The Doctor’s Doctor

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Prov. 15:33

During the last day of confinement of my son, I had the opportunity to visit one of the most prestigious and advance hospitals in the Philippines- Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

I went there to buy some supplies and to pay the doctor who had generously lent his machine for my son's operation. While finding my way out, the elevator led me (yes it was an accident) to the hospital’s chapel. I entered and I noticed that it’s not that big but it is a very serene place. It’s a very conducive haven to entrust your cares and thanksgiving after days of uncertainty.

But more than the ambiance, what inspires me more inside the chapel is to see doctors making signs of the cross, kneeling and praying. Some of them stayed for about two to three minutes, some of them just came to dropped-by. But just the same, it was an inspiring moment. It was inspiring to me because it’s my first time to see doctors in uniform praying in front of the Greatest Healer of all. Doctors who somehow I considered “gods” and entrusted the fate of my son the past days are now knelling and teaching me to depend on God. What a display of humility, dependence and faith!

So then and there, while praying with these professionals, I was reminded of my own profession too. As an educator, am I humble, dependent and placing my faith in God? Or am I just playing my role, or just being confident to myself that I can deliver the goods?

                                                                                        

I thank the Lord for this encounter...
Surely, one of the blessings He gave me through these trying times.
For He reminded me again to be humble and always depend on Him.
And not only that! He made me realized that He really stayed, indeed He never leaves…
That indeed he never leaves me, my wife and definitely my son.

For this Great Doctor and Teacher of all, always be the glory!

P.S. Dedicated with prayers to all the doctors, nurses, pharmacist and staff of Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center who generously assist my son. Thank you very much.

Learn from the Experts

“As the Father has loved me so I have loved you; remain in my love” Jn. 15:9

Many people will tell you that if you want to succeed in life,
You need to learn from the experts.
That you need to learn from the professionals.

And so if today, you are pursuing love…
Meaning- you want to give more love or receive more love,
Please don’t miss the words above, for they really are from the experts.

Try to see this.
Jesus was able to give us an unconditional love because he learned it from the expert.
Who? No other than His Loving Father!
He said: “As the Father has loved me so I have loved you.”
And now, Jesus is inviting us. He continued: “Remain in my love.”
Remaining in Jesus’ love mean- 
Learning to love “FROM” Him,
Loving someone “LIKE” Him.

Indeed, the love of our Father and of our brother Jesus is our ultimate "Pattern of Love."
If we really want to love and be loved...
Let us always seek their advice. 
Let us always look at their example. 
Let us always follow their commands.

Today, learn to love from the experts.

Hate Delays?

Set your hearts on the things that are in heaven… keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. Col. 3: 1-2

I’m a hobbyist or a do-it-yourself guy.
If I find something beautiful and worthwhile to have,
I'll do my best to learn how to do it by myself.
This character of mine gives way to some of my talent in carpentry, clay molding, plaster casting, picture mounting, paper recycling, framing, and even blogging and making audio-video presentations.

These past weeks, I’m learning how to do T-shirt printing. And of course to be able to do this, I also need to learn to make silk screens.

Silk screens? Here I am again.Too busy, compulsive, impatient, can’t wait.

Yes, I can’t wait to see what will happen to my screens. Actually, a lot of my resources, time, effort and even my mind are with it.

I admit! I’m now too occupied by t-shirt printing and silk screens. (Obvious isn’t it? Even this reflection is about them).

I can't really help it. Every time I’m learning a new craft,

I venture on it, research on it, try it, and always can’t wait to see the end result.
And so during the learning process, I hate mistakes. I hate delays.

But now, my screen is in the corner waiting to be fix.

And here I am sited, figuring out…
Where I went wrong? What I'm going to do next?
Am I going to continue this?  Can I make this?

Delays.., mistakes.., interruptions…

I need it. You need it. We all need it.
For a “certain period”, it can really help us.
To assess our actions, to assess our strategies.
To assess our life’s purpose, to assess our life’s values.

Delays can help us.

It can help us to stop and look again to what is more important in our life.
And in doing so, fix our eyes and hearts on them.
Not is our career, not in our positions, not in our bank accounts.
Not even in my silk screens.

Delays, learn all you can with them.

Happy Generosity Day!

“I have already told you that I am he”, Jesus said. “If, then, you are looking for me, let these others go.” Jn. 18:8

Hours later, we will be celebrating the greatest expression of God’s love. What is it? Giving…, sacrifice…
Indeed- His generosity!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I invite you to think of the 3 happiest moments in your life. Yes, think about it for a moment. (Please stop reading, think!)

Now, I would like to bet. First, all of those moments are with people or persons; with your love ones or with a stranger. Secondly, they are moments of love and of GIVING. Am I right? Yes, if you’re not the one giving, you’re the one being given; or, you’re observing a generous act. Try to check, reminisce those moments (pause for a while and thank God for them).

It feels so good and so bless, right? Why?
Listen. The greatest expression of God’s love is His generosity!
And the more we give, the more we patterned our heart to God’s love.
And the more we experience God’s love, the more we become happy and at peace!

This is no secret. Many “extremely” happy people like you have already known and experience this.

Remember the time you stop doing your chores to play with your children… generosity!
Remember the time you cook for your mother when she was sick… generosity!
Remember the time you help a classmate in her lessons…generosity!
Remember the time you extend your time in the office to help a co-worker… generosity!
Remember the time you visit a sick neighbor… generosity!
Remember the time you give a hand to stranger’s need… generosity!
Remember the time you treat yourself for a cup of coffee… generosity!
Remember the time you forgive a friend and you forgive yourself… generosity!

These and many more moments of generosity we will celebrate this afternoon.
Yes, patterned and reflecting the origin and source of all generosity.

Wait! Remember the time when God, "stop" being God, became a human friend, crucified and died for you and me… That’s definitely generosity!

God loves you!

Happy Generosity Day!:)

Never Miss the Lesson, Never Miss the Teacher

“You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.” Jn 13:7

The Teacher knows it very well, His hour is at hand. And He’s prepared. 
The problem is, his students aren’t.
He also knows what will happen and what He will going to do next. 
Unfortunately, his disciples aren’t.

And so he wishes to dine with them, at least for the last time before his (and ours) big day.
Yes, to express how much he loves His friends,
And to help them prepare for one of the greatest lessons in life… 
“If you don’t know how to die well, you will never know how to live well!”

A lesson he wants his disciples to understand (and live)...
This time in the upper room but hours later, at the top of the mountain.
This time while dining in a wooden table but hours later, while carrying the wooden cross.
This time with the pouring of water, but hours later, with the thunders of spit and stones.
This time with a broken bread, hours later, with his crushed body.
This time with a cup of wine, hours later, with his liters of blood.
This time while he’s living, hours later, while he’s dying.

These holy days… (and still, after these days)
Let’s really pay attention.
Let’s open our minds, hearts, and hands.
Not just to repetitive traditions and lengthy prayers;
But more to great lessons of dying and living, 
Of sacrifice and celebration, 
Of generosity and love.
Never miss these lessons my friend,
Eventually, we will never miss the Teacher.

Happy Holy Thursday!

Learn to Ask and Be Rich!

Need answers to your prayers?

Can’t wait to reach your dreams?

Want a successful and abundant life?

Yes you CAN!

Read and own the following steps that I’m going to reveal here and I assure you-

You will have infinite wealth (for you and your love ones) more that you can imagine.

Now I know what you’re thinking. “This will only be just another abundance self-help idea like others” I said no! More than that.

Actually, this will not tell you how to help yourself to be rich but to be “dependent” to be one.

The gist: Learn to ask and be rich! As easy as that.

Ok, I’m lying. This is not easy. But this is possible!

Many successful and well known people have done this.

Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs and Manny Pacquiao to name a few.

In addition, many abundance gurus and life coaches are talking about this but never realize that what their teaching is only an elaboration and practical application of what the secret called “Power of Asking” already revealed.

Who exposed this? Jesus.

Our reference, the Bible written thousands of years ago.

The Power of Asking

Let’s begin. Read slowly the verse below.

“Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.” Mt. 7:7

“Ok. Jesus wants us to pray to receive blessings, very obvious. So what’s the secret here?” You think.

No, it’s only one third of the whole secret. Allow me to unlock everything for you.

First, Jesus invites you to ASK. Ask means, praying daily.

Or as the bible puts it: “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Th. 5:17

Tell God your wishes, your goals, and your purpose in life (and be specific as possible). Maybe sometimes you think that there is no need to do this because anyway God already knows them. Yes I agree. Surely He knows them because He’s the one planted it in your heart. But still Jesus urged you to tell it, so that He knows that you already discovered them. Or better say, you yourself will know that you already discovered them. That what are you’re asking from Him is what you really want. In short, prayer clarifies and adds focus to your wishes, goals and purpose.

Without clarity and focus, it will be impossible for you to reach them. After all, how can you know that you already reach your goal if from the start you do not know what it is? Yes, self-help books know this because the bible revealed it first:

 “When you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.” Jas. 1:6-8

Aside from this, praying helps us to purify our intention. It helps us to be positive. When you connect to God daily, it’s impossible that you’ll be selfish in your prayers. God, who wants the best for you, will always show the best option that will truly benefit you and others. Remember. all real prayers are generous prayers.

This is important because if you know that what you’re praying is bad, you will not be confident working for it. Moreover, right people will not be there because no one in his right mind will accompany someone whose goal is unworthy. The result: delays, conflict, and stress will arise. In the end, though sometimes you get what you want, you’re not really happy and satisfied. Still, it’s an unanswered prayer.

So, if you heard many life coaches telling you to be positive to reach your goal, it’s because this is what God reveals to them:

“You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad, you ask for your own pleasure. Jas. 4:2-3

And one more thing. Do you ask prayers from your friends? Do you find their prayers helpful? What happened there is that when you told them your needs, it also adds clarity and focus (like when you pray). Aside from that, you made them aware of your situation and you opened the possibility for them to help you (materially or spiritually). In the end, you’re not the only one working and anticipating for it, you have your family, friends or colleagues helping out. Due to cooperation and solidarity your prayer turns into reality. Again the bible reveals this truth:

“Pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.” Jas 5:16

 

Clarity, focus, positivity, and help, these and more you RECEIVE when you pray.

So ASK, pray daily!

Don’t Just Aim, Fire!

                               

After praying, Jesus wants us to SEEK. Seeking means you act enthusiastically.

That every day, you should passionately look for people, places and activities- meaning good opportunities- that can help you attain your wishes, goals and purpose.

In short, as a ‘pasahero’ puts it: Act always on your purpose.

Because the thing is, blessings and opportunities are all around us but without doing our part- molding our minds, opening our hearts, and lifting our feet- we will miss them. If inspirational and motivational speakers know this, it’s because our generous God placed it in their hearts:

“The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Cor. 9:6

Proverbs has also its own version: “A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. Poor who waste their time will always be poor.” Pr. 28:19

And James is more precise in saying: “Faith without action is dead!” Jas. 2:26

So if you like that trophy, train enthusiastically for it.

If you need that job, apply enthusiastically for it.

If you want that business, learn enthusiastically about it.

If you love that person, yes, you know what to do.

Remember: You need to be inspired, to be on fire, to be passionate if you want to be successful. This and more you’ll FIND when you start to act.

So SEEK, act enthusiastically!

Hear it again: Never Give Up!

Lastly, Jesus urges us to KNOCK. Knocking means you stand courageously, especially when life knocks you down. In short, never give up!

Yes, there were times that we do train, apply, study or court enthusiastically but in the end-

We find ourselves defeated, refused, bankrupt or busted.

That the position we really want is already filled.

That the promotion we hardly wait was given to someone.

Or the help promised to us never came.

What’s the best thing to do in these loneliest and lowliest circumstances?

I’ll give you a clue- what’s the best thing to do when you fall?

There you are!

Staying down and caressing your disgust, shame, guilt, or pride will bring you nowhere.

Who cares if the door is closed? Knock.

If no one is responding, knock still.

If for so many years the door is still close, don’t give up, pray more and seek more.

What I would like to believe is this- when God prepares a blessing for us, He placed it in a box and wrapped it carefully. Then, when it’s time, He turns off the lights, closes the door and stays quiet. And when we’re about to come in, he gladly shouts, “Surprise!” O, how we love surprises and so is He.

Learn from the Famous Failures

The so called “Famous Failures” know this because this is also what the book of life taught them:

“Our great desire is that each of you keep-up your eagerness to the end, so that the things you hope for will come true. We do not want you to become lazy, but to be like those who believe and are patient and so receive what God has promised.” Heb. 6:12

Paul of Tarsus, a “Famous Failure” definitely knows and understands this by heart: “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:10

But in the end, no one can compare to Jesus’ assurance to those who never give up: Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. Stand firm, and you will save yourselves. Lk. 21:17-19

Remember that close doors or having it slammed in our face are part of  life and we should never be afraid of them. They may look like interruptions and challenges but they are also givers of opportunity and success.

But may I remind you. There are also times that we should not force the issue; that we should not violently intrude in it. If we do that, we only make things worse. Never giving up is never the same with stubbornness.

Endurance, opportunities, and success, these and more you’ll find OPEN when you never give up.

So KNOCK, stand courageously!

The video below will also help you understand better what I’m saying here, please do watch it.

This Passage is Worth Remembering

Voila! This is the “Power of Asking”. 

This is the secret behind Mt. 7:7-8. Even the numbers are revealing the same. 

Biblically speaking, seven means perfection. 

Scientifically speaking, eight means infinity and abundance. This is not coincidence. 

So you want perfect and unlimited abundance? Remember and apply the biblical passage.

Jesus knew this. Abraham Lincoln knew this. Steve Jobs knew this. And Manny Pacquiao knows this. And now that you know, it’s time that you turn for more ASKing than trying everything just by yourself.

Don’t forget. “For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and the door will be opened to him who knocks.” Mt. 7:8

Pray daily.

Act enthusiastically.

Stand Courageously.

Your success is at hand! 

God loves you.

He Loves to Surprise You

“How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts! Ps. 92:5

Did you know what happened last night?

Allow me to tell you.

Last night, he carried you to bed and lay with you.

Knowing that you don’t want to sleep yet, he closed his eyes until you close yours.

And as you’re getting ready to dream, he’s getting ready to pull a surprise.

Without you knowing, he massaged your muscles.

Stirred well your blood. And patched your system.

Then you suddenly moved a bit…

He stopped and caressed your back.

“Huh, that’s close!” he whispered.

Then he quietly got up and started to harvest the grain,

Caught the fish, and picked the fruits.

Suddenly you flexed your legs…

He paused, looked at you and smiled.

He knows it’s getting close.

So he quickly kept all the stars and carefully painted the sky blue.

He hanged the sun and started to sprinkle it with rays.

Yes, just enough to keep you warm.

After that, he brought out the clouds and let the birds play with them.

Of course, he did not forget to pump the water, ignite the fire, and freshen the air.

“It’s time!” He said.

He knows you’re about to wake-up.

So for the final touches; he personally cleaned the gym, prepared the ride, and opened your office. Oh yes; he saved the best for last, he called your family and friends.

And as you starting to open your eyes today,

He gladly counts 1.., 2.., 3… and joyfully exclaimed: “Surprise!”

That’s what happened.

And I’m telling you my friend...

He’s not getting tired in doing that for you day after day after day.