PREPARING FOR THE COMING BLESSING

Sam and Dean are farmers both experiencing drought for years. They have separate fields. They have four cows each. Chickens. Pigs.

Both prayed so hard for heavy rains to come.

Sam, however, built an elevated area for the animals in case of flooding. He prepared huge empty water tanks for the rain to fill, just in case.

Both knew that the soil has changed because of the drought and cannot absorb large quantities of water, should there be heavy rains. So, flooding will most likely happen, in case it rains hard.

One day, God allowed heavy rains to pour.

On the first day, Sam and Dean rejoiced. No amount of rain water could wash the smiles on their faces. They jumped. They screamed. They danced.

On the second day of continuous rainfall, Dean started panicking. His pigs drowned from the flood. The chickens are on the roof of his house. He begged Sam to let him transfer his cows to the elevated area of Sam's property. Only one of Dean's cows could fit. The rest became ill.

Why didn't Dean prepare? I don't know. It's sad that he's in a worse situation now.

In life people pray for all sorts of things. People ask to be blessed. But be careful what you ask for because you just might get it. Are you prepared for the blessing? Or will the blessing turn into a curse.

Sometimes, God delays the blessings we ask for because He sees we're not yet prepared for it. Maybe there are relationships we still need to heal. Issues to resolve. People to forgive. Skills to develop. Values to enhance.

Are you praying for something today? Ask God what you need to change, heal or learn to prepare you.

Once you're ready, the blessings will come.

The Plans of the diligent end in profit... (Proverbs 21:5)

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE, BUT...

Ask and it shall be given to you. The bible says it, specifically in Matthew 7:7. And yet many of my prayers are not granted. I'm sure you can relate.

Last year, I prayed for a regular office job with all the perks of having sick leaves, health card benefits and a normal weekday schedule. I was already willing to leave the life of being on TV, doing commercials and hosting. I wanted a normal job commensurate to my skills and experience that was no longer per-project-basis, no erratic schedule, no disappointing surprises. I wanted something predictable and consistent. I wanted to save.

I applied for an office job that was offered to me years ago, but after the interview, I wasn't called back.

Instead, I was blessed with more commercials, more hosting gigs and voice projects.

As I write this entry, my financial situation isn't comfortable because four talent fees from different projects haven't been released, and for some of them, it's already been months.

I don't know what God has planned for me. But the reflection Fr. Rudy Horst wrote on Sabbath (a study guide on daily scripture readings, published by Shepherd's Voice) gave me so much comfort. He said that when we pray, we ought to keep in mind two verses. The one I mentioned above which was to be followed by "not my will but Yours be done," from Matthew 26:39.

God knows what's best.

Today, I believe He is teaching me to level up my finance-related skills and behavior to prepare me for a generous future.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." (Matthew 8:33)

It's so frustrating when you see the solution to your friend's problem but they just don't want to take proper action.

Tricia's family is experiencing financial challenges. Instead of looking for a stable job, she decides to pursue her dream as a theater actress. Theater, in the Philippines, doesn't pay much.

I thought Tricia was being selfish. She wasn't being practical. So what if she embraces a job she doesn't like, just as long as it pays the bills. We all need to sacrifice. After the money problem is solved, then she can go chase her dream again.

But that's me trying to be logical about it, as how a logical human being ought to think. But how does God think and what could be His opinion about Tricia?

When I started praying about it, I decided to surrender to God's wisdom. He is in control. Whatever Tricia's journey is, God is with her. He sees the bigger picture. I don't.

REFLECTION:
Are there people in your life you would like to change? Relax. Pray for them. Love them. Changing them is God's job. Loving them, is your job.

Prayer:
God of love, teach me how to properly love people close to me with my words and actions, especially when I feel the human need to correct them.

NOTHING IS TOO SMALL

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” (Mark 5:18-19)

Ice cream is very close to my heart. One Sunday evening, I went to a store, told the lady behind the counter to serve me a medium-sized chocolate ice cream, and walked to a table where I saw friends. After greeting my friends, I went back to the lady only to find out that she's serving a different customer and that my order wasn't processed. WHAT! I cancelled my order, and left.

Looking back, I could've just paused. I could've been kinder to that lady instead of walking out, and that would've been my service to God. I was wrong. I serve God through hosting benefit programs, guesting for free in different shows, and volunteering in church services. But maybe God calls me to serve Him in "smaller ways."

The gospel today describes a man pleading to Jesus to allow him to serve alongside Jesus. Instead, Jesus turned him down and instructed him to serve by going home to his family and to announce what the Lord's pity had done for him. It would've been a grander service if that man left his home and everything else to follow Jesus wherever He went. But sometimes, God calls us to serve Him in "smaller ways." Like being kind to the lady behind the counter, pausing first before responding to a negative emotion, being more forgiving and merciful to family and friends, giving others many second chances.

REFLECTION
What are the small ways you can serve God?

God, make me hear Your voice and instruct me on how I should serve You.

NEVER SATISFIED

Zephania 2:3 "...be humble..."

It's 3am. I can't sleep. There are so many things running in my mind. So many things I want to finish before I sleep. But when I try to do them, my tired body doesn't cooperate anymore.

Why do I do this? There are people like me. You may know them and you might even be one of them.

I feel satisfaction when I get things done, even when it's no longer reasonable. Like working on a Saturday night.

But as C.S. Lewis said, “If my desires cannot be fully satisfied in this world, it is because there is another world where my desires will meet their ultimate satisfaction.”

I need to humble myself more. Humility is the path to contentment. How? I don't know yet. I need to tell myself that it's okay to not get things done. It's okay to feel inadequate and unaccomplished. True satisfaction is not found here, but in heaven, our final destination.

REFLECTION:
How do you respond when you think you need to feel satisfaction but can't get it?

Lord God, humble my heart when I keep reaching for things to satisfy me that are already unreasonable.

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January 29 2017 Sunday

SURVIVING THE DARK

“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light...” – Matthew 4:16

       Have you ever experienced praying your deepest, hardest and most desperate prayers but you felt God wasn’t listening?

        I have. I was kidnapped in the hinterlands of Mindanao.

       The abductors tied me and pointed guns at me.

       At almost every waking moment, I prayed. I asked God to save me. I asked for signs. Signs in the wind, the weather, the movements of the leaves on the trees, anything that would make me feel and see that He was with me. I saw and felt no sign.

       I sat in darkness feeling all alone. I recalled how God had been good to me. The memories of His goodness and His promises in the Bible were my light. I embraced my fate and held on to my faith that all things will work for the good of those who love and serve the Lord. If it was my time, I simply surrendered.

       After six days that seemed like six years, I was rescued. It was a miracle. There was no bloodshed, no firefight. And I saw the light again. Even in darkness, I should not fear because His promises endure forever. 

Reflection:Are you praying desperately for something but you feel that God is silent? How can you keep your faith strong in this situation?

Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of strong faith.
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January 22, 2017

HE IS OUT OF HIS MIND

When people close to you, like friends or relatives, are disappointed with you and your decisions, how would you feel? Ok, what if they call you crazy?

Relatives of Jesus did just that. They called him crazy, so to speak.

Jesus came home with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20-21)

But what this bible passage tells me is this... when the Holy Spirit whispers to you and asks you to do something and you feel the inner peace in your heart, however illogical it may seem, just go do it.

Writer Tess Atienza mentioned several "crazy" examples in her reflection published on Didache 2017:

       Chinese real estate and hotel tycoon Yu Panglin grew up in poverty and endured so much hardship before he became a millionaire. Fearing that his wealth might corrupt his two sons, he donated most of his remaining millions to charity. He knew, as he experienced, that they didn’t need that much wealth to live happy lives.

       Russian businessman Yevgeny Pushenko felt empty even as his garment business was booming. One night, he shocked his friends by handing them the keys to his factory. They learned why the next day. He wanted to be a monk and was set to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

       These two men’s lives may not equal those of the saints that we know. But in their own ways, they followed the tiny whispers in their hearts that told them that no amount of worldly wealth can satisfy their longing to be happy and fulfilled in life. They didn’t mind that people told them, “He is out of his mind!”

Well said!

REFLECTION:
In your own quiet time, is there a peaceful whisper in your heart telling you to do something? Pray about it.

PRAYER:
Dear God, make the universe conspire to allow me a few minutes of my day to have a peaceful conversation with You. Make my whole being understand what You are telling me with much clarity. Grant me the excitement to do Your will.

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HE IS OUT OF HIS MIND
January 21, 2017

BECAUSE OF LOVE

DIDACHE July 22, 2010 Entry

Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” – John 20:18

It was bad enough to be engaged in the flesh trade. What’s worse was that she was caught in the act. And just like a sex video scandal, she was exposed to the public for condemnation. But I wonder, how did Mary Magdalene take that cosmic leap from selling her flesh to being a staunch follower of Jesus?

I can think of only one thing. Because Someone loved her. Jesus loved her. That was all she needed to make a 180-degree turn from her old ways.

In my case, when I started attending The Feast, our weekly prayer gathering, I was happy to join the ushers ministry. But someone had a greater vision for me in the Light of Jesus Family that even I didn’t dream for myself. I was invited to join a discipleship course to raise up future leaders and servants in the community and, because of that, I’ve had a paradigm shift.

My focus is no longer limited to enjoying the Lord at The Feast. I now enjoy serving Him and ministering to others through music, leading others in worship and allowing Him to use me as His mighty, inspiring and fun-loving instrument to reach others.

REFLECTION:How can I love someone deep in sin the way Jesus loved Mary Magdalene?
PRAYER:  Lord God, teach my heart to love wrongdoers, considering them sacred while hating the sin. Let my heart separate the sin from the sinner. Amen.

SURRENDER

DIDACHE August 16, 2010 Entry

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. ” – Matthew 19:21

       I was kidnapped.

       I was in Sulu, Mindanao covering news as a TV reporter when it happened. Armed men captured me in an area where there was no cell phone signal, no jeepneys, no tricycles.They took all my valuables. I was separated from my loved ones. They threatened to kill me.

       Before this ordeal, I found it difficult to surrender to God. But in that situation, with nothing to cling to except my faith, it was suddenly easy to surrender.

       “His will be done!” I kept saying to myself. It was only a matter of time before I could go to heaven, I thought. I was at peace.

I had accepted that whatever would happen, my God loves me and I’d endure everything with gladness for the Lord.

       I thought, this was what Jesus meant when He asked us to sell all our possessions. It meant I had to be detached from the material wealth and everything else that kept me from surrendering. After all, I own nothing, God owns everything, even my life. If this abduction didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have known how to surrender completely.

REFLECTION:

Will I wait for an ordeal to be able to surrender to God every day? What steps can I take to surrender?

PRAYER: 

Holy Spirit, teach me how to surrender and realize that God gives and God can take away.

ALWAYS BE READY

DIDACHE August 26, 2010 Entry

“Therefore stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:42

When the Department of Health came out with its first announcement that a student from one of the prominent universities was positive with influenza A(H1N1), I was sent to go to that school to cover.

As a TV reporter, I had to get interviews from the other students. I maintained my distance, no skin contact. I did the interviews in the open areas to make sure there was enough ventilation as the virus was airborne. The students were scared and paranoid. After the coverage, some people were scared . . . of me!

Just because I covered that story, it didn’t mean I was already infected nor was there any high probability of getting infected. Because of fear, people took steps and prepared. I thought about what should we be preparing for ultimately. Yes, we have to do our part to protect ourselves from the virus, but we don’t know when our time on earth will be up. It could be through an accident, who knows. My sister’s friend was healthy, but she fell off a building and it was an untimely death.

Anytime the Lord decides to take me, I hope I will always be ready.

REFLECTION:

“If I knew I only had one day left to live, how will I spend it? How do I know I’m going to heaven?”

PRAYER: 

Holy Spirit, teach me how to prepare all aspects of my life for the Second Coming.