Distilled, crystallized and encapsulated

Have you ever thought or imagined your life-long plan being distilled, crystallized and encapsulated?  I did not expect a publication of my past, present and future undertakings as retired academician who in my own small ways continue to be a teacher/writer, an ordinary family man and a practicing farmer.  I was featured in the lifestyle section dated October 13, 2012 page 25 of the Cebu City local newspaper, The Freeman.  The article is titled, “Kalubian ni Lolo: A Coconut-based Permaculture Living System”.

The author, Ms. Haydee Mae Perez Estibar is a junior, BA Mass Com student of the University of the Philippines (UP), Cebu.  I understand that it is part and parcel of the requirements for her to earn a degree in mass communication.  I am with Dr. Stephen Covey that this exercise of “writing is a kind of psycho-neural muscular activity which helps bridge and integrate the conscious and subconscious minds.  Writing distills, crystallizes and clarifies thoughts and helps break the whole into parts“(The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. p. 135).

Our acquaintance started 2 years ago.  Unknowingly, we were in the same boat sailing from Cebu City to Bato, Leyte.  Disembarking at about 5:00 a.m., I was a few steps behind the slim, demure, pretty and young lady.  Hesitantly, I asked her the location of the Catholic Church in Bato.  She responded politely with the negative, unfamiliar with the place being a resident of Hilongos, the next northern town.  She was still a college freshman then.  With our brief chit chat while walking from the wharf to the bus terminal, I challenged her to define the difference between “mass com” and “dev com” disseminating the information that the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City offers a degree in development communication.  Well, we parted ways with the promise to cultivate friendship and active interaction through the www.facebook.com.

Being easily led to the House of God, I was able to attend the first Holy Mass of the day before the following day’s marriage ceremony of Kenneth Bacaltos and Charisse Agaton last May 15, 2010 in Matalom, Leyte.  Praises and thanksgiving were offered for the safe travel and being given the opportunity to witness as one of their primary sponsors in addition to my role as baptismal godparent of the bride.  Our friendship dates back when her father, Roger Agaton was a dear brother in “The Pillars” (ViSCA’s campus organization) in the 70’s and co-worker in the Farming Systems Development Project for Eastern Visayas (FSDP-EV) in the 80’s assigned in Matalom as site researcher.

Early this year, Ms. Estibar showed interest in permaculture, most likely because the term is printed on the T-shirt in my facebook profile picture. She inquired from whom she can possibly extract details about the subject.  I advised her to contact Mr. Joel Lee, the only certified permaculture teacher in Cebu City but then she was denied of his time.  She had no other alternative but to go back to me.  I invited her to be my blog follower.  I urged her to get insights from the articles: “Holistic being and living” (Jan 25, 2011), “Do nothing permaculture” (Feb 10, 2011) and “The first step to a big leap” (Feb 28, 2011) posted in www.nestofglory.blogspot.com.  Our farm development plan is advertised in www.youtube.com search permaculture 2011, final kalubian ni lolo.  For more information, she visited our home in Mandaue City together with her boyfriend, John for a personal interview along with her camera and other recording gadgets.  In spite of the presence of 3 boy scouts vying for a “forestry badge” through me, I gave her priority.  Judy was readily available to fill-in and favorably signed the recommendation for them to receive the said badge they desired.

During that whole afternoon interview session, I showed the 3 minutes and 51 seconds video presentation (VCD) of our farm development plan employing the ethics of permaculture.  It was our output reported during the closing program in the later part of 2010 when Judy and I joined the first permaculture learning group in Cebu City.  

Through the internet, I edited her draft but then there were minor corrections.  In the first paragraph and last statement, it should have read “sustainable living”, not “instant living”.  For the second domain, it should be “Land tenure and Community governance”, not “Land tenure and Communist governance”.  Suffice it to say, she did a splendid job considering she’s still a student.  With focus, persistence, faith in herself and God’s guidance, she will certainly be counted among the new breed of high caliber journalists in whatever communication media she is into mentored by highly qualified UP professors.

I acknowledge Kuya Mar Soco with his morally boosting and spiritually uplifting information regarding the article after our BCBP Consolacion men’s breakfast fellowship at Junie’s in Insular Square, Mandaue City on that bright Saturday morning (13 Oct 2012).  He confided to me that he was a little bit late because he was admirably reading it before proceeding to our breakfast venue. 

Too excited and upon returning home, I requested Marianne Claire, our second daughter to check and verify in the internet.  Indeed, it was there being published.  I was overly amazed and fascinated with the intermittently flashing red worded phrase, “interesting people in Metro Cebu” in the left dash board of the article.  However, I consistently feel and think that God should always be our fundamental and primary interest and attraction in whatever we plan and do.

To Ms. Estibar, I cannot thank her enough for the great favor in trying to distill, crystallize and encapsulate my personal/our family vision and mission as stewards of the resources (land and nature) lent to us by the next generation.  As a budding broadcaster, she is readily invited including all of you who are interested to be part of our “living system”.  

To conclude this episode, I conform to what Harold Kushner has written, “Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth or power.  Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve.  Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will at least be different for our having passed through it” (In: Dr. Ron Jenson’s book, Make Life Not Just a Living. p. 8).  nmg      

       

  

     

Faith and Guidance

Providentially, (firmly believing in Divine Providence) I am rereading and reviewing “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective            People” by Dr. Stephen Covey while preparing this talk, “Growing in Faith and knowing God’s Will”.  His recommendation is inspiring and worth doing, “Be a light, not a judge.  Be a model, not a critic.  Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.”

Our Christian life is analogous or comparable to swimming in a river or threading in water.  If we stop swimming, we will be carried away by the current.  Prayer and faith are our life saver or ‘life jacket’ to keep us afloat.

God wants to work in us and through us.  Our Christian faith especially our expectant faith is an essential ingredient.  It is a life of loving service because if it is not, it’s “an empty faith”.  It is not just a feeling, a wishful thinking or a blind leap.  Faith is believing in the unseen but not blind.

Faith is a personal act and decision based on good reason and not an emotion.  It is a definite, individual, urgent and indispensable act.  When we respond to God’s leading (discernment), faith becomes a deliberate act.  Ultimately, applying this Christian faith in our daily life becomes a commitment to know, love and serve the Lord.

Let us review the 3 kinds of faith.  First is the doctrinal or believing faith.  Basically, every time we profess the Apostles’ Creed, we express this kind of faith.  We learn in detail about our Catholic faith through The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the inculturized Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC).

Providential or trusting faith is the second.  In God’s goodness, “everything will work out well for our good”.  “We know that in all things, God works for good unto those who love Him, those He has called according to His promise” (Rom 8:28).

Third is Expectant faith, the belief that actively claims God’s promises.  This kind of faith sees the direct results of God’s actions and interventions.  Our Mother Mary’s expectant faith is the best example when she told the servants in the Wedding at Cana, “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:1-11).

How do we grow in faith? The Christian life program (BCLP) of the Brotherhood starts with the first life-changing process which is conversion or transformation to a life of righteousness followed by commitment and finally being commissioned. It is the totality of our spiritual renewal.  Our active involvement with the BCBP Community definitely allows us to grow in faith.

Consistent reading and study of the Bible and inspirational books by Christian authors also build our faith.  We believe what we read and apply in our daily lives lessons from the Bible and from the rich culture and tradition of our Catholic faith.  The Word of God is alive especially when we are touched or “disturbed” by the message of the passage.

When confronted with doubts and uncertainties, we pray for more faith and allow the power of the Holy Spirit for the necessary action and intervention (expectant faith).  You must be familiar with the story of the “doubting Thomas”.  He was absent when the Risen Christ appeared to the other apostles.  He did not believe.  When he finally saw Christ with His wounds, he prayerfully exclaimed, “My Lord and My God!” strengthening his faith.

Knowing God’s Will. The following are Bible passages that show us how God wants us to know His Will.  He wants us to be in an intimate relationship with Him.  Sin and intellectualism are 2 ways of breaking that relationship by not keeping the Commandment of Love.

“Whoever accepts and keeps My Commandments is the one who loves Me.  If he loves Me, he will be loved by My Father, I too shall love him and show Myself clearly to him” (Jn 14:21).

“I will teach you, I will show you the way to follow.  I will watch over you and give you counsel” (Ps 32:8).

“The Spirit of Truth is with you and will be with you” (Jn 14:17).

How are we guided?  Basically, our guidance emanates from the Holy Bible and from the rich culture and tradition of our Catholic Church.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, refuting error, for correcting and training in Christian life.  Through Scripture, the man of God is made expert and thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17).

We study the Words of God to be applied in our daily living (panginabuhi dili panlantugi) because we are not “faith defenders”.

In our social dimension, the directions in our lives pass through 3 stages: dependence during childhood, independence upon adulthood and then interdependence (Covey).  However, we remain dependent on God in our Christian life.

Our marriage commitments in the family being parents, spouses and children are avenues of God’s guidance and will in our lives. The circumstances, God’s leading (discernment) and signs that come our way are manifestations of God’s guidance and will.  

It is God’s will that you are now undergoing this Christian life program that started with your first attendance to the breakfast fellowship through your sponsor.  Together, we pray that we sustain and be fruitful in our mission/vision to bring Christ and win for Him our respective marketplaces.  With God’s guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that each one of us maybe able to formulate our personal mission statement in consonance with God’s will for us.

“The fool considers his way right while the wise man listens to advise” (Prov 12:15). Our brothers and sisters serving as discussion leaders in our Christian life program (BCLP) are guiding us towards knowing God’s will.  St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Brothers and sisters, I want you to be thankful to those who labor among you, who lead you along the ways of the Lord and also reprimand you.  Esteem them highly and love them for what they are doing.  Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thes 5:12-13).

Growing in guidance and discernment.  If we have the desire, we certainly grow in our ability to discern or know God’s will in our lives.  “If we have the will (desire), God will show the way”.  We simply pray and honestly seek for God’s guidance.   Through our brothers and sisters in the discussion group or with our BCBP Community, we can talk-over options to come up with the right decision.  We patiently and consistently take time to grow and mature spiritually to understand the will of God in our lives.

My life of faith and guidance.  In my over 5 decades of existence (57 yrs) and looking forward for more fruitful and fulfilling life, I claim with expectant faith that God has been, is and will continue to be with me firmly believing in His Divine Providence.  I am His special creature destined for a purpose to glorify, honor, serve and love Him through the life I am living.

Normally, I have undergone the 3 stages of my social life: from dependence to independence and interdependence (Covey).  However, I am totally and continuously dependent on God’s Mercy and Grace from day one until the end of my days.

I have pointed out significant events or circumstances regarding my faith in God and how I am guided by His will.  I have posted “Growing in faith and knowing God’s will” and “Dependence on God (BCBP Mactan edition)” last March 22, 2011 and April 21, 2011 in my website, respectively.  In addition, the following are several other experiences worth revealing.

I thank my parents for bringing me to life.  The family’s economic inadequacy led me to self-reliance at a tender age.  I did not depend on them for my higher education to realize a simple ambition, a “prison break” from my bondage to poverty.  I recall my regular pleading to our Mother of Perpetual Help every time I passed the Church during my secondary education.  God granted me a benefactor I consider as the most unforgettable character, a great philanthropist and a sincere friend, the late Bro. Richard Kloster, OFM.

I finished a degree in agricultural education and was readily employed by my Alma Mater.  With self-discipline, I evaded from any ‘boy-girl’ relationship while still studying in College.  Having a teaching, research and extension job, I felt confident and ready for a relationship side by side with my selfless dedication to support my younger siblings in their studies and the financial needs of my parents.  I was frustrated with their uncooperation and so after 3 years, I decided to wean-off from them to have a family of my own.  Judy was part of that decision because after 2 years of friendship through our socio, religious and cultural student-faculty campus organization (The Pillars), we were married about 4 months after her graduation.  Our honeymoon was spent in time with my graduate studies in UP at Los Baňos.  Two (2) lovely and stress-relieving daughters were the products of our union.

After 15 years of loyal and satisfactory government service and a year of thorough deliberation, I decided to voluntarily resign from the academe.  That paradigm shift resulted in many adjustments and a period of depression that lasted for almost 2 years I consider as the lowest period of my life.  I was guided by reading a number of inspirational books ultimately the Holy Bible.  Our decision to join and commit ourselves to the BCBP is like “finding the pearl of great price.”  However, it is not an assurance of a problem-free life because the more I desire to be closer to God, the more trials came my way.  The Spiritual Gifts of wisdom, understanding, patience and love I prayed for during the Baptism of the Holy Spirit lighten my load regaining peace and harmony at home.

In my previous witnessing, I presented 2 significant events how the Lord works in mysterious ways that strengthened my expectant faith totally dependent on His will.  First is the birth of our only son, who is now 17 yrs. old meaning we are already 18 years with the BCBP and the second was my reconciliation with my parents-in-law especially with Mama.  More are noted.  In 1997, when my father-in-law was hospitalized during the death of Lady Diana, he gave us their house and lot upon his discharge.  I consider his gesture of giving their real property to us as the “last quarter blast” for the year.

Confronted with the agrarian reform problem in 2001, we were led to the newly retired regional director through a sister of BCBP Mactan who was his secretary.  Amazingly, we were given a clearance and our legal counsel eventually became a BCBP brother.  Equally astonishing was my unexpected reunion with his wife connected with the Department of Agriculture Region 8 who was my co-worker in the Farming Systems Development Project for Eastern Visayas (FSDP-EV), a joint project with the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA), Baybay, Leyte.

I feel spiritually high praying for priests and religious friends and knowing they are also praying for me.  This is an example of spiritual interdependence.  On the occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of her religious life, Sr. M. Joseph Ann Vogel, OSF (our HS guidance counselor, 1972) informed me through a greeting card dated June 15, 2004 that I am one of those they pray for regularly in their Perpetual Adoration Chapel.  Full of gratefulness, I heartily express all praises and thanksgiving to the Lord for the Franciscan Sisters, my powerful intercessors.

Lately, I discerned it is a calling for me to be “reflective writing” inspired and motivated by my personal slogan, “Read, write, believe and live”.  Starting January 25, 2011, I have been blogging through www.blogger.com in my desire to connect my limited thoughts with the vast minds of the world and ultimately to the Infinite Mind.

I have posted an open letter titled, “The winning edge” last August 13, 2011 addressed to a Baybayana “born again” nurse working in Texas, U.S.A.  A brother knight (K of C) now based in New Zealand inspires me to go on writing.  A very moving, worthy and meaningful comment states, “I learn a lot from your blogs.  I love your blogs.”  To date, blogger.com recorded 4,484 page-viewers throughout the world making me a “world-class” not a “worldly” Christian unmoved by the recent controversial issue on the Cyber Crime Law. Open or visit my website: www.nestofglory.blogspot.com and be my blog follower.

The foregoing events and circumstances in my life are my simple ways of dynamically growing in faith and being reconciled with God’s will for me. “Lord, teach me always to do Your will, Amen” (Ps 143:10). nmg

Note: Talk 12. "Faith and Guidance" delivered October 6, 2012 during the Brotherhood  Christian Life Program (BCLP N0. 8) BCBP Consolacion, Cebu.  This is my simple contribution to the Year of Faith (2012 – 2013).

  

Being filled with gratitude

To blogger.com, thanks a lot for recording 3,932 page-viewers to date and as you open and read my blogs, we continue to count on you.  Thank you.

“..  from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk 6:45) and for the whole month of June, I was absent from blogging because my heart, mind and spirit were full of gratitude.  I continue to count the blessings and be constantly grateful that from time to time, I empty myself to be filled again to the brim.

Last May 12, I received The Magic by Rhonda Byrne with the hand-written dedication, “Happy 57^th birthday! Thank you for everything and sorry for the times that make me seem ungrateful and undeserving for your love but one thing is true, I love you, Tatay!” from our youngest and only son, Francis John.  It was amazing, astonishing and magically touching to receive that book with his short but meaningful message.

I accepted his birthday gift with much appreciation and admiration for his emotional and spiritual maturity.  When he was still a little kid, I opened a large gift.  The head of a dust pan was surprising.  Most likely because he observed me to be sweeping the grounds daily as an exercise and hobby that he got the idea of buying me one.  Lately, observing that I am reading and writing, he has properly discerned what to give me as a first year college student enrolled in entrepreneurship.

I applied the concepts and insights from the book with our farm workers.  The copra processing operation commenced June 8 and lasted for 2 weeks that started with our usual prayer meeting.  It was well-attended.  I reminded them to be always thankful.  I awakened them that “whenever one has gratitude, he will be given more and will have abundance”.  This is specified in the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30).  The poor gets poorer most likely because he is ungrateful and takes for granted the little blessings he receives daily.  Anyway, the announcement of the increase in the rate of the cost of their labor was an answered prayer petitioned for 2 years.  Our prayer then centered on thanksgiving and we consistently asked for protection especially for the coconut climbers.  We ended our prayer meeting with much joy and thanksgiving with our expectation for an abundant harvest.

Unexpectedly, a few hours later when all of them were busy with their respective assignments, I met an accident.  The YANMAR (YM 2210) tractor with trailer I was driving uncontrollably crashed and landed on its right side after trekking a steep and slippery slope when I turned left to avoid a relatively deep gully. In a matter of seconds, nearby workers rushed to rescue me even those on top of tall coconut trees quickly responded.  They were amazed to see me motionless still seated and calmly holding the steering wheel.  One of them commented that it is quite different when we are prayerful.  It was a simple demonstration of the protective Hands of God when we always call on Him for His blessings and protection. Thank You, Lord!

Who could refuse the sincere invitation of the Milan couple to the celebration of their ruby wedding anniversary? My swelling right leg (not related to the accident) was a sufficient alibi not to go but God cured me to spend the weekend with my family.  The 3 days (June 30 – July 2)  spirit-filled vacation provided us the opportunity for a reunion and brief interaction with colleagues and past friends in Baybay City, Leyte and the Visayas State University (VSU) where Judy and I were employed, started our family until our retirement in the early 90’s. 

  

I gratefully acknowledge the warm welcome, bigheartedness and openhandedness of Dr. & Mrs. Jimmy Rosillo and Dr. & Mrs. Sulpicio Bantugan.

Sir Jimmy, Ma’am Linda and Albert Rosillo, thank you very much!  The sumptuous breakfast emotionally blessed by Sir Jimmy, our reminiscence of memorable events and his act of readily lending his Mitsubishi Lancer for our mobility in the campus and neighboring barangays are well-noted and engraved in our hearts.

Bro. Piciong, Sis. Arcie and Allan Bantugan, thank you very much!  You have given us importance by preparing a healthy lunch and sharing your time with us. Being requested to lead the blessing of the food, I called to mind the “food chain” until we connect ourselves in thanksgiving to the Greatest Provider for His blessings and outpouring abundance.

In the afternoon of the scheduled wedding ceremonies, it was heavily raining.  Unpredictably, in fact, I was taken aback when the high caliber post-harvest plant physiologist, Dr. Emma Data fetched us.  I readily offered to drive her deluxe personal service car.  She agreed finding out later that she is still experiencing the pain in her right arm when she met a vehicular accident in 2009.  Thanks a lot, Ma’am Emma! ..for your kind gesture.

To: Engr. Florente O. Milan and Dr. Paciencia P. Milan, we cannot thank you enough for the free accommodation at the ViSCA Hostel by the beach at your expense.  We are greatly honored and privileged as witnesses to the renewal of your marriage vows at “halftime”.  After forty (40) years and upon retirement, the occasion is highly significant, Finishing Well with grandeur Life Part I (Bob Buford, Is there Something More?).

The wedding ceremonies at the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC) Chapel, Baybay City brought me back in time when I graduated high school as a working student and Dr. Pacing Milan was one of our teachers.  The chapel was not erected yet.  Striking was the inscription at the right side of the altar, “Read and live the Bible”.  My expanded life slogan is, “Read, write, believe and live”.

The wedding reception at the gymnasium of the Visayas State University (VSU) was grandest. It was well-attended by political leaders of the local government units (LGUs), retired and active academic and non-academic staff close to the couple including relatives and friends like us.  No less than the Bishop of Maasin who was the main celebrant opened serenades of live music followed by equally talented, singing co-celebrants.  Astonishing was the distribution of seedlings of several tree species for a price by a farmers’ organization spearheaded by Dr. Milan.  I look at it as a gist of the couple’s desire to translate their “success to significance” making a difference as they continue to savor and nurture Life Part II (Bob Buford, Is This Really My Life’s Work?).

 

Upon returning home, I brought with me the trivial issue of eradicating the acasia trees lined-up both sides after the gate guarded by the rain and sun gods upon entering the upper campus.  I learned it from the immediate past university president herself and confirmed by Dr. Jose Bacusmo, the incumbent president.  The daily sweeping of falling leaves is not a convincing reason.  Myth logically, metaphorically and even literally, these grown-up acasia trees (most likely over 2 decades old) provide a deeper and meaningful hindrance to the “Search for Truth” of Malakas and Maganda, VSU’s version of the oblation.  

   

I am grateful to Bonn Aure based at Puerto Rico who is one of my interactive facebook friends for registering me with the Kapihan sa Baybay City.  It is an additional forum along with the Collective ViSCAns [alumni of the Visayas Agricultural College (VAC), Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA), Leyte State University (LSU) and Visayas State University (VSU)] where we can openly share our views and opinions regarding our concerns towards holistic growth and development in our respective immediate environment as a nation and our contribution to global issues. 

Momentarily ending this long list of blessings being applied daily with thanks-living, I quote “to speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven” (Johannes A. Gaertner. 1912-1996. In: The Magic. Rhonda Byrne. p. 241). nmg  

  

  

  

Cellular Wisdom: Our Way of Life

Let us take a closer look and a deeper examination of this overnight retreat dealing with the BCBP Way of Life. By way of review, be reminded of the 3C’s of the life-changing processes as we have chosen and decided to follow Christ, bringing Him to and winning for Him our respective marketplaces through the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). 

The first C is conversion to a life of righteousness with and for Christ. This we did starting with our interactive participation in the Christian life program which did not end there because our conversion is a dynamic process.  Conversion is a lifelong and continuous undertaking which could be a “struggle” to some but part of life and living to those who “survive” after all the trials.  The Brotherhood Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR) was another significant activity in our brotherhood bringing us closer to our respective families ultimately establishing an intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

The second C is commitment which we are presently dealing with, while the third is commissioning presented/discussed last May 4, 2012 during our Chapter’s monthly teaching.  The BCBP Way of Life Retreat is a program designed for your commitment leading you to freely sign with conviction your commitment card.

Let us point out keywords that will guide and provide us focus or concentration in this retreat. Yes, we have way and life. Jesus Christ says, “I AM the way, the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). We are assured of His presence and being alive all the way through in our BCBP way of life and living.

By way of practical application in our daily life and living, allow me to borrow and present the context or perspective of cellular wisdom by Dr. Joan C. King in her book, Cellular Wisdom: Decoding the Body’s Secret Language.   Let us pray that we maybe gifted with the vision to look at our life with fresh insights and wonders when we connect and bridge seemingly separate fields or disciplines: between biology and theology or between the scientific and the spiritual. 

In a nutshell and directly related to our present undertaking is the “interaction between the different systems in our body” comparable with the systems in our society. It is our aim to improve human relationships fostering more harmonious communities.  Examining an individual human body, we find trillion of cells that make up tissues, organs and systems (ex. nervous, circulatory, digestive, etc.).  In society, we have individual beings, groups of persons as in the family, in workplaces and in organizations like the BCBP.  We look at BCBP as an organization in the large universal body, the Church where Jesus Christ is the Head.

Like the community in our body that includes the cells, tissues, organs and systems designed to work cooperatively to keep us safe, healthy and growing, the diverse groups in society (our respective homes, schools, churches, places of business and organizations whether private or public) must work together for the benefit of all.  Again, we look at the human body as “a complex and interconnected weave of specialized, cooperative and integrated cellular system” that we would like to project in society specifically with our Community, the BCBP.  It is along this line of thinking that we actively and cooperatively engage ourselves in the BCBP Way of Life Retreat that consists of 2 major parts.

The first part includes 7 teachings to be handled by 7 physically able, open-minded and spiritually high brothers and a sister in our Chapter. The topics with the corresponding facilitators are:

1. Honoring the Lord by Kuya Lando Grape,    Formation Director

2.   Giving to the Lord and His Work by Kuya Marvin Soco, Unit Leader

3.    Brotherly and Sisterly Care by Ate Girlie Ang, wife of the past Chapter Head

4.  Living our BCBP Way of Life by Kuya Magno Garcia, Programs/Service Director

5.   Community, Family and Church by Kuya Wilbert  Ang, past Chapter Head

6.   Love for Country by Kuya Nestor Gloria, Mission Director

7.  Where Do We Go from Here by Kuya Benson Tompong, Chapter Head

In each topic, session guides are prepared.  All activities are participatory.  Everyone is encouraged to actively participate in the brainstorming and group discussions.  We pray for the Holy Spirit to guide, enlighten and empower all of us who are directly and indirectly involved. 

The significant, meaningful and fruitful output of this overnight retreat will be your decision to freely sign with conviction your respective commitment cards which will be the second and final part of this special weekend program.

        

Do you agree that “it is hard or tough to live a focused life”?  Every now and then from every direction, someone or something distract our attention.  This is the case with our lukewarm and less active brothers and sisters who are headed down another detour.  Let us pray to focus our attention to our commitment to know, love and serve the Lord through the BCBP.

Let me share with you a scenario, an American setting that shows us commitment.  “A Chicago youth pastor came up with a clever way to keep his group on tract.  Aware of the balmy beaches of Florida and the possibility of distraction from their main purpose of evangelization, he fashioned a cross from 2 lumbers showing it to the group before climbing the bus.  He told them, ‘..remember that the main purpose of out trip is to glorify the Name of Christ, to lift up the Cross, the message of the Cross, the emphasis of the Cross, the Christ of the Cross,…so we’re going to take this cross wherever we go.’  The teenagers looked at each other unsure of what was the plan.  Anyway, they agreed to bring the cross wherever they went which was embarrassing at first but later became a point of identification.  The cross was a constant, silent reminder of who they were and why they had come.  Eventually, they regarded carrying it as an honor and privilege.  

   

The night before they returned home, the youth leader handed out 2 nails to each of the kids.  He told them that if they wanted to commit themselves to what the cross stood for, they could hammer one nail into it and keep the other one with them.  One by one, the teens drove their nail into the cross.

Years later, one fellow now a businessman called the youth leader.  He told him that he still keeps the other nail in his desk drawer.  Whenever he loses his sense of focus, he looks at the nail and remembers the cross in Florida.  It reminds him of what is the core of his life – his commitment to Jesus Christ (C. Swindoll’s Favorite Stories and Illustrations. p. 97).

Comparable to the nail kept in the drawer, I have my old and dilapidated commitment card kept in my wallet for safe-keeping and constant reminder of my unfading commitment to know, love and serve the Lord.  I carry it “head-up” with the healthy pride as my identity that I am a committed and active member of the BCBP being drafted into God’s army for the Great Commission.    nmg

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[1] Introduction/orientation of the BCBP Way of Life Retreat for the BCBP Consolacion associate members held at the Sto. Niňo Spirituality Center, Tolotolo, Consolacion, Cebu on May 5-6, 2012.

Love for Country

The short story entitled Circle of Love (by Jeannie S. Williams compiled by Cheryl Kirking in Ripples of Joy, Stories of Hope and Encouragement to Share From. pp. 28-29) is inspiring, touching and rippling as a starting point for our topic, Love for Country.

[When Joey was 5 years old, his kindergarten teacher told the class to draw a picture of something they loved.  He drew stick images of his family then encircled with a red crayon. With his desire to label his drawing, he approached his teacher and asked, “Teacher, how do you spell…?” He was scolded not to disturb the class even before he could finish his question.

Excitedly arriving home, he approached his mother in the kitchen to show his drawing and asked the same question, “Mom, how do you spell…?” “Don’t you see, I’m busy. Why don’t you play outside and don’t slam the door!”  He folded his drawing and stuck it to his pocket.

Later in the evening, he unfolded and smoothen it being ready with his pencil, showed it to his father and asked, “Dad, how do you spell…?” “Joey, I’m reading right now and I don’t want to be disturbed.  Go, play outside and don’t slam the door.”

In the morning during laundry, his mother threw his folded drawing without opening it together with pieces of other materials in his pocket gathered while playing.

When Joey was 28 years old, his 5 yrs. old daughter, Annie presented a stick drawing of their family, circled with red crayon. Ready with her pencil to label her drawing, she asked, “Dad, how do you spell love?” “Love is spelled T-I-M-E!”, he told her.]

Equally amazing associated with this episode is the following enlightening quotation:

“We need to think of the home as the cradle into which the future is born, and the family as the nursery in which the new social order is being reared. The family is a covenant with posterity” (Sidney Goldstein).

Basically, love for country is equated or associated with stewardship in our respective family, workplaces and our Community, the BCBP and the society at large.

Love for country is basically founded on the greatest and double commandment of love: love of God and love of neighbor.  This is the greatest commandment, “. . . you shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And after this comes another one: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these two “ (Mk 12:30-31).

Therefore, love for country begins in our heart with our virtues and values that radiate from inside-out.  As BCBP members, let us look and evaluate our individual selves dealing with our characters as stewards, how we learn and practice good stewardship at home, at work and in our Community, the BCBP and in our society.  We have 3 areas or schools of learning and application as far as stewardship is concerned: family, workplace and BCBP.

A steward is someone who is in control.  He can also be referred to as director, manager, custodian or caretaker. Etymologically, the word steward comes from the old English sty and ward that refers to a person employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns like the supervision of servants, collection of rentals and keeping of accounts.

A steward is a person to whom the possessions of another have been entrusted.  He is authorized to manage these possessions.  The welfare of the owner and others who have a stake in the venture is entrusted to the steward.  His position is always a position of trust calling for trustworthiness.

St. Peter is made the steward of the Kingdom of God when Jesus said, “I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 16:19).  The keys symbolize stewardship.

Character qualities of a good steward

   1.  He has the mind of the owner.  As BCBP members, we must have the mind of God who owns our lives.

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 2. Trustworthiness that flows from integrity and competence.  Competence in whatever we do is crucial that need to be paired with integrity, transparency and honesty.

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   3.  Balanced courage and concern.  A steward dedicated to the enhancement of the master’s business in line with his intentions exemplifies a steward with a balanced courage and concern.  An overly courageous steward may get everything done his way disregarding the concern for others being unjust to those he works with.  On the other hand, if he is all concern and lacks courage, he may not get the master’s business done.

.  4. There are 2 basic domains of putting good stewardship and love of country into practice:

a.    Circle of influence – includes all those things we can influence, change or have control or impact for the better.  Starting from within, the most important area is our character and behavior.  Consistent improvement of our character for the better makes us grow and become emotionally and spiritually mature for a greater impact, making a difference in the family, professional/business, BCBP or public life. 

b.    Circle of concern – includes all those things which we can really do nothing. Negligence of our own behavior (circle of influence) and focus on our concerns, result to being unable to make a difference. (For details, read: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr. Stephen R. Covey. pp. 81-88).

Stewardship schools of learning

The family, the workplace, BCBP and our society at large are the 4 areas or schools of stewardship that give us the opportunity to act and serve as good stewards.

The family being the basic unit of society is the most fundamental school for stewardship. As parents and children, we must be united to learn to put ourselves in a constant position of service for the welfare of each other.  This calls for trustworthiness with a balanced courage and genuine concern for one another.

We raise our children to be responsible citizens by giving them stewardship opportunities according to their age and set up a system of accountability.  Perhaps assign them in household chores, cleaning their own room and asking for an accounting of their allowance.  Demand their respect for household helpers.  When they graduated and are earning, but still living with the family, they are urged to contribute financially to teach them financial responsibility.  We use every opportunity to teach respect, honor and integrity until good characteristic traits become a habit.  They are also trained to sacrifice when necessary especially in moments of inadequacy not providing them what is beyond our means.  We should avoid the military parlance, “Follow what I say, do not follow what I do” because the most effective stewardship training is modeling.  We should be the best models for our children.  Mothers have the important role in shaping up our children because they are “moral compass” of the home.

In our respective workplaces, we ought to develop a win-win attitude in dealing with our employers/employees, peers, clients/customers, suppliers and all stakeholders to gain and win. “Win-win means that agreement or solutions are mutually beneficial and mutually satisfying.  We see life as a cooperative and not a competitive arena.” (Read: Covey, S.R. 2004. Think win/win. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. pp. 204-234).

A good steward works towards increased profitability being committed, cooperative and open-minded who freely communicate with all involved in the business.  He takes a major concern for the safety and just compensation for all employees.  He also makes sure of the world-class quality of the products and services.

The characters of a good steward in workplaces include integrity, competence, efficiency, courage and concern.

The BCBP is a school of learning for good stewardship and eventually becoming good citizens to measure love for country.  It leads us to a deeper conversion to the Lord and helps us to grow as men and women of God because we have the mind of God.

The Christian life program is a basic formation that strengthens our relationship with God. Improved relationship at home is realized through the marriage retreat (BCMR).  During the business retreat (BCBR), serving God as good stewards is spelled out. Through our action group meetings, we are trained to open our hearts to others beyond our immediate family giving us concrete ways to care and love our brothers and sisters.

Basic concepts of love for country

.  1.  Building strong families result to responsible citizenship.  Faithful spouses raise responsible children of God that eventually build a strong republic.

   2.  Putting our time, talent and resources at the service of the Lord for others in the BCBP is an expression of our love for our country.

  3. In the marketplace, our love for country is expressed through our integrity, courage and concern for all working for justice, honesty and fairness.

Special contributions

1.   Electing public officials with the track record of integrity and competence.

2.  Promoting our BCBP advocacy for honesty, the “Be honest” campaign.

3.    Following traffic rules.

4.    Not littering our garbage in the streets through proper disposal.

5.    Paying our taxes correctly, accurately and in time.

6.    Promoting our local goods over the imported ones.

Love for country basically emanates from the greatest double commandment of love: love of God and love of neighbor.  Time, talents and treasures are the instruments or avenues of this great love.  Love in our opening short story is spelled T-I-M-E. Love can also be spelled T-R-E-A-S-U-R-E or T-A-L-E-N-T.

This expression of love radiates from inside-out, from the family to our Community, the BCBP, to our respective workplaces and then to the society at large.  Love for country boils down from being a good steward in all areas of our life and living by putting God in our minds.  A good steward has the mind of God.

Take note that we have 3 instruments (3 Ts: time, treasure & talent) of expressing love among the 3 identities (God, neighbors and self) that are fundamental to love for country.  In closing, we find the following worth remembering:

              Everywhere I look, I see

              Fact or fiction, life or play

              Still the little game of three,

              B and C in love with A.

            (Jeannie Hendricks. A Woman for all Seasons. In:        

            Favorite Stories and Illustrations by Charles Swindol.    

            p. 355). nmg

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[1] Talk No. 6 comprising the BCBP Way of Life Retreat for the BCBP Consolation associate members held at the Sto. Niňo Spirituality Center, Tolotolo, Consolacion, Cebu on May 5-6, 2012.