Songs on generosity

Here are some lines from my favorite church songs on generosity. I hope you still know these songs :) -- "Panginoon Turuan mo akong maging bukas palad Turuan mo akong maglingkod sa Iyo Ang magbigay ng ayon sa nararapat Nang walang hinihintay mula sa Iyo (kasi diba hindi ka dapat nagiging generous dahil lang may inaantay kang kapalit)" Here's another one... "Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang (parang 'no man is an island', teaches us that we are all our brother's keepers and we are accountable for each other) Walang sinuman ang namamatay para sa sarili lamang Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa't isa Tayong lahat ay tinipon ng Diyos na kapiling Nya" And my most favorite of all... "Kunin at tanggapin Ang alay na ito Mga biyayang nagmulaSa pagpapala Mo (see, we should be generous kasi we are just giving back what God has been blessing us with. Di natin dapat ipagdamot yun kasi if not for God's generosity, wala din tayong material things) Tanda ng bawat puso Pagka't inibig mo Ngayo'y nananalig, nagmamahal sa Iyo"

Adversity

"There's something a bit different when your child is born with a certain level of adversity. There's a deep sense of not only love but also of respect... (He) is a constant source of inspiration and admiration" -Colin Farrell on his son James, 10, who has Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that impairs speech and motor skills

Galatians 6:9 NIV -- Do not get tired of doing good

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

To daddy

Alam mo it pains me to see na hindi ka masaya ngayong Christmas season dahil di natin nabili yung gusto mong shoes. :( I'm sorry I can't give you all of your heart's desires. :( But I do love you very much. Yun lang kaya ko ibigay nang di nauubos. Sorry...

Dear Iya

This morning, I had to hand you over to your yaya para di ka mainggit/magselos at pumasok din sa banyo habang pinapaliguan ko si Kuya. I heard you crying but your yaya was able to divert your attention naman to something else. I gave your kuya a bath and we went to our room so he can have his siesta. Habang nagbibihis kami sa kwarto, kumakatok ka sa pinto, asking me to open it for you so you can also get inside the room. I didn't kasi kapag nasa loob ka ng room, di makakapagsiesta si kuya. I heard you cry again. It pains me, anak, whenever I make choices between tending to you or your kuya. This is not the first, definitely won't be the last time, that this will happen. When Miko comes out, isa pa siya kahati sa attention ni Mommy. Your kuya went through the same thing when you were born kasi syempre sa iyo ako nakafocus noon. But I hope you don't think of it that way. Mommy and Daddy are trying our best to give you all the attention and love that you all deserve. Nung bata ako, iniisip ko, imposible yung walang favorite na anak. Sabi ko, moms just say that they love their children equally kasi siyempre it might foster hatred between the kids. But you know what, I do love you and kuya equally. Pag pinanganak si Miko, I'm sure I will love him as much. Nung pinanganak ka, hindi nabawasan yung love ko for kuya tapos napunta sayo, it's more like I have more love to give now which is why I am able to love you both equally. For now, you should understand though that your kuya has special needs and mom has to give him extra attention to help him adapt to his needs. (Kuya, I hope you don't think I'm condescending here.) I am grateful that I have a strong and cheerful daughter who I can count on to support me when I need to tend to Kuya. As the eldest daughter, you are my next-in-line, anak. Please take care of the boys -- daddy, kuya and miko, when mommy is gone. I know you'll do a great job kasi kanino ka pa ba magmamana, diba? :) I love you so much, bubba. God bless you always. :)

What you need to be happy --

Everything you need to be happy is within you. Not money, not things, not even other people. But LOVING people -- that will make you happy.

Love you kids :)

Guilty mom

Dear Kuya and Ate,

Miko has been stretching around mommy's tummy all morning and it's really painful (not blaming you, though, baby boy). At times, I'm not sure if he's just stretching or trying to get out already (not yet, please).

Anyway, I've been feeling guilty because I'm spending less and less playtime with you guys. And today, I'm choosing to rest and stay in bed over going to mass or playing with you. I hope you understand that mommy wants to spend time with you, but I'm just afraid that Miko might come out before he is ready. I know I keep promising to make things right with you. I'm praying mommy can be more mobile once Miko is out. For the meantime, bear with me please? And don't ever ever doubt that mommy loves you immensely.

Random thoughts

It pains me whenever you cry when I keave for work. I hope someday you'll understand that I'm working hard to be able to give you the comfort that we are experiencing now, as well as prepare for your future as best as I could.

I love you kids!

What Dreams May Come

Watched the movie What Dreams May Come this morning. Now, I couldn't help but look forward to being in heaven with you, Kuya Aki. I'm excited to see you seeing and all grown up with Iya and Lumpy. Love you all!

Today's prayer

Thank You, Lord, for using our lives to inspire others to renew their faith in You. May You help us to use these situations, not to uplift ourselves, but Your name. May You never let us belittle what works You have done in us, but instead allow us to remain to be childlike and dependent on You.

I claim happiness and love and faith for our family, in Your name. Amen.

To my 15-year-old self

You don't have to please anybody.

You don't need to have an opinion on everything. If you think you can't say it in front of the person concerned, you should not say it behind his/her back.

Somebody out there loves your smile; never let it escape your lips.

Your rank and your designation will remain in high school. After that, no one will care.

You have nice legs. It's okay to show them off once in a while. ;)

Promises from boys can be broken, and their kisses don't always equate to love.

Men will come and go. Friends shouldn't. Friendship should be continually worked on, not something that you can forget when you are busy or in love.

Don't sell yourself short, or think lowly of yourself. You are a precious, pretty and wonderful daughter of God. If men can't see that, they are not worthy of your time or affection.

4 years

4 years has passed and still we continue to pray for a miracle. My son, don't let the lost of sight hinder you from having peace, love, happiness and faith in your heart.

Happy Visual Evoked Response test results anniversary, my young prince, and blessed be the name of the Lord!

Failing

"If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If YOU fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much more than we realize. It matters HOW you are going to FINISH. Are you going to finish strong?"

- Nick Vujicic

Kids, Nick was born without hands and feet. He had bouts of depression growing up, even tried drowning himself in the bathtub. Yet, he overcame all insecurities and weaknesses and focused on his strengths and gifts. He turned out to be one of the world's greatest motivational speakers. Look him up and let me know if he inspires you too.

Love you both!

Long time, no blog

Hi Kids!

I'm sorry I haven't been writing here for a while. I've been busy with work and preparations for Iya's first birthday (which had been a blast! Happy birthday, bubba!)

I hope, though, that whenever I am not writing here, I had been out making memories with the both of you. So, you might not see my thoughts through my words, but have lived them with me.

I love you both so much! :)

For Iya -- 20 Things a Father Should Tell His Daughter (from dorkdaddy.com)

1) Pay attention to the way a man loves his mother. That is the way he will love you.

2) You can do anything a man can do, including organic chemistry, unclogging toilets and assembling IKEA furniture.

3) Older women wear makeup so THEY can look like YOU. Less is more. A lot less is a lot more.

4) People will judge you by the way you look. It isn't fair, but it's the way the world works. Keep that in mind as you pick your outfit in the morning.

5) Never let anyone do your thinking for you. There are far too many people with far too much invested in you believing what they believe.

6) Liberal arts grow your mind. Science and business keep you fed. You will need both.

7) Nothing is more attractive than intelligence.

8) Learn to drive a stick-shift.

9) Get comfortable with power tools.

10) You don't have to enjoy them, but have a working knowledge of the rules for football and baseball.

11) Know the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek, and they key players in both.

12) You don't have to *DO* anything for someone to love you. The right person will cross a desert just for the chance to sit next to you at lunch.

13) Peer pressure is all about insecurity. Be confident in who you are and you'll never have to "fit in". People will come to you.

14) The fastest way to strain a relationship with a man is to bring up old drama. We can't remember to hang up the bath towel. What makes you think we remember that stupid thing we did 6 months ago?

15) If a man genuinely loves you, he will let you set the boundaries. Don't let anyone take something from you they can't give back. You set the tone for the sexual relationship.

16) Feminie hygiene products — Where our daughters are concerned, we would be very happy sticking our fingers in our ears and saying "lalalalalalalala". Please respect our need to pretend they, and the reason for them, do not exist. The same goes for lacy underthings.

17) You were flawless the day you were born. If you must go get that first tattoo, please consider inviting your daddy to come and get his first tattoo with you.

18) You are perfect the way you roll out of bed. Let's be clear: all that crap you do to "get out the door" is for everyone else's benefit.

19) Though he may be smiling on the outside, when you leave for college your father is falling apart on the inside. Don't forget to call him that first night to tell him you love him.

20) Compare every single boy you ever meet to your daddy. Nobody will love you like he does.

New year

This post is 4 months overdue. :(

Year after year, there are news of children dying due to stray bullets during the New Year. Some of them playing, some watching the fireworks, some just sleeping in the presumed safety of their homes then BANG! Dead.

Senseless, yes. But it still happens! Why? Because some idiot (drunk or sober) thinks it's cool to go on bragging about their weapons and shooting in the air without any thought that what comes up definitely must come down.

It breaks my heart to see news like this, especially since I've become a mother. I dread the mere thought of losing you both, more so if it will be through something as sudden as this.

If you decide to become gun owners, though I strongly discourage this, may you be responsible.

If you personally know anyone who is a victim of stray bullets, may you show compassion and empathy, and pray for their strength and forgiveness.

I love you both.

Palm Sunday

This year, since Dad has survived his bout with GBS, he has agreed to join the church activities as an apostle.

This a list of many firsts for dad, and for me as well. Lolo and lola brought me and tito pancake pretty much inside the church and with Couples For Christ activities. But, usually during the Lenten season, we'd just stay at home and go to church only to hear the Easter mass.

As I've said, dad has agreed to become an apostle for our local parish in Pacita, the Sto. Rosario Parish Church. Here he is with the 11 other guys on the first time that they were all gathered together. This was before the Palm Sunday mass.

Remind Yourself That You’re A Saint Within

One day, a teacher asked her students in class to write the names of the other students on a piece of paper.  "And leave space between each name," she instructed.

       When they finished, the teacher said, "Underneath each name, I want you to write the good things you see in that person."  Immediately, the kids busied themselves with the task and took the whole class to finish it.

       The teacher took the papers home and collated the material.  On one piece of paper per child, she wrote all the positive qualities written by their classmates. 

       On the next class, she handed out the papers to the kids.  They were very happy to read the letters.  "Wow, am I really this person?" some of them gushed.

       Many, many years later, the teacher received a phone call.   One of her former students, who had become a soldier, was killed in battle.  Would she want to attend the funeral?

       She went and saw many of her former students condoling with the bereaved family.  As she stood beside the coffin, looking at the lifeless body of a young man in uniform inside, a middle-aged woman approached her.  "Are you my son's grade school teacher?"

       "Yes," she said, "you must be his mother.  My deepest condolences."

       "I'd like to show something to you," the mother said. "My son had this inside his wallet when he died."  She pulled out a worn-out piece of paper.  It was obvious that it had been folded and unfolded many times. 

Even before it was opened, the teacher already knew what it was.  It was the piece of paper that contained the list of positive qualities his classmates saw in him.  Kept and read all through the years.

       By that time, her other students had gathered around both of them.

       A young man beside the teacher said, "Uh, I carry mine wherever I go too."

       A woman from behind said, "I still keep mine.  It's in my diary."

       Another man said, "I display my list on my desk at home."

       Another woman said, "It seems like all of us kept that paper all these years!"

       The teacher was moved beyond words. 

       Why would a simple piece of paper mean so much?

       Because here's the truth: Life can be rough.  At various time, it can even be cruel.  Every time we fail, every time we receive criticism, every time we get rejected, we doubt our worth.  We doubt our goodness.

       We are very desperate for love.

       We need to love the saint within us.

       Friend, love yourself. 

       Each day, celebrate your positive qualities.  Celebrate your goodness.  Celebrate your beauty.

       Thank God for how wonderful He made you.

Love the sinner and the saint within.     

      

       May your dreams come true,

     I love you.

(Story from the Chicken Soup series)

Fwd: Kaye, God's Message For You Today, March 5, 2013

QUICK TO FORGIVE   Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" — Matthew 18:21   "Papa, I left my Gameboy inside the movie theater!" my son Jason said. It had been almost 10 minutes since we left the moviehouse. We ran back to the theater. The next batch of moviegoers were already filing in. I was anxious we wouldn't find his Gameboy anymore. We rushed to the place where we had been seated but we only saw empty seats. My emotions were shifting from anxiety to anger when Jason said, "Papa, please forgive me for losing my video game." I didn't know how to react. I just replied, "Don't worry, it's just a toy." Then, as if on queue, the maintenance man approached us and asked if we were looking for a video game. He told us to proceed to their office so we could claim it. Jesus teaches us to forgive repeatedly because God is always willing to forgive us. His concept of forgiveness is very different from ours. We are choosy about who to forgive while He forgives all who return to Him. While we take longer to pardon, God forgives immediately. God's great love for us will always surpass our sins, whether big or small. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)   Reflection: When you ask God for forgiveness, do you also remember to forgive those who have offended you?   Lord, when I'm tempted to withhold forgiveness, remind me that You forgive my sins even when I don't deserve it.   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ More notes from this e-mail: "Forgiveness is about making a choice to let go of the hurt that someone has done to us, and trying to restore the relationship that has been damaged.  Forgiveness is rarely easy or simple. It is usually complicated and messy, particularly if issues have been left to fester and grow bigger over time. Most people need some time to cool down before the decision to forgive can be properly addressed, but this should never be an excuse to keep delaying a decision, as the longer it takes to forgive, the more difficult it can become." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ May you bear no angst in your heart and be quick to forgive, especially when it involves your siblings. Love you both!

Fwd: Life Begins at 40 - Day 5 - Seeing Life from God's View

Forwarding this message from a series of spiritual e-mails I subscribed to. I now have a deeper understanding of dad's bout with GBS a few month's back. I understand now that it had been a test of faith and strength, and I'm glad that God has helped us get through with it.

May you never fail your tests in life. Be strong bubbas!

Your mum

Begin forwarded message:

From: LB at 40 - Feast Binan <feastbinancm@yahoo.com>
Date: February 21, 2013, 5:59:20 AM GMT+08:00
Subject: Life Begins at 40 - Day 5 - Seeing Life from God's View
Reply-To: LB at 40 - Feast Binan <feastbinancm@yahoo.com>

The way you see your life shapes your life. How you define life ... View this email in your browser Day 5 - Seeing Life from God's View   What is your life? James 4:14b (NIV)   We don't see things as they are,  we see them as we are.  Anais Nin The way you see your life shapes your life. How you define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships. One of the best ways to understand other people is to ask them, "How do you see your life?" You will discover that there are as many different answers to that question as there are people. I've been told life is a circus, a minefield, a roller coaster, a puzzle, a symphony, a journey, and a dance. People have said, "Life is a carousel: Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down, and sometimes you just go round and round" or "life is a ten-speed bicycle with gears we never use" or "life is a game of cards: You have to play the hand you are dealt." If I asked how you picture life, what image would come to your mind? That image is yourlife metaphor. It's the view of life that you hold, consciously or unconsciously, in your mind. It's your description of how life works and what you expect from it. People often express their life metaphors through clothes, jewelry, cars, hairstyles, bumper stickers, even tattoos. Your unspoken life metaphor influences your life more than you realize. It determines your expectations, your values, your relationships, your goals, and your priorities. For instance, if you think life is a party, your primary value in life will be having fun. If you see life as a race, you will value speed and will probably be in a hurry much of the time. If you view life as a marathon, you will value endurance. If you see life as a battle or a game, winning will be very important to you. What is your view of life? You may be basing your life on a faulty life metaphor. To fulfill the purposes God made you for, you will have to challenge conventional wisdom and replace it with the biblical metaphors of life. The Bible says, "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.' The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God's view of life: Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment. These ideas are the foundation of purpose-driven living. We will look at the first two in this chapter and the third one in the next. Life on earth is a Test. This life metaphor is seen in stories throughout the Bible. God continually tests people's character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Words like trials, temptations, refining, and testing occur more than 200 times in the Bible. God tested Abraham by asking him to offer his son Isaac. God tested Jacob when he had to work extra years to earn Rachel as his wife. Adam and Eve failed their test in the Garden of Eden, and David failed his tests from God on several occasions. But the Bible also gives us many examples of people who passed a great test, such as Joseph, Ruth, Esther, and Daniel. Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test. You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather! He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you're polite toward a clerk or waitress. We don't know all the tests God will give you, but we can predict some of them, based on the Bible. You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies. In my own life I have noticed that God tests my faith through problems, tests my hope by how I handle possessions, and tests my love through people. A very important test is how you act when you can't feel God's presence in your life. Sometimes God intentionally draws back, and we don't sense his closeness. A king named Hezekiah experienced this test. The Bible says, "God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart." Hezekiah had enjoyed a close fellowship with God, but at a crucial point in his life God left him alone to test his character, to reveal a weakness, and to prepare him for more responsibility. When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God. Some tests seem overwhelming, while others you don't even notice. But all of them have eternal implications. Character is both developed  and revealed by tests,  and all of life is a test. The good news is that God wants you to pass the tests of life, so he never allows the tests you face to be greater than the grace he gives you to handle them. The Bible says, "God keeps his  promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you  are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out." Every time you pass a test, God notices and makes plans to reward you in eternity. James says, `Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the  crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Life on earth is a Trust. This is the second biblical metaphor of life. Our time on earth and our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from God that he has entrusted to our care and management. We are stewards of whatever God gives us. This concept of stewardship begins with the recognition that God is the owner of everything and everyone on earth. The Bible says, "The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD; the earth and all who live on it are his." We never really own anything during our brief stay on earth. God just loans the earth to us while we're here. It was God's property before you arrived, and God will loan it to someone else after you die. You just get to enjoy it for a while. When God created Adam and Eve, he entrusted the care of his creation to them and appointed them trustees of his property. The Bible says, "[God] blessed them, and said, `Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge."' The first job God gave humans was to manage and take care of God's "stuff" on earth. This role has never been rescinded. It is a part of our purpose today. Everything we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. The Bible says, "What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished  something on your own?"' Years ago, a couple let my wife and me use their beautiful, beach-front home in Hawaii for a vacation. It was an experience we could never have afforded, and we enjoyed it immensely. We were told, "Use it just like it's yours," so we did! We swam in the pool, ate the food in the refrigerator, used the bath towels and dishes, and even jumped on the beds in fun! But we knew all along that it wasn't really ours, so we took special care of everything. We enjoyed the benefits of using the home without owning it. Our culture says, "If you don't own it, you won't take care of it." But Christians live by a higher standard: "Because God owns it, I must take the best care of it that I can." The Bible says, "Those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.' Jesus often referred to life as a trust and told many stories to illustrate this responsibility toward God. In the story of the talents, a businessman entrusts his wealth to the care of his servants while he's away. When he returns, he evaluates each servant's responsibility and rewards them accordingly. The owner says, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things;  I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." At the end of your life on earth you will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well you handled what God entrusted to you. That means everything you do, even simple daily chores, has eternal implications. If you treat everything as a trust, God promises three rewards in eternity. First, you will be given God's affirmation: He will say, "Good job!Well done!" Next, you will receive a promotion and be given greater responsibility in eternity: "I will put you in charge of many things." Then you will be honored with a celebration: "Come and share your Master's happiness." The more God gives you,  the more responsible he  expects you to be. Most people fail to realize that money is both a test and a trust from God. God uses finances to teach us to trust him, and for many people, money is the greatest test of all. God watches how we use money to test how trustworthy we are. The Bible says, "If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?" This is a very important truth. God says there is a direct relationship between how I use my money and the quality of my spiritual life. How I manage my money ("worldly wealth") determines how much God can trust me with spiritual blessings ("true riches"). Let me ask you: Is the way you manage your money preventing God from doing more in your life? Can you be trusted with spiritual riches? Jesus said, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the  one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.'Life is a test and a trust, and the more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.   DAY FIVE  THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE    Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust. Verse to Remember: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones." Luke I6:l0a (NLT) Question to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?   Download Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll1qsoaxl35dacp/pdl-chapter5.pdf   Copyright © 2013 The Feast Binan-CM, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to join us in this 40-day retreat. Our mailing address is: The Feast Binan-CM The Feast Binan-CM Center 3F Central Mall Binan 4024 Philippines Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

The Big Difference

 

"Remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented." – Luke 16:25

 

A man went to the slums riding a sleek, lowered-chassis, latest model Mercedes Benz. One boy, who recognized him, boldly asked, "Can you take me for a ride in your car?"

Perfect! This was just the situation the man had been waiting for to top his bragging expedition. Before he could even answer, the boy ran away then returned with his polio-stricken brother on his back. They both quickly hopped in.

"Where did this car come from?" the boy wondered. "I have an extremely wealthy employer and he bought this car for me," the man replied.

"Cool!" the boy said. He then closed his eyes, and was silent in prayer for a minute. When the boy opened his eyes, the man asked, "Did you pray that you may become like me and have a nice car like this?"

"No," said the boy, "I prayed that I be like your boss, so I could give this kind of car to my brother."

You don't have to wonder who among the two enjoys the heaven of sleeping soundly at night, relishing simple joys, savoring the warm embraces of love.

The rich man in the Gospel is in hell not because he is rich but because he didn't love. Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Do you want a dose of heaven now? Love the Lazarus that God puts in your path today.

 

Lord, let me recognize the Lazarus You are putting in my path today.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What practices and traditions of charity have you been doing as part of your Lenten observance? What more can you do, given your blessings? Who are the needy persons whom the Lord calls you to minister to?

 

Grant me a compassionate heart, Lord, that I may always respond to the needy around me.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[from mommy] Remember, Kids, that in Luke 12:48, it says that to whom much is given, much is expected. May you have a generous heart.  I love you both!

Mamma Mia

She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom." – Matthew 20:20-21

 

According to a research by Prof. G. Turner, intelligent men owe their brains to their mothers. Genes associated with intelligence are found on the X chromosome, the one which men inherit from their mothers. Thus, the gene, whether an intelligent one or not, can be inherited by the son from her, determining his basic intelligence, character and looks. The professor concludes that if a man wants smart sons, his best bet is to marry a smart woman.

The mother of James and John may seem to be a pushy or ambitious woman by asking Jesus to give her sons prestigious positions, but she must have done something right in producing two "sons of thunder," who are known in history as two of the 12 Apostles and one of the four Gospel writers.

To all mothers out there (including dads, too), may your influence in your children's lives be one that will leave a positive impact. May our children be the living testimony of the kind of parent we are. Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

 

Reflection: The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother. (Napoleon Bonaparte)

 

Lord, when You behold my children, may I hear from Your lips, "Well done, my faithful servant!" 

[mommy: Ayos na prayer no? My thoughts exactly! I know you will make me proud in front of the Lord]

Be Forgiving

Reflection: Are you harboring ill feelings at the moment? Lift them up to God.

To love like You, to be forgiving like You, this I pray today, O God. Amen.

  

+++++++++++++++++

I know I am guilty of being quick to express my anger, most of the time without regard for whatever comes out of my mouth. Please pray for me. Love you both.

Faith

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How comfortable, trusting and at home are you with God as the "Unseen Father"? What are your most cherished experiences of His goodness? Are you a doer in faith, or are you one who waits in faith?

Increase my faith, Lord, not only as I wait, but as I follow You in moments of darkness.

God and Our Past

We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it. God's purpose is not limited by your past. He turned a murderer named Moses into a leader and a coward named Gideon into a courageous hero, and he can do amazing things with the rest of your life, too. God specializes in giving people a fresh start. The Bible says, "What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! ... What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record."

Confess

Reflection: Have you sinned? Failed? Made mistakes? Confess. Get back up. Move on. His love is greater. Lord, thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Thank You for Your love that never ends.

From C.S.Lewis

C. S. Lewis said, "There are two kinds of people: those who say to God 'Thy will be done' and those to whom God says, 'All right then, have it your way.' " Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without him here on earth.

You Are Not an Accident

<by Russell Kelfer> You are who you are for a reason. You're part of an intricate plan. You're a precious and perfect unique design, Called God's special woman or man. You look like you look for a reason. Our God made no mistake. He knit you together within the womb, You're just what he wanted to make. The parents you had were the ones he chose, And no matter how you may feel, They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind, And they bear the Master's seal. No, that trauma you faced was not easy. And God wept that it hurt you so; But it was allowed to shape your heart So that into his likeness you'd grow. You are who you are for a reason, You've been formed by the Master's rod. You are who you are, beloved, Because there is a God!"

Anger Management

Admittedly, I need to work on managing my emotions, especially anger. Please forgive me when I fail to count to 10.

Love, your mum.

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ANGER MANAGEMENT Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. – Leviticus 19:18                                         Phinehas Gage was a capable and efficient railroad construction foreman. But in 1848, he had a freak accident where a rod pierced through his skull above his left eye. His recovery was miraculous but the damage to the front lobe of his brain caused Gage to be angry, short-tempered and unsteady. Many point to his case in illustrating the role that our frontal lobe plays in controlling our anger. Scientists say that this part balances the amygdala, the portion of our brain dealing with our emotions that goes crazy when we're angry. This whole balancing act can take as little as two seconds to control our anger. That's why there's great wisdom in counting to 10 before reacting when we're infuriated. God has equipped our bodies with systems to control our emotions. We don't need to be a slave to our feelings; instead, we can be their master. But more than the physiological mechanisms He has built into us, God also gives us His power to bear the fruits of patience and temperance. So the next time you feel like bursting with rage, remember: God has already given you what you need to control your anger. Then start counting to 10. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com) Reflection: For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Jesus, teach me to master my emotions. Amen. Blessed John of Fiesole, pray for us.

From Bo Sanchez: Discover What You Really Need

Have you heard of the great Houdini?

As a young boy, I loved reading about him.  Houdini was probably the most famous escape artist in the world.  I'm not sure if the story I'm about to tell you is part legend and part history, but I find it utterly fascinating. 

Houdini boasted he could escape any jail cell in less than an hour.  One day, a small town in the British Isles built a new jail cell and they were proud of it.  "Come give us a try," they said to Houdini, and he agreed. 

He walked into the prison cell bristling with confidence.  After all, he had done this hundreds of times before.

Once the jail cell was closed, Houdini took off his coat and went to work.  From his belt, he got a flexible but tough ten-inch piece of steel.  He knelt in front of the door and started working on the lock.

At the end of 30 minutes, his confident expression had disappeared. 

At the end of an hour, he was drenched with perspiration. 

After two hours and totally exhausted, Houdini literally collapsed against the door.  And the force of his weight was enough to push the door open!

       Because in reality, the door had never been locked.

       It was locked only in one place: In his own mind.

       Which meant only one thing.  It was firmly locked.

       Because whatever your mind says is locked—is locked. 

Even if it isn't…

You Can Be Free!

       Friend, you can get rid of your bad habits.

       You can be free from your addictions.

       The Bible says, you have been called to live in freedom.(Galatians 5:13)

       I should know.  For years, I was addicted to pornography and sexual fantasies.  Yes, even as I was serving God and preaching.  Like Houdini, I tinkered with the "lock" of my jail cell and lost hope because I couldn't unlock the door.  (For my full story, read my book, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future.)

       One day, I had a powerful realization.  I discovered that the door wasn't locked—except in my mind.  I realized that at any time, I could push hard and the door would swing open—and I could simply walk out.  And stay out!

       And that's what I did.

       My friend, you can get rid of your addictions.

       Here's the truth: 70% of people get rid of their own addictions on their own.  You see, there is no ONE singular way to get out of an addiction. There are many ways to get rid of your destructive bad habits. (We will examine all these ways in the next few weeks.)

Why Do We Have Addictions Anyway?

From a superficial perspective, addictions provide an escape so you won't feel your painful feelings.

       And what are these painful feelings?

·      Hurt: "I feel rejected."

·      Depression: "I feel low"; "I feel old"; "I feel ugly"; "I feel fat"

·      Despair: "I feel my life is meaningless"

·      Guilt: "I feel I'm bad"; "I feel I can't meet the needs of my husband/kids"

·      Anxiety: "I feel worried that bad things will happen"

·      Fear: "I feel afraid that I will get hurt"

·      Hate: "I feel angry at myself"; "I feel angry at others"

·      Shame: "I feel I'm not worthy to even exist"

Let me share to you my own personal experience.

For years, the predominant feeling that ruled my life was SHAME.  But I didn't know it was shame.  I got so used to this feeling, I thought it was part of life.  I would wake up with this "bad" feeling already.  All I knew was that I felt extremely sad.  And my thoughts were always about my mistakes—real and imagined.  Like a guy who only played one DVD in his DVD player, and did nothing else except press the "rewind" button, I simply paraded my past mistakes before me.  And then I'd imagine how this person doesn't like me, how that person is angry with me, how this person is rejecting me.  And I would feel "it" in my gut.  It was my constant companion, never leaving me.

Years later, I finally identified what I felt.

I was ashamed that I existed.  I was ashamed that I was alive.

Can you imagine waking up each morning with this feeling?

That was my life.

And so to escape my shame, I drowned myself in testosterone.  I got into Porn.  At least, these girls were smiling and disrobing to me.  They must like me.  My sexual fantasies were the same—these women were attracted to me.

For a moment, my shame disappeared.

But, after indulging in porn and masturbating, my shame deepened.

       How could I, a servant of God, do such a thing?

       But I kept doing it for years.

I threw myself into work—work that would make the world like me.  My approval addiction was even more powerful than my sex addiction.

       But twenty years ago, I took my first steps towards healing.  It was a long journey.

What Is Your Core Need?

At the bottom of all addictions is this statement: "I don't love myself."

       At the core of an addict's heart is an empty Love Tank.

       Every addiction is a hunger for love.

       He doesn't like himself.

       He doesn't value himself.

       He doesn't love himself.

       That is why I believe that only love can heal an addiction.

Walk Towards Your Freedom Now

       For the longest time, you've been in a prison cell.

       You're tired.  You're desperate.

       You've been tinkering with that impossible lock on the door.

       But in reality, there is no lock.

       You think there's a lock, but there's none.

       You've been deceived.  Cheated.

       The lock is in your mind, not in the door. 

What is that lock in your mind?

I call it your "homing instinct".  That means an unconscious part of you would like to stay in that dirty prison because you've become used to it.  It's been your home for years.  Something within you—the defeated you, the failed you, the unloved you—wants to go back to that dungeon.  A part of you feels that's what you deserve.  This drive within you is called the "homing" instinct.  Hurting people recreate their home, no matter how painful those homes were.

       But as you fill up your Love Tank, as you value yourself more and as you receive love from God and others, you realize that you deserve a new home.  You realize that you don't belong there anymore.  With a full Love Tank, your "homing" instinct no longer drives you to your past home.  Instead, it drives you to your future home.  You begin to develop a "vision" instinct.

     

       I remain your friend,

       Bo Sanchez