Tag Archives: Christianity

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 it can yield, good or bad, depending on how and where we will use it.

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 in 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 is all sort of sin – 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 has the ability to 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 in 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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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 knowing who is that Someone 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 that humility sinks in. The more you become immersed in going through His blueprint day by day, the more that 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.

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Copyright: Mimi A.

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“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 example enough. 🙂

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 which overlooks an intersection and where most of the traffic activity in the place converge. There’s also a glass window which 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 propose 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 can give him coins enough 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 it 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 like who prepared the milkfish to which he answered that it’s his aunt. The guy actually tried to haggle saying he wants 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 I’d 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’s 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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How God Fills Up Your Love Tank

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This article is a summary of the events that transpired a few weeks back. Thank God for the Grace to be able to write this down despite a hectic schedule but only for the last couple of weeks. Yes, everything is all about His Grace every day. 😉

Only God Can Refill Your Love Tank Again and Again

“Farm For Profit” Seminar

Last weekend, my brother and I attended Sir Dodong Cacanando’s “Farm For Profit” seminar held at Harbest’s building in Taytay, Rizal. It was a very insightful seminar which focused on traditional and conventional ways of farming to achieve greater sustainability in agriculture. What makes this seminar very different from other agribusiness seminars is how the business processes are guided by Biblical principles.

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Sir Dodong reinforced the traditional farming method, a concept that my grandpa also lived out. They both shared similar stories about butchering a pig during special occasions, for example, or harvesting of vegetables straight from the farm for daily consumption.

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Indeed, we can only agree that the natural way of farming will still remain as the best process towards sustainable agriculture – how to maintain balance in the ecosystem and at the same time benefit from the resources that are readily available.

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In my next article, I’d like to explore deeper on sustainable agriculture and local food movement – two advocacies that I’d like to promote through the proposed family project. I also had the privilege to attend a previous online finance seminar hosted by Bro. Bo Sanchez and he also shared the same guiding principles when it comes to being good stewards of God-given provisions. Here are some of my takeaways from the said seminar:

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Daisy Reyes Salon

Last week, I also had my self-care routine and pampering time which happens once a year. 😀 Yep, that’s how seldom I visit the salon. Quite extraordinary for a woman, you might say. But yes, it’s so definitely true. That’s why I make sure, too, that it’s all worth it.

Since we recently transferred homes, I only got to explore what the neighborhood can offer just now. I found one salon near our place and it’s owned by actress Daisy Reyes. I was able to check out her salon but I was still undecided so I kept on looking for other salons.

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It was my husband who urged me to try it and I also agreed. The day before I went to the salon, I checked out the flyer they gave me previously. Voila! I saw a very familiar Bible verse stamped at the back which was what I needed for the current situation I’m in. A sign and reminder, perhaps? 😀

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Very, very timely. ❤

When I got inside the place the following day, the music being played in the background was a line-up of Christian songs and the staff was singing along with it (including me). One very memorable experience too was when they offered to share their snacks with me during their break time. I kindly refused the offer, however, they insisted so I humbly accepted it accompanied by words of gratitude. ❤

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Food and water nourishment from the awesome staff: empty plate and water bottle after. 😉

New and Great Things Up Ahead

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Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer! ❤

New Spiritual Family

This last one was sort of a miracle for me and not a coincidence. For the last couple of weeks, I was going through extreme times of testing that I was sure at one point I’ll lose it all to the enemy. But, God intervened.

I felt the urge to attend Worship Night in a nearby church close to where we live. I have been trying to connect with a Bible study group for almost 2 months now but to no avail.

Until that Worship Night where I ended up seating beside a pretty lady (Hi, Reign!) who asked me out of the blue if I’m interested in volunteering for the music ministry as an acoustic guitarist. She went on by sharing that she normally doesn’t talk to strangers but something compelled her to do so at that time.

I was just overwhelmed when I heard her say it. Because I think she has a gift of prophecy asking me if I want to volunteer for the music ministry when I never even mentioned that I do sing and play an acoustic guitar at home. Goosebumps, anyone? 😀

I also mentioned that I was looking for a VG or Bible study group. She excitedly shared that she has a mentor who’s also married. She is also a soon-to-be bride, by the way.

So last Sunday they texted me to join their Bible study group but I could not attend unfortunately. I was all smiles, though, when I told them I’ll be joining this coming Sunday. Ah yes, God and His ways never ever fail to amaze me. 🙂

New Masterpieces

I also would like to honor in this article my brother’s father-in-law for being one of the most talented artisans I know. I understood now why we’ve all been gifted with special skills and talents that we incorporate in our professions to serve God and others as a unified body of Christ.

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A refurbished 20-year old cabinet.

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A new cabinet was installed to match an old black dresser and achieve a one whole set design.

This is the new set of additional furniture for my sister’s place and each one is a by-product of Papa Boyet’s ideas which we normally can’t imagine, thus, makes every masterpiece anw extra special work of art. I was able to witness how he crafted some of these projects and I can attest that it was indeed all done with a labor of love. 🙂

Love Tank: Replenished and Overflowing

With all these testimonies, we can surmise that they’re all God’s work which refilled my love tank in the process. I believe wecan admit that we arrive at that point where we are sucked dry by life’s never-ending demands. But God always finds a way to reassure us that His love is overflowing – He is our only source of it. How?

1. He will bring you to the right people at just the right time.

2. Those prayers you have silently prayed in between your tears, sadness, sorrow, and despair, God hears them all.

3. God brings healing through things that He knows will nourish you spiritually first and foremost.

4. He will let you see that your world doesn’t revolve on your problems alone, there is more out there in the world to explore.

5. He will remind you of His purpose why He called you (altar call) and gave you a task to fulfill.

6. He will show you that no one and nothing can separate you from His love come what may.

7. The complete trust you have given Him through the tough circumstances you’re in, He will return it in full and even more.

Sometimes sticking with our end of the deal when we got saved can be very heart-wrenching. Our still worldly selves will rely on our human efforts and human knowledge about how to endure the sacrifices we need to make. But then, with God-sent mentors, they will help us to once again walk the path that God called us to walk no matter how difficult that road is.

So that afterward, we can proclaim with conviction the following verses (they came right on time during my devotion):

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. – Psalms 9:1 NLT

Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. – Psalms 100:4 NLT

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. – Psalms 32:8 NLT

P.S.

I am not sure if this photo will have any bearing at all in this article. 😀 But I just want to share it to say that these filters sometimes (I seldom take selfies) do come pretty handy when you’re looking stressed and all and you want to come up with a decent photo without all the hassle of making up your face.

But with all honesty, this photo has the following false details: eyelashes, pupils, poreless skin, and eyeglasses. And no, I am not a teenager just in case this photo deceived you. I’m already near the mid-30s bracket. 😀

Ciao! ❤

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Things About Christmas That We Don’t Know

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While most of us are eager for the upcoming Christmas season, there are some of us who dread the holidays:

  • that teenager whose parents just divorced and don’t know how to celebrate it because both parents have their own separate agenda for the holidays
  • that person who lost a loved one recently
  • that loved one who is far away from home and celebrating alone
  • those orphans whose only family they grew up with are also fellow orphans
  • that cancer or terminally-ill patient who dreads this is going to be his or her last Christmas celebration
  • that single person who’s been waiting for the love of their lives for decades already and been celebrating Christmas alone for decades too
  • or that street child begging for alms envying the shopping bags you’re carrying, and a whole lot more.

This Christmas tree has been with us for how many decades now. The decors were infested with termites last year but we were able to salvage some, but for the others, we have no other choice but to discard them.

It reminded me that indeed, everything and everyone around us are all but only temporary – they will all be gone one at a time. However, it is not about what we lack and what we lost that matters but more importantly, it is about what we can give despite our lack of a lot of things. Because that is the Christmas spirit – give LOVE to people who need it most.

How?

Visit a relative you haven’t seen for a long time, join a gift-giving Christmas event for orphans on the 25th, cook for your neighbors and give it to them on Christmas Eve…there are so much more that we can do to share the love and it is not just about money, gifts, new stuff, parties, Christmas lights, and decorations.

May we always be reminded that God is LOVE through the birth of Jesus and that is why we have the Christmas season – to celebrate God’s love for us.

So don’t be stressed with the Christmas shopping list or the holiday traffic or what to prepare for Christmas Eve – they are really not that important. Ask LOVE how He wants you to display it this upcoming holiday season.

And lastly, choose to be GRATEFUL over the holidays whatever your circumstance may be. ❤

Born three days before Christ,

CHRISTINE LAILANI GINETE-ROME

P.S.
This message is originally intended for myself actually. But I’m sharing the thought. 😉

Battle Scars: Loving Deeply | POEM

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Hello, beloved fellow WordPress readers!

I came up with this title a few months back while I was sorting out my editorial calendar. Instead of a feature article, I felt it best to write a short free-verse poem. Hope you’ll be inspired by it. 🙂

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Battle Scars: Loving Deeply

by: Tin Ginete-Rome

What wounds did time not heal?

And what scars too deep that God did not mend?

Was it really God?

I bet it was.

Who carried you when you can’t walk?

Who lifted you when you stumbled?

Who held your hand when you were lost?

Who called you by your name when you felt like giving up?

“It is already finished.”

No pain, no struggles, no earthly death can separate us from the love of God.

Jesus already paid the price and bore the consequences of our sins.

Because God loves us.

Battle scars don’t define who you are.

Christ does.

Battle scars don’t change who you are.

God does.

Be proud of your scars for each one of them carries a story of victory.

A story of healing, a story of enduring, a story of freedom, a story of God’s grace.

Embrace your battle scars, for it is by them that you have felt God’s immeasurable love for you.

By loving you and me deeply.

Still loving deeply with all the battle scars,

The Vine | Lens Culture Black And White Photography Awards 2018

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Hello, everyone! I was supposed to write this yesterday for my #everyFridayblogpost advocacy but as you all know, I was a little bit down under the weather the past few days. Well, it’s an understatement because whenever I get sick, it’s usually a combo of illnesses a la one whole package. I had this cough and flu, then an infection, and a splitting migraine which lasted for about a week. 😀

I thought I needed to take a little break and allow myself to do the art of doing nothing. 😉 It’s a very hard task for me because either I do nothing physically but my mind is still working full-time. But yesterday, I was feeling a lot better so I did some photo editing for an invite I received about a photo submission for the Lens Culture Black and White Photography Awards 2018.

It was a great honor to be invited and if you’re wondering how it happened, it was through a black and white photo of our late pet dog which I posted on Instagram.

Who is Thirdie?

The story behind this snapshot is that Thirdie, our pet, was not your ordinary dog. We felt it that he has this human soul deep down in him. There’s this instance, for example, wherein he would always hide the shoes and slippers of Mom’s co-teachers every time they visit our house. So when the teachers were about to leave, here we were in this conundrum of figuring out where on earth did he hide the missing shoe/slipper. lol

Such a funny dog, wasn’t he? But the good thing about Thirdie was that he hid the slippers/shoes somewhere we won’t have a very hard time finding. Then he would joyfully and playfully strut around looking at us with such grinning eyes. It’s not the only time Thirdie did one of his playful jokes on us. Every time I am squatting in the garden to check on a plant, he would run this fast and bump me with his hip.

Of course, a dog’s bump is enough to knock you seated. When you’re finally half-seated and half-lying on the floor, he’d walk over and sit on top of your belly making it hard for you to stand up. You either push him away, which was hard because he’s such a big dog, or you wrestle with him, and that’s what he loved to do all the time.

This photo I took of him was my last memory of him when he passed away back in 2012 because of a disease. We were all heart-stricken and felt like we lost a family member so dear to us all. And yet, we felt like even if he’s already in pet heaven, he still watches over us. Thus, this invitation that I got because of his good-looking photo. 😉

The Vine

This made me think, might it be that he was an angel who lived in the form of a dog? Or maybe that song “One of Us” by Joan Osborne which goes like “what if God was one of us?” He’s always with us though through the Spirit, that is for sure. The Spirit whom Jesus has sent over when He has risen from the dead back to the heavens.

So this was how I chose the theme for the single photo entry I sent for the contest – the vine. It’s a very meaningful and sentimental photo for me because it symbolizes who Jesus is in my life as stated in this verse:

“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

I would like to pray that this photo will make it to the 25 finalists. But I am already humbled and privileged enough to have my photo of Thirdie recognized among the billions of Instagram users all over the world.

It is always God’s will that matter and not mine in the end. All I want to do is to give Him the glory in everything I do and wherever I may be. 🙂 ❤

Always holding on to the vine,

P.S.

So, I am back in the grind of multitasking. If God wills it, I plan to review for the quiz in one of the online courses I am taking for the agribusiness next week along with more in-depth financial analysis. And I’m forever grateful that I have this job which allows me to be flexible with my schedule. I am earning not that much but not that less either, just enough to support me and my husband’s needs.

I’m also cleaning the house and rearranging stuff because a new set of furniture is coming in for my sister’s bedroom. Just one more month and she and her husband will be visiting from Norway for their Christmas vacation. Yes, family time is always the best time. Do you agree? 😉

When God Leads, How Far Will You Follow?

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When something is new to us, these two are what we often feel – apprehension and fear. We automatically go through a moment of indecisiveness whether to try it or not, to follow or not. The question then is this, how many times did you push through with something you haven’t done before without any assurances of the outcome?

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Following His Lead: Where Will It Take Me?

If you are a risk-taker, indecisiveness is not much of a problem. But dealing with the consequences, later on, can come pretty hard. I used to be a risk-taker, I actually still am for the most part. And yet, taking risks for me now comes with a lot of planning and contemplating and yes, lots of prayers.

“Is this what You want me to do, Lord?”

Did you come to a point where you asked God this question? I did, thousands of times actually. I believe every day requires I seek His permission first before I do things. This included my future plans and endeavors.

And yet it also came to the point that I was having second thoughts on whether to share my plans here (and they are many). I was feeling a strong desire to share them and yet something is holding me back.

As we are all aware of, this world runs on a “to see is to believe” mantra. Posting my plans without the assurance of them happening in the future will only be boasting. True enough, after I prayed what to do, God gave an answer through a verse I stumbled upon while browsing Godpreneur‘s IG newsfeed:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

– James 4:13-17

Always His Will Be Done

I finally got the assurance – share your plans but share it in a manner that will honor God and His will, first and foremost. The verses reminded me that by sharing my plans, I have the responsibility to make them happen especially if they are according to God’s will. And yet it also reminded me that,

“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” – Proverbs 19:21

When I shared my plans, it is not about boasting what I intend to do. It is, in fact, relying on faith and WHAT GOD WILL DO. This means that if the plans I mentioned failed, God has other plans other than what I originally planned. And yet if they push through, the plans are aligned with God’s plans.

On a deeper level, sharing what I have felt in my heart that I must share is about asking God to work His wonders whether plans fail or plans succeed. It is about letting the world know that we do what we need to do because God intended that it is His Name, His Glory, and His Power that will be proclaimed through our lives.

Do You Have the Heart to Follow Even When Everything Fails?

Yes. I believe failures are a part of God’s will for us to reach our destination. But for the most part of the journey and for the entirety of His purpose for us, this is what will stand – God’s plans will not fail. In fact, Jeremiah 29:11 always assures us that,

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

Taking risks is tough, failing is even tougher. But what have we to lose if we do things according to His will and follow His leading?

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

 

Always ready to follow His leading,

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A Fishing And Agricultural Town In Bicol Region | BULAN

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I visited my hometown (Bulan, Sorsogon) just recently as soon as I had the opportunity to take a break from work. I’ve been meaning to ask my Dad regarding the particulars when it comes to palay production such as the financial report, the key Bicol terms used, and the step-by-step process.

Palay production is one of the oldest small businesses in the family for how many generations already starting from our great grandparents. Although the lands being utilized for palay initially belonged to my Mom as an inheritance, it’s my Dad who managed them for the most part.

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My Mom and my grandma (aged 72 and 94 as of writing) some decades ago visiting the farm.

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The aftermath of palay harvesting.

Engr. Daddy Farmer

There’s a reason why God chose Dad as Mom’s better half – he’s a civil engineer and formerly worked as a superintendent at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). It was part of Dad’s tasks at work to oversee the irrigation system of the rice fields. A majority of Bicol’s lands is being utilized for agriculture and farming.

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Dad and his palay superheroes. 😉

Dad, who is now 78 years old, was very impressed with what digital technology can do especially when I showed him the Microsoft Excel template I made for the financial report. That is, compared to his log notebooks now that are torn and tattered from constantly flipping the pages back and forth. 😀 He also does every computation manually – a solving technique that will be the death of me. Seriously.

I realized only now the extent of Dad’s responsibilities as an engineer and how he juggles everything together. All I know back when I was a kid is that he goes to the farm on weekends and on weekdays, he reports to the office. He held two offices – one in our town and one in the city as an OIC (officer-in-charge) during the later years of his service.

Indeed, being an engineer is not easy. But Dad is just the right person to manage the farm. It’s part of his duties as an engineer to manage a team, conduct accounting and financial reports, analyze how the irrigation systems work, make an assessment of risk factors, and a whole lot more of engineering stuff.

Bicol’s Farming Industry

Palay and rice are Bicol’s primary agricultural products followed by copra (cooked coconut meat processed and converted to coconut oil). These types of agribusinesses were proven to be feasible although Dad said current profit from palay harvest dropped compared to the previous decades. One of the reasons for the decline is the government’s decision to import rice abroad.

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Rice planting season.

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Circa 2010: Behind me are the perfect Mt. Mayon volcano and the rice fields.

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Palay Stalk

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Summer harvest.

My siblings and I plan to venture into organic farming. But our parents said it can follow at a later date. I agreed because organic farming will be relatively new to all of us, and it involves a wider scope of farming and management requirements. For now, my siblings and I are learning everything we can about it first.

My parents plan to utilize a certain portion of the larger farm based on the existing agricultural products we have and were proven to produce at a steady rate. I think this is my parents’ way of making sure the risks will be minimal compared if we will utilize a huge part of the property for an agricultural venture that we haven’t tried yet.

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Transporting the harvested coconuts.

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Some of the locals in our town dry this up and place several of them in a vase as preserved flower replicas.

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Ripe coconut meat should be hard enough before harvested and converted into copra.

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Dehusked coconut.

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There are still lots of uses for these coconut husks. I am thinking about combining it with soil as mulch or potting medium.

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This is how Dad’s coco superheroes lay down the coconuts before cooking.

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The cooking has started.

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Where there are smoke and the smell of coconut oil, there are coconuts. 🙂

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How it looks like when they’re all cooked.

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This is how it looks like up-close.

My parents are open to the idea of organic farming, but first things first – establish in-depth land preparation to make farming management easier. Also, it takes a long time for the paperwork to be processed. So while waiting, I asked God for His leading what we should do for now. His answers led us to the next steps – new opportunities came along in all forms depending on how God intends them to serve His purpose according to His timeline. There are times when I couldn’t pinpoint how we can benefit from a particular opportunity. But as typical of God, He will reveal it later on, and then I get to understand why.

While in Bicol, I was able to talk to my parents and my 3rd sister, who’s staying with them, about my parents’ vision for the farm. Unfortunately, our stay was too short I wasn’t able to show them me and my other siblings’ vision for the farm in the long run i.e. social enterprise, retreat center, etc.

But that can also wait. My parents know better regarding what needs to come first since they’ve been in the industry for how many decades already. And yet I believe the farm will benefit more from a combination of traditional ideas and farming practices implemented by our parents and new insights and innovative inputs from us.

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Some 20 years ago. 😀 Me, our niece, and my 3rd sister.

Businesses Then and Now

Every business must fare well when it comes to adaptability if you want it to be self-sustaining and thrive in the industry. It is, therefore, necessary to transition from the old to the new or a mash-up of both. This is similar to what I learned from a recent financial seminar I attended – creating multiple streams of income. In other words, you have to keep your options open.

In business, I believe there is no “best of both worlds” policy but always a “win-win” situation. This setup is suitable if you want to avoid major losses that can lead to your business/es going bankrupt. To have not just one type of investment will assure you of a win-win setup because you don’t have to borrow money from lending institutions in case one investment channel is losing income instead of the other way around.

While talking to my parents and my sister, they shared other developments in our town that are to start soon. I was very relieved upon hearing the news. I even told my brother that the future is indeed very bright for the family’s projects. I continued that it is not without a purpose when God placed a desire in our hearts to utilize the property back in 2017. It looks like it is about time we do something about the calling. And yet, we still rely on our complete trust in God and how He wants things to take place including the timeline for the farm developments.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” – Proverbs 19:21

Going back to the news, I saw them all as great opportunities for collective efforts and productive collaboration among the community, the government, and the private sectors. The timing is just right, indeed.

God is always a God of perfect timing, isn’t He? But we all know that perfect timing is always preceded by patiently waiting. It comes as no surprise that we were also placed on a standstill as far as developments are concerned to give way to these other major developments that will later on play a huge role in our farm projects.

It reminded me of this verse:

“Look at the nations and watch– and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” – Habakkuk 1:5

What Is the News all About

My apologies for running around the bush though but here it is. 😀 Can you still remember the Bulan Auxiliary Airport that I talked about in this article? News has it that the development will push through until it becomes fully operational. I still have to confirm this though.

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In another news, the construction of the Bulan Fish Port in our town has already started. Yes, next to farming, fishing is one of the bustling livelihoods in our town. Dad said our coastal waters are thriving with fish sanctuaries. I am not sure if it has something to do with the geographical location of our town or God created them this way to serve His purpose. But, I believe in the latter.

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Bulan’s coastline.

In yet another news is the Bicol International Airport in Legazpi city, which is now almost done.

The news did not stop here because I still got one more although it’s only a rumor because I lack sufficient data that will support it. There is a possibility of it not happening, but there’s a high chance it can also come true.

There is news going around of plans to utilize a property as a subdivision. This property is situated on the way to our farm. If this pushes through, I see it as another big market with consistent demand. And if God wills it we become a local supplier of agricultural products, this is going to be one big opportunity.

A Vision of the Future

I am not claiming I have the wisdom of God but what I only share are my visions, which cannot be interpreted entirely as God’s will. But maybe we can get a message or two from them.

I mentioned in a previous article that our town is a “sleepy town” because of the low revenues during most times of the year. With all these recent developments, it is not impossible for the town to become a city once urbanization and commercialization start ramping up. Though this means higher taxes, too.

I believe it is not by chance when I mentioned in my previous articles that maybe time will come our town will be the supplier in the Bicol region of basic commodities from agricultural products to seafood demands. And not just in the Bicol region but even across the globe.

I guess I was claiming it in my heart when I shared that it is my vision that the Philippines will be sending these products to other countries as our way of helping them alleviate problems of hunger and poverty. At the same time, an increase in revenues will also mean flourishing businesses which will provide more opportunities for the local community when it comes to other sources of livelihood and income.

Yes, I see all of these promising opportunities as a way to boost the country’s economy and one of the ways to alleviate poverty. The Bicol International Airport, the Bulan Auxiliary Airport, and the Bulan Fish Port are all reliable channels when transporting goods. Now, there are more options to transfer goods from one location to another and not just by land. This will help minimize logistics and shipping expenses as well as cut down the travel time while keeping all perishable goods in excellent condition.

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Bulan’s Auxiliary Airport.

If the products are all in good condition when they are delivered to the buyer, you’re assured of having a regular client as far as the business partnership is concerned. And more importantly, consumers will have the best products on top of getting their money’s worth.

God Closes Doors Because He Knows the Right One for You

In another news, another God-given opportunity came along. I tried a lot of doors but God kept on closing them either because they rejected me or it was I who declined their offers. Why? He reserved this one particular career opportunity, which I earnestly prayed for – earn an income but the work schedule and location will allow me to manage the family project on the side.

I felt it in my heart to resign from my previous work after I asked God for His leading. I ended up with this new job where I get to deal with every data when it comes to real estate. Once again, it is like hitting two birds with one stone because it has something to do with properties. What I can gather from doing research at work, I get to apply it in our family project and vice versa.

“Land development is both an art and a science. It is an art that builds on creativity, instincts and vision to transform an idea from concept into reality. As a science, it systematically progresses through a series of activities to accomplish a successful outcome — a new development.” – Professional Builder

God is simply amazing, and He never fails to work His wonders all throughout even though there were times that I had to suffer for a while because I was waiting for His right time. And yet, what I suffered is nothing compared to the glory that He has reserved for us in the future. And I am not just talking about the good things here on Earth but what is in store for us after death – life in eternity.

Sometimes I get to think that what I do and everything I do now don’t really matter in the end. Because we all will leave this place anyhow. But I guess that is not God’s purpose for us – waiting for our dying day. His purpose for us is to do what He asked us to do while waiting. The way I see it is that all these things that happen around us are never for our own glory but for His glory.

He wants His Name to be proclaimed everywhere. Yes, nothing else but this. Nothing is far better than leaving a legacy that glorifies His Name to remember by. 🙏

To end this article, I’d like to share these verses which I stumbled upon Godpreneur’s IG profile (a reminder):

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

– James 4:13-17

Are you a business owner? You might want to ask God if our town will be part of your business ventures in the future, too. :-)