And Jesus replied, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, If you say to this mountain: ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea’ and have no doubt in your heart but believe that you have received it and it shall be done for you” (Mk 11:22-24). These verses encapsulate tonight’s activity that deals with the topic, How to Grow in Faith and knowing God’s Will.
Let us imagine swimming towards God. Do you still remember the talk of Kuya Robert Lim about the obstacles (the world, the flesh, etc.) in our Christian life? Your imagination is unlimited regarding the many obstacles we encounter in swimming. Our Christian life is comparable to swimming in a river or threading in water. Growing in faith and knowing God’s will is like swimming in the river. If we stop believing and knowing God’s will through sin and intellectualism, we simply die because we are no longer part of the Body of Christ.
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we become children of God. It is the beginning of our Christian life. We are followers of Christ. In order to grow and mature in our Christian life, we must act and practice our faith because “faith without action is dead”. Our basic action and practice is our constant and persistent prayer. Through prayer, we deepen our faith in the Lord. In the process of consistent and persistent prayer with faith, we learn to recognize what God wants from us in the circumstances of our life.
Our faith expressed through Community and personal prayers seal our relationship with God. In connection with the recently concluded 25th anniversary of EDSA Revolution last February 25, 2011, it is striking to note Philip Yancey’s description how we prayed as a nation. In his book, (Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? p.150), he claims that “Filipinos prayed importunately (urgently and unceasingly) for relief before People Power brought down a corrupt regime.”
In the global scenario, prayer shattered to pieces Berlin Wall that once divided Germany and Iron Curtain that once divided Europe.
In tonight’s Activity or exercise, we share with each other our faith experiences, and make resolutions or amendments to practice and deepen our faith. Note: After the triads (discussion/sharing among three individuals in the group) about the topic on hand, I have the following synthesis and personal sharing:
Way back in time (1975-1976), when we were about to graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education (BSAgEd), I recall how I experienced being guided and enlightened. Discernment was not yet part of my vocabulary but I was and will continue to be a practicing Catholic. The whole class in “Guidance and Counseling” was suspended except a female classmate (a distant relative) and me. That was one significant event that cultivated and allowed me to grow in faith.
In 1992, I voluntarily resigned from government service. I was only 37 years old then. Judy and our two daughters with ages, 13 and 9 years old then were insecure, doubtful and anxious. For 2 years, I was depressed and I considered it the lowest segment in my life. During that period of depression, I resorted to reading inspirational, motivational and positive-thinking books that eventually settled with regular and consistent Bible reading. In addition, I read a lot of books written by Christian authors that provide me insights and teaching aid to continue to know, love and serve the Lord.
I was unemployed but did not opt to seek employment because I dreamed and decided to become an employer from being a temporary government employee in an agricultural state college (my Alma Mater) for 15 years. I claim that I am endowed with time freedom. With this time freedom, I am always free to do anything according to God’s will for me through the leading of the Holy Spirit and discernment. I maybe unemployed but I am occupied with God’s work, “seeking first His kingdom” asking for material and spiritual fulfillment. My strong religious foundation gained in 2 private Catholic high schools, anchored me to my doctrinal faith. I did not lose hope. I remained a faithful, loving and responsible husband and father to our 2 lovely and stress-relieving daughters. I declined the enticement to go abroad and earn a living. My unwavering faith, enlightenment, guidance and invitation to the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) breakfast fellowships led to BCBP Mactan with Judy in 1994. One significant realization I have with our renewal of faith through the BCBP is that “life begins at forty” because a few months after the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I turned 40 years old.
Reconciliation with my parents-in-law regaining their trust and confidence was the most momentous among the amazing graces received.
The birth of our only son was an answered prayer through expectant faith. He is considered by our brothers and sisters in BCBP Mactan as our “BCMR baby” because he was born approximately 9 months after the Brotherhood Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR No.1). Expectant faith led us to prepare the needs of a baby boy, all colored blue.
My resolution to attend the 5:30 am Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion daily while in the City is doctrinal faith. This practice leads me to discern my responsibility to return 10% of what God has given me.
As mentioned earlier, I have sufficient time freedom. The talent to write is cultivated through “reflective writing”. Starting January 25, 2011, I posted my first blog through the assistance of Marianne Claire, our second daughter. Log on to www.nestofglory.blogspot.com and sign in as member or my blog follower.
The greatest challenge I am facing is the development of the 40-hectare farm dubbed as “Kalubian ni Lolo”. Log on to youtube.com and search permaculture2011. God endows us a land resource where we can practice in our own small ways the application of some solutions to global warming.
We have defined our social responsibility that includes at least 19 farm households excluding occasional workers who are dependent on us to improve their livelihood. This means financial freedom and abundance to materialize our ambitious dream reflected in our “blue-printed” and lifelong coconut-based permaculture living system.
After the February 13, 2011 teachings specifically on financial management, Judy and I resolve to follow strictly a written or recorded budget to graduate from “budgeting in the mind”. Number one in our list of expenses is the 10% tithes from the gross income. At first, I had doubts and reservations. Through discernment and firm belief and expectant faith, our Rich God will definitely fulfill His promise to provide us what we need. As to when and how will depend on our persistent and unceasing prayers. Per discernment, I find the Archdiocesan Youthlinks Training and Assessment Center, Inc. as a fertile ground to build the Kingdom of God here on earth specifically in Cebu, Philippines. Log on to www.coycebu.org for more information and recent developments.
Accordingly, there are at least two (2) major activities in any undertaking in life. They are sowing and reaping. The time in between is the waiting that should basically be devoted to praying. Thank you. nmg
Way back in time (1975-1976), when we were about to graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education (BSAgEd), I recall how I experienced being guided and enlightened. Discernment was not yet part of my vocabulary but I was and will continue to be a practicing Catholic. The whole class in “Guidance and Counseling” was suspended except a female classmate (a distant relative) and me. That was one significant event that cultivated and allowed me to grow in faith.
In 1992, I voluntarily resigned from government service. I was only 37 years old then. Judy and our two daughters with ages, 13 and 9 years old then were insecure, doubtful and anxious. For 2 years, I was depressed and I considered it the lowest segment in my life. During that period of depression, I resorted to reading inspirational, motivational and positive-thinking books that eventually settled with regular and consistent Bible reading. In addition, I read a lot of books written by Christian authors that provide me insights and teaching aid to continue to know, love and serve the Lord.
I was unemployed but did not opt to seek employment because I dreamed and decided to become an employer from being a temporary government employee in an agricultural state college (my Alma Mater) for 15 years. I claim that I am endowed with time freedom. With this time freedom, I am always free to do anything according to God’s will for me through the leading of the Holy Spirit and discernment. I maybe unemployed but I am occupied with God’s work, “seeking first His kingdom” asking for material and spiritual fulfillment. My strong religious foundation gained in 2 private Catholic high schools, anchored me to my doctrinal faith. I did not lose hope. I remained a faithful, loving and responsible husband and father to our 2 lovely and stress-relieving daughters. I declined the enticement to go abroad and earn a living. My unwavering faith, enlightenment, guidance and invitation to the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) breakfast fellowships led to BCBP Mactan with Judy in 1994. One significant realization I have with our renewal of faith through the BCBP is that “life begins at forty” because a few months after the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I turned 40 years old.
Reconciliation with my parents-in-law regaining their trust and confidence was the most momentous among the amazing graces received.
The birth of our only son was an answered prayer through expectant faith. He is considered by our brothers and sisters in BCBP Mactan as our “BCMR baby” because he was born approximately 9 months after the Brotherhood Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR No.1). Expectant faith led us to prepare the needs of a baby boy, all colored blue.
My resolution to attend the 5:30 am Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion daily while in the City is doctrinal faith. This practice leads me to discern my responsibility to return 10% of what God has given me.
As mentioned earlier, I have sufficient time freedom. The talent to write is cultivated through “reflective writing”. Starting January 25, 2011, I posted my first blog through the assistance of Marianne Claire, our second daughter. Log on to www.nestofglory.blogspot.com and sign in as member or my blog follower.
The greatest challenge I am facing is the development of the 40-hectare farm dubbed as “Kalubian ni Lolo”. Log on to youtube.com and search permaculture2011. God endows us a land resource where we can practice in our own small ways the application of some solutions to global warming.
We have defined our social responsibility that includes at least 19 farm households excluding occasional workers who are dependent on us to improve their livelihood. This means financial freedom and abundance to materialize our ambitious dream reflected in our “blue-printed” and lifelong coconut-based permaculture living system.
After the February 13, 2011 teachings specifically on financial management, Judy and I resolve to follow strictly a written or recorded budget to graduate from “budgeting in the mind”. Number one in our list of expenses is the 10% tithes from the gross income. At first, I had doubts and reservations. Through discernment and firm belief and expectant faith, our Rich God will definitely fulfill His promise to provide us what we need. As to when and how will depend on our persistent and unceasing prayers. Per discernment, I find the Archdiocesan Youthlinks Training and Assessment Center, Inc. as a fertile ground to build the Kingdom of God here on earth specifically in Cebu, Philippines. Log on to www.coycebu.org for more information and recent developments.
Accordingly, there are at least two (2) major activities in any undertaking in life. They are sowing and reaping. The time in between is the waiting that should basically be devoted to praying. Thank you. nmg
