Thursday, December 31, 2009

Welcome 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I spent the last few hours of 2009 with my two sons and daughter-in-law at the 11th floor of the Medical City Hospital where my son underwent his operation. Although my son is in post operation pain, the brighter side is that we greeted New Year overlooking Valle Verde, a posh subdivision in the metropolis, and we could see the beautiful fireworks unhindered by tall buildings because we’re considerably higher in altitude.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Power of Prayer


Yesterday was my son’s operation of his right knee, for the sports injury he suffered 12 years ago. He was taken to surgery at 7:00 a.m. and was released to recuperating room at 3:20 p.m. and was released from the said room to his assigned room in the hospital at 8:00 p.m.

Imagine the length of time to finish a surgery of this kind, which is a combination of arthroscopic and opening of the affected area. According to the doctors, an orthopedic surgeon and an oncologist, only 90% of the abnormal growth was taken out.

The findings? pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), and the examination of frozen section (growth taken out of the knee) will take six weeks to finish.

I was at peace during and after the operation. No worries, I completed my novena
in nine Perpetual Adoration Chapels (PEA) last December 24. I was confident that the hands of the Lord were there during the operation.

I would like to thank the people who offered their prayers for him. Thank you Lord Jesus and Mama Mary!

Monday, December 28, 2009

My Thoughts: Bo Sanchez on Making 2010 Your Financial Breakthrough Year

Follow this link:
My Thoughts: Bo Sanchez on Making 2010 Your Financial Breakthrough Year

Bo Sanchez on Making 2010 Your Financial Breakthrough Year




Follow the advice of Bo Sanchez on "Make 2010 Your Financial Breakthrough Year" in the link below.

Most of us are hoping that the new year will be a better year, an abundant one, a
windfall one. Don't lose hope. Learn from Bo Sanchez.

"BO SANCHEZ"

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Nightmare


Have you experienced a seeming nightmare, when you are in the light level of sleep? You suddenly become awake, but you can’t move not even your fingers nor open your eyes? Your mind is alert, but you can see with you your mind’s eyes, not the physical eyes.

In my case, when this started to happen, I could feel as if someone was beside me, a dark spirit. I used to have this experience two or four times a month. It was frightening. Some attribute this to going to bed with a full stomach, causing the “bangungot” or nightmare and some attribute it to pancreatitis.

When this happened (the nightmare), I would try to move my big toe, and once moved, the nightmare would go away. This had been going since I stepped into adulthood.

Just six months ago, when this “nightmare” occurred, I prayed “In the name of Jesus, get out!” It happened three more times since I started this prayer. What I did is to ask for protection from the Lord Jesus to cover me with his mantle of protection before I go to bed. Since then, I had no more visitations from the dark forces.

Is it medical or spiritual?

Friday, December 25, 2009

Mama Mary's Apparition in Egypt



I can't wait to have this published, the apparition of the blessed Virgin Mary in Egypt

The Blessed Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of True Light Warraq el-Hadar is a small island in greater Cairo's Nile river (Giza governorate, part of Greater Cairo). It is a poor district. More than 200,000 (Christians and Muslims) have so far witnessed the December 2009 apparitions on the domes of Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in El-Warraq (as at 22 December 2009). Apparition lights in the night sky could also be seen several kilometers away from the church. People used their mobile phones to make videos of the apparitions and share them via Bluetooth and on YouTube. The full silhouette of the Blessed Holy Virgin Mary dressed in light blue gown could be clearly seen over the domes of the church between the church crosses. The apparitions also received wide media coverage in Egyptian newspapers and Arabic TV channels. The apparitions started in the Coptic month of Kiahk (December 2009), the Marian month/Nativity Fast in the Coptic Calendar. During this month the Coptic Church celebrates a special Midnight Praise dedicated to the Holy Virgin and the Incarnation.

Statement from Giza Coptic Orthodox Bishopric

In the era of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and Anba Dumadius, Archbishop of Giza

The Bishopric of Giza announces that the Holy Virgin has appeared in a transfiguration at the Church named after her in Warraq al-Hadar, Giza, in the early hours of Friday 11 December 2009 at 1:00am. The Holy Virgin appeared in her full height in luminous robes, above the middle dome of the church, in pure white dress and a royal blue belt. She had a crown on her head, above which appeared the cross on top of the dome. The crosses on top of the church’s domes and towers glowed brightly with light. The Holy Virgin moved between the domes and on to the top of the church gate between its two twin towers. The local residents all saw her.
The apparition lasted from 1:00am till 4:00am on Friday, and was registered by cameras and cell phones. Some 3,000 people from the neighbourhood, surrounding areas, and passers-by gathered in the street in front of the church to see the apparition.

Since Friday, the huge crowds gathered in the vicinity of the church have been seeing luminous white pigeons soaring above the church during various times of the night, as well as a star which emerges suddenly in the heaven, travels some 200 metres across, then disappears. The huge crowds gathered around the church do not cease singing hymns and praises for the Holy Virgin.

This is a great blessing for the Church and for all the people of Egypt.
May her blessing and intercession benefit us all.

Signed
Anba Theodosius
Bishop-General of Giza

TLIG Christmas greetings & our Lord's Messages


Christmas Greetings!

I am following the messages of the Lord through tlig.org. Here's an important message and tlig's christmas greetings.

March 25 1996:
"creation, this Great Sign (17) in heaven, the Woman adorned with the Sun that holds the demons paralysed with fear, this Great Sign that illuminates the heavens terrifying the Darkness (18) is none other than My Mother; in contrast to the darkness I raised this Most Holy Virgin to be for all of you a Pillar of blazing fire by night to guide your step, and by day a Sun to illuminate your dreadful gloom;
- that day I was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Her virginal Womb, all the demons were paralysed with fright while in heaven at the same time a great throng of the heavenly host were praising God and singing:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy His favour;"
thus, I descended from heaven to heaven, from My throne to My throne ....
yes, where every virtue was blossoming, ravishing My Sacred Heart by the fragrance of Her perfect Love; My Perfect One's Heart is unrivalled and altogether lovable ... Her Heart, since Her Immaculate Conception was an incessant prayer, an atoning incense, an incessant adoration for God; this is My Vineyard (19) whom My Father's powerful Hand cultivated so that the True Vine puts His root in that soil;
come to the Heart of your Blessed Mother, which is as bright as day, come and receive Her graces, which are so innumerable, and that flash in rays from Her Hands; My Heart, which is full of grace and truth was made flesh in the Virginal Womb full of grace and truth; and now, Our Two Hearts, joined in One, will conquer Bitter Plague, not by physical strength nor by force of arms, but by love and sacrifice

Apparitions of the Virgin Mary
Taking Place Now in Egypt

Several times in the messages Jesus tells us he is "sending His Mother" to prepare us and here is one example:

http://tlig.org/en/messages/562/

Let My Imperial Court Prepare For Me My Way
I Am Sending You Before Me My Mother
- tell Me, when a king enters into a city, will there be no preparations to receive him? the whole city will be in turmoil and the king will send before him his elect and his imperial court to prepare a way for him and make his paths straight; he will send his messengers to announce his coming; he will ask them to shout with a loud voice: "here is your King, your King is coming with His Heart in His Hand to offer It to you! Mercy now leans down from heaven and from His Throne; He has taken pity on you;"
this is why, before My Return, I am sending you, before Me, the Ark of Alliance, I am sending you the Woman of the Apocalypse, the second Eve, who will crush the serpent's head with her heel; I am sending you, before Me: My Mother, to open a broad highway and level it in this desert; I am sending you the Queen of Heaven, the Door to Heaven, to prepare you, and to school all you who still lie in the dust, to come forward and make your peace with Me, your King, before My Great Return; I am sending you the Queen of Peace to thresh from one corner of the earth to the other and gather you one by one;
I am sending you, before My Great Return, My servants the prophets, to remind you of My Law and to turn you back from your evil ways and live holy, and announce to you events before they take place;
I am sending you My angels to remind you of My Holiness, My Magnificence and My Splendour; I am sending you My mouthpieces to shout and proclaim on the rooftops of your houses the Wedding of My Holy Spirit; I will not grow weary of calling you to wed Me; I will not get discouraged by your hostility nor by your aridity;
I will be in pursuit of your heart and like a young man marrying a virgin, the One whom you wounded all along will wed you; and I, in My Love, shall make you replace the Thorns encircling My Heart, by a flowered Wreath; and like a bridegroom wearing his wedding wreath, I too shall wear it, because this wreath will be My Wreath of Victory; this will be the Prize of My Mercy ...
You can view a compendium of videos of the apparitions at this link:

http://zeitun-eg.org/warraq.htm

As we celebrate Christmas, these current events are an inspiration in our
devotions, prayers and thanksgivings.



Our Lord Jesus places a great value to His mother, the Virgin Mary, and our mother.
She brings her closer to Jesus.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Mayon Volcano Nearing a very big eruption


This a reproduction of the news dated Dec 23, by Rey M. Nasol of the Inquirer |Southern Luzon, As shown in the picture provided by the Daily Inquirer, the eruption is very alarming. It is seen that a big explosion is coming, especially if the volcano emits a chocolate colored mass of ash.

Be careful, people who refuse to leave their place of residence which is within the danger area. We can only pray for all the people that are affected. PRAY for the help of our Lord Jesus.

Mayon shoots ash column, major eruption nears—Phivolcs

LEGAZPI CITY – (UPDATE) Alert level 5 could be declared any time on Mayon Volcano but volcanologists are waiting for one important sign – a chocolate-colored mass of ash colHe said a team of scientists would be fielded to verify the reports and find the cause as this was part of the physical observations similar to the uneasy behavior of animals confirmed in July when alert level 2 was raised.
Laguerta said an estimated 20 million cubic meters of ash and lava have reached the five-kilometer downslope while fine “irritating” ashes have reached as far as the town of Polangui but mainly affected the towns of Guinobatan and Camalig.
He clarified that in past eruptions Mayon deposited from at least 50 million cubic meters to as high as 150 million cubic meters of volcanic material depending on the intensity of the explosions.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said that during the past 24-hours, seismic activity remained high with a total of 1,059 volcanic earthquakes detected, many of which were at maximum deflection, while harmonic tremors were still continuously being recorded.
The sulfur dioxide emission rate remained elevated and was measured at an average of 6,737 tons per day from Tuesday to early morning Wednesday
umn shooting straight up into the air as high as 10-15 kilometers from the crater.
“Parameters are high until now and the intensifying activity might force us to raise the alert level to its highest level but it would happen only when Mayon shoots a straight ash column containing pyroclastic materials and molten, burning rocks as big as houses or buses from its crater, accompanied by intense rumbling and jittering of the ground felt as far as this city,” said resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has been verifying reports on the drying up of wells in the villages of Maninila, Mabalod, Masarawag in Guinobatan town, located along the western part of Mayon, and in Barangay (village) Buang, Tabaco City on the northeastern side.
During cloud breaks, a total of 66 ash explosions were observed and the maximum height attained was about one kilometer at 4:21 p.m. on Tuesday, the Phivolcs added.
Audible booming and rumbling sounds were still intermittently heard as red hot lava continued to flow down along the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi, and Lidong gullies.
The lava front has reached about five kms downslope from the summit along the Bonga-Buyuan gully, said Phivolcs.
Phivolcs reiterated that the extended danger zone from the summit or eight kms on the southern sector of the volcano and seven kms on the northern sector should be free from human activity.
The Philippine Army and Philippine National Police Task Force Mayon have been conducting a census of the population who kept on coming back to their houses despite the very abnormal condition of the volcano.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, a total of 47,137 persons belonging to 9,880 families from 32 villages are currently in evacuation centers, said Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police spokesman.
Affected towns and cities include Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi City, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, Ligao City and Guinobatan, all of Albay.
"Eruption [is] possible within days," Espina said.
He added that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was expected to visit the evacuees this afternoon.
For 42-year-old taxi operator Narciso Marama, Mayon's rumblings have been both a blessing and a curse. Mayon has for years attracted tourists to the province, but it has also caused misery for his family.
"They may have snowfall in other parts of the world, but here, we have ash fall," the father of four told Agence France-Presse. "It's a white Christmas for us too, but this is ash, and we have to wear face masks."
He said relatives from inside the no-go zone have joined tens of thousands in temporary shelters. His own family however remains just on the edge of the danger zone, and have not been moved.
"But if there is a huge eruption, we may also be forced to leave," he said. "I can still remember the devastation three years ago."
When Mayon last erupted in 2006 it oozed lava and vented steam and ash for two months. No one died directly from the eruption, but a powerful typhoon three months
later dislodged tons of debris that had collected on its slopes, burying entire towns and killing over 1,000 people.
Marama's house was among those crushed in the mudslide, but no family members were killed.
"We lost everything we owned and had to rebuild from scratch," Marama said. "I still have nightmares from that incident. I am praying that no one is killed this time."
Provincial governor Joey Salceda said resources were fast being strained and declared the area "open season for aid."
"They [aid agencies] don't need to come to my office to deliver aid anymore, they can go direct to the center," he said.
Initial deliveries of food, blankets, medicines, water, face masks and toys and school supplies for the children have been distributed, and local policemen with Santa hats have been trying to cheer the crowd with carols.
With reports from Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net; AFP

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Mayon Volcano Eruption


Mayon Volcano Eruption

Mayon Volcano, in Albay, Southern part of Luzon island in the Philippines, is known for its perfect cone, has registered 2,000 tremors. It is spewing ash and the lava is rising. One can hear booming and rumblings from the volcano. Code blue level was already raised in the area. This means that the medical personnel should be on duty round the clock. People are advised to wear mask to protect them from any respiratory ailment.

People within the six-kilometer area of the volcano are being evacuated. Unfortunately there are are some who refused to leave their residence. For their refusal to be evacuated, they have to sign a waiver that the government will not be responsible for any untoward event in their lives.

Albay City has been declared an open city so that aids from different sectors can easily come in.

.

.

Monday, December 21, 2009

What's your Passion?

Bored? It would be nice if we have the opportunity of doing the things we love to do, we "work and play. Let's hear from one of my favorite writers:

I am an avid reader, constantly in pursuit of wisdom. Throughout my life I have learned there are millions and millions of things on which to become an expert.

I love asking patients what they do for a living because their answers are so diverse, and in many ways, each patient is an expert in their field of work. I am always fascinated by the variety of professions there are in the world. If it was possible, you could spend hundreds of lifetimes learning each profession.

I guess that's why I have a hard time understanding when people tell me they are bored. Bored? Seriously? Instead of being bored, why not take up learning something new? You could spend an entire life devoted to astronomy and then spend another life committed to becoming an expert on literature. You could spend decades studying history and then switch to physics. It goes on and on.

Recently I had a patient whose profession was purchasing fire hydrants for the city. I hadn't even realized there was a career devoted to purchasing fire hydrants until I met him.

No matter what field you choose to become an expert in, you choose it because it helps you fulfill a bigger life picture. But in order for you to truly feel successful, there are four areas I believe you have to become an expert at in your own life. These four areas are the common thread that ties each of our lives together, regardless of our hobbies, family, interests and careers. Like the legs on a table, if one of the four is missing, your life will fall.

The four areas are:

1. Health:
When you are sick, that feeling trumps everything else, so you must become an expert on your personal health. Becoming an expert on health does not mean you need to become a medical professional, but it does mean you need to be able to make wise and informed decisions about your and your family's health. If you haven't done so already, start by creating a personal health plan.

2. Wealth:
We live in a world where money is used as a means of exchange. We are judged on our financial statements, our credit scores, our bank accounts, etc... While the system may not be perfect, it is imperative that you become an expert on your own wealth if you want to live a truly fulfilled life. Unfortunately, becoming a wealth expert is not something taught in schools. So it is up to you to develop a wealth plan for you and your family.

3. Relationships:
What good would it do you to be healthy and rich if you had no one to share it with? The most fulfilling and devastating things in our lives often have to do with our relationships with others.

We are reminded of this every year in December when Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is brought to life on stages and TV screens across the globe. Through Ebenezer Scrooge, the audience sees how pitiful and worthless life can be without good relationships, even when a person has accumulated great wealth.

It is imperative that you become an expert on managing relationships if you want to feel successful. Learn how to surround yourself with an inner circle of good friends. In business, surround yourself with colleagues and partners you can rely on, especially in tough times.

4. Inner Peace:
You must have a plan for building your character, your spirit, and your self-worth. To do this, you must have a clear understanding of where you come from, why you are here, and where you are going. Many people master the first three areas of their life, but they never truly feel fulfilled because they do not understand their life's purpose.

For some people, finding inner-peace comes through devotion to a religion. For others, it comes through inner-soul searching. And for some, it is a combination of both. Whatever it is for you, I encourage you to become an expert on self-improvement, spirituality and character building.

When I think about how important it is to improve this area of my life, I am often reminded of the wisdom business philosopher Jim Rohn once shared. He said, "Work harder on yourself than you do on your job."

Now you have my list of the four things I believe everyone must become an expert at in order to have a fulfilled life. You can become experts in many other things if you choose, and I encourage you to do so, but I think if you ignore any of these four areas of life, you will not feel complete.

Dr. Tim’s Link Dr. Tim’s blog

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102891496778&s=700&e=001k-u41imSsO5Y_oesOtjDUGVQ2r2BlUktBwKRFRRGurMhCMIvdSGR4gigqZvtDgDXmxd0MWddGUWFA-rfxg6OhO_1QKJunp-Ml4rUMYdR7C7fAWAdQzhrGOAzlVZyLAzr

Visit also this site:

The Three O'clock Habit

I have been praying unceasingly for the healing of my son’s knee, without undergoing surgery. He had injury to his knee while watching a basketball game in high school 12 years ago. He underwent “hilot”, or massaging the affected area. He developed a lump that would not go away. This has been bothering him for quite sometime. If he had a misstep, the knee would get feverish and he would not be able to walk for at least three days.
After two MRIs, it was found found that he has a tumor which could be brought about by synovial chondromatosis. TB synovitis or pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) . He has to go into surgery for an exploration, not sure what causes it.

If we look at it, this is another tragedy in one’s life, but God has His Way that we cannot understand, but I have faith in our God.
If you believe in the power of prayer, please say the The Three O’clock Habit for your personal intention and for the healing of my son.

The Three O'clock Prayer

You died Jesus, but the source of light flowed out for souls
And the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world
O Fountain of Light immeasurable Divine Mercy,
cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon the whole world
O Blood and Water,which flowed out from the Heart of Jesus
as a Fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in you.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us,
and of the whole world 3x Amen
Jesus King of Mercy, I trust in You.
I am also seeking another opinion from other physicians or other health practitioners.

Thank you and God bless you!

Visit the following sites:
http://timreynoldsmd.com/
doc-rbnavarro.net/
jonherring.com

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy, a beautiful and talented actress/singer succumbs to heart attack at a very young age 32. I can still remember the movie Clueless where she was a member of the cast.

Our life is too short. Are we ready to face the Lord? It maybe today, tomorrow, next week, next year or a decade or century later. We have to account for our deeds, whether it is gray, black or rosy. Do we follow His precepts? God is looking for the lost people, those who are still in darkness. He is a loving and merciful God. He gave us His free will. We only have to acknowledge and ask Him for help and He will be there. He answers our prayers immediately, at times we have to wait for our own good. It is difficult to understand God’s way. We have to put our trust in Him. Let His will be done in our lives.

Let’s offer our prayer to our loved ones, the dying, and to Brittany Murphy by praying the Three O’oclock Habit below:

You died Jesus but the source of light flowed out for souls
and the ocean of mercy flowed out for souls.
O Fountain of Light, immeasurable Divine Mercy, cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water which flowed out from the heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Holy God, Holy Might One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and of the whole world (3x)

Jesus, King Mercy, I trust in You.


My condolences to the family of Brittany Murphy.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Generosity Filipino Style

I was deeply touched by Sasha Dichter’s blog on “Generosity experiment” so I would like to post it here. You can also see the comments it has generated.
What about us, Filipinos, at least in the Philippines, what do you say, give or not give? And what do you observe about the other people’s reaction to panhandlers, organized private charities, the Church.

Generosity experiment by Sasha Dichter

On the subway today, a man was asking for donations so he could buy food, sandwiches, deodorant, even hand sanitizer to give for free to homeless people. He had lived on the street two decades ago, he said, and now does this part time to give back, in addition to a part time job he holds.
I have absolutely no idea if this is true, but I was skeptical. I, along with everyone else in my car, got off the train without giving him any money. Right after I got off the train I knew I had done the wrong thing. It just didn’t feel right.
Most of the time I don’t give to people on the street. It seems to make sense, rationally, not to give most of of the time — and instead to give to great organizations that are doing things for the homeless. Perhaps, but it’s easy to take this too far.
Giving is an act of self-expression, and generosity is a practice. Each time I decide not to give, I’m reinforcing a way of acting – one that’s critical and analytical and judgmental.
You may not be like this at all. You may consistently act from the heart first and not the head. Good for you. More often than not, I don’t, though it’s something I’m working to change.
So I’ve been thinking that I need to try a generosity experiment: for a period of time, when I’m asked to give, to say yes. To everything. To emails and people on the street and friends raising money. Everyone. I think it will be good practice.
What do people think? Does this make sense? [sic]

Here are some of the comments from this blog:

Jeff Raderstrong '09 http://changecharity.blogspot.com
December 9, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I think being generous as a practice is a wonderful thing, be it personal, professional, or casual, but we have to remember who is being helped by our giving. I feel like its irrelevant what we learn about ourselves through giving when looking at the broader goal in mind, i.e., helping others. If our donation to the homeless man on the street could have been better used at an organization that provides services to the homeless, then our money should go there. If it is actually better spent by giving it to the homeless person, then it should go there. But determining that takes discernment and thought, and not indiscriminate generosity.

Sean Stannard-Stockton http://www.tacticalphilathrophy.com/
December 10, 2009 at 9:55 am
Nice post Sasha. Your post reminds me of the ethic that Bill Somerville holds. Philanthropy is a personal act of caring and always trying to be logical actually turns off the empathetic part of our brain (see my Chronicle of Philanthropy column for more on this).
As I wrote in my column, this presents a paradox with no easy answer. But I think that for people who work at places like Acumen Fund, Tactical Philanthropy Advisors and other organizations that have a Left-Brain approach to philanthropy, it is important to experiment with ways we can keep our giving firmly rooted in the critical human traditions of generosity, caring and empathy.
Let us know how your experiment turns out!

eilat navon http://www.zavit3.co.il/
December 11, 2009 at 4:05 am
I made it a habit to give. Maybe I’m taken advantage of, maybe not, it’s not an issue, at least for me. Poverty and need are not universally measurable, and if someone reaches the place in which he/she needs to ask/beg – its enough to warren my giving. No questions asked, no due diligence required. Somehow I feel that this is the most basic of generosities (and yes I give to charities, causes etc. too).

Friday, December 18, 2009

When Tragedy Strikes


“ZO” MOURNING

“Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet.” – Matthew 1:22

One of my favorite NBA players is Alonzo “Zo” Mourning. He plays center for the Miami Heat. He was averaging at least 20 points and four blocks per game at the peak of his career. His consistent performance also earned him numerous awards and made him part of the US Dream Team that competed in the Olympics.
But in the 2000-01 season, he was diagnosed with a kidney ailment. This forced him to skip a couple of NBA seasons for his transplant and recovery. Because of this he got more involved with cause-oriented activities like serving as spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation to spread awareness about the disease, founding programs to benefit kids and donating $100 per blocked shot to the Children’s Home Society and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and many others. I think the trial of his life eventually made him a better person. By the way, he returned to the NBA after a one-year break and got his first NBA championship ring in 2006.
Sometimes things don’t turn out as we want them to. God allows them to happen so that we may grow more as a person.Alvin Fabella

REFLECTION:
When trial comes, do you complain or proclaim God’s glory?

Lord, please help me recognize Your divine presence in the trials I face. May I use the trials as springboards to show others Your love and glory."


At times we despair when tragedy strikes. As I have said earlier, God allows this to happen for the nourishment of our soul, just like what happened to Alonzo “Zo: Mourning. Better things came out of the tragedy.


See more about Kerygma at this site:

http://www.kerygmafamily.com

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Matthew 10:32


This message was forwarded to me by my friend, Josie. I want to share this not only with my friends, but with everybody. I LOVE IT!

NO ONE
falls in love by choice,
it is by CHANCE.

"No one
stays in love by chance,
it is by WORK.

And no one
falls out of love by chance,
it is by CHOICE



If you love this man

He did
something for you,
now do something for Him.

Spread his word,
and you'll be rewarded.

How?

Matthew 10:32...
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men,
I will acknowledge him
before My Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns Me before men,
I will disown him
before My Father in heaven.'

God is going to
shift things around
for you tonight
& let things work
in your favor."

Monday, December 14, 2009

Obet Cabrillas, a former non-believer



You should listen to Obet Cabrillas, UP graduate, and one of the powerful speakers
of Kerygma.
Please read today's daily Bible reflection by Obet:


I WIll NoT…


“‘I will not’… but afterwards he changed his mind and went.” – Matthew 21:29

“I will not” was my consistent answer to the invitation of my best friend. He had been attending these “corny” Charismatic prayer meetings and was resolute to bring me there.
We were ordinary high school students who attended (and cut) classes, had superhero stickers on our notebooks and watched X-rated Betamax tapes. (That’s how old I am.)
Yet, after his frequent attendance to this “addiction,” he became an alien. He didn’t cut class anymore. He placed “Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, Amen” stickers on his notebooks. He watched biblical movies on Beta tapes. And worse, he started reading the Bible and singing “Alive, alive” songs! Finally, he convinced me to attend. But not without the magic words: “Obet, they serve merienda after the prayer meeting.” Off I went to the corniest, weirdest and what turned out to be the greatest experience of my entire life. Now I’m almost 20 years in the Lord’s service. Why? Because only fools don’t change their minds. Because God allows U-turns. Because a hardened heart can become a heart so solid as God’s witness. Because repentance literally means “change of mind.” Because now I am an alien, too.
I will not… give up on God! Obet Cabrillas

REFLECTION:
Don’t give up on people who refuse the Great Invitation. They’ve got what it takes: when they give in, they won’t give up in the service of the God who calls.

Lord, thank You that it’s never too late to change one’s mind. You are a God of second chances and new beginnings.

See him every Friday, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at
SM Manila (Cinema 4), near Manila City Hall

Visit http://kerygmafamily.com

Efren Penaflorida



Efren Penaflorida, a CNN hero, is a Filipino from Imus, Cavite worth emulating.
It took a foreign news media to discover and honor him

Efren, a graduate of San Sebastian College in Education, have humble beginnings.
He reached out to out-of-school youth by bringing them education through his “kariton” (pushcart) loaded with books, ballpens, writing board.

Congratulations Efren. We’re proud of you.

God's Ways

There are times when we feel that we are at our lowest, difficulties seem insurmountable, that in fleeting moments you want to end it all, especially when we are alone and there's no one to talk to. You've got that feeling that the easiest way out is death. I was through this experience. I realized that better things will come out of this, for God's ways is difficult to fathom.

To reinforce this my friend, please read the passages from
Psalm 25:4-5ab. 6 and 7bc. 8-9

4 Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior6 Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your kindness are from of old. 7 In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. 9 He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Mobile phones, The Internet, Television


I have a Sony Erickson, courtesy of my sister. My other two older version by Nokia, also a gift from her was passed down to someone without any mobile phone.

People keep updating their mobile phones because of the convenience of the latest technology. Not only in mobile phones but the advent of the internet. Distance is shorter now because of the Internet. Before, you can hear from your loved ones from the other side of the world from the slow post or through the overseas calls which was very prohibited.

Likewise, viewing from the modern television is better. I am from the "black and white" television generation so I really appreciate the latest in television viewing.

In all these modern technology, however, let's us not get lost in it. We have to remember that we have a God who is omnipresent, omnipotent, greater than all the things on earth, be it man-made or the things He created.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Recurring Boil

Boil, a kind of cyst, is fibrous, forms abnormal tissues in the shape of a bag. Its contents is runny or semi runny and pasty. It is also known as benign tumor. It occurs when your immune system goes down, brought by lack of sleep, inadequate nutrition, stress and other environmental factors.

Boil is so annoying because it causes pain, and at times your temperature rises.
It makes you suffer for at least a week, lose work hours and sleep.

To avoid having a boil, it is important to have adequate nutrition, and supplementation with Natural garlic which contains natural antibiotic against virus, fungus or bacteria.

Take Nutrilite Garlic which has no unpleasant odor, cost P1,155 only for one bottle containing 120 tablets.




Monday, December 7, 2009

Our Health


These should always go together: good nutrition, a good night's sleep of at least 7 hours; regular exercise, if possible on a daily basis of at least 15 minutes; good air that we breath in; good sanitation. If one is amiss, our body complains through our aches and pains and the onset of early aging.

We cannot make up for lost sleeps, it is impossible to get the clean air in the metropolis, and unless you eat tons of the healthy foods like good fat, vegetables of different colors, grass-fed beef, we have to resort to supplementation.

What about the source of these vegetables, are they planted from the mineral-drained soil or is it laden with harmful pesticides?

Don't miss on the supplementation, because if we miss out on these, the more expense we incur because of hospitalization. Take the naturals like natural B complex, an anti stressor which is also good for your nerves, brain and heart; Nutrilite vitamins and minerals,in the right amount of each vitamins and minerals to be effective; fish oil coming from the deep and the least pollution there is in the sea like the Nutrilite Omega 3 Complex; to avoid your bones becoming porous, esp. for pregnant women and those over 40, try the Calmag D; and for sickness caused by virus or bacteria, don't hesitate to use Nutrilite Garlic.

For more details, please send your email to: zcsolis@yahoo.com

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Healing your Emotional Wounds

I don't know how this article sent in November by Bo Sanchez was sent to SPAM. Anyway this is the first time I've read it. I really love this article of Bo. Most of us need it.

The Only Thing That Can Heal Your Emotional Wounds?

Have you been hurt before?

Have you ever been rejected by others? Ridiculed? Maligned? Gossiped about?

Have you been cheated? Betrayed? Lied to? Stolen from?

If your answer is yes, then I’m writing to the right person.

That means you have emotional wounds, and my big message for you is that there’s only one thing that can heal your wounds.

Let me start by talking about something of great cosmological and eternal significance: My bloody ingrown toenail.

Sometimes called hangnail.

Let me translate that in Pilipino: hangnail is kukong nagbigti.

Anyway, would you believe my ingrown toenail lasted for two years? Because the nail kept re-growing, puncturing my wound again and again. The wound got infected and my entire toe was filled with foul-smelling yellow pus. (I apologize for grossing you out. I’m actually doing it on purpose and having fun.)

This is my claim to sainthood. If St. Francis of Assisi had his stigmata, I had my two-year old bloody ingrown toenail.

After two years, my mother scared me to death and said if the wound doesn’t get well, they might have to cut off my toe.

I loved my toe.

So I visited a doctor. And he said he had to pull out half of my toenail. I fainted.

I still remember that fateful day. The anesthesia didn’t work because of the pus. So I felt like San Lorenzo Ruiz who was tortured in the same way. (Please mention this tiny detail in my sainthood application.)

Here’s how the Doc did it.

Step 1: He pushed his scissors in between my nail and my toe, all the way to the very end. The pain was so horrific, I was ready to recant anything he told me to recant. Even my love for peanut butter.

Step 2: He cut my entire toenail into two. “Snap!”

Step 3: He got his metal pliers and yanked out half of my toenail. Blood and pus spurt like a little fountain.

But it worked.

My wound was now free to heal itself. What lasted for two years took only a few days to heal.

Why am I telling you this gory story?

To tell you that your emotional wounds are just like physical wounds. Bitterness is like the ingrown—it keeps the original wound alive by puncturing it again and again. So your emotional wound doesn’t heal.

And your soul gets infected.

If you’re not careful, the emotional wound can grow until it amputates parts of you, slowly killing you.

I’ve met people like these.

I pity them so much. They’re like the living dead. They are alive but they’re dead.

Like Minette, for instance.

Pressing The Rewind Button Again

Minette’s husband left her three years ago.

But when you talk to her, it was like it happened yesterday.

Adultery is one of the deepest wounds a human heart can have. After entrusting your entire life to one person, that one person betrays that trust.

But I believe even the emotional wound of adultery can be healed. I’ve met many wives whose husbands became unfaithful—and they were able to move on by the power of forgiveness.

But Minette couldn’t forgive.

Because everyday, she pressed the “Rewind” button of the most hurtful scenes.

Today, Minette has cancer. It doesn’t take a psychologist to connect the dots. Her bitterness was eating up her body as well.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

I should know.

I Forgive For Selfish Reasons

I was sexually molested twice, not by strangers on the street, but by an older cousin and by my own youth group leader. William Blake said, “It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.” That’s so true.

Those traumatic events warped my thinking, opened my life to addictions, and gave me self-contempt that would affect my entire life. I hated myself. I was ashamed of myself. Oh yes, my wounds were deep.

Yet in my heart, I’ve forgiven them. Totally.

I’ve released the bitterness in my soul.

Why?

Because of a very selfish reason.

Remember: Forgiveness is first of all a gift you give yourself.

I forgave because I wanted peace.

I wanted to move on with my life.

I wanted to get rid of the emotional baggage.

I wanted to be free.

And today, I am!

Let me share with you one more personal experience…

When You Forgive,

You Bless Your Future

Many years ago, I started a tiny business with a friend. I was the investor and he was the guy who ran the show.

One day, I saw him with a new cell phone. A really cool, top-of-the-line thing that had everything you could think of—camera, video-cam, GPRS, missile guidance system, and an umbrella.

“Wow, that’s a great cell phone,” I said.

“This is a gift. Someone gave it to me,” he said.

The next time we meet, he brought a new laptop.

“That’s really nice,” I said.

“Oh, this is also a gift…,” he said.

A few months later, the business collapsed.

After looking at the records, I realized I was the one who gave them to him!

He was stealing from the business.

A year later, he came to me and asked for forgiveness. I forgave him even before he asked for forgiveness.

Here’s the reason why I forgave him.

Again, I did it for selfish reasons. I didn’t want to waste any of my time and energy trying to get the money back. Instead, I wanted to use all my time and energy to earn ten times what I lost. I used my frustration to create more wealth. I wanted to focus on the future, not the past. I wanted to focus on my dreams, not my wounds.

Imagine if you lost one peso. And you have two options: Spend one hour looking for that one peso or spend that same hour earning P100 somewhere else?

A bitter person will choose the first option. Crazy but true.

Today, let me report to you: I’ve earned many, many times what I lost from that tiny business. This is the power of forgiveness. It heals your wound and blesses your future. That’s why I believe forgiveness is one of God’s greatest inventions!

Let me tell you how to forgive…

Stage One: Get Angry

Forgiveness is not a one-stage process.

It’s a two-stage process.

Here they are…

Stage One: Get angry.

Stage Two: Release the anger.

That’s it.

Don’t be shocked, but anger is the first stage of forgiveness.

You have to admit the hurt.

You have to acknowledge the pain.

You have to say, “What he did to me was wrong.”

Some people think forgiveness is pretending nothing bad happened. That’s not true. If you’re angry, feel the anger.

But you must express your anger in a non-hurtful way, without screaming or attacking. Bring your anger before God. Share your pain to a few trusted friends. Ask for prayer. Go ahead, cry. Offer your tears to God.

Anger heals because it’s about loving yourself—and love always heals. Anger means you’re standing up for you. As an abuse victim, I had to do this. Anger is needed to rebuild my broken personal boundaries.

How long should you stay in Stage One?

Not too long.

Because anger has an expiry date.

How Long Have You Been Angry?

Here’s the truth: Bitterness and anger is one and the same thing. But Bitterness is anger past its expiry date.

Let me illustrate.

I love spaghetti.

Served hot, it’s wonderful.

But left on the kitchen counter for a whole day, it may still be good but be careful.

After two days, you may get an upset stomach.

After one week, there’ll be more germs than spaghetti. At that point, the plate of spaghetti has become poison

Just like anger.

If anger stays too long in your heart, your anger no longer heals but kills. When anger turns into bitterness, it’s poison.

The Bible says, “the sun must not go down in your anger.”

I believe it. Except perhaps for severe wounds (like abuse, adultery, betrayal, etc.), I feel Stage One should not last for more than a day. I’m talking about the regular hurts we encounter everyday. Before nightfall, move onto Stage two.

But deeper wounds may need weeks or even months of anger and grief. For deeper wounds, I believe there’s no clear divide between Stage One and Two. There’ll be an overlap. But your movement must be towards Stage Two.

Because that’s where the real magic happens.

Stage Two: Release Anger



In Stage Two, you decide to forgive. Key word: Decide.

It’s not about feeling, but about willing. The feelings of anger can linger (that’s normal) but the decision has already been made in your heart.

Remember, Love is a decision, not just a feeling. If forgiveness is love, then forgiveness is a decision too.

But here’s a very important footnote: Forgiveness isn’t necessarily bringing back the relationship to where it was before. If you caught your boyfriend cheating on you, what should you do? Forgive him! But that doesn’t mean you have to get back with him again. That’s all up to you.

Let’s say you caught your boyfriend cheating on you twice. What should you do? Again, you have to forgive him. Now, do you get back into his arms? If you’re a psychotic with sadomasochistic tendencies, go ahead. Your desires will be granted.

Forgiveness is also not opening up yourself to more hurt. For example, if your alcoholic husband beat you up, you still need to forgive him; But do you back into the house? No way. You run away and never see him until he gets counselling and stops drinking for 6 months.

Forgiveness Heals The “Enemy”

The cousin who molested me has long been dead. So forgiving him in my heart was enough.

The youth group leader who sexually abused me is still alive. After 30 years, I have yet to face him. You see, I reported his name to a Bishop, asking that he be barred from doing any religious work until he gets help for his perversion. I had to protect other young boys who may be working with him. He has yet to come to me to ask for forgiveness. But even if he does not, I’ve forgiven him—and sent that “spiritually” to him.

The guy who stole money? As I said, he asked for forgiveness, and I was able to say to him, “I forgive you.”

When you forgive someone, you also offer healing to that person. Whether he accepts it or not is not your concern.

And by some magic, you don’t only heal yourself and the other person. You also heal all your loved ones.

Forgiveness Heals Everyone In Your Life



Imagine a room of ten people.

And one person there stepped on poop. (Sorry, my article is really gross today—about ingrowns and poop. But bitterness is gross.) Slowly, everyone in the room smells the awful stench. Only one person has the poop, but everyone is affected by it.

Bitterness is like that.

It wounds everyone. Your family. Your friends.

Bitterness is an evil spirit and people feel it. They smell the poison. They sense it. They want to run away.

Sometimes, when I enter a home filled with conflicts, I feel the collective wound of the family. You cannot breathe.

But when a person forgives, he’s like opening a window in a smelly room because one person stepped on poop. Fresh air comes in. If bitterness wounds everyone, forgiveness heals everyone too.

My last story is a story that I created, adapted from other sources. Be blessed as you read it.

The Son Who Hated His Father

“Hi John,” the priest greeted his favorite nephew.

“Fr. Chris,” the young man said, his voice betraying his troubled soul.

The cleric felt so much pity for the teen. “I heard you’re having problems with your father.”

A frown formed on John’s face. “You know him. He’s your brother. You know he’s impossible to deal with. He’s so selfish. He’s so cruel…” He fought back his tears.

“Tell you what, son,” the priest tried to sound encouraging, “let’s pray for him.” He stood up and pinned the photo of the boy’s father on the wall.

“What’s that?” John asked. The sight of his father’s face stung him. He clenched his fists.

The priest said, “It’s just a way to help us pray for him. It’ll be our visual connection to your father.”

“But I don’t want to pray for him!” the young man shouted.

At that moment, the phone rang. “Excuse me, son,” Fr. Chris said, “let me answer this call and I’ll get back to you right away.” He left the room.

John found himself alone, staring at the photo of a man he despised with his entire being. Seething with rage, he saw a knife on the kitchen counter. On impulse, he grabbed it and ran back to the photo of his father. “I hate you!” he screamed, and stabbed the photo many, many times.

That was when Fr. Chris ran back. “Oh my God…,” The priest said, as he could only look in horror.

His energy spent, John thrust the knife into the photo one last time.

He took one step backward, panting.

“John, I had other photos there,” Fr. Chris said.

“What?” The young man looked at the priest.

Fr. Chris walked to the wall and removed the damaged photo.

John couldn’t believe his eyes.

Because underneath it was John’s photo. Also torn.

The priest explained. “After praying for your father, I wanted to pray for you, John.”

The young man looked at his damaged photo. His face was torn, punctured by the same stabbing he himself made.

Tears rolled down his cheeks.

But even as his vision blurred, John noticed that there was something else behind his torn photo.

He pulled it off the wall.

Underneath his photo was the picture of Jesus, His face, also torn, also wounded.

And John collapsed on his knees, and wept for a long time.

— 0 —



This is the ultimate reason why we forgive: Because even if we sin against God, He still forgives us. We don’t deserve His love, but He loves us anyway.

Heal yourself, my friend.

Forgive anyone who has wronged you.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez