Just Passing Through

(What I have learned from my handwritten New Testament Bible) One fellow young men, Bro.Jaypee, sent this photo on my Fb post on March 1, 2014. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=728989690465263&set=a.61157935887296 4 Every Friday night in 2014, our beloved pastor, Rev.Provy R. Cadeliña gathered us young working men to teach and train us with the Word of God. Our group then was called Timothy Club. I remember that night when our Pastor oriented us and challenged us to live a life that should be A.U.G. (Approved Unto God). We were blessed as we were reading 2 Timothy 2:15 where it says, Study to shew thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth . That night, I also remember that our Pastor challenged us to copy and write out the Scriptures by hand. We smiled for that. I actually laughed. I heard before about writing a Bible verse on journals but that night was the first time that I heard about Bi...

A good photographer will do everything to freeze a significant moment and capture that smile we wear. But there are times that he needs to be creative to spread in his own way that universal language - smile 😊 📷 by a cheerful brother named Carlo exactly a year ago.. #AguinaldoSamutNuptials | 10.06.2017 Posted the above on my Fb dated 10.06.2018 to greet Preacher Rogel and Sis.Malou on their first wedding anniversary. No filter. No edit. We were intently captured appearing to be headless. I smile for this. It reminds me to always wear a smile. We smile not because of the camera. We smile because we want to spread positivity. We smile because we want to radiate beauty. We smile because it is healthy to be cheerful. We smile because we rejoice. And when we say rejoice, it is not laughing and letting others down. We do not rejoice with a mirth. We smile because of grace, because of mercy, because of love, because of hope, because of faith. We smile because smiling can do wond...

The pain in this pandemic is hard to bear. Frontliners call for time out. Some people are shirking. Many are fainting, distressed, deppressed, declined, downhearted, troubled. Maybe you are afraid to show your vulnerability. You believe that holding your tears is a virtue. But go ahead, cry... cry unto God! Cry to God just like the psalmist David. The Lord hears you. He comforts you. He notices what you say. He delivers you from your sufferings. [Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.] Cry to God just like Job. When you think no one stand before you, when people are against you, when friends fail you, remember the Lord. Wept before Him and let Him heal that broken heart.  [Job 16:20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.] Cry to God just like Hannah. Mingle your tears with prayer. Bring that bitternes to God and plead to Him for His mercy. [1 Samuel 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul,...

That day, when I thought more about the title, the more uncomfortable I got. The groom has lots of men buddies but why me, I said. He is a preacher and he should call a church staff fellow, I thought. Sharing here the text and photo below which I put in my notes just after their wedding. That superlative adjective is a gentle reminder that we are at our best when we serve. I knew that there were others there who should have been asked but later, I humbly accepted his request because I also knew there is always joy in serving. Count it as a ministry. Preacher Alfier is someone I looked up to especially when it comes to the ministry. We are in the same batch in high school and I have witnessed how 'worldly' he was. Just kidding!  I know her past girl friends (in plural form, as in many to mention! Haha ) and most of them were  crush ng campus . I do not know how he came to know the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour, but I know it happened during those times that I was away...

  Somebody went to this island country and gave me this present. Inscribed is the country’s flag and the Japanese word Nippon which literally mean, “where the sun rises”.   What do you know about Japan? ·          A country that is mix of ancient cultural tradition and advanced technology ·          Arigato – Japanese word which means, Thank you! ·          Mt.Fuji – the country’s highest mountain ·          Ramen – Japanese noodle soup ·          Karate – martial art rooted in the Okinawan Islands ·          Haiku – a poem or verse having three lines containing five, seven, and five syllables respectively ·          Torii – a traditional Japanese gate ·    ...

Originally posted this on my Fb dated 06.08.2014. #flashback May 8, 2014 | Baguio Palace Hotel   The ODB (Our Daily Bread devotional) reminded me that day that we are at our best when we are serving others. This inspired me to do the task that has given to me on my friend's wedding. I was filled with joy holding the microphone towards him that moment. His joy was just so contagious. The lad whom I first met in my elementary days; the teenager who dreamed to be a lawyer someday; the soul who encouraged me with a text message, "I have a good news, Christian na ako!" ; the cum laude who believes in answered prayers; the young man who loved to inspire people to persevere was turning to another chapter of his life. I was blessed to see him happy. The groom whom I have just known we are third degree cousins on his wedding day wept with joy as he gave his vow,   "... sorry if I have not given you your dream wedding. I may not be able to give the ...

  One pastor said, "The history of Israel and the inspired words of Scripture help us see our need of His Son." And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. - Luke 24:44-47 I received this present from a Christian friend who worked as a caregiver in Israel for seven years. As she learned to understand the culture and history of Israel, she fell in love with the place and to the people. She was so compassionate in providing direct care to her elderly patients and showed love and kindness...

In and out of season... Look up, stare beyond and remind yourself,  “I am a steward God made me to be.” #PadyakSerye |  # JJ ustPassingThrough (These are four pictures that has its own caption, i.e. reflection.) THE FARMER I am staring a land which is farmed from generation to generation. Cultivate, weed, water, repeat. The work is so demanding and the reaping appears so far. I look to the determination of the farmer in sowing the seeds. His endurance in tilting the soil. His unwavering commitment in cultivation. His patience for growth. His joy to look forward for the harvest. He daily wrestling with the soil. He has no control of the sun or the rain but he remains hardworking. He believes in perseverance but believes more that Someone up there is in control of everything. He is a good steward. I love that expectancy of a #FARMER. 1 of 4.  Brgy.Cabaruan THE SAILOR I am staring the blue sea, its waves, tides, and depths. It is far and wide. I remember the untold voyag...

  This book has recorded bitter-sweet memories, literally and figuratively. On the pages of it, I fondly wrote random thoughts like, "Can this be love? Apay agdadanag nak? Hehe" "Tandaanam JJ: Kakaasi ni Papang ken Mamang mo.. Naanusam ti nagbasa ti 5 years. Anusam agreview. FOCUS." "The many task we face each day can burden and oppress, But spending time with God each day Can bring relief from stress." "Smile. Jesus loves you!" "Endure to enjoy. Enjoy to endure." "God wants to hear you sing. Don't be discouraged. Kaya yan." "FOCUS. Believe." "Thank You Lord for the wisdom." "Ammom JJ kuna ni Bro.Raks (brethren from Cavite, 1st year Law student), iwasan mong magalit/mainis/magtampo. Always have your devotion. Yang emosyon mo ang gagamitin ni Satan para hindi ka makapag-isip at makareview ng mabuti." "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST." "TRUST IN THE LOR...

3rd year ako sa MMSU, 3 years na sa akin noon ang pinakaunang brand new cellphone ko sa buong buhay ko. Tanda ko, nilagay ko ito sa aking bulsa bago ako sumakay sa tricycle papuntang COE (College of Engineering). Lumipas ang ilang minuto at doon ko lamang napansin na nawawala ito. Nakahiram ako noon ng phone sa aking kaklase na noon ay nakaunli-text. Sa aming magkakaklase, bibihira pa lamang ang may pantawag noon at kung meron man ay nahihiya akong humiram sa kanila. Sinubukan kong i-message ang aking contact number. Na ako ang pasaherong inihatid ni manong driver sa COE. Ang pagkakaalala ko, may natitira pang load ang aking phone kaya may pang-reply si manong driver na nakapulot kung saka-sakali man. Agad naman itong nag-reply, "Bio student here. Nakita ko po sa sinakyan kong tricycle ang phone ninyo. Ibigay ko sana kay manong driver pero duda ko kanina na pasahero din ang nakahulog. Nandito po ako ngayon sa Teatro." Nagpasalamat na ako sa kaniya kahit di ko pa ito nak...