -> Identity -> Acceptance

Everyone wants to be accepted. And we do it in this order. We perform to the best of our abilities, prove our worth by showcasing our talents. In doing that, we create our identity. Eventually, since we have an image or identity, others start to recognize us for what we can do. Then that's the time, finally, that we gain acceptance.

Here in AFF: We write fanfics that are expressions of ourselves. We gain readers and subscribers. Eventually, we create an identity. It has something to do with what kind of stories we write or how we write. It is only when they see our potential, when they read our stories, that's the time we receive friend requests, acceptance. Lol.

But this isn't how it is supposed to work. We must first realize that it is not what we can do, it is who we are. God has accepted us because we are worth it. We need not work for it. It is a given. In Him, we are accepted, quirks and all. In Him, we find our identity. And because we know who we are, it would be easy for us to be just free to do whatever it is we are intended or supposed to do. 

Acceptance -> Identity -> Performance

If we have accepted the fact that we are fanfic writers, weaknesses and all; If we call ourselves writers, even though we only write fanfics, then it would be easier for us to write. Also, people will see that, our self-worth, self-assurance... We no longer have to struggle just to be accepted in this community, to have friends and subscribers.

On a lighter note, haha, my sister and I spent the whole afternoon at the mall. We watched Samurai X! Her treat! Weeeeeee! But...but...where is the love people? Why you no like Samurai X? Haven't you seen the awesomeness that is Kenshin Himura? Sadly, only twenty of us watched in from the beginning. The number of viewers increased to about 50 towards the end. Still :( My sister and I were so excited, we were the first to purchase tickets. 

Maybe they are more interested in the epic fourth match of Pacquiao and Marquez in cinemas one and three. Sadly, Marquez TKOed Pacquiao. We knew we lost the fight when we saw the faces of those who streamed out of the cinemas. It was as if someone died. But that's life. You win some, you lose some. And like my sister always say: "Never put a person in pedestal. They will fall eventually. And you won't like it."

Anyway, back to Samurai X. I recommend it to those who love the series and to those who haven't seen an episode. I know I am biased since I am an anime fan through and through. But you see, the way they made a real live action movie based on the series is just so creative and wonderful. I am still amazed on how they combined the different arcs. I had fun finding out which arc the character or scene appeared. Haha! Sano is so funneh. What's up with him and raw eggs, lol?! I think they did a pretty good job with the casting. Perhaps, maybe, except Megumi. She is supposed to be more beautiful than Kaoru. I thought it was Kaori.

It is rated PG 13 and so I was so shocked to hear a little child's comment behind me. He was asking if the enemy is gone already. Lol. Parents. Tsk.

I would like to see another live action movie of the series, that of Tomoe and Kenshin. Or an alternate ending. I don't like how they just killed Kenshin and Kaori with an incurable disease. In my mind, I made up a story that Kenshin lived the rest of his life as a wanderer, helping others, to atone for the deaths he caused. He didn't die. Lol. Just disappeared. I know he would never allow himself to be happy. My heart breaks for Kaori though. 

I should stop here. Lol. Later.

-Keeper

(Triple S: Sunday, Samurai X and Sillyness)

(oh? I have 1000 subbies now)