If Jesus Can, Why Can’t We?

5^th Sunday of Lent

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: JN 12:20-33

Are there people in your life that have hurt you and you have not yet forgiven?

Yong mga taong kinakasamaan mo ng loob kasi ang sabi mo nasaktan ka nila …

Yong mga taong sabi mo nakasakit sayo kaya nagalit ka sa kanila …

Pero ang tanong Friend … nalaman kaya nila na sumama loob mo sa kanila?

Nalaman kaya nila kung bakit at kung ano ang iyong ikinagalit?

And kung nalaman man nila, napag-usapan nyo po kaya ng tama where to draw the line of reconciliation?

         Hanggang kailan ka po kaya magagalit?

         Hanggang kailan hindi magagawang magpapatawad?

Just some of the questions we could reflect on. Sometimes it’s not really all about them – but about nobody than US! 

Minsan kasi, kailangan din nating masaktan para maisip natin kung kailan din natin hindi sinasadyang makapanakit. Stories always have two sides of the coin. Supposedly, when we commit, we admit; when we omit, we submit! – but in reality, when one commits mistake & omits to ask for forgiveness, we normally judge & condemn – sacrificing the relationship to death.

Pero alam mo friend, what makes us uneasy to forgive is the fact that the real enemy that Jesus came to overcome was Satan who tempts the human race to create their own destiny through sinful pride and disobedience. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,

it remains alone. But if it dies, it will bear much fruit.”  – John 12.24

Only when the seed is destroyed by burying it in the ground, can it rise to new life and bear fruit. What it means is that, sometimes we have to die to our self-satisfaction of justifying why we’re mad.

If Jesus took our sins upon himself and nailed them to the cross to set us free from destruction, why can we not give up our pride and futility?

Friend, ayaw ni God na laging mabigat ang pakiramdam mo dahil galit ka sa pagkukulang ng iba! 

God has been striving to bring us into an inseparable bond of love & unity with Him. Only if we would be one with God would we be able to “free others from our unforgiveness” – then it would eventually free us to extend more love and bear much fruit of encouraging relationships!  #sunset

***published in The Feast San Lorenzo weekly Bulletin.  Issue #15. 18 March 2018. UNLEASHED Series. Talk 3. Freeing Others. 

https://profgail67.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/if-jesus-can-why-cant-we/

https://trendingprof47.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/if-jesus-can-why-cant-we/

https://gratefulgailmontero.blogspot.com/2018/03/if-jesus-can-why-cant-we.html

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"True Character is who you are and what you do -- even when no one is watching you!"

We Can Still Align: The Antidote to Future Regrets

2^nd Sunday of Lent

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: Mk 9:2–10

Hello, MILLENIALS!

Have you heard some at your age, with these lines?

Sana pala, I didn’t give in that much, di sana ako na-broken hearted!

Sana pala, I didn’t keep secrets from my parents, na-guide sana ako!

Sana pala, di ako nagmadali, na-enjoy ko pa sana ang pagka-bata ko!

Sana pala, nakinig ako, di sana …

Guess what, would you know that your parents share the same sentiments with you?

Kung sana lang nasabihan namin sya, di sana sya nasasaktan ngayon!

Kung sana lang nalaman namin, di naman nya kailangang maramdamang mag-isa sya!

Kung sala lang di kami na-awkward na masabihang stage parents, we could have enjoyed TIMES TOGETHER!

Kung sana lang, nakinig sya at napakinggan namin sya, di sana…

Ang daming “sana”, ang daming time na parang nasayang na!

If dadating ka sa point na parang kulang na ‘yong time, saka mo lang masasabi sa sarili mo:

“Sayang, ‘di sana ako naghesitate na tingnan ang dapat kong makita,

di sana ako nagdalawang isip na sabihin ‘yong dapat kong sabihin;

naging humble sana akong ipakita at iparamdam na kailangan ko ng tulong;

kailangan kong maramdamang di ako nag-iisa.”

Millenials and “Me-linya” … come to think of it, “to each his own!” … sometimes, we just don’t realize and recognize that we both share the same sentiments towards each other in the so-called “generational gap.”

Madalas kesa minsan, we fail to make “both ends meet” kasi we are focused on our own emotions and expectations.

Today’s Gospel is reminding us to be spiritually awake and not miss God’s glory in action:

“The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see His glory - He wants to share this glory with us.

And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessings of my Father's kingdom - your name will be written in heaven.”

We would miss  God's glory and action if we wouldn’t strive to obey “as children” and submit to the path that God has chosen for us “as parents.” The Antidote to future regret is to align as parents & child NOW!   

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Life is too short, we should maximize time, appreciating and enjoying “having each other” while we still have all the opportunity to “make things up with each other”. J #sunset

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Article Published in: The Feast San Lorenzo Bulletin. Issue #12. 25 February 2018. The Light of Jesus Family in San Lorenzo, Sta Rosa, Laguna. https://www.facebook.com/thefeastsanlorenzo/

"True Character is who you are and what you do -- even when no one is watching you!"

Are you Breaking? ... Praise God in Advance!

Hi Friends, here's wanting to share with you once more in gratitude, my personal notes and reflections too, on last Sunday's  1st Talk entitled FILL of the Series Leak: How To Heal Others Through Our Brokenness by our Laguna District Builder Bro Jon Escoto @ The Feast SM Santa Rosa, Cinema 1.    

photo credits: http://www.lightfam.com/index.php/the-feast/feast-teachings

Have you been worrying a lot lately?

You've been in unfair situation?

You’re breaking and you don’t know how to mend? 

… in effect, parang lahat ng worries nasambot mo na;

… parang lahat ng justifications inangkin mo na;

… kasi ang sabi mo, “nasasaktan ka!”

But friend, why not look around and see who else is hurting? 

While you’re much focused on your pain, God must have been hurting too!

Why? … because you don’t seem to acknowledge His outstretched arms, 

striving to reach out to comfort you.

And you doubted instead, doubled with all apprehensions. 

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” -- Ps 147:3

All along, we are constantly given all the opportunity to praise God in advance: 

1.     when there is Anxiety 

You cannot grow in faith by complaining 

Don’t forget to thank God in advance

Switch over into praise!!!

It's all about thanking God

Praise keeps us moving forward. 

If you don't thank God in advance, you will not have the grace to wait for the fulfillment of His promise.

From faith comes strength 

Stop running; refrain from worrying; start trusting! 

The secret:

“Every time you worry let it be the signal to praise God in advance!”

But the problem is:

When things are not turning towards our timetable, we start begging God. 

No need to worry, God have heard you long before. 

Never beg each time. God will give what you want soon, 

just keep on trusting that He will fulfill His promise. 

The key: 

The blessing that's to come…just keep on thanking God everyday! 

2.     when there is Uncertainty 

“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind 

to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, 

and I have come in response to them.” -- Daniel 10:12

 From the day you said your prayer, God already heard it.

 God heard you the first time. 

 The very first day, the answer is on its way!

 The promise is already in motion!

3.     when there is Tragedy

You just can't see it yet with your natural eyes

But sometimes we look at our situation as dead – when the fact of the heart is that you can actually bring things back to life. 

 4. when there is Calamity

 Offer a sacrifice of praise! 

 Umiiyak ang kalooban mo but you still praise God for it.

 Di bawal mag complain, but please, do not murmur all the days of your life! 

 Praise and God will make a way!

So friend,  cheer up, make up your mind, FILL YOUR HEART with God’s love. 

Don't loose praise! 

The battle may be tough but God will never let a praiser to be a looser! #sunset

"True Character is who you are and what you do -- even when no one is watching you!"

What to do When You Are Broken

Nakatambay ka ba? 

Nakatambay ka ba sa problema na dapat ay dinadaanan mo lang?

Hi Friends, here's wanting to share with you once more in gratitude, my personal notes and reflections too, on last Sunday's  2nd Talk entitled FLOW of the Series Leak: How To Heal Others Through Our Brokenness by our Guest Builder Bro Jann Silan @ The Feast SM Santa Rosa, Cinema 1.    

Sometimes, we feel so broken, that we tend to uncontrollably LEAK!

It is during these times that we should remember: 

"When your breaking happens, that's not God punishing you 

-- that's God saving you."

photo credits: http://www.lightfam.com/index.php/the-feast/feast-teachings

"Sa mga panahon na hindi mo na kaya, 

Kaninong kamay ang gumagalaw sa buhay mo?

Kung di mo naiintindihan kung bakit ka broken ngayon,

Alamin mo kung sino ang may hawak sa buhay mo"  -- Jann Silan

When you are broken, God wants you to:

1. Devote your time to prayer. 

When you pray, your brokenness will lead you to openness. 
     You become more open to God. 

2. Rest

Kailan ka ba huling nagpahinga? 

     Allow God to comfort you. 

     "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion 
     and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort 
     those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." -- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

3. Embrace 

  Sometimes your brokenness happen because you allowed your weaknesses 

     to break    you. Yes, you commit mistakes because you tolerated instances 

     that used up your inequities. 

     Do not be anxious though, embrace that loving truth 

     that God sacrificed so much for your sake. 

     “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, 

     so that we might die to sins and live   for righteousness; 

     “by his wounds you have been healed.”-- 1Peter 2:24

4. Utilize

     Avail your perks in relationships. 

     Nandyan lang naman sila, wag mong ilayo ang sarili mo para lalo kang 
     magkamali-mali sa mga decisions mo.

     Don't wait 'till you loose them, then just cry over some spilled milk.  

     You won't appreciate their presence not until you're broken. 

Appreciate life

Appreciate your relationships. 

At the end of it all

You would ask yourself 

Did I truly love? -- Jann Silan

5. Surrender

     What is God's will for you? 

     While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, 

     he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 

     "Take and eat; this is my body." -- Matthew 26:26

     God has been offering Himself to you -- why keep up with that PRIDE? 
     Choosy ka pa?!!!

  

     Stop resisting God's mercy and compassion! 
     If there is pride in your life, you will have a breaking. 
     It is pride that causes you to fall -- so what are you waiting for? 
     -- give up your pride before you fall !!!

At the end of it all, 'di mo kailangang tumambay in your brokenness.
Your scars will connect with others' stories if you let your learnings from it FLOW! 

photo credits: http://www.lightfam.com/index.php/the-feast/feast-teachings

Your wound is an empty space for Jesus to dwell.  

Revealing your wounds to others, and allowing them to see Jesus hidden in these wounds, 

becomes a light to the world. -- Bro. Bo Sanchez

"True Character is who you are and what you do -- even when no one is watching you!"