In The Right Place At The Right Time

O Lord You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tounge, But behold O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139: 1-6

I believe that God places us in situations or places for a purpose. Most of the time, we do not understand why; but looking back in all those moments of wonder, the end result is always the same --that God's mercy and glory be revealed.

I can say I've always been carefree or careless, whichever is the more applicable term.

It was in 1992 that I was in the MBA Program at De La Salle University. I was working then near the airport at 2100 Customs Brokers, Inc. I had that habit of putting my wallet in my drawer while I was in the office. I had to be at school by 6:00 p.m. for my 1st period. I was running late so I hurried and hailed the 1st California bus that I saw. When I was about to pay for my fare, I can't find my wallet. My ATM card was in my purse but not my wallet. Luckily, or may I say by God's hand, one passenger volunteered to pay 6 pesos for me. I thanked the man and got off at EDSA. I was sure I can find an ATM in EDSA.

I walked back and forth to find an ATM machine. When I can't find one, I asked. I was told there might be one next block. I was not familiar with the place then, so I asked for the nearest pawn shop, thinking I will just pawn my ring. The nearest one is still far away for me. I haven't done that before and I was nervous. Besides, it started sprinkling already. I did not want to be late for class, but still, I need PHP 1.50 fare money from EDSA to La Salle.

I took a deep breath and said "Lord, please take care of me" while hailing the first jeepney that came. I was still thinking hard how could i get by with the fare. Honestly, I even thought of being silent because the driver might not notice that I did not pay, anyway, but I really did not want to do that. As I settled into my seat, I looked up and saw one of my high school classmates whom I've never since since HS graduation - Rowena Artista, sitting in front, beside the driver. I thanked God silently and took out one of my business cards and wrote at the back these words: "Wena, can you pls pay 1.50 for me? I left my wallet in the office. Call me and I'll pay you back. Thanks!" She paid for my fare , and I haven't seen her til now.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: 

      "There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven"

Last Sunday, I gave in to my husband's prodding of going fishing with them in the ocean. I declined for over a year now, since I'm not into those things. I want to read, cross stitch, cook, not outdoor activities anymore. I just want to eat them fish. Besides, I always think that the babies and the boys will be bickering and I will just be upset anyway. With 4 kids in tow, I don't think so. For whatever reason, though, I agreed that time.

I brought every conceivable thing I can so I will enjoy myself despite my bad allergies. My tissue box, cd player, walkman, camera, 2 books, a bible, and loads and loads of food and drinks. We went to wal-mart on the way to add some more food. I made sure John brought a chair for me, and our blue beach umbrella; Anything to not make me complain.

I love to take pictures so that was the main thing I did plus made sure the babies are within my eyesight. Then, when the boys are watching the babies, I did my own thing, relax and sit in the chair. I even opened my bible but got caught in the photo session again. It was getting late, and I felt guilty that I haven't done anything with the kids so I got up and played in the sand with them. We built things with the sand which the babies enjoyed, especially by filling up their pails with water and destroying what I made.

Writing down these things now, I just realized my selfishness. Even my motive in running with them in the beach was first so I can lose some weight. (Sorry, Lord!)

We went to explore farther and farther in the huge rocks. They are so beautiful. I was amazed that there are some huge marble rocks there. We ran and we jumped in some of them and I thanked God for the beauty of the nature He has created for us to enjoy. I almost missed them! Especially this sunset which I had to take a picture of.

 In the course of our little exploration, my son Ryan asked me "Mommy, what is this?" We saw a brown purse lying in the sand. I started going through it, looking for identification so we can notify whoever left it there. I couldn't find any. There was no wallet. Just receipts and some personal items. Then I felt something hard inside. It was a cell phone. I unlocked it and redialed the last number the owner called, Rich. He did not answer.

As I was trying to look for another number, Rich called. I told him I found the purse but there was no wallet in it. I was arranging for a meeting so I can give the purse back. Rich said,  "we are now in Ohio". "Would you like to me to mail you the phone or would you want the purse too?" I said, thinking since there was no wallet, they might just want the phone back. He said, she would like to have the purse back, too! And I gave them my e-mail address and phone number so they can give me their mailing address.

The owner of the purse is Alinda Olsen. I received an e-mail from her, thanking me for following up on her purse. She stated that God must have wanted us to meet for she was keeping track of her purse and she still lost it. She also said she loved Panama City and is wanting to go back every year. She is now my facebook friend. Thank God for bringing people together.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways. And my thoughts than your thoughts.

It was Divine Providence, I know, since there were people coming from that direction earlier. They could have been the ones to find the purse, but they didn't. We did! God has put me in the right place at the right time the same way He did that man from the bus and my classmate Wena.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -- Jeremiah 29:11

Making Music for the Lord; Rev. Fr. Bong Panganiban

Oh sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised! -Psalm 96: 1-4

For me, the highest praise to God is thru music. When you sing to God, you communicate from your innest being. You put so much thoughts and feelings to it. I feel so alive and connected with Him when I sing to Him.

Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be Joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud in their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth...                                                      -Psalm 149:3-6

I always have high regard for those who create music for the Lord. I was blessed to have known one - Fr. Bong Panganiban. He dedicated his life to the Lord, doing what he loves to do, MUSIC! His family is a very good example of genuine service to our Almighty God. One of his sisters is a nun, and his brother Richard is also a priest. is  He is brother to my Aunt Cecil,  mom of my darling 1st cousin Rodcel.

special thanks to The Seraphim Choir for this picture.

He wrote music and songs that we sang in choir at mass in the Philippines. He was Director of Music for a long time at St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Lipa City.

Music is in his soul. What is amazing about it is he is so "intuned".  What I mean about this, is that whenever he directs the choir, the Priest celebrant need not worry about the pitch he has to make. When they sing parts of the mass and the people has to respond in song too, he will tell the organist or pianist what key it is so the music is in harmony with the pitch. To illustrate it,  when the Celebrant sing,s for example "Through Him, with Him and In Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever........ Fr. Bong will say to the pianist, "G"! meaning the Priest sang in the key of G and people will sing "Amen" perfectly in tune.

A jolly good fellow is a very apt description of him. He was very funny, too. He has a pet name for me. He called me "Coney Reyes" (a celebrity in the Phils. who is very beautiful and has big feet) when I was a kid and everytime he saw me.  He used to aim the camera at my feet just to tease me or point at my feet and make a gesture of measuring them.

My unforgettable memory of him, though, is when we had a gathering at my Uncle Cliff's house in Makati. I was still in college then.We, Filipinos love to sing. At that time, the videoke was not "in" yet. Tito Bong, as we fondly call him, sat in the piano providing accompaniment as we were singing. The cool thing about it is, we need not follow they keys coz he followed ours. Praise You, Father, for the privilege of sharing special moments with Tito Bong.

His journey on this earth has ended March 26th. I am sure he is doing what he loves to do, singing his praises to our God in heaven. I am not saying good-bye, Tito Bong, but see you later!

Below are 2 of the video tributes given by people whose lives he blessed and touched....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgLiXLrqTRs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeEcxWP4AVg

Good bye, proud world! I’m going home; Thou art not my friend; I am not thine. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Praising God Even in Storms; Jacob Joyner

I was sure by now God You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining. As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away...

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to you And you raised me up again. My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You?

And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I WILL PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM           -- Casting Crowns--

Everytime I hear this song now, I think of the Joyner family. All of my family and friends should know who they are by now because of the posts dedicated to Jacob in facebook.


If you are reading this and you don't know Jacob, he is the youngest child of Daryl and Caroline Joyner, brother of Jade and Justin; He was called home by the Father Wednesday, March 2,2011. He was 11 years old.


Going past the hurt and grief of losing a beloved, it is amazing that at 11 years old, Jacob has completed God's purpose for him on earth. He is now praising God in heaven, singing of God's glory and might.

I started this post March 25th but after the above line, I began having 2nd thoughts, that I might be causing more hurt than help, and I think the enemy was planting negative thoughts in my mind about Jacob's whereabouts now.

This morning, we saw Caroline, Daryl and Jade back in the church for Sunday service. Everybody was so happy to see them. All of my kids love them. MJ chose to sit beside them, and Jonei and Peter did not want to leave without giving Ms. Caroline, Mr. Daryl and Jade a hug.

I don't know, but it was on the way home that I remembered I dreamt of Jacob last night. He was wearing shorts and a white shirt. I can't remember the exact dream anymore. I was telling John and the kids about my dream when Jonei blurted out "I dreamt of Jacob last night, Nanay". Thinking she was just copying me, I asked her what Jacob was doing in her dream. " He was with angels and they are singing and praising God", she replied. And that's when I knew I have to publish this..

Jacob has a facebook account. I went to his page and saw the following: that he has 7 fb friends namely, Robert Paugh, MJ Christelle Mendoza, Tulita Owen, Caroline Joyner, Danielle Melvin, Jade Joyner and Heather Wheeler; that I sent him a friend request the night he went to the hospital in Georgia; his favorite picture of himself wearing blue in his 4-wheeler; and that we have 4 friends in common: Caroline, MJ, Ms Tulita and Heather.

I've known Jacob for 5 years now and for the little that I really knew of him, I can say he has lived a fruitful life. He was a boy scout, a member of the his school's football team, a joy to his mother's heart, Jade's baby brother, Dary'ls little man and best friend, and a christian. He participated in a lot of events but one that stood out in my memory was the sharing they did for the Home of the Elders a few years ago. He knew the value of reaching out to others especially the ones who has very few who cared about, and are almost forgotten. My daughter MJ knew him better as she spent more time with them, for the Joyner family treats her as one of their own.

When I posted out prayer requests for Jacob in my circle of friends, he has touched a lot of lives. My friend Hazel in Canada told me upon learning of Jacob's passing away that "I never met Jacob but he has touched me and I feel as if I've known him for a long time. I will get to see him when I meet him in heaven".

Anything and everything happens for a purpose - God's.

An excerpt From God The Father - A Letter Given to Timothy, For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear

Tonight, let the truth be known in regards to those of innocence, My most precious gifts to the world, My beloved little ones... When one, such as these, has passed from your sight, grieve not, for they have returned home. Rather, grieve for yourself, for you have lost a part of you, and have become a little poorer in joy...

For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to all children...

And those from the Kingdom,
Who lived upon the earth for such a short time, and remain without blemish,
Return to Him, from whom they came...

They need not sleep in death, for the penalty of sin is death...

I have found no sin in them.

So again, I say, anyone who harms or causes one of these little ones to sin, it would have been better for them if they would have never been born... Indeed, they shall wear the millstone about their neck and be cast into the depths, for they have ripped My little ones from the Kingdom of The Most High, and torn their flesh. So too have they cast themselves into the pit, where their flesh shall be eaten and their bones broken, unless they repent, and repay ten-fold for what they have done, by way of their works. For no man, full of manly ways, may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You men, so great in stature, how will you pass?... Bring yourself low, so you may enter. Wait not until that time when all are brought low, for that time is nearly upon you. Blessings be upon all those, who willingly kneel, lie down and press their faces in the dust before their God... For they shall be exalted. To those, who stand defiant before their Lord, they too shall be brought low... Kneeling, lying down with their faces in the dust... And to the dust shall they return.

My Kingdom comes... With it comes all who dwell there.

[And the angels sing]

Glory in the highest, to The Lord and to The Lamb, for the time has come!

Amen.

In this borrowed life, we always wonder why some live longer while some seemed to have just passed us by. I knew in my heart that I've seen a scriptural response to that somewhere and praise be to God for making me find it again....

Psalm 139

13 For You formed my inward parts;

     You covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made,

     Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

     When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

     And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me

    When as yet there were none of them

--that in all things God may be glorified--

OUR GREATEST HERITAGE

I believe that that we are today is the result of what those before us were. We, therefore, should be very careful how we live, for it will affect not only our lives, but our children and our children's children.

In the 2nd Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, he wrote:

3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I maybe filled with joy, 5when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and by your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Salud is the name of my mother's mom. I never spent a lot of time with her because she lived in Pasay City first, (we lived in Batangas) then migrated to the United States later on. It was my sister Yvette who had the privilege of being taken care of by her since she was a baby 'til she was in 4th grade. My 1st cousins Ate Celia, Momon and Cesar had that privilege too even for a short time. We always cherished times spent with her whenever she comes home. And she always sent us gifts. My favorite was the pink and purple handmade sweater she did for me. Her birthday (March 24) inspired me to write this.

My mother loved her so much that she did not want to be petitioned to the U.S. so she can take care of her mother when she grows old. Unknowingly, it was my grandma's prayer that my mom be spared of taking care of her in her old age as she has experienced with Lola Asyang, my great grandmother. God answered my Grandma's prayer. 

She died a holy woman, according to the priest who officiated in the Holy Mass at the service before her remains were transported back to the Philippines. Inay, as we fondly call her, went to mass every single day that she can. She served the Precious Blood Church in Los Angeles in all of her life in the U.S. with all of her heart and with all that she is. My cousins Annabelle and Jessica told me so. 

Apparently, she gave communion to the sick, participated in socio-civic activities, and I think, she also visited prisoners. Those were values of a true christian. Her faith is her greatest legacy to us.

Nanang Ylang, on the other hand, is my dad's mother. When we were little, she will bring us big bottle of orange softdrinks (Royal tru-orange) whenever one of us was sick. No wonder my brother Ronald would sometimes fake it just so she can bring him some.

We grew up with household help for both my mom and dad were career persons. That is probably why we did not learn how to do some chores right. My dad loves fishing and fish. One time, he gave me a big one to clean. I told him I didn't know how to. My dad then looked at my long, polished fingernails and shook his head. He called his mother next door so she can show me. Nanang Ylang did not show me but did it herself. She cooked it too! And she can cook fish like no one can! The bones will melt in your mouth. She cooks the best puto too, grinding rice grains for hours in her old grinder made of stone.

My high school graduation fell on the same day as the "last counting" for the church popularity contest where my sister was a candidate. Mom and everybody else were so busy that there was no one to attend to my needs. Nanang Ylang saw me ironing my white graduation toga. She watched me do it over and over with no success. No matter how I tried, it was still wrinkled. She then took over the ironin for me, saying the most unforgettable words she uttered in my whole life: "I've never done this in over 40 years".

I remember Nanang Ylang always showing her affection to my daughter MJ. She called her MG. Whenever she saw her, MJ would pinch her loose flesh in her upper arms and Nanang Ylang was tickled pink everytime. Even when she can't remember names anymore due to Alzheimer's, she would tell MG "you've grown bigger" everytime she saw her. I don't know what is the meaning of this, but it was on MJ's birthday when she passed away.

I grew up seeing my mother Ester in church all the time. She brought me with her for as long as I can remember that I memorized all the prayers and the songs. She is one of the pillars of our church in my hometown, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish. I remember waking up in the wee hours of the morning to use the bathroom and there she was, in our dining table, with her prayerbooks, saying her morning prayers. She prays for each one of her loved ones. Until now, she offers a monthly Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for us, her children.

She was the principal at the high school just almost across our house; But she sent me to study high school in OLCA, an all-exclusive catholic school for girls 2 towns away from us run by Benedictine Sisters. And my wish to get a co-ed college education didn't happen either as I continued studying at St. Scholastica's College in Manila, run by the same congregation. My sister Yvette was a big factor in that, too! She wanted me to go to the same school as hers. I remember her taking me and our friends to attend vespers (an evening prayer service where prayers being sung) at St. Scholastica's for a good little while when she was determining her vocation in life.

The religion/theology classes in those alma mater(s) are deeply imbedded in me that I find them useful in sharing my faith with others. Every now and then, one of my New Vision UMC family members will come up to me after our Wednesday Bible study to tell me how my inputs are always refreshing and give them new insights. That is thanks to my mother (& father) who afforded me those opportunities or may I say now, a great privilege!

Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart. ~author unknown

HEARING THE VOICE OF TRUTH

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me, reminding me of all the times I tried before and failed. The voices keep on telling me time and time again, boy, you'll never win, you'll never win!


But the VOICE OF TRUTH tells me a different story. The voice of truth says DO NOT BE AFRAID. The VOICE OF TRUTH says this is for My glory! Out of all the voices calling out to me, I would choose to listen and believe the VOICE OF TRUTH!

--Casting Crowns--



Have you had experiences in your life when there seemed to be an inner voice telling you to do or not to do something and yet you continued to ignore them only to later regret your actions? I have my fair share of those and here are 2 of them:


It was one Monday after class in my senior year in college. My cousin and I were getting ready to go to my uncle's office located in Intramuros so we can collect his sponsorship for my yearbook. We have to go thru an underpass in order to get to his office. On that area are lots of pickpockets. Something told me not to bring my wallet for I might be a victim this time. I reasoned in my mind that I've passed that way a lot of times before and was never victimized so I decided against it.  I'm pretty sure I also told myself God will help me. Since I also have my big brother Ronald's allowance for the week, I decided to leave his money in the boarding house.


So there went Lilibeth and myself holding hands with my purse in between us the moment we alighted from the jeep. We were chatting and looking at the merchandise being peddled in the sidewalks, not really paying attention to pickpockets (for who will be able to do it with my purse in between us while we were walking hand in hand?). While in the underpass, I felt someone is getting too close to us (that area was always crowded) and when I looked back, a boyish looking girl was tying her shoe lace. And we proceeded to the stairs leading to the Wallem Maritime building. At the top of the stairs, i had that feeling again. Looking back once more, I saw the same girl pointing at something to her companion.


When we arrived at my uncle's office, I noticed my purse's zipper was opened. And then I realized i've been pick-pocketed!  My week's allowance was gone so was my Rolf's wallet sent by my grandmother Salud.


My uncle Hindenburg gave me extra money so we can pay for our fare back home. Praise God for generous uncles! And I was able to get by that week because of God's provisions.




Last month, I asked God for a sign if I should quit my job at BP or not. Lately, I've been dreading coming to work there. There were broken promises, unprofessionalism, insult, criticism, cheating, ego-tripping, superiority complex. It was not a fun place to work anymore.


Almost everyday during my last 2 weeks there, I hear or see things that made my heart sad. I was lectured every instance I tried to help a customer in my own way. I was told helping customers is not "being honest". Being honest, the boss man said was not only measured by my being honest about money. I still remember when he was convincing me in front of my daughter MJ to work full time for him because according to him, "i like you more than the other one because you are HONEST!"


I said to myself, "if in my job I cannot be of help as God wants all His creatures to do, then it is not worth it at all." Hence, the "Pls. Lord, give me a sign" prayer.


I thought God said "QUIT". A doubting Thomasina, I was rationalizing my staying on. The temptation was always the monetary aspect as my immigration status is limiting my chances to land a better paying, suitable job commensurate to my qualifications. The devil was tempting me. You have a car payment to make! Then God will say "you know for sure it will be taken care of". The devil said, You will have no more income by yourself! What about sending allowance to your mom? God said, "John said you will be able to help mommy whether you are working or not!" But what about your spending money? You like to shop, the devil prompted again. Majority of those you buy you do not need, anyway! You just wanted to have them, said my Lord. God said, If you love material things more than me, then you don't really obey me!


In retrospect, now I feel ashamed that I dilly-dallied in quitting my job. Everytime I tried to reason with God, He always told me I WILL PROVIDE. 


I can express myself fluently in writing, but I am a coward when it comes to asserting what i really want to people. It is still a gray area for me until now and continues to struggle on it. John always comment on it because I seldom speak for myself. My justification was and still is - I don't want to offend anybody.  It has caused me so much because I cannot assert myself verbally.


It cost me $50.88 out of my paycheck to finally quit my job on that fateful day (March 6th). I had to pay a gas run-off to realize God wanted me to quit. By that time, it was almost my van's full tank. And the amazing thing is, I did not even felt bad at all losing that money. I can reall that I actually did laugh about it in front of the lady boss.  God even gave me a way out to get my paycheck that very night so I need not come back for it come payday time.

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord.
'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Forgive me Father for not heeding Your call at times or better yet,  many times. I thank You for Your faithfulness even though I fail You almost always... I praise You for Your mercy and blessings. Please send me Your spirit that I may change my old ways and make them pleasing to Your ways. Help me touch as many lives as I can and give me strength and calmness so I can minister to my family. Change my heart and fill it with Your love so they can't see my imperfections but rather see Your love through me. Also, Touch my lips so I will be able to assert myself when I need to. These, Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Your Son, in the unity of the Holy Spirit I pray. Amen.

FORGIVE and FORGET

Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.^[1] The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as 'to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offense or debt'.


Forgiveness is hard. The pain of a broken hurt, feelings, abuse or betrayal hangs on. Each day we remember that someone we cared about did us wrong or even a nameless, faceless stranger who made a bad decision or a choice for evil that left us to carry a lifelong load of hurt.


Then we pray those chilling words: ....as we forgive those who trespass against us....BUT where do we start? How can I forgive somebody who tore my heart out, who cut me so deeply, who damaged me so bad that years later I still feel the pain as if it happened yesterday?


According to Father Paul Boudreau, there are 3 Keys to Forgiveness:


Pray


Jesus says: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you. (Luke 6:27-28). It is the same part of the gospel where Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek and live by the Golden Rule: Do to others as you would have them do to you (v.31)


When we want to curse somebody, instead of saying God, damn this person, whisper silently these words to  our self: God, bless this person. We just change one word, he said and it will make a big difference. What's bound to happen is that the prayer will begin to heal our own heart. The more we bless our tormentor, the more we will be really able to mean it. Not only will it heal our own heart, it will begin to heal the distance between us.


Be Forgiven


In his 1st letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul wrote: "The cup of blessings that we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many are one bread and one body for we all partake of that one bread. (Chapter 10:16-17). We are one body in this one Lord.


Real communion with Christ is a participation, an immersion into the living experience of the presence of the Lord in our lives. Every time we receive communion, we do that. So if we want to really participate in forgiveness, we have to start by being forgiven. We can say "Father, I am carrying bitterness in my heart toward someone who has hurt me. I need to be forgiven."


When we consider how much all that God has forgiven in our lives, it all adds up. The deeper we search into the darkness of our own sinful souls, the deeper goes the forgiveness. If we look back at our lives, our own history, we realize that we've been forgiven so much. This ocean of forgiveness in us will begin to overflow into the lives of the people around us who need our forgiveness.


In this life, we know what we've been but in God's arms, we know what we are. We are Forgiven. We don't have to carry the weight of who we've been  'coz we are forgiven.


Forgiveness is an experience in which we are called to participate fully, actively and consciously. When asking for forgiveness becomes a living, organic reality in our lives, something happening to us all the time - Lord, I did it again! - then we're on our way to experience the healing that forgiving others can bring.


Profess Forgiveness


Some if not all of us carry a heavy load of hurt. If we want to be whole, we have to take it out of our system. But how? we might complain, for some didn't have it in their hearts to forgive. But it is not all about "feelings". It is about what is right and good to do. It is about what will help us to be at peace.


We can start by saying I forgive you every time we have a chance to say it. We can have reminders written all over - our notes, to-do-list,  fridge, doors, washroom, wallet, car, everything that we use most in a day. When we do that, slowly, over the course of many days, weeks or months, depending on our efforts, the difficult feelings we harbor toward our "offender" will begin to subside. It is not necessary to say it in the face of the offender; for most of the time, the offender will not have received it anyway. But our daily expression of forgiveness will progress from a pretense to actuality. In God's sweet time, we will really feel that we are forgiving that person.


It is surely hard to forgive. Easier said than done. But it is harder not to. The toxin of bitterness poisons the heart, and the burden of resentment weighs heavy on the soul. In one of my psychology subjects, there is a term called "psychophysiologic". It is the branch of physiology dealing with the relationship between physiological processes and thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It also means physical or mental conditions brought about by our thought processes and emotions. We might have encountered the phrase "it's all in the mind". It has a co-relation to all these. It brings sickness or diseases to people.


At the same time, forgiveness is the ointment that heals the hurt. From the suffering of the cross, Jesus forgave His crucifiers. If we truly want to be obedient to God, we can imitate Christ and forgive all those who trespass against us. The main difference, in my opinion,  between God and man is that, when God forgives, He forgets. When we forgive, we don't forget. With God's bountiful resources and blessings, we can get there - FORGIVE AND FORGET!

--We adore you, oh Christ and we bless You, because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world!

Created and Borrowed

Isaiah 42:5-7

This is what the Lord God says - He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: I the Lord have called you in RIGHTEOUSNESS; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

We are all God's creation. He created us in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:27) We are called to be righteous. No, not one is righteous (Romans 3:10) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom v.23) but it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that righteousness from God comes to all who believe (Rom v22).

Who are the Gentiles? Anybody who is not Jew is a Gentile. Salvation was offered first to Jews but most of them did not heed it so it was offered to Gentiles. Amen and Praise to God for extending His sanctifying grace to all of us. Because of Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice, we will enjoy eternal life with Him in heaven if we believe, are obedient and remain faithful.

I just finished altering a prom dress for my daughter MJ. Her school prom will be Apr 23rd but she was invited to be her friend's prom date in another school on March 25th. As we are not buying 2 prom dresses, her good friend Lauren offered her the use of one of her dresses, a gorgeous and expensive Dream Gown creation. Lauren is very tall thus the alteration.

Before the alteration, the dress won't fit her perfectly even if she has 1.5 in. heels on. With a little talent and imagination, I was able to make it work. Inspired by my love for my daughter, I gave it my all. It took some time to do it, plus real work starting with threading the needle. When I finished and look at what I did, I was pleased and satisfied, hoping my very picky teen-ager will appreciate what I did (she doesn't most of the time). I had to use my own hands to do it because the dress is BORROWED only. We have to give it back. And when we give it back, we will ensure that it is clean and good as new.

Reflecting on this experience, I received the inspiration to share it with you all. Like MJ's borrowed dress, we were lovingly created by God as gorgeous, dream creations from His own image, using His own hands. Our life was created and borrowed from God. Only He gives and takes away. We were given different gifts and talents to use in fulfilling our purpose in this life. Due to our weak nature (we are dust) which God perfectly understands, we stumble and fall many many times. Like MJ, we, most of the time can't see nor appreciate the countless blessings provided by God from His bounty. Like Lauren, God offered us salvation through the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. When He takes our life away, we have to make sure that we are clean and good as new when we give it back to Him so we will not end up in the bottomless pit where all unbelievers are.

-- That in all things God may be glorified..

True Religion

Real religion is in people's hearts, not in buildings. There will come a time when people would worship the Father in spirit and truth - Jesus said this to the woman at the well.
     John 4: 21 Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth

Jesus taught that people are free, free to enjoy being God's children, free to grow and become the beautiful people God intended them to be.

True religion comes from the heart. It is a deep relationship with god and should bring peace and joy and love to people, NOT fear and guilt and meanness. Worship has true meaning only when it's FREE. God is pleased only by the free expression of the soul that truly loves Him.

In my opinion, most if not all religions today are more focused on administrative and organizational
aspect that they sometimes forget the true essence of religion - which is to be Christlike. There are already existing church structures but they have to build a bigger, better one. What if they allocate the funds to helping those that are truly in need? 

The Pharisees and the Sadducees hated Jesus because they are more concerned about the Law which was created for the people, not otherwise. To them, Jesus disrespected the Law because He healed on the Sabbath. They sneered at Him for dining with sinners. They were blinded by their jealousy of Jesus' growing popularity that they failed to see Him as He truly is- the Messiah.

In present day times, some people feel that their going to church did not help them any because they see things they should not be seeing. Relatives or people close to them who just got out of church start yelling bad words as soon as they get home. Friends gossip about even in church. In other words, not practicing their beliefs. We are all guilty of that. It is hard to walk the walk, but I believe if we are persistent in our desire to change that, we will eventually get there.

As free creatures, the Words of Jesus in worshiping the Father in truth and spirit can be done anywhere - as it is our hearts that the Lord looks upon.

And we are very fortunate to have a Loving, Merciful, Ever-Forgiving God who does not look on how many times we fall, but on every occasion we rise up from the fall.

Bless the Lord, oh my Soul