A Promise

We look at ourselves and we say that we are better than others. Better in a sense that other people are more sinful than we are. If we compare ourselves to people who have been convicted as murderers, rapists, and those convicted with other crimes, we could surely say the punishment they deserve are much more that we should endure the moment our Creator judges us. I had that kind of thinking before, I thought I was a better person because I never did the things that would offend others. I have always followed life's rules, if I may put it that way. Jesus Himself stated more than twice in the scriptures that unless we repent, we shall all likewise perish. No matter how big or small our sins are, it is of the same caliber, they are sins. There is no little or big sin. In God's eyes, they are still sins, a stumbling block for us to draw nearer to Him.

No religion can save us. No living person can buy eternal life. All we need to do is to draw near to Him and have a personal relationship with our Savior. It sounds corny at this day and age, but to be honest, that's all we need in order for us to have a fulfilled life. No man can stand the agonies of everyday living without someone to depend on. If you want a wall that you can lean on, He is always there. He is just waiting for us to come to Him. Matthew 11: 28-30 "Come to Me. all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Lipay lipay!

One of the most treasured moments in my life was on the 10th of May. My closest friends and I went to a resort called Bluewaters in Samal Island. It has been a while since I was with them. The place was beautiful and it's as if we rented the entire resort to ourselves. The view was perfect, the weather was good, and we really enjoyed our stay there. But I think the most important part of it, was that I had fun with the people I was with. It feels so good to be with people whom you would not have to pretend to be somebody else. My college friends and I just have these colorful personalities that would never bore you, and that's what I missed so much. I sure hope it is just the beginning of our adventures and not the last!

Boast in Him

Have you ever had an achievement? Of course you have. All of us have achieved something in our lives. It can concern having high grades, winning an essay writing contest, or being able to surpass the trials that we have encountered in life. I read a story in the book of Judges concerning a man named Gideon. He was assigned by God to lead the men of Israel in defeating the Midianites (a group of people who were persecuting Israel at that time). The Midianites were very many in number. As Written in the scriptures, they were many as locusts and their camels were without a number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude. God specifically instructed Gideon to bring only a few men, in which He would deliver the Midianites to them.

As I was reading, I wondered why God wanted such, when in fact, given that the Midianites were too many, then Israel should have had many warriors that would be able to defeat their enemy. Then I was able to see an answer to my question, written in Judges 7:2 And the Lord said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their (Israel's people) hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'

It just hit me. God always wants us to acknowledge His name. In whatever we do, in whatever triumph we have in our lives, we should always bring Him back the glory and honor. There are times that we think we are great because we are able to rise above others. Many times we depend on our own intelligence and ability in doing things. Worse, we sometimes boast of it. It may not be to other people, but to ourselves. We sometimes think highly of ourselves, and I know no one is exempted from that kind of attitude. We are but humans. We have pride, especially if God bestowed us the gift of intellect. This is just a reminder, to myself and to those who might be guilty of it. We should always remember, if we are to boast, let us all boast in His name, because He alone knows everything.

On Teaching and Learning

I was browsing through one of my friend's blogs when I saw an article about teaching. It brought me back the memories of being a volunteer teacher in the boondocks of Mt. Apo. Even before I graduated from college, we were already sent to UP Diliman to study subjects that are in line with teaching. We were given education units, seminars, and trainings that would equip us when we get to the areas where we were supposed to teach. I was assigned in Temporan, Magpet, North Cotabato. When I arrived in the area, I was full of hopes, determination, and ideals. I thought being a volunteer teacher was easy. I handled the four year levels of a local high school there. I taught the English subject. After a number of sessions with the students, I realized that it wasn't easy. Some of my students could barely read, and yet they were already in high school. Some could read but after reading a certain selection, they are not able tell if they understood anything. At the end of the day, they would forget all the lessons we discussed because their minds wandered on the chores they were supposed to do. They would be absent in class when it is season for the harvest of corn. They needed to help with the harvest because they are also expected by their parents to contribute to the family's income.

I was very idealistic when I graduated from college. I told myself I would really make a difference. But, there came a point in my teaching career that I wanted to quit, simply because I wasn't able to meet my own expectations, expectations of myself and of my students. I cry every night thinking that my existence in the area was not helping anybody at all. The students could not cope up with the curriculum the Department of Education wanted us to teach. It was really frustrating. However, as I was reminiscing the days that I spent with my students and in the area, for the entire year of being a teacher, I realized something. I wasn't only there to impart knowledge and teach the underserved area of Temproran, I was also there to learn. I shouldn't have attempted to be a hero when it comes to the students' education. It was enough that I tried to teach them something, sooner or later the values I taught them and even the English lessons we have discussed would be remembered by them. It was a two-way process, they learned from me, and I from them.

I learned to have a simple life; to cook without a stove, to fetch water from a well, to sleep without a single electric fan, to bear with the blackout if heavy rains occur, to leave the luxury that I had while I was in my parents' house, and lastly, to learn how other people value the lives that they have outside the "civilized" life that we have here in the city. I could still remember one of my students telling me that she does not consider their family poor, despite the fact that she has seven other siblings and that they do not have electricity nor her parents had regular income. She told me she never felt poor. As long as they are able to eat three times a day with adequate food in their table, that was enough for her. I could still remember the happy tone of her voice while she was talking about her family. I could see that she was happy despite their situation. They barely had the things that "city" students have. They are not aware of the new gadgets and the latest fad but I could clearly see in her eyes, she was happy, full of joy, if I may put it that way.

It is good to reminisce the past and learn something from it. Although we do have some regrets with the things that have happened, there will still be things that we can be thankful for, new learnings that we could use in our lives. I learned the value of contentment and simplicity from my students. I learned to give importance to what I currently have. I learned to appreciate my life better.

Work is for the living

Humans never get contented. When we have something, we tend to ask for more. Just for example, we buy the latest model of mobile phones, but then again, technology improves and the next month, there are newer models of mobile phones presented in the market so that ours become outdated. On our jobs for example, we have been longing to be hired by the companies that we apply for, and then when we get in, we complain of the workload that our superiors give us. To be honest, I myself am guilty of that. I have resigned in the previous companies I was with, because I wanted to have bigger opportunities, bigger money, to be exact. And so, that kind of thinking made me a lazy employee, not doing my work the way it should be done, and making excuses for me not to be able to come to work. In short, I slacked my way out of work. I never did the best in all the things that I was supposed to do.

I read a verse in Ecclesiastes 9:10 of the Old Testament, saying : Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. It gave me a realization, that we have to value our work, our jobs, or whatever we want to call it. It doesn't matter if it is just household chores, schoolwork, or work that we do for the government or big multi-national companies. The verse just tells us that our job or the work that we do is a blessing. It's a blessing because despite how difficult and tiring it may be, it is God's way of giving us an opportunity to live, a chance of showing how intelligent we are, and the way for us to be a blessing to others. We only have limited time here on earth, we might as well enjoy what little time we have left by being happy while working because when the last chapter of our life closes, our knowledge and skills are of no more use.

Live to Worship

Your love O Lord, reaches to the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like majestic mountains,
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide.

I will lift my voice to worship You my King,
I will find myself in the shadows of Your wings.

This song by Third Day just refreshes my entire being. It gives us the assurance of God's promises in us. It helps us grasp His Omnipotence and glory. The lyrics of this song were taken from the Book of Psalms, a book containing the praises and adorations that God wants to hear from His people.

There are times that we get too tired with our lives. People disappoint us, we get hurt, and then we hurt others as well. Listening to songs that would uplift us would be very helpful. It wouldn't only comfort us but would give food to our souls as well.

Tumong sa Kinabuhi

Why are we here on earth? Why, of all the possible human beings that might have sprang up from the seeds of our mothers and fathers, were we the one chosen? It is simple. God has a purpose in our lives. He originally created us for His glory. Let us do everything according to the plans that He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."