Tag Archives: Christianity

Pasig City In 2019 And Beyond

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There was one time my husband suggested getting our own home. I told him that it wouldn’t be a feasible idea because, as I see it, God is calling us to be nomads for now, to hold no permanent residence. 🙂

My siblings and I used to rent an apartment in Cubao, and we’ve stayed there since 1998. When my husband and I got married back in 2015, we decided to stay there, too, since I was the only one left to manage the place. Come 2017, hubby and I decided to move to Makati City, close to his workplace – he used to travel for a minimum of 6 hrs from Cubao to Makati City and vice versa. My family then decided to keep the apartment in Cubao, though nobody stayed there anymore, as a storage place for all our belongings and furniture.

In 2018, my sister was able to buy a condominium unit in Pasig City, and my family decided to transfer all of our things from Cubao to Pasig. Since there’s a yearly rental increase in our Makati condo unit and my sister also lives in Norway, hubby and I decided to leave Makati and relocate to Pasig after agreeing with my sister that we’ll shoulder the condo’s association dues and utility fees and handle the upkeep of the place.

This was also the reason why I couldn’t settle for an office job for many years. But God has been faithful enough to provide me with other sources of income through remote work. I took a lot of risks, though, and yet this has always been my prayer:

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Officially A Pasigueño

My husband and I can now officially call ourselves Pasigueños because this will be our semi-permanent residence. And yet, I told him that I don’t see us staying here until we grow old. There are just so many endeavors and visions that God is calling us to fulfill in the future.

After finally settling here in Pasig City last year, it didn’t cross my mind that the midterm elections would be held a year later. For 27 years, the city has been under the rule of a political dynasty – the Eusebios. But with the recent mid-term elections, that long-term reign was ended by a 29-year-old councilor from Pasig who is the opposing candidate for the mayoral position.

I did my research on now Mayor Vico Sotto, and he does carry the right credentials, though political analysts referred to him as somewhat too young and a bit inexperienced to hold the position of mayor. But while watching all his interviews during the campaign period, I can tell that he was called to hold the spot at just the right time. Indeed, he doesn’t have the campaign machinery compared to Eusebios, and yet, there is something about him that made the people decide to vote for him.

We cannot dismiss the fact, though, that he is good-looking, being the son of popular showbiz personalities, Ms. Coney Reyes and Mr. Vic Sotto (all ladies will agree here). This can be one reason why he won, but it was evident in all his interviews that he wasn’t interested in being in the showbiz limelight. His campaign efforts were also simple, without the usual full entertainment lineup of famous showbiz personalities, though he has the means to do so.

In all fairness to the Eusebios, I haven’t stayed here in Pasig for a long period of time to speak about how they have ruled the city in the past 27 years. Just like in the Bible, God allows certain rulers to lead a kingdom and ends their reign in His perfect time, too, to satisfy His greater purpose.

History Repeating Itself – David and Goliath

But what got everybody interested in the race for the mayoral position between Mayor Vico Sotto and former Mayor Bobby Eusebio is its similarity to the David-Goliath story in the Bible. Here is a more experienced, bigger victor who’s challenged by a younger, less experienced opponent. And just like how the story in the Bible ended, David won.

On a side note, I am also in this season where I am desperate for God’s wisdom because circumstances, yet again, call for another big decision. I asked for His will and His instructions, asking Him to clear my heart from any motives that might displease Him. And to reveal a part of His plans as well as the sacrifices that I need to make, even if it means going against what most people would have wanted, losing “worldly privileges,” and not being on par with the world’s standards. His answer came from the story of David found in this verse:

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Going back to Mayor Vico Sotto, he wants to end the trend of political dynasties, and he already promised he won’t be staying long in the seat of power because he only wanted to leave a legacy. The way I see it, it is like David training a successor in the likes of Solomon. If Mayor Vico doesn’t plan on being the mayor of Pasig for a couple of terms, I am praying he will have a successor who will also follow in his footsteps (God-led ways) and fulfill God’s plans.

It’s just amazing how the scene where David came out of hiding and stepped up to regain the throne that King Saul left when he and his son died was very similar to Mayor Vico Sotto’s statement, why he’s running for mayor – no one else was contesting the spot, and he felt he had to do it. The way I see it, though, it is only the start of the many trials that the new mayor will encounter in facing even “bigger Goliaths.” And this is the part where I would like to cover him with prayers for protection, guidance, strength, courage, and most of all faith in God and God alone.

What Pasig Can Expect From The New Mayor

While listening to him share his political agendas and platform, I was relieved to find out that he is focusing on social development. This includes improving the healthcare privileges of Pasigueños and engaging the citizens not just in the civic and social affairs but also in the political agenda of the local government, such as the “Freedom of Information” bill or the Pasig Transparency Mechanism Ordinance, which he passed last year as one of the city’s councilors. It is also good to note that he promised not to remove all the existing programs implemented by the previous mayor but to enhance them further.

While doing this article at work (I love my editor for being a blessing to me in so many ways), I also came across the Youth Development Center in Pasig. I did my research and found out that it is a facility that provides educational support to underprivileged youths and offers assistance when it comes to their social development. They provide free workshops in music, theater, arts, culinary, etc.

It is among my long list of plans, God willing, to hold a free writing workshop for kids or teens, and I thought that this is a great opportunity. I just pray that this is also one of the city’s programs that will receive the local government’s full support.

Serve the Country By Serving the Community

I always have a heart for community outreaches and social services. I’ve been volunteering in the community outreach programs organized by our church and even by other organizations in the past. This is the least that we can do to help our community and not rely on our government alone.

When it comes to assessing the political agendas of our government officials, I also hope this will be our mindset – they do not have that one-solution-for-all program where every single problem in the community will be addressed and resolved overnight. If society thinks that we have failed leaders in the past, methinks they have also served a good purpose in God’s plan.

From the perspective of a Christian, changes happen depending on God’s timeline and according to His plans. Though He appoints leaders, some of whom we presume as “bad” according to our standards, and yet with God, it doesn’t seem to be that way.

A Better Life For All

If we want to aim for a better community and a better life, it has to be a collective effort between the people and the government. I am praying for a government whose best interest is to uplift the lives of its constituents and that fears God most of all.

Yes, Mayor Vico Sotto may have promised he will only hold the office for a certain period of time, as he is not in favor of political dynasties. And yet, I know God has His own timeline for every government official and political leader.

In cases where His plans aren’t fulfilled because of our own free will, He will also make a way to appoint in due time those who rightfully reign, and this includes preparing the right successors among the next generations of servant leaders.

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9

I believe the time has already come for the transition to take place when it comes to passing the baton from the generations of”Baby Boomers” and Gen X, to Gen Y or the millennials and Gen Z. But let’s not forget that we are who we are because of the people who came before us. And we won’t accomplish anything if it is apart from what God wants to be done. 🙂

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Praying for the best in Philippine politics this 2019,

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Bible Verse of the Day: 05/19/2019

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A call to lead and to be the salt and light to the next generation. 🙏

A blessed Sunday, everyone! ❤

Paano Ba Ang Tamang Pagpapatawad? | Relationship Goals

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To my non-Filipino readers, I wrote this article in the vernacular because I felt the message will go through much better in this medium. But you may use the Google translate button below or at the sidebar of this page. I just hope Google will do a fine job of translating it. *wink*

“Paano Ba Ang Tamang Pagpapatawad?”

Noong nakaraang buwan, may isa akong status update na ni-post sa Facebook. Ito ay tungkol sa kasong adultery at concubinage. Hindi namin pinagdaanan ito ng asawa ko kaya sa mga nagtataka bakit nga ba bigla lang akong nag-post tungkol doon, wala akong ibang maisagot kundi dahil sa naramdaman ko lamang na kailangan ko syang i-post.

Infidelity: Kasong Concubinage at Adultery

Ang infidelity o pagkakaroon ng kabit o karelasyong babae/lalaki maliban sa iyong asawa ay isang sensitibong usapan pagdating sa ating lipunan. Madalas natin itong napapanood sa mga pelikulang Pinoy at teleserye. Ngunit sa totoong sitwasyon, ito ay itinuturing bilang isang kahihiyan. Kaya hindi nakapagtataka kung bakit maraming mga biktima ang piniling manahimik na lamang at indahin ang sakit at mga pasakit na dulot nito.

Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit naisipan kong i-post ang tungkol sa adultery at concubinage case. Dahil nakita ko ang dalamhati nila, ang sakit na dinaranas bawat araw, at kanilang mga sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng pagiging matatag sa kabila ng lahat alang-alang sa kanilang mga anak at ikatatahimik ng lahat.

Ang iba naman ay nagpaubaya na lamang dahil hindi sapat ang kanilang impormasyon tungkol sa infidelity at sa mga batas na nangangalaga sa mga karapatan ng isang asawa. Kahit saang bansa sagrado ang tingin ng batas at ng lipunan sa isang kasal o pagsasama ng isang mag-asawa.

Ang adultery case ay iba sa concubinage case. Ang una ay kaso ng isang asawang lalaki laban sa kanyang asawang babae at ang kabit nito. Ang huli ay kaso ng isang babaeng asawa laban sa kanyang asawang lalaki at ang kabit nito.

Para sa karagdagang kaalaman tungkol dito, maaari ninyong basahin itong artikulo:

“A Brief Discussion on Infidelity, Concubinage, Adultery, and Bigamy”

Hindi ko inakala na maraming kababaihan ang dumaraan sa ganitong mahirap na sitwasyon ngayon at walang alam kung paano ito resolbahan. Nakita ko ang mga komento ng iba’t-ibang kababaihan na naglahad ng kanilang mga kanya-kanyang sitwasyon. Hindi ko rin napaghandaan na ganito ang magiging kalalabasan ng post na iyon na ni-share ng mga kaibigan at ng mga kaibigan nila.

Ngunit ipinanalangin ko sa Panginoon na gabayan Nya ako kung paano makakatulong sa aking mga kapatid na kinakaharap ang ganitong masalimuot na sitwasyon. Ang itinuro sa akin ng Dios ay ang website ng Public Attorneys Office at ang mga numero kung paano ito kontakin. Ito ang kasagutang aking naibigay dahil hindi ko masasagot ang mga katanungan nila at hindi naman ako abogado.

Ano Ang Iyong Gagawin Bilang Isang Kristyano?

Marahil sa puntong iyon ng pag-post ko, marami sa mga kaibigan ko ang nagtaka lalo na sa konteksto ng pagiging isa kong Kristyano. Dahil ang utos sa Bibliya ay magpatawad at huwag maghiganti sa isang maling gawain na ginawa saiyo.

Mga minamahal, huwag kayong maghihiganti; ipaubaya ninyo iyon sa Dios. Sapagkat nasusulat, “Akin ang paghihiganti, ako ang gaganti,” sabi ni Panginoon. – Mga Taga-Roma 12:19

Ngunit ayon din naman sa aking pananaliksik, ang pagpapatawad daw ay laging may kaakibat na kondisyon. Dahil ganoon din ang hiningi ng Dios sa atin kapalit ng ating pagkakaligtas – tanggapin si Hesus bilang iyong tagapagligtas at talikuran ang masamang nakaraan. Pero meron din namang nagsasabi na sa anumang uri ng pagkakamali, palaging maging handa magpatawad.

Naisip ko na may rason ang Dios bakit Nya pinagawa ang sampung kautusan kay Moses noon na ‘yun ang naging basehan ng ating mga batas upang mapanatili ang katahimikan sa lipunan ngayon. Lahat ng ito ay naglalayon na mapangalagaan ang karapatan ng bawat isa sa ating mga mamamayan at mamuhay kasama ang iba ng tahimik at may respeto sa kapwa.


Sa usapang infidelity, and katanungan ng karamihan ay paano ba magpatawad at nararapat bang kasuhan ang iyong nagkasalang asawa? O patawarin ko na sya kaagad at ibaon ang lahat sa limot?

Kung walang nangyaring paghingi ng kapatawaran, para sa akin, mas pipiliin ko pa ring magpatawad. At sa ilang beses na naging bigo sa pagtupad ng kanyang pangako ang iyong asawa ngunit patuloy pa rin na gumagawa ng kasamaan at patuloy ding humihingi ng iyong kapatawaran, mas nakakabuting hingin mo ang payo ng Dios sa kung ano ang nararapat gawin.

Nakasaad sa Bibliya na ang adultery/concubinage ay isang sapat na rason para iwan mo ang iyong asawa. Ngunit nakasaad din dito na ang tunay na pagmamahal ay handang magpatawad sa lahat ng oras, sa anumang pagkakamali, at hindi basta-basta sumusuko.

Ang mga batas natin ay hinayaan ng Panginoon na maisakatuparan dahil ito ay may magandang pakay para sa lipunan at sa mga mamamayan. Hindi ito ginawa para lamang panakot kundi magsilbing gabay sa mga tao para gawin kung ano ang tama at maturuan ang mga may sala na talikuran ang paggawa ng masama at mag-bagong buhay.

God Is Always With you

Para saiyo kapatid na patuloy na nagdadalamhati sa sakit at pait na dulot ng infidelity, ito lamang ang aking maipapayo:

  • Hindi na mahalaga na tanungin mo ang iyong sarili kung saan ka ba nagkulang at nagawa ito saiyo ng iyong asawa. Lahat tayo ay may kakulangan. Pero kung totoong mahal ka nya, kaya nyang tanggapin ano mang pagkukulang mo at kung mahal mo rin sya, kaya mo ring tanggapin ang buo nyang pagkatao.
  • Hilingin mo sa Panginoon ano ang dapat mong gawin sa sitwasyon ninyo ng inyong asawa. Tanungin mo Sya kung nararapat bang kasuhan ang iyong asawa ng adultery o concubinage case o patawarin mo na lamang sya, talikuran ang mga nangyari, at hayaan na lamang na panahon ang maghilom ng lahat.
  • Dios ang palaging nagtatama ng lahat. Ngunit tayo ang kikilos ayon sa Kanyang mga utos. Ika nga nila, “Nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.”
  • Huwag kang panghinaan ng loob, hindi lamang ikaw ang nagdurusa at nasasadlak sa ganitong kalagayan. At lalo na, hindi ka nag-iisa. Maraming tao ang handang tumulong saiyo sa anumang paraan na alam nila para ikaw ay makabangon muli.
  • Patatagin mo ang iyong kalooban dahil karamay mo kami at ang Dios. Sa Dios pa lang, panalo ka na. Hayaan mo Syang igabay ka sa mga tamang taong tutulong sayo at gagabay din sayo sa tamang daan.
  • Lahat ng bagay may simula at katapusan. Ang paghihirap mong ito ay matatapos din. Ang unos ay titila at ang araw ay lalabas din. Madilim man itong dinaraanan mo ngayon pero liliwanag din sa huli. Manalig ka na lahat ng mga nangyayari sa mundong ito ay nakikita ng Dios. Dios ang pinakahukom kung saan lahat ng bawat kilos natin ay ating pananagutan at sisingilin Nya sa atin pagdating ng tamang panahon.
  • Bumangon ka kapatid. Harapin mo ang bawat umaga ng may tapang at lakas. Na sa kabila ng pinagdaraanan mo, mananatili kang matatag. Isa kang magiting na sundalo na sa bawat laban, ang bandila mo ay patuloy na mamamayagpag. Higit sa lahat, isa kang magiting na mandirigma dahil kakampi mo ang Dios. At ito sana ang panghawakan mo palagi:

“Tinutulungan Niya ang mga nagdurusa at ‘di binibigo ang walang pag-asa.” – Mga Awit 34:18

Patuloy na nananalangin ng taimtim para saiyo, kapatid,

How Social Media Is Shaping Our Lives: Is It For The Better?

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I am “hibernating” on social media lately although not entirely because I still log in daily to check my messages and browse through newsfeeds. But compared to my regular social media habit the past months, I’ve been posting fewer updates recently.

I Was Gently Reminded

Last Christmas, I was excitedly capturing photos of the moments shared with my family from the food to the presents, to the activities that we did, to a whole lot more of fun-filled memories.

When my Mom saw what I was doing, she told me one thing that I’ll never forget:

“So you’re taking photos and will most probably post them on Facebook to show people the things that you have or done, which some of them might not have or can’t do.”

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Ever since the Facebook revolution started, Mom has always been cynical about it. At first, I contradicted her by saying that Facebook and all other social media channels (she doesn’t know IG, yet 😀 ) are beneficial, too, in some ways. She relented but with a gentle reminder to be wise when sharing on social media.

I must admit I had moments back then when I felt that my Mom was right. As what they say on Facebook, always “think before you click.” But it was her very recent reminder about social media that cut deeper through me – the “why” of my social media hibernation except here on WordPress.

Is It Good?

I love Science and Technology so much that I am always excited about every new discovery and invention out there. And yet, we all know, too, that every single one of them has its own pros and cons. When it comes to social media, I was wondering to what extent can it affect our lives? Is it more on the pros or the cons?

I observed one negative side of social media, what study experts call as “humblebragging.” I never even knew the term existed until I encountered it while reading a couple of articles. These write-ups describe the studies conducted to observe the effects of social media on human psychology.

Research revealed that one of the most notable effects social media has on users is depression. To connect this to what my Mom said, more often than not social media posts can breed feelings of misery, discontentment, disappointment, and discouragement, which will eventually lead to depression. If we are to trace what is causing this, the root of the evil so to speak, it is this – envy.

I have a lot of photos and a lot of status updates to share on Facebook and Instagram, but what my Mom told me last year made me think twice whether I really should go ahead and post them or not. I want to share them BUT I know what my Mom is really telling me is to be responsible for what I will share. In other words, if it isn’t beneficial to others, then leave it unshared.

My social media hibernation isn’t because I won’t post anymore. Rather, I am thinking of ways how to share to people the things that I know, the things that I did, and the things that I have that won’t elicit any feelings of jealousy and disappointment on their part.

It is not my intent for my newsfeed followers to have the wrong notion that my life is way perfect and better than theirs because it is not just true. That’s why I make it a point to share a couple of bad news, even sensitive ones, just to bring light on my weaknesses and my lack of certain things and abilities, too. This is to affirm that we are all equal and go through different circumstances but the same seasons of drought and bountiful harvest.

Yes, Facebook and Instagram have become a “bragging wall.” This is becoming a deadly trend, and I really mean deadly because it can kill someone through depression. This is the deadly trend that portrays perfection on social media and it is encouraging everyone to have a false and pretentious lifestyle just to keep up with the game.

What if you can’t keep up?

Then this now becomes the problem. This is how people start feeling less about themselves, the inadequacy around them, the hopelessness, and ultimately, the unhappiness.

So I struggle.

What should I post? Will my post make me look like a humblebrag? Will it help other people feel good about themselves? Or should I not post anything at all?

Hmmm, I think I’m humblebragging in this post. So now I’m at a loss on what I should write about. 😀

Seriously, I’m going to end this article with a prayer asking for guidance and discernment to know the right actions when sharing about our daily lives to others. And my next article will be related to this, if God wills it, entitled “Humblebragging in Christianity: A Study.”

I am guilty of humblebragging one way or the other and I want to make up for all those feelings of misery and discontentment that I have caused on other people through my past social media posts. So yes, may the Lord give us new ways to make up for these mistakes made unknowingly. ❤

Asking for the Spirit’s guidance always,

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When God Blesses, He Blesses Abundantly

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This is a praise report because we just have a GREAT and WONDERFUL GOD worthy of our praise and all the glory. ❤😊

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

The title sounds familiar? It should if you sing it. 😉

A few weeks ago, my husband and I have been going through rough months in several areas of our lives. Our families were there to give us comfort and support and yet we all know that the deep grievances of the heart can only be comforted by God and God alone. Emotions were high, tough decisions have to be made.

I must admit I was never that strong. In fact, I was very weak during these moments – I cried, I lamented, I complained, I was bitter, I was enraged…but I held on to faith. Because God rewards those who remain steadfast in times of testing. I know that He will always be there.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. – Psalm 147:6

What Are Blessings?

When I speak of blessings, I am referring to both tangible and intangible things. Most of them, in fact, won’t fit the standards of this world and how the world defines success – riches, accumulation of possessions and material wealth, winning a competition, having a prestigious title, achievements, etc.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Yes, this has always been my mantra – don’t go with the flow when it comes to social practices. Assess whether what you are doing is indeed to glorify God, do His will, and serve others. Because as much as we want to deny it, this is our only purpose in this world – spread the Good News.

Are We Really Doing It For God?

I realized that thanking God for our achievements doesn’t really glorify God. I, myself, was a victim of this. Every time I accomplish something, I always think that it is also what God wanted me to do. Little did I know that it is the enemy’s trap to slowly enter in his lair – temptations for worldly success, to please the world, to be prideful about what I can do, and to boast about what I have.

This drive to pursue selfish ambition and using God as a cover-up is a very deadly addiction. It poisons your motivation until you are suddenly being led astray. You become hungry for power. You become hungry for validation. You become reliant on your own efforts. You become envious of others. You become addicted to worldly rewards. In other words, it is now the world that is feeding you and your soul, not God anymore.

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.
These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17

How did the realization come? Sometimes it comes as a painful rebuke and sometimes through other people’s lives as examples of who I should be and who I shouldn’t be.

This was how one challenging situation became a blessing. As I’ve shared in my previous posts, circumstances demanded I go through several medical checkups – I was feeling the symptoms and the effects of doing things my way driven by my ambitions.

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It was a “health scare.”

But that “health scare” was God’s wake-up call. He doesn’t want me to do things apart from His will and guidance. He knows I was being led astray from where He originally called me to be. As God’s blessing for my obedience, I came out clear in every single test with just a slight work-up (yay for this!). But, I know I need to receive it with a promise on my end – follow the path that He chose for me.

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And if you’ve been a follower of Christ for a long time now, I know you can relate when I say that the road that God sometimes asks us to tread on is never an easy path. It requires a lot of sacrifices but in the end, it is always about this – relinquishing the “self” and embracing God’s will.

Our notion of “best” is oftentimes not what God has in mind as His best for us. Don’t be deceived by the enemy, always check your heart, and never forget to ask God for His will every single day.

We always have to be careful with this and look into our hearts what really is our motivation and agenda for doing the things that we do now? Are they really to please God or to please ourselves and other people?

Do you still sense that tinge of “I want” when you make decisions in life or is it always about “what does God want?”.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3

I have learned to let go of promotions, of pursuing my dream to have initials attached to my name, of following my timeline and bucket/wish list, and of being regarded as society’s “best” all to pursue God’s calling. I have learned to deny the cravings of my flesh and the demands of the world when God says they are not what I need.

God always sees our hearts.

Two Sundays ago, a preaching by one of our pastors in church resonated with me. It came just very timely. It is about the pursuit of being a COO or a CEO or being at the top, in other words, and the dangers of it. His question just lingered on me all throughout the week:

“At what cost?”

Yes, there is nothing wrong being at the top or being the best and yet what is the motivation behind it? If we have the wrong motivation and if it is not God’s will for us, then, definitely, there is a collateral.

What are we willing to sacrifice? Is it time with our kids? Is it quality time with our spouses? Is it our health?

This brings us back to the hierarchy of priorities:

  1. God
  2. Spouse
  3. Family
  4. Career
  5. Ministry

These are never interchangeable. When we do rearrange them, then we know that this is where things go bad – imbalance. Sooner or later we will experience the consequences of it. My only prayer is that it won’t be too late before we arrange them again in that order.

How many people now are diagnosed with stress-related obesity or have been stress eating? How many have been diagnosed with ailments that have unexplained causes? How many have already died because some of these ailments have no cure?

This was the wake-up call for me. It is in my nature to be a multitasker. I want to accomplish a lot because I want to do a lot of things to the point that my body begins to fail me because I was just too tired.

And it all dawned on me, all for what and for whom?

I know God is giving me an assurance that I have made the right choice – to never pursue the things of this world. He knows my heart did not completely embrace this yet. So He sealed it with reminders for two consecutive days from my daily devotion last week about worldly success, busyness, etc.

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Filling Up The Tank

When I was staring at the speedometer, a thought came into my mind. Just like a car when it’s low on fuel, it needs to stop or better yet, it needs to be filled up. Only then can it run smoothly again back on the path – the right path. No stopovers this time, no detours. Unless it’s time for yet another refill.

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One wise question to ask ourselves is this: “If we are the car, what, or rather, Who is our fuel?”

To end this article, I am just grateful for the abundance of blessings, too, for each and every member of our families. I never fail to include them in my prayers every single night because, once again, they come 3rd on my list of priorities. I don’t want to boast specifically but let me just boast about a God who is more than enough. ❤

My only prayer is that I can spread the love of God to others, too, in whatever medium, through what God has called me to do, and with what He has given me. The future seems dim and covered, for now, and my view of it is limited. But I have faith God is already waiting for me at the end of the road. I was just stopping by for a fuel refill for now. 😉

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“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – Corinthians 4:18

Blessed to have a God who calls me His daughter,

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P.S.

Who’s ready to enjoy summer with me and bask under the bright sun with a grateful heart? ❤ Life is just good when you have God in it, isn’t it? 😉

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And of course, what is life without God and your God-given mate? My deepest gratitude goes out to my beloved husband, too, for a whole lot of things. ❤

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

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Bible Verse of the Day

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A blessed work week, everyone! 🙏

Practicing Humility: Start Early

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Practicing humility has never been a hard task or rule for us in the family, to begin with. Our parents taught us life through humble beginnings. They never brought up the value of money, titles, and possessions until we were old enough to understand the power they can yield, good or bad, depending on how and where we use them.

Thus, my repentance and salvation when I became a born-again Christian back in 2013 weren’t much of a struggle. Though I am strong-willed by nature, I surrendered willingly and made a conscious effort to pursue God.

Why is humility very important?

We need it every single day of our lives – at work, in school, at home, basically everywhere. What, you might ask, will happen if there is no humility?

The very obvious answer is this: pride. And with pride comes arrogance. With arrogance comes self-sufficiency. And self-sufficiency denies the truth that God exists.

So what if we believe there is no God?

Where there is no God, then everyone will try to reign as the greatest, all superlatives you can think of. Like the love of money, where there is power, there are all sorts of sins – greed, envy, discontentment, murder, etc. Everyone is trying to outplay everyone. Everyone is clamoring to the top.

Now that becomes the problem. Where there is no Supreme Being that governs all, no human being will consider himself below another human being. It is man’s very instinct and nature to survive. That is, if the flesh is allowed to rule. But what separates us from other living creatures is this – the soul.

(Side topic: Do other living creatures have a soul? Next article topic, perhaps? 😉 )

Do you believe humans have a soul? Who created it? So what is a soul?

If your answer to the first question is a “yes,” then I presume you have an answer to the next question and can thus define the meaning of a soul.

If you answered there is “someone” who created it, then you acknowledge there is a higher being who can do things that are beyond the control of man.

Now this is humility – the acceptance of the fact that we are not the strongest creatures on this planet. Nor the smartest in this universe because we haven’t even discovered the vastness of space beyond our solar system.

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Pasig Overlooking BGC

Do you have questions such as:

– How vast is the space beyond our solar system?

– What is still out there?

– Are there more to be discovered out there?

Yes, I love Sci-fi movies. I love Science. I love how our imagination can spark brilliant ideas, questions, possibilities, and opportunities that are endless.

If you asked those questions, too, then perhaps you know by now that they will remain as questions. Because no one can give us the answers. It is these never-ending questions and my quest for answers that brought me to God.

I asked, and He answered – the Scripture says it all. They may not be specific answers to my questions, but I got a deeper understanding of life. A deeper appreciation which led me to ultimately know who that Someone is behind everything – the Source.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

Science, with all its complexities, can’t explain it all. But the Bible can. Again, not the specific answers we are looking for, and yet they pacified us in other ways.

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9

The more you know God, the more humility sinks in. The more you become immersed in going through His blueprint day by day, the more your curiosity fades. Then the more that peace comes in, the more your restlessness slows down, and the more content you become.

We all need humility. It will keep us grounded and steady. It will bring peace and not chaos. It will earn you respect and not disdain. It will give you honor, maybe not in the sight of man, but in the sight of God.

Can you practice humility today? Start early – this generation and the coming generations need it. Be that change in your school, in your workplace, in your home, and in your community. ❤

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Copyright: Reyner G. (BNHS 2002 Alumni Homecoming / Balik-Eskwela Outreach Program

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Copyright: Mimi A. (Church Ministry Volunteer / Outreach Event – Home For The Aged)

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Copyright: Mimi A. (Church Ministry Volunteer / Outreach Event – Street Children)

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” – Ephesians 3:18

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,…” – Philippians 2:3

We need not look further – Christ’s humility is enough of an example. 🙂

In awe of God’s works always through humility,

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How Can We Not Love God?

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Yes, how can we not love God? When in the desert, He showed you an oasis. When in the wilderness, He gave you a clear path to tread on. When in battle, He gave you an armor.

Such is the case with me. And I can only thank God we have a God who walks with us in every given season. 🙂

So was it because I am more favored than others? Was it because I have great faith? Or I prayed more fervently and consistently this time? Or all of the above?

I can’t really say but all I know is that it’s more about aligning our free will to God’s will that makes things around us seem like they’re conspiring with one another. It couldn’t be luck or coincidence but it can well be a matter of fate and faith.

God Rewards Our Acts of Faith No Matter How Big Or Small | Keeping the Faith

Day after day, He reveals more of Himself to each and every one of us in different ways – our personal walk with the Lord. As I do my quiet time and read the Bible when I wake up, I see God in a whole lot of different ways. Yes, I never fail in reading the Bible and in writing down the verses even if I am not using the usual planner anymore. I’ve been using this particular planner for 6 years now but it’s out of stock since December and I believe God has a good reason for it. Through these devotions, we can discover that right they are when they said that our human minds can never fathom the glory and the greatness of God.

For instance, my siblings and I were placed on a standstill with the developments for the family project. And yet, instead of losing hope and letting go of the vision that we had, we held on to the fact that God’s in control and it’s His timeline that we’re following, not ours.

True enough, I got to understand why. As much as we would like to think that we’re ready in other aspects of the project, we still lack a lot of things and God’s the only one who knows what we need and provides them in preparation for what we will do. What is our current need? The most obvious that I can state is education on the matter-at-hand – business development, marketing, agribusiness, etc.

While experience is the best teacher, head knowledge and knowledge acquisition are all but essential. This need is now slowly being filled in one at a time for every area. Such as the opportunity I stumbled upon on the website of Ateneo De Manila University Graduate School of Business.

Well, back in my college days, it’s common to hear the term “university/college rivalry.” And my alma mater (UP Diliman) and Ateneo are on top of the list. But being a born-again Christian gave me a different perspective when viewing this university culture – no maroons, no blues, no greens, no yellows, and all other colors can hinder the body of Christ from worshiping God altogether. So, I am looking forward to being a part of the “Blue Eagles,” soon. That is, if God wills it. 😉

I’d like to share what I found on their website because it’s exactly what my siblings and I need in this particular season for the family project. The title of the seminar is “Family Factor and Succession Planning in Family Businesses From Setting Up to Stepping Up: A Family Business Management Series.” It’s part of a series of seminars on entrepreneurship that deals primarily on managing family businesses and being successful in doing so.

If you and your family are running a business, you might like to attend this one, too.

My only question was, “Lord, how come I only got to encounter this opportunity now?” 🙂

But after semi-thinking/semi-blurting that question, a lot of answers came pouring in which made me regret I asked it in the first place. For one, my current situation doesn’t allow me to take on this opportunity, not yet. But God already showed me a vision, a goal. He led me to a path which will then lead me towards achieving that goal. So, this explains why developments on the property are put on hold – by God. God delayed it in the form of extensive paperwork, unavailability of equipment, weather, and health conditions.

I also just finished reading the first of three books written by Sir Dodong Cacanando, the speaker of the first agribusiness seminar that my brother and I attended last year. When I finished reading it, I can tell that God sent the right mentor for this project.

I highly recommend this book to would-be and agribiz entrepreneurs.

After his seminar, I actually asked my brother if he would like us to approach Sir Dodong and ask about some things. But he and I both hesitated. 😀 Ah yes, Lord, that’s also what I’m praying for now – please give us the courage to build connections with people who will play an integral role in our project. Because I know we will be needing lots of people for the project to push through because this will also be for the benefit of a lot of people.

Speaking of opportunity, I’ve also had this one prayer that”s included in my faith goals since last year. I’ve been constantly praying about it for months but God always says “no.” I have hints why but instead of seeking for it confidently and patiently, I admit I came to the point that I started losing hope. But, thankfully, the faith is still there. Even if it’s smaller than a mustard seed, like a sesame seed perhaps? 😀

But it’s a sincere faith and I just thank the Lord for honoring that small sesame-seed-like faith of mine that He already gave signs without me noticing them until now. An example is this building that caught me and my brother’s attention while driving around. Who would’ve thought I will be staring at it while in the middle of a crossroad and it ended with a good result? This was shown to us last December and yet the fulfillment took place this January.

With every new season, I always lift everything up to God and ask Him for leading and guidance. Though I am not fully a ‘signs and wonders’ type of person, it became a habit of mine to request from God that if this is His will, then may all things be smooth-sailing. But if it’s not, then may He do everything in His power to lead me out of it.

I am in the middle of a conflict. I am in the middle of a desert. I am in the middle of the wilderness. But God showed the oasis, showed the path, and equipped me with the right armor.

Which way to go, Dad? 😀

The prayer and fasting in the church at the beginning of this year, my new spiritual family, and last but not the least, my own family helped me seal my faith and hope in God even if my circumstances proved otherwise. I cannot say that it might be because it’s already God’s perfect time for the start of the fulfillment of His promises or it can also be a result of my sincere faith or maybe both.

But I firmly believe it is both. 🙂

There goes the clear path.

Here’s my encouragement to all of you my beloved sisters and brothers reading this – some, most, or none of your prayers may be answered and your faith may start to dwindle to the size of a font 12 period but believe me, KEEP THE FAITH. Do not turn your back from God, but pursue Him even more. Even if you’re placed in the middle of a desert, a wilderness, a war zone, keep the Lord’s promises close to your heart:

“Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

“Sing to the Lord, for He has done wonderful things. Make known His praise around the world.” – Isaiah 12:5

God never fails and He is always with us. Trust His leading, not the circumstance, not the process, and not your situation. I am sharing this to pay it forward because some people also took the time to encourage me when I was at my weakest. ❤

Always in awe of His endless love,

P.S.

Again, I am not a ‘signs and wonders’ person but during the Super Blood Wolf Moon, I read an article that some Christians described it as a phenomenon where something big will happen afterward. I am neither superstitious so I took it with a grain of salt but the next day, something big indeed happened. If you will ask me what it is, I’d like to keep it between me and God. And this post is too long already. 😉

The 3 Not-So-Ordinary Kids I Met

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Last night, I had the urge to eat out at one of the popular fast food chains in our place. When I arrived, all the seats downstairs were taken, so I went up and was glad to see lots of available seats. I took a look around and chose the perfect spot for me to eat and stay for a while.

It’s a seat that overlooks an intersection and where most of the traffic activity in the place converges. There’s also a glass window that gave me the opportunity to observe people behind me through the reflection.

I never really had an idea why I chose that spot, but something in me told me about this word – story. Yes, the reason why I love observing people and activities is that I can get a lot of stories from them.

As a writer, these scenes are an opportunity to come up with new and fresh ideas and concepts. They also provide me with a different take on a lot of things.

I believe God placed me in that seat to write this story.

Being seated at the end of the room, I can see from the reflection in the glass window if someone is approaching me. This night, there were 3 scenarios that came into play featuring 3 not-so-ordinary kids.

Scenario 1

The first kid who approached me was a street kid in rugged and dirty clothes carrying 5 pesos with him and drinking a soda from that fast-food chain, which I believe was given by someone who also ate there, or he could’ve bought it from the money he was able to gather from begging.

The first thing he asked was if I could give him enough coins to buy him a meal for that night. I looked at him, and though I normally don’t give out money to beggars, something in his appeal made me do so. I gave him a couple of coins but told him to buy himself dinner. He then thanked me and went towards the next table.

Scenario 2

Another kid came by, but this one’s different. He’s carrying a basket of packed marinated milkfish. The boy sounded like a young salesman with his bubbly sales pitch that almost sounded like an advertisement you hear on television.

I thought it was entertaining and true enough; I wasn’t the only one who was entertained. He approached a couple eating at a table with his bubbly pitch and also joked around with the guy. He was able to hook his client – the guy took his offer to buy 3 pieces (1 set) for 120 pesos.

Then the guy started asking him who prepared the milkfish, to which he answered that it was his aunt. The guy actually tried to haggle, saying he wanted to buy 1 piece only. But the boy didn’t give in and smilingly told the guy that he only sells a 3-piece set and that he needs to be home soon because he will be going to school early the next day. He didn’t approach me, although I was tempted to buy, too.

Scenario 3

Then, a few minutes later, another boy came in carrying a basket, too. But this time, the contents of his basket are polvoron. The boy approached me with a very sad introduction and offered his products almost to the point of begging. He already had around 60 pesos placed on top of the items. I looked at the boy, and I declined his offer. He still wouldn’t budge until a high school student seated behind me called his attention, saying he wanted to buy one.

God Calls For His Children

Most likely, you will think of my actions as unfair. So why didn’t I buy from the last boy? I am unsure how the polvoron was prepared, and I couldn’t cook it to make it safe to eat compared with the marinated milkfish. Although honestly, I feel sorry that I didn’t buy some because I really felt that I should. So I am praying to God that I’ll still have another opportunity to see this kid, and I’ll buy what he has to offer.

Some will agree that it’s better to buy from kids than to give money to those who just beg. I also agree with this and that we need to empower them to strive instead of encouraging them to depend on other people for their needs by begging for money. I believe this will help solve the poverty mentality – that everyone has the opportunity to make a living as long as you have the discipline, perseverance, patience, and will power.

But this is not always the case. And this is why I gave coins to the first boy who begged me to give him some. Why? When I looked at the boy, the first thing I thought was, where are his parents? He looked as if no one was taking care of him.

So this means he’s alone, fending for himself, trying to get by with whatever he has and what he can get from begging. But what I also thought is that he’s in need of a mentor, someone who can usher him towards the right opportunities to make a living like working in a car wash shop for example as a washer boy, etc.

Compared to the other two boys, they sure have parents or relatives who care for them because they have items to sell in the first place. They already have the means to make it out of poverty and there are people who are guiding them what to do and how to earn a living.

The Other Side of the Coin

Looking at all 3, it can give us the different facets of human life and the different kinds of people:

1.) Trying to live life with no support system – living by grace.

2.) Trying to earn a living with the help of relatives and enjoying it – a positive disposition.

3.) Trying to earn a living with the help of relatives, but with a disgruntled heart – discontentment.

These are all hasty generalizations based on the different scenarios I have witnessed, and I have no idea what really goes on in their lives or what they went through on that day. And yet each one of them carries a hope that all of us try to live out each day, trying to make meaning out of what we do and why we do things.

I am praying for these kids and other kids like them. May God continue to guide them as they go about with life’s atrocities. All may come from different backgrounds and may be given different opportunities, and yet the gift of God is free for all, and that is all that matters. I pray that is what they will experience and hold on to wherever fate would bring them as they get older. ❤

‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.’ – Numbers 6:24‭-‬26

Transitioning From 2018 To 2019

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So the WordPress holiday hibernation for me is finally over and what kept me tied from sharing here is none other than this – family. 🙂

@CYMA: Pre-Christmas get-together with our eldest sister and her family because they can’t visit our hometown. 🙂

This year though has ended with not-so-good moments in some areas of our lives and yet what is important is being grateful for what we have and not counting what we have lost.

I am praying and mourning with my fellow “kababayans” who lost so much during the tropical depression Usman. Even my family and I weren’t exempted from its wrath. Just 2 days before New Year’s Eve celebration, we experienced nonstop heavy rains. The bad part here was that it coincided with one of the highest points of the high tide.

There were only 4 of us left at home – Dad, Mom, my 3rd sister, and me. I would’ve chosen to go back to Manila for New Year’s Day celebration but something compelled me to stay. And I thought this must be it – my parents needed the extra pair of strong hands when Usman hits home.

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Can you guess what our “lady hands” were able to carry? 6 sacks (not less than 50 kgs each) of rice from the first floor to the second floor through a spiral staircase! How’s that for instant Super Women? Yes, adrenaline rush made it possible. 😃

And of course, my life verse:

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

Our town was placed under a state of calamity and there were 2 reported casualties due to a landslide. It was a sad way to start a new year and yet in a time like this, Job’s story always gives me the strength and the hope to keep on praising God amidst all the trials.

Are we all like Job? Can we still praise God when we lose everything? Or we begin to be overpowered by grief, despair, and hopelessness?

I may have gone through several storms (literally and figuratively) for the last quarter of 2018. And yet I am not letting them become the reason why I should never move on and do the things that I have control over – the things that God has given me control over. For the things that I can’t change, I am leaving them all to God.

For the happy memories of 2018, I count the family as one of God’s most wonderful blessings. Though imperfect, it is the best support system anyone can have. I am beyond grateful for the times spent with them albeit short because they also reminded me about the brevity of life. So all the more we should cherish moments like these that are priceless and before we know it, will soon be gone.

Home, sweet home with the beloved parents. ❤

Christmas cooking can be very challenging but Philippians 4:13 always. And when it is done with love, nothing can ever be too tiring. 😉

Christmas loot and sweets. Thanks, beloved siblings and relatives! 😉

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2018

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December 25 @ our mother Protestant church where my great grandpa was among the first pastors. I am praying for more of God’s leading and provisions to be upon this church and be able to make more disciples.

All in all, I thank God for both the good and the bad moments of 2018. If God allows bad things to happen, that is not because He is cruel, but because that is how the world we live in, the enemy’s turf, works.

The incidents could’ve gotten worse but God may have already intervened and what we experienced are only the ripples of what was supposed to be a catastrophic event orchestrated by the enemy.

Whatever kind of moments we may experience this year, may we all hold on to these verses and keep in mind that still, God is good and He always will be:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:22

So I say, cheers to 2019 and whatever it may bring! ☺

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Saying “goodbye” to what was and saying “hello” to what will be,

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