Hands to Heaven

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over." Psalm 23:5  NKJV Psalm 23 is a comforting psalm which is the reason many Christians cherish it. As we go through each verses, we’ve seen how the Lord is our Good Shepherd, our Protector, our Peace, our daily Provider, and Rest, and our Guide through every circumstance. We reminded of God’s faithfulness, that He leads us through dark valleys while watching over us with His rod and staff. All of that is amazing enough to prompt us to praise Him, but we may wonder what happens after we pass through the valley? What does the Lord do then? I remember visiting my Aunt Carol’s house it was during Christmas that every member of my family come altogether to feast and celebrate. She and my Dad were the main crew in the kitchen. They always think of the best menu and cook with complete ingredients, lavished with love and serve in appetizing look. My other cousins ...

Everyone commit mistakes. Nobody is perfect. Everyone has their own weaknesses. No one is strong all the time. Everybody can be tired, worried & frustrated. Yet it is not for us to stop, because the process is not yet over. Perhaps the block that makes us stumble is the key to wake us up from a long time sleep. I am weak, I do admit. I am not perfect but striving the way to it. At times, I’m shaken with fear but I try my best to shake it off my head. Life is full of surprises. Time is unpredictable. People change no matter what. Opportunities may come and go. No one can ever help you best unless you stand on your feet and take the first brave step. After all, the most faithful that ever left is the One with outstretched arms. He alone is great. He alone is strong. He never commits mistake. Never abandon the call. He alone is gracious; no one can question His love. He can make all things new, even a stone steeled heart can be renewed. He is good. His promise never fail. No on...

The tension at the issue is:  Do our faith, traditions and creeds serve to interpret our experience of this pandemic? Or does our experience serve to challenge, redefine and refine our creeds, traditions, faith, songs?   The Church historic confession begins with “I believe in God the Father Almighty” . This powerful declaration presupposes that God can control everything. Nothing in this world happens beyond the reach of His sovereign hands. The creed continues, “ And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord ... suffered... crucified... died.” This also illustrates how great Christ’s love is! He suffered and died for no other reason but love. This creed has become widely accepted in the 4th century and until now we use it for liturgical   and   catechetical   purposes. The Bible also reveals an all-powerful omnipotent God. More than 300 times in the Old and New Testaments God was mentioned as Almighty. Many times, God’s continuing love and care is...

Look down the road. There are too many smart and gorgeous people who can catch one’s attention. But what if, out of seven billion people in the whole world today, you can now bravely say: ‘this one is for me’. Indeed, it is an ultimate point where reality is finally better than any wildest dream! Unfortunately, waiting is not a game as some people think. It is a serious pause. It is real. For it is incorporated by our precious time. It is embedded that before someone joyfully receives something he or she must wait patiently. The longer the time we endure, the more we value the day it arrives. We just must switch our mind from being rush and hurry to being still and silent so to consider that our time is in His hands. The joy of receiving depends on one’s patience. The amount of joy that will occur in our receiving can be measured by the height of trust we invest in our waiting. One very good professor and an author of the book “True Love Weds”, Prof. GraceGaston-Dousel ...

The birth of Christianity was a resounding phenomenon because it totally impacts the ancient world. In connection, the gospel turned out to be more essential when it stimulates and motivates the thinking of the readers about the teachings and commands of Christ. The book of Matthew is universally acknowledged as the first book among the synoptic gospels. Probably, because Matthew’s gospel has brilliantly echoed what is acknowledged to be the heart of Christ; making disciples. In association, this passage (Matt 28:16-20) is purposed to proclaim the greatest command of Christ to the believers. The commands (word) of Christ were powerfully spoken to the disciples and to those who come with him in his journey as he walked in the flesh. Since it is known to be written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it is apparent to consider that what is spoken must have to be heard, and what is heard must have to be performed. In this sense, each word shall become alive and active. ...

Me at the Prayer Mountain   I felt guilty because before I read my Bible, I grabbed my phone to check e-mails and messages. Honestly, I will never do this again in the morning all I want is God’s word that came in first to my head. Since yesterday, I felt so worried with a lot of things, anxious about what is happening around. But when I opened chapter 14 of John, Jesus said  “Do not be worried & upset, believe in God & also believe in Me.”  After speaking these words silently, I felt sudden comfort like he immediately pacified my wandering heart. Then after, a thought of assurance in my spirit says, “ I will come back to take you with me where there will be no sorrow and pain, you and all things new .” Jesus even said the word  prepare  in verse 2; I became curious how does Jesus prepares room  for us  there? The disciples sensed both peace and power when Jesus stated verse 10, “ I am the Way the Truth and & the Life, no one ...

Top of Cebu When it comes to tourist spots in the Philippines, nothing is as diverse as Cebu , also known as the Queen City of the South, situated in the western Pacific Ocean and surrounded by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Due to its central location in the middle of Visayas and its importance in the country, its almost inevitable that you’ll pass through Cebu at some point. Cebu would only take an hour flight from Manila. While in Cebu I always stayed either in Crown Regency Cebu or Parklane Hotel Cebu , but when I am alone, I even tried basic hotels like the Red Planet Hotel in Cebu (which is conveniently 1 15-minute walk away from some department stores and terminals. Come and take a look all my travel experiences in one of the oldest cities in the country. I’ve been to Cebu many times because of work, travel, work, travel and of course WORK and TRAVEL. 😄 I am grateful that I got to see Cebu again this year, it seemed that every year I’ve been visiting t...