Healthy living and homecoming

“In green pastures You let me graze; to safe waters You lead me; You restore my strength.  You guide me along the right path for the sake of Your Name” (Ps 23:2-3).

Have you experienced losing weight and later regained it?  I have!  In the article, ”Being a product of the product” (www.nestofglory.blogspot.com, 25 Jan 2011), I recorded a weight loss of 10 kg in 8 months.  Later, it soared up. 

Dr. Robert Anthony (a clinical hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and author, Zero Resistance Weight Release Solution) recommends, “stop trying to lose weight”.  He claims, “Unless you remove the emotional resistance between your conscious and subconscious, no matter how hard you try to get rid of those excess pounds or kilos, you will gain them all back.  Once the emotional resistance factor has been released, your subconscious will turn off the fat switch forever!  …. Once the fat switch is off, your subconscious has no choice but to bring your body back to its ideal weight. Being slender and healthy is your natural state”.  Simply said, when the conscious mind decides to rid of excess fat, the subconscious mind must conform by removing the emotional resistance factor.

Judy and I attended the Wellness Training (May 24-25, 2013).  The trainer/coach/witness/sharer over-emphasized, “Madali lang 'yan!”.  She was referring to my bulging belly.  She triggered and re-enforced my desire to be slender and healthy.  I am made aware that “the number one cause of our dis-eases is an unhealthy diet.  Dehydration, caffeine, deadly emotions (depression, anger, guilt and low self-esteem), mental and spiritual toxins and toxic or polluted environment are among the many other causes”.

Earlier (May 16-18, 2013), I attended the first grand alumni homecoming of the Department of Horticulture (after 3 decades) followed by the university-wide reunion at the Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte.  As a pioneering mentor/teaching staff (1982-1992) of the Department, I asserted and volunteered to present our Family’s life-long farm development plan employing the concepts and practices of natural organic farming.  Before presenting the 3 minutes and 51 seconds audio-video presentation, I expressed gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to share with them our simple way of caring for the people, caring for the earth and caring for the future.  It fitted into the reunion's theme, ”Creating Horticulture initiatives through partnership”.  I boldly expressed, “This maybe our first grand reunion….but our ultimate and final homecoming is in Heaven.  See you then!”.  I was given a certificate of appreciation being one of the speakers (although I was unscheduled) in the Symposium on High Value Crops and Organic Horticulture Development for Economic Prosperity and Ecological Integrity.

I missed the lecture on “Wellness: Anti-heart attack and anti-diabetes” by Ms. Zarah Gayrama-Borines, a registered nurse and a distinguished alumna.  I attended a personal business and in the process was able to visit Atty Alfea Caintic-Javier in their home.  She is my second degree cousin who in her earlier professional career was the legal counsel of the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA).  She should have been one of those who celebrated their golden jubilee in our Alma Mater.  I am glad and proud to learn that her husband Dr. Rey Javier is the first Ph.D. graduate of the Dept. of Horticulture.

It was also gratifying and spiritually uplifting for the brief reunion with Tiya Tempora Pagalan with her youngest daughter, Lilibeth.  Being an excellent English teacher that she was of the high school department before her retirement, she helped me wrote the oratorical piece, ”There are no juvenile delinquents, there are only delinquent parents”.  She was my patient coach when I joined the oration contest during my college sophomore year in the Visayas Agricultural College (VAC). It was a program organized by the Future Farmers of the Philippines (FFP).

Returning home, we started the Novena for the Dead after 40 days from death.  It was our humble offering and implementation of our action plan in the BCBP Consolacion action group for the eternal repose of Ate Fe Trinidad T. Balang, the wife of our action group leader, Kuya Tito.  She died from an aggressive breast cancer.  The novena started May 19 and ended on the 27^th that coincided with her 60^th birthday.  She died before her retirement from the Phil. Coconut Authority (PCA Reg. 7). During the unit fellowship upon the novena’s conclusion, Judy and I introduced to the group healthy food preparations we learned from the Wellness Training.

Providentially, the wellness training provided valuable insights connecting with the lessons learned during the Novena. Personally, I claim that healthy living will provide a comfortable dwelling for the Holy Spirit.  Each one of us is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19-20).  It will eventually result to a healthy homecoming.  I consider healthy dying as an indicator of “living life to the full”.  It is getting away from “made to order” and “extra large” coffin and excessive debts from incidental expenses during hospitalization.  Timely and coincidentally, I was inspired reading the book, ”The Art of Living Well” by the late/honorable Vicente Gullas, founder of the University of the Visayas (UV), Cebu City.

Judy wrote, “Life is wonderful” in SIDLAK (BCBP Consolacion’s annual magazine, Jan – Dec 2013).  It features her life-threatening ordeal early this year (Jan 20 – 25, 2013).  Before, during and after her hospitalization, I was faith-filled and strengthened reading “Stories Behind Men of Faith” by Ace Collins. 

Worth documenting was the personal, professional and medical assistance (with TLC) of our niece, Ruthie Jane who was very busy reviewing for her licensure medical board exam scheduled Jan 27, 2013 in Manila.  With her mentors/consultants, she handled 3 medical cases in the Family before she left. First was that of Judy’s heart attack, followed by the confinement of her niece, Alika and finally Preciosa, her auntie and younger sister of Judy.  With God’s Grace coupled with her brilliance and determination, she successfully passed.  She is now a bona fide member of the Philippine College of Physicians in internal medicine.

With conviction, believing in the integrity and purity of her advocacy, Judy and I faithfully and joyfully follow Ms. Rosemarie N. Tubal’s lessons and recommendations on wellness.  She is a graduate of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). She is the training officer of the National Phil. Post on “gender and development” (GAD).  Her advocacy on wellness is an offshoot of her 3 years of personal medication and hands-on training (OJT) with Dr. Tam Mateo who advocates natural, organic medication or nutritional healing. I was astonished when she presented the Pharmacy of God.  It featured a list of health-promoting fruits and vegetables.  It is interesting to relearn the nutritional importance of these food crops that are dealt with in the field of horticulture specifically in olericulture (science of vegetable production) and pomology (science of fruit crop production).

Amazingly, I lost 6.5 kg in a month without exercise yet.  Indeed, it’s fast and easy with willpower and self-discipline. The latest (June 17, 2013) laboratory result in Judy’s case reveals a fasting blood sugar of 106.1 mg/dL (normal range: 60.0 - 100.0) without her anti-diabetic drug.  Her cholesterol is 163.3 mg/dL (normal range: 150.0 - 200.0) without meat and fatty foods in our diet. 

We subjected ourselves to live blood analysis (LBA) by microscopy. Our daughter, Marianne Claire who is a medical team member of the Unlimited Network of Opportunities (UNO) in Cebu City, noted the following: 

"The results of Nanay and Tatay's LBA 9 months ago were very alarming. The blood cells were too aggregated indicating very poor circulation and oxygenation.  Now, a very tremendous positive progress is obsevable.  Their circular blood cells are freely moving.  And, there is a significant decrease in uric acid."

June 20, 2013. Live Blood Analysis.

Moreover, there is a significant decrease in our budget for food.  Praise the Lord and thanks to the people who are instrumentally supporting us to reach our goal for a “healthy living and healthy homecoming”.

Filled with gratitude, Judy and I acknowledge Ate Mely Roma’s influence and approval for us to be accommodated among the over 50 trainees of the retire-able staff of the Department of Agriculture (DA Reg. 7).  She is the personnel officer of DA Reg. 7 and our dear sister of the BCBP Mactan Chapter. Similarly instrumental to our attendance was Ate Nimfa Y. Aballe who is also an intimate sister of BCBP Mactan Chapter.  She is employed with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

During the early 90’s, Judy and I decided to go on a fish diet and engaged ourselves in homeopathy or naturopathy through iridology. When our youngest and only son was conceived, “lechon” (roasted pig) that we used to see as toxic became attractive and palatable to Judy.  Meat returned to our dining table.  It could have been a case of an emotional resistance of our subconscious mind as above-mentioned.  Do I wait to be sick or dis-eased to act accordingly? 

Judy is given a chance to restore herself to be strong and healthy.  As a family, we are one in spirit to cooperate and live holistically well. Healthy living and healthy homecoming are serious matters of lifestyle change.  A livable quotation from my favorite and famous Hollywood actor, Harrison Ford is thought-provoking. “Big changes in our lives are more or less a second chance” (Reader’s Digest. Jan 2009. p. 73). nmg                                                  

  

Little things make the difference

“Even things that take as little as 30 seconds make big differences. …When we spend our time doing those simple ‘little things’ for other people, we create a win/win situation and both parties benefit” (Zig Ziglar. You Can Reach The Top. p. 87).

The Good Lord provided me the opportunity to revisit the past in my hometown in Baybay, Leyte last November 23-27, 2012.  A renewal of friendship happened and my circle of newfound friends expanded.

The series of exciting encounters started in the boat when a co-passenger helped me locate my cot simply next to his.  Beyond my wildest expectation, Romualdo “Ondoskie” Rabanos, Sr. gladly greeted me.  He was my unforgettable and most cherished elementary classmate.  We were overjoyed to bring back the happy memories we have 44 years ago.  Pleasantries were exchanged and I labeled him, “a man of success”.  He is a fulfilled family man with only one (1) supportive wife (Catechist coordinator of the Holy Family Parish, Maguikay, Mandaue City) co-creating 7 grown-up children most of them are professionals already.  Two (2) of his elder sons have families of their own making him a grandpa like me.  In a span of 7-sailing hours, we had only the remaining hour for a nap before the boat docked.

At 3:00 a.m. in the bus terminal, we took a refreshment of hot chocolate and “puto”.  We met the bus dispatcher who was too excited to receive my calling card.  “Treasure hunting? Connect with…”, being its ‘catch phrase’ caught his interest.  He is literally into gold exploration in his own land.

Among the early bus passengers were 3 lovely ladies who are Lhuillier employees in Cebu City. I was overwhelmed knowing that we had a similar destination and common purpose to attend a wedding in the afternoon in Caridad, the largest northern and border barangay of Baybay City. Riva, Yen and Giselle readily accepted to bring the bridal bouquet prepared by Judy for the bride, Grace Lyn, their officemate and close friend.  Of the 3 ladies, I was attracted and interested with the latter being a ‘creative writer’ to learn and improve my ‘reflective writing’. They simply made my early morning free. Ondoskie and I parted ways with the promise of a lunch date at his rest house the following day (Nov 25).  Before proceeding home, I attended the 5:00 am Holy Mass officiated by the Immaculate Conception Parish priest on the occasion of his 65^th birthday.  After the Mass, I briefly greeted my “kompare” scheduled to attend a court hearing that morning who was also one of the boat passengers.  In my own “little way”, I wished him luck.

My “big time” rest and freedom from daily routine was primarily brought about by Marilyn “Inday” Caylo-Go. She is my facebook friend. In one of my tagged photos (Oct 13, 2012), she commented to visit me at home.  I was puzzled but thrilled by her intention considering that with her family, she is residing in Calamba, Misamis Occidental. I was excited and greatly honored when she singled me out as one of the principal sponsors during the wedding of their second daughter.  Beforehand, I visited the couple to be married.  In the process, I met and renewed friendship with Jose Mar “Loloy” Caylo and his family.  Loloy is the elder brother of Inday.  He was my co-cadet of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) 40 years ago.  We were too delighted to recall and reconnect where we left off.  Very memorable was our own version of the “budol-budol” (military style of eating with bare hands with all the food displayed in the table).  We called our group of cadets to attention at mealtime with, “pasaw!”.  All the cooked food that included rice, root crops, mixture of vegetables from the food production areas left by the Visayas Agricultural College (VAC) students were poured in a large basin associated with a blessing of thanksgiving then eating with bare hands.  Some cadets from the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC), Baybay, Leyte opted to stay with me in my nipa hut in the VAC campus.  They were my schoolmates during our high school days at FCIC. These “little things” happened every time we were on whole day weekend ROTC trainings in preparation for the annual tactical inspections.  FCIC and VAC cadets joined as one (1) ROTC Unit.      

To reseal the bond of friendship with Loloy Caylo and his family, I brought him 2 grafted ‘apple mangoes’ that he readily planted in their front and backyard. I commented that if we should have met earlier with our more than 2 decades of residence in Cebu, these “little trees” should have been bearing fruits already.  And, he could have been a brother with BCBP.  Well, nothing is too late.  His wife, Rose is an executive in the Norkis Group of Companies, co-employee of Vangie Incorporado (wife of Allan).  The Incorporado couple serves as our action group leader in the group where we are newly assigned in the Consolacion BCBP Chapter.  Our brotherhood goes beyond BCBP because together we acted as principal sponsors of the newly wedded couple among the 16 couples lined-up. 

There was renewal of friendship with Dr. & Mrs. Efren Saz and Dr. Eunice Beray and her husband Noel, who were my previous co-workers in the academe.  My circle of friends expanded with my co-sponsors especially with my partner, Mrs. Reynenila Arbis.  I hitch-hiked with them towards the venue of the reception and in the process knew her husband who is an electrical engineer.  Both are active members of the Couples for Christ (CFC) in Ormoc City.

In that wedding occasion, I was amazingly mystified to revisit the Church where I was baptized in 1955. Moreover, I reconnected with College barkadas, Giling and Ven Bartolini, the parents of the groom, Gliven.  Both are teachers in the locality who are also active in their Parish Church.

During that vacation at night time and dawn, I noticed that my Tatay Damaso was disturbed by nightmares.  He revealed that he had been dreaming of close friends and neighbors in Mantahan, Maasin, So.Leyte who are already dead. I told him that they simply ask for his prayers.  It triggered my decision to visit my second hometown.  In the van, I pitied a septuagenarian woman among the passengers who was newly operated on their way for hospitalization in Maasin Provincial Hospital.  Sensing their financial need and in my “little way”, I handed them a small amount.     

In Maasin City during lunch in a carenderia, 3 barangay officials fondly joined me in the table I occupied.  Our “little chit chat”, provided me the opportunity to recall an unforgettable high school classmate 42 years ago in St. Joseph College.  In my delight, I offered to pay our “ala-McSavers” meal.  We were astonished and glad to know each other with the Lord and BCBP as the subject of our conversation.  The Honorable Romy Aguilar, Barangay Captain of Manhilo, Maasin City claimed that my “little nod and smile” prompted them to freely join me without reservation.  That “simple gesture” was the key to that newfound friendship.  They invited me to visit their barrio anytime especially during their Santo Niňo fiesta this January.  Handing-in my calling card, they assured me to link with my high school classmate.  

It was refreshing and reinvigorating to revisit my past in Mantahan where I grew up as a kid and teenager.  A dynamic interaction happened between Braulio “Loloy” Montederamos and me.  He was one of my childhood neighbors and playmates who is now a BCBP brother in Maasin Chapter.  I visited Mana Flor Orias, the first counselor of the barangay counsel.  She is a pro-life advocate who also serves as “comadrona” to readily assist poor mothers in giving birth.  My short visit with them was a “little thing” that certainly made a difference in our “journey” while still on earth.

The remaining day was spent at home for a fellowship with my younger brother and only sister with their respective family members. A few friends and relatives with our septuagenarian father were around. Being old, Tatay did not join to drink with us the several galloons of “tuba”.  Unexpectedly, a relative revealed that he was the complainant in a tenancy case filed against the respondent from Cebu who is my “kompare” above-mentioned.  I readily did the “little thing” of listening from his side.  Generally, there was an atmosphere of camaraderie. Praise the Lord, everyone enjoyed our “small party”.

When I was about to leave in the evening to catch-up with the boat to depart for Cebu at 8:00 pm, Tatay requested me a few minutes to spend with him.  He expressed repentance over his irresponsibility as a father to me.  When I joined the BCBP 18 years ago, my past with him was a “case-closed”.  However, he remorsefully opened the issue that very moment.  My sad memories with him were vividly and multi-dimensionally re-viewed.  I was awakened from a “deep sleep”. Painful experiences re-emerged.  His emotional abuses and economic exploitations for my being “selfless” were relived. 

Having renewed my faith through the BCBP, I readily embraced him in forgiveness. I said, “You may now rest in peace!”.  What I mean is, he can now sleep deeply and soundly.  He requested me to relay the same remorsefulness to Judy but I told him that the Lord will provide the way for him to do it personally.  

I treasure an unforgettable positive experience with him.  It was when he handed me the book, Philippine Prose and Poetry as a gift upon my graduation in elementary.

Bidding good-bye and placing his right hand in my forehead, I finally left.  I was accompanied and sent-off by my sister, Jessica with her daughter, Lyca.  Walking a distance of about 50 meters away, repentant that he maybe, he pleadingly cried out in an echoing loud voice, “Dong!!!”.  Being the corps commander that I was (ViSCA ROTC Unit SY 1975-76), I shouted back with a command of execution.  In that instant, a flashback came to my mind.  I pictured our relatives walking back home in that same location.  My father shouted at them unforgivably for the offense committed against him.  The offender is already dead.  I don’t know whether they were reconciled before the death of the said relative.  This ordeal happened in an early morning many years ago.  Now, with the same scenario with me, it occurred in an early evening.

We requested my sister to look after the house in Mandaue City during our absence after Christmas when we scheduled a year-end thanksgiving party in the farm.  I learned from her a considerable reduction of the nightmares of Tatay.

The first reunion of the children and grandchildren of the late Mr. & Mrs. Fulgencio Perez was conducted together with the farm workers last December 30.  For me, it was a great success.  I acknowledge the major contribution of our BCBP Consolacion brother/sister: Vincent and Haydee Chan.  They shared 8 bags full of packed rice, canned goods and noodles being distributed to our farmers. 

Both the “primary and secondary stewards” in “Kalubian ni Lolo” enjoyed a lot.  We hope to conduct similar bonding activities for the coming years to build pleasant memories and harmonious working relationships in the farm.  The sumptuous meal; the distribution of Christmas gifts tirelessly wrapped by Judy and her younger sister, Precious; the fun-filled parlor games facilitated by our children and the pre/post activities could be “small things”.  But, those “little things” were made “great” with a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Euselito Tulipas.  He is the designated Formator of Seminaryo Mayor de San Carlos and close family friend.  Indeed, it was a meaningful and glorious homecoming on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Holy Family.

In closing, we are reminded “You become great by doing small things in a great way” (Zig Ziglar, America’s No. 1 Motivator).  In the same manner, the Gospel according to St. Luke reveals, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Lk 16:10).  nmg

      

     

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[1] Text of the recent edition of the “story of the Lord” in my life delivered during the men’s breakfast fellowship of BCBP Consolacion Chapter in Junie’s at Insular Square, Mandaue City on January 12, 2013.

Distilled, crystallized and encapsulated

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

       

  

     

Faith and Guidance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  

Being filled with gratitude

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

   

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

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

  

  

  

Cellular Wisdom: Our Way of Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        

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

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

   

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

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

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

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