NEST OF GLORY

Cellular Wisdom, an Overview

2012-02-21T19:05:00.002-08:00

Two (2) years after leaving the academe (when I was only 37 years old then), my usual activities include: reading, writing, believing and living. I simply follow the slogan we formulated when Judy and I were assigned in the Book Ministry of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Mactan Chapter, “Read, write, believe and live”. I document or synthesize what I read reflecting and connecting lessons learned/relearned with my past experiences to assess my present allowing me to redesign my future. I believe what I read, journal significant feelings eventually living or applying the insights discovered/rediscovered. I have the Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and a variety of inspirational and self-help books to guide me as I collate my thoughts.

Two (2) days after the Guinhulngan, Negros Oriental 6.9 magnitude earthquake (6 Feb 2012), I was attracted to the 25 Books Every Christian Must Read, a must-read book indeed. However, its price is beyond my budget. Suffice it to say that I was able to connect with www.renovare.us indicated in the back cover. “Renovare USA. . . encourages us towards a renewed, sustainable and enriched life with God.”

Searching for an alternative and enriching one among the “books on sale”, I picked up and bought Cellular Wisdom: Decoding the Body’s Secret Language by Dr. Joan C. King. After reading Part I, I am excited and activated to share what I discovered. I easily relate with the author because both of us came from the academia. Being a neuroscientist, she explains or decodes the cellular basis of human responses to internal and external stimuli comparing the trillion of cells of our body to the community of people. She reveals that “the fundamental truths for living an authentic, fulfilling life are decoded in the elegantly complex dance of chemicals and energetic interactions within and between our cells”. She believes that “the principles that operate in the body can be meaningful guides to constructing authentic and self-fulfilling lives”. I admire her career being the chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology at Tufts University School of Medicine before she becomes a professional certified coach (PCC).

Although my professional attainment cannot match with hers but there is some degree of parallelism. My master’s thesis dealt with Growth and Fiber Morphology of Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) Ratoons as Influenced by Plant Density and N Level. I measured the fiber cellular dimension of individual abaca fiber cells to determine their contribution towards tensile strength of individual fiber bundles. They were tedious microscopic activities that paid off reading the book of Dr.King. Looking beyond the technical significance or relevance of my thesis, I see a moral fiber that needs fertilization, rejuvenation and strengthening in our society.

Anyway, back to the present scary and fearful earthquake and false alarm tsunami aftershock that shook the Visayas Region, tonic immobility is a new striking phrase I encounter in cellular wisdom. Dr. King states, “tonic immobility is a physiological response to having one’s world turned upside down that give us permission to relax” (see p. 9 of her book).

The night before the scheduled national elections several years ago, I experienced a very shocking, most fearful and life-threatening experience. I was on my way to conduct Julio (July) Magallanes, a wedding god-son to Pier 3 in Cebu City bound for Baybay, Leyte. Responding to a stop light, four (4) armed men approached us, 2 in front and 2 at the back of the pick-up I was driving. I felt what is now known as tonic immobility because we stood still and in my mind, I silently trembled with, “Lordddd…!” which could have been specified, “My refuge and fortress, my God in Whom I trust”… with His merciful response, “I will be with them in distress..” (Ps 91:2 & 5).

Fortunately and with God’s Grace and Mercy, one of our would-be assailants in the driver’s seat (my side) verified and claimed, “Dili mao!!” meaning we were not their target. With the sigh of relief, we decided to go back home in Mandaue City cancelling July’s boat trip moving it to the following day.

Reading and understanding cellular wisdom as Dr. King decodes the body’s secret language provide me a micro and macroscopic view of life and living. While waiting for the synthesis of the whole book, visit or open www.cellular-wisdom.com. nmg

Between winning and not losing

2012-01-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Early Sunday morning (22 January 2012), I was overwhelmed reading the email of Dr. Robert Anthony as if I was the only one he was addressing to in his seemingly personal message reminding me to buy his book, The Secret of Deliberate Creation. The attached information about himself and his offer are definitely convincing but the scarcity of money inhibits my desire to avail of his very helpful book I expect to serve as a very effective “treasure map”.

As the year 2012 commenced, I have been engrossed reading the various emails sincerely responding them with my simple aim to connect my finite thoughts with the vast thoughts of the world and ultimately with the Infinite Mind as I invite them to open my website. As an active member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), I delivered the most recent edition of the “story of the Lord in my life” last January 7, 2012 among my brothers of BCBP Mandaue City Chapter. “Unleashing the power within” is its title pointing money as the issue of struggle. I was inspired to read the short but morally boosting comment of Ms. Amy Sotto Indo, my new-found friend in the facebook before I proceeded to the men's breakfast fellowship. The attendance of my Kompare Roberto Aure as my honored guest motivated me being the only "first timer" present. I encourage his continuous participation in Baybay City, Leyte.

Having experienced paranormal incidents earlier in my life, I was extra cautious with January 13 even looking at April 13 this year falling on a Friday. Friday the 13^th is a fearful day for me. However, with the advances in information technology, I noticed a higher level of fear through the highly incredible and extremely impossible messages in the inbox. From a considerable number of unknown private individuals and international bank officials, the message is similar. They are inviting me to be their secret partner in the transfer of millions of dollars to my bank account which is a simple “money laundering”. Ticket Nos. 86033775966738 and 2051146463-7644 in separate lotteries entitle me to considerably large sum of the Great British Pound (GBP). Wow! Awful and wonderful but seriously scary, that I pray, “Lord, I am attracting money but please give me good and clean money that I deserve and honestly earn through Your Divine Providence.”

I am attracting a lot of good money as a medium to realize my personal mission statement (“Holistic being and living” posted 25 January 2011 in my website) but definitely I don’t love it. “For the love of money is the root of all evil, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Tim 6:10).

On the other hand, I am excited and thrilled to follow, apply and live “Love or Above”. Downloaded are: the first talk and the “Heart Center Awakening Meditation”. My wife expresses her positive response that she feels an increasing vibration at home. I love Jesus Christ, my Savior and His Mother, my Mother of Perpetual Help, Mary coined in “Christie Marie”, the modern day intuitive healer, psychic and mystic. Thanks a lot, Ms. Sheldon!

The Self-Esteem Book (ebook downloaded) of Dr. Joseph Rubino awakens me from my feeling of inadequacy. I discover Mr. Chip who is pulling me down but I have the Advocate, the Holy Spirit who assures me of my self-worth.

Dr. Robert Anthony reminds me that “.. while it is important to set my intentions, think positively and have a strong belief that the Universe will magically provide what I want through the process of repetition, it only represents a fraction of what I must do to deliberately create the things I desire.” I need alignments: with the Law of Quantum Physics (the Law of Attraction) and the conscious and subconscious alignments. “Like thoughts whether positive or negative attract their equivalent or vibrational match.” Whatever I focus on with intensity and emotion will set the Universe in motion to bring what I desire into my life. My conscious desires and subconscious intentions must be aligned to realize and manifest my dreams and aspirations. In my belief system, I simply call it a reconciliation between what I desire and God’s plan and will for me.

I believe I am destined to live a life that is free of fear, doubt and worry. I feel happy and rejoice soundly in the knowledge that I am meant to thrive, not struggle. I consciously choose a life deliberately created to attain a state of unlimited possibilities.

I whole-heartedly acknowledge, express my lasting indebtedness and sincere gratitude to my coaches in the game of life: Ms. Christie Marie Sheldon (www.loveorabove.com/special), Dr. Joseph Rubino (www.centerforpersonalreinvention.com), Dr. Robert Anthony (www.RealMindPowerSecrets.com) and many more as they train me deliberately to play the game of life. In this game, I win by taking action on what I learned. Contrarily, I do not keep collecting more information and avoid taking action by conservatively playing not to lose.

God bless our life coaches that they become effective and true instruments connecting us to the Infinite Mind, the Master Architect and Ultimate Planner of our life! nmg

An Endangered and Angry Nature

2011-12-31T10:23:00.000-08:00

The intensity and magnitude of the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong in Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City showed us the rage of nature. I associate it with “Rage of an Angel”, the bestselling suspense novel by Sydney Sheldon. Synonymous terms as anger, wrath or rage mean the same but the magnitude or the severity of the disaster vary. The Golden Rule is designed for a harmonious relationship between human beings. It is likewise applicable between man and nature as we recently experienced.

Last December 16, 2011 at about 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon, we were all set to join Kuya Cipring/Ate Mary Lauron in Liloan, Cebu on our way to Panalipan, Catmon, Cebu to express our empathy to the Manalili Family for the death of Ate Vangie‘s mother, Mana Gorgonia Cole (with 3 years more to become a centenarian). The BCBP Consolacion group consisted of Ate Norma Caminade, Ate Erma Sangco, Kuya Gad/Ate Carmen Macasero, and my wife, Judy with me driving. Along the way still in Tayud, Consolacion (the alternate road for a lighter traffic), we encountered the heavy downpour of rain with a very low visibility that I had to drive at 20 – 30 km/hr following the car ahead with the same speed with full lights on. Judy led the group in prayer and we contemplated on the Sorrowful Mysteries. Instantly, I recalled the BCBP Mactan Mission Team for Ormoc City being caught in a typhoon at the beach house in Albuera, Leyte owned by the family of Ate Carmen L. Sto. Domingo. Like sus (the local term for the fresh water, black, spirally elongated shells approximately 4-5 cm long distinctly characterized to be grouping together in clusters), we recited the Holy Rosary led by Ate Litz Tan. In those similar situations, our prayers were answered. The latest encounter was quite scary and life threatening. In Compostela, I sensed the explosion of lightning and thunder as if we were hit head-on so that in a quick response, I had to step heavily on the brakes unexpectedly hard-pushing my passengers forward. But, it did not deter us from praying that we eventually reached our destination safe and sound with the food for us waiting prepared by Ate Vangie and Kuya Maning. The sumptuous dinner relieved us from fear recharging ourselves to celebrate and continue living our respective lives.

During the Holy Mass and Novena for the dead thereafter, I pondered on the opportunity to die naturally at a ripe old age leaving behind a legacy of good deeds. The 116 years old Japanese, Shigechiyo Izumi advises, “… the best way to lead a long life is simply, ‘not to worry’ (Mike Parker. The World’s Most Fantastic Freaks. p. 136)”. But, how can we be worry-free looking at the most recent effects of an endangered and angry nature? The joy of the Christmas Season this year is coupled with sadness especially to those directly affected.

Some may have abstract ideas of what is going on with the world. Bob Hope claims, “It’s a wonderful world. It may destroy itself, but you’ll be able to watch it on TV.” (In: Charles Swindoll’s Favorite Stories and Illustrations. p. 622). We saw the destruction of tsunami in Japan last March 2011 through the television. The TV and video footages of the actual events of Typhoon Sendong surely touched all of us. Personally striking was the footage of the 24 minutes rising water in Cagayan de Oro City showing evacuees moving-in to a safer house. That time span submerged the gate and house that ended the documentation. It brought me to a similar incident many years back.

Forty (40) years ago (December 1971), I experienced the same scenario. As a graduating and working student in high school, I lived nearby the campus of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC), Baybay, Leyte. During that heavily raining afternoon, we observed that water was flowing and rising. The house where I lived was located at the southern side of Dungcaan Bridge. Accordingly, the overflowing river resulted from the clogging of the bridge by a high volume of debris that consisted of logs, timber, lumber and possibly a number of animals and human beings flushed from the mountain. (That extremely large volume of materials were later seen deposited in the beaches covering at least 5-6 kilometers from the town towards the north excluding the southern side.) We vacated our place when water rose from knee-high to hip-deep. I held and guided 2 children of the household towards higher grounds at the Convent of the Franciscan Sisters. Fortunately, the bridge broke astonishingly wiping the flood water that allowed us to return safe and secured.

After 4 decades, we continue to experience the rage of an endangered nature because of our irresponsible environmental management. In addition, there is global warming, climatic change and more. In our own small ways, as a family, we seriously consider the ethics of permaculture. In April 2011, Judy and I met a septuagenarian green-thumbed woman who shared with us several planting materials. I gained from her the insight to plant, plant and plant regardless of the distance and method of planting. She owns and operates a nature’s park and mountain resort overlooking Cebu City.

Lately, before 2011 ended, I joined “Love or Above” through the world-wide web. I attempted to attend the online event but due to technical inability and the very slow flow, I discontinued in the meantime. This is the first time I encountered the term webinar which means a seminar in the web or internet. For me, the www or the 3w is not just info dissemination but strengthening of the "web of life".

Appealing and strongly attractive is the invitation of its founder, “… to become a force for planetary shift….. turn on your spiritual gifts fully to make your inner light brighter ….. a life filled to the brim with love, abundance, joy, pleasure and fun.”

For 2012, I go the extra mile to attain financial abundance and freedom and attract all good things, keeping in mind my personal mission statement ("Holistic being and living" posted Jan 25, 2011 in my website). With me in my pilgrimage and life's journey are life coaches, Christie Marie Sheldon and her “Love or Above Team” and the "Life Optimizing and Strategic Business Coaches": Dr. Rubino, Ms. Henson and Ms. Mulac, www.support@cprsuccess.com.

I invite you to open or visit www.loveorabove.com/special to raise our individual vibrations and increase our respective energetic frequencies. nmg

[1] A reflection of the CDO, Iligan and Negros natural disasters caused by Typhoon Sendong (Dec. 16-17, 2011).

Significance of the Insignificant

2011-12-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

Opening the facebook last December 6, 2011 impressed me with the message from my natural and organic farming friend, Rev. Fr. Domingo Saladaga, OAR. It is about "blessing and missing". Accordingly, we should have a big and open heart to appreciate the blessings to celebrate life and eyes to see what are missing. Sorry, I miss the whole quotation. Anyway, I responded with, "The message is rhythmic, poetic and realistic that makes you an effective pastoral poet. Certainly, I am applying it in my daily living". In fact, I have posted last December 2007 the following article with a parallel message.

When I was still connected with an agricultural state college, I was involved in a trilogy of functions. I was engaged in 50% instruction, 30% research and 20% extension.

Using an appropriate experimental design, we conducted agricultural researches or field trials as part of my research activities. I did these projects together with my research assistants. Data gathered were analyzed following the procedure of the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Test results varied. One could be not significant (ns) or insignificant. Sometimes, variations were significant at 5% level of significance or simply significant (with a single asterisk*) or significant at 1% level of significance meaning highly significant (with a double asterisk**). As the results and discussion were documented and presented, we were obliged to support, explain and point out implications and reasons of the insignificance or significance of the outcome. These explanations and discussion eventually supported our conclusions and recommendations.

That was in the academe and research institution. Now, with a different perspective and dealing with the realities of life, I find “significance of the insignificant” striking and thought-provoking. This is a section of Chapter 7, “Mary’s little lamb” in the book, “Growing Deep in the Christian Life: Essential Truths for Becoming Strong in the Faith” by Charles Swindoll (pp. 121-133).

I find it most appropriate and fitting to stress the “significance of the insignificant” this Christmas season. Are we aware that, “every Christmas season, the significant seems to get lost among the insignificant?” We can cite situations as presented by Kuya Benson Tompong in his talk on the “Christian Personal Relationships” last December 7, 2007 teaching night. Technological advancements, the quest for comfortable, easy and entertained lives associated with a lifestyle of vanity are among the many factors that lead us to selfish motives. Being selfish and self-centered blind us that the non-essentials or insignificant things in life are given priority. I agree that indeed, “our world continues to be caught in the web of insignificant things like busy commerce, the profit-and-loss issues of life”.

Are we wise enough to see the significant in the midst of the insignificant? Let us ask the grace of aiming for God’s wisdom (1 Kings 3:28) in this age of materialism.

During the time of Augustus Ceasar, tax collection was considered a significant event when he ordered a census to strengthen his Roman Empire. However, “the most significant thing happened in a manger” in Bethlehem (Bethlehem meaning the “house of bread” in Hebrew).

Have we asked Jesus Christ to be born and occupy our insignificant manger, our respective hearts? Let us give Him the first place of honor and authority in our lives!.

St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), founder of the Passionists, strongly encourages us to “celebrate the feast of Christmas everyday, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ” (Misyon, Nov-Dec, 2007). nmg

[1] Featured in SIDLAK, BCBP Consolacion Quarterly Magazine, Oct – Dec 2007.

Tragic faces of death

2011-10-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

This Halloween feature is triggered by Jeje Caintic, my niece now based at Italy when she shared the meaning of the occasion.

Pamilya gimasaker sa amahan was the October 17, 2011 headline of Sun.Star Super Balita. I paid a total of two thousand seven hundred pesos for obstruction of traffic and towing. I am not used to buy newspaper but that Monday morning intrigued me with what I heard about a parricide and suicide in Talisay City, Cebu of the Ponce family. I was driving our ISUZU Elf loaded with 2 cu. m. of gravel when I bought the newspaper. The truck engine stopped and did not start allowing the Mandaue City's towing business make money as quick as lightning inconsiderate of the less than a kilometer towing. Those incidents were horrifying! Two (2) years earlier, I have documented the following tragic faces of death:

The incident that happened after our breakfast fellowship at San Narciso Parish Pastoral Center in Consolacion, Cebu last October 24, 2009 reminded me of several ways how physical life is terminated. A relatively old man committed suicide by nose-diving from the skywalk near the venue like he was plunging into a swimming pool. It was an awful and pitiful sight for all of us in the Community who saw his fresh and bubbling blood oozing from his nose and mouth with his face flat on the cemented road. His shoulders jerked for a few moments for his last breath. In the afternoon, the intercessory group prayed for his eternal rest and for his family’s relief from their grief.

That tragedy brought me to vividly fearful flashbacks. When I was still a kid at 8 years old, I spent sleepless nights being haunted with the imagery of the bloated boy floating nearby. In Mantahan, Maasin, So. Leyte, we were living near the seashore and during high tide, sea water was under our rented house. The poor boy drowned a day before while together with his elder brother, they were fishing with the hook and line. I saw that freak accident. He was caught by a huge wave and was not found that fateful afternoon.

I was a witness to a revengeful murder when I was still in College. I was among the crowd of onlookers standing around the basketball court where the benefit dance of our barrio was held in Kilim, Baybay, Leyte. A neighbor who was a ‘dirty’ basketball player was stabbed to death. It was very frightening and terrifying because he was only an arm away in front of me. His basketball opponent that afternoon who was the murderer ran from the other side of the road towards his victim thrusting the 2 feet long and sharp bolo. It is still fresh in my mind how the pointed tip of the murder weapon stroke his back piercing through his abdomen. It sounded like the bolo forcefully penetrated into a soft banana trunk. Tsakk!! It happened at about midnight right after the music ended and everyone dancing was seated. Dramatically, the victim was able to walk toward the center of the dance ground with the weapon stuck in his body until he collapsed to his death. I trembled with the afterthought, “What if I was a mistaken target?” I could have been classified “being in the wrong place at the wrong time”. I was so horrified that we kept discussing about it until morning without sleep.

One early bright morning on our way to a field trip to visit an “integrated farm” in Tacloban City to enrich the theoretical and classroom instruction of my students (Dept. of Horticulture, ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte), we were shocked to see an able bodied and robust man on top of his pedal operated cab newly killed. Our school bus was the first to arrive at the ”scene of the crime” (SOC). Everyone of us in the bus had a strategic view of the man heinously gunned down point-blank at the head. There was no blood but a clear sticky fluid with his saliva dripped from his mouth like a slaughtered pig. Later, we learned that the casualty was a rebel returnee salvaged by his “comrade in arms”.

The foregoing tragic faces of death are contrasted with the peaceful death of my mother-in-law (1996), my father-in-law (1999) and my own mother (2007). Accordingly, “death can be seen as birth”. “At the end of the birth canal, it seems fierce, portentous and full of pain. Similarly, death is a scary tunnel and we are being sucked toward it by a powerful force” (Philip Yancey, Where Is God When It Hurts?).

To a man who has not lived nor died, it is declared: “There was a very cautious man, who never laughed nor played. He never risked, he never tired, he never sang or prayed. And when one day he passed away, his insurance was denied. For since he never really lived, they claimed he never died.” nmg

A eulogy for Kuya Paskie

2011-10-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

“Kuya Paskie, ang imong mga buluhaton ug responsilidad sa imong pamilya, sa Philippines Network of Rural Development Institutes (PhilNet) ug sa Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) naputol sa imong hinanaling kamatayon apan ang atong relasyon ug ang imong mga maayong binuhatan magpadayon. ‘Your earthly life ended not our relationship’ (Mitch Albom , Tuesdays with Morrie).”

Brothers and Sisters, are you familiar with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey? To begin with the end in mind is the second habit that struck me that keep ringing in my mind. In fact, I have written my personal reflection about my own death 3 years ago. Recently, I have posted it in my website in honor of the meaningful and fruitful memories I have with Kuya Paskie.

On occasions like this, the Celebration of Life through the death of our dear, worthy and respected brother and friend, let us be reminded that “God does not tell us when we are going to die because He wants it to be a big surprise”. Indeed, Kuya Paskie’s untimely death is a big surprise and a great loss for us in the Brotherhood (BCBP). We in the BCBP Community share the sorrow that the family experience. In behalf of the BCBP Consolacion Chapter and in my capacity as the Mission Director, I am tasked to deliver this eulogy expressing our common feeling of an intimate personal relationship with him. This is also an acknowledgement of a valuable legacy he left behind. Certainly, this relationship and legacy keep him alive in our hearts and minds.

Allow me to reveal a brief inside story with the hope that this revelation will lead us to know God more and see Christ being alive in each one of us. Ate Pureza and my wife, Judy were high school classmates (Class ‘74 in St. Joseph’s Academy, Mandaue City). It was easier to convince Ate Pureza to join the Community but not with Kuya Paskie. He had reservations and doubts regarding the sincerity of the renewal with his negative impressions from his hometown in Tacloban City. I learned and understood how engrossed he was with his official duty as the regional coordinator of PhilNet. He was too busy with his official and work-related trips that he had lesser time with his family and no way to spare with the BCBP. You know? God works in mysterious ways! Through our fervent prayers and his exposure to the BCBP way of life, he attended the Christian life program (CLP) for the second time and finally committed after he declined and stopped with his first attendance. In our intimate and personal interactions through our action group or prayer meetings, he used to express that his marital status lacked moral ascendancy. He was an ex-Redemptorist missionary priest. We prayed for his dispensation from Rome.

With God’s Grace and upon special consideration or dispensation, Ate Pureza and Kuya Paskie singled out Judy and me as the second couple to serve as their wedding sponsors among the 2 couples they had fondly chosen. Filled with thanksgiving and excitement, our BCBP unit and action group where they belong decided not to join the 27^th BCBP National Anniversary in Cagayan de Oro City because it coincided with their scheduled Church wedding. We supported and celebrated with them the Solemnity of their Marriage Vows at the Holy Family Retreat House, Nivel Hills, Cebu City last April 28, 2007. I remember the envious opening comment of the Solemnizing Redemptorist priest, “Paskie, how do you feel being there to be married? …. You have almost completed all the Sacraments of the Catholic Church!!.”

After that, they qualified to participate in the marriage retreat by November of the same year. Basically, he regained his moral ascendancy. In one of the Novena Masses during his wake, Fr. Emy Maningo, a Redemptorist priest claimed that “Kuya Paskie has a vocation within a bigger vocation”.

We in the BCBP Consolacion Chapter can testify his all-out commitment to support the vision and mission of the BCBP through his unconditional services being the Breakfast Head. The regular Saturday breakfast fellowship is our venue to introduce and acquaint new comers and prospective members of the Community. Being able and capable to respond to multi-tasking, he also acted as our deeply-spirited Intercessory Head. Kuya Benson Tompong finally accepted the task of being the Chapter Head with the personal commitment and assurance of Kuya Paskie’s moral, physical and spiritual support.

Along with his zeal to serve, Kuya Paskie was our model who taught us the virtues of humility and simplicity being down-to-earth. He was very diligent, prompt and orderly in managing or administering his duties and responsibilities being a reliable and dependable brother in the service of the Lord.

Personally, our partnership, brotherhood and friendship went beyond BCBP. We shared the same passion. He and I love farming. Through him, I met and increased my circle of friends with whom I share the common advocacy on the virtue of honesty and the spread of our desire for natural, organic farming. In a seminar/workshop with PhilNet way back in 2008, he introduced me to Tatay Lolong Alfar and Sir Bob Bajenting (who are retired employees with the Department of Agrarian Reform Reg. 7, the latter being the President of the Cebu Coalition for Food Security); Mr. Claro Deguit of PhilNet; Rev. Fr. Domingo Saladaga, AOR (Parish Priest of La Consolacion Parish, Laray, Cebu City); Sir Bimbo Fernandez of Panagtimbayayong (an NGO for the urban poor in Cebu City) Dr. Margallon, MD who spearheads natural, organic farming activities in Alegria, Cebu and many more.

“Kuya Paskie, thank you very much for connecting me to these valuable people who are my allies to care for the earth, care for the people and care for the future. You have gone ahead of us and we will definitely follow but as to when and how, only God knows. Your family, relatives and friends; brothers and sisters in the Community and all co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord keep you alive in our hearts and minds. We ask you to prepare a place for us being our intercessor at the highest heavenly level in the bosom of our Almighty Father. In faith, we believe to see you again and be reunited with you in Heaven. Amen.” nmg

Begin with the end

2011-10-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

Note: Being assigned to deliver the eulogy on October 14, 2011 in behalf of BCBP Consolacion Chapter for our late and dear brother, Kuya Paskie, a.k.a. Pascual Tabuac, Sr., I am posting what I have written 3 years ago.

“To begin with the end in mind” is the second of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” that Dr. Covey conveys to us. I am stuck up with this especially on visualizing what my family, relatives and friends, brothers and sisters in the BCBP and my farm workers have to say during the eulogy as to who I was in my lifetime. Indeed, death is the ultimate example of an “end”. However, we have many “ends” which we can possibly do while still alive.

In September 2004, I was requested by the widow of my cousin to say something during his wake. Unprepared, I pointed out a few things about our relationship. I focused on his desire to serve the Lord full-time because he contemplated to avail of an early retirement. His brothers and sisters in the Couples for Christ (CFC) were delighted to know his plan but the Lord took him instead in his golden age.

Lately, I dreamed that he readily lent me his clothes to keep me from nakedness. I realized I forgot to reveal the secret of his conversion. His elder son was responsible for influencing and bringing him to his spiritual renewal.

Another of my lapses was during the eulogy of the late Kuya Pete Boqueren, an air force colonel and a dear brother of BCBP Mactan. I should have saluted like the others who paid tribute and thanked him for his admirable gesture when he was still alive. In spite of his throat cancer, he managed to escort a priest who officiated one of the nightly Masses for my father-in-law.

Last July 4, 2008, the topic for the teaching night was about “attitude towards work” delivered by Ate Girlie Ang. I was struck when she stated that “many died without utilizing their full potential”. I assume it was her mere perception. I believe that God is always giving us the opportunity to live life to the full. “We cannot choose how many years we may live but we can decide to put life into those limited years”.

I was overwhelmed by the comprehensive presentation of Kuya Butch Gomez on the topic, “attitude towards money and wealth” during the August 8, 2008 teaching night assembly. Both speakers shared their personal experiences related to their respective topics, the keyword of which is “attitude”.

A personal mission statement is suggested by Dr. Covey regarding our relationship with all persons we love, everyone and everything that surround the ‘circle of our influence”.

To all men of vision and mission, Charles Swindoll lays down the a, b, c, d and e as our guide.

“[Attitude (a) is more important than facts, the past, education, money, circumstances, successes, failures, what other people say or do, appearance, giftedness or a skill. The only thing we can do is play on the only string that we have, that is our attitude. Life is full of surprises and the adjustment of our attitude is a lifelong project or “end”.

Belief (b) is having confidence in the power of God, confidence in others who are in similar battles with us and most especially in having confidence in ourselves by God’s grace.

God says, “You have to allow your capacity (c) to be invaded by My power.”

Determination (d) is hanging tough when the going gets rough. It is the constant focus on God who is watching and smiling at us.

Enthusiasm (e) is a Greek word, the origin of which is entheos meaning “God is in”. It is our ability to see God in all situations that makes all events in life exciting.]”

During one of our ‘action group’ meetings, we visualized a harmonious, united, active and spiritually growing BCBP Consolacion. This is our goal or ‘end’ in mind. Believing in God’s grace and providence, the group is confident that we will reach our expected ‘end’.

Our Community is one of the many ‘circles of our influence’. Basically, we have our respective families, our workplaces or marketplaces and so forth.

Going back to Dr. Covey and still dealing with habits 1 and 2 (being proactive and beginning with the end in mind), I appreciate and admire him when he declared that, “the entire body of literature and other materials in visualization and affirmation (Habit 2) appears to have originally come out from the study of the Bible by many individuals”. This simply means that to be effective in any of our endeavors and relationships, the Holy Bible is our basic guide and enlightenment.

Let us search, research, study and practice the remaining five (5) habits. In the meantime, we continue to read, reflect and be guided by the Holy Bible. nmg

Important but not Urgent

2011-10-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Note: Due to the sudden death of a very dear brother in the BCBP Consolacion Chapter, I recall and I am posting what I have written 5 years ago about death.

During our January 2006 Worship Assembly, I declared that one simple but important thing I asked God for this year is to be ready to meet Him when death comes. Inspired by the perfectly attended and grace-filled “Mesa del Gallo 2005” with our only son, I resolved to actively participate in the early morning (5:30 am) Holy Mass daily for my own spiritual preparation and my loved ones especially my parents who are now in the “departure area”.

The underlying circumstances of world, national, community and personal events in life are horrifying. We learn from the UNICEF data that the number one cause of death among 1 – 18 years old children and adolescents is vehicular accidents. The ABS-CBN stampede claimed over 70 lives (Feb. 4, 2006). Jake, the only son among the 4 children of Kuya Maning and Ate Miriam Conejos is in the ICU (as of this writing) because of a reckless driver (Jan. 27, 2006). As committed and united BCBP Community, let us empathize with the family and pray for Jake’s complete healing and fast recovery. With expectant faith, we praise and thank the Greatest Healer for restoring him back to his normal, active young life.

What personally shocked me is the delayed news about the instantaneous death of Kuya Totoy when the car he was driving was pressed, squeezed and flattened against two (2) large buses. I only learned about it during the weekend with Fr. Herb Schnieder, SJ through the chapter head couple of BCBP Calbayog City who attended the teaching sessions (Feb. 3-4, 2006).

Consider this a tribute to a highly regarded brother who is now with our Creator. Engr. Manuel “Totoy” and Ate Marietta Espiña are both professors of the Tiburcio Tancinco Institute of Science and Technology (TTMIST). They were our generous hosts when Judy and I were invited to share in the BCBP Breakfast Fellowship years ago in Calbayog City. We met again during the 24^th BCBP National Anniversary in Dipolog City on April 2004. I am sad realizing that it turned out to be our last encounter. That final meeting was filled with active interaction, enlightenment and consolation. I openly made known to him my guilt feelings when I failed to prevent the suicide of Kepner, a young BCBP brother under our unit. That timely and opportune morning until noon dialogue from Dumaguete wharf to Dapitan was uplifting because I was talking with a true and faithful messenger of God. He unburdened me when he related and vividly recalled how he attempted to kill himself when he was only 21 years old. I opt to keep the details of his story between ourselves. However, I wish to express my sincere admiration for his openness (although he was hesitant at first), his courage and his noble accomplishment of a holy mission that was to be reconciled with his father and mother before his parents eventually died. The healing of relationship happened when the couple joined the BCBP. To Ate Marietta, I offer a special prayer for spiritual strength and endurance being untimely left by Kuya Totoy childless.

Why the unexpected and tragic death? Instead of questioning God, let us pray with humility the following personal prayer (Fr. Orbos, SVD. Inquirer Moments. Cycle B. p.8):

“Lord, when my time comes, do not call me by sudden death; not by accident that tears the body apart; not by illness that leaves my mind confused or senses impaired; not by the mercy of evil forces; not with a heart filled with hate or body racked with pain; not abandoned, lonely, without love and care; not with my own hands in moments of despair. Jesus, let death come to me as a gentle friend to sit and linger till You call my name. Amen.”

Let us reflect and take into account a happy death to live life to the full. The weekend teaching about the 5 moments of truth in “interpersonal relationships” by our BCBP National Director taught and guided me to seriously deal with our mortality. How do we like to be remembered by our family, relatives and friends when we are gone?

This is an important matter but not urgent. However, let us “do something about it” now! nmg

An added note: “In our death-denying and youth-worshipping culture, we go to great lengths to avoid facing even the smallest reminders of death.” (Peck, M.S. 1997. The Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in the Age of Anxiety. Simon & Schuster. p. 86).

True wealth and true life

2011-09-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Together, we shine with the light from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy saying, “Let us do good, be rich in good deeds and generous sharing with others. In this way, we shall pile up a sound capital for the future and gain true life” (1 Tim 6:18-19).

Who wants to be “truly rich” and “perfectly wealthy”? This is the same awakening and striking question I threw to the 14 couple participants during the marriage retreat last June 24-26, 2011 at Betania Retreat House, Lahug, Cebu City. I raised this question during the exhortation when I led the opening prayer for the afternoon session during the second day. I aimed to arouse their interest trying to inject a lively, attentive and an undivided mind. I noted that only Ate Marie Esparcia raised her hand. After a brief explanation, everybody was united with the same goal.

This afternoon, being tasked to set the tone of our Brotherhood Christian Business Retreat (BCBR) specifically on “goal-setting and house rules”, allow me to point out 3 important areas or components to make this overnight retreat wholesome and nearly perfect. First and foremost is ourselves, as proactive and interactive participants. Second are the topics, presenters/speakers or resource persons and the facilitators. The third is the venue including the food they serve, the comfort of the living quarters and session facilities.

As proactive and interactive participants, we are directly responsible for the attainment of our intentions, goals and objectives of this retreat. In behalf of the BCBP Consolacion Chapter, I congratulate all of you who unconditionally decided to join. Your being one with us simply shows how you “use your power of choice wisely”. Being mature businessmen and professionals, we consider ourselves learned and experienced in our respective fields of endeavor. However, from time to time we need realignment, reconditioning and refinement. Let us consider this time as an “appointment for an executive check-up” with the Lord how “perfectly wealthy” we are and how “truly we live our lives”.

As we go along, let us examine and look at the different areas in our life. From the seminar on “How to become a money magnet?”, John Calub pointed out 5 areas in our life to be wealthy: financial, physical, relational, intellectual and spiritual. From the Catholic Serendipity Bible for Personal and Small Group Study (M 49), 6 areas are included: spiritual, physical, vocational, emotional, relational and volitional (from the noun volition meaning, the act of flying or the power of flight as in birds). I think volitional life may refer to our desire for financial abundance, financial freedom and power.

Gleaning from these areas of our life, as proactive and interactive participants, we can come up with our respective personal goals and expectations. You may jot them down in your notebooks so that later on we may be able to reconcile whether our expectations are met.

Brothers and sisters, during this “God-appointed time” (September 10-11, 2011) , we have “God-appointed topics” to be delivered effectively by “God-appointed speakers” reflected in our schedule of activities. Our worthy resource persons do not need formal introduction but for record-purposes, for posting in my website for the world to know and to show their experiential fitness to the assigned topics, we have:

The renowned and fulfilled architect and interior designer, Archt Germain “Girlie” Maraya-Ang to talk on, “The Proper Attitude Towards Wealth and Money”;
A compassionate educator and honorable President of Southwestern University (SWU), Dr. Elsa A. Suralta on, “The Christian Boss and Employee”;
The PAL Sales Executive and our Chapter Head, Kuya Joseph Benson Tompong on, “Relating to others in the Marketplace” and the last but definitely not the least,
A self-made man and successful real estate developer, Kuya Butch Gomez on, “Building Our Business for God”.

We have high expectations from them to do the “hard things” for God’s glory. Definitely, they also expect from us our undivided attention and cooperation. We pray that we attain our common goal, “to gain insights for our individual application on how to uphold being Christian businessmen and professionals with God as our business partner ultimately bringing honor and glory to our Rich God.”

As mature and responsible businessmen and professionals, I forego the house rules. The Sto. Niño Spirituality Center of the Augustinians here in Tolotolo, Consolacion, Cebu is an ideal venue for this retreat. From the previous retreats we held here, no one is dissatisfied unless somebody will voice out.

Integrating all concerns, goals and expectations to ”gain true wealth and true life”, let us ponder on the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, “We warn and teach everyone true Wisdom, aiming to make everyone perfect in Christ” (Col 1:28). nmg

An Assessment

The business retreat was nearly perfect. The attendance was significantly high but we missed a good number of brothers and sisters who did not make it. We, certainly, learned a lot through the spirit-filled, joyful and stress-relieving “adult-learning” exercises to uphold being Christian businessmen and professionals. The energy-filled and proactive participants from BCBP Consolacion consisted of service providers, traders, government/private employees, educators and homemakers.

Acting like little children, we enjoyed the bonding, camaraderie and informal, adult-learning experiences. Expectations were met and everybody was satisfied. All praises and glory to the Lord who is the primary object and focus of our weekend retreat. Worth documenting is what Ate Girlie Ang said, “I always have a healthy and wealthy attitude towards life. I have been through tough times when huge losses confronted the business but I remained calm, sane with my normal composure and perspective. I am a worthy daughter of God who is aware that my extremely Rich Heavenly Father who is perfect supplies me with whatever I need whenever needed. So, in any adversity, life for me is constantly perfect. I am full of hope for a brighter future to look forward to.”

Overly thrilled and excited for another weekend retreat, the Chapter decided to convene again by November 26 -27, 2011.

An afterthought

The TV documentation of the “The day the world was changed” (9/11/2001) ten (10) years ago reminds me of that weekend when our action group conducted our retreat at the St. Francis Seraph Convent, Maghaway, Talisay City, Cebu. Judy and I were the action group leaders when we were still with the BCBP Mandaue Chapter. Our goal was to heal spouse relationships.

Stolen shot by Kuya Robert Lim, DDM (Unit Leader) while I delivered the talk.

Linking with the old and new

2011-08-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

The following are possible answers to a “life study” question, “How receptive are you to new wine?” (Catholic Serendipity Bible for Personal and Small Group Study. Lk 5:36-39. p. 1589):

· I like things as they are.

· I accept change slowly but with God’s help, I can handle it.

· I’m all for change if I’m sure it’s God’s doing.

· I’m a revolutionary – let’s turn the world upside down.

From the Christian Community Bible, “New wine, new skin” is the caption of the Gospel according to St. Mark (Mk 2:21-22) with the same message in the Gospels of Sts. Luke and Matthew (Lk 5:36-39 and Mt 9:16-17). Literally, I view these verses remembering what Dr. R. M. Santiago (“Why do I write?” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com Jan 31, 2011) told me, “Loy, ayaw na kay bag-ong dawat. Let’s drink bahal.” He cautioned me never to drink too much from the ‘line of different wine’ for tasting in the winery as we visited a vineyard in upstate New York, U.S.A. (1984). According to him, they were comparable to the newly tapped ‘toddy or tuba’. ‘Bahalina’ is better like the aged liquor.

Anyway, I consider and analyze the above “life study” question in a different perspective. I consider myself the link (whether weak or strong) for the old and the new generation.

I was filled with awe last August 20, 2011 as the sharer for the men’s breakfast fellowship at the BCBP Cebu Central held in Casino Español, Ranudo St., Cebu City. I was amazed and grateful because I did not expect 4 “first timers”. One of them was a sugarcane planter in Negros, the other one was an OFW broadcast engineer working in Saudi Arabia with 2 younger gentlemen. It was amazing to remember that in November 15, 2008 at the same venue and among the same group of businessmen and professionals, I invited and brought with me 4 guests. They composed of a banana planter from Davao, a new-found Singaporean friend and 2 trainors on natural, organic farming.

I was thrilled, inspired and motivated from the introduction to the less than 20 minutes witnessing, handing of the token, closing and final informal interactions among some of those interested in natural, organic farming. I was impressed and grateful to the significant introduction of the Breakfast Head (Bro. Jun Jabatan) that I’m a “man who keeps on talking about God”. I was deeply touched by the Responsorial Song and the lively closing/final song about “calling” that I heard for the first time. From the many opportunities I’ve been sharing my life story whether alone or together with my wife, this is the first time that I was handed a book as a token through Bro. Ani Serato.

I am greatly moved and disturbed by Alex and Brett Harris (young, twin brothers) who in their tender age are able to publish their second book, “Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are”. Their first book is entitled, “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations”. (I received their second book as a token from the BCBP Cebu Central.) At sixteen, they were blogging, published the first book at nineteen and when they are twenty-one and sophomore in College, the second book is through. It is amazing how they are dreaming big dreams, “strongly believing that God wants our generation to change the world”. I checked www.therebelution.com and indeed, the blog still exists giving me the opportunity to see the twin brothers and how big and well organized their concept, plans and actions for a “Rebelution” (combination of rebellion and revolution, a teenage rebellion against low expectations to do hard things to glorify God).

In my own small ways, relatively young as I am, I have created nestofglory.blogspot.com as my ULR or my address in the web. I have been inviting relatives, old and new-found friends. Discouragingly, a relative commented, “Loy, tiguwang na ta para magblog-blog!” Borrowing a line from the Introduction of the Book, “You’re Still Young, I’m Old….”, I responded and expressed the same thought, “Technology has progressed so fast that parents nowadays need their children to teach them how to use the latest inventions.” So that in my desire to “go treasure hunting” by blogging, I sought assistance from my Applied Physics graduate daughter with my “crash course” in computer literacy.

The period from August 16 - 20, 2011 was the celebration of the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. I creatively imagine the possibility of collaboration among the worldwide youths of this generation (the Pope John Paul II generation) for the "Rebelution. My simple and priceless contribution towards its realization is my prayer for the sustainability and the unbreakable "vital link to tradition."

Starting March 2011, I decided to allocate a portion of my monthly tithes for the construction of the Youth Center in Cebu City. I readily attended the Dinner for a Cause (August 27, 2011) for the same purpose during which time, the fifth Book by Cardinal Vidal, ”You’re Still Young, I’m Old..: A Conversation with the Youth of Cebu” was launched. Fortunately, I met and had a brief acquaintance hoping for a facebook friendship with Engr. Russel Pepito, a youth volunteer from Liloan, Cebu. Through her, I invited her parents to our BCBP Breakfast Fellowships.

Astonishingly, I was the only gentleman seated in table 39 at the Grand Convention Center where the dinner for a cause and book launching were held. I gladly introduced myself without inhibition. When they invited me to dine with them, I declined telling them that I am present “for a cause” no more dinner because I came from the 54^th birthday party of my wife. Amazingly, when Bishop Jose Palma delivered the welcome address, he expressed the same, “he is present for a cause, no more dinner” because he came from the Fiesta (biesperas) at Mambaling, Cebu City. Well, I gained 2 more young facebook friends. I invited them to be my blog followers or members. They are Jackie Reigh Abesia and Jesryl Pacquiao.

From the above “life study question”, being inspired by the “Rebelution” of Alex and Brett Harris and my desire to have a strong link between the old and the new generation, I opt for a “rebelution” ready to turn the world (to start with the world within) upside down. nmg

The winning edge

2011-08-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

I recall how an American woman tennis enthusiast with a sincere concern asked me, "Did you win the game?". It was in 1984 during a study tour to some islands in Hawaii (Thanks to USAID!). I was carrying with me a newly bought lawn tennis racket. This memory crop up lately after a series of interactive exchange of thoughts with a Filipina earning a living in Texas, U.S.A. It seems like we are "playing the game of life". Who has the winning edge? Our Creator is a Just Judge, Father of all mankind and Fair Referee in this Game (Eccl 12:13). And so, after her "voluminous strikes" and my minimal "sure ball returns", I am writing her:

Dear Dinah (Dayon sa Langit),

Human as I am, I tend to pity you but I know you are strong. Moreover, I am getting annoyed with what you are trying to drive at. You are simply converting me to ride on the vehicle you are in. I am sorry to tell you that being equipped with my doctrinal and expectant faith, I am comfortable with the mode of transport I am into though ”struggling” because of the many temptations around. I understand that you are a committed Bible-believing Christian. You belong to the “sola scriptura” sect. You don’t believe in anything outside of the Holy Bible. I respect your choice and if you are truly a Christian, you should respect mine. Are you insensitive to the Universal Laws and the Laws of Nature?

If what you have revealed is true, that indeed you are suffering from cancer, then you should have passed the stage of questioning, “Why me, Lord?”. I can imagine or visualize you reverently holding your Holy Bible carefully cutting through the pages trying to find the answer to this question. If and when converting people to your ”religion” or “belief system” is your mission and purpose for relief and gratification, I suggest that you evangelize or “share the Good News” to non-believers. Recently, I encountered a new-found friend who is a 48 years old German. He is an atheist who coincidentally is suffering from the same kind of cancer that you have. He is your most appropriate target or ”passenger”. I’m sure there are a lot of people like him surrounding you whom you can win to ride with you to our ultimate destination. I visualize this scenario as if you are like Sharon Cuneta in her marine transport commercial, “Sakay na!”.

I wonder why you are so mad at Christian and motivational writers. Philip Yancey is one among the several inspirational authors I am reading. In one way or another, they certainly influence my way of living. These authors eventually brought and inspired me to read the Holy Bible daily because their concepts and precepts in life are Bible-based. I worry about your negative pronouncements or judgments against the person of Mr. Yancey. Don’t you know that your actuation is libelous? Are you not aware of the basic lesson in life, that whenever you have nothing good to say to your fellowmen, you better be silent? The judgement you pass on to them will boomerang to you. It is slander (Lv 19:16 and Sir 19:14). You are good at judging others (Mt 7:1-5). I pray that you observe acquitting and condemning words (Mt 12:34-37).

I recommend to your “pastoral team” that you read Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s book, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”. I pray that you open your mind to a wider vision and a thorough search for TRUTH, the TRUTH that sets us free. I also petition for your full recovery. You are "dis-eased", not at ease. Don't you know that a disease is an external manifestation of an internal disorder usually attributed to psychological, emotional and spiritual malfunctions?

Dinah dear, at this point in time of your remaining precious life, have you formulated your “personal mission statement”? Mine is written in the article, “Holistic being and living” posted in www.nestofglory.blogspot.com dated January 25, 2011. I try to observe and model after Qoheleth (Eccl 12: 9-10) in my “reflective writing”.

Empathically thinking of you, your Kabayan:

Nestor M. Gloria (nmg)

Our dreams and aspirations

2011-07-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

The morning was wet from the overnight rain. In fact, it was still drizzling when we conducted our prayer meeting on July 21, 2011 for the scheduled copra-making. Only fourteen (14) were present but the six (6) groups of coconut climbers, pickers and fresh coco meat extractors were well-represented. The considerably low attendance was due to the unfavorable weather condition, the low coconut fruiting (a natural law of gestation) and the absence of Judy as the farm owner. The previous prayer meeting (March 24, 2011) was well-attended with Judy presiding. Points covered were plans for farm sustainability, regrouping of coconut climbers by row or lot owner and the announcement/invitation for the April 3, 2011 birthday party in the farm for Nykko, our grandson.

Anyway, I spent the waiting period to allow the rain to fully stop and the coconut trunks to dry by sharing with them important lessons of life and living. I acted like their “college professor” as if in a classroom but in a ”school without walls”. Inspired, motivated and still energized with the recent edition of my life story delivered July 16, 2011 titled, Unleashing the power within, I exhorted our prayer meeting with the same tone or theme. Extracting from them their respective dreams and aspirations, I learned how simple and satisfied they are with their economic status. They are resigned to their poverty or “hand to mouth existence”. They simply accept their fate. I urged them to dream “big” and encouraged those with little children to send them to school to be educated to be able to gainfully earn a living. “An educated man has developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others” (N. Hill. Think and Grow Rich. p. 57). I inculcated in them the need for cooperation with our common goal. I reminded them that they are part of our “living system” (The first step to a big leap posted in my website, Feb 28, 2011). I pleaded them to refrain from their irresponsible grazing of their livestock that destroy our replanted coconut seedlings.

I shared with them my personal experiences of struggle on how I shaped my destiny to be the person that I am today. I expressed my frustrations with my parents and siblings in my desire to break their bondage from poverty. They were “laughing out loud” (lol) when I related how my parents engaged themselves with masiao, a local betting because they themselves are into this kind of gambling. Now, I understand why the rich gets richer and the poor becomes poorer. “For the one who has will be given more and he will have abundance. But the one who does not have will be deprived of even what he has” (Mt 13:12).

Well-noted from the ”God Memorandum” (Og Mandino. The Greatest Miracle in the World. pp. 129-130) are the laws of happiness and success: “Count your blessings, proclaim your rarity, go another mile, use wisely your power of choice and do all things with love…love for yourself, love for all others and love for Me”. Because this memorandum is from God, notice that He is last in the list to be loved.

With open hearts and minds, we ended our session with a brief prayer for peace, harmony and success. nmg

The Law of Seven and me

2011-07-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

July is the 7^th month of the year. When I “Celebrated Life” during my 56^th birthday, it completed the 8 cycles of 7 years in my life. Confidently and in all humility, I am now ready for the “new cycle of seven”. I feel great to know myself as I am. Is this knowledge and enlightenment a coincidence? Visualizing Mr. John Calub in his actual physical audio-visual expression, I say with high intensity, “I don’t think so!!!”

I understand that everything that happened and the “ever-expanding wealth” coming in our life are generated by the Universal Law and all the other applicable laws of the Universe. Providentially, I am reading the Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel to concretize the lessons learned and the assignments to practice after we, as a family attended the “money magnet” and ”attracting wealth” seminars conducted by the John Calub Training, Inc. In harmony with all members of my family, I believe that we are geared and are in the same path towards being truly wealthy in all aspects of our lives: financial, physical, relational, intellectual and spiritual wealth.

The recent edition of my life story with the Lord for the BCBP Men’s Breakfast is titled, “Unleashing the Power within”. I shared it with the gentlemen of BCBP Cebu South on July 16, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Center, Cebu City. “Growing in Discipleship” was the part of the “Workshop on Writing Our Life Story” conducted in the afternoon of the same date for BCBP Consolacion that I facilitated giving my inner power and energy.

I praise, glorify and thank the Master Architect and Master Planner because the insignificant individual that I am is given the opportunity to link with the Universal Mind/Energy. I visualize the Infinite Goodness weaving our lives towards abundance, happiness, harmony and peace. Basically, this is all about the “web of life” that we deal with permaculture.

Fitting-in to the Septimal Law or the Law of Seven, I find my life to have followed a close semblance appearing the same with what is outlined in Part 16 of the Master Key System (p. 181). The period of reactions and changes (ages 36 – 42) happened when I voluntarily resigned from government employment when I was 37 years old. During the following “cycles of seven”, my social and spiritual dimensions were and will continue to be with the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) along with my family.

Over and above all the Universal Laws, the Law of Attraction, the Law of Love, etc., I conclude and say to our Good Lord, “Let Your mercy come to give me life for Your law is my delight” (Ps 119:77). nmg

Study the Menu and Enjoy the Meal

2011-06-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

(Note: June 26, 2011 is the Solemnity of Corpus Cristi. The day concluded the week-end marriage retreat of 14 couples of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) from Talisay City, Consolacion, Cebu Central with Cebu South as the leading Chapter. On June 24 (Friday evening), Judy and I were honored and privileged to deliver the first talk, "Serving God through Christian Marriage". I led the worship in the afternoon (June 25) before the talk, "Sex in Marriage" was presented. As a couple, we headed the Liturgy. Everyone (all BCBP servants, active members who took turns for the 48 hours non-stop intercession, the Sisters and staff of the Religious of the Virgin Mary [RVM] of the all-new Betania Retreat House in Lahug, Cebu City, the 3 confessors, the main Eucharistic Celebrant and the focal group, the spiritually awakened and maritally renewed couples with their respective family members) constituted the Body of Christ. To this Body and all of you who may have the opportunity to read me, I am recalling what I have written 6 years ago.)

Judy and I were privileged to teach hands-on the good manufacturing practices (GMP) of producing virgin coconut oil (VCO) at home to a relative from General Santos City last June 25 – 28, 2005.

Little did we know that it was beyond the techniques of producing VCO because he opened-up not just his anxieties related to his physical health but his family concerns as well. Their eldest son who recently graduated from UP at Los Baños (UPLB) with the degree in Chemical Engineering is breaking away from the Catholic Faith.

In the series of our discussions and interactions, Judy shared her insights on “Reparenting the Child Within” (RCW) pointing out that their son is only a victim.

Thanks God for sparing us from this kind of predicament because four (4) years ago, our second daughter asked our permission to enroll at UP Diliman where she passed the entrance examination to pursue a degree in Applied Physics. We had the strong feeling that with our approval, sooner or later, she will be parting from us physically and spiritually being indoctrinated with lots of intellectualism. “Sin and intellectualism are avenues of separating ourselves from God’s Grace.”

I readily shared with my cousin the book by Scott and Kimberly Hahn entitled, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”. Overnight, I finished rereading my copy because I have been reading this book since we were serving with the Book Ministry of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Mactan Chapter six (6) years ago.

Allow me to echo and re-echo the challenges of this couple to us Catholics to become Bible Christians and vice versa. Let us study our Catholic Faith to know what we believe and why we believe it. Let us read the Word of God, believe and live it daily to make our faith infectious. “We need more contagious Catholics.”

Accordingly, Bible Christians have the Bible in hand with lots of zeal far more with less while many Catholics have the fullness of Faith in the Church but are famished and fast asleep.

Bible Christians have so much of the truth about Christ in the Scripture (sola scriptura) but lack the real and substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Bible Christians study the menu but Catholics enjoy the meal. As we enjoy the meal, we do not know the ingredients so we fail to share the recipe.

When the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is renewed during the Mass, we gather at the Family Table for the Sacred meal that makes us One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. nmg

Important Notes:

“Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins and preserves him from grave sins. Since receiving this Sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] No.1416).

“The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Christ, a work made present by the liturgical action” (CCC No. 1409).

“I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them” (Jn 6:56).

It’s money magnetment!

2011-06-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

“Money magnetment not a budget…” was a striking and awakening statement engraved in my mind during the whole day seminar/teaching that my wife, Judy and our eldest daughter, Colette attended. Mr. John Calub, the Philippines’ number 1 wealth coach filled with inexhaustible energy introduced to us the secrets of “How to become a Money Magnet?” We were among the estimated 1,500 Cebuanos who were equally energized and positively expecting to become millionaires. It was conducted at the SM Trade Hall on June 11, 2011.

Indeed, it was an awakening and a productive day full of realization that “no one is poor.” Everybody is rich because we have a rich God. I noted a lot of paradox and applicable as well as doable universal laws to become truly rich (1 Tim 6:3-10). I appreciate and admire the conviction, integrity, honesty and purity of our wealth guru’s desire for all Filipinos to be truly wealthy. I am with his dream for the President of the Philippines to attend his seminar. I have the strong feeling that once all our political leaders imbibe the teachings of true richness and wealth, our Nation will be healed from the ”social cancer” we are into. It’s a simple remedy of “healing the Land”, not RH Bill.

Accordingly, he is not a preacher nor a religious man but all concepts, fundamental laws and applications are basically Bible-based. For me, it was a God-given opportunity on how to live life to the full. I am excitedly thrilled looking forward to the next level of learning and application how to be wealthy in all aspects of my life. In fact, we readily purchased discounted tickets for “Attracting Wealth” scheduled on July 9, 2011 at the same venue. I strongly recommend to our brothers/sisters in the BCBP Community, relatives and friends to participate in this noble undertaking to unleash our “inherent and infinite potential” we have since birth.

I praise and thank God for the step by step revelation and positive response to our family’s petition for financial blessing, abundance and freedom. We support our second daughter, Marianne Claire and their only brother who is the youngest in the family, Francis John with their active involvement as sales agents of the Unlimited Network of Opportunities, Int’l Inc. (UNO). They were with the first batch who attended the “money magnet” training subsidized by UNO. Their respective honest application caught my attention and motivated me to attend ourselves.

I may not be that generous but I am charitable which I readily practice in my own family because I believe, “charity begins at home” (the first virtue of the first degree of the K of C). I complied with my promise to the late Bro. Richard Kloster, OFM who was my benefactor. Instead of repayment, he requested me to replicate what he did to me (”In their name…” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com , Feb 5, 2011). As a family, we provided financial assistance to a seminarian who is now a faithful priest. We are waiting for “financial abundance” to be able to offer financial assistance again whenever there will be another opportunity. Standing-by are the 19 households in ”Kalubian ni Lolo” (www.youtube.com search permaculture2011). They are our “social responsibility”.

At this point in time, I feel God’s graciousness for His promised abundant blessings. However, we seem to live on tight budget, “pag maikli ang kumot, namamaluktot”. Applying the lessons learned from our wealth guru, we resolve to “buy a big blanket”. “Do not make a budget, manage your money.”

The training/seminar is for all commonsensical and sensible individuals to be awakened about the universal laws of God about love and giving (“Holistic being and living” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com Jan. 25, 2011). I learn that “freewill giving/offering” is above and beyond the minimum tithe responsibility of every creature.

I resolve and have decided to follow the perfectly healthy “leader of the trade”, our wealth guru, the truly wealthy JOHN CALUB!! I simply need to create a mindset of “genuine money magnetment system”. A little bit skeptical being clouded by “limiting beliefs” of the past, I ask God for the Grace to attain an “empowering belief” that “whenever I spend money, more money comes to me!!”. nmg

I am a Money Magnet!!!

An account of connectedness

2011-06-16T03:16:00.000-07:00

(Note: To answer the query of Ate Norma Gloria regarding my ancestry, I partially respond through the article written 2 years ago. Thanks to Google Chrome, I encounter 2 Norma Gloria: one in Hong Kong and the other in Barcelona, Spain. Actually, I searched for a Norma Gloria from Davao City whom I've known when I was still a teenager. She must have been married carrying her spouse family name. Anyway, I praise and thank the Lord for this wider connection, again through the power of Google Chrome.)

I believe that to be fully human means “connectedness with society” and “that all things are connected”.

Judy (my wife), Marianne (our second daughter) and myself together with some relatives spent a 6-day rest and relaxation (R & R) last June 25-30, 2009. We went to Metro Manila and Laguna Province. The oceanarium of the Manila Ocean Park was our first destination. It was a first in a lifetime experience to see various gigantic and minute species of living things from the ocean. I was amazed with God’s creation brought to us by marine biologists and other professionals engaged in marine life. The tiny flashlight fishes comparable with the fireflies and the giant spider crab were among the uncommon organisms distinctly noted. It was a unique way of exposure and exploration with those creatures. Like little children, we enjoyed the mermaid show.

In Las Piñas City, I met relatives whom I missed for over 2 decades. I was awed to see my grown-up niece who drove us to their home from SMX Mall of Asia. Equally amazing was my encounter with her 2 brothers. These children were not yet conceived the last time I was with their parents (my cousins) during their wedding. I was overjoyed with that brief reunion with Tiya Tining Mantua who is staying with them after her retirement as a teacher from Caridad, Baybay, Leyte.

Our final destination was Calauan, Laguna to attend and witness the wedding of a favorite nephew. It was a very happy occasion to socially interact with relatives and new-found friends. The reception was held in a well-groomed farm resort. It is one of the recommended destinations of “Viaje del Sol”, a tourism program in Southern Luzon similar to our “Suroy-suroy sa Sugbu”. The owner was one of the wedding sponsors who is a business executive in Makati City. I readily introduced him to the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). I was glad he is an acquaintance of our present BCPB National President. In my own small ways, I provided the necessary link.

Several other historic and aesthetic tourist spots were visited. I admired the artistic wares of the famous clay artist in Tiaong, Quezon. Highly esteemed is his life’s slogan, “Challenges drive me to survive and they make me stronger every time I work with clay.”

I actually saw and verified how the “magnetic hill” works in Mt. Makiling at Los Baños, Laguna. I failed to check it when I enrolled for my master’s degree in UPLB back in the early 80’s.

The fried “tawilis”, a species of fish that thrive only in Taal Lake was a special menu in a prestigious restaurant in Tagaytay City overlooking the lake.

An anticipated suspense over the rumored chance to feel the presence of ghosts was expected at the underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, Laguna. However, the gate was closed because it was only open from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Known for its craftsmanship in wood carving, we were in Paete, Laguna to testify how skillful the sculptors are as they worked in their respective display areas. The house of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Calamba, Laguna brought us back in time of our history but its external painting contradicted its antiquity.

I am indebted and forever grateful to Pepe and Pepel Martinez. They operate and own CNEX Modufurni Systems (CABINEX) dealing with modular kitchen closets, laboratory tables and many more. Their factory is located in Calauan, Laguna. They are the proud parents of the groom married 2 days earlier.

The most memorable and heart-warming encounter that I considered God’s intervention was the brief meeting with a mother and daughter with the same family name as mine. She is Nanay Violeta Cornejo Gloria with her daughter Zen, the municipal development coordinator of Calauan, Laguna. Nanay Violeta is of Cebuano descent of the Cornejo Family who married the late Dr. Elderico Gloria, MD of Batangas City. That hair-raising experience happened in the San Isidro Labrador Parish, Calauan, Laguna after the 6:00 am Holy Mass I attended when Nanay Violeta easily identified me. They invited us to a sumptuous breakfast. They were very accommodating. I look forward to meet them again and trace our roots. Suffice it to say that Jesus taught us, “true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood” and that “we are a family of God” (Mt 12:48-50).

The ultimate connection I ever experienced during that week-long vacation was at the Field of Faith Sanctuary in Pili Drive, Lamot II, Calauan, Laguna. The indwelling of the Divine was plainly alive. It was spiritually relieving to undergo the meditative walk at the Labyrinth Hall. It was my first time to stumble and learn about the term, labyrinth. Accordingly, the labyrinth has long been used as a meditation and prayer tool by different cultures. It is an ancient symbol of wholeness. In the middle ages, Christians who could not make a pilgrim to Jerusalem would instead walk the labyrinth symbolizing that journey. Today, the labyrinth serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey through life. Following the path leading to the center and from the center going out helps to quiet the mind, calm the body and open the heart. It guides our focus inward. In this state, we gain awareness of our real selves and our connection with the Divine. Indeed, “we are not humans in a spiritual path but we are spiritual beings subjected to earthly circumstances.”

It was in the Field of Faith that I discovered the Lady Thrice Adorable. She is the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit who is admirably unique and uniquely admirable.

I was amazed to learn that the first shrine of the Queen of Schoenstatt outside of Germany is located in a 3.8 – hectare lot on Lawaan III, Talisay City. I look forward to visit her sanctuary here in Cebu. Join me in this quest for connectedness! nmg

Who chooses and decides?

2011-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

(Note: I am posting what I have written/reflected last year on the occasion of the first death anniversary of my brother-in-law and the Celebration of Life of my cousin priest last May 28, 2011.)

The latest revision of my life story for the BCBP Men’s Breakfast deals with choices and decisions. Our couple sharing likewise carries the same theme. “A morally good act requires the goodness of its object, of its end and of its circumstances together.” This is a clear statement encompassing our life story as cited from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC No. 1760).

Last May 2, 2010 when requested through a short notification time, I was scheduled to share the story of the Lord in my life with BCBP gentlemen at Talisay City in the morning. A day earlier, I was informed that my second degree cousin who is a Franciscan priest of the Order of Friar Minor (OFM) was admitted to the ICU of Chong Hua Hospital. Together with my wife, we visited him in the afternoon at about 3 pm. Contrary to our expectation, he was conscious and easily recognized us. Nothing to offer except our prayers, we inquired if we can pray-over and lay our hands on him. I was amazed at how he child-likely prayed with us simple prayers like the “Our Father..” and the slow but meaningful expression, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and the hour of our death, Amen.” With faith and aware that a lot of concerned relatives, friends and parishioners are praying for him, we expect his full recovery. From that day onward, we included him in my daily Masses and in our BCBP Community’s Saturday Intercessory Prayers that we conduct regularly at home.

Early morning on May 24, my brother-in-law was rushed by his medical doctor daughter with her husband to Velez Hospital. I failed to drive for them because I arrived home a few minutes late from the 5:30 am Mass I attended. I learned he was operated on by a brain surgeon. Additional diagnosis showed he has a 4^th degree epithelial cancer. Until this writing, he remains hooked to the “medical life machines” at the ICU comatose with a very unstable condition.

Now, we have two (2) men to whom we are praying and interceding for. Although we can not be very specific what to ask the Lord in their behalf, but we are certain the good Lord is preparing them and their respective love ones.

My relationship with my brother-in-law was unpleasant. During the growing up years of his 3 daughters who were under our parental guidance and care until they academically and socially mature, I tagged their father as the “murderer” of their mother. She died in l987 from breast cancer which I considered basically caused by emotional stress. A very displeasing comment from him I indirectly heard lately states, “Kung hindi ko kayo pinabayaan, hindi kayo magkaganyan” referring to their present status. Indeed, this is an actuation of a very irresponsible father to his struggling daughters.

The May 28 Gospel of the day (Mk 11:11-25) struck me. It relayed the message about “praying with faith, hope and love” and “forgiveness from transgressions”. Judy and I visited and prayed for him the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. We asked him to let go and “die in peace” but he is holding on. We worry about the financial liabilities he is leaving behind. Because our nieces are indifferent and do not mind us in their present predicament, we simply allow them to experience and learn to mature spiritually. Choices and decisions are up to them for their comatose parent. Silently, this is my concerned comment, “until his last breath, he is indeed negligent”.

When we transferred hospital, I discovered my cousin priest was well-taken cared of by 4 parishioners trained to be ‘caregivers’. He was moved to a private room with all the “life lines” and dialyzing machine. He was very conscious. In fact, he kept on asking God to take him soon because he has suffered enough considering the physical pain and counting the exuberant or excessive medical bill.

With these 2 circumstances, we are reminded by Article 2278 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) that assures everyone involved, “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.”

To our 3 nieces, we pray for their enlightenment to come up with the wise decision regarding the fate of their dying father who is under their hands.

Personally, I pray, “Jesus, let death come to me as a gentle friend to sit and linger till you call my name. Amen.” nmg

“Where there is great love, there are always miracles”. – Willa Cather

“We know not what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.” – Willis J. Ray

Remembering my mother

2011-05-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

On the occasion of Mother’s Day (May 9, 2011), I remember my mother who died 4 years ago. Along with the lessons of life and living from the true story by Mitch Albom, “Tuesdays with Morrie”, I recall the past, its relevance to the present in order to have a glimpse of the future.

“Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do.” Acceptance of who I am, what I can do and cannot do is my faithful recognition of God’s wisdom in my life. To my dying Nanay, I have been praying and offering my daily Masses for the grace of forgiveness and reconciliation. She has been lying in bed since February 2007.

My parents may have lots of misgivings and resentments against me because I failed to break their bondage from poverty. I can only ask God for our emotional healing. The Lord only knows when and how.

“Accept the past as past without denying it or discarding it.” I have many happy and bitter memories with my parents and siblings. The hardships, sufferings and sacrifices I experienced became opportunities to work hard in order to earn an academic degree. The most fulfilling achievement happened when I was appointed assistant instructor effective April 1, 1976 to teach during summer that same year. I was thrilled to handle a class that included some of my classmates who failed to graduate with me a week earlier.

My first salary for April and May was received with excitement. I joyfully handed the whole amount to my mother. Unfortunately, she did not say anything nor showed appreciation. When I remitted to her my full salary for June, my heart bled when she commented, “Mao na lang ni?” I was dumbstruck and failed to explain. I was wounded by their ingratitude. It was the beginning of a change of my attitude towards them. As the eldest, I committed myself to help and assist my siblings with their studies. I supported my parents with their financial needs but they were discontented. I missed their understanding and cooperation. From being selfless, I became selfish.

After three (3) years of wandering, I decided to wean off and be detached from them. I opted to have a family of my own. Accordingly, “the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being, to learn to love and bond in the deepest way is to have your own children”. Indeed, Judy and I are blessed with two (2) grown-up and responsible daughters who are professionals in their chosen career and an only son who is still in the elementary. With them, I nurture my past and remind myself that “the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and let it come in”. “To be fully human means connectedness with society.” Basically, it starts with my own family then to the community surrounding me like the BCBP.

“Learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others.” This is a lesson we learn and relearn daily as we pray, “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”. One of the realizations I have in our many BCBP teaching especially during the marriage retreat is that my love ones who are dearest to me were hurting me most and vice versa. I resolved to forgive them and myself. I pray that they forgive me as well.

“Don’t assume that it’s too late to get involved.” Nothing is too late to renew and heal broken relationships. It is a matter of personal determination and God’s grace that we attain harmony and peace. According to Pope Benedict XVI, “True peace is a harmonious coexistence of individuals governed by justice, where there is productive and sincere relationship following the path of forgiveness and reconciliation, being transparent in their dealing and faithful to their word.”

Human as I am being austerely practical, I planned and decided to simply send cash for the burial of my mother and other related expenses. However, it was not so. God provided me the opportunity to personally see her die peacefully reconciled with His divine will. Arriving late in the evening, I found her deeply asleep with normal breathing. I thought speaking with her in the morning was better than waking her up. Lightly touching her skin and bony right arm, I mentally assured her that “I am around” during her dying moment. She passed away at 3:00 a.m. on May 11, 2007. Her death was my extraordinary gift from the Lord. I praise and thank Him for answering my prayer lifted up for over a year.

During the second novena night, my brother knights (K of C Council 7507) with their respective wives (CFC) offered a prayer service to my amazement. Knowing that it coincided with my 52^nd birthday, they readily sung joyful and lively birthday songs that I heard for the first time in my life. I was deeply touched. Indeed, “Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4).

One overnight vigil was spent luxuriantly with my dear cousin. She is an elementary school teacher whose husband is a retired policeman. We enthusiastically exchanged experiences and stories with the Lord keeping us surprisingly awake. As active members of Couples for Christ (CFC), the most appropriate talk they use to comfortably deliver every time there is a Christian Life Program (CLP) in their locality is “Repentance and Faith”.

I was awestruck by our brothers and sisters (BCBP Baybay Chapter) who likewise rendered prayer service the night before burial. Filled with astonishment, I admire, appreciate and acknowledge the initiative of the Mission Director, Music Ministry Head along with some active members headed by no less than their faithful Chapter Head. Their exemplary deed is worth emulating.

Equally amazing was the physical presence of our empathic brothers and sisters from BCBP Consolacion Chapter. They sailed the extra nautical miles to cross Camotes Sea to celebrate with us the Funeral Mass, a celebration of life, faith and love.

Inscribed in my mind are the generous donors who helped us with the finances. I acknowledge with grateful heart everyone who united with us in “learning how to live by learning how to die”.

The date of burial unexpectedly coincided with the second day of the grand reunion and alumni homecoming in my Alma Mater, my first and only prestigious employer. Truly, death in the family reunites relatives and friends whom we missed for a long time. To some extent, healing of relationships was attained. In my mother’s tombstone is written the epitaph, “Death ends your life, not our relationship.”

In behalf of my family who is filled with gratitude, I say, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift" (2 Cor 9:15). nmg

Walking for life

2011-05-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

“O nation of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” (Isa 2:5), “walking in love” (2 Jn 6), “. . only to do the right and to love goodness humbly walking with our God” (Mi 6:8).

For me, March 19, 2011 (Saturday) was a “walking day” with the Lord. I honored the feast of St. Joseph with my attendance to the 5:30 am Holy Mass. In thanksgiving, I recalled how I withstood the trials during the preparation until the presentation/facilitation of the talk, Growing in faith and knowing God’s Will that was implemented first Friday evening (March 4, 2011) and the feeling of gratification as worship leader (March 18, 2011) with the same theme.

As “man of the month” for March and in my capacity as Mission Director, I took over the role as breakfast head with the absence of Kuya Paskie Tabuac who together with Ate Pureza, they were in Ormoc City to serve as couple sharers there.

It was a week after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that I supposed the unfavorable weather during that scheduled Saturday men’s breakfast fellowship was an aftereffect. Kuya Gil Sanchez, our brother sharer from BCBP Mactan arrived early followed by three (3) unexpected walk-in guests: 2 ladies and a gentleman. They were curious and interested to join. With due respect to our invited sharer, I asked his permission whether he can allow the “unusual” to happen. Our brief exchange of pleasantries revealed that our “out of the blue” visitors are members of the “International Strategic Apostolic Alliance of Churches and Missions” (ISAAC).

Then, the main part which was the “sharing portion” proceeded without the usual introduction and “traditional BCBP welcome” for guests who come for the first time. Anyway, the message I got was about “struggle and perseverance to succeed in life in spite of economic difficulties dependent on God’s Divine Providence”.

Our fellowship ended with the invitation by our BCBP Consolacion Chapter Head to join the afternoon’s “Penitential Walk for Life” along with the other BCBP Chapters in Cebu and all other covenanted or religious Communities to express our opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) or Responsible Parenthood (RP) Bill.

After freeing our brothers who may have appointments, our Chapter Head called our 3 guests to the podium to introduce themselves. The younger lady served as the spokesman. She claimed that it was an appointed time provided by God after being delayed from their scheduled flight bringing them to our fellowship. I was awed and astonished how she recalled their elementary days with our sharer as the number one in the class, her younger brother second and herself, the third. With conviction, she dramatized how she offended our sharer by striking him with a broken pencil (this time with a broken chopstick) on his forehead. Wow! It was a “public display of reconciliation” (PDR). The offended one forgets the past but the offender has a “long penitential walk” to free herself from the significant duration of carrying the guilt.

The whole day was gloomy but it did not deter me from joining the “Penitential Walk for Life” late afternoon and early evening. The absence of a public transport from Ayala prompted me to walk briskly and sometimes running with my umbrella open to catch up with the 6:00 pm assembly time at Fuente Osmeña but was 36 minutes late (exactly the same time frame our morning guests experienced with boarding). But then, I was able to join the Celebration of the Holy Mass with Bishop Jose Palma as the main celebrant at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It was scheduled to coincide with his first birthday celebration as the new Archbishop of Cebu.

Although alone but I was carrying with me two (2) identities: my BCBP Consolacion T-shirt and my Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Phils., Inc. (KCFAPI) umbrella. I was among the overflowing people outside the Cathedral who experienced the non-stop drizzling rain since early morning until the evening. Sharing my umbrella with a brother from the Family Life Apostolate (FLA), we finished our attendance to the anticipated Mass bringing home the message, “This is My Son, the Beloved, My chosen One. Listen to Him” (Mt 17:5). nmg

Dependence on God (BCBP Mactan Edition)

2011-04-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

(Note: This edition was delivered as mini-talk for BCBP Mactan Chapter at the Indiana Aerospace University (IAU) Chapel, Lapu-lapu City on April 21, 2011).

Brothers and sisters, good morning! To start with, let us ponder on the following verse from the Book of Proverbs that says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not” (Prov 3:5).

Accordingly, coincidence is God’s way of protecting His anonymity. However as renewed Christians, coincidence is Divine Providence. In the afternoon last Tuesday (April 19, 2011), I was a “gate crasher” during the heavy snacks of the BCBP Mactan Intercessory Group hosted by Kuya Lito and Ate Dolor Yu. Do you want to know the underlying circumstances? I delivered the personal effects of our nephew-in-law who is a PAF pilot whom I consider a bum, a good for nothing “son of a gun”. Because of infidelity, we allow him to fly with his “doomed flight plan”.

Kuya Lito seeing me unloading the bags in front of their store, he invited me to their home. The “gate crasher” became the ”greeter” because I came ahead of the Group. To cut the story short, Kuya Gil Sanchez, my worthy brother knight of the Knights of Columbus and certainly your active and highly able and available Formation and Life Director can give you the details.

Humbly, I claim, “I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group but by the Almighty appointment of God”. With my doctrinal and expectant faith, I am here to share with you a portion of my inner being with the prayer that you can bring home a “nourishment for the soul” this Lenten season.

A collection of inspirational and Christian books including the Catechism of the Catholic Church, my Christian Community and the Catholic Serendipity Bibles provided me the much needed references.

Scanning and browsing the book entitled, “Francis of Assisi: The Man Who Gave Up Everything To Follow Jesus”, I was awed and struck by his sermon without words. St. Francis wanted to show the Poor Clare sisters that “it is repentant heart that counts before God, not eloquent words”. In the process of writing my thoughts, I did it with a clean conscience and a pure joy in my heart allowing the Lord Jesus, our ultimate model of dependence on God, to guide and empower me.

I found the book by J. Oswald Sanders entitled, “Spiritual Leadership” very helpful. I treasure the compassion shown by Kuya Casi and Ate Emma Nadela who used to be the first BCBP Mactan Chapter Head who gave this book to Judy and me in February 2003. Awfully noted and highlighted is the 7^th paragraph of 9 paragraphs of their dedication stating, “And – as you walk towards the summit where the cold gets colder, the wind stronger, the burden of responsibilities heavier – just bear in mind – you have “no one else but God”! Yes, indeed, they are emphasizing our dependence on God.

It is amazing to note that the spirit of servanthood includes among others the dependence on God from the book by Sanders (1997). Equally amazing is the January 19 devotional reflection titled, “Dependence on God” exactly the same title of our session we have on-hand. This devotional reflection is from the book, “Light of My Path Each Day”, a Scripture Union’s (SU) Quiet Time Guide that I recently bought. My reflection urged me to read the 1^st and 2^nd part of the Book of Samuel. This is my first time to read the whole text trying to follow the story of David. I learned that during David’s time (Old Testament), an ephod (a vestment worn by the ancient Hebrew high priest in performing sacred duties) was used to determine God’s will.

Today, we have God’s Word (the Holy Bible) and the Holy Spirit to guide us in every decision we have to make. Jesus declares, “From now on, the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you” (Jn 14:26).

In the Book of Samuel, David was featured in all his victories who began with claiming, affirmation and believing. Claiming, affirmation and believing are acts or practices of dependence on God. “David was a man made by God at the life of faith and the impact of grace, at a pattern of leadership and the perils of power, at God’s unfolding purpose pointing to Christ. David foreshadowed the One yet to come: Jesus, the King of Kings”.

In the Old and New Testament scenario, where do we fit-in? Do we have a “heart for God” relying our total dependence on Him? Personally, as I serve as speaker/sharer in your Holy Thursday morning activity, I fervently prayed for guidance. I acknowledge the Holy Spirit, my Helper, Counselor and Guide who assist me to do this service with gratefulness and total dependence on the Lord.

Abstraction/Personal Experience. As servant-leaders or simply being Christians, we do not act independently from our Master, our God. This dependence points to our relationship with Him. How intimate are we to our Heavenly Father, our Creator? In any relationship for that matter, we start with knowing, then loving and finally serving. In all aspects of our life and living, we are totally dependent on God in everything, as in everything. In our relationship with God, He is our Giver and we are always the receiver. Unworthy as we are because of our sinfulness, faults and failures, God continues to be a Merciful Giver. In our dependence, God wants us to be free from the bondage of sin and be reconciled with Him through the Sacrament of Confession, Reconciliation and Penance. Accordingly, sin is a decision to deprive ourselves from God’s grace, a detachment or infidelity of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We need to be always in the state of Grace for God’s blessings to freely flow within and through us.

Dependence for life itself. Basically, our life is dependent on God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “human life is sacred because from its beginning, it involves the creative act of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is the sole end” (CCC 2258).

The Gospels of St. Matthew (Mt 6:19-34) and St. Luke (Lk 12:13-34) shed us light on “setting our hearts on the Kingdom”; “avoid being a rich fool” and “not worrying about our life”.

We are reminded to “set our hearts first in the Kingdom and justice of God and all the basic necessities of life: food, clothing and shelter will be given to us because our Heavenly Father knows that we need all these things to live” (Mt 6:32-33).

The story of the rich fool narrated by Jesus shows us how life can easily be taken away by God. Our life do not depend on the many material possessions especially if greedily accumulated (Lk 12:13-21). Dependence on life calls for spiritual enrichment to become rich before God. This means spiritual fulfillment.

We must be free from worldly concerns. Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you not to worry about your life …” (Lk 12:22).

Again, let us remember that material possessions do not give life. Let us be sure that in the process of acquiring what we would like to have will not derail us neglecting the opportunity to make life. This reminds me of Dr. Ron Jenson, America’s life coach who recommends, ”to make a life not just a living” in his book, Make a Life not Just a Living which I recommend you to read and live.

As a pro-life advocate being a faithful 4^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus myself, I for one oppose the Reproductive Health (RH) or confusingly called Responsible Parenthood Bill. I see it as another venue for corruption geared towards making a living (money-making) disregarding the value of the “gift of life”. We do not need so many legislations. Fundamental and essential is PRAYER for every Filipino to be disciplined that the core values of our culture be instilled and sustained for the many generations to come. Our educational system must promote values education. May I know who joined the “Penitential Walk for Life” last March 19, 2011?. I am writing my personal reflection about it because that day was significant for me. I think it was highly significant for Kuya Gil as well being BCBP Consolacion men’s breakfast sharer that day. Watch for its posting in my website!.

The Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop William E. Lori in his faith formation program, advises us, “We should ask for the Grace to open our minds and hearts to the truth and the beauty of the Church’s challenging and life-giving teaching on human sexuality. We are called to embrace this teaching and to lead others to live the virtue of chastity in generosity and joy” (Columbia, Jan 2011. p. 5).

Dependence on God for service. From the book of the prophet Jeremiah, God says, “I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart who will shepherd to you wisely and prudently” (Jer 3:15). Do you feel and hear this call for service as shepherds (being the action group or unit leader) to our BCBP brothers and sisters assigned to you? Let us be convicted (enough evidences to charge us being followers of Jesus) that indeed, God initiates the call for our service. Our respective assignments is an “Almighty appointment of God” for us.

Our response to the call for service may vary. An outright No because of being busy is inacceptable. Be reminded that ”God is holding our time.” He can take it away from us anytime. Jeremiah again comes to the picture with our hesitation due to the feeling and fear of unworthiness and inadequacy. When he was called, God assured him, “Before I formed you in the womb I know you, before you were born, I dedicated you” (Jer 1:5). Jeremiah responded, “Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am too young” (Jer 1:6)

A resounding assurance every time we accept whatever service we are called for, God is firm in assuring us, “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you” (Jer 1:7).

The Lord knows the kind of men and women He chooses. He knows our gifts and capabilities. He is aware of our feeling of inadequacy and our shortcomings. But, in spite of these, He calls us to service by name. Our Yes to His call, our willingness and commitment to serve will definitely be supported with our total dependence on God’s grace. We are empowered to do God’s will for His greater honor and glory.

Dependence on God for our service also means seeking His will for the people entrusted to our care. During our prayer time, we seek guidance and enlightenment. We do not simply wait for God to act because the Holy Spirit will lead, assist, guide and counsel us what to do. Reading the Bible allows us “to become familiar with God’s Word becoming accustomed to the tone and tempo of God’s promptings in our lives” (Columbia. March 2011. p.17).

Again, we look at Jeremiah as our model for dependence on God for service. He was an excellent leader who was authentically dependent on God. He realized his own limitations. However, he knew that only God can change a man’s heart and so he turned to God. He prayed and waited. While waiting for God’s answer, he organized a feasible plan of action and pressed on despite vocal opposition to execute the plan once God opened the way.

Continuous dependence in spite of trials. In the New Testament (NT), Jesus exemplifies dependence on God in the midst of adversities and trials. On the Cross, while breathing His last, He cries out, “Father, into Your Hands, I commit My Spirit”. Jesus made a tremendous act of love, trust and dependence on the Father. Jesus clings to the conviction that the Father loves Him even when the circumstances seem to indicate that the Father has abandoned Him.

In our life, we encounter or experience a feeling of God’s absence. It seems paradoxical and hard to believe but “we find God through our problems. He loves us and His love is intense every time we have problems and in pain.” We need to be spiritually sensitive because problems and trials in various degrees nurture us to grow in faith and allow us to listen to God’s call/message. Putting it in another perspective, we are encouraged to see and identify the positive or good things in all bad situations we are into.

We pray that God will endow us with the spiritual eyes to see, spiritual ears to hear and all other senses to be spiritually mature as we also mature emotionally because we have our Almighty Father who is in control.

Personal sharing. As I examine myself looking back from childhood until now, I was and am continually dependent on God. I came from a poor family that urged or triggered me to aspire for freedom from the bondage of poverty. I equipped myself professionally but I did not remain in the academe. I married to have my own family. In all these earlier endeavors, God was basically part of my decision-making. For over 5 decades of life and living, I have over 5 decades of experiences and circumstances in life during which times, God was faithfully present for me because I was and will continue to be dependent on Him.

Let me cite at least 2 highly significant events showing dependence on God for my life and service. First was my voluntary resignation from government employment. It was a paradigm shift from being an employee to what God wants me to be. It took a year in 1989 for Judy and me to weigh the merits and demerits of my plan and decision. We prayed because I knew we were facing a variety of uncertainties. Indeed, trials came our way testing our faith. Life and living were confusing and chaotic then. It was the lowest period in my life that lasted for 2 years (1992-1994). I may be able to give the details of this episode in another venue and through other means. Definitely, God was a major part in that segment of my life realizing that He has a different plan for me.

The second is our decision to renew our faith as we joined the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). I committed myself to know, love and serve the Lord through the BCBP. Being a college drop-out, I have “time freedom” to seek first the Kingdom of God believing that He will provide everything I need to live. I know my talent and abilities and I freely return to God what is due Him.

Initially, I feared whenever given a talking assignment as shown by my trembling hands every time I approached the podium. In time and with acceptance of various services, I grow and establish confidence believing that God empowers me. As the incumbent Mission Director of BCBP Consolacion, Cebu, I surrender and rely on God’s power.

Recently, in our modest marketplace (Kalubian ni Lolo), we have identified and defined our “social responsibility” employing the culture of BCBP. Log on to youtube.com and search permaculture2011 and verify what I mean. We welcome your comments and suggestions to improve our life-long plan.

Conclusion. My dear brothers and sisters here in Mactan, by way of conclusion, let me share with you an admonition from the Book of Psalms, “Let us trust in the Lord and do good that we may dwell in the land and live secure” (Ps 37:3). nmg

Dependence on God

2011-04-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not” (Prov 3:5).

Although I did not hesitate to accept the task of facilitating and delivering the talk, Dependence on God being the second part of our BCBP Consolacion Lenten Recollection (10 Apr 2011), but it was hard for me to gather, integrate and synthesize my thoughts recalling and examining myself how totally dependent I am on God.

Humbly, I claim, “I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group but by the Almighty appointment of God”. With my doctrinal and expectant faith, I prayed, “Lord, lead me and I will follow”.

A collection of inspirational and Christian books including the Catechism of the Catholic Church, my Christian Community and the Catholic Serendipity Bibles provided me the much needed references.

Scanning/browsing the book entitled, “Francis of Assisi: The Man Who Gave Up Everything To Follow Jesus”, I was awed and struck by his sermon without words. St. Francis wanted to show the Poor Clare sisters that “it is repentant heart that counts before God, not eloquent words”. In the process of writing my thoughts, I did it with a clean conscience and a pure joy in my heart allowing the Lord Jesus, our ultimate model of dependence on God, to guide and empower me.

I found the book by J. Oswald Sanders entitled, “Spiritual Leadership” very helpful. I treasure the compassion shown by Kuya Casi and Ate Emma Nadela who used to be BCBP Mactan Chapter Head who gave this book to Judy and me in February 2003. Awfully noted and highlighted is the 7^th paragraph of 9 paragraphs of their dedication stating, “And – as you walk towards the summit where the cold gets colder, the wind stronger, the burden of responsibilities heavier – just bear in mind – you have “no one else but God”! Yes, indeed, they are emphasizing our dependence on God.

April 10 (today), the devotional reflection of the same book, ”Light of My Path Each Day” again features David who in all his victories began with affirmation, claiming and believing. These are acts of dependence on God. “David was a man made by God at the life of faith and the impact of grace, at a pattern of leadership and the perils of power, at God’s unfolding purpose pointing to Christ. David foreshadowed the One yet to come: Jesus, the King of Kings”.

In the Old and New Testament scenario, where do we fit-in? Do we have a “heart for God” relying our total dependence on Him? Personally, as I serve as moderator/facilitator for 90 minutes of this afternoon’s recollection, I fervently prayed for guidance as I attend the 5:30 am Holy Mass daily, receive the Holy Eucharist and read the Bible. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, my Helper, Counselor and Guide who assist me to do everything smoothly.

Sharing of Experiences about Dependence on God. May I request each couple (husband and wife) to discuss a life experience showing your dependence on God.

· Cite a specific instance or life situation where you were made to choose several options and finally decided through discernment.

· What and how did you do it? Did you pray and wait?

· Did you make a feasible action plan while waiting for the Lord to answer?

You are allotted 10 minutes to discuss and another 10 minutes for reporting/sharing in the whole assembly.

Analysis/Summary of Reports. Stress those that show dependence on God.

We learned from the various testimonies of our brothers and sisters who come over to share how dependent they were on God in making decisions.

Prayer and discernment are major activities whenever we are confronted with problems.

Abstraction/Personal Experience. As servant-leaders or simply being Christians, we do not act independently from our Master, our God. This dependence points to our relationship with Him. How intimate are we to our Heavenly Father, our Creator? In any relationship for that matter, we start with knowing, then loving and finally serving. In all aspects of our life and living, we are totally dependent on God in everything, as in everything. In our relationship with God, He is our Giver and we are always the receiver. Unworthy as we are because of our sinfulness, faults and failures, God continues to be a merciful giver. In our dependence, God wants us to be free from the bondage of sin and be reconciled with Him through the Sacrament of Confession, Reconciliation and Penance. We need to be always in the state of Grace for God’s blessings to freely flow within and through us.

The Gospels of St. Matthew (Mt 6:19-34) and St. Luke (Lk 12:13-34) shed us light on “setting our hearts on the Kingdom”; “avoid being a rich fool” and “not worrying about our life”.

We must be free from worldly concerns. Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you not to worry about your life …” (Lk 12:22).

As a pro-life advocate being a faithful 4^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus myself, I for one oppose the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. I see it as another venue for corruption geared towards making a living (money-making) disregarding the value of the “gift of life”. Anyone who joined the “Penitential Walk for Life” last March 19, 2011?. I am writing my personal reflection about it. Watch for its posting in my website!.

From the Supreme Chaplain, Bishop William E. Lori in his faith formation program, he addresses us, “We should ask for the Grace to open our minds and hearts to the truth and the beauty of the Church’s challenging and life-giving teaching on human sexuality. We are called to embrace this teaching and to lead others to live the virtue of chastity in generosity and joy” (Columbia, Jan 2011. p. 5).

Our response to the call for service may vary. An outright No because of being busy is not acceptable. Be reminded that ”God is holding our time.” He can take it away from us anytime. Jeremiah again comes to the picture with our hesitation due to the feeling and fear of unworthiness and inadequacy. When he was called, God assured him, “Before I formed you in the womb I know you, before you were born, I dedicated you” (Jer 1:5). Jeremiah responded, “Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am too young” (Jer 1:6).

A resounding assurance every time we accept whatever service we are called for, God is assuring us, “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you” (Jer 1:7).

In our life, we encounter or experience a feeling of God’s absence. It seems paradoxical and hard to believe but “we find God through our problems. He loves us and His love is intense every time we have problems and in pain.” We need to be spiritually sensitive because problems and trials in various degrees nurture us to grow in faith and allow us to listen to God’s call. Putting it in another perspective, we are encouraged to see and identify the positive or good things in all bad situations we are into.

Personal sharing. As I examine myself looking back from childhood until now, I was and am continually dependent on God. I came from a poor family that triggered me to aspire for freedom from the bondage of poverty. I equipped myself professionally but I did not remain in the academe. I married to have my own family. In all these earlier endeavors, God was basically part of my decision-making. In my over than 5 decades of life and living, I have over 5 decades of experiences and circumstances in life during which times, God was faithfully present for me because I was and will continue to be dependent on Him.

Let me cite at least 2 significant events showing dependence on God for my life and service. First was my voluntary resignation from government service. It was a paradigm shift from being an employee to what God wants me to be. It took a year for Judy and me in 1989 to weigh the merits and demerits of my plan and decision. We prayed because I knew we were facing a variety of uncertainties. Indeed, trials testing our faith were experienced. Life and living were confusing and chaotic then. It was the lowest period in my life that lasted for 2 years (1992-1994). I may be able to give the details of this episode in another venue and through other means. Definitely, God was a major part in that segment of my life realizing that He has a different plan for me.

The second is our decision to renew our faith as we joined the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). I committed myself to know, love and serve the Lord through the BCBP. Being a college drop-out, I have “time freedom” to seek first the Kingdom of God believing that He will provide everything I need to live. I know my talent and abilities and I freely return to God what is due Him.

Recently, in our marketplace, we have identified and defined our “social responsibility” employing the culture of BCBP.

Application (30 minutes)

With the readily available worksheet as guide, each participant was directed to write his/her reflections.

Conclusion. “Let us trust in the Lord and do good that we may dwell in the land and live secure” (Ps 37:3). nmg

Note: This is the second part of the Lenten Recollection of BCBP Consolacion held at the Sto. Nino Spirituality Center, Tolotolo, Consolacion, Cebu on April 10, 2011.

How to Grow in Faith and Knowing God’s Will

2011-03-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

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 25^th 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

Asking, seeking and knocking

2011-03-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

Our action group meeting (AGM) last Feb 7, 2011 was hosted by Ate Erma and Kuya Ben Sangco. As prayer leader, Kuya Ben introduced and dealt the theme, “faith without action is dead”. Prayer is basically the simple and sure action for our faith to be alive.

In a related passion, our Feb 21, 2011 AGM was providentially a continuation because our prayer leader discerned the Gospel according to St. Matthew (Mt 7:7-11) for our reflection. Ate Helen and Kuya Ed Lanticse hosted our meeting at their Universal Shipping Management Services office. With Kuya Ed leading, we came to the realization that “Our Father in Heaven gives good things to those who ask Him.”

I learn that “asking, seeking and knocking have an effect on God, as Jesus insists, but it also has a lasting effect in the asker-seeker-knocker”. Moreover, “prayer offers an opportunity for God to remodel us, to chisel marble like a sculptor, touch up colors like an artist, edit words like a writer. The work continues until death, never perfected in this life” (Yancey. Prayer: Does it make a difference? p. 154).

Significantly noted on the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of EDSA Peaceful Revolution (Feb 25, 2011) is Philip Yancey’s claim that “Filipinos prayed importunately for relief before People Power brought down a corrupt regime”.

A lot of references give us insights on how to pray. The Gospels according to St. Matthew (Mt 6:7-15); St. Mark (Mk 11:23-26) and St. Luke (Lk 11:1-13) teach about the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father that require faith, forgiveness and purity of desire, consistency and perseverance.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) likewise abound in teachings about prayer. For those who may have not been able to allocate a time with the Lord may consider and note that “Our time is in the Hands of God: It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public or strolling alone, or seated in your shop, . . while buying or selling, .. . or while cooking” (CCC 2743). Stated in another manner, prayer can be done in a ”Martha way to be Mary”. It is doing the household chores and sitting to listen to Jesus at the same time.

This points us to prayer and temperament. Kathy Calahan-Howell as cited by Yancey (Prayer. pp 194-195) enumerated four (4) meditation styles:

Ø Intuitive feelers stress creative exercises involving imagination, imagery and journaling.

Ø Intuitive thinkers benefit from a Scripture passage asking basic investigative concerns.

Ø Sensory judges driven by duty use the senses to see, hear, and smell the scenes of Scripture bringing ancient truths to modern application.

Ø Sensory perceivers engage action in prayer. In my case, while planting and doing all farm activities, I always associate the Lord asking Him to allow me to see the fruits of my labor. No matter how tiresome the activity maybe or how long the waiting to take before reaping because I am dealing with perennial crops and planting forest trees, I am always delighted and light-hearted because I pray the “Martha way to be Mary”. nmg

The first step to a big leap

2011-02-28T08:12:00.000-08:00

“What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us (Helen Keller, 1880 -1968).

Sunday is an enjoyable day with our first grandson, Nykko with his mother, Easter Colette. She is our eldest and architect daughter. The usual family gathering was altered on Feb. 20, 2011 because our second daughter and the youngest, our only son were in Manila. They were in Cuneta Astrodome to receive their respective awards from the Unlimited Network of Opportunities Int’l Corp. (UNO).

Judy and I decided to spend the weekend at “Kalubian ni Lolo”. When Colette learned about it, she opted to go with us. Together, we attended the anticipated Mass at Fatima Parish, Basak, Mandaue City. Coincidentally, we were part of the joyful celebration of its 35^th founding anniversary as a parish.

Early morning on Sunday, we were all set for the 2-hr drive to the farm. Colette drove their KIA Sportage while I followed driving our ISUZU Elf loaded with planting materials, a variety of household refuse and extras to be recycled and reused in the farm.

I observed Colette to be driving professionally. She maneuvered the heavy traffic with ease, speeding up in clear highways, slowed down when I was lagged behind and carefully and safely overtaking slow moving vehicles in uphill and downhill blind curves. I recall how mad she was at me during her student-driving days. Dissatisfied with me as her instructor, she enrolled herself in a driving school. Momentarily, Noriel, her geodetic engineer husband is in Seychelles, Africa (Indian Ocean) patiently earning a living for their future.

While driving, I visualized a convoy of the “primary stewards”, the heirs of the late Mr. & Mrs. Fulgencio M. Perez who are on our way to develop, nurture and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of our pet project, “Kalubian ni Lolo”. This is an application area and our little contribution towards our social responsibility and simple solution to environmental problems.

As “mastermind”, I earnestly pray that during our family (ala-corporate) meeting scheduled on May 2011, we can come up with a ”we-opic vision” (not my-opic) to focus on the cooperative and collective capability that will empower the “primary stewards” as an effective/productive multi-disciplinary team in our coconut-based permaculture living system. Unfortunately or fortunately, in the roster of team members, the air force pilot (newly married to our medical doctor niece) is crashed-out because of infidelity. Being a bum, a good for nothing “son of a gun”, we allow him to “fly his separate way” with his “doomed flight plan”.

The day before our trip, Colette presented her plan to celebrate the second birthday of Nykko this coming April 2011 with the children of the dwellers who are the “secondary stewards” of the farm. It is a laudable, commendable and a great idea to socialize and establish a harmonious relationship with everyone involved in our “living system”. We are with Colette’s best friend, Arch Care Abella-Huang with the thought “that one big leap starts with the first small step”.

I acknowledge and appreciate Colette’s initiative and creativity showing her leadership as the eldest among the grandchildren who survive their grandparents. The memorable experience of sharing snack items after tree planting last Nov 10, 2010 with the farm children must have triggered the idea. We planted a hundred sour soup or guayabano (a cancer healer).

Niña, our graphics and advertising artist employed with the Cebu governor’s office with her husband Ramie, a young police officer and an IT expert; Colette with Noriel and I assisted by 2 farm workers enjoyed tree planting. It was Noriel’s second planting session because he planted 38 “pangantuan” trees during his previous vacation. During that November 2010 tree planting activity, I pointed out their respective contributions in our “living system” considering their respective technical training and professions.

In conclusion, I am inspired by the immortal slogans of great and famous personalities:

“If we are together, nothing is impossible. If we are divided, all will fall” (Winston Churchill, 1874 -1965).

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Eleanor Roosevelt).

From a seed to a bed (January 2010)

2011-02-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

After complying our Sunday obligation, Judy and I proceeded to the farm before lunch. We were in a hurry for the agreed time of loading the copra for the following day’s delivery to Alpha Oil Mill in Subangdaku, Mandaue City. We were frustrated when the truck did not arrive. The driver could not be contacted after several attempts and we wondered what happened. We decided to see him personally.

Early morning (January 11, 2010), we drove to Brgy. Canhabagat, Medellin, Cebu. Instead of feeling angry for the non-appearance, we took it as an adventurous and joyful ride locating the place. And there was the driver with his truck as if there was no previous agreement between him and Judy’s cousin. There was miscommunication.

We agreed on the terms of cargo delivery. I realized it was more economical and less risky hiring his truck than doing it myself using our ISUZU Elf estimated to take me four (4) trips.

We were happy to discover that the truck owner is also into the fabrication of wooden furniture. Attracted to the fine finish of their beds, we ordered one utilizing our own lumber from the Gmelina tree cut by chain-sawing the log to desired sizes six (6) months earlier. In less than a week, they delivered the finished product. What a soothing relief to commune with nature! When I first slept on the bed from a seed planted for over two (2) decades, I felt gratified, accomplished and one with God’s creation. I had a different feeling when we cut several trees for lumber used as floor joist of the copra dryer. The dryer was rebuilt after it was accidentally burned when used by Judy’s cousin and nephew last May 2005.

This experience of realizing a thing after many years contradicts with today’s ‘age of instants’ with the rise of instant products. When I was still a young boy, I usually heard negative comments that I would not be able to harvest the fruits of the trees I planted in our backyard. I have proven them wrong because I am always given the opportunity to harvest what I have sown. In my life, it can be literal or metaphorical. Jesus said, “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man was to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how” (Mk 4:26-27).

Indeed, in 1987 I purchased a half-full sack of Gmelina seeds gathered by my laborers and their children at the forestry area in ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte. I sowed the seeds in furrows like planting corn in the hilly and very infertile portions of my in-laws’ farm. That forested piece of land was deducted from the total land area to qualify for exemption and clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR 7).

In whatever undertaking or goals we have whether long or short term, “let us not grow tired of doing good for in due time we shall reap our harvest” (Gal 6:9). nmg

Prayer and goal-setting

2011-02-11T01:26:00.000-08:00

The terms prayer and goal are 2 keywords dealt with during our 2 sessions of our action group/prayer meetings for January 2011. Judy and I hosted the first gathering (Jan 10) at home. As prayer leader, I discerned and selected the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Phil 4:4-8) for reflection. We employed the ‘group response method’. I was awed by the unusual silence of the group as if in deep meditation upon our opening prayer inviting the Lord, allowing ourselves to look back to the year that was (2010) in relation to our commitment to prayer. The stillness was broken with the arrival of the Lanticse couple sharing their closed contract with a multimillion project in Luzon. The serious that turned lively assembly closed with a collated message, “Rejoice always and pray with thankful hearts keeping in mind what is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble.”

The second meeting (Jan 24) was hosted by Ate Cora Ongos with our action group leader, Kuya Robert Lim leading. We were a little bit late because we attended first to a family concern. I was astounded that the verses for reflection were from the previous verses of our earlier meeting. This time Phil 3:12-16 was presented. Amazingly, from the Christian Community Bible, the term goal appears 3 times. The afternoon of the day before (Jan 23), was enlightening and strengthening with the family and our guest, Ate Exal Grape’s attendance to the seminar on the “Power of Goal-setting”. That was our second UNO Special Training (UST) conducted by our new-found friend and wealth coach, Chinkee Tan. What a coincidence!! “Coincidence is God’s way of protecting His anonymity” (Yancey. Prayer. p. 105). However, as renewed Christians, I consider it Divine Providence. I was very enthusiastic to share the lessons I learned. I pointed out my present activities and my personal and our family plans (short, medium and long range).

Accordingly, only 3% of 100 graduates in Yale University (1953) set their goals and only this 3 were very successful. In a worldwide scene, the super powerful countries have set their goals. In my opinion, the political and even religious leaders of our country must consider goal-setting for the common good instead of creating abundant legislations.

Upon self-examination and considering my past experiences and circumstances conforming with religious beliefs, tradition and culture, I have set my limitations to the level of being satisfied with what I have become.

Being afraid to fail or the fear (false expectation appearing real) to set ambitious goals are simply removed because I have a strong faith in our Rich God who answers and provides avenues or means for the realization of my ambitious dreams. “Dreaming costs me nothing except a good sleep.”

Thought-provoking and mind-boggling are the main items of Chinkee Tan’s talk on “Patience develops God’s overflow” being a pastor in an entirely separate venue. I am challenged to develop my attitudes: a) to be patient, b) to wait for the yield and c) to stand firm. Sowing and reaping are 2 major/literal activities that are also true to any other human undertaking. The activities in between constitute the waiting which could basically be devoted to prayer, “a cooperation with God that opens the way for Grace to work.” Associated with prayer and goal-setting is to be consistently constant. nmg

Do nothing Permaculture?

2011-02-10T01:28:00.000-08:00

Zero tillage is synonymous to do nothing agriculture. I encountered this inherent agricultural production practice in Gandara, Samar, one of the site research management units (SRMU) of the Farming Systems Development Project for Eastern Visayas (FSDP-EV) during the 80’s being a member of the multi-disciplinary team. We observed a rice field prepared manually by simply stepping-in the existing vegetation of weeds and rice straw from previous harvest or by using a wooden rotavator pulled by a carabao because the land was soft and wet. When the field was clean, rice seeds were broadcasted and the farmer returned only at harvest time.

During the first permaculture convergence last Feb. 12-14, 2010 at Elicon Hotel, Cebu City, a practitioner from Bohol pointed out and justified the do nothing but a lot of thinking kind of crop production. Indeed, this is a paradox, a “statement contrary to common belief, or one that seems contradictory, unbelievable or absurd but may actually be true in fact.”

To me, doing nothing is actually doing something. Similarly, inaction is in itself a momentary response or reaction. We are endowed with heads and minds to think. A lot of thinking is doing something. “Women basically use their right intuitive brain and they have the ability to take the whole picture. Men on the other hand, use the left-analytical brain and interested more on parts or details. Androgynous thinking employs both the left and right brain with the ability to integrate concrete and abstract realities” (Peck, 1997).

When I attended the Christian life program (BCLP No. 2 in Mactan), I was introduced to radical conversion. Radical comes from the Latin word, radix meaning root. Radical is synonymous to fundamental. In sociology, a radical is a left-leaning anarchist while a fundamentalist is a right-wing extremist. Anyway, those who think deeply about fundamentals are radicals. A radical action stems from a radical thinking”. Now, I understand why a close brother knight (K of C Council 7507) labeled me as a deep thinker. I thought he was referring to me as someone knowledgeable but I am not. However, I am radically thinking with integrity. I tend to “integrate the multiple reasons and dimensions of our incredibly complex world.” I am a horticulturist by training but as I integrate all the other aspects/domains of permaculture, I become a generalist. “To think and act with integrity requires that we fully experience the tensions of competing thoughts and demands” (Peck, 1997). Fortunately, cooperation not competition is the essence of permaculture.

On our way to attend the session of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) last April 14, 2010 for PhilPA’s visibility, Mr. Joel Lee and I argued as to what slogan to adopt. “Weaving the web of life” (metaphorical) is his motto. Personally, my original catchphrase was, “I love farming”. Now, it graduated to a higher level, “I love life and living” (literal). Permaculture is an integrated and holistic approach signifying wholeness, entirety and completion of life and living.

Dr. M. Scott Peck (The Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety) claims that doing nothing for at least 2 hours a day, allows him to take time to think, pray and organize his priorities to be more efficient. As a psychiatrist, he concludes that building the best possible relationship or a community with their patients, healing will naturally occur without doing anything. Health and spiritual well-being is an important domain in permaculture. “We learn from good leaders and teachers who think well as our good examples to be efficient and to be able to live life fully”. The Philippine Permaculture Association (PhilPA) is a learning organization, a sustainable community. I believe that it is our vocation, our calling to spread the good news about the ethics, concepts and principles of permaculture. Let us not simply be evangelizers but doers or practitioners. Employing the principles towards ecological balance, we need to think, believe and live. nmg

Mr. Food Production (March 2010)

2011-02-10T01:23:00.000-08:00

During my College days in a premier agricultural institution of the Visayas, individual food production was one of the extra-curricular requirements aside from the rice field and the 1 m X 50 m plots for vegetable production as part of our curricular activities. Food production plots were developed where each student was housed. Mine was at the beachside because my small nipa hut was near the beach. Now, the area is occupied by the Zea mays Dormitory, the College Pavilion and the Center for Continuing Education (CEC) of the Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay, Leyte.

The one responsible for monitoring and evaluating our food production activities was the late Prof. Francisco G. Bascug. He was dubbed as Mr. Food Production. Every Monday morning convocation and flag raising ceremony, he was always on stage to announce his observations regarding our endeavors. Moreover, he pronounced and broadcasted those who were to undergo several days of field work for misdemeanor.

One Monday morning along with some friends, I was dressed in working clothes with our bolo, pick-mattock and shovel ready to accept our respective punishments. You know, I was caught by the guard-on-duty on a late Friday night violating the 10 p.m. campus curfew and bringing-in a gallon of tuba or toddy bought from the neighboring barrio. Unexpectedly, my name was not called so I joyfully reported to my classes with the resolution never to engage myself with any naughty act again. Later, I learned that my girlfriend thrashed the guard’s report. She had access to the week-end reports because she was staying with the family of Mr. Food Production. I can not forget her extra-ordinary act of saving me from humiliation but I failed to express my gratitude for her favorable action.

Presently, I am challenged to emulate Mr. Food Production. However, the scenario is entirely different. I will not be dealing with agricultural students but with a heterogeneous group of people. A majority of them are used to consumerism most likely because they are moneyed. On the other hand, there are numerous marginalized urban poor who are hungry.

In a macro environment, I am impressed with a number of positions or titles in large private corporations like sustainability manager and sustainability steward. These positions or responsibilities may mean a decline in productivity so there is a need to sustain it. According to a sustainability manager whom I met, “sustainability means striking a balance among profit, people and planet, the triple (P) bottom line balance.” They are looking at ways that can sustain the business into the next generation while taking care of people and resources. Isn’t this an application of the ethics of permaculture?

Indeed, there is a great challenge for us permaculture practitioners to respond to the problem of food scarcity. First and foremost, we need to address the basic need of our respective “circles of influence”, our direct social responsibilities.

Food production per se is limited to our physical needs. How about aiming also for the food that satisfies deeper hunger, the food that provides nourishment for eternal life? The Gospel according to St. John reminds us, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures eternal life which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6:23). nmg

In their name . . . (July - Sept 2007)

2011-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

“God calls each one of us by name. Everyone’s name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of dignity of the one who bears it” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] 2158).

As expectant parents, Judy and I were thrilled and very excited with the coming of our first baby. Expecting a boy, I was ready with “Richard” as a very memorable name I wanted to retain. A Franciscan brother in-charge of the working students during my high school days provided me rays of hope to pursue my aspirations in life. In the dedication page of my master’s thesis, I wrote, “This piece of work is humbly dedicated with reverence in memory of a great philanthropist, an unforgettable character and a sincere friend, Bro. Richard Kloster, OFM.”

Contrary to my expectation, God granted us a baby girl. Judy was ready with St. Colette’s name. I personally filled-up the certificate of live birth. I made sure of the correct spelling. I added “Easter” because she was born on a Good Friday in 1981.

Four (4) years after, our second child was born. Another girl and again the name I reserved was inapplicable. Judy did not prepare for a name and so I readily filled-up “Marianne Claire” because 1985 was a Marian Year.

As a responsible couple and considering our financial capacity to raise our two (2) lovely and stress-relieving daughters, we decided to stop longing for a boy. Moreover, I felt and shared the difficulty of child-bearing and giving birth.

Dormancy lasted for ten (10) years. Eventually, our only son, their only brother was born when Judy and I were a year old with the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). There were already four (4) of us who were excited with the arrival of the most recent model of God’s creation in our home. He is the third among God’s supreme gifts of our marriage. During that time, Colette and Marianne were already 14 and 10 years old, respectively. They were given the privilege to give the name of their longed for brother. “Francis John” was conceived in their young minds. Unknowingly, they completed the full name of St. Francis of Assisi, Francesco Giovanni. “Giovanni” is the Italian name equivalent to “John”.

The name “Richard” may have not been used among our limited number of children but he remains in my heart and mind as long as I live. I wish him to be the first person I will meet in Heaven.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) declares, “In Baptism, the Lord’s name sanctifies man and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple that has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a model of charity, we are assured of his intercession” (CCC 2156).

The names of our children are derived from saints. Being associated with the Franciscans, St. Francis, St. Clare and St. Colette are with our children. In their name, our home is spiritually provided and guided. From the book, “The five people you meet in heaven” by Mitch Albom, I learn that “the home is the secret of heaven. That each affects the other and the other affects the next and the world is full of stories but the stories are all ONE”.

Finally, inspired by a religious quotation, I say: “To dwell above with saints we love, that will be grace and glory. But to live below with saints we know, well, that’s another story!” nmg

How do I write? (June 2010)

2011-01-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

Basically, my writing style is classified as “reflective writing”. I started to follow this method as I wrote the article, “Be God’s witnesses through reflective writing” (Sidlak, Jan – March 2007).

The present feelings (sensations, emotions and thoughts) are linked to the past experiences relating them to desires for the future. Dr. M. Scott Peck (1997) in his book, “Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety”, points out that “talking about the present and future without mentioning the past means that there is at least one un-integrated, unresolved and important issue in life or childhood that must be brought to light for full healing. If one speaks only of his childhood and future means he has a major difficulty dealing with the here and now – often connected with difficulty in intimacy and risk. Never mentioning his future means he has a problem with fantasy and hope.” As a psychiatrist, he claims that “during the course of psychotherapy, healthy patients talk of their past, present and future in a well-integrated fashion”.

Fortunately, this is all about “anamnesis” or “remembrance”. “A personal memory forms part of one’s being, a dynamic factor that influences not only one’s present circumstances but also one’s interpretation of the past and one’s plan for the future.”

“The solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Cristi) focuses on “anamnesis” or “remembrance” in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which may also refer as thanksgiving, sacrifice and communion” (365 Days with the Lord. Liturgical Biblical Diary. St. Paul’s. June 6, 2010).

This simply means that as we narrate the story of the Lord in our lives, we start with the present feelings, remember past events that connect or has relevance to those past feelings and how we can possibly nurture them if pleasant and resolve or renew when they require resolution.

To proceed to expound on a present feeling by writing, I always refer to the Word of God in the Bible. The Bible indeed is what I need including the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” as my basic references. Included are inspirational books authored by Christian writers.

Being exposed to technical writing, I usually cite or quote previous write-ups dealing with similar subject or topic I am presently arranging. “All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching.” Please take note, preaching is absolutely not part of the game. Similarly, “all originality without quoting of other sources makes for dull reading.”

The following is thought-provoking, “we Christian authors must confess to having bored plenty of people. If Christian writing is not only to maintain interest in the forgiving Christian audience, but also to arouse interest in the skeptical world beyond the Christian subculture, then it must grow up.” Our personal account of encounters or experiences with the Lord maybe boring to people who are strangers but exciting to those who are close to us. “C.S. Lewis once likened his role as a Christian writer to an adjective humbly striving to point others to the Noun of Truth. For people to believe that Noun, we Christian writers must improve our adjectives” (Yancey, P. “Pitfalls of Christian Writing”).

I maybe far from being classified as a Christian author but I believe that I am one of the many “5^th gospel writers”.

Because our ultimate objective in reflective writing is to glorify, give thanks and make amends in the way we live, our vital guide is what Jesus said to the doubting Thomas, “I AM the way, the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6).

Absolutely, Jesus guides us as to the “way” we write. He provides all the “truth” because He gives “life” to our composition or literary work inspired by the Holy Spirit. nmg

Why do I write? (June 2010)

2011-01-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

Before being stripped off my sanity, I continue to write deliberately purely personal circumstances and reflections. Basically, my aim is to build an ALTAR for the Lord. It is the acronym for (A) adoration, praises, honoring and glorifying my God; expression of my (L) love for Him, my fellowmen and myself; grateful (T) thanksgiving for the blessings; persistent (A) asking for the realization of my personal mission statement and being (R) reconciled according to God’s plan for me.

I believe that I am one of the 5^th Gospel writers “by the deeds that I do and the words that I say”. Moreover, I consider these documents as “my intellectual capital, the currency with which I communicate; relate with those around me; do business; express my full range of feelings from anger to love; create my personal literature; persuade; influence; guide others and finally, direct my own life” (Buzan,T. 2005. Mind Map Handbook).

I may have not been endowed with material blessings to be inherited by my children. The only treasure that serves as a living legacy that keeps me alive in their heart and mind is the documentation of my whole being. The positive encouragement of spiritual, official and personal friends is inspiring. I gladly acknowledge with a healthy pride the moral boosting remarks of my direct superior, our head of the Department of Horticulture, at the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte) when I was still employed until 1992 before my voluntary resignation. Dr. Rebecco M. Santiago holds a Ph.D. degree in coconut physiology specializing in “tuba” or toddy production. He was my roommate at Schuyler House in Cornell University, Ithaca, New York during a study tour to the USA and Costa Rica, Central America (Summer 1984). He was and will continue to be my mentor. His penmanship is steady as firm and balanced as he signed above his printed name. I secretly admire his literary skill along with his elder brother, the late Mano Odô. In his retirement, I know he is busy writing and compiling his poetry. Both Santiago brothers have written their respective literary works. In due time, I expect to read their full-blown books.

When I submitted to him samples of my “reflective articles”, the following are his valuable and stimulating comments:

The articles are replete with thanks, praises and glorification of God’s infinite goodness, wisdom and power. You are good at establishing the relationship of Divine Power to humanity;
Titles are eye-catching and the literary tone are instructive, enlightening and reflective of your firm belief and immovable faith in God;
You are honest and straight-forward in putting across your message. You hide nothing about yourself and are dauntless in revealing your transient soured relationship with your wife, children, parents and in-laws. Only a person with a clear conscience and humility and therefore close to God – is capable of doing such fearless exposure;
As a person of humble beginning, your writings and other religious and humanitarian efforts in particular and your chosen direction in life in general are praiseworthy;
I am amused with your description of earthworms and soil microorganisms as “underground subversive elements”. How about euphemistically calling them as “unsung subterranean heroes”? Without them, conventional method of growing crop-plants would have been impossible, di ba?; and
Keep up the good work. I am proud to be your friend.

Indeed, the above touching comments are fabulous, amazing and spirit-filled that keep me on “reflective writing”. nmg

Be God's Witnesses Through Reflective Writing (Jan - March 2007)

2011-01-31T17:18:00.000-08:00

“. . . for you will be His witnesses before all to what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:15).

Back in College, I admired my classmates and friends who composed the editorial staff and regular contributors of our school publication. I felt I lacked the ability and art of writing. Writing experiences were limited to love and business letters. The manuscript of my master’s thesis was technical writing.

As we joined the BCBP, my interest to write was awakened and enhanced. I prepared my life’s story for the men’s breakfast in 1996. It was delivered in Mactan Airbase. The exhortation of Col. Boy Lopez was inspiring. He is now a retired General and active BCBP member in Metro Manila. Judy and I wrote the text of our couple sharing in 1998. It underwent several revisions and edit according to the focus of God’s message.

A little inspiration from the editor of LAMDAG (BCBP Mandaue’s periodical) encouraged me to continue to write as a means of thanksgiving and sharing of reflections. Rev. Fr. James Rojo of San Isidro, N. Samar who is our family’s spiritual counselor pointed out that these personal write-ups serve as valuable legacy to our children and their children. Moreover, the February 2002 issue of Personal Journaling: Writing About Your Life provided me some insights on reflective writing. Journaling is actually writing a diary or recording of memories, experiences and ideas spiced with their implications, realizations and resolutions. The manuscript of our life story delivered or shared every BCBP Breakfast Fellowship is basically a compilation of reflective memories where God is the center and main actor of our story.

Take note and learn from the four (4) easy steps of reflective writing. These are recommended by Alison Strickland, author of the article, Reflect on Where You’re Going from the above-mentioned magazine.

1. Quiet your mind. We committed ourselves 15 minutes Bible reading and 15 minutes personal prayer daily. I suppose this is a good time to slow down, shift gears and take a break. Simply relax and listen to God.

2. Capture your experiences. Revisit the experience you wish to reflect upon. Pay special attention to any spontaneous images and feelings. Start to write as much as you have captured then move to the next step that will invite new insights and new ideas.

3. Reflect, learn and discover. “Ponder on important events, learn and relearn, discover and rediscover. Learning implies gaining factual knowledge that you might glean from a presentation, report or book. Discovering involves connecting things that seemed unrelated before or moving beyond facts to recognize a pattern or synthesize materials into a new whole. When you are struck with something you’ve just read and then realize you already knew that, you’ve just relearned and rediscovered something. The implications of what you learned/relearned and discovered/rediscovered often spark new ideas and insights you will want to try out.” Personally, I offer to God what I intend to write.

4. Set your intentions. Steps 1 to 3 are not enough until you do something about them. Go forward by making a “what to do list?” or resolution.

The preparation of this article is a kind of reflective writing. You may refer to back issues of LAMDAG specifically March 2006 (Vol. 6, No. 3) entitled “Important but not Urgent” that I contributed.

In behalf of the editorial staff of SIDLAK, BCBP Consolacion’s quarterly magazine, I invite and encourage all our brothers and sisters to write and share your writing talents. As a starter, simply write a sentence or two for your comments, suggestions and feedback. Your constructive criticisms will definitely provide direction to where we are going. Furthermore, it indicates that you are reading our magazine. You can not write if you do not read!

When Judy and I headed the Book Ministry, our slogan was, “Read, believe and live”. This time with a slight amendment, “Read, write, believe and live.

Our editor-in-chief will be providing a space for our comments, suggestions and feedback for the succeeding issues of SIDLAK. We hope and expect that through our magazine, we can actively interact and share each others concerns to continue to know, love and serve the Lord.

Congratulations to our maiden issue! A grace-filled reading and writing to everyone! nmg

Do you know that we are the 5^th Gospel writers?

“We are writing a Gospel,

a chapter everyday

by the deeds that we do

and by the words that we

say.”

On Treasure Hunting (Oct. 21, 2005)

2011-01-28T06:18:00.000-08:00

“Seek and you will find (Mt 7:7)” is the most fitting verse we associate with tonight’s worship assembly.

Brothers and sisters, during our BCLP No. 5, we focused our attention to “store up treasures in heaven and make safe investments with God”. The topic of our teaching night last October 7 was about “tithing”. In our action group meeting (Oct 13), we dealt with “tithes” (Dt 14:22-29). In those passages, the last statement made us realize that when we regularly give our tithes, no matter how small it maybe (only God knows when is “more” actually “less”), God will bless all our works and undertakings.

During our Family Day (Oct 16), the officiating priest of the Missionary of Our Lady of Africa (MOLA), stressed the need “to give back to God what belongs to God”. The following day, the Gospel of St. Luke (Lk 12:13-21) portrays the rich fool. From the Reflections for Today’s Catholics, we are reminded that one of the reasons God allows us to have money is that we can invest it in His Kingdom so that more people hear the Good News. That the salary, allowances or income we receive be treated as “seed to sow” instead of just mere provisions. In the process, money continuously flow through us making us channels of blessings. As Christian businessmen and professionals, we must not simply advocate honesty but also adopt the motto, “A million bucks for a million souls”.

Let us pray that the Lord will grant us the grace to cultivate the virtue of charity and generosity that eventually result to selfless love to be able to give and receive in order to build our Community, the BCBP and our Church.

Allow me to share with you one of Nil Guillemete’s God Tales for Young and Old from his book, “Clothed with Joy”. I am inviting you to be inside someone’s life and be open to receive the other. The story is entitled, “Treasure Hunt”

Aunt Sibyl was an old, extraordinary and religious spinster who had a special love for her 3 nieces: Janet, Susan and Goldie. They were teenage sisters who looked on their aunt as their second mother. When Sibyl died, she left a strange “will and testament”. It was a unique and short document containing 2 clauses: a) all her possessions were to be sold in favor of the poor except for Bethel, her house; b) a mysterious message that read, “Dear nieces, I invite you to a treasure hunt. In my house of Bethel, a great treasure is hidden. Whoever of you discovers it, keep it and inherit Bethel as well… Take care not to damage the house or the furniture in the course of your search for this will disqualify you…The treasure is not concealed in a way that you have to disturb the present state of the house to find it. You only need to use your imagination, intelligence and above all your heart. Good hunting!” P.S. Here is a useful clue, “It is as near as the ear, as far as the star”.

Then, the treasure hunting began. The 3 sisters adapted a system that only one of them had access to the house and its premises. They agreed that Janet, the eldest had Mondays and Tuesdays only; Susan had Wednesdays and Thursdays while Goldie, the youngest had her explorations on Fridays and Saturdays but Sunday was a rest day.

Janet began her search. She was sure to find the treasure because she had a razor-sharp mind but she was erratic and impatient. After a year of Mondays and Tuesdays spent in fruitless efforts, she gave up.

Susan was confident she would unearth the treasure having the brain as systematic as a computer and a vast reservoir of patience but unimaginative. She went over every inch of the house with a fine tooth comb but after 3 years of endeavor, she also surrendered.

Goldie was an average girl who possessed something of her Aunt Sibyl’s deep spirituality. Like her aunt, she was in love with God. She regularly meditated on the daily Gospel and engaged herself in social work. Aware that like her sisters she may not uncover the hidden treasure, she did no serious efforts but made an affectionate tribute to her aunt and gave up the idea of searching for the famous treasure. Instead, she chose to use the few hours of Fridays and Saturdays she could spend at Bethel in trying to commune with God. She kept the habit of seeking and finding God at Bethel.

One day, as she was reading the Bible in her aunt’s house, she came upon the episode of Jacob’s dream at Bethel (check Gen 28;10-22). She took the trouble of looking upon the explanatory footnote accompanying the name Bethel and found that in Hebrew, Bethel means “house of God”. As if a blindfold was removed at that moment. Goldie understood that God was the treasure hidden in the house of her aunt. God is the treasure “as near as the ear and as far as the star”. Certainly, Goldie was declared the rightful heiress of Bethel by her aunt’s attorneys. Because God was the hidden treasure discovered, she spontaneously sought to share the ownership of the house with her 2 sisters confident that in time, Janet and Susan would also share their possession of Bethel’s treasure.

How many Janets, Susans and Goldies do we have here? Let us now stand to worship the Lord, the real and great treasure that we are searching. nmg

Return on investment

2011-01-27T04:52:00.000-08:00

The whole family including my nephew was among the jam-packed, enthusiastic and attentive audience of Mr. Chinkee Tan. He was the invited speaker of the Unlimited Network of Opportunities Int’l Corp (UNO, Cebu) seminar on “The POWER of FOCUS”. He opened and aroused our interest starting with the presentation of the clipping that featured him being the guest of Korina Sanchez’ talk show, Rated K. I learned that before becoming a showbiz personality specifically as one of Randy Santiago’s “hawi boys”, he was a businessman as early as 12 years old. Instead of books and other school materials, his relatively large bag was full of goods/commodities for sale like rolls of toilet paper and many more.

That December 5, 2010 afternoon was filled with power from the ‘chinky-eyed’, medium statured Chinese who powerfully stressed the significance of ‘focus’. “Focus is power because it determines our reality. It is awareness. The more we are aware of what we want, the easier we can find it. Focus is concentration. It is doing one thing at a time.”

“The single enemy of focus is distraction.” His recommendations include: 1. “Focus on something you can be good at. This calls for teamwork.” 2. “Focus on the goal not on the scoreboard.” Noted is the adage, “Success without a successor is a failure.” 3. Focus to become the best.”

Personally, I gained a lot of insights. Indeed, the return was invaluable even more than the 100 pesos investment per head to attend and be ‘elbow to elbow’ with a successful businessman, preacher and a scriptural best-selling author. We readily bought his 3 books at a discounted price of 900 pesos. Our eldest daughter, an architect who according to her she’s an impulsive buyer finds “Till Debt Do Us Part” suited for her. She’s reading it. My wife and our only son who is still in 3^rd year high school read “For Poorer and for Richer”. I am reading “Rich God, Poor God” back to back with “Why God Wants You to Prosper”.

While reading, I feel the author is physically present because I’ve personally seen and heard him. His book is easy to read being filled with down to earth and purely personal accounts of his encounters with the Lord. Having read the story of Ms. Toni Rose Gayda (“This Is My Story. 31 Lives. Stories. Miracles”, p. 67), I am amazed how she shepherded Chinkee to be the person he is now who is ‘rich inside out’. It is spiritually enriching to be clarified and enlightened about tithing. How I wish I can share with my Community, the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Consolacion Chapter the realities of returning back to God what God owns. We have a very low percentage of members tithing. How can we be true to our advocacy, “Be Honest”, if we are robbing God by not tithing? During our Governance Team meeting last December 10, 2010 at home, we recognized tithing as one area of concern.

Back to the powerful message of “The Power of Focus”, Francis John our only son must have been greatly influenced by Chinkee Tan. After school last December 6 (a day after attendance), he proclaimed with conviction that he will stop going to school and focus on networking. We are terribly disturbed. Is this a kind of ‘return on investment’?. We allowed him to attend orientation and seminars in UNO network marketing as extra-curricular activities to while away his idle moments not to disregard school. We emphasized the importance of education. We pointed out that someone with a college degree has a greater influence over one who has none. For a compromise and a ‘win/win’ solution, his mother agreed to go on with UNO for as long as he maintains passing grades. He must graduate in high school and proceed to earn a bachelor’s degree. I pray that he can synchronize both right and left index fingers to form the circle and number 8, respectively. nmg

Being a product of the product

2011-01-27T00:51:00.000-08:00

I attended the food supplement orientation (FSO) a year ago when my wife, Judy and I decided to join the marketing network of our second daughter, Marianne Claire. Unforgettably noted as emphasized by the speaker is, “Be a product of your product!”

As a couple, we consulted our doctor at the Cebu (Velez) General Hospital who is an endocrinologist last May 14, 2010. Dr. Consolacion Cutillar, MD cautioned me of my obesity. A waist to hip ratio of 1.0 or more makes one a candidate for high blood pressure and other complications of dis-eases and other physical discomforts. Unfortunately, I measured flat 1.0 and weighed at 103 kg. Blood sugar (glucose) from the result at the LH Prime Laboratory showed 177.9 mg/dl which is beyond the reference range of 60.0 – 100.0 mg/dl. Our sympathetic and interactive doctor prescribed Xenical plus a balanced and regulated diet with regular exercise.

Considering the cost of 3 capsules of Xenical prescribed daily, I evaluated it to be costly. I opted to take 2 capsules of FIT RIGHT before breakfast daily together with a capsule each of ULTIMA-C, GRAPE SEED and 2 tablets of KRYPTO ORGANIC. These are the number one health products of the Unlimited Network of Opportunities Int’l Corp (UNO). Judy and I are not active dealers but simply users. Observing the “safety net” to maintain active status in the marketing network, we unexpectedly receive monitorial return on investment.

Laboratory results show the following significant reductions:

Parameter May 14, 2010 November 16, 2010

Body weight 103 kg 89 – 92 kg

Hip to Waist Ratio 1.0 0.93

Blood Sugar (glucose) 177.9 mg/dl 103.2 mg/dl

Glucose (2 hrs post prandial) 75.0 mg/dl

A little flattening of my paunchy belly is observable. Before, my waistline measured 42 inches but now, it is 38 and still counting-down with an easy and rapid 100 push-ups in a row after a progressive count that started with 20.

Before Now

(April 2010) (December 2010)

Holistic being and living

2011-01-27T00:45:00.000-08:00

Mahatma (the Great Soul) Gandhi summarized his 3-point beliefs, “that the good of the individual is contained in the good of all; that all persons have the same right of earning their livelihood from their work; and that a life of labor that is of tilling the soil and being a handicraftsman is the life worth living” (Yancey, P. Soul Survivor. p. 156). I believe that “I am created in God’s image and likeness”; “I am a spiritual being who is exposed to earthly or human conditions”; “everything is connected”; “there is unity in diversity” etc. These belief systems influence how we live our lives.

Dissecting myself from inside out, am I in perfect health? Accordingly, “perfect health refers to an able body, an open mind and a sanctified spirit”. Given a minimum criteria of wholeness or holistic being, I regard myself as physically fit, with an open mind full of radical thinking and struggling to be “virtuous”. I understand and aim to attain the purpose for which God has created me.

Being enlightened, I formulated my personal mission statement, “to see more clearly, to follow more closely and to love more dearly the Lord, my fellowmen and myself. Be reminded to deny myself and take up my cross daily (Lk 9:23). Be actively involved and strive to be a part of the solution to social and environmental problems.”

In my more than 5 decades of living, being reared in a farming family, educated and employed in an agricultural state college then involved in a USAID-funded project on farming systems, I have enough idea and experiences about “holistic or integrated approach to farming”. Then, “permaculture” came. It is permanent culture and permanent agriculture. I readily embrace its 3 ethics: care for the people, care for the earth and care for the future. There are 7 application areas or domains resembling a “flower with 7 petals” or “wheel with 7 spokes”. The permaculture designs evolve from these domains.

It is imperative to evaluate my relationship with mother earth, my fellowmen and my contribution to the next generation. A lifestyle change to fit into its ideology is a worthwhile resolution. There is a call for attitudinal change. Indeed, “we must be the change we wish to see” (Mahatma Gandhi).

Like the sun and the moon, the earth is a huge sphere composed of the lithosphere or geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), biosphere (living things) and the atmosphere (air). Man is a very insignificant or microscopic part of the biosphere. However, human beings are the crown of God’s creation endowed with talents and abilities and freedom to “use and develop, to rule and control” the abundant resources made available. However, he can be destructive or creative.

Today, we face a convergence of crises: global warming, peak oil, economic recession, environmental pollution, food shortage, etc. We are experiencing their effects in our respective lives.

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 marked the U.S. institution of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It brought awareness of the negative effects of the destructive actions of many peoples. Now, it is celebrated in many countries throughout the world to protect the environment (Time for Kids Almanac 2010).

We are introduced to Permaculture as an effective solution taking into account the Gaia Theory. Gaia being an ancient Greek divinity of the earth who is full of energy and beauty must be nurtured and taken cared of to sustain life. This is basically done through the Gospel of love, the 2 greatest Commandments (Mt 22:37-39).

Holistic living is the integration of moral, ethical, and professional life of each holistic being. Basically, we value and practice cooperation not competition in the whole living system. nmg

My 2011 profile picture

2011-01-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

The year 2010 was exciting and challenging. A soaring intensity of the thrills is felt this new year. Looking back, life and living progress being aware that my Rich God wants me to prosper. He admonishes me to “give to give and not give to get” (Chinkee Tan, 2010). This is my new guiding slogan to uphold “Holistic being and living” (June 2010).

I praise and thank our infinitely merciful Lord for granting me the grace and inspiration to go on with my reflective writing. I am not a nature writer like Annie Dillard (The Splendor of the ordinary In: Soul Survivor by Philip Yancey) but like her, I feel the “sense of writing as a calling”. In 2010, there are at least 12 “loose leaf” articles written. Three (3) of them were permaculture-inspired being actively involved with the Cebu Permaculture learning group along with Judy. During the culmination in November 10, we presented our output, a 3 minutes and 50 seconds audio-video presentation of Kalubian ni Lolo. It is a coconut-based permaculture system.

When invited by a BCBP brother who is the regional director of an NGO and being given the opportunity to present that audio-video during the Visayas summit on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 10068 known as the Organic Act of 2010, we are identified as a natural, organic farming entity. It is very exciting to meet and know people with the same goals and advocacy. Trekking new and unfamiliar landscape at Alegria, Cebu last January 3, 2011 was filled with rediscoveries and adventures.

This is how I projected myself last year being attuned to nature with my long hair. Now, my facebook profile picture shows 2 forefingers pointing up because I look forward “to see you at the top” in terms of material and spiritual fulfillment.

The Body & Soul Training Academy recommends a list of inspirational books and powerfully motivating authors. Accordingly, “the only difference in your life now and 5 years from now will be the books you read and the people you meet.” Fortunately, I met Og Mandino, Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, Robert Schuller, M. Scott Peck, Stephen Covey and many other motivational writers through their best-selling books. Lately, I am reading and getting intimate with Philip Yancey with his spiritually strengthening books: Soul Survivor, What Is So Amazing About Grace?, The Jesus I Never Knew and Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? Astonishingly, the last book recommended is “The Personal Journal of My Life – I get to decide how it ends!”

Coincidentally, as I was reading “The Jesus I Never Knew”, I met (through the facebook) a high school classmate 42 years ago who is the founder of The Mutual Friends of Jesus based in California, U.S.A. What an amazing grace! Likewise, it is marvelous and moral boosting to learn that Mahatma (Great Soul) Gandhi claims that farming and being a handicraftsman are lives worth living (cited by Yancey in Soul Survivor). I love farming, life and living. Of all the inspirational books and highly motivating authors, the HOLY BIBLE, the WORD OF GOD is the most powerful authored by our Almighty Father and Creator with Jesus Christ, our Savior and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier.

Being subjected, oriented and reoriented to the recent trends of living and by influential and “great people of history” and “today’s successful men and women”, I resolve to exert “extra degree of effort to separate the good from the great”. I adopt the adage, “I don’t have to be great to get started but I have to get started to be great” (Les Brown cited by Mac Anderson. Simple Truths). nmg