Verse:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Book of Genesis)

Reflection:
Earlier today I posted that as my FB status followed by “whose likeness then is in the thieves who ransack houses? in rapists? in murderers? in generals and their family who steal from the people who lay their lives for our country? in abusive employers and administrators? in corrupt politicians and officials?”

I couldn’t get the verse out of my head. I just couldn’t. So I reflected further on it and reflected on my post as well. Trying to wrap my brain around it, I asked myself, “do others see God in you?”.

That question floored me. I realized that I kept trying to find God in others… but wasn’t sure if others could find God in me. I keep trying to find the good in people, but am I showing the goodness of God through my own actions and words?

Yes, we live in a world where child-like innocence will be shattered, and trust will be abused. But instead of trying to find good people, why not be a good person? In wanting the world to become a better place, why not try to be a better person? It begins with one. It begins with changing myself. Today I start the change I want to see.

One La Salle Prayer:
Let me be the change I want to see, to do with strength and wisdom all that needs to be done… and become the hope that I can be.

Set me free from my fears and hesitations; grant me courage and humility; fill me with Spirit to face the challenge, and start the change I long to see.

Even if I am not the light, I can be the spark! In faith, service and communion,
let us start the change we want to see, the change that begins in me.

Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever!

I was greeted by a very beautiful verse this morning, December 16, and I would like to share it with you. It comes from 1 Peter 2:9, and goes:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”.

Such awe-inspiring words! How encouraging! How uplifting! How empowering!

In the reflection following that verse, I was delighted to see how the author (Renee Swope) rephrased it in such a way that it made this declaration of God’s faithfulness in us, her personal declaration. The author goes on to say:

“I am a chosen woman, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a woman belonging to God, that I may declare the praises of him who called me out of darkness into his wonderful light”

Each phrase struck harder and stronger. Having such a personal relationship with God must indeed be delightful! And it just blows my mind when I think of how our God – the one true God who created the entire, enormous, universe (Genesis 1) – could care and love us so much individually!

That our God – the one true God whose single breath could dry up rivers (Nahum 1:4) – is the same loving and generous Father who knows the very number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30)! Yes, God’s love is never failing! So much so that he gave his only son to save us from ourselves (John 3:16)!

Doesn’t the enormity of his love in our small and simple lives just make you tremble? It floored me!

And as God has blessed me today with these awesome reflections, so do I pass on these blessings with you. It is my hope that in spite of pain or sickness, despair or loneliness, heartache or sorrow, anger or grief, disappointment or discouragement – we remember that we have on our side our God who calls us, chooses us, knows us and loves us – - – a million times more than we could ever imagine.

Happy Thursday.

Vida

“May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing that you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of you.” — Santa Teresa de Jesús

I found that message in my in-box and it warmed my heart to know that somehow, somewhere, I was able to positively touch another person’s life to the point that that person thought kindly of me, reached out, and sent me that beautiful message. And I appreciate how not all forwarded messages are “chain mail”, and I must admit that some messages come at such an appropriate time that it sends chills down my spine.

This is just a shout out to all Wonder Women out there, and to the ones who help make you wonderful. In the busyness of each day, while you try to make sure that everything is in place, juggling event upon event, and keeping at bay the rainbow of emotions that is going through you, may you still find peace within – knowing that even at your lowest or loneliest point, God will never leave you. Be blessed.

I am not one of those people. Or at least, I wasn’t.

Maybe I was born shy. A natural wall flower? Perhaps. But one thing was for sure, I didn’t know how to be happy. And being a miserable person alienated others. I thought at first that I could get used to the silence of being alone. But the silence got deafening. And I became empty. Fear, sadness and anger crept in and filled that void. Where was I to turn to? Who was I to confide in? I felt I had no one, nobody, and nothing by my side.

At a time when I thought I was lost, a light helped me find my path. Faith was what brought me back. Through prayer, I found the silence to be inviting – a time to reflect and commune with God. I also found out that I was never truly alone – that I just had to learn to let people in (to no longer be afraid of getting hurt) – and more importantly, to be “OK” with just being with myself. So meals, shopping, or coffee breaks could be had with or without family, friends or colleagues around.

If you don’t love yourself properly, then being with yourself can be unbearable. But the change started with just being OK with being alone. That was the first phase. Again, through prayer, I realized that I didn’t love myself properly. Later on I had to unearth whatever faults and failings I’ve committed towards myself. I learned to apologize and forgive, not just other people but myself too. Slowly, but surely, I worked on taking care of myself, treating myself fairly, and avoiding negative self-talk.

It’s not about being self-centered, but about knowing how to love (yourself) in order to love others too. It’s not about being a victim of circumstance, but being a person who lives life and meets it head on. It’s not just about having the finer things in life but also reveling in the simple things – a hot cup of coffee, freshly baked pandesal, a sunny day, a light drizzle, a glimpse of a rainbow, a discount on a favorite item/brand, finding something that you thought was lost, a bargain find at a tiangge, a warm hug, a kiss, a smile from someone unexpected, or sharing a laugh with a friend.

I owe a lot to my family and friends, because they stuck by me even when I was (unconsciously) pushing them away. And I owe a lot to our church and prayer community for helping me strengthen my faith. I’m still not as strong as I would like to be, but at least my faith is on stronger and sturdier ground. It is built on the rock of faith in Christ.

I was supposed to name this note as “A journey to happiness” but I realized that that would be the wrong title – because it wasn’t a journey towards happiness, rather, this was a journey of being happy. Choosing to be happy. The destination is something to look forward to, and I have my eyes set on it, but to be able to be happy is to live in this moment, to love in this moment. It is a choice.

So now I walk with the wind at my back, the sun shining on my up turned face, and a smile in my heart. May we soon cross paths as we go about our happy journeys.

Originally posted on Facebook.
Submitted to: I Commit to Change in Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/icommittochange)

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me

I can only imagine, I can only imagine…

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence? To my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, I can only imagine…

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself standing in the sun

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You

I can only imagine, I can only imagine…

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence? To my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (yeah), I can only imagine (yeah)

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence? To my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah? will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine…

MIGHTY TO SAVE
Hillsong

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that’s never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King…Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King…Jesus

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

My Saviour, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave

The Other-Centered Principle

A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport. As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies. She sat down in an armchair, in the VIP room of the airport, to rest and read in peace. Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading. When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said nothing. she just thought, “What nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!”

For each cookie she took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn’t want to cause a scene. When only one cookie remained, she thought, “What is this rude man going to do now?” The man, taking the last cookie, divided it in half, giving her one half. That was too much! She was angry now! In a huff, she took her book, her things and stormed off to board her plane. When she sat down in her seat, inside the plane, she looked into her purse to take her eyeglasses and to her surprise, there was her packet of cookies…unopened!

She felt so ashamed! She realized that she was wrong and had forgotten her cookies were kept in her purse. The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter while she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself…nor to apologize.

Embarrassingly enough, we are like that woman. All too often we find it very difficult to step outside ourselves to serve another not to mention just casually share our lot with someone who has less or nothing at all. Like that man who shared his cookies, God is quick to share His love! And like that last cookie, love is the only thing that by being divided is multiplied. Natural law. Natural Love. Naturally.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, ‘Here, you gave me too much change ‘

The driver, with a smile, replied, ‘Aren’t you the new preacher in town?’

‘Yes’ he replied..

‘Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.’

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, ‘Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.’

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard — and remember — You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself ‘Christian’.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny..

I’m glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder. So, I choose to forward it to you – my friend. God bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day!

If you don’t pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; but, if you do, you will have ministered to someone.

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you…

Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL

REACH ONE MORE FOR JESUS

As I looked in my father’s eyes
Sat by his bed and held his hand
And I said my last goodbyes
He just held on for as long as he can
And I heard him say

Reach one more for Jesus
Before I close my eyes
I must reach one more for Jesus
I won’t let another day go by
That’s what I’m living for
To reach one more
One more for Jesus

As I sat by my father’s side
I lay down my head upon his bed
And he felt the tears I cried
And he placed his hand upon my head
And I heard him say

Reach one more for Jesus
Before you close your eyes
You must reach one more for Jesus
Don’t let another day go by
That’s what you’re living for
To reach one more
One more for Jesus

Before he closed his eyes
For the final time
And left this earth
For home he said

Reach one more for Jesus
Before we close our eyes
Reach one more for Jesus
Don’t let another day go by
That’s what we’re living for
To reach one more
One more for Jesus

That’s what we’re living for
To reach one more
For Jesus

©1999 CanCope Publishing Inc. (BMI)
Alva Copeland

During our sharing, I mentioned how blessed I felt because of the opportunity given to serve in the MER. Knowing you made a positive difference in a person’s life is truly heart warming.

Another thing I enjoyed were the talks – yes I heard it before, but they sound different, in a sense. Maybe because this time I know what the speakers are talking about and can actually apply them now.

The 2-day retreat was such an eye opener. I just hope that this isn’t just a retreat high. Carry the torch