Don't Dilly-Dally

Cor Dei 1.  3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: MT4:12-23

 “the people living in darkness have seen a great light…” -- Matthew 4:16

 

photo credits: The Feast, Light of Jesus, FeastSMStaRosa

CHANCES … grab or drop it!

Once in a while we’ll first have to be despicable before we’d realize that we’ve already missed a chance!  Sometimes we fall short of foresight that we overlook what should have been done at a certain required time.

I was recently bereaved by a friend who had been sick. I wasn’t able to visit her again when I started battling against mine.  I had her in my mind several times last December. I planned to call her up too, but scheds and events had just piled up until I ended receiving that sad news; Facebook feeds were filled with posts, mourning for her.  I felt so guilty; I should have told her, “let’s fight together!”; I should have made her feel stronger knowing that she’s not struggling alone. I cried hard in regret; I was just consoled when a friend told me, “marami pa kami!; we also want to hear from you!”

When you come to that breaking point that you wouldn’t want to miss chances, your only choice would be to MAXIMIZE TIME! Each time we wake up for a day, God is giving us “that invitation” to come after Him and leave our comfort zones of excuses.

Friends, today let’s IMPLEMENT that decision: REACH OUT, DO NOT DELAY!

Days may be dark at times, but if we will only consider God’s calling to “come after Him”, we will surely see the LIGHT that will mark the turning point in our life. More Dreams & Plans will materialize which will make our BEST YEAR EVER! #sunset

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Published in FeastSMStaRosaBulletin. Series of 2017. Issue #2, 22 January 2017

BEST YEAR EVER: Imagine Your Future Now

Talk 3: Implementation
also posted in: https://gailmontero.blogspot.com/2017/01/dont-dilly-dally.html?spref=fb & https://trendingprof47.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/dont-dilly-dally/

& https://profgail67.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/dont-dilly-dally/

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

Shift to Recognize Emmanuel

December 18, 2016 Gospel Reflection

4th Sunday of Advent. Emmanuel: God With Us

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: Mt1:18-24

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

I thought I won’t make it!

I thought I would be weak and would feel weaker as I had to go through those six cycles!

But here I am … STRONGER! Continually claiming for such BREAKTHROUGH that those six which recently ended would be the last; … no more 7^th, no more 8^th!" 

When TOUGH TIMES supersede, you would surely doubt if you’d ever get through it!

It has never been easy waking up at the middle of the night with unexplained pains.

It has never been easy battling the work of the mind which triggers all the anxieties there are, during each and every cycle; even during downtimes few days after the treatment.

But what makes me survive each time? … that assurance that “God is with me!”

Each time I cry out to God for His mercy & love, there in my dreams, He makes me see that I have succeeded over the valley of death and that I am there, right on top of such valley, enjoying His Oasis of healing, tapping over the refreshing water of life.

Friends, would you hold on to the promises of God, especially when you are faced with uncertainty in your journey? … PLEASE DO!

photo credits: http://www.carolecgood.com/GodWithUs

Just like Joseph & Mary in today’s gospel, we are called “in hope to believe against hope” that God will fullfill all His promises and that He will give us great guarantee through our intuition and our dreams – exactly as what He did with Joseph – whom after such dream, when Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. Mary on the other hand, nonetheless believed and trusted with all her heart even if she was asked to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility – BOTH A LANGUAGE OF LOVE just to bring us our “Emmanuel”!

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May this Advent Season make our lives an inspiration of faith & hope to those we fall short of recognition that amidst life’s enormous challenge, “God is with us” for always!  #sunset

 Article published in SMSantaRosa Bulletin, December 18, 2016 Issue, BIG DAY Session 

@ Alonte Arena, Municipality of Binan Laguna. Advent Recollection. 

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

Let us not be Caught "Off Guard"

photo credits: http-//markryman.com/BLOG/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/matthew24-44

Let’s grab the chance reflecting for the First Sunday of Advent

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: MT 24:37-44

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Ready ka na ba?

Ready ka na ba to receive more of God’s blessings?

How prepared are you to answer na “ready ka na nga?”

What if tomorrow never comes? What if today is your last chance to answer this question?

While struggling to survive, I’ve been asking this to myself. Everyday, I would reflect: “Am I really ready should this day be my last?

Anong blessing pa kaya ang pwede kong tanggapin na dapat kong ika-ready?

Today is the First Sunday of Advent which means “Coming” – a time when we have to be reminded of the reality that we are living in the end times. The coming of Jesus which we celebrate at Christmas should be a constant reminder that we have to personally prepare ourself for His final return on the Day of Judgment – which no one really ever knows when!

Thing is … how PRODUCTIVE have we been as we prepare for such day?

That feeling of rush and persistence when you anticipate that you’re at the brim of such end, ang hirap din pala. It’s as if, you want to exert every extra effort just for you to make up for the lost chances. Haisst…ganito pala, when you feel that you don’t have plenty of time, you would as much strive to be watchful of your own thoughts and decisions in embracing God’s way instead of giving-in to your weaknesses and lame excuses. It has been useless pala allowing yourself to be pressured by financial problems while you sacrifice your health – for when your health already suffers, that’s the only time you’d realize that you have actually sinned against God because your “productivity mindset” has not been for “longtime perspective”!

Way to make ourselves ready? Here’s what I’ve realized: “the currency in heaven is never any amount of money” — BUT LOVE —which we need to share while preparing for His “coming”. It’s our ACT OF GRATITUDE to such love when we have accepted to play part in God’s great plan which is to make everyone of us “walk in the light of the Lord”.

Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed. — Proverbs 16:3

This is it I guess – the blessing that we need to be ready about! God wants us to flourish as a tree – so that we can continually give even when we’re no longer personally around to still give. #sunset

Published in FeastSMSantaRosa Bulletin. 27 November 2016 Issue.  Series: MONEY PAKYAW. Knocking Down Your Biggest Financial Problems.  Talk 3: Productivity.  The Blessings of the Lord Bring Wealth

you can also read this in:

https://profgail67.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/let-us-not-be-caught-off-guard/
https://trendingprof47.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/let-us-not-be-caught-off-guard/

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

Blessings Can Chase After You!

In gratitude, I would like to share with you my personal notes on our Feast Builder Bro Dreus Cosio's Talk @ The Feast SM Santa Rosa, Cinema 1, 11:00 am. 

SERIES:

Money Pakyaw

Knocking Down Your Biggest Financial Problems

Talk 2: Prosperity

I Have Everything I Need

ONE BIG MESSAGE: "Blessings are chasing after me."

Psalm 23 : God's message of prosperity & peace to us.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

We have everything that we need.

When we recognize that we are complete, there is peace.

We've got to know the difference between our wants & needs.

We have to weigh our  financial capacity and discern to buy only what we need without struggling "just to conform" with "what's IN".

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 

    he refreshes my soul.

People who thinks they are poor "feels the lack".

You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

God wants to bless us forever.

We have to know that God's goodness & love will be with us all our life.

The causes of poverty are multidimensional!
There should be a shift from Poverty Mindset to Prosperity Mindset!

We need to BREAK that "feeling of lack" in terms of:

Psychology

Don’t reinforce poverty mindset
Poverty mindset pleases people.
Prosperity mindset loves people.
Our psychology about money matters.

Theology

How do you see money?
How is your "Psychological Wallet"? We have to be comfortable in earning bec we have to be comforted in giving.

God blesses people to bless people
How do you see God?

Economy

When you start believing that blessings are chasing you, you become rich.

While there are times in your life that things are difficult, believe that God can transform any problem into the biggest blessing in your life.

The purpose of  money is love
God is our model of generosity.

Be a blessing builder!

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 

3 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

6 Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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

Sana Sa Pasko

Reflecting on: Matthew 11:2-11

 EXPECTATIONS.

8 DAYS NA LANG, PASKO NA NAMAN!

Sometimes, we need to look from afar to see some of the things which we should see, yet we do not notice.

One time, trip trip ko lang, sinubukan kong panoorin ang pagiging abala ng maraming tao  habang naghahanda ng kung anu-anong pampasaya ng pasko.  Ang sarap nilang tingnan, nakaka-touch kasi yong iba, kahit na barya na lang ang natitira, pipilitin pang bilangin, makumpleto lang ang pan-regalo para sa mga mahal sa buhay. 

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagmamasid ko at pakikiramdam, nakita ko sila ulit, ang “Project 50” ko months back.  Ganon pa din, nakaupo sa isang sulok, naghihintay na may pumansin at may mag-abot sa kanila ng kung anong tirang pagkain.  Halos isang oras kong hinintay na may pumansin man lang sa kanila, pero parang nadurog na lang ang puso ko sa pag-iyak ng maliit na bata, kalong ng kanyang ate na wala namang magawa kundi tumingin sa bawat lumalabas sa pinto ng Jollibee.

Sana, kung papansinin lang natin ang pakiramdam na gusto ko po sanang i-share sa inyo sa pagkakataong ito, maging ka-parte din po sana sila ng ipaghahanda natin sa kung anong paraang maiisip natin. 

Ang maghintay ng hindi mo alam kung hanggang kalian …?

Ang umasa na mai-enjoy mo ang mga “sana” at the back of your heart …?

Ang i-convince ang sarili na darating din ang panahon na hindi mo na kailangang umasa …?

‘yong habang umaasa ka, kasabay di non na merong umaasa ng kung ano galing sayo! 

Maikling mensahe po sa sana ni God ito, tunay na paghahada para sa totoong kahulugan ng PASKO.

Let us be aligned with what God desires. #

Having Each Other

 

"no one will be there for each other but each one of us!"
I AM AN EXCITED MOTHER!
my husband, even if he does not tell, I know is an EXCITED FATHER too!

this morning, he seated on the bed in our powder room where our daughter took
some continued nap since she woke up early to help her younger sister prepare and fix for school.
he asked our daughter if she would have a job interview today.
then he asked her to join us in our breakfast for her to get ready for her 2nd job interview.
THEN, he approved of my going to manila with her-- not only as a supportive driver
but as a free career-interview coach.
  
the inputs, the brainstorming sessions, the tips, the question samplers,
PLUS all the more THE COMPANY -- this is how excited I, a mother is, to see our daughter's future.
A JOURNALIST by profession that I never was -- my daughter would eventually become!
not to my liking and dictates of course, but to her SUDDEN INTINCTS!

SOON, our daughter ENJI will be a FULFILLED JOURNALIST
and I am so thankful that I am given the opportunity to be with her
in these first parts of her "in the makings"!


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

Don't be Mean to Your Self

one day, yong akala mong nandyan lang na naghihintay kung kailan ka magmamalasakit, ay bigla na lang mawawala, hindi dahil sa nasasaktan sya na di mo natututunang ipakitang pwede mo din syang gawing mahalaga kundi dahil tuluyang ayaw nya nang umasa dahil na-realize nya na di mo naman pala deserve na hintayin pa! -- bottomline is, na-realize nya na di nya deserve na pinapaasa mo lang. Lessons learned: DO NOT PAIN YOURSELF; you can always DECIDE to make your pain as your long awaited relief. Don't be mean to your self :)

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

Let “our walk” lead!

Words would always define who uses it. Others are always curious whether what we say are congruent to what we do. ...don't you think so? 

Ang sapatos daw, bago mo ma-enjoy gamitin, ita-try mo muna kung swak sa pakiramdam mo! Isusukat, ilalakad-lakad, pakikiramdaman kung hindi ba masakit sa sakong o sa talampakan. Kung ikaw yong tipong maarte sa kaliit-liitang discomfort sa bawat paghakbang mo habang suot ang isinusukat na sapatos, maswerte na siguro ang saleslady na nag-aasist sayo kung hanggang dalawa o tatlong klase lang ng sapatos ang pinagpiliian mo hanggang sa makahanap ka ng magsa-swak sa taste mo at magbibigay ng komportableng pakiramdam sa paa mo. Maswerte ka kung sa pagka-maselan mo ay marami kang pagpipilian. There are times na … ang tagal mong maka-decide kasi yong sapatos na nagustuhan mo na sana ay last pair na pala. Iniisip mong hindi naman sulit na iyon na lang ang bibilhin mo kung bukod sa marami nang nagsukat no’n ay ni hindi naman sya naka- “sale”. Chances are … kung kailangan mo na talagang bumili ng sapatos at ayaw mo na parang second-hand lang ang bibilhin mo,  mauuwi ka sa choice na “just settle for less” -- ang mabibili mo ay ang sapatos na isa naman sa mga pinagpilian mo: fit naman sa size mo, pasok din naman sa taste mo, pero nagdadalawang-isip ka pa din – kasi parang ‘di sya masyadong “confi” sa pakiramdam. 

Discomforts!

We cannot decide to make even the right, if not the best choice -- kasi ang totoo, we don’t have the “will” to rule over our emotions.  We would tend to complain on the littlest details of discomfort while we make ourselves the only person who needs big amount of consideration. We cannot “influence” our own action because we’ve tolerated “uncooperative mind-set” – the evidence? … tayo mismo ang umaayaw sa sarili nating choice kasi meron tayong ibang “mas gusto”! – yet, kapag may nagka-interes sa bagay na di natin gaanong binigyang halaga, saka lang natin sinasabing “sayang, dapat pala…”!

It is for this tendency that in our Gospel for today,  Jesus warned John for what he did upon forbidding the man from casting out demons in Jesus’ name since what that man did was supposedly what the disciples should actually be doing to accomplish their purpose.

Most of the time, we are not aware that what we’ve been doing becomes our own stumbling block -- since while we lose the power to win over our human weaknesses, we even become the cause why others would also justify their inequities as influenced by us.

Bottomline, ang totoong “power”, parang nagsuot ka lang ng bagong sapatos, i-try kung kasya, ilakad-lakad, kung may kaunting discomfort pakirandaman lang muna kasi maaaring sa umpisa lang ganon!

Pero ang pinakatotoo, hindi naman ang sapatos ang point of adjustment kundi ang “discomfort” na napagtagumpayan mo sa panahon na inakala mong “no choice” ka na!   

The Power expected of us is to effect change to others when we inspire them with the dignity of our testimony while we strive to make our “walk” lead a life with Christ way ahead!  -- sunset

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

Shall we not have the “mind of Christ” when Carpentry Matters?

Have you ever heard or came across this story “Work Like You Don’t Need the Money”?

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.

He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business & live a more leisurely life with his wife& his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house 

as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work anymore. He resorted to shoddy workmanship & used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work , the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter & said, "This is your house, my gift to you."

The carpenter was shocked!! What a shame!!  

If he had only known he was building his own house,                                                        he would have done it all so much differently.

Many times, life would bring us to situation/s which we do not understand as it happens. At times, we feel that situations would ask us to do things which we cannot determine “what it is for”.  Sometimes too, we would give that denying reaction: “why me”?

Sometimes, we are like this carpenter in real life. Because we feel that what we are asked to do is quite immaterial with what we want, we would resort to careless actions, putting less than our best into what we are doing; not minding much to strive to understand the things which we should value. The reactions that we give, just like Peter’s reaction in the Gospel Mark 8:27-35.

“The miracle of God requires the action of man!”, let us be pre-cautioned by the carpenter’s tendency in this story where his substandard actions brought him the shock that he will have to live in the house which he built so carelessly.

When as of yet, we do not understand what things are for, let us instead have “the mind of Christ”  while we are in the carpentry process: carry what it is that life is asking us to carry,  deny our self-intentions while DISCERNing what the Holy Spirit is urging us to do, and just keep on giving out our best while we hammer each nail to build the house that we want to enjoy living-in.

We might be carrying the cross which Jesus wants us to carry while denying ourselves of our human desires; yet, if we will set our mind to that of Christ’s, we will soon enjoy the abundance that has been reserved for us as “a gift”!  -- sunset

credits to thinkexist.com & heartwarmingstories.net for the lines                                                “Work like you don’t need the Money”

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