NECESSARY ROUGHNESS

"But if it dies, it produces much fruit." - John 12:24 

We live in the countryside surrounded with beautiful sceneries of farmlands, lakes and forests. One morning, I read the announcement in our local newspaper about a forest fire. Enraged, I asked my husband, "Why are they burning down the forest?" Nonchalantly, he replied, "It's a necessary fire and it's a controlled one." He said it's a natural part of forest growth, as some type of trees, like pine, need fire to regenerate. Seeds inside the pine cones can only be released when exposed to extreme heat, hence, the need for fire.

Hardships, sufferings and failures are essential parts of human life. And oftentimes, vulnerability overcomes us that we tend to give up. But tough times are meant to heal and strengthen us, to give us an opportunity to learn and mature in our spiritual life. Let us not be conquered by trials. We should learn to fight back and recognize the blessings behind our sufferings. They are meant to make us better, stronger and wiser, so that when troubles come our way again, we would know how to handle them well. - Jane Gonzales-Rauch (mgr516@gmail.com)

Reflection: We are being challenged not to be defeated but to have renewed faith.

Oh God, heal my brokenness and renew my strength that I may rise victorious and proclaim Your greatness. Amen. 

LOVE FINDS A WAY

"I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." - John 7:29 

A grouchy elderly gentleman had just secured the door for the night with four locks, two deadbolts, and a chain latch. Later, he noticed a small white envelope stuck beneath the door. On the envelope was a large sticker in the shape of a heart. It was a valentine. Love had found a way.

What makes Christianity different? Simple: It's about God's pursuing us to draw us to Himself, while other religions desperately pursue the favor of their god through compliance of strict standards and incomprehensible rituals.

The God I know is crazy about me. He seems desperate to show His love. He woos me back with His unending love - until my heart is melted again - to love Him back. In The Hound of Heaven, Francis Thompson writes that as he fled from God, he couldn't outrun "those strong feet that followed ..... with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace."

My friend, you can run away from God the farthest you can. But I'm not worried the least bit. You'll get tired. Then His love will catch up with you. His love will find a way to bring you back. - Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

Reflection: Much is to be understood on how much God loves you. Seek Him today.

Father, today, may I know more of the love You have for me. Amen.  

SAVING GRACE

"Go first and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:24 

My girlfriend and I were driving to Tagaytay one weekend to serve in a retreat. I can't remember now what sparked our fight but we were soon irritated at each other. By the time we reached the venue, neither of us wanted to budge from our seats.

And then it hit us. We couldn't give what we didn't have. So we held each other's hands and calmed down. We humbly prayed to God for forgiveness, peace, healing and understanding. We asked God to remain at the center of our relationship. We reconciled and left all the hurt behind.

We got out of the car refreshed and grateful to God. That weekend turned out to be the one of the best retreats we had ever served in. It was full of healing, anointing and ease.

I thank God for His saving grace at that moment. He reminded us that before we begin to love and serve others, we should love and serve our own relationships first. - Didoy Lubaton (christianlubaton@yahoo.com)

Reflection: How are your relationships? Are they pleasing to God?

Lord, in my desire to love and honor You, make me remember that giving love and honor to my brother or sister is what You want me to do.  

BETTER IN, BETTER OUT!

"Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that com out from within are what defile." - Mark 7:15 

I was burdened with being the peacemaker between warring close friends. Plus, I was spiritually dry and drowning in despair. I was dejected.

Tatay (Dad) approached me and spoke in pure English, "Son, what seems to be the problem?" (Tatay is a foreigner - a Samaritan - a native from the province of Samar. He's a true-blue Waray!) I told him what I was going through and he patiently listened.

Then he said, "Son, whenever trials come, don't forget you have a choice: to be bitter or bitter." Then he tapped my shoulder and left. I thought about what he said. It seemed I had no choice between being bitter or bitter. Then it dawned on me: Tatay, because he's Waray, mispronounced the words. Yes, I do have a choice! I can choose to be bitter or better!

In computer lingo, we say GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out). It's applicable to human beings as well. For us, it's Bitter In, Bitter Out! So let's be vigilant about the things that enter our hearts. Bitterness is the sewer that breeds the pests of sins. Let's welcome good things instead: Scripture, inspiration, good memories, hope, etc. They will all cause Better In, Better Out! - Obet Cabrillos (kpreacherobet@gmail.com)

Reflection:  With closest custody, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Lord, help me to store good things in my heart. 

BIBLE WISDOM

"This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me, teachings as doctrines human precepts." - Mark  7:6-7 

There are books that I have read and re-read multiple times and then shared extra copies with family and friends. You know, the kind of books that have phrases written across the cover page in big, bold letters like Laws of Power, Ways to Raise Children, So-and-So-Number of Steps to Success or even Proven Methods to Lose Weight. (I can prove they were false, by the way.)

 Many of the advice that I've received from these books have served a great purpose in building my character or gearing me towards a more successful future. But I've also learned that these self-help books are simply guides that we have to read wisely, filter properly, and to use our best judgement to determine whether what we are reading is a fact, a fiction, an opinion or something relevant or irrelevant to our experience.

If you want a single source of reliable rules and laws, you'll find it in the Word of God. The value of the teachings in the Bible is irrefutable and is a source of inspiration for personal development and positive growth. If you haven't read it, take the time to read it. It doesn't hold the title of the Guinness Book of World Records for Bestselling Non-Fiction Book for nothing. - Eleanore Teo (elyo.lee@gmail.com)

Reflection: Let the Bible be your first stop when you need direction.

Lord, let Your laws and Your wisdom guide my actions. Amen. 

CONSTANT RECALL

"They laid the sick in the marketplaces... and as many as touched (the hem of his garment) were healed." - Mark 6:56

The lowest points in my life  will later see the most glorious rejoicing. I remember tearfully praying inside the comfort room while hiding from a relative out of a violent streak looking for me. That paved the way for me to move to Manila and be of service to God's people. 

On another occasion, I remember crying many nights over a real estate investment we had that was burdening us financially. The eventual sale of that property enabled us to make an important investment for our future. 

It is in weakness that power reaches its perfection (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our weakness is God's weakness, for He is the most loving of fathers. He cannot turn away unmoved when we beg Him in brokenness. He brings healing when we are wounded, rest when we are tired, solace when we are downhearted.

Strive to regularly recall His goodness to you. And rest in humble confidence in the Heavenly Father's constant love and care. -Joy Sosoban-Roa (jsosoban@gmail.com) 

Reflection: Stop a while and remember God's goodness to you. Breathe in His love. 

Dearest Lord, I rest in your confidence of Your constant love for me. I love You, too!

GETTING SERVED WHAT YOU DESERVE

"If in bed I say, 'When shall I arise?' then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn." - Job 7:4 

My coworker and I were consoling ourselves after enduring a harsh encounter with one of our company's former employees. She was threatening to take the company to the Department of Labor and Employment after my coworker, the HR officer, calmly told her that the clearance could take a whole month to be completed. This was standard, but the irritable ex-employee felt like we were explicitly giving her a hard time, and she started barraging us with sharp accusations. 

"It's OK," I told her. "Sooner or later, everything you say and do will find their way back to you."

Remember Solomon who could have asked for all the wealth and power in the world, but asked for one that would help him and his constituents? 

God was so pleased by his selfless heart that He gave him more than what he had asked for ... because it was what he deserved. 

So, instead of worrying about who will look after you, look after those around you first. It all evens out in the end. - Ria Macasaet (ria.macasaet@gmail.com) 

Reflection: Have you put others before yourself today? 

Make me a channel of Your peace, Lord. 

THE LORD'S REST

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." - Mark 6:31 

There was a time when my involvement in our Catholic community took three to four days of my week. I had a career as a full-time engineer and had no time for other things, but I was extremely fulfilled.

But the Lord pulled the plug and allowed me to step back from ministry for a time. It was painful time for me - a "wilderness experience". I soon found myself on the way to the picturesque deserts of Sedona and the Grand Canyon. I felt the Lord say to me, "The desert can be beautiful!"

When my consulting business was picking up, I would speak 15 to 20 days in a month. I'd never worked so hard but I was enjoying every minute of it. But my blood pressure shot up and I started coughing. I took prescribed medicines and high-end supplements. They worked, but what really made me feel better was an out-of-town trip with the family to celebrate the birthdays of my wife and sister. God used the beach, sand and fresh air to drive my sickness away.

The Lord values rest and balance. Work has value, especially when we are fulfilling our mission, but more than work is the value of our fellowship with God as we rest in Him. - Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

Reflection: How do you balance your work and your need for rest?

Lord Jesus, I desire to experience You in a deeper, meaningful way despite the busyness and pressures of work. Amen. 

YOU'LL SEE HIM SOON

"I will never forsake you or abandon you." - Hebrews 13:5 

"Where are you? I can't see you," said my wife who was about to cross the street. I was in my car, circling the block while waiting for her to come out of the mall. 

When she called me to say she was done, I was on my way to the corner where I told her to meet me. I was giving her instructions over the phone, but a car was blocking her view of me. I gently reassured her, "Just keep walking. Don't worry, I'm here. You'll see me in a while." When the car in front of me moved, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Ah there you are." 

A lot of times God asks us to obey first before we fully see or understand His plan. We are called to act in faith, knowing He's always there. 

When I first started my online business, I had no idea how it would go. I was so scared that it would fail. But God gently reassured me in my heart, "Just love your customers. Don't worry, I'm with you." And so I took a leap of faith. I acted in uncertainty, but also in trust. True enough, His faithfulness showed up. -George Tolentino Gabriel (george.g@svrtv.com) 

Reflection: Do you feel God is calling you to walk in faith? Just take the first step. You'll see Him soon.

Lord, I know You've gone ahead of me. Guide my way. 

'I Love You .... F.A.D.'

"Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." - Mark 6:11 

You can't please everybody. Neither can you make everybody believe in what you say or do. Not even if you're as charismatic and popular as Bo Sanchez. At the Kerygma Conference 2013, Bo talked about a critic who posted online an accusation so unfair that his wife had to reply in his defense. But the guy didn't believe her and kept up the rant.

Bo's calm acceptance of the situation is my most valuable takeaway from that conference. He said, "For people who believe, no explanation is necessary. For people who don't, no explanation is acceptable. I don't hate the guy. I'll keep loving him - but from a distance."

There will always be critics in our lives, people who won't believe us. As a writer/blogger, I've encountered people who nitpick on the negative. One person, who I guess couldn't find anything else to criticize, even lambasted my grammar, which was funny because he was obviously wrong.

Even the Apostles faced the rejection. As the passage above said, the best thing to do about people who reject you is to just walk away. And say, "I love you... F.A.D. (from a distance)." - Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)

Reflection: Are you facing rejection and criticism? You're in good company. Jesus and His Apostles went through the same thing.

Lord help me to keep on loving the people who reject and constantly criticize me, even if I have to do it from a distance.