LIVE ACTION HERO

I immediately envisioned a special edition pony-tailed Barbie doll, complete with accessories like cool sunglasses, army fatigue uniform and boots, weapons holsters---with guns, knives and munitions for combat all tucked in.

Why not? Especially since in our day and age, "female" does not necessarily stand for someone always dolled up and wearing stilettos and fashionable clothing---just like Barbie.

Women, without necessarily chanting the female lib mantra, have indeed come a long way---definitely still faithfully raising their children to be upright citizens, but also putting their lives on the line to preserve our cherished way of life and protect our freedom. So shouldn't our children's toys also mirror that reality?

Well, my new edition doll would be an exact replica of Carolyn.

Carolyn is a full blooded Pinay (Take a bow, her classmates from De La Salle University!) who met her future husband in the US military. We got acquainted with her at a recent chikahan in her parents' house. This time, she looked all woman, quite beautiful with her brown long highlighted hair and subtly-applied make-up.

But the more she spoke and the more we egged her to share her combat field adventure, the bigger she grew in our eyes. Was she 5'5" or seven feet high or taller? Wow, a real live action hero sat right in front of me, and female yet. Too, a Filipina! Can it get any more exciting than this?

Carolyn was a rarity in an army which counted one female for every 30 male company commanders. She was part of the US contingent which surged with the coalition forces into Iraq in 2003---with logistics support as her unit's responsibility.

"We came into Iraq, this huge place," she said, "with 50,000 vehicles and almost 80,000 troops; and had this monstrous traffic jam. We were trying to get a gas refill for our vehicle when I was ordered to clear the traffic, so I did, but I told my driver to stay put." She lost him and managed to reach camp by hitchhiking with three different drivers.

Her craziest stint was at Helmand Province in Afghanistan. "We were 30 days in the middle of nowhere; my first time to be shot at."

Her photos tell a million words about what the US troops go through in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

"But you cannot be afraid. You must think like a soldier, be competent, diligent, disciplined, self-motivated and think out of the box. As long as you know your mission and do things legally and morally, you'll know how to survive. You're prepared for dying by thinking you're not gonna die. But sometimes you wonder if you can trust your equipment."

Does being female make a difference? I asked.

You cannot exploit the fact that you're female. You're a soldier. Period. Be proficient with your weapons. Don't act like a man, but don't forget that you are a woman.

So where has she applied her female skills in the midst of war? She showed her Christmas photos in Afghanistan: Christmas decor all over the wall of a fairly rudimentary facility---with a fake fireplace, fake snowflakes "falling" from the sky and other familiar Christmas decor fashioned out to make her mates feel like it was home, with loved ones. "That's where being a woman helps," she says.

I could not help but think of David, the man after God's heart. In the book of Samuel, King Saul questions David's capability to go against the giant, Goliath.

"You are but a young man,"Saul warned.

Goliath glowered at David, dismissing him as "a little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him" (1 Samuel 17:42). But even before the giant could come near him, David sent his stone hurtling from his sling, straight into Goliath's thick skull. And Israel pillaged the Philistines down to the last warrior and treasure.

The next time you meet someone, hold that first impression. You'd be surprised at what you'd uncover once you get to know her or him better. Almost always, you'd discover gold, sometimes neatly packaged as a live action heroine risking her finesse for our peace.

MIGHTY SMALL

Let's talk about tiny or small things.

Dust is so minute, yet it can sting your eye and cause severe itching and redness the more you try to dislodge it with your big fist.

The picture of a tiny baby---a fetus to be precise---can summon oohhs! and aahhs! and dozens of "Oh, how cute!" "Amazing!" comments in one's Facebook entry. What more could a cute bouncing bundle of joy do to us? "Nakakagigil!" And we go gaga over her!

Imagine termites and locusts wreaking havoc on properties and plantations. Can you believe the sometimes deadly effect of allergens on our health?

Small things. We treat them either with care (Oh, they're so fragile! Shush, the baby needs her nap!), caution (Careful, you may get a cold!) or fear (Let's pray the bird flu never reaches our shores!).

The tongue is tiny too but deadly!

The bible compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship. Today's ships, especially cruise liners, are so humongous, you'd think they're cities roaming the seas. Imagine small rudders turning these monstrous ships around.

That's how powerful the tongue is. It can cause a mountain of troubles (James 3:5-6)---just like a great forest being set on fire by a small spark. It is also described as "a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body, corrupting the whole body."

It says further (v 7-8): All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

It is strange, James says, that we praise God with our tongue yet curse others with it.

Can you recall the times you courted trouble because of an irresponsible remark? I'd been in a lot of hot water because of things that I said which I couldn't take back anymore. If only I could swallow back those words. But what had been said already did the harm.

Imagine marriages being broken because of harsh words. "It is better to live at the corner of a roof than with a nagging woman," says one proverb.

Imagine children scarred forever because of some irresponsible parents' relentless tongue lashing. "You will amount to nothing." "You're an idiot." We've heard these words a lot.

We definitely can't tame this tongue, no matter how small it is. But its Maker can.

If Jesus is indeed our Lord and Savior, He has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us to "Hold it!" "Zip it!" "Don't spew that venom!"

Taming the tongue is not about our being able to control ourselves. It's about allowing Jesus to be in control.

If you've given your heart to Jesus, He will replace our well of words with those that are wholesome, life-giving, kind, loving; and remove those which are vengeful, hateful, judgmental and which might cause others pain. And maybe allow you to undo the hurts caused by previously carelessly spoken words.

"I love you!" "You've done well." "You are so gifted." "You can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you!" "God loves you." Imagine these words making someone's day today.

Don't be deceived by tiny. Be overcome instead with His mighty amazing grace.

JUDGE

"Don't judge me!" We express that a lot especially when we feel that people misunderstand our intentions.

But that's what we basically do everyday. A stranger walks into a room and almost instantly, we hand out a verdict:

"Uy, mayaman (rich)!" "Mukhang pobre (poor)." "Huwaw, maganda, siguro mabait din (Beautiful, must also be nice)!" "Ang pangit naman (ugly)." "Parang bobing (stupid)." "I don't like her face."

It's an awful thing to be judged, especially when we mean something and others perceive the opposite.

What's worse is, I see someone's weaknesses or wrongs but fail to see mine. You see my dirt but don't see yours. We have become each other's judge.

But almost instantly, we soon realize our bad judgment. And worser than worst (now we sweat, heart throbbing faster) it's now too late to take it back because we've somehow whispered it to someone and that someone has shouted it from the housetops, na-broadcast pa sa TV. Patay (I'm doomed)!

Or even if we judged right, did we need to let the whole world know? The anatomy of slander!

No wonder Jesus cautions against judging. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye" (Matthew 7:3)?

Because if we must judge, we should ourselves be above reproach. Or don't judge at all.

Now we realize the awesome calling of a judge in the court of laws.

A judge's responsibillity is to impartially decide on the merit or demerit of a case, something which must be done based on credible evidence and witnesses. Individuals' reputations---and how their future may pan out---rest on the wisdom of judges to rule without bias.

No wonder the symbol of justice is that of a blindfolded woman with a scale. It's a weighty and nerve-racking task.

I know of a Christian judge who belabors every decision because he knows his responsibility to God and the need to mete out the right penalty to law-breakers, especially murderers, rapists and drug dealers. This person I write about also tries to live free from political or family influences and others' attempts to bribe him. He and his wife also live simply, stretching his judge's salary and careful not to show off or flaunt his position.

(Oh please, Mr. President, realize that judges' salaries must be substantial for the risks they take in making fair decisions and so that they will not fall prey to lagay [bribery]!)

How terrible it is therefore to be in the place of Justice Renato Corona. His trial under the senator-judges now puts him in the hot seat of the accused, with his own inequities being floated and flouted one by one by the prosecution.

Ironic, isn't it that the Justice of the highest court of the land is now being judged!

But here's the other irony: Senator-judges now preside over his case. Do they judge from a supposedly higher ground? Are they themselves beyond reproach? If someone were to sit on a much loftier ground, will these senator judges emerge as clean and good-smelling like a Tide-with-Downy-washed laundry?

I bet none would. None of us qualifies!

Let those who need to promote the rule of law do their work. That's why we have laws. We need order and righteousness to prevail in the land. But let them be the first to model integrity and impartiality! Let us pray the leaders and justices of our country will come out of this experience with a realization that they must first "remove the plank from their eyes," as Jesus said.

Now, who would want to be the judge?

There's only one righteous judge: Jesus, who will judge us at our life's end. For now, He reaches out to us with grace, not condemnation. Because He wants you and I to come humbly, acknowledging Him as Savior and Lord.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Christ ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1Peter 3:18). "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Would you rather be saved than judged?

THE I AM

Julius Ceasar, relishing his victories, boasted, "Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)."

Alexander the great built a great empire, claimed to be the largest in the ancient world. Historians wrote that he never lost a battle and was one of the greatest commanders of all time. At one point, he was said to have sulked and said, "What else is there to do? There's nothing more to conquer."

How many supposedly great men boasted of power so great that they controlled nations and wallowed in untold riches and influence?

But these supposedly great men are history---their exploits captured in books now gathering dust in libraries and museums. Thanks to internet technology and Hollywood exploiting their lives for mores riches, we can still learn a lesson or two from their lives---maybe lessons on arrogance and pride being futile, and ambition being a source of grief and emptiness rather than happiness.

I'd rather learn from someone who's been there, is here right now, and will be there forever. He's as relevant---and current and into it and in your face---as you could ask for.

Revelations 1:8: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty."

The Beginning and the End is the Cause and Effect is the First and the Last is the Eternal God who reigns.

Ambitious men's futile attempts---at conquering, annexing, owning, controlling, subjugating others, proving they're macho---are just a drop in the bucket compared to the one who holds everything and every situation in the palm of His mighty hand.

His is the most trustworthy name, ever! When Moses---reluctant to break God's message to the Israelites---asked God what he needed to tell them, He said, "I Am Who I Am... 'I Am' has sent me to you!"

Jesus revealed, "I Am!" (Mark 14:62)

God sent his Son, Jesus the I Am, to a world used to trusting in man's ways. He offered himself as the alternative to our Juan-made solutions.

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega who made it possible for man to know the mind of God. The apostle Paul wrote: “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Trusting this clump of dust (myself) is really a no-brainer. When this body dies and it blends with the earth it was taken from, it will be the same lifeless and useless dust it used to be---like a worthless plastic case thrown into a bin. And I trusted that!? Apart from God's spirit, we really are just dirt!

So the earlier we realize that; and the earlier we get ourselves right with the God who breathed His Spirit in us, the earlier we can come to grips that life is directionless without Jesus.

Trust Christ to direct your life. His is the only trustworthy agenda. His is the only trustworhy purpose. Because His is the name above all names.

And He has our beginning and end covered!

Expletives or Love

"I love you!"

I hardly heard those words when I was growing up. I happen to have been born to a family where affection was hardly expressed in words.

"I love you!" just hovered about like a hot air balloon. But you just felt it even after all the quarreling and much assertion of who's got greater authority.

I distinctly remember my sister Dulce patiently delousing my hair when I was five years old---even inside the church as mass went on; or Kuya Tony cooking our favorite ginulay na saging which was and still is some sort of comfort food for all of us.

And how could anyone miss Nanay and Tatay's strivings to send all of us eight children to school?

But now that I'm a grandmother and my siblings have become grandparents too, we've more and more become accustomed to saying "I love you!" While we were still a bit stingy with it with our spouses and our own kids, we say it more generously today.

With our kids and grandchildren, and even siblings, living in different parts of the globe, "I love you!" seems to be the best expression of affection for our terribly-missed loved ones---whenever there's an opportunity to say it.

"I think love is overrated," Dale, my former student, wrote on Facebook.

I commented, "It's not love that's overrated. People have cheapened the concept of love, substituting it for physical attraction; but real love which is Agape love is pure and it comes from God."

Jesus demonstrated Agape love---this love which enabled Him to endure the cross so that those who would put their trust in Him might be saved and enjoy abundant life.

Many of us have been to that place where Agape love didn't exist---those moments when everything that mattered was "I," "me," and "myself."

Without the love of God, we simply could not love. Unless we have Jesus, our sinful nature will rear its ugly head through selfishness and pride. Jesus alone can change our hard hearts so that we can love without conditions.

Jennifer Lopez says "I love you!" a lot to American Idol contestants. TV stars shout it out to their audiences. Well, that's not the love we're talking about. However, I'd rather have someone's "I love you!" any time, even if it had been matter-of-factly uttered.

Her co-host Steven Tyler on the other hand fires out quite a number of bleep-able expletives. Wouldn't you rather hear "I love you!" than expletives or cursing?

Like, how can anyone use the name of Jesus to swear or take offense or wish someone evil? Remember your catechism class? That's number four of the commandments God passed on to Moses: "You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain." (Exodus 20:1-17)

"Jesus Christ!" Diyos ko (Oh my God)!" "Susmaryosep (Jesus, Mary and Joseph)!" In stead of these, you may just opt for "Oops!" or "I love you!" even if you're grating your teeth or clenching your fist at an offense or another's fumble.

"I love you!" will probably help put things in perspective. No one's loveable enough but by the grace of God. So mean it and it will calm the raging beast inside if you've really been peeved.

Pure love doesn't take offense. It doesn't ask for anything in return. It is unconditional. Take it from Jesus. Having forsaken Himself and demonstrated His love for us, He now sits with the Father, interceding on our behalf---that the love of many which has grown cold, may be rekindled.

And if If you've cursed or rattled off expletives because you couldn't hold your tongue, take heart; come to Him in humility, repent and He will cleanse you of all unwholesome talk.

He is faithful to forgive.

POWER

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I've most of the time taken it for granted that I could write this blog because the computer I'm typing with is plugged to a power source, which through the wonders of technology, is somehow connected to someone's computer which is also connected to another power source.

But remove both power sources and we're both powerless about all attempts to communicate.

Imagine coal: A conglomeration of ages of matter trapped in the bowels of the earth now being used to run power plants to bring electricity to our homes.

Or water from rivers: Dammed to generate electricity where rich waterways abound.

Or wind or solar power which in recent years have become sources of renewable energy; or petroleum which for ages has continuously powered industries and automobiles.

Jesus speaks of a greater kind of power---mightier than power from oil or gas or coal or the sun. This power which can change hearts and turn people's lives around.

While Jesus walked the earth, he opened people's eyes, commanded the lame to walk, freed the demon-possessed, made the dead live again. But the greatest demonstration of this power came when on the third day after His death on the cross, He rose again, set the captives free from Abraham's bosom; likewise offering eternal life to those who would believe in Him.

Its demonstration? Changed lives through changed hearts, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told His apostles before He ascended to heaven , "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

This same Holy Spirit continues to empower those who turn their lives over to Jesus.

I was an unbeliever once, but God has so ordered my life to the point that I didn't have much recourse but to repent and humble my heart before Jesus. My life has never been the same since.

Without Jesus, I would have remained the same arrogant, prideful and self-centered person that I used to be. Though I still struggle with these, by the Holy Spirit's power, I'm always led back to the cross, basking in His grace and mercy, confident that each day, I'm a new person in Christ Jesus, and that I can do all (good) things through Him.

No greater power exists than the power of God's love to change broken lives and make them brand new.

Have you experienced this all-encompassing power? The bible says to repent and acknowledge you're a sinner and believe in Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

He is Lord of all creation. He's your Creator. And he wants to be great in your life. That's the only power we need to go on!

SOME

The word "some" seems fudgy, but combine a lot of the good "somes" together and the result is a complete and balanced life.

We need to pray some and worship some. We definitely have to laugh some and cry some, teach some and be taught some.

Today is not complete at all if all one did was to sit the whole day in front of the computer, jumping from Facebook to Yahoo to Blogger to Twitter and back, and just breaking for meals in between.

Stretch your legs. Have chika with your friends. Call someone. Pray for someone. Air your brain.

Life is too short for anyone to be so focused on its unsavory parts, like regrets, complaining, looking at what others have that we don't have. Or being grouchy because we've messed up something.

1 Chronicles 21:28 says that David died at a good old age, having enjoyed life, wealth and honor.

God has given us 24 hours in a day times 70 or 80 years, or shorter or longer, within which to accomplish whatever He has purposed for each of us.

That's either a lifetime of goofing or wasting your gifts, or a lifetime of building and adding to others---or both; and making up for lost time.

I pray that whatever you're going through in your life right now, you will make a decision to build and to add and to make a difference in the life of others; and thus experience the joy and peace of God in Christ.

Assuming that eight hours in a day are to rest and recharge our bodies, let's make the remaining hours count.

Our relations matter. We are accountable to God. By His grace, we enjoy His salvation and peace, protection, healing, and provisions.

In the same vein, we must also be committed to our loved ones, friends and the whole body of Christ, plus obey the laws of this country He has given us.

Pray and read His Word some. Learn some. Teach some. Be taught some. Love some. Reach out some. Give some. Receive some. Shop some. Eat some. Share some. Be happy and make it a point to make others happy too.

Don't let this day pass without having done something good for someone.

Give your 24 hours totally to obeying Him. And whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord.