About 10 years ago, I read an article which talked about the preparation of the last moment in our life. In his concluding remarks, one of the things he said was, "To be ready at the last moment, we have to be ready at every moment."
It's like living our life everyday or every hour as if it's our last day or our last hour.
One of my professors in my Masters degree course, asked us in her class the following related questions:
1. What if you only have six months to live, what will you do?
2. What if you only have three months left in this world to live, what are the things you want to do?
3. What if you only have one month..., one week..., or one day..., or one more hour..., to live this world, what will you do?
There's some few moments gap from one question to another to help us internalize it to allow our minds to wander every thought flashing inside our minds.
Then everyone became emotional.
If you're asked the same questions, would you please mind sharing your thoughts? Thank you very much.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 29, 2017
Everybody was very refreshed today's fellowship at one of our community elder's building rooftop. It's an unplanned gathering but, to our elder's surprise, about 95% of the members were present.
It's a great and wonderful party where everyone was enjoying eating delicious Filipino foods, bothers drinking wine and exchanging jokes and sisters drinking ladies' while sharing their own topics, mostly about their experiences in life, especially family life.
We started we a prayer and we end up the party also with a prayer.
We trust that God was with us in our gathering today. As Jesus said, " For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
We praise and thank the Lord for all His wonderful blessing to all of us, and for binding our community with His unconditional love.
It's a great and wonderful party where everyone was enjoying eating delicious Filipino foods, bothers drinking wine and exchanging jokes and sisters drinking ladies' while sharing their own topics, mostly about their experiences in life, especially family life.
We started we a prayer and we end up the party also with a prayer.
We trust that God was with us in our gathering today. As Jesus said, " For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
We praise and thank the Lord for all His wonderful blessing to all of us, and for binding our community with His unconditional love.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 28,2017
One of the books we bought today is about power. It contains 48 laws and I already read 12 laws so far.
One of the principles mentioned in one of the laws looks like, one of the principles our Lord Jesus Christ had taught us. However, the meaning is really completely different.
In this book, the statement goes like this, "Do not do to yourself what others can do for you." It means that you have the power to make others to do the things for you.
Though I already have a glimpse of what the other laws are all about, I am still curious how these principles affects my way of thinking.
I am going to share it here once I completely read it.
One of the principles mentioned in one of the laws looks like, one of the principles our Lord Jesus Christ had taught us. However, the meaning is really completely different.
In this book, the statement goes like this, "Do not do to yourself what others can do for you." It means that you have the power to make others to do the things for you.
Though I already have a glimpse of what the other laws are all about, I am still curious how these principles affects my way of thinking.
I am going to share it here once I completely read it.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 27, 2017
I still remember one of the Sunday's Holy masses I had attended in the church many years ago with the Priest said "We can be angry without committing sin." And his very good example that almost everyone could relate to it was the story of Jesus who got angry with the merchants doing business in the temple.
Today, while riding a jeepney going back home from work, I got angry with the driver for he was driving as if nobody else driving in the road. I was so worried that we may got accident because for several times, we almost banged to the other vehicles.
So, I asked him to be careful of his driving for he has lots of passengers. Fortunately for us, after crossing the intersection, he was caught for he had allowed a passenger to get off at the traffic light at the road intersection which is really prohibited in that area.
While arguing with one of the four traffic enforcers, I asked the other guy to come over so he could hear what I was going to tell him. When he's near, I told him, please check this driver for I think he's drunk, then I got off and transfer to another jeepney.
I don't know what happen then, whether he was arrested or allowed to proceed to his destination.
Just pray for the safety of the other passengers.
Today, while riding a jeepney going back home from work, I got angry with the driver for he was driving as if nobody else driving in the road. I was so worried that we may got accident because for several times, we almost banged to the other vehicles.
So, I asked him to be careful of his driving for he has lots of passengers. Fortunately for us, after crossing the intersection, he was caught for he had allowed a passenger to get off at the traffic light at the road intersection which is really prohibited in that area.
While arguing with one of the four traffic enforcers, I asked the other guy to come over so he could hear what I was going to tell him. When he's near, I told him, please check this driver for I think he's drunk, then I got off and transfer to another jeepney.
I don't know what happen then, whether he was arrested or allowed to proceed to his destination.
Just pray for the safety of the other passengers.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 26, 2017
There's a saying " a constant practice can make you perfect" and many believed on this statement - including myself. This is very good if we could do it and apply it in our lives.
However, the negative side is if we constantly practice anything incorrectly, then, the result will be a perfectly incorrect.
It's the same with our faith. If you are a religious church goer, or a person who read the Bible, especially the New Testament, then I am sure, you had encountered the verse where Jesus' disciples asked Him how to pray.
Then, Jesus taught them the "Our Father..." prayer. But, as you might have observed, there's so many and long prayers and so many religious activities which is in conflict with what God has commanded to the people in the old days, and to us in this generation.
Since we are constantly doing it, it's very hard for us to get away with it. I, myself is also guilty of it.
I am hoping that those who supposed to be the care takers of the flocks would spend all their time educating their flocks on the right teaching and not wasting their precious times on other matters that are taken cared of others.
However, the negative side is if we constantly practice anything incorrectly, then, the result will be a perfectly incorrect.
It's the same with our faith. If you are a religious church goer, or a person who read the Bible, especially the New Testament, then I am sure, you had encountered the verse where Jesus' disciples asked Him how to pray.
Then, Jesus taught them the "Our Father..." prayer. But, as you might have observed, there's so many and long prayers and so many religious activities which is in conflict with what God has commanded to the people in the old days, and to us in this generation.
Since we are constantly doing it, it's very hard for us to get away with it. I, myself is also guilty of it.
I am hoping that those who supposed to be the care takers of the flocks would spend all their time educating their flocks on the right teaching and not wasting their precious times on other matters that are taken cared of others.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 25, 2017
When I was playing bowling in Thailand for more than ten years, I discovered something related to the commentary which I read this morning in the Book of PSALM 19 (18) which I am quoting below.
"Happy the eyes that are closed to what is spectacular so as to be more attentive to the interior vision."
If we shut the door of our senses to what is spectacular, especially to our eyes, we may be able to hear what God says to us. So, every time I played bowling, when I focused all my attentions to the game, I will always get at least one game with a score of more than 200.
There was a bowling tournament for all the universities in Thailand which I had participated. We traveled more than 3 hours to reach the venue and stayed there for a night with my family for the tournament the next day.
The tournament had different team grouping categories and my team belonged to 5-man team category. Of all the teams from the Institute - King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok (KMITNB) where I was lecturing for seven years, only our team or any member of our team hadn't got any medal yet.
I was so pressured that time because they're expecting a lot from me. So, what I did, I just prayed to God and then apply the principle quoted above, and as I had anticipated, we made it. Our 5-man bowling team got the highest combined score and became the champion.
I got the following scores for the three games each of us had played: 275, 225 and 175. It contributed significantly to our over-all score which helped us got the championship trophy.
I was so focused, I didn't allow any destruction that would possibly affect every ball I threw. At the end, I praised and thanked God for that wonderful success I had on that important event.
"Happy the eyes that are closed to what is spectacular so as to be more attentive to the interior vision."
If we shut the door of our senses to what is spectacular, especially to our eyes, we may be able to hear what God says to us. So, every time I played bowling, when I focused all my attentions to the game, I will always get at least one game with a score of more than 200.
There was a bowling tournament for all the universities in Thailand which I had participated. We traveled more than 3 hours to reach the venue and stayed there for a night with my family for the tournament the next day.
The tournament had different team grouping categories and my team belonged to 5-man team category. Of all the teams from the Institute - King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok (KMITNB) where I was lecturing for seven years, only our team or any member of our team hadn't got any medal yet.
I was so pressured that time because they're expecting a lot from me. So, what I did, I just prayed to God and then apply the principle quoted above, and as I had anticipated, we made it. Our 5-man bowling team got the highest combined score and became the champion.
I got the following scores for the three games each of us had played: 275, 225 and 175. It contributed significantly to our over-all score which helped us got the championship trophy.
I was so focused, I didn't allow any destruction that would possibly affect every ball I threw. At the end, I praised and thanked God for that wonderful success I had on that important event.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 24, 2017
One thing that had developed in me since the time I was baptized with the Holy Spirit, is the prayer habit. I can't start the day without a prayer.
I am a firm believer of what the scriptures says about seeking God first, before anything else. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
This has been working with me for more than a decade already since that baptism.
I also had developed a scripture reading habit since then, until I was able to read all in the Bible (cover to cover) and finished it three times.
I was not able to sustain it when I was transferred from Thailand to my home country. Now, striving again not only to make a Bible reading habit, but also starts writing every reflections I have on what I read.
I am a firm believer of what the scriptures says about seeking God first, before anything else. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
This has been working with me for more than a decade already since that baptism.
I also had developed a scripture reading habit since then, until I was able to read all in the Bible (cover to cover) and finished it three times.
I was not able to sustain it when I was transferred from Thailand to my home country. Now, striving again not only to make a Bible reading habit, but also starts writing every reflections I have on what I read.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 23, 2017
Many of us are struggling in many aspects in life. Some are struggling about money matters, others relationships, still others, bad habits, and etc.
Of all these aspects, I am sure, everyone is interested to talk about financial matters. There's a saying that goes like this,"It's insanity to expect something and yet doing the same thing over and over again."
It's a very popular statement in the network marketing organizations which I realized that this make sense. This can be applied to any of the aspects which people are struggling with in life.
So, if we want to make any changes in our life, we need to do different things and expect something different. However, in reality, many of us are afraid to fail. But, as the other saying goes, "It's better to try and fail than fail without trying."
Of all these aspects, I am sure, everyone is interested to talk about financial matters. There's a saying that goes like this,"It's insanity to expect something and yet doing the same thing over and over again."
It's a very popular statement in the network marketing organizations which I realized that this make sense. This can be applied to any of the aspects which people are struggling with in life.
So, if we want to make any changes in our life, we need to do different things and expect something different. However, in reality, many of us are afraid to fail. But, as the other saying goes, "It's better to try and fail than fail without trying."
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Quote of the Day- April 22, 2017
"Do unto others what you want others do unto you." We're just like mirrors to others. When people smile at us, the tendency is we also smiles back to them. If we got angry to any person, the tendency is that person will send back to us the same negative energy which ruins our day.
But in this world, even if we do good to others, we cannot always expect the same thing will get back to us. Sometimes, this principle is taken advantage by others.
Anyhow, everything boils down to the most important commandment of love. So, we need to do things out of love and not expecting something in return.
But in this world, even if we do good to others, we cannot always expect the same thing will get back to us. Sometimes, this principle is taken advantage by others.
Anyhow, everything boils down to the most important commandment of love. So, we need to do things out of love and not expecting something in return.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 21, 2017
I remember one of my non-Christian office mates asked me,"Hey man, do you think your Christian commandment of love is easy?" I was surprised to his question and with my reaction, thinking what should I answer. My mind then was wandering, and asking myself if I am really doing it or not. No words came out of my mouth for few minutes. I was just staring at him, wondering why this guy was asking me this kind of question.
I felt that my faith was tested that day, and I failed the test. It made me realized that he's right - it's not easy, but that's one of the our missions to accomplish in the world while still alive.
Jesus has commanded everyone of us to "Love one another as I have loved you. It is by loving one another that people will know that you are my disciples." He also commanded us to "love your neighbor as yourself." I am still struggling to fulfill His commandments of love.
Later on that day, I came to him (my office mate) and agreed that he's right, but explain to him that it's our goal and duty to fulfill it.
I felt that my faith was tested that day, and I failed the test. It made me realized that he's right - it's not easy, but that's one of the our missions to accomplish in the world while still alive.
Jesus has commanded everyone of us to "Love one another as I have loved you. It is by loving one another that people will know that you are my disciples." He also commanded us to "love your neighbor as yourself." I am still struggling to fulfill His commandments of love.
Later on that day, I came to him (my office mate) and agreed that he's right, but explain to him that it's our goal and duty to fulfill it.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 20, 2017
"In prosperity your friends know you, but in adversity, you know your friends." It's one of the quotes we can find in the Bible about true friendships. That's why finding a true and loyal friend is compared to a man who found a treasure in the field. And only a God fearing person will find this kind of heavenly blessing.
This is very obvious in our generation today, especially in the field of politics, not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world. We should not be surprised for it's also happening even in the time of Jesus.
It's the same crowd who shouted hosanna, hosanna... who also shouted crucify Him, crucify Him...It's sad, but it's a reality.
This is very obvious in our generation today, especially in the field of politics, not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world. We should not be surprised for it's also happening even in the time of Jesus.
It's the same crowd who shouted hosanna, hosanna... who also shouted crucify Him, crucify Him...It's sad, but it's a reality.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 19, 2017
God had answered once again my prayers for the week. Due to miscalculation of our financial budget, still about eight days more for the next salary, but we're almost negative now (today). I prayed to Him and asked for the Holy Spirit to guide me how to manage everything, and yes indeed, my prayers were answered and everything would be okay.
I then remembered what Jesus had commanded, " Don't worry..." "He also commanded " Do not set your heart on what you are to eat and drink. Stop worrying. Let all the nations of the world run after these things. Your Father knows that you need them. Seek rather the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Thank you my Lord God. I found strength and encouragement from your statements above. You're truly a redeemer, a rock, our protector, our shield and our great provider. Hallelujah!
I then remembered what Jesus had commanded, " Don't worry..." "He also commanded " Do not set your heart on what you are to eat and drink. Stop worrying. Let all the nations of the world run after these things. Your Father knows that you need them. Seek rather the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Thank you my Lord God. I found strength and encouragement from your statements above. You're truly a redeemer, a rock, our protector, our shield and our great provider. Hallelujah!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 18, 2017
If it's hard to get rid of a bad habit for years now, how much more difficult it is to get rid of a bad habit done over and over again for more than four decades now.
However, as Plato said, "the first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself. To be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile." It's also my greatest challenge in life which I am aiming to succeed sooner or later.
However, as Plato said, "the first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself. To be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile." It's also my greatest challenge in life which I am aiming to succeed sooner or later.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 17, 2017
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Proverbs 19:21
Quote of the Day - April 16, 2017
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Quote of the Day - April 15, 2017
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:6-7 ~
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