Author Archives: Christine Lailani

A Promise To Be Fulfilled: The Family Farm

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A small portion of the 13-hectare property owned by my Mom and Aunt is allotted for coconut and copra production. My Dad no longer pursued the latter due to very low market prices. He decided to sell the coconuts instead as is right after harvesting.

Challenges That Farmers Go Through

The very strong typhoons that hit our province in the past years and the pandemic greatly affected the yield and the profit of coconut farmers. This made me ask the Lord what to do with any idle land that we have now. If we can’t use them for agricultural purposes, how else can we utilize them?

My siblings and I originally came up with a plan to use the farm to provide more livelihood projects in our local community. Given the situation now, however, farmers generate low income from their products due to travel restrictions. In other words, farming cannot be a reliable source of livelihood for the time being.

Seeking For God’s Guidance And Wisdom

I still can’t decipher what we can do, but I have a “tugging” that the livelihood projects will still push through in God’s perfect time. This goal can help thousands of residents from the metro who will be going to the provinces under the “Balik-Probinsya Program” of the government.

For one, they need land where they will build their homes. Second, they need to learn how to plant crops for their food while looking for livelihood opportunities. And last but not the least, sustainable projects are a must to make sure every family will experience that promise for a better life.

God’s Plans Are Better Than Our Plans

I was thinking maybe God intended our property for this purpose. What if God wanted to use our idle land to build a community, but guided by Biblical principles?

If this is a faith-based community, then first, there must be a church. Second, there must be a school that will teach all agricultural practices. Third, a mini-market for the residents’ daily needs can be set up and so on.

When my siblings and I were discussing these plans, our target is for the company to be a nonprofit organization. We never felt that God’s calling for us to utilize this property is to become millionaires. It is for the sole purpose of changing lives to a better one.

I can never be a millionaire by this world’s standards. I am not comfortable with the idea of hoarding wealth purely for self-enjoyment.

Imagine the cost of an original Louis Vuitton bag. With that amount, how many students from poor communities can you send to college on a scholarship? That $300 spent on a 30-gram bottle of caviar is enough to feed a family of 5 for 2 months.

A Christ-Centered Community As A Church

Imagine giving these families a chance to live life with meaning, purpose, and renewed hope. This is the very promise of Christianity, and sadly the false hope that is given by some politicians too.

Through Christ, the promise was already fulfilled. This will be the truest essence of being born again – a new life centered on God in a new community where they can experience God’s goodness and greatness.

Back to our end though, I know it is a very big responsibility. These may be our plans, and yet I know in the end God’s plans will prevail. And so, let His will be done always. 🙏

Still waiting for God’s instructions and His plans to unfold,

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Bearer Of Good News: Why Do Doves Signify Peace?

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Ever wondered why doves were chosen to symbolize peace and hope? It’s one of the questions that sparked my curiosity ever since I was a kid. Thank God for technology and Google, all of the answers are on the internet (credible ones).

A Winged Visitor?

Yesterday (Sunday), I found this feather on our condo’s terrace. I thought an angel visited us. When I looked up, I saw several doves hovering and some were perched on the ledges of the other building. Oh, and by the way, I found some bird poop, too, along with the feather.

So yes, there was no angel, but only birds who visited our terrace either as a friend who brings “good news” or as a foe who destroys my plants. The latter, I would still have to find out. 😀

Was It Really Just A Bird?

This incident brought me back to my curiosity about doves as symbols of peace. The logo of our Protestant church in my home province also bears the figure of a dove with a branch on its beak.

I did my research, and here’s what I found out. There are several passages that mentioned the dove in the Bible. For one, it symbolizes the end of a long wait after the flood in the story of Noah’s ark.

The dove also represents the Holy Spirit as mentioned in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. When John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove.

[and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”] – Matthew 3:16

You may find more cross-references in the Bible through this link by Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-16.htm.

Why The Visit?

We are all having financial challenges right now. There are also looming threats of acquiring COVID-19 since my husband is also a front liner although not in a COVID-19 facility. There are also issues in our community that we are currently dealing with. Our country also has so many political and social conflicts.

I guess I might have silently prayed to God to give me the courage, the strength, the wisdom, and the peace to withstand all of these trials and the trials to come.

What Are The Trials In The Future?

What are these possible dangers? There is the possibility of another Martial Law being declared in the Philippines as more people oppose the Anti-Terrorism Bill. Some of them have already been arrested.

The economic recession is just starting, and some businesses might not even be able to recover from it. There are so many unemployed Filipinos, and the number will continue to rise in the following months.

Positive cases of COVID-19 also increase each day. There were many discrepancies in the data provided, and there’s no way to find out what info is reliable and what is not.

Across the globe, US-China tension is continuing to build up, and others assume that World War III is not impossible. All the looting and violence in America caused by racism have reopened a wound that’s supposed to be a scar already.

A Prayer For All

We don’t have answers why they are all happening, and yet all I know is that they will never go away and we all just have to get through them. I think all of us, at one time during this year, have shed tears praying for deliverance from all that is happening around us.

We all have groaned. I sometimes ask God how long will His people have to endure this suffering. Is this the “fasting, weeping, and mourning” He is talking about as we give our hearts to Him?

That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” – Joel 2:12

And I was reminded of my late maternal grandmother who passed away last year. She’s the first woman I know who’s a devout Christian and a Bible woman. Tears would always accompany her prayers every time she prays during family gatherings or even during the Sunday service as a church elder.

Every time my grandma prays this way, my cousins and I would glance at each other with that question mark look on our faces. It was only when I was born again and a bit older that I found out the reason behind her tears.

God Listens To Heartfelt Prayers

As a survivor of World War II, both my grandparents in my mother and father’s side went through extreme trauma losing not just possessions, livelihoods, and homes, but also loved ones. My grandma’s two brothers were drafted to serve the military during the Japanese occupation. We don’t know what happened to them after the war. My paternal grandma also lost a child (my Dad’s sister) during the war.

Meanwhile, my parents’ generation experienced the unfolding of Martial Law under the Marcos regime. Both generations of my parents and grandparents witnessed the horrors of crime, violence, death, fear, hunger, and loss at their peak.

Thus, it was with tears that my grandma prayed for her kids, grandkids, and the coming generations that may we all be guided and protected by the Lord. Because after how many decades, it is now our turn to experience them again. Only this time, the enemy has sent some of his most powerful warfares.

If my grandma’s still alive, I know these will be the Bible verses that she would share to us as part of her heartfelt prayers:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.

All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬18

You Promised, Lord

And because God always keeps His promises, He will always find ways to remind us to hold on to what He has already given to us – salvation. The present is in chaos, the future may be dim, and yet the light of God’s offering of peace and life in eternity remains.

I’ve mentioned several times here in my blog how Paulo Coehlo’s planner (my brother and sister-in-law’s consistent birthday gift every year) has played a huge part in delivering God’s messages. I know it is not a coincidence that the quote for this week is this:

And accompanied by the dove’s feather, all I can say is that God is really everywhere. You just have to be in tune with the Spirit to know when He comes.

Feeling God’s presence everywhere,

My Heart Was Overwhelmed

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This will be a very short post (shorter than my usual 1,000-word articles). I felt it timely amidst all the negative things that have been going on around us lately. But to give you a heads up, this is an appreciation post.

Being Married To A Roman, His Surname Is Rome

Most of my topics here on my blog are all about God, my faith, and my marriage. My husband is one of the things I truly appreciate in my life right now as one of the greatest blessings I received.

If you’ve read my previous articles, you would probably know by now that it was never easy peasy between me and hubby. This is most especially true during the first 2 years of our marriage. It was pretty rough and crazy.

But by God’s grace, here we are nearing our 5th year together as a married couple. And by God’s grace, too, I am claiming we will surpass even our golden wedding anniversary.

When Love Just Makes You Swoon All Over Again

Ah yes, I love my husband so much it sometimes makes me cry every time I realize how blessed I am to have him. Yes, there sure came a time when I doubted God for choosing Bri as my husband. And yet as time went on, God’s answers became clearer.

They were even made clearer when the pandemic happened. Ever since it started up to now, I was amazed by how my husband dealt with all the issues we encountered. It made me admire and respect him even more as the head of our household and the leader in our marriage.

For one, I am grateful that he doesn’t smoke and is just as concerned as I am when it comes to second-hand smoking. Oh yes, that was my number 1 requirement back when he asked me out on a date. Just imagine how miserable my life would’ve been if he is a smoker given that I have allergic rhinitis and the COVID-19 now.

When You See God In Others

He displays so much of God’s character, too, that oftentimes leaves me a bit guilty knowing I am a ‘more devoted’ Christian than him. He is very patient, I am not. He has self-control, I don’t. He is a man of action, I am all talk. He serves without complaining, I sometimes whine.

I see him looking more like Jesus, too, with his now bushy beard and mustache. *wink* That means Jesus was handsome, too. But seriously, how did Jesus really look like? 😁

More than the looks though, I love my husband because of who he is. I couldn’t ask for more. He and God are all I need during these very difficult times. I know every trial we face whether it’s a neighbor who incessantly smokes or me losing my clients/job, God and him are more than enough.

God Is My Savior, My Husband My Protector

They should be. Why? I have a dashing knight in shining armor and a mighty King who leads every battle and avenges His people, victory is a sure prize. And I claim that over every single enemy (seen or unseen) who comes in our paths.

I felt very exhausted in the past days. And yet, when I look at my husband each day, he reminds me of all the beautiful promises God has given me and will bless me with. That, alone, is enough to put a smile on my face.

My husband though, just like the rest of the world, is only here temporarily. I know there will come a time when we will have to part our ways.

And yet I am extremely grateful I have these wonderful memories with him (some painful but mostly happy) that I can cherish for as long as I am breathing in this world. I am looking forward to seeing him in the new Heaven and the new Earth. 🙏❤️

Cheers to all awesome husbands out there,

WP Community Appreciation: Kennedy Award Of Excellence

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First and foremost, I would like to thank my fellow blogger Tangie Woods of Mrs. T’s Corner for her effort in nominating my blog for the Kennedy Award of Excellence. Thank you so much for appreciating my posts. ❤️

The Kennedy Award of Excellence aims to recognize a blog which, “through its writing, presentation, and objectives, fosters human values; promoting intellectual, emotional and moral growth of peers.”

RULES:

  1. The recipient may thank the person who has nominated him/her.
  2. The recipient should post a photo of the award on his/her blog in a post.
  3. The recipient may nominate as many blogs for this award (minimum five) but after careful thought.
  4. The recipient must answer questions from the nominee.

Here are my answers to Tangie’s questions:

  1. When did you start blogging? – I started blogging in 2014.
  2. What is your blogging objective? – I plan to use my blog as a testimony of my spiritual journey.
  3. What motivated you to start blogging? – When I was born again, I received the calling to start my blog and write about my struggles and triumphs as a Christian.
  4. Do you see blogging as a long-term goal? – Yes, I’ll continue writing as long as I am able to do so. 
  5. Is there a specific topic you enjoy? – I prefer reflective writing centered on faith and Christianity. 

It took me a while to write this post. Every blog I came across here on WordPress is beautiful in a special way and uniquely representative of each person’s character and life experiences. They can all transform a reader’s experience by words alone. So choosing blogs for this nomination was a bit of a challenge for me but also fun in a way.

I intend to feature other blogs for other future awards. But for the meantime, here are some of the blogs I’d like to nominate for this award:

  1. The Christian Blog Ghana 
  2. Saving Supergirl
  3. New Life in Christ Jesus
  4. Beauty Beyond Bones
  5. Bulan Lifestyle

To my fellow nominees, congratulations! Here are my questions, and I am looking forward to reading them and hope to get to know you even better (all your stories are worth reading). ❤

  1. How do you choose the topic for your next blog?
  2. What were your challenges when you started blogging?
  3. How has blogging helped you during this pandemic?

Thank you to all those who will participate and have participated in this community appreciation challenge. I also pray for every blogger out there to be the source of hope and light during these very difficult times. May the Lord give us the wisdom, the creativity, the passion, and the courage to continue what we have already started here on WordPress.

“I (We) can do all things through Christ who gives me (us) strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Always blogging from the deepest recesses of her soul,

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E.O. No. 26 Nationwide Smoking Ban: Should I File A Legal Case Or Not?

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So the neighbor once again smoked. It’s 2:21 am to be exact, and I’m still wide awake because I’m finishing the laundry. I believe this is how my allergic rhinitis worsened. They smoke in the wee hours of the morning when all our windows are open, and we’re fast asleep.

And this is even worse. We get to inhale the cigarette smoke without us knowing, and you can imagine how much of that smoke they puffed got inside our lungs. This is the disadvantage in communities like this where only a wall separates you from your neighbor – you hear and smell pretty much everything.

I am angry. Right now. I want to go outside and just shout at them and wake up the whole neighborhood. But something inside me told me it’s wrong. Instead, I thought it best to file a formal complaint against them at the admin’s office. Here are some parts of my complaint:

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EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 26: NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN

I am filing this complaint at the administration’s office first thing in the morning. While I would like to choose being kind, I cannot allow their irresponsibility to cause irreversible effects on our health. For one, they are not the ones who will pay for my medical fees when I get hospitalized because my health is already compromised due to second-hand smoke.

I am posting this here just in case anything bad would happen to me and my husband after filing the complaint i. e. harassments, threats, etc. , then they will be the first persons to be investigated upon by the authorities. I believe this is what God meant by correcting the bad behavior the right way and never using my wrath to commit another sin.

I will leave it to God and the law of our country to give justice and correct what is wrong. I am doing this not just for me and my husband, but for the other neighbors as well in this floor.

I know what I am doing is what God wanted me to do a long time ago. And I am confident that this is the right thing to do guided by these Bible verses:

“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” – Isaiah 1:17

“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” – Leviticus 19:15

Our neighbor, if you are reading this, I wrote this to give you a second chance and hoping we can settle this peacefully:

I tried to understand them as a person – flawed and yet someone who also needs God’s love and grace like me. Napapa-smile din ako kapag naririnig kong nagkukulitan ang mga bata sa terrace. They remind me noong kabataan ko at kung paano kami magkulitan na magkakapatid. Kahit maiingay, they somehow bring life to the eerie silence dito sa community paminsan. One of them sings beautifully, too.

What I hate is ‘yung act ng pag-smoke. Because ang epekto sa aming health ni Brian ay irreversible. I am also concerned about their kids at sa kanila din. They can actually smoke because my designated smoking area sa aming community although it’s one block away from our building.

I always pray na they will be able to overcome the addiction not just for us, their neighbors, but for their own sake. And yet kung hindi talaga kaya, okay lang sa akin na sa condo sila mag-smoke as long as isara nila ang pintuan at bintana nila ng maayos so no smoke could escape palabas na pwede naming malanghap.

The windows and terrace door ng mga units were all designed to completely seal any air from coming in or going out so they can still smoke if they really can’t control the urge. As long as huwag sa terrace. And yet I pray that they would quit altogether alang-alang sa mga anak or kamaganak nila lalo na ngayong panahon ng COVID 19.

I may not know their reasons for smoking and their need to smoke, and yet I know they have struggles, too, at baka ito lang din ang alam nilang way para ma-relieve sila. That is why I cover them with prayers always. Dahil ‘yun lang ang tanging paraan na alam ko na makakatulong ako sa kanila.

 

Sincerely praying for our neighbor’s cooperation,

 

And So The Rebuke Came

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I just logged back in on Fb today. Naisipan ko mag-social media fasting buong araw kahapon after sharing about the issue with our neighbor to clear my head (the previous article). And yet nakita siguro ni God na my heart is still in turmoil kaya ito ang nangyari kahapon.

A Random Message But Just The Right One

I received a message sa LinkedIn. It’s from someone na hindi ko ka-connection and the message was about the last days here in this world before judgment day. It’s a random message from someone I barely know. Naisip ko baka nabasa nya ang blog ko at dito sya nag-message. Pero mukhang hindi.

Nagtaka din ako dahil professional profile ang account ko sa LinkedIn and wala akong kahit isang post doon about faith or Bible verses. Kaya naisip ko na baka inudyok din sya ng Panginoon to send that message randomly or on purpose.

How To Decipher God’s Message

Sa message ni Sir Joe, marami syang verses na pinapabasa as references. Naging habit ko na simula noong bagong born-again Christian pa lang ako na kapag may Bible verse na itinuro si God, I read the verses before it at ang mga susunod pang verses.

Sometimes buong chapter binabasa ko or several chapters. Pakiramdam ko kasi ang gusto ni God is malaman natin ang entirety ng Kanyang message hindi lang sa isang verse kundi sa buong konteksto ng Scripture.

How God Reveals Himself

Isa sa mga references na ibinigay ni Sir Joe ay Psalms 37:10. When I read the previous verses, doon ko nakita ang sagot ni God sa aking panalangin lately. Pero sino nga ba talaga si Sir Joe? Bakit nya ako pinadalhan ng message out of the blue but exactly at the right time – and exactly the answer that I was asking from God? Coincidence?

I guess paulit-ulit kong babanggitin na there is no such thing as coincidence sa faith. It is all part of God’s plans. When we seek Him with all our hearts and humble ourselves before Him, He always reveals Himself sa atin. At kadalasan sa mga paraan na ‘di kayang i-grasp ng ating human comprehension. Mahirap intindihin paano nangyari pero ang mahalaga, His message got through:

“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.” – Psalms 37:8-9

Nothing Is Ever Hidden From God

I guess patunay ito na God sees everything. Nakikita Nya anong laman ng mga puso natin. In my case, God knows how stubborn I can be and very determined when I want to do something. He knows all our plans, thus, He will rebuke when He knows our plans will do us more harm than good.

Regarding doon sa ibang Bible verses ni Sir Joe, curious ba kayo sa difference ng Earth and this world? Meron daw pagkakaiba. Share ko din dito anong idi-discuss ni Sir Joe na sobrang pinasalamatan ko for being used by God to deliver His message. 🙂 Pero patuloy pa rin ako sa pag-pray for God’s leading, wisdom, and discernment. We all badly need them ngayon. 🙏

Stubborn but still obeys when God says so,

A Letter To Our Neighbors: Mahabang Reklamo Na May Magandang Punto

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I lost it yesterday. Ang dalawang taon na pagtitimpi namin ni Brian, I just lost it. Oo, dalawang taon na namin ni Brian pinagtatyagaan ang kapitbahay naming mga smokers.

Sa bawat pasok ng usok ng sigarilyo sa aming condo, nagagalit kami pero we let it go. Hindi namin sila inaway, sinita, o sinigawan sa terrace. Kahit pa araw-araw ako inaatake ng allergic rhinitis, tinitiis ko ang pasakit na dala ng paninigarilyo nila.

Allergic Rhinitis On My End

Gaano ba kahirap mabuhay ng may allergic rhinitis? Napakahirap. Masakit. Sa bawat bahing ko pakiramdam ko buong lungs ko ay luluwa. At hindi lang sya nangyayari ng isang beses sa isang araw. Maraming beses syang mangyari dahil nati-trigger ng cigarette smoke. At may kasama syang runny nose.

Kaya may panahon na minsan wala na akong panlasa dahil sa sipon. Minsan naman lasang dugo ang lalamunan ko dahil nara-rupture ang mga veins sa sinus ko. Maga sila. May sugat.

Meron bang gamot? Meron, antihistamine. Pero hindi pwedeng everyday ako uminom. Dahil kapag nasanay ang katawan ko sa gamot, pataas ng pataas ang dosage dahil hindi na sya ganun ka-epekto. Bakit ba ako may allergic rhinitis? May family history kami ng asthma.

When Too Much Is Too Much

Kahapon bumigay na ako. Hindi ko na kinaya. Ang poot at galit sa puso ko na pilit kong i-contain, nagu-umapaw. Gusto ko lumabas ng terrace at sumigaw. Gusto ko silang sugurin. Pero ang problema ay hindi ko sila kilala. Wala akong proof sino sa kanila ang talagang nagso-smoke. Isa pa, pinagsabihan ako ng Mommy ko na ‘wag silang patulan.

Last year, nag-complain ang bro-in-law ko na ang lakas nga daw ng usok ng sigarilyo at pumapasok sa kwarto nila. Sila ng ate ko may-ari ng condo. Nag-suggest sya na ireklamo na namin. Kaso ang rason ko ay yaong wala nga kaming proof para madiin sino sa kanila ang salarin.

Pero ito lang ang bagay na hindi naisip ng aming kapitbahay ngayon. Hindi ito ang tamang panahon para patuloy na mang-agrabyado ng tao. Why?

A Deadly Bio Warfare

Dahil meron tayong deadly at powerful biological warfare out there ngayon na for free at pwedeng gamitin anytime for suicide attacks – COVID 19. It can technically be used as a weapon by anyone who has grievances against someone, an organization, a community, or the government.

Umabot na ako sa punto na sa sobrang galit ko hindi ko na inisip what could possibly be the repercussion of what I will do. Nabalot na ng poot ang ability ko to think rationally at gusto ko i-unleash lahat ng sama ng loob na inipon ko sa ilang taon na andito kami dahil sa kanila.

A Righteous Anger But The Wrong Approach

Since I am sure compromised na din ang health ko dahil sa second-hand smoke, mabilis akong kakapitan ng virus. Lalo na sila kung matagal na silang naninigarilyo at mga kasama nila sa bahay.

Sabi ko kay Brian, gagawin kong intentional na magka-COVID 19 ako. Lalabas ako without a mask at pupunta ako sa mga lugar malapit sa amin na may maraming cases. Sisiguraduhin kong I will get the virus.

At kapag nakaranas ako ng sintomas, sisiguraduhin kong hindi ako magpapa-ospital at sisiguraduhin kong maikalat ang virus dito sa amin. If mamatay kami at mangamoy ang condo dahil sa nabubulok naming bangkay at magtaka mga kakilala namin why we are unresponsive sa mga texts and calls, then so be it.

Sa tanong na paano ang mga bata at ibang residents na walang sala? They will be part of the collateral damage. And the admin of this property is also to blame sa paggawa ng house rules na bawal ang paninigarilyo pero hindi naman nila pinapatupad ng maayos.

Who Are They?

May mga anak sila. Maiingay sila kaya naririnig namin. May mga bata rin doon sa dulo ng hallway namin. Noong isang araw may baby din na umiiyak.

Napaiyak ako. Napahagulgol. Lord, free me from this suffering. Ang bigat ng loob ko dahil sa poot. And yet mas lalo pang bumigat because my soul wrestles sa plano kong maghasik ng virus dito sa community. It is a heinous crime. It is murder. IT IS WRONG.

That makes me a murderer at bawat buhay ng bawat taong mahahawa dito ay dala-dala ng konsensya ko. Napaiyak ako. Ngayon mas malakas. Hindi ko na na-control ang mga luha sa patuloy na pagbuhos.

When My Soul Wrestles For What Is Right

Lord, hindi ko kayang sundin ang utos mo na I should love my neighbor as I love myself. Napakahirap lalo na kung walang naidulot kundi sama ng loob. Hindi ko rin kayang sundin ang sabi mo na kung ang pasakit na ito ay meant to be na mangyari sa akin at ito ang krus na kailangan kong pasanin bawat araw, suko na ako. Napakabigat, Lord.

Ngunit kaya ako naiyak hindi dahil sa galit. Kundi dahil hindi ko kayang kumitil ng tao sa kahit anong dahilan o sa kahit paanong paraan. And even if sobrang na-agrabyado o nagalit ako, hindi ‘yun ang solusyon na itinuro ng Dios. Hindi ito ang mga dapat na salita at pag-iisip ng isang Kristyanong nagpapakilala na isang alagad ng Dios.

My soul is wrestling between what is good and what is bad. The mere fact na nag-isip ako ng ganitong bagay, I have already committed a crime sa mata ng Dios. Hindi ako karapatdapat na tawaging anak ng Dios sa aking mga inisip at isinambit. And I know that is something I need to settle with God alone.

God-Given Husband

My husband heard it all, too. Sa kanya ko inilabas ang mga masama kong plano. Humanap ng paraan asawa ko. Ni-try nya ulit kausapin ang guard sa baba ng building. Dahil ‘yung first time naming reklamo ay walang nangyari. He came back at ni-assure ako na oras may mag-smoke ulit, patuloy syang tatawag sa guard house hanggang sa mapatigil itong mga naninigarilyo.

Naiyak ako lalo. My husband felt my anger, too. Pero iba naging solusyon nya. He tried to find a way to solve it sa tamang paraan na alam nya kahit pa the same ito ng mga nauna. He knows how agitated I am but he remained patient enough. He tried to console me as much as he could.

The Purpose Of God Still Stands

It rained.

Bigla kong naalala ang isang notification sa aking blog na nakita ko ngayong umaga. Someone gave me an award yesterday din pala sa WordPress (next article). Isa rin syang writer who chose me among the other bloggers to get the award (thank you, Mrs. T!).

It is an award given to a blog which, “through its writing, presentation and objectives, fosters human values; promoting intellectual, emotional and moral growth of peers.”

These awards on WordPress are basically all about community appreciation and how to support one another in the blogosphere. Nakakatuwa lang when one blogger puts in all the effort sa pag-recognize ng mga naisulat mo as something worth reading.

A Testimony Of My Spiritual Journey

Ang The Journeyman’s Moments kong blog ay isa sa mga bagay na ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoon noong na-born again ako noong 2014. Isa ito sa mga saksi ng aking pagbabagong buhay at sa paglilinis ng aking pangalan galing sa isang masalimuot na nakaraan.

Ito ang naging platform ko where I share everything about my spiritual journey. Naglalaman ito ng mga triumphs and struggles ko as a Christian. Pero hindi ko ito sineryoso masyado noon. May mga panahon na nakakaligtaan kong magsulat dito pero lagi akong nire-remind ng Dios ng calling ko why He saved me.

Kahit ilang months na akong inactive, halimbawa, at hindi nakakapagsulat, meron at meron pa rin akong new followers at mga bagong nagla-like ng mga dati ko pang articles.

His Plans Will Remain

In a way, God is the one who is keeping my blog alive at nagdadala Sya ng mga readers to view what I posted kahit wala akong gawin. Kaya doon ko rin nalaman na ito ang purpose ko why I was saved. To testify about God despite the chaos, the pain, and the suffering all around us.

I love to write. I consider it a gift galing sa Panginoon. Isang therapy sa akin ang pagsusulat. Alam ko din na itong experience recently with the neighbors was meant to happen. He has a good purpose for it, too, even if it means suffering for the time being.

Kasama na dito ang mai-share ko itong karanasan sa inyo and the struggles I go through each day as a Christian. Napakahirap maging Kristyano sa mga ganitong panahon. Ang tindi ng disiplinang hinihingi sa atin.

Severe Trials For What Is To Come

Pakiramdam ko mas matindi pa dito ang tests of faith na mararanasan natin in preparation for the second coming. I know minsan umaabot tayo sa punto na pinanghihinaan na tayo ng loob. Sumusuko na sa laban gaya ng nangyari sa akin.

Pero alam ko na hindi tayo tinawag ng Panginoon para sumuko lang din sa huli. It is not our calling. In fact, it is our calling to fight for faith at all costs. Yes, we will falter along the way. And yet ang importante is we keep on going back to God.

Para tayong nasa tug-of-war na laro na may times na mahahatak tayo ng enemy pero hahatakin din ulit tayo ni God pabalik sa Kanya. Basta pilit din tayong nagpapakatatag para sa Dios.

What We Are Fighting Against

Kailangan nating alalahanin na hindi lang COVID 19 ang kalaban natin ngayon. Marami nang atake ang ipinadala ng enemy to destroy us and what God has built in and around us. Nasa atin kung hahayaan nating wasakin nya tayo or kakapit tayo sa Dios and believe na Sya pa din ang mananalo.

I refuse to take the enemy’s bait. I may have thought the most murderous things, of which I ask for God’s forgiveness and take accountability for them when judgment day comes.

Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus

It is the work of the enemy, and I know he won’t stop. I pray for everyone na bigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng lakas, tapang, wisdom, and discernment para makita ang mga lies ng enemy. Ito lang ang tanging paraan na malalabanan natin ito at para hindi sya mag-succeed.

The struggle is real. Pero I rest in the fact na nakikita ito lahat ng Panginoon. At gaya ng blog ko, kahit wala tayong gawin kahit pa sobrang nahihirapan na tayo, Dios pa rin ang kikilos on our behalf. 🙏

Still fighting as God’s warrior,

Container Gardening 101: A Drive Towards Local Food Movement

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It’s just funny how a tiny sign of life no matter how minute it is can be enough to give you the hope that you need. Much like humanity these days. Every single sign of life, we get to appreciate more and more with each passing day.

These are the roots of the mustard greens I planted. I didn’t do my research on how to propagate mustard greens so I ended up cutting the entire plant and leaving just a one-inch stub above the roots. When I searched the net, all the propagation info I found suggested cutting all the leaves but leaving the center as is since it’s a rosette.

I was close to giving this plant up after not seeing any progress for 5 days. But hubby told me to give it a couple more days. The next day, new leaves came out. Yay! Indeed, it is one resilient plant, and yet I am still praying God will let them grow well.

This is my first time to grow this plant along with other vegetables i. e. tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and green onions. So we’ll see in the next couple of days if my own style of “cut-and-come” method is successful. I almost killed it. 😂

We also have other challenges in growing these vegetables such as minimal sun exposure and very strong winds during the day. I guess in this case, I’ll just ask the Great Gardener, Himself, to watch over them for me. 🙏❤️😊

Tending God’s garden in my own little way,

#sustainableagriculture #localfoodmovement

Imagine God’s Paradise Where Food Is Unlimited, But We Never Gain Weight

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I’m sure most of us will agree one way or the other that this lockdown and being at home have somehow placed our attention on food. Before the quarantine was implemented, most of us had very busy lives we just never had the time to appreciate good homecooked meals.

Yes, we all got used to “instant” everything because it was convenient given our busy schedules. Now, I believe every household smelled of the aroma of garlic and onions being sauteed and freshly baked goodies. We just have no choice if we don’t want to eat canned goods every day. 😀

Best Meal I’ve Ever Had

The movie “The Shack” resonated deeply with me and gave me hope in these moments of crisis and uncertainty. There’s this one scene where God played the role of a woman named Papa (Octavia Spencer) who lives in a very lovely shack (my dream home) in the woods surrounded by a beautiful garden. It’s basically the type that we’re all craving for here in this world.

It’s this kind of paradise that offers a perfect ambiance of peace and quiet, and yes, that part where she (God) whips up the most delicious meals ever. I believe God is showing us right now a glimpse of what heaven will be like after we overcome the trials and sufferings of this world.

What It Means To Be Truly Living

It portrays the ideal moment of living life without so many distractions, and yet we all know isn’t just possible to attain in this world (yet). What if God allowed this pandemic to happen so we can have a taste of what it really means to be truly living?

Besides, this world wasn’t made to last. And yet we can all look forward to an everlasting home that serves good food (literally and figuratively) all the time that not only nourishes our body, but also our souls.

Home With God

Ah yes, I can’t wait to be in that home and cook/bake like God. Well maybe not as good as Him, but just try to get to know who God really is aside from what we may believe of Him now.

Since that home is still part of what we’re looking forward to now, here are some of the homecooked meals I prepared for my husband and I the past couple of weeks. I know this lockdown meant appreciating homecooked meals. However, there also lingers the fact that we can all gain that unwanted pounds (uh-oh, here comes the bad part).

It’s a good thing I’m married to a man who’s used to hitting the gym consistently before this lockdown began. So, he gets to motivate me in a way when I see him do some crunches here at home. 😉

Ah, yes, Lord. I just can’t wait to live in Your very extraordinary home. How I longed for nothing else except that every single day. It will come soon, but for now, I’ll try to cook as well as I can possibly be and make other people happy. 😀

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” – Revelation 2:7

Dreaming of being in God’s home soon,

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P.S. I’m just grateful to God for providing for all of our needs in His usual unexpected ways and to my husband who helps not only in the kitchen, but in cooking as well. So far, I must say that he has the potential to become an outstanding chef. *wink*

P.S. 2 I am praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who lack food and other necessities. May God provide for them, too, in the same way that He has provided for me and my family. 🙏

Bible Verse Of The Day: 4/23/2020

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Let us claim this promise each and every single day. 🙏❤️😊