Talking about Love

In the last few weeks, speakers at our church have been talking about love. Earlier today the talk was about how love is kind, love is sharing and love is giving. I know it sounds quite simple but it's actually true.



The speaker today emphasized how difficult it is to actually share the gospel outright. Nobody will listen. But people will not turn their heads when they are shown kindness. That is what I think the difficult thing to do. "Living" the Christian way versus just talking about it.

Living the Christian way means being kind, being forgiving, being generous. That's pretty hard considering how difficult it is these days. When God asks us to pray for those who persecute as and love our enemies, it feels like we're tearing our hair out. But I do think it's true that's what it takes to reach out.

I'm not saying I'm any good or any better than anyone else, but I do see the wisdom in that.

Overflowing Joy and Generosity

The speaker in church today was very moving when he shared about the current world crisis. Not only has it affected a lot of businesses, it has affected a lot of people. People have lost jobs, lost businesses, have tight budgets and even have a harder time getting by (not that it wasn't difficult getting by in the first place)

What the speaker tried to drive though was that despite these times of severe trial and poverty, as Christians, we should stand out. How is that? By showing overflowing joy and generosity during these times. Indeed that is difficult. He cited 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 for his talk and it did touch me.

I hope I can live up to that. It's difficult to give when you have nothing to give and it's hard to be joyful in the midst of trial. The key he said was to commit everything to God. When you are holding on to nothing, then you have nothing to lose.

Laws of the Lighthouse ~ more like guidelines for living

I got this one day in my email subscription in "2 thoughts per day" and it really helped me a lot. Here's hoping it might enlighten you too

The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality.

The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.

Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:

- Love God more than you fear hell.

- Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.

- Make major decisions in a cemetery.

- When no one is watching, live as if someone is.

- Succeed at home first.

- Don't spend tomorrow's money today.

- Pray twice as much as you fret.

- Listen twice as much as you speak.

- Only harbor a grudge when God does.

- Never outgrow your love of sunsets.

- Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.

- 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.

- God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.

- When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.

- Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.

- Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.

- The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.

- Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.

- Live your liturgy.

To sum it all up:
Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And only get off the boat when you get home.

New Year's Resolutions?

During my morning devotion today I was greeted by a reading about "resolutions." I found this funny because over the last few days of the year, repeated in television talk shows were "New Year Resolutions" whether it be of the stars or celebrities or what-have-you.

I'm not a big fan of resolutions. Such long term goals don't really appeal to me as much. After having planned my life at a young age and then see all of it go to shite when uncontrollable circumstances changed the very course of my life, I realized... what's the point?

Right now I'll just try to be a better person, resolutions aside. I have resolved to trust in the Lord for strength and sustenance. This is not something I make as a New Year's Resolution. This feels more like a daily struggle.

Maybe my resolution will be to have a daily resolution in the Lord. That sounds right. One thing I'd like to do this year though is read through the Bible with substance. You know, reading AND understand, not just reading for the sake of reading. I hope God gives me the strength and faith and open-mindedness for that.

Happy New Year to all!

Gift Giving Season - Remembering the Giver as well

It's December and everybody knows it's a holiday month. I'm having difficulty just getting up and going to work being in holiday mode. December is also gift-giving season as well. We all love to get gifts. It's a lot harder to give these days though the economy being what it is

Reading "Purpose Driven Life" has helped me a lot in that area, one of the lessons there was about how God gave us gifts so we can share them with others. I have always tried to live my life in this perspective. It's not easy because we all need money and I do think I have yet to give more of what I have and/or more of myself before I can truly say that I have given my fullest, but I try.

One of the things we should remember about the season though is the Giver more than the gifts. God gave us Jesus this Christmas and I think we should always put that at the center of all that we do. In the midst of all the material blessings, let's remember the spiritual blessings as well, particularly the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ.

Jehovah Jireh - God our Provider

Just last week I was rambling about how I had to pay taxes to the tune of fifty thousand pesos. And I'm just about ready to pay that too, slowly of course over the course of the next few months. Saying goodbye to what's left of my measly paycheck.

I was budgeting what was left of my money and trying to distribute them to the different bills I had to pay from the electricity bill to house loan to phone bills and house help. But whatever I did, there just wasn't enough to go around. I had succumbed to the idea that I'll just try to make up for it next month. Being late in paying my bills isn't something I'm pleased about, but I'm even more uncomfortable with borrowing money from other people. By far I think the latter is worse. I decided that in time I will be able to pay for all my bills, late as they may be. Better late than never right?

But just the other day I got a pleasant surprise when in the mail I found a check from Google for my Adsense earnings in the last few months. I had forgotten all about it, but God just had it for me in time to pay the bills for this month. It's enough. That's all I have to say. With the amount that just arrived, it's just the exact amount to add to what's left of my salary to be able to pay for this month's bills.

Indeed God is our Provider. He has never failed me. Thanks Lord

The Lord Giveth, The Lord Taketh Away - Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord

I just found out the other day that I have to pay fifty thousand worth in taxes before the year ends. I was just shocked and aghast and I just cried my eyes out. How in the world will I get that kind of money? Where will I get that kind of money?

And if they took it out of my salary, what would I have left? Never mind that I don't even get paid that kind of amount, but that it's Christmas for crying out loud!

I picked myself up later in the day and prayed. What am I supposed to do? Eventually I realized that God had given me so much I don't have a right to complain.

I remembered Job.

I'm not as good as he was, in fact I'm probably the exact opposite. I thought I was probably being punished for all the wrong I've done instead of just being tested.

Either way I though this is the time for me to just give it back. I wasn't going to think about how much money we're already paying to our corrupt government, but that in faith God will provide. God will see me through this.

The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!