A female therapist in the hospital’s rehab section was apologizing for something she got from the closet. Her fellow therapist dismissed her saying, “Okay lang yan, maliit na bagay”. (It’s fine, it’s nothing.)
Anticipating my moment of painful treatment (I was there for the rehab of my frozen shoulder.), I found those words comforting.
I realized that “Okay lang yan, maliit na bagay.”, is a good response to the many difficulties of life. Oftentimes we are offended by what people did or say to us. Our tendency is to magnify them causing undue emotional distress to us. But looking at them in the lens of “maliit na bagay” will dissipate… continue reading..
Passing by a charming house in my walking routine, I was startled by a loud banging sound. It was too early for a construction work, so I thought. I got curious as to what caused the unfamiliar sound. Behind the wrought iron gate of that charming house was a woman looking at me. And she has a forlorn face.
I stopped to greet her. She motioned to me to come in. I was wondering why she could not open the gate. Then came the helper who explained to me that she is not allowed to open the gate. “She has Alzheimer’s Ate.” So, that explains it. She wanted to get out but was… continue reading..
Why Parents Fail
According to Andrew Murray, parents score high in addressing the physical and material needs of children, but fail bigtime in addressing their spiritual needs. Failing to train and discipline in the way of the Lord have eternal consequences. They will be like the sons of Eli who were punished by God because he failed to restrain them. ((I Samuel 3:13).
But children taught to fear God will do well even they get older. They also have in their hearts the conviction to raise godly offspring, proliferating godly seeds.
What are the causes of Parental Failure:
The Book of Ruth portrays the beautiful character of Naomi’s daughter-in-law named Ruth. When all the men in their family died, and famine was getting worse in Moab, Naomi decided to return to her native Israel. Ruth insisted in going with her saying, “your people shall be my people and your God my God”. Ruth not only went back with Naomi, she was also willing to go the extra mile for her mother-in-law. As a Moabite, she put herself in danger and humiliation when she gleaned wheat in the field of an Israelite. Ruth humbled herself and kept going the extra mile so she and Naomi could eat and live. The story ended… continue reading..
I have been privileged and honored to have known Ophelia, my
dear sister in the Lord. In the few times we’ve been together, I have seen
God’s marvelous grace at work in her life. She will continue to inspire me even
if she is no longer with us. For truly the “The
righteous will be remembered forever” (Psalm 112:6).
She gave up a prestigious career as a medical doctor (and
became the family doctor of the many), so she could care and raise up her two
boys by herself. Her support to her pastor-husband was unparalled. She was the
“Tabitha” of the church she loved so well. In the few times I saw her in their church,
I witnessed her untiring… continue reading..
My day begins in front of my computer and I let my thoughts come alive on white space. (I do this after making our bed – nice and smooth – and after washing my gut clean with two glasses of water. The first order of the day is to write an entry on my journal. I reflect on events that happened the day before, errands I did, people I met and other things in between. All of these remind me of God’s goodness to me every single day.
By the way, I have to tell you that my three children have left our nest and now flying high in the world of their… continue reading..
Ang pagpapawalang-sala (justificaiton) ay ang pagdedeklara ng Dios na ang makasalanan ay wala nang kasalanan at hindi na huhusgahan pa. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay hindi na rin siya parurusahan ng Dios sa impiyerno. Ito ay minsanang ibinibigay sa sinumang tumanggap kay Kristo bilang kanyang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Gaano man kasama ang isang tao ay maaring mapawalang-sala kung siya ay magsisi at manampalataya kay Kristo.
Nang mapawalang-sala ang isang makasalanan, hindi ipahihintulot ng Dios na siya ay manatili sa kasalanan. Kaya’t ibinibigay din ng Dios sa kanya ang biyaya ng “pagpapabanal” matapos ang pagpapawalang-sala. Ang pagpapabanal (sanctification) ay ang nagpapatuloy na pagbabago ng Dios sa kilos at pag-uugali ng isang dating makasalanan. Binibigyan… continue reading..
Maaari na mayroon tayong dinadalang kabigatan. Bilang mga anak ng Dios, iba’t-ibang pagsubok ang maaari nating maranasan. Panalangin ang katapat ng anumang pagsubok. Sa pananalangin, lumalapit tayo sa Dios na S’ya lamang ang makapag-aalis ng lungkot at kahirapan. “Nang magkagayo’y dumaing sila sa PANGINOON sa kanilang kahirapan, at iniligtas niya sila sa kanilang kapighatian.” (Mga Awit 107:28). Ang Dios ay may kapangyarihan na gawing pag-papala ang anumang pagsubok. Isang malaking pribilehiyo na makalapit sa Dios, at nais Niyang tugunan ang ating mga panalangin. Maaaring tayo ay may karamdaman, pumanaw ang mahal sa buhay, nawala ang ating ari-arian, o nanganganib ang ating buhay. Ang Dios na makapangyarihan ang maaari nating takbuhan. Hindi Niya tayo binigo kahit minsan. Ang… continue reading..
She was the “big” woman of the house with a commanding
presence that tells you “You better
behave!”. But it is not out of fear, but a complex mix of her personality
that draws you to her. She was Rosita Diaz Lasco. Just a mention of her name
triggers a heaviness that brings tears to my eyes. She died a week ago and I
just miss her – my mother-in-law.
I married her eldest son when we were yet juniors in UPLB. Suddenly all hopes of a bright future for her
son were crushed. Surely, it was not an easy emotion to dealt with. Yet, even
in the early years of our marriage, I only… continue reading..
The biggest challenge for Christian parents is how to impart our faith to our young adult. A book by Kara Powell and Steven Argue (featured in Christianity Today), revealed that silence is the major hindrance to our children’s faith and not doubt as commonly perceived. In that book, A study of Fuller Youth Institute showed that more than 70% of high school students who go to church are doubting their faith but half of them are silent about it. Another study of National Study for Youth and Religion also found out that while teenage children are silent, their parents are too. But why? Because there is no line of communication.
Imparting our faith… continue reading..
