December 09, 2013

Quote — C. S. Lewis

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”  C. S. Lewis

March 03, 2013

Home is Where I Want to Be

Back in December 2010 my parents got separated.
I had decided to go out of home before I would explode from inside. That decision somehow influenced their separation but it wasn't my intention that things would turn out this way…

I just wanted peace… I longed for peace for my entire life… that was the moment I felt like vindicating all my rights...

As an attempt to ease things within me, by then while I was away from both my parents, I wrote the following stanzas (just knew this word yesterday!):

-----------------------------
Home is Where I Want to Be!

I have gone out of home,
Longing for freedom,
Which I still didn’t find!
No place to go,
A quiet and silent goodbye,
No more than non fallen tears in the eyes,
To show what my feeling was...

Sunday,
it’ll mean much more than a date,
On that day I shattered my dreams,
And showed out all my hidden pride!

Not really proud of that,
I stayed away,
Everyday being advised
to return home,

Now home is where
I want to be!

A new me, No more fights.
No more distractions,
It’s all we need,
To see what heavens really mean (…)

----to be continued----


© Leo Neto, 2011. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

December 16, 2012

Have Any Room for Jesus?

#Have Any Room for Jesus?

1. Have you any room for Jesus?
He who bore your load of sin;
As He knocks and asks admission,
Sinner, will you let Him in?

Chorus:
Room for Jesus, King of glory,
Hasten now, His word obey,
Swing the heart's door widely open,
Bid Him enter while you may!

2. Room for pleasure, room for business,
But for Christ the crucified,
Not a place that He can enter,
In the heart for which He died.

3. Have you not found time for Jesus
As He pleads with you today?
If you still reject His mercy
He, from you, may turn away.

4. Room and time now give to Jesus,
Soon will pass God's day of grace;
Soon thy heart left cold and silent,
And thy Savior's pleading cease.


Words: Anonymous;
adapted by Daniel W. Whittle, 1878.
Music: C. C. Williams

© C. C. Williams and Daniel W. Whittle, 1878.

No copyright infringement intended.

December 15, 2012

Righteousness

Doing right and practicing righteousness, or, in other words, living out the “truth,” are as vital to Christians in the battle with the powers of evil as the breastplate is to the soldier on the battlefield.

When we neglect to do what is right, when we turn our backs on what we know to be the truth, we are easy prey for Satan’s attacks, because we are leaving a wide-open hole in our armour.

We must always remember the other aspect of righteousness, and that is the righteousness of Christ, which covers the believer and remains the believer’s only hope of salvation.

Our battle is to daily choose the Lord and His ways over anything the devil will throw before us.



© Leo Neto, 2013. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

August 12, 2012

Does it really matter?


I have too much to say about Shabbat – Sabbath! I know that, concerning to the original reference for this word, it means "rest" and, as I am too deeply sure from the teachings of the Bible that this is the day GOD chose for us to literally "stop" from our routine and have an overview on what our weekly actions use to be. Thus I really had to write something about this day.

Something that is like a "Royal County" were we weekly have to pass by, a space in time, the first thing The Holy GOD, Creator of the Universe, has sanctified after the creation of Earth, according to what we see on His own Holy Scriptures. Now, as I sit here upon my bed, –in this quite dark bedroom – I start thinking on Holy and Saint things, sanctified by the command of His Excellence, JEOVAH, our Creator and Redeemer, through Jesus Christ:"One thing is the Sabbath – the day of Shabbat, or rest.

GOD sanctified the Seventh day due to the creation of the world, not as a religious doctrine. GOD said about this day that "in it He rested from all His work which GOD created and made." (Gn. 2: 3)It got me thinking: "GOD rested and blessed the day giving us an example of what we should also do."It was even the first thing GOD sanctified before there was sin in the world, a sign that GOD was intending the human race to rest weekly, regardless to what would happen if sin entered the planet – what, unfortunately, happened!

Something interesting is that the Bible says GOD is "declaring the end from the beginning" (Is. 46:10). And it is in this very same book that it is said: "it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me, said the LORD" (Is. 66:23).I am persuaded to thinking that GOD does not want an hour in the morning, a day in the week nor a season in the year; He wants all of us, for us to be entirely given to Him and place in Him our total confidence, although, it might not stand for an excuse if you disagree with any "Sabbatical doctrine", arguing that: "as GOD wants our 'all' despite of our 'seventh day devotion', we can do whatever we want as long as we're still GOD fearing".

In fact, the only way to please GOD is through 'faith', and I am sure it does not mean we have to lean back on our chairs wishing things to turn their way.Another thing that also confuses some people is – if I can say so – the "definition" of the Holy Ghost.Some people are sure that "He" is one of the revelations of GOD to the creation, and the proper GOD Himself; some say "it" is the power of GOD; some other people say other things from their own imagination or ingenuity. I'm not really going to say "who" I think "He" is – and I say "who" and "He" because it is an even more respectful mention!What I am going to do is to state a comment concerning to this discussion:            "the solemn comprehension of the "Holies" in the Bible       defines how well we can bear testimony of GOD and        how well we place ourselves before Him, on a daily        basis, as we only know who we are when we       comprehend Whom He really Is."

Then comes Our Lord Jesus. Of course He is a more discussed "Holy" from the Bible and there are too many "understandings" surrounding His person, some even denying His existence and death on a cross; some confessing faith in Him but unknowing what mission He came for.It was even warned long ago: "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Lk. 7:23) "For after that in the wisdom of GOD the world by wisdom knew not GOD, it pleased GOD by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe... Christ the power of GOD, and the wisdom of GOD." (1Cor. 1:21-24).

Now all I want to say is that we have nothing to boast, whether we serve GOD "resting" on the seventh day or on the others but what I wish we all could be alarmed of is that when He decides to "state" something as a law or points us something we should do, He is even making use of Higher Principles and, of course, we have nothing to argue with Him who made us all, 'for His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways' (Is. 55:8) 

(See what thoughts He has: Ex. 20:8-11; Is. 56:1-8).



© Leo Neto, 2011. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

October 06, 2011

Time that I make it serious

In addition to my first song entries — after being away from here for some months — I am introducing this song which I wrote early in January, the 2nd. That day I was thinking on what the year 2011 should be like. What difficulties and conquers I would struggle and delight with. Moreover I was intending to renew my commitment of being guided by GOD's hands wherever I should go… that commitment led me to write this song, Time that I make it serious, I was really thinking on saying NO to me, refusing to surrender to self. I want to take the lines of this song as a personal commitment, far more than a mere composition.


___________________________________
I'm saying no to my pain,
I'm saying no to my words,
I'm saying no to me!

I'm saying no to my eyes,
I'm saying no to my hands,
Giving up what's my will,
Now's the time that I make it serious!

I'm moving out of the place,
There where I used to stay.

I'm saying no to my arms,
I'm saying no to my heart,
I'm saying no to me!

I'm saying no to my heart,
I'm saying no to me!
____________________________________



© Leo Neto, 2011. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

March 08, 2011

The Rhythm of Life

This is a song I wrote early on January, while sitting down on the sand of the backyard... The Rhythm of Life. Of course life has an 'its own' rhythm, something that is its in particular.

When I decided to write the song I was looking at one of my booklets written in Portuguese and "O Ritmo da Vida" — with means exactly the same thing — was the title of that, so I thought: 'why not to write about it?'. My main intention was to write about a friend's life and struggles... from my own point-of-view.
______________________________
The Rhythm of Life

Too many problems to ease,
Too many situations to handle
On two little hands

Not too much time
To take the hands of time
And turn back

But we still don't understand
The rhythm of life
On the blood
That is pulsed by our heart

This is the rhythm of life,
To suffer and rejoice,
To go down
And stand free to survive

This is the rhythm of life,
When we cry
And still fill happy,
When we dance
The dance of pain
But still sing
The song of Grace!
—— to be continued ——


© Leo Neto, 2011. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

September 05, 2010

05th September

Today is Yara's birthday, and of course I'm not going to say her age here. I'm just intending to say how special and important this date is proving to be for real reasons, such as the fact that we’ve never met each other personally, not yet. Although it didn’t forbid us for being the kind of good friends we are now.


Almost 10 months have already passed since we first found each other on the web, it was on 19th December, and I was worrying whether that would turn to be an ordinary talk, but fortunately she cared about talking with me on the upcoming days. Consequently, today, 05th September, it’s her and my other two friends’ anniversary.

I solemnly wish that it might not be an ordinary birthday, so that they might not think: “how old I am”, but, “how can I still keep growing on knowledge under the direction of GOD”!!!
Yara is a special person for me, not just for being that far, but exactly because she’s so near to me, despite of only being at the reach of a computer screen. And I know she’s a person like me, who cries, screams, who believes and doubts just like I too do. But I’m sure friendship is not come only from equalities, it’s too worth the differences and it makes us realize that there is much more do gain from fraternal love than even pretend to get involved and date.

I expand these greetings to Nelson, the tall one who is 2,03m high, and to Mariana (Mita), to whom I’m much time absent than present. You’re all special and important on your own ways, and though not all of you will see the line of this post, I want you all to know that I respect our personal relationship and nowadays I learnt to valorize each one much more than ever before.
May GOD, our Creator and Maintainer, give us knowledge and diligence on the way to His will.
May The Lord bless and keep you safe!!!



© Leo Neto, 2011. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

August 02, 2010

Ready or Not, JESUS is Coming

Today I was passing by facebook and I saw "Ready or Not, JESUS Is Coming" on one of my friend's picture.

Definitely, JESUS Is Coming. And it doesn't matter whether we're ready or not, whether we want or not, whether we accept Him and the reality of His Second coming...

HE IS COMING BACK. What are you doing for HIM to find you Ready? What are you aiming for your life 'till that day? Will He find any hope in your lonely and little heart?

HE Is coming, and told us to be ready, so that no one can be caught suddenly!!! 'Till that day, we have no excuses, but still many "try -agains", so why should we still fail His precious salvations?

May 25, 2010

seriously thinking

well, yesterday my dear friend "chinho" [whose name is francisco] came to meet my cousin and me at home.


he wanted to buy some portraits for his own, but unfortunately the supermarket where he went to is not working anymore and it's already closed. so, on the way back he had to pass by our neighbourhood and he decided to make us a visit.

it was that normal thing of when you meet a person you never saw anymore, you enjoy the moment and ask for news, intending to know whether things changed or kept in the same. we were talking about life, my cousin [who is one year older than me] was telling chinho about the new girlfriend of him, saying how good it has been for them both to hold their relation straight [...] and also asking for ideas of good places where he [my cousin] should take his girlfriend to, places like good and quiet restaurants near to chinho's house [just to state you right, chinho is two years older than me and cooks that good. he was working at a restaurant here in the capital but had to decline his contract duo to his formation at school. so he is the right one to tell us about food and "eating places", lol]

we talked since the early afternoon, around 01pm to the early evening, around 06pm. during the conversation my cousin said:
"- i don't know whether i'm staying at that church anymore, duo to some things they [pastors] do there." [...]

after that, chinho asked me whether i had made the same change already as i had previously said to my friends. i answered "yes" – as it's what i did. then another question came out of him: "where are you going now?". well, i barely understood but i said "i’m going nowhere".

***(let me state a parenthesis to say that i’m, since my second month of birth, a “member” of the u.c.k.G., by influence of my parents who are there since sixteen years ago. but in 2008 i felt in need to analyse whether i was there only by a familiar sway or because of loving God. after i had analyzed, i realised that i was there just because i was born there, nothing more. i was living the religion as a culture or custom, not seriously intending to compromise myself to God above all individuals and things. that was when i knew the 7.d.a.c., through a brazilian tv channel, named novo tempo – o canal da esperança, owned by this same church)

so, after i told chinho that i was going nowhere to assemble, he started saying me how i easily should be deceived if i just stayed home saying: “i believe and want to please God” but not taking part of any congregation.


and he started talking about “dos” that link us to God’s Spirit and “don’ts” that calmly push us far from any chance of redemption. on the night previous to chinho’s coming I had disappointingly dismissed a compromise i had to this Mighty One who calls me son, and was quite about to quit any kind of “re-linkage”… i was deciding to stop fighting against the “don’ts” and just take part of that, once God’s plan was all different to it.

one more time God sent me a reminder, telling me that He wants to save me and wants me to serve Him.
i decided then to “remember who i was in the time of the first and primary love”, the time when sinning was awful and our minds were pure, full of love, in regards to the Grace that redeems us and keeps us safe. the time when being deceitful was like the worst thing ever, the days when we were prompt to any kind of challenge in name of God.

that time is memorable not just because we were feeling like saints, but because we were sanctifying ourselves to a Higher purpose, the purpose of Faith, which is not explained but experienced…




© Leo Neto, 2010. All rights reserved.
Not to be publicized without the express written authorization of the author.

December 07, 2009

writer

it was in 2006 when my teacher of portuguese language, Rosa Colage, corrected a test that was a big motivation for me today.
on that test we [students] were asked to write about love... that was really impressive, my teacher said. then i realised that i liked writing and that it is what i wanted to do [...] i never wanted to be a writer [never!], untill that day when my teachers, Colage and Xavier, called me "the poet", can you imagine a 12 years old boy being called "the poet"?! i couldn't understand the real reason for that excitement from my teachers of portuguese language, i felt like they were joking at me but they were not. that was a weird situation for me to face at that time, then, three years after i'm dedicating my life on writing and somepeople say i'm a good [amateur] writer, although i never realised before my teachers told me.

i conclude all this [semi]bibliography of myself, saying:
sometimes we'll never realise the colour of our eyes or the size of our nose untill someone tells us. it means, sometimes we have to spend time hearing to what other people are coming to say, their words can bring us the knowledge of things we never knew before... things we should have known already but we could never get them with our eyes because they might have been closed... closed that we can only see with somebody's help[...]

intro

this is my second web blog but i'm not excited by knowing this. it's just a new experience, where i'll share my life experiences with you there, so you'll reflict on them and you will have a say.
my purpose is to express me, the way i can... then serve as someone who will be light in the world and salt for the earth.
i know that i know nothing, i'm no one... i just want to serve for something in life, it's one: helping you!