Faith over Fear

Covid-19 happened and for the past 2 years, the normal suddenly become something else. We were not spared from this pandemic. To those who are asking - Yes, we have been infected and here are my thoughts for the past few days.  I am sharing this with you and  I hope somehow it will help you with responding to difficult situations.

When we decided to cross the border even after the non-essential travel advise, we knew the risks and we just prayed for God’s protection especially from the Covid-19 new variant Omicron.  Then a few days before we were supposed to return to Canada, we all got infected with Covid-19 despite being vaxxed and following the protocols. You are probably wondering how I reacted to the news received that we were Covid positive.  Surprisingly, I was calm.  I could have allowed the enemy to rob me of God’s peace and joy and replace it with fear, anxiety, anger, complains and questions as to why even with constant prayers, we still got sick.  But one thing I learned or still learning to do when my brain begins to have anxious thoughts trying to gain a foothold in my mind, I shift my focus.  Whatever I’m facing, whatever uncertainty, whatever problems threatening my well-being and my loved ones, I remind myself that I am not alone, that I don’t have to have everything figured out, that Someone will help me and lead me – I focus on being still and know and believe that God is God.  I have my protector, my provider, my friend and my Savior Jesus Christ.  This is the truth that I go back to.  Situations sometimes painful, arise for a reason. These situations reveal some truth that deep inside, you will realize that you have GOD to seek, to pray, to pour out your cares to and in doing so, you are assured that He is there. He will guide you, give you the right people and resources to solve your problems.  As I pray and read His words, it is comforting to know that the powerful and loving God wants to be close to me.  When bad things happen, I call on Him, depend on Him, surrender to Him and let Him be God – the One in control.  I feel His comfort and His love, the bible stories of faith and miracles remind me that it can also happen to me and yes, to you as well.  He will provide answers, He will lead us to where He wants us to go.  He will reveal to us that even if the situation is too big for us, He is bigger.  Our God can do immeasurably more than what we ask or imagine. Believe - have faith not fear.  He promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us even in these Covid times.  He will heal and restore us.  Even if we reach the moment of facing death, we know we will be in His hands and in His Kingdom.  No matter what happens, God loves us and wants us to come to Him.  Let us come and cling to God. We believe that we will all be healed, in Jesus’ powerful name. Amen.

"Kumain ka na?" (Have you eaten? ) - a post about true nourishment

I was able to see my mom who was in critical condition before she passed away last year.  After the long-haul flight and the terribly slow traffic in Manila, I thought that I will miss the visiting hours. Good thing,  I made it before they are about to close, just 10 minutes.  I have mixed emotions as I finally saw her - excited, happy, sad, anxious, tired, burdensome it was heavy on my heart. When she saw me, she was smiling and asked for pen and paper (she was intubated) she wrote - "Kumain ka na ba?  (Have you eaten?)


I couldn't control the tears falling down my cheeks.  Here she was, very sick and lying on what could become her death bed but all she could still think of was me - her 50 year old daughter not nourished.  You cannot take that away from your mom - the "pangangalaga" (the love and caring of parents - I realized later on that I also ask the same question to my children when I come home late or they arrive from school or somewhere).


She wants to ensure that I'm well and nourished before her own needs. I really feel loved at that moment.  Nobody loves you more like your mom does and that makes me miss her terribly.


Why? What is it with Food?  Food gives us nourishment, strength, keeps us from being sick, makes us grow.  Food gives that comfort, rest and sense of fulfillment. It's like a goal achieved. Do you feel that satisfaction especially when you burp? Most of us, that is when we say - "Salamat sa Diyos"  (Thank you Lord)

I remember my mom and her question because in my devotional today, I read about the last supper when Jesus ate with his disciples. Luke 22:19-20 in the bible says -

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Jesus' words at the last supper were symbolic of what was about to happen in His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus was soon to become the true Passover lamb who would be sacrificed for the sins of the people. This would be the last Passover meal in a long history of looking forward to the Messiah.

What is happening today makes the world ravenously hungry for answers. The COVID-19 pandemic cannot be stopped at this point and whether we like to admit it or not, we are hungry, we are longing for some answers, satisfaction, we are weak.  We need not just physical but also spiritual nourishment.  Do you know that you are a child of God and just like my mom and every parent, He wants us His children to be nourished? He thought of you more than His own Son who suffered on the cross.


Deuteronomy 8:2-3 emphasizes to Israel and now to us that the source of spiritual nourishment is more important than the nourishment itself. If we have the right source, the nourishment will be good. Otherwise, the situation is hopeless. Our source of nourishment must, of course, be God

May you find peace and comfort in the presence of God this week.  May you partake in God's nourishment and think about it the next time you are asked - "Have you eaten?"

Giving Thanks in Everything

Dadilo is celebrating his birthday today but he is sick, bedridden and in the hospital for quite some time. Mama passed away early this year and I heard an unexpected news that I couldn't accept because I thought it was all set and laid out perfectly for me.  This has impacted the plans I've made for the financial difficulties we've had with Mama's and Dadilo's health conditions. 


1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I know what Paul is saying, but I am not sure how I can possibly do this.  Maybe if it said, "In good things give thanks."  I'd know exactly why we should obey this command because it makes perfect sense. But when we consider the phrase "in everything", we begin to question whether all -encompassing gratitude is even possible.


Life includes many painful experiences - loss of loved ones, financial downturns, illnesses, natural disasters, accidents, and broken relationships are just some of the possibilities.  How in the world are we supposed to thank God in the midst of all these?


It's in the whole counsel of His Words that we learn to know who He is and what He does. Then we'll understand why we should be grateful and how we can give thanks in everything, even those that don't seem worthy of gratitude at all. We don't have to  look around at our circumstances and think that we are helpless victims of fate or evil. Every event and situation that comes our way has first passed through the hands of the loving heavenly Father. Although we may not understand what He is doing, we can find peace in knowing that He is in control.


Gratitude is not dependent upon good circumstances but is based on our confidence and trust in the Lord and His promises. It's the evidence of submission to Him and dependence upon Him, and the result is peace that transcends comprehension, a relationship with Christ that is steady and unwavering, and a powerful witness that influences those around us.


If you are a child of God through faith in Jesus, He is with you in whatever situation you are facing today.  Although you may not be able to see the good He's working at the moment, can you trust that He is?  The most priceless good He brings comes in eternity; therefore, our greatest gratitude in every situation is for the salvation of our souls.  After we've received His temporal benefits, unimaginable blessings await us in heaven, let's be faithful and thank Him today. God will use your witness of gratitude in everything to touch the lives of those around you who are struggling with hardships, loss or pain.


Thank you Lord for Dadilo's life, for our families and lives filled with blessings, struggles and hope.

Confidence is a choice

Many people think that the only way to be confident is to be successful.  While it is easier to believe in your abilities when you have proven success, it is not the only way to feel a sense of confidence. Confidence is a choice. It comes from choosing to focus on your strengths and knowing that you are good.  It comes from choosing to be positive with yourself.  It comes from focusing on what you need to do rather than uncontrollable, situational factors. My friend Christeen Lewis always tells me, "Focus on what you can control."   Confidence comes when you're not worrying about being the best, but focusing on being your best.  But how can I start, how will I do my best?

True source of Confidence

Most importantly, confidence comes from the Lord your God who created you, gave you the skills, knowledge and strengths.  As a consumer, are you not choosing the product based on the brand or who the maker is?  When you buy from a tested brand, you are confident that it's good quality.  What more about our Creator, we are wonderfully made. If you believe that the same God who gave you the confidence before, will do the same today, what else could go wrong?  I remember my old motto,  "I will do my best and God will do the rest".  We hold on to His promise in Proverbs 3:6 - In everything you do, put God first and He will crown your efforts with success. 

How can I create confidence?

 

The first step in creating confidence is Preparation.  In sports, champions are not created overnight. If you fully engage physically and mentally in practice, you will feel more prepared in competing.  Focused practices allow you to trust that you did everything you could to enable yourself to perform your best.  Even if in my mind, I know what I'm going to say for a meeting I'm facilitating or a training to deliver, I still prepare a cheat sheet, and practice many times  -in front of a mirror, in front of my kids, or record myself in a video or audio recorder to see how I can build more confidence and improve on the delivery. Do you think that the Hollywood actors or even your favorite stars can execute perfectly what the scripts say in one reading or sitting? Practice makes perfect and build confidence.


Second, it is important to Act Confidently.  Our mind reacts to what our body does.  If your head is down, your muscles are tense or your shoulders are hunched, your mind will sense your self-doubt.  So always make sure that your body language and your communication with yourself and others portrays confidence. Even when you don't feel confident, act confidently.

Finally, realize you don't need other people to tell you that you are good. Back to the athletes example, many of them wait for their coaches to tell them that they are good in order to believe in themselves.  You may want others to tell you that you are good, but it's not something you need.  Believe in yourself and believe in the One who created you and destined you to be great.  Set your mind that you have that confidence within.  Whatever your mind conceives, the body achieves.

Choose to be confident.  You have a reason to be.

Green Apron Behaviour - something to learn from Starbucks

I was listening to my favorite AM Christian radio station from the Phillippines when I heard this. The sharing was timely as I am contemplating on what's important in building relationships.  Everything was falling into place -I've learned about different personalities and how to deal with each, the different parts of the PIE of life and their portion, how to apply Planning, Leading, Organizing and Control management principles and how to balance knowledge, faith, love to live a God-fearing, purpose-driven life and become the outcome of all these inputs.  Yesterday, in church we learned about our inner calling, our gifts, our influence and how to respond to the "calling" and apply it to our daily fishing for God. Yes, it is too big to handle but with the right formula and willingness to obey, one cannot miss this opportunity.

The Green Apron Behaviour that the Starbucks employees were trained to deliver shows why the coffee store stands out.  It's not only the coffee but the "People" factor that contributes to the increasing and retaining customer base that Starbucks is known for.  The Christians who are also called Fishers of men can learn from the Green Apron Behaviour to fulfill the task. Here is list of the attitude that those who work with green apron are expected to show / deliver:

1. Welcoming - you know when you are truly welcome - you are greeted, there is a genuine smile or the talk is more personal.  Remember, they ask your name to put in the cup, that's you, it's personal. When we want to bring someone close to God, we welcome the person regardless of race, color, size and age into our homes, into our circles, into our lives. Hindi porke ibang religion or beliefs, ayaw na natin makipagusap sa Kanila.  Hindi porke inis ang pamilya mo dun na wala ka naman kinalaman dahil away ng pamilya yun, Iiwas ka na rin sa tao na yun. Paano na ang channel of blessings through you? Alam mo yun feeling na welcome ka di ba? no walls, no pretentions, warm and open. Someone  who is willing to accept anyone including the person you just met and who will connect with you right away. Break that wall, welcome one another.

2. Knowledgeable of product - how can we say or promote something if we ourselves don't know anything about it.  Build our relationship with God first. Learn about God, read the bible, pray, have an intimate relationship with our Saviour,  know about Jesus and the gift of salvation, memorize those verses, learn them and store them in your heart so that when the time comes that you need to "share" or answer questions, the Holy Spirit will retrieve the knowledge and reveal it. Like the Barista, he will give you the right coffee flavour suited to you.

3.  Genuine - you build relationships with others, not just your family or close friends. There is true friendship in every fellowship. Did you know that each time you interact or react to someone, you are making an effort to connect to that person? The outcome of the conversation makes or breaks the interaction. Most of the time you will receive kind words, good comments from a barista because they want to connect more with you. Sales strategy? Maybe, but at the end of a stressful day, having someone to vent out our frustrations to makes up a barista-customer relationship. Naalala ko dati sa ATC, ask ni barista, how's your day mam? I will say, bad trip, init ulo, alam na niya ang oorderin ko - ahh Mocha Frapp ma'am? So how are you with a friend who is in need, do you reach out or just even listen to them? Or do we stay away from him because we don't want to get involved. Where is the relationship-building there?

4. Considerate - when I was pregnant or I brought my kids to Starbucks when they were little, the barista asked me if I will have coffee? He would offer non-caffeine smoothies to my children and less caffeine or fat to a preggy like me.   Are you the same with whatever situation your friend is in? Can you easily adapt to a situation?   Would you consider someone else's feelings or agenda, or only your own? What about God's plan? Sometimes and I admit I am guilty of this too, we tend to focus only of ourselves that we miss out on  the opportunity. selfie ika nga.  Let us be considerate of others even if we are annoyed at that person, there is still something good in that person that we are expected to bring up if we show the love, kindness and consideration that we as Christians are supposed to be full of. Kahit nakakainis na siya, or di niya deserved yun, let us give him the benefit of the doubt and bring out the goodness in another. Anak din siya ng Diyos.

5. Involved - this is related to item number 2, how can we be genuine if we are not involved? How can we lend a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear if we are not available? Tucked away in our"comfort zone" with an alibi," problema niya yun, I don't want to get involved." How can that person know that there is hope in God if we are shutting our doors and windows to that person? God will use us if only we allow him to. We need to admit that we are not created to live in isolation and be willing to be used for another person's encouragement or building up.  "It is not good for a man to live alone, I will create a companion for him." "Walang sinoman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isat isa."

What makes you go or come back to Starbucks? It's not only the coffee, but it's the total "experience" that makes it more attractive. The traits mentioned are not only for Starbucks barista but for all the people, for Christians who are called to bring others to Christ and make him enjoy the experience. Like the barista who stands behind those counter, we can do the same, share the total experience so that others will know and come or return to Christ. We can be Welcoming, Knowledgeable, Genuine, Considerate and Involved and we can show it in so many ways. Not only lip service, I have to do the same and I ask God for guidance, more love, forgiveness, kindness and willingness in my heart to live the kind of life He wants us to live. May God guide us, in Jesus name.

GPR - to build and expand

I was asked to exhort in our recent family camp at Liebenzell. The theme is Life Builders. While I thought that a training workshop (Colours Insights/Temperaments) would be a good one for the 3-day camping, Pastor suggested that we do that another time. I thought I will not participate anymore, but on our first day, he asked that I do the first night exhortation. I know I'm not qualified but because I believe that God will help me and I do this in my work as training specialist anyways, I responded and it was a pleasure to serve God. Here are some more information that we can use in our meditation. God wants you to think about these:

WHAT: Purpose - God created us for a purpose. There is something that God embedded in us to trigger that longing to know and serve God. Have you figured out why are you put in a certain situation, lead in a church or group of people or became friends with a certain individual? Matthew 28:19-20 the Great Commission and Jabez prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 says, "Expand God's territory..."

HOW: 1. Prayer - Our way to communicate to God is through prayer and His way is through HIS words- the Bible. There is a need for God's words to enter into our system so we will know what He wants us to do and how we can live our purpose. We cannot do it on our own, we need God. "The effective, pervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16;

Prayer and His words are man's link to God, so imagine drawing a line from top to bottom this is the VERTICAL line in drawing the cross.

2. Relationships - there are 2 relationships that we need to build and nurture, the first is with God through His son Jesus Christ and the second is among All the people, regardless of color, size, location, gender and age. Relationships represent the HORIZONTAL line on the cross.

HOW: 1. INPUT - how can we share if our knowledge is limited? The parts of our body were made for a purpose - EARS - "faith comes from hearing God's words.." EYES, HANDS....we link our activities to let God's words enter into our system.

What kind of music do you listen to? Books, magazines or other kinds of media do you read? Who are you always talking to, share your thoughts with? Is he a godly person? What kind of movies, TV shows do we watch, or Facebook, YouTube viral media do we spend our time on? When we listen to God's words in preaching, do we write keywords to remember and meditate later on?

What do we do to nurture these inputs? "meditate on it day and night.." Do we have a daily devotional or quiet time with God?

2. OUTPUT - our actions speak louder than our words. To apply the inputs within us, we need to be aware of God's purpose in our actions. Will Jesus do this? How would He react? Will this build relationships, or break it?

WORDS - what kind of words come out of our mouth, are they encouraging, hopeful, full of love and compassion, kind and forgiving? "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks..."

ACTIONS - a helping hand, a listening ear, there are lots of opportunities to do good and let God shine in our actions.

What is the impact of the action or reaction? Will a negative situation turn into positive? Are we contributing to making this world peaceful? How is our co-worker or neighbor or even a distant relative react if they found out that we responded differently and not biblically? God will use us to expand His territory so we need to make it happen by DOING and not just say God's words. LIVE it.

As our assignment, I left them three questions that we also use in our lean management/continuous improvement processes, you can also ask yourself these:

1. What am I doing that I'm not supposed to be doing? Commission or subtraction


2. What am I supposed to be doing that I am not doing? Omission or Addition


3. What am I doing that can be done more right, biblically? level up to expand the territory.

GPR - God, Prayer, Relationships

Who doesn't like to get married again?

I would say...Lito! But he did exchange the vows with me in celebration of our 15th wedding anniversary and my 47th birthday. It was an awesome day, the Lord has made! God must have love us so much that rains only started pouring before and after the ceremony and photo shoot. Our renewal of vows was held a day before my birthday at the gardens of The Peninsula Inn and Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was an intimate affair as family and close friends were present to witness this event.


This second time of getting married was more meaningful as our kids joined us in the ceremony. The 3-cord symbolism that Reverend Peter Goodrich of the Niagara Falls Wedding World explained made an impact as we really need God to be the third party in our marriage - the cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Here are some of the photos from the event: (Thank You Bro. Arneil Fabia of SCM)

My Groom

Our children joining us during the blessing.

Sealed with a kiss

Because I was a member of Weddings at Work the first time I got married (Side Note: It was Benz and Abet Rana who gave me an idea when they did their 15th in Las Vegas), I will share some good and need improvement evaluation of the hotel and the Niagara Falls Wedding World services as part of our post-wedding duties for the other couples to take note or learn from.

1. The Peninsula Inn and Resort (www.peninsulainn.com) - Ms. Jessica Sanchez was easy to deal with. We made all transactions online and since I was from Toronto and I couldn't go to Niagara frequently, she made it a point that all my requests are granted - from the color theme, music to the design of our paddle fans souvenirs. Our rooms were perfect and we got a good deal since this is summer season where other hotels have sky-rocketing rates. One thing that was missed - there was no one (waiter) to inform the guests that there are cold bottled water and refreshments available to keep them cool while waiting for the ceremony to start. Good thing, it was not too hot that day. Also, great location, lots of areas to use for picture taking, free parking for our guests. Most importantly, very near our Reception location - Mandarin Restaurant at Niagara Square.

2. Niagara Falls Wedding World (www.niagarafallsweddingworld.com) - Same with Jessica, I communicated with Nicole Gibson and Rev. Loretta through email and phone only. I was able to meet them only when we were about to start the ceremony. They were helpful in getting our 3-cord props ready - providing the different colored ribbon to highlight God's presence in marriage. They also gave clear instructions to my children and their part in the ceremony and also sending and making revisions to the program to amend my requests. There were two important things that need improvement - the sound system and the declaration of our vows. The ceremony is a very meaningful one and I would have loved my guests to hear everything Rev. Peter said from the readings, to the Cord and Ring ceremonies to the blessing. Lito and I would also like to say our own vows instead of repeating after Rev. Peter. We wrote our own vows and it would have been more felt (or dramatic) if we declared it ourselves. Well, maybe next time, I will request for that.

The Vows

I, LITO publicly re-commit myself to love and serve you,
to accept, forgive, honor and pray for you
and to be faithful to you as long as we both shall live.
I am making this commitment before God, family and friends today and so help me God.

I, IRMEE take you my dearest, as my husband, friend and love.
All that I am I share with you. I promise to love and cherish you,
to help you in good times and bad, to respect our individuality,
to make our home one of love and understanding.
I give you all my trust, all of my tomorrows, all of my life.
I declare this vow in the name of our Lord Christ, so help me God.

I will post more pictures and reception account soon.

Thank you to all who attended and shared their prayers and well wishes.

Gardening and the Parable of the Sower

It is Spring and the time to tend the garden. Just like the other gardeners, we use this time to plant seeds and clean the garden. When the rain pours, it gets easier to till the soil. I started doing it and to keep my mind about the chance of encountering earthworms, I think about the parable of the sower while tilling the soil.  It is true that before a seed grows, we need to soften the soil, till it, remove the rocks and weeds and water it. I encountered soils that are so hard, they are like dried clay, no chance of seed to grow in that kind of soil. But just like life's trials and tragedies to a man with a hardened heart, the blows of the spading fork or a tiller makes the soil break lose and soft, with watering, it becomes ready to be planted with seeds. With careful and steady tender loving care, the seeds will grow, harden and then bear fruit or flowers.

The application to the parable is just simple yet profound. All of us are the garden, some of us will have hard, clay-like soil, others will have rocks, others with weeds. If we don't prepare our hearts to accept the seed, it will not stay, grow and bear. God will use something to remind us that purpose, He  will use problems, tragedies or some people to clean us and prepare our hearts fro Gods planting,

When I think about the reasons why our hearts could harden, I though about pride, self-reliance, hurt from past, anger and  rage.  So the weeds and rocks could be our careers, problems, issues, hobbies, Worldly music, shows and movies, love for money and material things that if will not remove them in our garden, will also mean the delay in the planting of the seeds.

The good soil however is the one who is always cultivated, loose and watered. There is a tender loving care to the seed so that it keeps on growing.  The following are the equivalents of the tiller, water and seeds : daily devotions time with God, praise and worship, bible study and activities that promote or encourage God's presence. You know what happens next right? The seed will grow and bear fruit. The daily watering is Gods words being poured out to make seed grow into something bigger.

The seed becomes a young plant then later on blooms and bear fruit. That's the result that every gardener wants to achieve. The same way God wants our lives to become. To bloom and bear fruit for God's glory. He is our gardener and sower.

What is real happiness?

For some, it is easy, they are happy when they have food on the table, when they are able to pay the bills and the mortgage. For those in business, they are happy when they close the deal or meeting the targets or exceeding them. It varies, sometimes it depends on how the children are, one new mom said I'm fulfilled and happy when I see my child happy. Some will be happy if they get the latest phone, new purse or new designer clothes. I admit I am happy when I know I will be going somewhere because I love to travel.

Sadly, many people get their happiness only from outward circumstances. As long as their lives are untroubled and they are comfortable, they feel happy.  But when illness strikes, or a relationship breaks down, or any of a thousand other unexpected troubles engulf them, then happiness flees.

Billy Graham said, there is a spring that never varies it's flow. Floods may rage, but it's output doesn't increase. A long summer drought may come, but it won't decrease. It's flow is steady, reliable and unending.

Such is the peace and joy that we all yearn for - and such is the peace Jesus promises to all who trust Him: "The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up in everlasting life....My peace I give you" John 4:14 and 14:27.

What about you? Are you ready when the unexpected or a big storm comes? Will you still be happy? Are you at peace with God? Have you come to His spring? I hope you know where to find the water that will not make you thirsty again. Jesus is waiting.  Happiness is all about Him.

January 2015 has passed and the next month is approaching. What have we done to be near Or bring others to Him? Is it part of our goals this year? Or do we even have a goal in the first place or are we just waiting and being complacent? Are we deep inside truly happy that it shows and radiates to another?

What's all the fuss?

It's December 6 and I'm one of those people with schedules suddenly filled up, had to decline meetings and appointments because I need to finish work before Christmas. I was led into the frantic mode as the year comes to an end. There are still tasks to complete: project charters for next year to submit, my school project and the final exam coming, endless last minute training schedules to finalize, add to that my hubby and sons birthdays coming up and my in-laws are coming over the holidays, lots of shopping lists and what to give that will be acceptable....Phew! Just thinking about it makes me anxious and what-if scenarios are floating in my mind.

Stop! I had to pray to clear up my mind to get the right perspective, Gods perspective. Jesus Christ birthday is coming up, that's the only thing that I need to think about.  As I was wrapping the presents we bought today, I thought about the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and the simplicity of that night. The night God gave His only son to save the world. I was so guilty of being materialistic and spending so much time to think about the gifts to give and wait for the fulfillment of the receiver expectations.  I realized about how my mortal body responds to the worldly need of 'getting for giving' something, the thought of gift giving has come to a different level, it has become selfish - I'm sure you also used the word "Wish List".  You tend to give so that you fulfill the desires of your own flesh.

The first gift of love that was supposed to be our pattern for gift-giving happened on that night in Bethlehem.  God gave selflessly, in a simple, no-frills manger.  I can't believe that until now, not all humankind recognize or accept that gift. They don't even know Jesus personally and His purpose, why He even came to this world.  Blame it on us who are focused more on attending parties, exchanging gifts and fulfilling our own desires, who didn't want to slow down and respond to the real concept of Christmas.

God's love is everywhere - His forgiveness, mercy, kindness, faithfulness and patience in us. What other great time to celebrate this love than on Christmas? I hope we realize that instead of being frantic we try reconnecting and sharing God's message with our families and loved ones. Real JOY, PEACE and LOVE that comes from the true reason of the season - CHRIST.

The next time we wrap a present, let's not worry about how the recipient will react, it's the thought that counts. What's important is that we believe that Christ was born on earth and the Word became flesh and God's gift of salvation is more important to accept than any other gifts. God bless you and your family today.

Set foot on the promised land - a continuous improvement lesson from the bible

My most favorite part in my almost 28-year-career is learning about quality and getting better at it.  My first job exposed me how to do quality hamburgers, giving excellent customer service and being measured at it in different ways- first by our own superiors, second by the regional managers and lastly, by a mystery shopper.  At a young age, I learned about key performance metrics  (KPM or KPI) and how it drives you to perform more than the expected.  Getting a 100% rating from a mystery shopper is my ultimate goal then.  Receiving such rating means you were consistent in following the steps in delivering quality service.  All jobs no matter how small or big it is, whether it is a blue-collar or white starts with learning and following steps or instructions in order to achieve a product or service.  After doing the tasks, the outcome of the service or product is being measured by the stakeholders or customers. There is a set target that needs to be met in order for that product to be considered high quality.  Sometimes, making some changes in the process are needed so that your numbers improve or go up.  After you have consistently reached your target, you will move on to the next level - a higher target and so on and so forth. This is the idea of continuous improvement. You always move up and not down.  The reality is, reaching the target is not that easy, there are issues or something that prevents you from delivering quality service.  Believe it or not, there is always someone who will speak negatively about your goal, much more in achieving it. Embrace change as this means you are accepting the challenge to be in the next level, in moving up. No turning back, the numbers should be up and not down.

If you remember Moses and the thousands of Israelites who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. On their journey to the promised land (Target) the people were complaining because of hunger and thirst  (Obstacles). There was always murmuring going on instead of them trusting and following God.  When they were being chased by the Egyptians, and they were at the edge of the sea. People complained and regretted leaving their comfortable life to join Moses. Bad as things were in Egypt, the known seemed better than the unknown to those who lacked faith (Resistant to Change).  During their forty years of desert wandering, the children of Israel alternately blessed and cursed the name of God. Because of this, every Israelite over twenty years of age when they left Egypt under Moses’ leadership was now dead.  

How do you feel when you are working towards reaching a long-awaited goal? Are you happy? Are you excited? And looking forward to a new journey? Are you anxious about what the change could bring? Are you following the instructions and faithful to the end? Will you set foot on the promised land? 

As I was meditating on this, I looked back and remember my KPIs, the obstacles and trials, the changes in or absence of comfort.  I realized that God's words are really alive, never changes, it is still the same before and until now.  It is a good analogy on how to handle change in my career in continuous improvement.  We want to set foot on the promised land! 

The Lord said to Moses, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (Numbers 20:12).

Read more: Exodus, Numbers and Joshua

How to make ourselves valuable - Adding Value Part 2

Here is a sequel to my earlier blog post entitled - "Adding value to others by adding value to self".  This time I am quoting Mr. John C. Maxwell because I read this in his book - The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader's day. Revitalize your Spirit and Empower your  Leadership.

How to make ourselves valuable according to God's words:

1. Constantly IMPROVE ourselves.

So how do we do that? Make an assessment, try one skill like cooking or baking. If you think you are good in cooking "Kare-Kare", try another one like "Kaldereta" or "Mechado" or tweak the recipes and replace the ingredients like beef to oxtail in Kare2 or beef to "kambing" in Kaldereta, or use pure tomatoes in Mechado and not canned tomato sauce.  For baking, if you've baked cookies, try brownies or cakes, then move on to the challenging ones like sponge cakes, tiramisu or Braso de Mercedes. The samples provided refer to VARIATION, or doing a different way to achieve a different result.  Here's another one, if you can run 5 kilometres in 25 minutes, beat it by trying to finish in 12 minutes....or if you can type 45 wpm, practice more to be able to do 60 wpm. Set a target and meet or exceed it.  We call it KPI or KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - set of values use to measure the performance and meet the goals. Try to increase or decrease your numbers. Simple improvement strategies can not be measured rather the RESULTS indicate improvement.  If you used to always miss the bus, and you did something and now you are earlier than the bus, that means you've improved in managing your time or maybe the bus schedule changed. You alone can say which is which. :) the important thing is you've learned to accept the need to improve and you're doing something about it. Do not be COMPLACENT! Once you've accomplished something, no matter how dramatic the change or result was, continue to improve.  You'll be amazed at that potential God embedded in you. You just have to start at something.

2.  STRENGTHEN your hands and knees.  "Hebrews 12:12"

Remember the motto of the body builders, no pain, no gain. Exert some effort. It will not just happen. You need to initiate something.

3. RENEW your minds. "Roman 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your minds."

The brain is located on the top most part of our body. That indicates that everything starts from the top, from our brain.  I remember it in science, the brain sends signals to the body parts before it starts to function.  I call it MINDSET...whatever the mind conceives, the body achieves.  Try it, tell your brain to always think about accomplishing something and you will be able to finish it, the same goes if you always think about negative things - complaining, fear, "can't do it", worry, it-will-not-work attitude, what do you think is accomplished? Nothing!

4. Desire and USE GOD-GIVEN Gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

We have INHERENT Values from GOD, like a chip embedded in us when He created us. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.


God loves us and values us. He wants us to be valuable so we can give and add value to others.

Throw it all away

In the Sunday School class of my 2 younger sons, they were discussing about repentance and salvation. There is always a handout for the parents for follow up and we did the activities tonight.  It was a fruitful exercise. The family gathered together in a circle and each one had a paper and pen. We are to write down the things that are not pleasing to God (SIN) that we know are wrong but we keep on doing. So here are some of those that were listed: lying, getting things that are not your own (stealing) even small things like comb, toys, shirts. Disobeying parents, shouting at parents, disobeying teachers, not sharing, making other things more important than God, like video games, iPad and Lego; saying mean things, hitting others.  I wrote buying too many purses, not doing my chores and ignoring Lito, gossiping, too much Facebooking.  I remember how Lex wrote his, he asked how to write - too much video games, hurting and crying, hahaha. Anyway, at least they got the point. The main idea is after writing them down we are to pray for each one of them to be taken off our list, to forget about doing them again. Of course, we can't do it on our own. We need God. I can still remember how they uttered the words "Sorry", we pray for His guidance and protection from any temptation of doing it again (Repentance) or turning our backs on these wrong things. We had one last look at the list and crumpled the paper and threw them away. God wants us to trust in Him and ask Him to forgive us our sins. He sent Jesus to die on the cross to save us. We gave it all to Jesus. We believe that even if sometimes we do it again, Jesus still loves us and saves us (Salvation).  It is not about our being good, but His being Good and His grace.

Pray together as a family asking God to forgive your sins and thanking God that Jesus came to throw our sins away.

"There is repentance of sins for all who repent." Luke 24:47b

Aloysius' name is now written in the Book of Life

We watched Toronto Passion Play today.  This is our third time to watch this musical and each time we feel blessed.  This is a very special one because of three things: it's Sharyn's first time, we were seated on the fifth row from the stage (yes, this is the closest) and Aloysius surprised us.  Lito and I had a fight because he didn't want to go because we've seen it twice already and Sharyn might still be in jet lag.  I was thankful that Lito bought the tickets anyway and he chose the 2nd day where the show is not that jam-packed.  Back to Aloysius, I was not seated next to him because Lex slept and I had to support his neck.  I could only see both Aloysius and Kyle clapping and responding to the moving scenes in the play. At the break, the last scene was the crucifixion and Pastor Billy came up the stage.  He asked us to close our eyes, pray from the heart and with everybody's eyes closed, raise our hands if we believe and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.  After that, the altar call. Those who responded and raised their hands were asked to come to the front near the stage to affirm their commitment to God's call.  People were starting to come and there were children too. At that time, I was trying to talk to Kyle and asked him if he is understanding what is happening, hoping that he would respond to the call but his attention was in something else. I looked up the stage and I was praying for the people who accepted when suddenly Aloysius stood up and looked at me and he asked, "Mom, can you come with me to the front?" I immediately followed him and I was crying and praying and praising God while we were walking to the front. I prayed for and with my 12-year old and  I felt very happy because he made the decision by himself without any influence from me or Lito (which I was trying to do with Kyle). He was moved by the play and God must have spoken to him even yesterday because we were doing The Bible series marathon. I admire my son's boldness in his faith, I remember not doing the altar call in my first time and only did it when I was revived at the ACCM center many years after I first accepted Christ. Until now, I feel wonderful about this milestone in my first born's life. Thank you Lord for adding his name in your Book of Life. Praise God for a memorable Easter weekend.

Gifts we receive - what to do with them

Have you ever receive a gift and never opened them or used them? Why? Could it be that the box and wrapper is too nice you don't need to see what's inside? Or maybe the gift is too complicated, you are afraid to operate it and break it?  Sometimes, you are too proud that you don't think you don't need that gift, you think you have it all, or knows it all. 

What about the giver? How do you think he or she feels if you didn't open the gift, or even use it?  

There's a story I remember about gifts. An OFW from Middle East told me about this a long time ago when email and gadgets are not yet invented. She sends so many gifts to her friend in the Philippines - lots of them from perfumes, soaps, lotions, makeup, bags, small appliances like cassette player and tapes, Betamax, nice pens and stationery because she likes to write. One time, the OFW asks her, how come you don't use the stationery I sent? I would love to see your handwriting in those. She replied, "Oh they are so nice to write on, I will just display them so that I will always remember you sent them to me." After 3 years, the OFW came to visit the friend, who by then already got married and had children. She was surprised to see the OFW but was also happy to finally tell her what she did to all the gifts she sent. She wanted to personally show her where she put the gifts - in a display cabinet, all of them still wrapped  or in their unused condition. I would have cried if I was the OFW, imagine? She didn't use the perfumes on her wedding day, on the birthday of her children and other occasions. They would have "expired" by that time, it's no use. Betamax player unopened and at that time VHS was the in thing. There were no tapes to use for that player anymore. The OFW told her "I didn't expect that you keep all the gifts I gave, I didn't ask you to hide them so that I can come back for it later, but the gifts were meant to be used, to be enjoyed, the gifts were meant for you and not this cabinet." The OFW came with more gifts to give to her friend at that time but after learning about what she did to the old presents, she brought them back with the intention of giving to someone who will put them to good use.

Sad but true story. I know that sometimes we don't realize that we are like the OFWs friend and the giver is God. He blesses us with spiritual gifts that we just hide in a cabinet - still in unopened boxes.  We think that the gift box is wrapped too nicely we didn't see that the real gift is still inside.  We are afraid to open, or do not want to open, or do not know how to open. Maybe some thinks that the gift is too complicated that he cannot cope with it. Or maybe he is just proud and selfish, not recognizing that the gift is from God and he is supposed to honor Him by using these gifts. I have been in the OFWs situation before, discovering that my gifts were ignored and just kept hidden in cabinets. I felt hurt. To demean the gift is to insult the giver.  

All men possess special gifts—bestowed from the Father above—and you are no exception. But, your gift must be cultivated and nurtured; otherwise, it will go unused . . . and God's gift to you will be squandered.

I hope that you will earnestly seek to discover the talents that God has given you. The best way to say "Thank You" for God's gifts is to use them.

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety 

of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that 

God's generosity can flow through you.

1 Peter 4:10

ROI - Return on Investments

One of my son's weekly tasks is to water the plants.  He once asked me why did he have to do that, the plants don't die anyway.  Being a smart kid, he asked what value will he get from watering the plants.  We always taught our kids to be purposeful in what they do and try to find out the value of it. I just told him, "When you water the plants, you are like feeding it to grow and bear fruit or flower.  Do not lose hope. If you don't see it now, you will still see something out of it later on."  After our talk, I think he didn't do it regularly that's why one pot of the indoor plants died.  He realized that the plants die if "not fed".  Learning his lesson, he continued to water the plants and he religiously did it. We were just surprised one day when he called from the basement and excitedly said, "Mom the flower bloomed and more buds are coming out!".  I told him, "See, that's the fruit of your labour, your ROI! The time and efforts you spent were not futile after all." My son looked happy and I knew he will now be inspired and looked forward to more ROIs. 

What's your definition of ROI - return on investments?  Is it money you earned from business investments?  or the good grades from "sunog kilay" nights? is it not yet getting married after graduation? From where I came from, especially those who have many siblings, it is expected that the first one to finish will send the next sibling to school until all of them graduates.  It could also be the OFW working miles away, adjusting to culture change, the extreme weather or terrible "homesickness" just to send money to their families.  The OFW hopes that the ROI would be children getting good education and the family having a better life. Sometimes the ROI of a suitor pursuing a girl from spending money for a date or spending time hanging out or just texting would be to receive the anticipated "yes".  It varies but one thing's for sure, it is something to hope for, something out of an investment - can be money, time or effort. 

My mom tells her friends and her relatives that she's already receive her ROI. She's frequently asked what did you do to your children? You don't look like you have problems with them. You've got beautiful grandchildren and your children are abroad enjoying good life.  She tells them that she is thankful to God and until now continuously prays for our welfare. I think that's how she got her ROI, and I will also follow her. I vow to spend time and effort in bringing my children's needs to God, to pray for them, spend quality time and I hope that I will also receive my ROI and my efforts will not be futile.

Looking back and thinking about the people I've met, I now think of ROI, how did I spend time with them? is it worthy to get something out of that even for a little time?  what about the words I said, or the deeds I did?  Thinking more profound, for them to think about God's goodness and forgiveness and salvation, i think they are not enough. I hope I will still have a chance to give more, spend more so my ROI will be worthy of God's approval.  Like my son's plant, I hope a flower blossoms too.

What about you? Your ROI - to your family, to your community and to God?

From Empty to Full

How time flies, it's the year end and I couldn't even add more posts to this blog. I still want to capture and share valuable information here. I just remembered what we discussed during the last bible study. Pastor asked us what is the happiest and saddest Christmas celebration we had. My answer was the time when we didn't celebrate it. This happened when my dad just started to work as a temp and I had  only one sibling. I was very excited when he came home on Christmas Eve because I thought that he brought food and gifts. But he came empty-handed, I asked, "Paano na ang pasko? (How are we going to celebrate Christmas?) My mom just told me to sleep, "Matulog ka na! Walang pasko." So I was disappointed and asked dad, "bakit walang fried chicken?" This is his reply, "kahit walang handa, may pasko, ipinanganak si Hesus." (even though we didn't have food on the table, Christmas is still here, Christ was born).

He was teary-eyed when he asked us to pray and the prayer goes something like this. "Dear God, sana po Eto na ang una at Huling pagkakataon na wala kmi pag Pasko.  Salamat po sa inyong anak na si Hesus." (Dear God, let this be the first and last time that we won't have any at Christmas. Thank you for your son Jesus Christ).  Before I slept, I cried because I didn't have any gifts, but I also learned at a very young age how to be full when you're empty. I think that's the first time that I prayed hard too, from my heart. I believe that God comforted me and I was able to sleep. When I woke up, I have a Christmas stocking with chocolate coins in them. I think a neighbour gave it. That simple gesture made a small girl happy.  I knew that my prayer worked and that God is really true.

Indeed, my dad's prayer was answered. The following year, blessings upon blessings arrived in our household.  Mom gave birth to a very cute Wendy,  Dad was hired full time at United Laboratories (a very progressive and generous company) and on the Christmas Eve of that year, Dad brought a very big Christmas basket with lots of goodies in it like ham! cheese! chocolate, spaghetti everything you need to complete a Noche Buena feast. My wishes came true and God granted our prayer because we never had an empty table on Christmas ever since. God was very good because more blessings came not only that year but year after year until now.  God is really faithful to our family and we are forever grateful.

So if you think you are empty, do not lose hope. God will make it full. Just believe.

Our days are numbered, what do we do?

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered--how fleeting my life is."  Psalm 39:4

I don't want to sound morbid but reality bites. So while we can, we live our life to the fullest. How?

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Number our days 
Is it money? or number of houses?  Cars? women? Cities you have travelled? Luxury bags or apparel? Achievement or awards?  God will not look at these numbers.  How do we get the numbers?  Let us think of these:

How many years have you live?

How many years have you been -
As a daughter or a son?
As a sibling?
As a parent?
As a worker?
As an employer?
As a student?
As a Christian? (Have you learned about and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?)

So after determining the numbers, let us think of the past and present so that the outcome will guide us on how to live our future or until our brief time on earth ends.

1.  Blessings - in all these numbers, have you thought of how faithful and good our God is, even if we have not been good and faithful?  Have we been thankful?

2. Relationships - let us go back to each of the stages in our life and think about how fruitful and meaningful the relationships were. If there were not good or broken or even superficial, we might as well reconnect with them, say sorry and make up before it's too late.  There is a reason why  we were there in their lives, if there is an opportunity to start over again, do it and share God's love. It might be that our long lost friend is troubled and need God right now.  Let us be the channel.

3. Spending time with and for the Lord.  Going back to the questions above, in all the years you have been on this earth, how many hours have you spent with The Lord - Reading and meditating on His words, praising and worshipping Him, doing what pleases God and not men. Sharing your blessings, spending time, resources and talent for His ministry. To bring others to Christ and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  Going back to number 1 and thinking about God's love and faithfulness, isn't it about time that we give back by numbering our days right?

I know it's difficult or we're probably in denial on how life should be lived because we are so caught up in the busyness of life and our web of worldly treasures. But they are all fleeting.  God is just waiting and we just need to respond quickly before it's too late.

How not to be depressed

I'm a normal person, I experience the same as what other people feel, yes even if you are the richest man here on earth, you also feel depressed. I've reached the highs and lows, and lately is more of lows but because I'm a child of God, He finds a way to talk to me. Today I heard a timely message on the radio and read many passages online. I miss my friends whom I can talk to anything under the sun, those who have time for girly and mushy stuff, asan na ba Kayo, khit online di ko Kayo Makita, hahaha..When I came here, my alternative was retail therapy, but I don't want to splurge because I don't have anything to spend. I don't know if it's the weather (yeah, it's also -13'C here) and the sun is not shining or the early part of the year is always the time you get anxious...what will happen this year? Will my goals be reached? I always think about so many things...so many that it eats my time to pray and read God's words.

 The message that I heard today is about how not to be depressed:

1. Stay closer to God by reading the bible or hearing it in church.
2. find true friends to talk to,
3. brush any negative thoughts,
4. keep busy, do fun and worthwhile activities.

 I really thank God and for those praying for me and my family, that I'm no longer in my lows. Last night, I found a feel good movie to watch and right from the very start, I was already amused because the main character looked like me when I was still young. I hope you can find the resemblance in Irmee and Nam...LOL! I hope you will smile now.

Facing the Giants

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder
Just guessed it but when I look it up on Yahoo, it was confirmed. I've been listening to a Christian radio station KLVV Praise based in Oklahoma City and I heard they were praying for their home team Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant, the star player of Thunders is indeed a Christian, praying and reading his bible before a game. I remembered the movie Facing the Giants where a never heard High school football team went into the finals and faced a more popular and strong team Giants because of the faith of the coach. God made miracles in the movie and This can happen again, in real life. The Miami Heat is a star studded team but like what the verse is saying, who can beat the Lord? I'm not forecasting here or saying that Thunders will win, the Lord has great plans for everything. Winning the championship is not really everything but the limelight focused on a Christian athlete is something that God will use for His glory. Many will know that behind this great athlete is a man of God.

Read more here...

PACMAN
Manny Pacquiao may have lost the last game with Bradley but he has not lost the real battle. He has continued to remain in His faith and still acknowledged God in the interview after his defeat. In a country were there are many religions some even are cult, a boxing champion and a popular personality becomes an instrument to declare what God wanted the Filipinos to know and accept as Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ.

More on Pacquiao' s faith and transformation.../

Nik Wallenda
Would you believe that Nik Wallenda, the man who just recently walked across the mouth of Niagara Falls from the US side to Canada side is also a believer in Christ? I knew it when I found out he knelt down after completing the stunt, giving reverence to God. I felt so proud for him and the athletes mentioned above, being bold in their faith and continue to spread about the good news through the lives. God will bless them and use them for His glory.

Nik Wallenda's faith here

Tony Dungy
Although not all have continued to win their games, they were able to fight the real battle and God helped them. Sometimes, a defeat or loss is what you need to come to your senses and accept that you cannot do it on your own. You need Christ, not just know but believe and live a life with Him in the center of it.

Tony Dungy -a NFL football coach has his story to share.

All it takes is to putting your trust in Jesus Christ and making Him the First and then you will be able to face your 'giants'.

Like what Durant, Pacquaio, Wallenda, Dungy are saying --To God be the glory. Be counted in the ever increasing multitude of Christians.