Your Easter is Near

“Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” Jn. 4:49-50

Now that I increase in age and understanding about God, the more I find it challenging to talk about Him to others. It’s because I realized that my mind is so limited, that I cannot really comprehend and explain all the things pertaining to Him.

But though I find Him so mysterious nowadays than before, I’m pretty much convinced that this God of ours is no doubt a GIVER of LIFE. This is His primary trait. That God is God because He gives life.  With this faith, (how fragile it may seems) I approached him every time I see something in myself needed to be given life- to be resurrected.

A directionless pursuit… He gives me purpose.
A fearful decision… He gives me courage.
A bankrupt account… He gives me resources.
A terrible mistake… He gives me forgiveness.
A painful sickness... He gives me healing
A dying friend… He gives me comfort.

My friend, I find this trait very much natural to him.
Indeed, our God is naturally and supernaturally life giving.
Trust Him. I invite you.

Lift to Him your dead dreams, your dead careers and dead relationships.
He can resurrect them in due time.
For though I may not know where heaven or hell is,
But this I do know- wherever you find God, there life is!

Trust Him more. Your Easter is near.

Who Needs Water The Most?

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" Jn. 4:7

I used to believe that when I do good, I’m giving favor to God.
That when I pray, the more I can love God.
That when I help someone, the more I can serve God.
That when I sacrifice, the more I can prioritize God.

These may be true but the truth behind these is truer.
That when I pray, the more God can love me.
That when I help someone, the more God can serve me.
That when I sacrifice, the more God can “prioritize” me.

Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you that the more we do good the more God loves us. No, it’s not the point and no, it’s not the truth.
The truth here is that the more we allow ourselves to do good (to ourselves, to others, and even to God), the more God CAN work in our lives. The more we CAN experience His unconditional love. And in the end the more we CAN live a fulfilled life.

This is why I think in the gospels, there are times that Jesus asked something from people although, we know that he can easily provide it for himself. Take a look at these.
Jesus needs a bread to feed the five thousand and he requested his disciples to look for it. (Mt.14:16)
Jesus needs water to quench his thirst and she requested the Samaritan woman to give it to him. (Jn. 4:7)
Jesus needs more fish and he asked his disciples to provide it. (Jn. 21:10)

Here’s a question for all of us to think.
Is Jesus really in need of bread, water, fish in these occasions? Or the people do?

So better now we ask ourselves these questions?
Does God really in need of our prayers? Or we need them the most?
Does God really in need of our tights? Or we need them the most?
Does God really in need of our good works? Or we need them the most?

I hope now you see the point.
God requests that we give him our utmost love and time not because He will become more powerful or Godlier. The truth is; He will still remain God even without them. (even without us)

What I would like to think is that he requested these from us and “appear” that he needs them because he wants to train us to GIVE. To be GENEROUS!
Because he knows that the more we give our love to Him, the more we will learn to give love to ourselves. The more we give love to ourselves, the more we will learn to give love to each other. And the more we give love to each other, the more we will experience and enjoy a fulfilled life.

What more can I say.
When God asks something from us, surely; it will be for the benefit of us.
God is really generous! Don’t you think?

Every Person Has A Mango Seed

“Let us create man in our own image and likeness.” Gen. 1:26

  

I used to believe that generosity is a virtue that we “acquire” through time. I was wrong. (And I thank God for correcting me this soon) God made me realized that generosity (like any other virtue) is not something that we “acquire” as if we can definitely say, “Just do this or that, you’ll BECOME generous!” or “This thing or that will MAKE you generous!” I’m telling you, it’s only half of the truth. The whole truth is that you are ALREADY generous. YOU ARE GENEROUS! Yes, we hardly see or believe this because most of the time, we fail to allow ourselves to live as such. In other words we don’t discover and celebrate our being generous.

For us to better understand this, allow me to give you an analogy. Our character as a generous person is like a mango seed. When you look at a mango seed, what you see is a mango seed. (Obviously!) But you know and I know that it is not only a mango seed. Inside of it is a mango tree. Just plant it, water it, expose it into sunlight, put some fertilizer (if needed), then the mango tree will become more obvious.

Again, you and I are generous. The problem is it’s not that obvious most of the time. Why? Basically again, because we don’t discover and celebrate it. Meaning we don’t plant it, water it, expose it to sunlight or fertilize it. In other words, we fail to expose ourselves to generous environment or sometimes, sad to say we even plant ourselves to “ungenerous” grounds. And that is why seldom we see seeds, trees and fruits of generosity around us. (Though in reality, there are plenty)

And so I invite you to take this kind of awareness with me. That more than we believe that someday or somehow we will BECOME generous, let us claim that WE ARE ALREADY GENEROUS today! Why not? Our creator made us this way. “Let us create man is our own image and likeness.” (Gen.1:26). Therefore if God is Good (all the time), man is good! If God is loving, we are loving! If God is generous (And He is!) you and I are generous! Meaning, all of us has this innate power (potential and kinetic) to receive and give good things to ourselves, to others, with others and of course with God.

So my dear friend, the next time you look at yourself in the mirror. Say to yourself “I am generous!” Then, believe and live it. And the next time you look to someone, say, “This person is generous!” Believe me; this will really ridiculously change your world, for you will see each day not only mango seeds but fruitful mango trees.

God bless your generous heart!

Your Heart’s Desire

“Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace. For you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation.” Luke 2:29-30

If I’m not mistaken, you already heard someone saying something like this:
“Sagutin n’ya lang ako, pwede na akong mamatay.” Or “If I finish this, I can die.” Or “Wow, this is too good to be true, I’m ready to die.” Of course, you and I know that 11 out of 10 people who said these are only joking. And those expressions are meant not to be taken seriously.

But today, I invite you to take it in a different light. To take the following questions sincerely.
Is there someone that you really long to be with; that when you already have him/her, you’ll find your dreams fulfilled? Your life complete?
Is there something lacking in your life today that when you already gain it,
You can conquer the world and you will not ask for more?

In other words, today, I’m asking you to consider your heart’s desire.
What is your heart’s ultimate desire?
That once fulfilled, you’ll not only going to say:
“I’m ready to die” but “I’m ready to live!”
Again, what is your heart’s ultimate desire? What is it?

I hope it’s like Simeon’s…
I hope HE is what your desire.

Generosity Bits: On Buying or Acquiring Something

"For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice." James 3:16   

When we’re always after what we want and not to what we “really” need, we fail to allow ourselves to be simple, focus, and considerate of others. In other words, it leads us to become selfish. To combat this, it’s always good to ask ourselves these questions when buying or acquiring something: Is this really what I need? Can I share this thing with others? Will this really benefit me and other people? If your answer to these questions is a big “YES” then go and get it. If not, suspend your buying and pray for it a little more. God bless your generous heart!

88 Jeepney Etiquettes

Isang mapagpalang araw ka-pasahero!

Maraming salamat sa pag ‘para’ mo sa blog na ito. Tayo na’t tuklasin ang isang masaya at ligtas na byahe!  Paano?  Ito’y sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod na  “Jeepney Etiquttes”. Ito’y magagamit hindi lang sa pagsakay sa jeep o sa kahit anong uri ng transportasyon, kundi pati na rin sa buo mong byahe. Sa madaling sabi, tinatawag rin natin itong “Travel Etiquette”. Bahagi ito ng “Commuters and Travel Literacy” na sinisimulan kong buoin sa kasalukuyan. (Inaanyayahan rin kitang maging kabahagi nito). Nais nitong turuan ang  bawat isa na maging mabuting pasahero sa paniniwala na “Kung ang isang tao ay matututong magpahalaga sa kanyang kapwa pasahero, matututo rin s’yang magmahal kahit kanino.”

Upang higit na mapakinabangan,  makakatulong kung tatanungin mo ang iyong sarili kung ano sa mga “Jeepney Etiquettes” na ito ang ginagawa mo at kung ano ang hindi pa. Tinitiyak ko na bago pa matapos ang listahan, matutuklasan mo na ikaw ay isang “Mabuting Pasahero.” At bakit hindi. Ang pagbisita mo pa lang sa blog na ito ay isa nang tanda na taglay mo ang katangiang ito. Marahil, tulad ko rin, kailangan lang patuloy na tuklasin at pagyamanin. Sa bandang huli, mamamangha ka sa kagandahang-loob na mula pa sa iyong pagsilang ay nasa sa’yo na. O paano, simulan na natin!

Bago ang Araw ng Byahe

1. Sikaping makapagpahinga ng maayos.
2. Ihanda na ang lahat ng mga dadalhin at gagamitin kinabukasan.
3. Alaming mabuti ang pupuntahan. Kung hindi alam, magtanong na nang maaga. (Makakatulong rin ang paggamit ng google map)
4. Kung nahihirapang gumising, gumamit ng alarm-clock. Ilagay ito ng malayo sa iyo. (‘Yung mapipilitan kang bumangon bago mo ito mapatay.)

Sa Araw ng Byahe

5. Gumising ng maaga.
6. Magdasal pagkagising. (Highly recommended ko ito!)
7. Kumain o lagyan ng laman ang tiyan bago bumiyahe. (Iwas gastos, iwas init ng ulo).
8. Maligo at magsipilyo.
9. Umalis ng mas-maaga kaysa sa nakasanayan. (Crucial ito!)
10. Umalis pa ng mas-maaga kung makikisakay lang. (Di bale nang ikaw ang maghintay kaysa ikaw ang hintayin)  
11. Magsuot ng komportableng damit. Iwasan and masyadong maiiksi. (Para ito sa babae, pero higit sa lalaki.)
12. Maghanda palagi ng barya.
13. Dalhin ang Student o Senior Citizen ID. (Upang maiwasan ang pagtatalo at makakuha ng diskwento)
14. Magdala ng candy o biscuit. (Para handa pagnagutom sa byahe at pwede ring ibigay sa mga nanghihingi ng limos)
15. Magdala ng libro. (Upang mabasa kung sakaling matagal ang traffic. Pang-takip din sa ulo pag mainit)
16. Magdala ng eco-bag. (Lalo na kung pupunta sa mga mall.)
17. Magdala ng panyo, payong at pamaypay. Magdala na rin ng plastic. (Para sa mga nahihilo sa byahe)
18. Mag-paalam bago umalis. (Magmano o halikan ang mga mahal sa buhay.)

Bago Sumakay

19. Umalis ng bahay ng nakangiti. (At baunin ito sa buong byahe)
20. Maglakad o magbisekleta na lang kung malapit naman ang pupuntahan.
21. Hanggat maari, iwasang maglakad ng matulin. (maliban na lang kung nais mong mag-exercise)
22. Iwasang mag-text habang naglalakad.
23. Kung may nakitang delikado sa dinaraanan tulad ng pako, thumb tacks o bubog, alisin at ilagay sa tamang lagayan kung may pagkakataon.
24. Huwag mahiyang pulutin ang sinko, dyes at bente sinko*. (Kung malaking halaga naman ang nakita mo, ipagtanong o gamitin ang ‘common sense’ bago ibulsa) 
25. Sumakay sa tamang sakayan.
26. Gawing obvious ang pag ‘para’ upang tigilan.
27. Matutong pumila kapag may pila. Kung wala, gumawa.
28. Iwasang makipagsik-sikan sa pagsakay. (Para hindi rin delikado sa mga pickpocket
29. Hanggat maaari, iwasang sumabit.

Habang Nasa Loob ng Sasakyan at Nasa Byahe

31. Ibigay ang upuan na nakalaan para sa matatanda, may kapansanan at buntis.
32. Alalayan ang mga nakakatanda at mga bata sa pagsakay o pagbaba.
33. Matuto ring magbigay ng upuan para sa mga babae at bata.
34. Kung matangkad, iwasang umupo sa may malapit sa pintuan. (Maaring makasagabal ang tuhod mo)
35. Umupo ng dahan-dahan lalong higit ‘pag halos puno na.
36. Umupo ng maayos.
37. Matutong umusod-usod. (Ika nga, gumalaw-galaw para hindi mai-stroke)
38. Matutong umusod-usod papunta sa unahan upang madaling makaalis ang sasakyan.
39. Huwag iharang ang paa sa daanan.
40. Magbayad ng maaga ng hindi maabala.
41. I-timing ang pagbabayad, wag sabay-sabay. (Mahina ang kalaban)
42. Magbayad ng barya lalong higit pag maaga pa.
43. Magbayad ng tapat pati sobrang sukli ay ibalik dapat.
44. Masayang mag-abot ng bayad o sukli.
45. Magsabi ng “paki” o makisuyo kung hihingi ng pabor sa kapwa-pasahero.
46. Lakasan ang boses. (Sa pagbabayad at pag-para lalong higit kung maingay at ‘bingi’ raw ang driver)
47. Ipagdasal ang driver (pati na rin konduktor) ng sinasakyan mo.
48. I-bless rin ang pera mo bago ibayad. (Sabihin mo na nawa’y gamitin ito ng susunod na makakatanggap sa kapakipakinabang na paraan)
49. Ingatan at ilagay ng maayos ang mga bagahe upang hindi ito makaabala.
50. Bayaran na lang ang mga bagahe kung ito ay masyadong makaka-abala.
51. Matutong maging “konduktor” o “maki-para” kapag hindi masyadong madinig ng driver ang kapasahero mo. (Pati na kung hindi rin madinig kung ‘san nanggaling o bababa)
52. Hingin ang sukli ng maayos kung nalilimutan ng driver.
53. Matutong ngumiti sa mga pasahero.
54. Huwag manigarilyo sa sasakya nat maging sa mga terminal. (Batas ito!)
55. Maging alerto sa byahe at iwasang makatulog lalo na sa jeep.
56. Huwag maging suplado o suplada. (Matutong makipag-usap sa ka-pasahero kung kinakailangan.
57. Makipag-usap lang ng katamtaman. (May natutulog kasi. Joke)
58. Iwasang bumanggit ng pangalan sa kwentuhan. (Lalo na kung negatibo at tsismis ang pinag-uusapan)
59. Huwag magbasa ng text nang may text, (pati na rin ng dyaryo o pocket book) lalo na't hindi kakilala.
60. Huwag ikalampag ang sapatos kapag nagpapa-gas ang driver (baka mag-spark, Joke! Lalo kasing nakakadagdag stress sa mga nagmamadali).
61. Huwag magkalat sa loob o labas ng sasakyan.(Mortal sin na ito ngayon, fyi)
62. Kung maari, iwasang ilabas at hawakan ang mga gadget sa byahe.
63. Kung makikinig ng music o manonood ng movie, gumamit ng headset.
64. Kung naka-headset, tiyakin na naririnig mo pa rin ang mga nakapaligid sa iyo.
65. Kumapit sa sasakyan lalong higit kung mabilis ang takbo nito.
66. Huwag ilabas ang kamay o kahit anong bahagi ng katawan sa sasakyan.
67. Tumulong at magbigay ng direksyon. (Kung kaya at alam mo)
68. Huwag pag-isipan na mandurukot o holdaper ang lahat ng kasakay mo. (Bad yon!)
69. Palaging maging posibo kapag kinakausap ang sarili mo. (‘Yung self-talk at pag-iisip na madalas nating gawin kapag nabyahe)
70. Relax lang kapag sobrang init at traffic.
71. Magmasid-masid at i–enjoy ang byahe. (Feeling turista)
72. Huwag mag-PDA (Public Display of Affection) sa loob ng sasakyan.
73. Ipagdasal lahat ng makikita mong naka-motor. (Keep them safe Lord.)
74. Ipagdasal rin ang mga kaluluwa ng mga namatay, kapag napadaan sa mga sementeryo.
75. Ipagdasal ang mga kapasahero mo. (Magandang option kapag walang magawa sa gitna ng mahabang traffic.)
76. Maglibre paminsan-minsan.
77. Sumunod sa batas trapiko.
78. Huwag dumura lalo na’t mabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan
79. Kung mahaba ang buhok, magtali o hawakan ito.
80. Huwag mahiyang magtanong kung hindi sigurado sa sasakyan o bababaan.
    
    
    
    Sa Pagbaba at Paguwi
81. Magsabi ng ‘para’ ng  mas-maaga o bago ang lugar na bababaan.   
82.  Mag-ingat at magsabi ng “excuse” kung kinakailangan kapag bumababa. 
83.  Magsabi rin ng "sorry" kapag may natapakan o nasagi. 
84.            Iwasang bumaba sa mismong kanto.
    85. Tumabi muna pagkababa, pagkatapos lumingon sa kaliwa at kanan bago tumawid. 
    86. Kung may pagkakataon, magpasalamat sa driver at konduktor bago bumaba.
    87.    Alalayan ang mga napapansin mong nahihirapan sa dalang bagahe.
    88.  Mag-uwi ng pasalubong kahit paminsan-minsan.

            Sa sandaling ito, inaanyayahan kitang mag-iwan ng  kumento, suhestion at  lalong higit ng mga karagdagang pang “Jeepney Etiquette” na alam mo na hindi ko pa nabanggit rito. Inaanyayahan rin kitang ibahagi ito sa iba at bisitahin ang mga nauna ko nang ‘post’ na makikita mo sa bandang kanan na magbibigay sa iyo ng ideya kung bakit nabuo ang blog na ito.       

Muli, maraming salamat ka-pasahero. Dalangin ko palagi sa iyo at sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay ang isang ligtas at masayang byahe.  

Be One of the 94

"Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another.” Jn. 1:16

I’m inspired after hearing from a local report last night that generally,
94% of Filipinos are welcoming 2014 with much hope. And it’s also good to note here that even in Visayas, badly affected by 7.2 earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda,
93% of our kababayan there are facing the New Year with the same spirit.

“Why not?” I told to myself.
I cannot deny that we encountered a lot of negative issues and catastrophes as a nation and even as an individual this year. But I cannot also deny, (and I don’t want to) that I also saw enormous blessings and providence this year in each and every corner. Here are some of them.

I’m alive. (And living)
I share bed with my lovely wife Karen and son AJ.
I still dine with very supportive relatives and friends.
I have the chance to laugh, dream and pray with my students.

I meet a loving father who drives taxi day in and out to honestly support his family.
I rode with a pregnant mother who can’t wait to give birth to her second daughter. 
I heard a friend who after years, still prays and longs for the love of her own parents. 
I encountered a student who came to me and honestly admits that he cheated in my exam.

I worked with a government official who puts God at the center of his barangay.
I segregated garbage with friends who travel around the country to combat global warming.
I worked with generous colleagues who put-up scholarship fund for the most-in-need students. 
I served with inspiring ‘pasahero’ friends who promote generosity in their respective work places.

‘Know what? If I will continue, the list will hardly end.
Praise to God and my Father who is very much alive and generous
YESTERDAY, TODAY, and FOREVER.
Indeed, He bestowed me with needed blessing one after the other.

Now, don’t miss this.
My generous Father is YOUR generous Father too!
And this Father of yours has nothing in mind but to bless you every single second of your life. In doubt? Try to count every single blessing you received (no matter how small and insignificant they are to you) before this year end and I’m telling you, before 2014 ends, you’re not yet done. That’s how generous your Father is to you.

So today, claim God’s blessings in your life.
And be one of the 94.

Enjoy inspiring decades ahead of you my friend. God loves you!