Who am I?

"But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Luke 1:43

 

After Mary's encounter with angel Gabriel, she set out in haste to the hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth. What could Mary have been thinking? 

Was she sure of her welcome? If she was remotely like me, her thoughts would be like a wild dog that needed reining in right away or they would lead who knows where! 

But when Mary arrived in Elizabeth's house, what greeted her but a confirmation: "Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Not incredulity, not skepticism, not ridicule, not a look of 'Is she crazy?'. But full, all out support. We need friends, brothers and sisters who will be there for us when we go out on the limb for God. Do we have people around us who love us, whom we can depend on? If something of great import happens, do we have someone to run to? More importantly, are we that person? A person who can discern what things come from God, and what things are clearly from the enemy? In times of great confusion, when the world seeks to make the wrong things right, when the popular mandate is against God's values, we need more than ever to stand with strong people. Men and women with conviction and faith who will fight with us, break bread with us, walk the pilgrim journey with us until we reach our real home. Yes Lord, surround me with Your people! 

Waiting!

"See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil." James 5:7

Advent is a special time of waiting and it is especially fitting that we visit a farmer's work in the field. In one of my favorite verses, Saint Paul says we are God's field, God's garden (1 Cor. 3:9). He breathed the seed of life into us and put us lovingly in our milieu, knowing that each of us would bloom and grow "for such a time and place as this" (Esther 4:14). 

We look at the majestic trees and we know it took years before it reached its height. Each tree had to survive storms, heat, floods, drought, rot, sometimes even fire to get stronger and plant its roots deeper and deeper into the soil. But each tree started from a tiny seed that broke through to the sunshine and drank thirstily of the water and nutrients in the soil. Only when it goes through all the seasons of growth and regrowth can it bear fruit to bless others. 

During this time of waiting on the Lord, let us look at our life, and be patient with ourselves. We too go through different seasons of growing. We encounter different challenges and testing that expose our neediness, our weaknesses, like the seeds, but we just have to trust our 'farmer'. He chose our soil, He waters us, He tends us. He also prunes us at the right time, with the precise tool, into fruitfulness and abundance. One day, we too, will become a majestic tree, or something entirely unexpected. We just have to be patient, and wait, and be excited with the "precious yield" God has in store for us! 

Revive us!

"Revive us so we can call on Your name once more." Psalm 80:18

There is nothing I want more than a cool refreshing bath after a whole day in Divisoria, jostling crowds of people, dodging carts, haggling with shop vendors, being touched and prodded by the old and young begging for money. The dust mixed with perspiration and the heat make it unbearable sometimes. But what a treat to scrape off all the grime! It makes you feel like a new person! 

Spiritually we can accumulate filth too. If only we could physically feel the dirt that piles up in our hearts when we are envious, impatient, unloving, stingy, angry, uncharitable or merciless. If only we couldn't sleep at night when we have anything in our spirit that does not please our Heavenly Father! 

Lord, this Advent, may we look deep within our hearts and minds and see ourselves as You see us. It may dismay and disgust us, but only You Lord, can refresh us, revive us, make us new creatures with a new heart! Nothing is impossible with You! 

Pray and Obey!

"I, the Lord, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17

Many people pray. Many people meditate. But what many do not realize is prayer and obedience needs to go hand in hand. The following verse in Isaiah 48 goes like this: "If you would listen to my commands, your prosperity would be like a river..."

How many of us would like to be prosperous? This is what God promises us if we listen to Him and heed His counsels. God prospers men and women who turn to Him daily and seek to follow His ways. Prosperity is the state of flourishing, of fruitfulness, not only financially, but more importantly, spiritually. It is when we see our family, our work, our relationships, thriving and growing. We are, after all, connected to the Vine, the giver of life, the giver of every good thing when we pray and obey! 

Lord, may I seek You daily. May I read Your Word, listen to Your still, small voice and step by step, follow where You lead! 

Let it be Done!

"Let it be done to me according to Your Word." Luke 1:38

 

Your Word. When Mary proclaimed in faith that she wanted all that the angel said, she opened up a portal of blessing. At first she was deeply troubled as anyone would be with the visit of an angel, not an ordinary angel at that! It was no less than Angel Gabriel, one of the Archangels, special emissary of God, who was also sent to Daniel in the Old Testament to explain his visions. Gabriel told Mary that she found favor with God, and she had a very important mission. Gabriel also told her that nothing is impossible with God. 

What was Mary's response? "Yes. Let it be done to me!" I believe if we listen long and hard enough, staying silent before God, we will hear His still, small voice. He wants to speak to us, and I do believe we all have an important mission. But sometimes we can't keep still. Yes, we come before God in prayer, but our mind is filled with a cacophony of voices. I have to do this today. I have to buy this. I have to tell so and so this and that. I have to be at this place at this time. Where is the space for God to speak to us? But all is not lost. We can go to God's written word, the Bible. We do not need to strain to hear Him. He speaks loud and clear. His story of His love for us is written for all who want a portal of blessing to open up. 

Yes, Lord! Let it be done to me! Let me experience all the spiritual blessings You bestow upon me in Christ! You chose me to be full of love. Your will and pleasure is that I be Your beloved adopted daughter! (Ephesians 1:3-12)

Come to Me!

"Come to me, all you are weary and find life burdensome, 

and I will refresh you. 

Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me. 

Your souls will find rest." 

Matthew 11:28-30

This is a welcome passage this morning. I look at my December calendar and it is far from restful. I've attended two parties already, a mountain of gifts to wrap waiting in our family room, a Board Meeting today, a workshop to lead, a community gathering, a musical to watch, a family party to attend, all within this week. My sister and I bought 300 bags of groceries for QC Jail inmates yesterday, and plan to do the same for the gift giving of the Vice-President. That is on top of all the usual work at the office, AND I have a sore throat and a frog of a cough starting! 

If my body can't get rest, my soul certainly demands it. That's why I absolutely need to start my day with setting aside time with the Lord. Most people don't know it, but time with God is as essential as sleep, and food. That's how we plug in to the eternal, to our very life force. In Proverbs 4:20-22 says, "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh." 

Lord, at this time, may I make more of an effort to turn to You. May I make a space in the inn of my heart for Your coming. May I turn off the hustle and bustle and busyness of the world, and spend time contemplating the beauty of Your presence. That is how I will find my rest. More of You, Lord, that is what I need! 

The Grass Withers!

"Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

When I turned 60 last week, it was not only a time to look forward excitedly to all the privileges I would receive with my Senior Citizen status, but also a time to look back at my life. I read all the happy birthday messages in Facebook, Messenger, and on my phone, email, and thanked God for all my loved ones, friends, and brothers and sisters in community. I blew out candles on cakes. No one put 60 candles on any of the cakes! Too many! Why do we blow out the candles? Is it to symbolize all the years that have passed, never to come back? Some say the smoke from the candles wafts our prayers up to heaven. 

I find that as I get older, the years seem to race by faster and faster. When I was young, it seemed as if waiting a whole week for the weekend was interminable! Now a whole year is almost over! No one, absolutely no one, can stop the march of time. No one can stop flowers from wilting, or grass from withering. No one can stop wrinkles and age spots from appearing on our skin, not even the most expert skin specialist or plastic surgeon! We are all inexorably moving on. What can we hold on to? What can stand in the midst of the shifting and shaking around us? Political turmoil!  Health crisis! Family upheavals! Financial downturns! 

Only the Word of God. May I always turn to You O Lord, read Your Word, and learn at Your feet. Like Simon Peter, I proclaim, Lord, to whom should we go? You hold the Words to eternal life!  

I will Heal your Friend!

"Some men came along carrying a paralytic on a mat." Luke 5:18

 

I like putting myself in a Bible story and gleaning some truth by being a part of what is happening. In the story of the paralyzed man being carried by his friends to Jesus, I have imagined myself to be the paralytic in need of Jesus. Indeed, we are all paralyzed in some way, by our circumstances, by our past, by our health, even by the way we think.

 

But today I am putting myself in the place of one of the paralytic's friends. They don't give up. Even if the crowd around Jesus doesn't make a way for them to pass through the door, they make their own way. They went up through the roof. They burrowed through the tiles of the roof, and lowered their friend! Can you imagine the hardship they went through? Not only the climbing up to the roof, but carrying their friend through the streets in a mat! It could not have been easy balancing the stretcher through cobblestones, and weaving their way through people and other carts and horses. Because they cared, because of their love and compassion for their friend. 

How many people have I carried through the streets, up to the roof, and broken tiles for? Has my faith and love brought someone to the notice of Jesus, enough for Him to say, "I see your faith. I will heal your friend!" Sometimes we give up because of the "crowds", the busyness, the hopelessness. But if we want to see "incredible things", like the people near Jesus, we should persevere and push through the crowds, and whatever obstacles are put in our way! And we should remember, that even if we put down the mat, we can always take it up again, and continue the journey. 

Lord, there are so many in need of our prayers and our help. May I always make time to bring my friends, my neighbors, my hurting country, to Your notice. May You see our tiny, mustard seed faith, and answer our prayers! 

Brood of Vipers!

"You brood of vipers!" Matthew 3:7

 

   John the Baptist was certainly a character! He was the same age as Jesus, but was more fiery, more radical in his lifestyle. He wore camel's hair and ate grasshoppers and wild honey. The amazing thing is that hordes of people would go out into the wilderness to listen to him, to confess their sins, and to be baptized in the Jordan River. They thought he was the Messiah! It says that Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan would trek to the desert. That was not an easy walk. They would have to plan for it, bring food and drink. 

When John saw that even the Sadducees and Pharisees were lining up to be baptized, he called out, "You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence that you mean to reform!" Were they lining up for show? John, in contrast to Jesus, could not see their hearts. I think that they should have confessed their sins first before going for their baptism in the Jordan. I think before we think of decorating our houses for Christmas, before we wrap our gifts and give them, before we light our Advent wreaths, we should come before God and ask forgiveness for our many sins. Advent is a time when we should prepare for the coming of Jesus and what better gift can we give Him but a clean heart and pure hands? 

Lord, please forgive me for my sins against You, and against my brothers and sisters. Please do not hold against me all the times I failed to love like You. Please bathe me in Your forgiveness O Lord as I acknowledge my many failings. Cleanse me and wash me clean O Lord. 

This is the Way!

"This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Wouldn't it be wonderful if some very wise person, who knew the future, who knew what was best for us, who knew what we were capable of, would take charge and say, "This is the way, this is what you should do"? But we would only be able to trust that person if we knew him, and we were certain he knew us, and that he loved us so much! 

There is one person we can trust, who knows us because He made us. Psalm 139:13 says that God created our inmost being and knit us together in our mother's womb. God also has the best in mind for our future. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). But we should also know Him so we can trust Him. We have to have a relationship with Him, so we can hear His voice.

Just as someone I know who was discerning about his state of life. He was in the shower and he heard, "Only Meldy will make you happy." He is now married to my sister Meldy, and he is happy. Just as Dodong Cacanando heard God say in an audible voice while he was taking a morning run, "Leave!" in answer to his question if he should quit his job. Just as I heard when I was in front of the Blessed Sacrament, "I will give you Luigi as a husband if you are willing to be pruned." 

Yes, I do believe God is very willing to lead and guide us if we are willing to listen and be lead! 

13 

The Three Trees

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek..." Psalm 27:4

 

Is there only one thing we seek from the Lord? Usually we seek many things from Him. Yesterday, we had our Bible Study Christmas party in the office, and my group was assigned to perform a play. We chose to dramatize the favorite children's story, The Three Trees. When the trees were small, they were dreaming of what they would become when they grew older. One wanted to be a treasure box, the second wanted to be a strong ship for mighty kings, and the third wanted to be the tallest tree in the world pointing to God. Well, one day they were all cut down. One was made into a feeding trough, the other a small boat, and the third was left in a heap of planks. They were all very disappointed. 

One night when a star shone over a small shed for animals, a young woman put her baby in the feeding trough, and the little tree realized that it was holding the greatest treasure in the world! 

 

On a sunny afternoon, a man and some fishermen got into the little boat. The man was so tired, he fell asleep. Then a storm brewed, rain fell and the wind rattled the tiny boat. But when the man awoke, he said, "Peace!" and the storm stopped. The second tree realized he had the King of heaven and earth riding with Him! 

As for the third tree, one Friday, he was yanked out of the pile of planks and carried along streets through angry, jeering crowds. Then a cross was formed, and a man nailed on him. The tree felt ugly and cruel and so sad. What was happening? All his dreams shattered to nothing. 

But on Sunday, the world trembled with joy, and the third tree realized that forever after, when people looked at him, they would remember God! Yes!

Like the three trees, we may be disappointed with how things are turning out in our life, but we should always remember that God always has a better plan for us. 

One thing I ask for, this I seek, to live my life according to God's plans and purposes for me! 

The Wise Man!

"Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock." Matthew 7:24

I like building sandcastles on the beach. I remember when Josh was a toddler we made a complicated sandcastle but it was too close to the water. When the waves crashed on it, nothing was left of our hard work! The same is true with what we do with our life. We may work hard without realizing we are building sand castles easily destroyed by the waves of adversity. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." We have to make sure we are building our life, our family, our business on rock, the Word of God. 

I am reading Dodong Cacanando's book "Breaking Through". He left a high paying job in HP because He heard God telling him to leave. In spite of the uncertainty, he and his family obeyed. Because of this, he saw miracle after miracle, showing him God walked before him. It wasn't easy. Dodong always experienced what he called, "crisis of faith" moments, but like Moses, when he stepped out in faith, God parted the Red Sea for him. One of them was when he was looking for a business in Bukidnon. God showed him that He already planned the business, prepared the land, permits, the capital he needed way in advance. Dodong also felt like Abraham who left all that he was familiar with to go to a far place where everything was new! 

Lord, life is filled with uncertainties. But You have a plan for us, a wonderful future prepared for us. May we read Your Word, listen to Your still small voice, and obey You. May we walk with You, trusting that where You lead, is the best place we can be! 

 

Fishers of Men!

"Come after me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

 

In my other Bible, this is how it is put: "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people." I have this funny picture in my mind of people trapped in nets! As this is one of Jesus' instructions to His disciples at the very beginning and at the end of His time here in earth, I am sure this is an important thing we have to learn to do. In fishing, a serious fisherman needs to know what kind of bait to use for a particular fish. Artificial lures or flies? Worms? Leeches? Or your leftover lunch? 

When we go fishing, we never know if we would get home with one fish, a whole icebox full or not a single one. But the thing is, we have to go out into the water! I remember listening to Ric Warren when he came to the Philippines. He said that in Saddleback Church, they have many clubs. I guess that was their fishing ground. They had one for mountaineers, for hula dancers, for bikers, etc. So they are able to reel in like minded people interested in mountain climbing, hula dancing and biking. We all have interests, maybe even an expertise, and we can use that to do some fishing as Jesus instructed. The thing is to go out into the water. And just like with fishermen, it's up to God to provide the fish! 

A Little Child shall Lead Them

"...and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6

A little child shall guide them... that is what it says in the prophetic word of Isaiah. We can connect this to what Jesus says in the Gospel for today, Luke 10, "what you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to the merest children." 

Sometimes we over complicate believing in God. Paul Washer, the fiery preacher tells of when he was a young kid. His mom gave him clear instructions not to get himself dirty on his first day in school as he had a new set of clothes. Well, he got himself into a fight and went down to play in the river! All his cracks and crevices got filled up with dirt. So he asked John and Rance to come home as they were as dirty as he was. His mom saw him from the window with fire coming out of her eyes. "Now mom, don't get mad," he started, "look at John and Rance..."  Before he could finish, his mom gave him his best theology lesson: "John and Rance are not my children. You are my child. I have nothing to do with them, but I have everything to do with you. Now go upstairs, say your prayers and prepare to die." Now Paul goes around the world preaching with the biggest conviction in the world that God is calling us to be His children and we should say yes to Him every day. 

Lord, may I have the faith of a little child, trusting that I am Yours and You will teach me how to get to heaven and be with you! 

Humility and Faith!

"I assure you, I have never found this much faith in Israel." Matthew 8:10

Faith and humility, what a potent combination! When the centurion approached Jesus, he asked Jesus to heal his servant from paralysis. Jesus offered to come and cure him, but the centurion said, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will get better." I have no doubt that this man, this pagan, had been listening to Jesus' words and they found a fertile place in his heart for faith to grow. What a wonderful example for us this Advent season!

All of us are unworthy but all of us are given a tiny bit of faith to nurture. We can make it grow or we can kill it. I like to make it grow by reading God's Word and agreeing with it, with what God says about me, who I am in Christ, and what God wants to do for me and through me! 

 

Lord, help me to clothe myself in humility knowing that You give grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). I desperately need You and Your Holy Spirit in my life Lord. Lead me, guide me, mold me, make me into the person You want me to be! Water my faith Lord! 

Noah and the Flood

"They were totally unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them." Matthew 24:39

Is there proof that Noah really existed, that he built an ark, and a great flood destroyed much of the earth? We may or may not believe the proof gathered by subsurface radar scans, metal detector surveys, chemical analyses, and archaeological finds made by a group of scientists who found the shape of a large ship in a mountain in Turkey near its border with Iran. Robert Ballard, a respected archaeologist who found the Titanic, believes the flood really happened because of an ancient shoreline he unearthed. 

But I do not need scientific proof. Jesus believes it and that's good enough for me. In Matthew 24, Jesus warns that His second coming will be just like what happened in the days of Noah. People would be going about their business, totally unconcerned about God and His instructions. In Genesis 6, we see that Noah is described as a good man. Why? Because he walked with God. And the earth was described as a "sewer"!!! There was violence and corruption and depravity. Here in the Philippines, I can see that we can be described as a sewer too! Extra judicial killings, people resigning en masse because of corruption, disgusting questions asked by Congressmen in a House justice committee hearing. 

Lord, teach us to walk with You, to learn Your ways. I do not have to wait for Your second coming. May I be faithful so that one day You will come for me! 

Be on the Watch!

"Be on the watch. Pray constantly..." Luke 21:36

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent, from the Latin word 'Adventus' meaning coming. Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus. Perhaps no one waits more than a prisoner in a Cuban jail. In his poignant memoir, Against All Hope, Armando Valladares, recounts his 22 years in the La Cabana prison. 

He tells of the horror of not knowing who will be called to face the firing squad next. But it was in those first uncertain months that he embraced Christ. He tells of ordinary young men who would shout, "Viva Christo Rey!" before the fateful instant of death. The defiant cries of the executed, "Long live Christ the King! Down with Communism!" echoed within him. "The cries became such a potent and stirring symbol that by 1963 the men condemned to death were gagged before being carried down to be shot," Valladares wrote. "The jailers feared those shouts. They could not afford to allow even that last courageous cry from those about to die." 

 

So we too must be on the watch constantly, perhaps not for a firing squad, but we can be sure that our ancient enemy has a bullseye on our back. He too is keeping watch for a time when we let our guard down. 

Lord, may I ever be on the watch. May I be as courageous as those men, and keep praying, keep shouting, "Long live Christ the King!" 

The Dragon in Chains

"The angel seized the dragon...and chained him up for a thousand years." Revelation 20:2

 

I haven't read the Book of Revelations much. There's too much going on I don't understand and like most people, I tend to gloss over the reality of the enemy, the great Satan, the devil. Paul Washer, the fiery preacher who does not compromise with the truth, agonizes over washed down Christianity and talks often about how most Christians are going to hell.  That it's not a matter of being saved because we received Jesus Christ one fine day. 

In Revelations chapter 20, Saint John receives a vision where the devil gets chained up for a thousand years, and hurled into the abyss. Then there's this enormous throne, the judgement seat, before which each person is judged according to how he lived his life. A seemingly powerless Jesus, who stood before Pilate and Herod Antipas, will one day judge them! 

Here and now, every day, we choose whom to listen to. Are we influenced by the dragon or the dragon slayer? Do we obey the one who strategizes for our downfall or the one who died to give us freedom? Yes, the ancient enemy wants to keep us shackled. He wants to suck up every vestige of power or victory we have in Christ, and we allow him! Every time we disobey, when we harbor unforgiveness in our heart, when we allow fear to reign instead of faith, when we allow our past to define us, instead of who we really are- sons and daughters of a King! 

Lord, You meant for us to be Your own special possession. You engraved us in the palm of Your hand! (Isaiah 49:16) May Your truth be ever before me and may I not be deceived by the wiles and stratagems of the devil. We cry out to You, Abba! Father! Never ever let us go! 

Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving..." Psalm 100:4

 

Today, people in the US will celebrate Thanksgiving. The first Thanksgiving meal happened in November 1621 and lasted for three days. The Pilgrims were feasting in gratitude for a good harvest and the Wampanoag Indians came to check out what all the noise was about. That's how they got together. Unfortunately relations between the two peoples deteriorated when more and more settlers arrived and started fighting for land. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Saint Paul admonishes us to thank God in everything, through good times and bad times. We should rejoice always (5:16). We may not always feel like rejoicing or thanking God but it should be a decision. Just like Abraham Lincoln made the decision for this proclamation, "I invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."

Lord, may I set aside a part of my day to be grateful and thank You, whatever my circumstances. May I not need a proclamation from the President to count my blessings and to sing praise to You from whom all my blessings flow! 

WOYWW: Of Martyrs and Faith

I am still working on my

mini canvases. 

It's really fun and I do 

a little bit every day. 

"People will manhandle and persecute you..." Luke 21:12

It's amazing that the disciples continued to believe in Jesus' message and persevered in preaching it. True enough, what Jesus prophesied to them came true. One of them died after being dragged by horses, another was boiled in oil, one was dropped a hundred feet down the pinnacle of the Temple, others were beheaded, stoned, crucified, whipped again and again. Today the manhandling and persecution of Christians is still going on. Why do Christians persist? 

Because we are witnesses that His way works. Because we have seen God's work in our lives. That is the reason Christine Caine is so passionate about her work and continues to do it even against insurmountable odds. Christine  founded A21, an organization that fights human trafficking and has helped free more than a thousand girls from inhuman and barbaric situations in the Ukraine and in Greece where prostitution is legal. One time the police said they couldn't send anyone to help, so she and her staff went down on their knees to pray. They prayed that the men who would visit this particular brothel would be the ones to rescue the women there. That night, the police got surprised because one man came in and brought a young girl with him. The man said he just felt the urge to ask the girl for her papers and after finding out that she was there against her will, and seeing the condition she was in, he decided to help her. Christine has many stories about personal victories and victories in the field. And that is why she soldiers in the field of battle. 

Lord, give me the strength to do what You would have me do. Give me the courage, the perseverance, but most of all the gift of faith to fight when the going gets tough.