NEVER AGAIN (PART 2)

The Word of God wants every Christian to walk in victory and newness of mind. Let the following encourage you to dwell within His promises, not your circumstances:


Never again will I confess discontent because "I have learned, in whatever state (circumstance) I am, with that I'll be content" (Phil.4:11)


Never again will I confess unworthiness because "He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21).


Never again will I confess confusion because "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33). And we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us" (1 Cor. 2:12).


Never again will I confess persecution, for if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31).


Never again will I confess the dominion of sin over my life because, "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom.8:2); and "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psa 103:12)


Never again will I confess insecurity because "When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet... for the Lord shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken" (Prov.3: 24-26).


Never again will I confess failure because, "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37).


Never again will I confess frustration, for "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is on you; because He trusts in you" (Isa. 26:3).

Never again will I confess fear of the future, "But as it is written, no eye has seen, no ear had heard, neither has entered the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him, but God has revealed them to us by His Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:9-10).


Never again will I confess troubles because Jesus said, "In the world, you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer; I have overcome thew world" (John 16:33).


(Reprinted from a handout of the National Church of God, MD)

STOP AND SMELL THE BABY

                                                                                    

Settling down to basics is what I do best nowadays.


My routine has been so altered recently that I still find myself in a time and continuum warp. Am I in Manila or in Washington DC where I touched down a month ago?


Is it night time or day time? It depends. 


When my hubby Jack calls me from Manila, he's in a rush to get to work or downing his breakfast while my son's household in the U.S. of A. prepares for dinner.


But I love this continuum warp---the best time to take stock of what's more important and realize the triteness of the things we thought we needed but really didn't need, like going gaga over mall sales or acquiring a new branded bag.


Now in a place where my daily routine has been drastically altered, I find myself drawn to just one major attraction---and finding myself becoming of value to my loved ones, even for just a while. 


Well, summer blooms abound in this place, but these dazzling beauties don't really make my day. 


I'm thankful for the fact that constantly, I can stop and smell the baby---my son Carlo and daughter-in-law Opal's week-old daughter Natalie Grace, my momentary reason for being in this out-of-the-way place in the first place.


My last apostolic mission after other apostolic missions in Australia to bond with our two other grandkids Joaqui and Charlize! 


And like her cousins and all babies when they were born, Natalie Grace is the scent of purity and innocence and wonder. Why can't we adults smell like so?


And no flower could beat her soft satiny skin. You just want to hug and cuddle this tiny helpless being who's probably the only creature in the world who could make you smile like you've won a million bucks.  


And does she bloom! Whether she's smiling, screeching, frowning, crying, fretting, feeding, pooing, peeing or burping, she's everyday a flower in bloom.


Nourished not only by milk from her mother's breasts but by the love of her doting family. 


It's no joke for new parents to have their lives so constricted by a tiny, helpless and can't-wait-to-be-attended-to being, and be on call every minute, but Carlo and Opal are discovering it's all worth the sacrifice. God has given them the grace to fulfill their role as faithful stewards of this beautiful innocent soul.  


And every day I look at her, I behold a miracle, the very expression of God's creative power and purpose.


The bible says that God knew this baby from the beginning of time, that He has a plan to prosper her and not to harm her, to give her hope and a future.


Thank you Lord for Natalie Grace! Thank you that she is the apple of Your eye. Thank you for your favor and protection and grace surrounding her as she grows up, in Jesus name!

NEVER AGAIN!

Want victory in every situation? The Word of God assures that!

But you need to believe that Jesus, your Savior and Lord, did it all for you; and that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you could ever ask or imagine!

Reproducing for you excerpts from "My Never Again List" of the National Church of God (Ft. Washington, Maryland):

"Never again will I confess 'I can't' for 'I can do all things through Christ who strenghens me' (Phil.4:13).

"Never again will I confess lack, for 'My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus' (Phil.4:19).

"Never again will I confess fear, for "God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of  love, and of a sound mind' (2Tim 1:7).

"Never again will I confess weakness, for 'The Lord is the strength of my life' (Psalm 27:1), and 'The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits' (Dan.11:32).

"Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for 'Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world' (1John 4:4).

"Never again will I confess defeat, for 'God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus' (2Cor. 2:14).

"Never again will I confess lack of wisdom, for 'Christ  Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God' (1Cor. 1:30).

"Never again will I confess sickness, for 'With His stripes I am healed' (Isa. 53:5), and Jesus 'Himself took my sickness and bore my sickness' (Matt.8:17).

"Never again will I confess worries and frustrations, for I am 'Casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me' (1Peter 5:7). In Christ, I am care-free.

"Never again will I confess bondage, for 'Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty' (2Cor. 3:17). My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

"Never again will I confess loneliness, Jesus said, 'Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' (Matt. 28:20), and 'I will never leave you or forsake you' (Heb.13:5).

"Never again will I confess curses or bad luck, for 'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith' (Gal. 3:13-14)."

(to be continued)

ABOVE THE NOISE

(reflectiveimaginarium.wordpress.com)

"Out of the way!" "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"  "Let me out first!"  "Yes, I made it in a flash!"

Words one might hear if messages or writings or photos or videos cris-crossing the information highway could by themselves talk or express their feelings. 

Information and knowledge that could fill untold volumes of books. That's what the world wide web has swamped us with.

Of course we're not complaining. Because information, of any kind, has never been that easy to find. My students and I love it that we don't need to find our lessons only in textbooks.

No wonder Encyclopedia Brittanica no longer prints its once-revered and treasured yet pricey volumes. No one could contain that vast amount of knowledge anymore.

Information has become as mobile, shifty and ethereal as the lifestyle of the people who demand and use it---almost for free! 

I could surf the world, even someone's street on the other side of my continent, while comfortably seated in front of the computer, and as I sip coffee and snack on my favorite pritong saba (fried bananas); or while googling through my cellphone as I rush to my coffee date with my retired amigas Grace and Tisha. 

Want to know what hamburgeology, hamburg, and hambug are all about? Just google the words and out tumble pages and pages of texts, photos and images---sometimes just too much to confuse you, because really, a lot hogwash likewise hogs the web.

Just now, I learned from Wikipedia that more than 172 million bloggers blog and more than a million new posts get launched each day.

So that begs the question, "Why would people even bother to read my blog, especially when more creative, insightful, funny, intelligent, intuitive and better writers dominate the blogosphere?"

Why do I even blog?

Frankly, I hesitated starting this blogsite back in 2009.

But with so many voices out there vying for readership, I figured, if I could just appeal to a few searchers each day, then that's enough for me. 

I just want Jesus known! I mean, the Jesus who became Word. He who promised wisdom, not just knowledge or a wealth of information, to those who would seek Him.

Then I would have, in a way, fulfilled---no matter how itsy-bitsy my part---Christ's desire for every believer to spread the Good News. His is the only good news in a world that's constantly being shaken by tremors, both geologic and man-made.  

In fact, I don't have a text of my own. My own message doesn't matter. But Christ's does.

He came that those who would believe in Him might have eternal life. That's a message that should impact everyone's eternity. That's a message which bears repeating and rewriting and reblogging---no matter how many voices vie for our attention. 

So I write with the mind Christ, believing that as I do, the love, grace, mercy and faithfulness of God would spark something in the hearts of people---that Jesus becomes the answer to someone's search for the truth. 

As far as I'm concerned, that's the only WORD worth sharing. The WORD should overpower the cocophony of centillion words put together---because the WORD spells LIFE, not death; FREEDOM, not bondage; INSPIRATION, not confusion; WISDOM, not foolishness; JOY, not discouragement.

JESUS, the WORD above all words!

FREEDOM

(Photo from syracuse.com)

I blew in to Washington DC in time for the US memorial day, this nation's annual tribute to its servicemen and veterans who have served with either the army, navy, marines, air force or the coast guard. 

I thought that would just have been a White House or Capitol Hill event---staged mainly because of tradition or media consumption.

But in the church we attended, a big chunk of the recent Sunday service focused on thanking God for these servicemen's lives and giving them accolades for their sacrifices for freedom's sake.

Cadets marched in with the US flag. The congregation heartfully sang the national anthem. Eleven honorees took center stage. 

"I handled supplies, from toilet paper to missiles," shared Filipino Christian Center's Rev. Andy Miranda, the day's preacher---also a retired navy personnel.

But the tribute's high point still belonged to God. Worship flowed freely.

"Freedom is never free," added Pastor Andy, referring to Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for the salvation of all mankind.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). 

Countless lives go on the line everyday all over the world for the sake of democracy.

Thank God we live in countries where freedom of speech, religion, assembly, owning properties, etc., are respected as unalienable rights. 

But those are only a chunk of the freedom equation.

Even while a lot of people today enjoy comfortable, materially-satisfying, free-wheeling and fun-filled lives, millions are still  far from being free.

Countless others suffer malnutrition and bloodshed under oppressive regimes in several countries.

But even where citizens consider themselves enjoying human rights, many find themselves bound.

They're up to their ears in debt. You'd be surprised that in this land of milk and honey, people are already awash in debt even while attending college.

A recent Yahoo News headline: "This Bright-Eyed Young Man Was Utterly Demolished by Student Loans"

Untold numbers seem to have been stuck in the lust lane, where the insatiable need for drugs, sex, money and power supersede their desire for normalcy.

When sober, they realize how empty these highs seem; yet they're at it again at a moment's notice, unable to control the urge.

Couples, too centered on "me," instead of "we," easily call it quits, resulting in dysfunctional children fathering even more dysfunctional kids who get caught up in their own webs of insecurity and poor self-image. 

All these prove that governments could not dictate or legislate---even fight---for our freedoms completely.

Real freedom comes only through Jesus. He alone can release us from every form of bondage.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind," declares Jesus in Luke 4:18.

Jesus' humiliating death nailed every kind of bondage to the cross. Forever.

In Jesus, you can have peace within even with chaos around you, joy even in sorrow, healing even in brokenness, and hope even when those around you have given up.   

Let every day be a memorial day for thanking Jesus who promised to set us free. 

MISSION

Our soon coming bundle of joy will make this pair of Joaqui and Charlize a trio.

I'm at this stage in my life when God usually sends me on apostolic missions.


Three more days (tatlong tulog na lang!) to blast off to the next mission, not to the moon, but somewhere in the US east coast, and I've yet to pack things---me having become catatonic, either because of excitement or the stress of having to fly looonnnggg hours and take a sprint in a humongous airport to catch the next connecting flight within a one and a half hour layover period.

But what makes it all so worthwhile is the mission per se: another apo or grandchild to cuddle and hug and smell and love, and observe metamorphosing every single day. (Aren't they such perfect, beautiful beings?!) A miracle indeed!

You see, my son Carlo and his wife Opal will welcome their first baby in June.


This June baby (It's a girl we've been told.) is the third in our line of apos, next to Joaqui (nine years old) and Charlize (five). 


And I wouldn't miss this June or fourth of July fireworks for the world. 


Children are gifts from the Lord and it is therefore with a sense of awe and wonder---and seriousness of purpose---that I approach each apostlic mission.


And what a timely event! My next book is on grandparenting; and in that book, I devote a chapter on overseas grandparenting.

The book tackles the challenges of grandparenting---its joys and pains, its sweet and sour parts, its sacrifices---especially in our day and age when Filipinos are scattered abroad as OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) or as aspiring residents of countries like the US, Canada, Australia.  

It also delves into the more sensitive aspects of grandparenting, like being involved in the nurturing of babies born to single moms or grandkids who are special. 

But more than these, the book focuses on the unrelenting love of our Father God who wants His purpose and great plan fulfilled through our children and our children's children.  


So I just want to give you all a heads up on these two events. 

I will certainly miss my bedmate, coffeemates, lunchmates, praisemates, learnmates (students), teachmates (co-teachers), prayermates, churchmates, textmates and etceteramates. So, till we meet again!

If God wills, the book should be out in bookstores by September this year. 

Meanwhile, on to my apostolic mission!

CHEAP

Cheap may mean any of these: devalued, achieved with little effort, of poor quality, inexpensive, or worthy of no respect. 

As far as things are concerned, what would you consider "cheap?" Something bought at 50% or 75% off? No wonder people flock to malls when the big "sale" sign is up. 

A lot of times, you end up buying things you thought were cheap, only to discover you didn't need them. But because they're "cheap," giving them away later becomes easy. 

Don't we treat words, too, like so? Oh, talk is so cheap you can sweep them in large heaps, trash bins will be overflowing with them. The problem is---unlike cheap items which can be stored in closets to give our visitors a semblance of order in our homes, cheap talk could not be swept under the rug. 

And why not? Because words just could not be contained, especially if they are cheap! 


How does tsismis or slander get around? It starts when someone tells another in a hushed voice, "Hey, this is just between the two of us. Promise to keep it a secret, ha? Did you know that...? Alam mo ba?" 

Consider Luke 12:3: "What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."


That's why before you know it, everyone is talking about it! Oh yes, it might even reach primetime newscast, especially if the subject holds an exalted office or enjoys celebrity status. I'd be afraid if one of those tabloid TV reporters get a hold of it. They treat everything as news---even fights between neighbors!


The problem too with cheap talk is that you can't take it back. It seems to have a life of its own, passing from ear to ear, each share morphing the tsismis to more horrendous proportions, until the real issue gets blurred.


Pity those whose names get dragged into the controversy. In the end, they find themselves getting mowed and thrown into the same pit of shame as the original subject, and yes, even the trash talkers.


Churches, organizations, and most of all, relationships have been severed because of cheap talk.  

That's why it's wise not to believe everything we hear or to circulate news whose credibility we're not sure of! And even if it's true, put a lid on those lips. Don't even be the source of the talk! 

Better yet, don't give people a reason to talk. A lot of times, we get into hot water because we act un-Christ-like. And we wonder why people talk. 

Consult the Holy Spirit! He is our teacher. He will also give us the ability to zip our mouths and deflect those thoughts heavenward. 
How could God allow a praying tongue to be enmeshed in cheap talk? 

As far as words are concerned, be a cheapskate instead.