Plano ko o Plano ni Lord?

May mga bagay tayong ipinapanalangin at hinihingi na ibigay sa atin ng Diyos. Madalas kapag nagiging hobby na ang paghingi sa Diyos ay napapalitan ang pangalan nya mula sa PANGINOON sa PENGENOON. Sa tuwing humihingi ako ng pabor mula sa Tatay ko sa langit, lagi kong sinasabi itong mga salitang ito, "kung will mo po ito sa akin". Maingat ako na wag maging tagahingi lang, pero taga sunod din ng nais ng Diyos sa buhay ko.

Pero ano ang masasabi mo sa larawan na ito:

Para sa akin, ang nais iparating nito ay may karapatan kang humiling sa Panginoon at sabay na maniwala sa plano at mga pangako Niya sa buhay mo. Nais ng Lord na maging prosperous ka, hindi habang buhay na maghirap. Kaya nanalangin ka para magka trabaho. Hindi naman madamot si Lord e, ibibigay nya talaga ito sa iyo.

Nitong nakaraang buwan, humingi ng tulong ang Daddy ko sa akin. Kung pwede daw ba akong magtrabaho para matulungan sila ni Mommy sa mga gastusin sa bahay at para masuportahan ko na din ang pangangailangan ko. Syempre, kanino pa ba ako tatakbo para humingi ng tulong, edi kay Lord!

Nag try akong mag apply sa iba't ibang company, yung ibang ni-reject ako at yung iba tinanggihan ko. (choosy e!)

Hinahanap ko yung "will" ng Diyos na trabaho para sa akin. Yung tatanggapin ako sa kabila ng nais kong magpatuloy sa pag-aaral at yung may medyo mataas na compensation. Ilang gabi ko itong idinulog sa Panginoon, gusto kong maging assured na yun nga ang will Nya para sa akin.

Makalipas ang ilang araw buhat ng manalangin ako, may isang Manpower agency ang nag train sa akin for free para mai-refer ako sa mga call center companies na associated nila. So matapos ang ilang araw ng training, pinag-apply nila ako sa teleperformance.

During the first day, I was praying that if its God's will for me, makakapasa ako. Alam ko ang risk sa industry na ito, aware din ako sa mga bad views sa call center. Lapitin kasi ito ng mga vices. Habang naghihintay ako ng resulta ng exam ko, may nakausap akong lalaki na dati nang call center agent. Sinabi ko na Comm Research ang course ko at tinanong ko sya kung ano yung dahilan ng paninigarilyo at madaming vices (e.i, alcohol, drugs, caffeine, etc) ng mga call center agents. Isa ang malinaw na nakita kong sagot niya, "PEER PRESSURE". Dati syang nurse at nag shift ng career dahil sa walang pera sa pagiging nurse, puro kawang gawa nalang daw. Sabi nya, hindi naman daw sya naninigarilyo before, pero dahil sa mga kasama nya natuto sya. Ang argument nya ay "15mins lang ang break nyo, ano naman ang magagawa mo sa 15 mins kundi mag yosi at mag kape. Yan talaga ang ka-partner ng mga call center agents!" Naisip ko tuloy, "Am I in the right place Lord?"

Pagkatapos kong pagbulay-bulayan ang sagot ni Kuya, naisip kong malaki ang epekto ng "PEERS". Sa call center, malakas ang "influence". Then, naalala ko ang litratong ito: 

Maaring nais ng Diyos na magsilbi akong LIWANAG sa lugar na ito. Hindi malabong kumilos ang Diyos sa mga taong nalululon sa kape, sigarilyo at alak. God wants to infiltrate the darkness, kaya kelangan nyang mag deploy ng LIGHT AGENTS sa darkness!

Naisip ko yan bago ako ma-cut off. Ang sabi sa akin, come back tomorrow for final interview. Bigla akong napaisip..... gusto mo po ba akong mag work sa call center Lord?

Then the next day came (which is today)

Matagal akong naghintay sa lobby para matawag ang pangalan ko, nung tinawag ako nagtanong yung interviewer ng mga basic questions for employment. Kabado at tense na tense ako. Ayaw ko din kasing umuwi ng luhaan, patay ako sa nanay ko ang laki na ng nagagastos ko sa pamasahe. After ng maikling question and answer portion, nag exam akong muli pagkatapos 'nun tinawag muli ang pangalan ko at sinabing "PLEASE BE HERE BY 2:30 pm FOR THE JOB OFFERING"

Mabilis pa sa kidlat ang ngiti sa labi ko, umabot nga ata hanggang bunbunan ang ngiti ko. Grabe tong favor ng Diyos, makakapag-aral ako this sem (self supporting ay hindi pala, supported pala ako ni Lord) habang nagta-trabaho (may mission din akong i-win ang mga officemates ko) at makakatulong ako financially sa bahay natin!

Kaya wag mong kwestunin ang mga nangyayari sa iyong buhay ngayon, panget man yan o maganda kasi may DIVINE PLAN si Lord sa iyo. Kulitan mo ang pananalangin at pakikipag usap kay Lord, pramis sumasagot sya!! God bless your aspirations, present and your future! God loves you so much! :)

Wanted: Generous

How generous are you?


In my prayer, I asked the Lord about the double "G": generosity and giving, because I'm having trouble with this area. He knows that my last week's offering was the last bill in my purse, so I told God today that I only have some coins left which means that might be the amount I'll be giving tomorrow.

After that prayer, I opened the Bible in 2 Corinthians 8 and surprisingly, the first 15 verses speaks about generosity! (What a perfect timing!) I read the whole text about generosity and  focused on two verses which suits my situation.

"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity" - 2 Corinthians 8:2 

I am actually waiting on God's blessings, because I gave last Sunday and I am holding on His promises I expected that right away I'll be blessed materially. But, something strikes my heart and as if I did something wrong. Suddenly, a question puffs up like a mushroom.

What was really your intention when you put the envelop inside the basket? Were you blessing the Lord because you are expecting something in return? Or were you giving because that is an ACT of your LOVE to God?

An atomic bomb explodes in my heart and formed in an image of mushroom. (OUCH!)
I was selfish. I was not generous, but self-centered. Even I feel like I want to quit reading, God told me to go on.

Paul was referring to the generosity of the Macedonian Churches. Paul was appealing to the Church of Corinthians to take their generosity as an example. The Generosity of the Macedonian Church was out of:

1. Most severe trial.

The word "most" is superlative, which means superiority or highest and the word "severe" means extremely bad or unpleasant; incurable, and lastly the word trial means "act of testing".

Let's think of the most doomed situation in life, poverty, starvation, slavery, natural calamities, economic fluctuation and more. The people in Macedonia (even if my examples were exaggerated) were able to give generously despite of their "most severe trial".

The most in need people are mostly generous. They give not because they have plenty but because they know what it feels to have nothing. So since, this is an act of testing we should give more in times of we have less.


2. Overflowing Joy.

You must be thinking that this people might have gone crazy! Who would be able to have OVERFLOWING JOY in times of pain and hardships?

Actually aside from the Macedonian Church, I know another one. It is the Filipinos. They smile and laugh despite of calamities and hardships in life, not because they are used to it but because they don't focus on the circumstances, they are hopeful. So every time a typhoon will hit their country, they are ready to be waterproof.

The church must be overflowing with joy in times of trials because once more they will able to witness God's miracle and power. So each time you will experience hardships, close your eyes, lift your head and smile on the Big Guy above and say "Bro! Kaw po bahala sa akin ah!"


3. Extreme Poverty.

WHAAAAAAT?!!

Could somebody be generous out of poverty? BIG YES!
This people were not really normal from you expect to see in others. People may think you're crazy because you act not fittingly in their world, but let me remind you this: You may be in this world, but you don't belong here because you are a child of God.

God's child can always be generous despite of severe trials and poverty. Why? Because their father owns everything. Generosity is not always based on material things and money. It is boundless and in every way they could express and give it.


So how are they doing it? How did this people we're able to give generosity and have overflowing joy regardless of these factors?

Here is the answer:

"And now brothers we want you to know about the GRACE that God has given the Macedonian Churches." -2 Corinthians 8:1

The answer is just above the verse we focused on. Same thing, the answer is the Big Guy above. His never ending grace will enable us to be generous. His grace is the inner force that drives the Macedonian Churches to do crazy things for his Glory. So are you ready to be driven by His grace to be generous?

God bless your pocket and wallet! Hehehehe! Let's be generous! :)

The Endangered Specie: Singles

Ang mga Single, especially yung nasa kategoryang No Boyfriend/Girlfriend Since Birth na kabataan ay kabilang sa mga endangered species. Konti na lamang sila at under protection. May mga taong pine-preserve sila at pinapadami. Sa kabila nito, hindi madaling mag preserve ng singles. Wastong pag-aalaga ang ginagawa sa mga ito at kapag handa nang makipagsapalaran, pinapakawalan na sila sa wild. Ang wild  ay puno ng mga Mangangaso na walang tigil sa pagsilo sa kanila, isama pa dito ang nagkalat na patibong; lantaran at patago. Yung mga lantarang patibong ay yung mga mapang-akit at tipong maa-attract yung mga singles gaya ng magandang postura at itsura; yung iba namang patibong ay lantarang panlilinlang, akala mo pasok sa standard na itinakda pero may lahi palang hunyango! Dinaig ang pinakamagaling na impersonator sa bansa. Bukod sa lantarang patibong ay yung patagong patibong, ito yung hindi mo napapansin nasisilo ka na pala at mabibigla ka nalang na nahulog kana sa patibong na ito.

Hindi madali maging single, ang daming temptation at mga maling perspectives. Nineteen years and counting na akong Single, hindi ko ito sinadya NOON pero ngayon, sinasadya ko na. Nais kong i-preserve ang sarili ko para sa Panginoon. At ngayon nagdadaan ako sa wild at nakaka encounter ng iba't ibang patibong. Ang pag hihintay ay malaking hamon sa mga single na gaya ko. Ang hamon na ito ay mahirap kung mali ang pagtingin dito.

Sa totoo lang, biktima ako ng maling pagtingin sa salitang "paghihintay". Noong fourth year high school, akala ko tapos na ang pag hihintay, akala ko sapat na ang apat na taon sa high school para ma-preserve ako, akala ko handa na ako para makipag relasyon. Binago yun nga Diyos at sinabi nyang "Anak extend pa!", kaya hindi pa doon natatapos ang lahat, along the process of waiting, somebody came along unexpectedly (parang kanta to ah!). Parang kidlat ito na tumama sa puno at nag-iwan ng marka. Dumating yung punto na napapanaginipan ko itong taong ito kahit di ko sya iniisip, sabi ko tuloy, "Lord, sya po ba?"

Nalihis ng konti ang pagtingin ko sa Paghihintay, nabahidan ito ng pagnanais sa isang tao. Habang tumatagal, nagkakaroon ako ng desire na sabihin na sa kanya. Pero may pumipigil sa akin, ang Lord. Sa aking pagbubulay bulay, natagpuan ko ang sarili kong nahihintay sa specific guy at hindi na sa Panginoon. Dali-dali akong humingi ng tawad at kahit masakit, I surrendered it all to the Lord. God made me broken, He wants to preserve me and to wait patiently on him alone. God wants my heart and He wants me to be faithful to him. Akala ko yung mga in-a-relationship lang yung nasasaktan, uso na din mag move on kahit Single ka pa. Sa paghihintay, napagtanto kong kasama ko ang Panginoon, sya ang Greatest Preserver ng ating buhay, Siya din ang magtatakda ng panahon kung kailan ka maaring humayo at magparami.

Song of Songs 3:4"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by does of the field; Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

Isang araw, tinanong ako ng isang youth sa church, "Ate, papaano mo po kinakaya maging Single? Di ka po ba nakakaramdam?" Simple lang ang sagot ko, "sa tuwing nakakaramdam ako ng desire, nanalangin akong patulugin ni God yung gumising kong desire at itago nya ang puso ko."

The Epic Fail Scenario

Education, according to my professor in Political Governance and Politics, is a privilege that must be seized. It is absolutely important for everyone since it makes our lives better. A tweet from Bob Ong Quotes says that “dalawang dekada ka nalang papasok sa eskwela, kung di mo pa pagtatyagaan, limang dekada kang maghihirap at magdurusa. Kung alam lang ito ng bawat estudyante sa Pilipinas, lulubusin nilang mag aral”. It did make a strong point of view in education and how should we take it in life; hence, it is the key for success.

People get to school for the main purpose of learning, passing and achieving, in like manner. Who on earth will spend his time to go in an institution like school with no intention as such as these, or if not, will purposely fail all his subjects. Well that my friend, is insanity. A pre-school student may not understand deeply the essence of education, but the child may think of it as a place where he could have fun and enjoy his life. A child gets excited of getting to school, but it changes as he grows. School more becomes a place to acquire friends, heart partners or enemies. Inside a classroom, ambiance depends on how the students perceive the quintessence of that institution. I personally experience a situation where I myself want to set an atmosphere inside the class. For GCs or also known as grade conscious, the competitive spirit must be the thing that makes us alive, a drug that keep us  going towards an extra mile, even go beyond our limitation and might step on someone else’s territory. For every class with GCs, the atmosphere is war and downgrade syndrome; however, for every class with IDCs or I Don’t Care students, their means of passing and learning are cheating and dropping. This is school, an establishment, a place where there is team work, consumerism of test answers, friends with profit and individualism etc.

Studying is hard even for a pre-school or a grade school student. It just becomes easy for us when we have a deep understanding on our lessons we had before. At this point where age can be a license for a deeper perceptive of insights, they would be able to handle more difficult situations in life, especially for college students, whereas, school is like a tenebrous park with supernatural creatures around. This park is full of pressures and stress; these things compel the student to see the supernatural creatures that give out fear. But it’s not just the negative side alone, students moreover need to view college as a door that opens greater opportunities in life. On the contrary getting to that door is not as easy as it looks, the map may show a short cut, yet it could be dangerous, likewise in tertiary education.

Some professors are like rose, pretty yet thorny and when you tried to get in touch with it you’ll get yourself hurt. Inside the classroom, professor changes attitude. He could be cool and friendly, and could also be your furious enemy. His magical marker can change your life.  Once he entered class, it’s like an angel had descended from heaven came in to teach them lessons, either in good or hard way. Everyone’s silent and trying to catch up with that he is telling. He teaches not only his subject, but as well as life principles. He’s unpredictable and a good man at the moment. Every semester is a challenge to get the heart of every professor to avoid violence and conflict and the class effort to retain that peace is a very amusing. But crisis always takes picture in every story, a gloomy and dark atmosphere covers the whole class as he changes the mood, seriousness and sadness is there, reclining on chair becomes a sin, heads should be all down to make him relent his anger. Education is not just about reading books and reviewing notes, sometimes reading and reviewing the professor is a safety precautionary measure not to fail.  After countless days, judgments must takes place. Pass or fail is the magical and intriguing question that captures every soul. But, remember that even at the end, twists are never new to everyone. “I am holding your grades, see you next semester!”

No one plan to not make the grade, yet Epic fail! Education indeed is a privilege, never take it for granted, likewise, work is a privilege, never ever abuse it. Make rooms for second chance, education are not meant for failure, but for every failure comes new and improve individuals that will seize every moment inside this institution.


*This article was written last year as a sample article for our community magazine. This is not that good but for the sake of those who wants to read this, I'm posting it. :)

Nakakalimot ba ang Diyos?

Marahil nadinig mo na ang awiting natutulog ba an Diyos at marahil din ay naitanong mo din ito sa iyong sarili.   Ako rin naitanong ko ito, pero napagtanto ko na ang Diyos ay hindi tao at hindi dapat i-kumpara sa human nature dahil ang tao ay galing sa Diyos. Ang tao ay inilikha sa wangis ng Diyos. God design man in his own image and likeness. Sa makatuwid, ang ating kabuuan ay galing sa Diyos, ang ating emosyon, pag-iisip, puso at buong pagkatao, nadumihan lamang ito ng kasalanan.

Kung may tanong na natutulog ba ang Diyos, meron din akong tanong, Nakakalimot nga ba ang Diyos?

Sa aking pagbabasa ng sa 2 Corinto, ipinakita sa akin ng Diyos na may mga bagay din Siyang kinakalimutan. Sabi ni Pablo sa 2 Corinto 5:19

Ang ibig kong sabihin, ang tao'y ibinibilang ng Diyos na kanyang kaibigan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo, at nililimot na nya ang kanilang mga kasalanan. At ipinagkatiwala nya sa akin ang balitang ito.

Oo, tama ang nabasa mo. Nililimot ng Diyos ang kasalanan ng tao sa pamamagitan ni Cristo. Parang eraser si Hesus ng lahat ng kasalanan natin; bawat maling desisyon, maling emosyon, maling kaisipan at marami pang nasirang aspeto sa buhay natin. Ang nais ipabatid ni Pablo dito ay ang pag ibig ng Diyos, na hindi binibilang ng Diyos ang kasalanan mo, na sa katunayan, gusto nya yun kalimutan para mapalapit siya sa iyo.

Kapag nakagawa ng isang kasalanan ang sino man sa iyo, mahirap makalimot 'di ba? Laging nagfa-flash back yung sa kamalian ng taong iyon sayo. Pero ang Diyos, hindi kagaya mo. Kaya nyang limutin ang kasalanan mo kung lalapit kay sa Panginoong Hesus. Paano mo ito gagawin? Simple lang, humingi ka ng tawad, tanggapin Siya bilang Diyos at tagapagligtas ng iyong buhay, at isuko sa kanya ang iyong buong katauhan. Hindi exemption dito ang mga taong tumanggap na sa Panginoong Hesus. May mga oras na kapag guilty sila sa kasalanan, hirap na hirap silang lumapit sa Panginoong Diyos. Kapatid, ito ang tatandaan mo, mas malaki ang Pag ibig ng Diyos kaysa sa kasalanan o pagkakamali mo. Alalahanin mo ang cross, humingi ka ng tawad at mag move on. Unti-unti nang nililimot ni Lord yung ginawa mong mali at unti-unting binabalot muli ng glory of God yung buhay mo.

May pag-asa ka! Hindi automatic na nakakalimot ang Diyos, kelangan mo si Hesus! Kelangan mo ng Super Hero kahit sino ka pa.