Sunday's Reflection: I Ponder As I Journey Beyond

A while ago, as I was looking for something that would be a pre-cursor for my Sunday’s reflection, I come across a photo posted in our SFC Global Facebook page (photo on the left). 

This photo consists of seven (7) interesting messages that centers on our CFC theme this year - Behold and Ponder. Seven as it fits the number of days in a week. I read them one after the other. Its hashtags read #Ponder #Share #Act #Share #Act #Ponder #Share - seven of them right? 

This is a lenten season (for Roman Catholic observant like me) challenge for every SFC single man and woman. In fact, it's the first week of lent. I know I'm not under SFC already since I've crossed over to CFC last December 2011 but I'd use this to make my reflection anyway. Since it's Sunday, it's very timely to utilize the Sunday's ponder challenge.

Overtime For God

Early afternoon today, my wife and I together with our cute little boy Damien Caleb including mommy attended a community teaching in our CFC Center we discreetly called “EASTWOOD”. 

Uh! Wait, we’re not in the Philippines  yet haha! We called our CFC Center in Al Ahsa as such to adhere to our security protocol.

Why we have such an abiding attitude when it comes to security? Well, if you’ve been following this blog you may very well know where my current location is. If you’re a newbie here, a back read of few posts will give you a plausible hint.

In fact even our CFC Center in Khobar and Dammam had its own share of aliases. One we call as “ROCKWELL – where SFC activities are mostly held, the other one is “GLORIETTA” – where CFC activities happen. We even have one in Dammam with a name “THE FORT”. Mga famous and posh malls lang ang name ano..hahaha. So now I guess you know why we have to do such name calling of these places of our community activities.

There Is No Easy Way Out Being A Christian

It’s 11:43PM now. 

Surrounding's still cool brought about by the aftermath of a heavy sand storm a couple of days ago. 

Changing weather is beginning to let its presence felt. By the way, weather is constantly changing from winter to summer now. And like anyone who complains about the hot season in Pinas, we too have our own share of agony here. 

Too bad for us because the scorching heat of the sun can reach at a maximum of 50+ degrees. Imagine that? Would you want to still work in the Mid East? 

Well, there's nothing to worry since all the houses here require good ventilation and a heavy duty airconditioning system. 

Anyway, that's not my topic for tonight. This post is about some realizations. Of being a Christian in the most unChristian culture.

In My Own Eyes - A HOLY WEEK Reflection

"You give me hope in spite of everything;

You give me love even with so much pain”

These are the very lines from the song sang by the character of Ben (Tyler’s older brother) in the movie “Letters To God” that struck me the most. How profound isn’t it?

Earlier, we had our mini-recollection as our response in observing the holy week season here. Our location only permits a discreet observance. I’m still so thankful for the miniscule opportunity to express our faith.

On the other end, we don’t focus on the fear but we focus on how fear can magnify our courage to serve more and to glorify our one great God despite restrictions. And I personally believe that God protects us with his unbreakable shield. But of course, we are well-aware where we stand – our high respect to the culture and religious tradition remains our top priority.

A Hopeful Expecting Less - REPOST

The last time I entered a contest was way back in college during my quiz bee stints inside the campus and inter-university competition.

My last memory of losing was when I participated in a “Brain Twister” quiz bee in Holy Trinity College in Quezon City (a school near St. Luke’s Hospital) where I just ranked 8 out of 33 participants. It’s a brain drain though. Competing against the toughest kids from the likes of UP-Diliman, UE, PLM, PUP, Ateneo, and etc. brought me in awe. I just can’t believe I’m among them. It was like “Do I belong here” kind of feeling. Doubting as I was, I just concentrated and did my thing. In the end, I lost. Though I would say it's a graceful loss. A real fighter never quits and despite on a losing end, still finishes the battle.

When It Rains It Doesn't Only Pours But It Floods

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. 

We use to say these above phrases during our childhood days. Times when heavy rains incessantly drenching our surroundings. Times when we desperately want to go outside to play but we can't because of massive rains. And time when what we received were more than what we asked. 

We will say like "Tama na Ulan, tumigil ka na! As if we have the power like that of Superman or Batman or any cinematic heroes that we can command a thing or manipulate a situation to put halt to it. 

The news I saw on TV about the continuous monsoon rains makes me sad. Being in the rim of countries frequently stricken by calamities, we always feel helpless when calamity strikes us. All we do is to just prepare. But even then, our preparation isn't enough to combat these kinds of disaster. While watching the news, my mind was busy thinking of how can we extend our help in the fastest time it could allow. It has been our tradition in the community where I belong to extend help through donations (either in cash or in kind) to those mostly affected by any natural calamity. 

Inspiring People: "The Better Samaritan And A Good Soul Unfolded In Rugged Clothes"

It always fuels me to write stories of inspiration and hope. It always motivate me to continue to touch people's lives as I encounter one along my journey.

More so, it is equally delightful to hear and read stories of such sort. Of those stories that are heart-warming. Of those stories that triggers a weary soul that despite how difficult a situation still manages to smile and ready to fight and move ahead for life. Of those stories that melts our heart because it touches our emotional core in a positive way. Of those random act of kindness. Of impromptu situations that positively changes a person's view of life afterwards. 

Today, let me share with you a great story of a good-hearted young man strangely meeting a man that inspired him in myriad of ways who despite his horrible situation finds no reason to resign from life.

Christian Corner: "We Aren't Created To Be On Our Own"

Photo courtesy of Google --I just modified it

Since it's SUNDAY, I just want to share this article by Greg Monteclaro

Being in Community 

by GREG MONTECLARO 

“In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5 

We are called to belong, not just to believe.


We are created for community, formed for a family, fashioned for fellowship, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves. The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members and heirs together, and held together. 


We were never meant to be on our own, and must not strive to be separate from others. While our relationship to Christ is personal, it is not intended to be exclusive. In God’s family, we are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity.


Following Christ includes belonging, not just believing. We are members of his Body — the Church. C.S. Lewis noted that the word membership is of Christian origin, but the world has emptied it of its original meaning. Stores offer discounts to “members,” and advertisers use member names to create mailing lists. In churches, membership is often reduced to simply adding our name to a roll, with no requirements or expectations.

In My Own Eyes - A Holy Week Reflection

"You give me hope in spite of everything

You give me love in spite of so much pain"

These are the very lines from the song sang by the character of Ben (Tyler's older brother ) in the movie "Letters to God" that struck me most. How profound isn't it? 

Earlier, we had our mini-recollection as our response in observing the holy week season here. Our location only permits a discreet observance. I'm so thankful still for the minuscule opportunity to express our faith.

On the other end, we don't focus on fear but we focus on how fear magnify our courage to serve more and to glorify our one great God despite restrictions. And I personally believe that God protects us with his unbreakable shield. But of course, we are well aware where we stand --our high respect to the culture and religious tradition remains our top priority.

Now, let's go back to the movie. It's so awesomely moving and inspiring that I quickly need to sit down and have a short review of it after the recollection. I'm not sure if I can collect all my thoughts as I have a short span memory but I'll try to use it anyway and I'll let God direct my mind for ideas to flow in unstoppably.

Letters To God --is all about a young boy fighting cancer who writes letters to God, touching lives in his neighborhood and community and inspiring hope among everyone he comes in contact. An unsuspecting substitute postman, with a troubled life of his own, becomes entangled in the boy's journey and his family by reading the letters. They inspire him to seek a better life for himself and his own son he's lost through his alcohol addiction.

Mr. Brady & Tyler

The story of what happens when one boy's walk of faith crosses paths with one man's search for meaning -- the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them. Tyler is an extraordinary eight-year old boy. Surrounded by a loving family and community, and armed with the courage of his faith, he faces his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace. 

Ben, Samantha & Tyler

To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher, and the ultimate pen pal. Tyler's prayers take the form of letters, which he composes and mails on a daily basis. The letters find their way into the hands of Brady --a beleaguered substitute postman standing at a crossroads in his life. At first he is confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters. but the decision he ultimately made becomes a testament to the quiet power of one boy's shining spirit and unshakable faith.

Marc Kielburger - Activist for Children's Rights

Marc Kielburger -- ikaw na!

Let's do some serious stuff right now.

Most of the time, it's emotionally rewarding to write about people whom you draw inspiration from even though meeting them is nowhere in sight for now or maybe not even for your entire life time.

Yesterday, Satt and I were riding in his car heading to the fancy city of Al Khobar for a very special purpose.

Along the way, while having a constant chat about some sensible things and a little rant complaining about his hungry stomach triggered by not finding a food shop to dine in for a supposedly late lunch at 3pm, I immediately noticed a billboard in one of the major roads of Al Khobar having Marc Kielburger's face along with other Arab dignitaries. Knowing a bit of what Marc do for a living, I quickly assessed that his presence in the Arab world is for a very important and upcoming event which I am sure caters for humanitarian purposes. The description was written in Arabic reason why I can't figure out what really it was. But my heart pounded instinctively that it is for a good cause.

Ako Si Jay

Ako si Jay.

Palayaw lang ang gamit ko rito. Pero ang tunay kong pangalan ay Joven Rada Rafol, galing kami sa lahing Espanyol dahil ang aking "el abuelo" (grand father) and "la abuela" (grand mother) ay parehong half-Spanish. "El abuelo es muy alto" (my grand father is very tall). "La abuela mi bonita" (my grand mother is so lovely).

Kaya paminsanang natatawag din ako sa pangalang "Jovencio" ng aking mga childhood cousins and friends. Jovencio kasi ang nakalagay sa baptismal ko dahil ang paring nagbinyag sa akin ay isang purong Espanyol-- si Padre Caminse. Pero sa NSO ay Joven lang. 

Ako ay mahilig mag-isip, magbasa, at magsulat.

Paano ko nga ba nahulma ang ganitong karakter sa aking sarili?

Bata pa lang ako ay mahilig nang sumulat ng kung anu-ano sa mga dahon ng saging, sa lupa, sa biyak na kawayan, sa balat ng niyog, sa lamesa, sa bintana at higit sa lahat sa aking "notebook".

Tandang tanda ko pa noong anim at kalahating taon pa lamang ako nang nagpupumilit na ako sa nanay ko na i-enrol na niya ako sa Grade 1. Pero hindi umobra ang pagpipilit kong yon kasi ang required age sa G1 ay pitong taon. Di pa kasi uso noon ang pre-school. Wala pang nursery, kinder 1 & 2 and preparatory level.

Reflection

     In our SFC community, we have this annual M.E. Conference gathering. I can still remember the joyous and euphoric moments when I attended one in Manama, Bahrain way back in 2009.

     It is our yearly gathering of Praise and Worship to our Creator. A time where all are gathered to pour in their hearts and souls to glorify our great God. To have awesome fun, to enjoy each other's company, to participate in different workshops and teachings, to get to know other delegates within the M.E. Region. All boiling down to thanking Him for all that He has done for us. For all the blessings which sustain us and trials which keep us stronger.

     In this year's conference which will be held in Doha, Qatar, the over-all organizing committee decided to make some enhancement in this year's format. And so they devise this "SFC Reflection Writing" competition as one of the modifications. Each countries are requested to submit a maximum of three (3) entries. 

     And yours truly submitted an entry which focus on Mark 12: 38-44 as our gospel reading to reflect on. Please find below photo as my official entry in the said competition which is still subject for short listing. We are only given a maximum of 200 words and we should fully abide with the mechanics (I won't elaborate it here) to create a competitive entry.

     Yours truly is hoping (fingers crossed) that I may be included in the short-listed official entries. If not, participating is more than an honor for me as I treat winning as secondary. The bottom line is that I was able to take part in this year's MEC despite my absence. If you find it hard to read the full text of my entry, please read it below;

WE OWE IT FROM HIM

     "The pure intention coming from a sincere heart of the poor widow affected me the most. It is through our genuine intention which truly matters and not by the amount being presented.

     Being Christ's follower, this passage reminds me that life isn't sized up by how big or small we give but by how sincerely we offer. There are riches in poverty that God wants us to realize. We oftentimes view being poor as something to be championed for or eradicate. But in Mark's gospel, it is presented as something to be glorified. That, in reality, the joy in living and of living isn't in the possession of material riches but in our ability to be faithful in transcending the real essence of giving.

      This gospel made me realize and reflect that it isn't about what we accumulate that makes us who we are. It is about what we owe from Him that all our actions deeply roots for. He is the giver of all that we need and therefore we should rightfully return with sincerest intention what was originally His. It's because in life, all that we have we owe it from Him."

     

     To all participating delegates, good luck and may God be praised.

We Always Have A Choice

The Gallant's Heads

     "What has life to offer me when I grow old"? This is the first line of the song Next In Line of After Image (I don't remember which year) that literally hit while I was thinking of the first thing to write about this article. Quite sad isn't it? Well, I won't focus on the tear-jerking thoughts in here, though, maybe along the lines I may hit some emotions. But I'll try to make it as interesting as possible. I wish I could have all the elements in writing to do all these. But heck! I'll try my very best.



      Cliche's would tell us that "life is what we make it". I agree to that. We choose what we want, we choose our decision. Our daily existence is part of how we partake in the banquet of the world. There, we have plenty of choices and WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE which one to pick up or out, which one to pursue and which one to make our stand for. In life, we are presented with choices. Choices that sometimes fit or unfit our system. 

       I strongly disagree about the idea that sometimes we are left without a choice. We only say we don't have a choice anymore when what's left with us is a choice that we neither want to be part of. There is this certain negation in us that we keep on denying about the choice laid upon us. At some point, we tend to blame God for giving us a hard one. A choice that literally set us out of our comfort zone.  But we never realized that God gave us that certain choice for our own good, for our growth, for us to be stronger, for us to entertain life that completely deviates to what we expect. In short, God wants us to trek the part that few people wants to stride on. And that is called "risk". And I would say, it's God's risk. Why? It's because God won't allow us with a choice we can't bear, a choice we can't be victorious in the end. A choice maybe so difficult sometimes but it's God's way of refinement of our soul, of our spirit. Initially, we tend to awkwardly react to the choice especially if we aren't expecting them to be like. 

     But, ACCEPTANCE is the key. In a certain crossroad, there is always a choice that will ignite you to move ahead. Our mind might be too clouded with denial which fuels our negation to the choice presented to us, but once you dwell on the bright side of things why a certain choice not our liking was presented, we will be able to appreciate it and will make us accept and propel us to drive along with it.

Satt, Archie, Jay (Me), Ronnie, Marlon & Jansenn

        

A Special Something

     Everyone is looking for that something.  a special thing so important in their life.

     Some find it sharing after a simple wake up.  Maybe, somewhere on top of a mountain for others. Some at a look in a child's innocent eyes. Some finds it in boisterous laughter of carefree people.

     Sometimes, you'll find it in a place so strange that you never thought it could be there. Some may find it in a faraway solitude. More often to a sweet grin of a zealous lover.

     To some, they find it in their deepest thoughts. It may be impossible at first but by heart's will and constant determination -- a willful spirit finds it in it's time.

     That special something which is possible from a parent's kiss, a teacher's nod, a friend's approval, a sportsman's wish, a mother's cry, a boy's desire or maybe a young child's dream.

     And when you find that special something it's like flying wingless for joy, swimming waterless in a ocean of peace, breathing like air less coming out. It's like sleeping in a broad daylight, wishing upon a star in a prickly heat of the sun, dancing in the heavy rain and waving in a crowdless stadium.

     What is that special something that I am talking about here? Why do people always put it first in their priority list, in the locket of their hearts, in the solemnity of their stare, in the passion of their affection, and in the sweetest caress of their hands.

     A special something- an abstract thing that manifest through our actions upon which if properly conveyed produces the inner joy from us.

     Guys, I am talking about LOVE. The binder of all that there is in us. the keeper of our faith, the holder of our commitment.

      So if ever you find it, never get loose of it. Keep it so dearly and grow along with it. With LOVE in our hearts it fuels our passion for anything that surrounds us.

      I just wanna share these thoughts upon having a time with some of the dearest people in my life. I have so many dearest people in life and they are counted on my list. Thanks guys, for the bonding we have had. It's getting more frequent and it's a joy in my heart keeping you around.

     To Sababan Family-- Kudos-- I am proud getting closer and closer to you. And to my God's gift-- my love for you  is getting deeper each day. It's true to me that distance is not a factor from the heart of a willing man. I love you guys!

Me and my God's gift Wida

Bay with Jon (3rd child of Fe and Jojo)

Me and Jannea (2nd child of Fe & Jojo)

the sweet couple Jojo & Fe (my cousin)



Wida and O.R. (youngest child of Fe and Jojo)



Jon, Jannea, Wida, Me and Fe

     Allen isn't around since he's in Pinas studying college - an engineering freshman.    

     Family bonding is highly important to me. It's a source of strength. It opens communication among members. It develops formidable unity. Collectively, it is what God wants for everyone of us.

     Time to sleep guys, until my next blog. I must brag that this post makes a lot of sense. Godbless everyone! Choose a happy life. Have a nice read.