We must live in the reality that we can’t take anything out of this world. It is but logical. I Tim 6:7 is a statement of fact: “We brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world.” Job’s declaration is more graphic: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

It is with this reality that we must hold earthly things lightly. We must not be beholden to material things. We must not put all our strength and energy to acquire something that we will leave behind later on; or to something that will not…

Along life’s journey, the Lord is showing to us how frail and vulnerable we are to pain and sicknesses. This body of ours is but dust and ashes, a broken reed, a flickering light that can be put off any time.

For three months, I have been experiencing patches of itchy hives in many parts of my body for unknown reason.  Doctors we have consulted can’t figure out the cause of this allergy which in medical parlance  is  called chronic Urticaria. I subjected myself to an allergy test and now avoid  food and things that I might be allergic to,  but my unwelcome visitors persistently show up. When I am on medication, they would subside, but once the medication is…

Hearing the words “I love you” delights the heart and soul. Unfortunately, many are inhibited to verbalize it. However, we can still say “I love you” in many  ways. Here are five love languages according to Gary Chapman which can convey the words “I love you”.

1.  Affirmation. Showing our appreciation and praises to people we love, especially to our children, establishes our love for them. Comments like:  “Wow, that is something! ” or “ I am proud of you, I know you can do it.”, lift up the spirit and encourage  a child to do more. It is sad that many  parents, utter humiliating words when they get angry, even in the hearing of other people. Words  like :…

The reality that time flies becomes more obvious as the year ends and another year unfolds. Time waits for no one. Year 2012 is now a thing of the past. But what did we learn last year?  Did we improve as a person?  Have we gained new friends? Have we accomplished  our desires and intentions?   As years go by we long  that things would be better for us. But for that to happen, we need to ask questions and seek to find the answers ourselves. Anthony Robbins said “Quality questions create a quality of life. Successful people ask better questions and as a result, they get better answers” .

For the year 2013, we can ask 8 questions for successful…

Christmas has become a tradition of giving and receiving.  God’s giving of His only begotten Son and the wise men’s offering of precious gifts to Jesus have become the pattern for this Christmas tradition.

Unfortunately every Christmas season, the focus has become more on gift giving and festive celebration.  Consumerism is at its height during Christmas with people buying gifts and food and clothes, and offices are bursting with parties here and there.  Streets  are all aglow with Christmas lights and lantern which obviously do not come cheap.  Of course, Christmas is not complete without the Noche Buena feast.  On Christmas day, people, young and old  will try to look their best in their newly bought clothes.  Entertaining and visiting…

I was  afflicted with a severe strain of sore eyes and had to  see my doctor a number of times. Seeing the doctor takes only several minutes, but waiting to see the doctor takes hours of our precious time. I often bring reading materials so as not to waste my time,  but in one particular visit, my eyes easily got tired of reading and I decided to just observe how things were going on around me.

I noticed that people waiting at the clinic were in countless sitting positions, with no two positions alike.  Most of them looked bored already.  Some sat near the television set where waiting seemed easy since they could watch  Eat Bulaga. Those far from the…

Bags are like people.  The more you are with them, the more you get to know them. In this case, the more you use your bag, the more you know if it’s really the “it” bag  for you. Bags are like friends too. Of the countless bags in the market, you only buy a few.

Men do a variety of work, and bags are also created for different functions. There are  bags for school, work, travel, sports  or as fashion accessories. There are market and mall bags and let us not forget the lowly laundry bag.   These  bags are made of different materials from cotton fabric, plastic, leatherette and leather from all sorts of animal hides ranging from  cow to…

(Adapted from I Cor. 13:1-8;13)

Though a husband is an admirable speaker, but speaks harshly to his wife, he is like a motorcycle without a muffler, or a blaring car alarm.

And though he is successful in his career, and is expert in his work, and has the faith that he will accomplish great things, but does not share his dreams with his wife, he is like a mansion on a flooded plain or a spoiled gourmet meal.

And though he gives generously and sacrifices for the sake of others, but is not concerned with the needs of his wife, he is like an SUV with an empty gas tank  or a stained Armani  pants.

A loving husband is patient. He understands…

(Adapted from I Corinthian 13: 1-8;13)

Though a wife speaks well to people but is not sweet to her husband, she is like a stained  chopping board or a lukewarm coffee.

And though she is an excellent cook and keeps the house in order, but  is not affectionate to her husband, she is like an expensive vase which has no purpose but for display.

And though she opens up their house to visitors, gives generously and sacrifices for the sake of others, but is not sensitive to the feelings of her husband, she is like a leaking faucet or a sagging clothesline.

A loving wife is patient. She understands and accepts the weaknesses of her husband.

A loving wife treats…

I always think that thoughtfulness is kindness of a higher order. Kindness is to do good to people; to extend a helping hand; to give a kind word of encouragement; to share one’s burden or joy. But thoughtfulness is a lot more.

Relationship in the church is replete with examples of thoughtfulness. A sister who went home to her province would bring small packs of goodies to distribute to church mates upon her return. Another sister would share half of her favorite snacks to me because she knows I like it too. A young mother would text in the middle of the week to inquire how am I doing, knowing that I am prone to spells of dizziness. Some members…