Sunday Blog: What are your plans for today?

Planning play's very crucial part of our everyday life. Most of the time we don't notice that we are already doing it or done it.

It is the line that connects the problem and solution -- a process in resolving a problem. A perspective of what you want to do in the future. Initial planning is done personally but most of the time it is subject to change due to the third party involve.

What would be your reaction if what happened didn't go according to your plan?

Before Rhea and I got married, we already had flights booked to Vigan-Laoag, Ilocos, Cebu and Boracay but when we learned that Rhea was pregnant, with no regrets, we canceled all these flights and focus to her pregnancy.  :)

During her pregnancy, Rhea and I agreed that when she gave birth will be living temporarily to her parents until such time that we're ready to move-in to our house. We asked our parents about it, and both have no problem. Praise God!

Finally, all were set. We have prepared everything, but a sudden change of plans on the 3rd week after Kiel (our son) was born.

Rhea felt the loneliness of being alone taking care of Kiel. I don't know if this part of her post par-tum stage, but I started to worry when she always cried to me every time I arrived home from work.  Her situation was understandably tough. She could only wish that everyday is a holiday so that everybody is with her in the house. :-(

One afternoon we sat and talked about situation then gave her a suggestion. We will stay in my parents for awhile then eventually decide if we'll go back to her parents. Every night we prayed for it until she decided to agree to my suggestion. So we packed and transferred everything to my parent's house.

Almost a week now we're with my parents and Rhea is doing better. Praise God! :)

I always use the phrase "Only God knows" every time I talked about the future. Your present may be the pattern of your future but still "Only God knows." People sometimes tend to guess or foresee what's God plan is but as in the movie, theirs always a twists. 

The unbeliever became His apostle. Acts 9:1-31  

...For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?" But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 9:19-22 

You can run but can never hide. Jonah 1 Jonah 2 Jonah 3 

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3 
Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”  Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” Jonah 3:1-4

We can really never know about His plan, just as He did to Joseph...

He was betrayed by his brothers and sold him to Midianite then sold again in Egypt.
A tough life came to Joseph in his youth age because of how his brothers treated him.
Still, he didn't hold any grudges against his brothers, in spite of what they did to him.Instead when he became the governor of Egypt, he offered them food and shelter and told them that everything happened, was according to Gods plan. 

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.Genesis 45:4-7

Nothing is impossible with God that He can turn mourning into dancing, for it is according to His plan. There was a saying "Plan ahead for the storm may come." Indeed, plan is very important to our lives for this plan God will direct us.

I'm a person who always plan. Some unavoidable circumstances that this plan may change and as an initial reaction I really feel bad but eventually realizing that what happened is better than what I've planned.

Therefore, if what happened didn't go according to our plan; don't be mad and blue, remember that you're a Christian. There is it always light at the end of the tunnel. Trust God.

God's plan is the best plan. So, whatever your plans are, God has a plan for you? :)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Happy Sunday.

To God be the glory... 

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless.

When the Earth open its mouth...

Rebellion is becoming a popular happenings nowadays.
Just recently Libyan rebels took over their country and ousted their leader Muammar Gaddafi. The same thing happened in Egypt, when President Hosni Mubarak stepped down after an 18-day angry protest against his leadership. 

In the Philippines, we have the famous EDSA-People Power 1, wherein Filipinos united and successfully exiled the former dictator Pres. Ferdinand Marcos to Hawaii in 1986.  EDSA I was only the beginning. In 2001, EDSA People Power 2 was called, overthrowing Pres. Joseph Estrada. A peaceful revolution compared with the other countries.

Rebellion can be a simple as disobedience to your parents or could be as extreme as forcing a president of a country to step down from his position. To rebel is to go against the authority -- can be a person who has the authority or the law itself.

I do believe that every person has a rebellious inclination in his heart, it's just a matter how he controls or expresses it. This rebellious inclination may have come from different forms, it may be power (to take control), pride, vengeance, selfishness, disappointments, freedom or love.

For whatever our reason is that we may rebel to anyone or anything in this world, but we cannot rebel against God or His chosen one; for we may face the consequence that Korah, Dathan, Abiram and others suffered.

Numbers 16 (click me to read the story)

I usually see this kind of story in Movies, Cartoons or TV series. People swallowed by the Earth alive. Truly, all things are possible with God.

Numbers 16:31-33
As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community.

Rebellion can be rewarding or disgrace. It will be determined by its outcome. 

Numbers 14:18

‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’

Proverbs 29:2
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."

To God be the glory.

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Thank You and God bless.

Sunday Blog: A Tribute To Grandparents

Disclaimer:
The old man in the picture is not my grandfather, but he does look like my grandfather, just remove the turban, extend his ear a bit longer and all white hair. 

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People sometimes neglect parents and grandparents.
I remember an interview with a granny. She was brought to home of the aged by her son because she's already a burden to his life. I feel bad whenever I hear or read a story somewhat like this.

Instead of disregard or mistreat them let's value and recognized them, give them more attention, love and understanding as they were to us during our childhood. You'll never know when realization come to you but it's already late that you cannot bring them back.

I was born in this world never had a chance to experience the hugs and kisses of my biological grandmother (as they're now with our Creator).  However, I was able to meet my grandfather's.
 
I grew up in the city while both of my grandfathers were in the province which is why I never had a chance to grow up with them, I just see them once in a blue moon. If I would recall, I don't have any memories that I played with them -- maybe because they were already old when I was growing.

How I wish I could experience their love and affection as there was a saying, the grandparents love their grandchildren more than their sons and daughters. I guess most of my cousins can testify to that. :)  I came to know them more and discover their lives through stories of my parents and relatives. I wish I had a chance to bond with them, ask for an advice and learn personally from their experiences.

Their lives were very interesting. I just recently learned that the father of my mother is one of the best swordsman in their town during WWII. My uncle told us how he was able to learned his father's story and confirmed by some of our relatives. It was the first time for a long time he told the story.

My grandfather was very humble in his own way. He never brags about his strengths or his stories, he just smiled. Maybe he's already too old already, he's just happy to see us. Most of his amazing stories were told by his old friends that his family never had any knowledge about it.

Whenever I think of my grandfather, a picture of a funny old man with his walking stick sitting on a chair with his annoying great grandchildren always asked him if he knows them. He already had difficulty in seeing and hearing so whenever we talk to him, we always adjust the tone of our voice a little louder.

I'm the youngest of his grandchildren, and surprisingly he recalls me. Since I just see him once every two years. Whenever I asked him if he knew me, he'll just touch my face and asked who is my mother, then he'll say my name.

I'm always fascinated with my grandfather because behind his old age, weakness, poor eyesight, deaf and wrinkled skins are his amazing stories yet to be told. (1896-2002)

When I was a child, I want to be a teenager wherein I can experience the colorful life of high school.
When I was in high school, I want to finish my studies in college and to experience having a girlfriend. When I got my degree and had my girlfriend, I want to have a career, be married and have a family. Praise God! for He granted my requests. Now I have a wife, a son, a family that I love. I feel fulfilled. I'm now experiencing what my parents experienced. I can now feel the love as father to a son whom they provided to me.

Now my parents are grandparents to my son. They're in their 70s while my son is almost a month old. I guess they're more fulfilled than me because they could hold and caress their grandson to their youngest son. I pray that God will bless them longer life that they may be able to see my 6 more children...soon... :)

If God will bless me a longer life, I want to experience to be a grandfather someday and share my stories to my grandchildren and to prove to myself if the saying is true. :)

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." - Proverbs 16:31

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers." - Proverbs 17:6 

Happy Grandparents Day.

To God be the glory.

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless.

My unread message for my son

In Rhea's (my  wife) eight month of pregnancy, her colleagues held a baby shower for her. They had financial contributions for food and gifts. It was fun, and we're so thankful all the effort they exerted. 

Three hours before they started. Her supervisor sent a SMS to me that if I could prepare a short message for my wife as well with my son? So I did prepare a message for them then I sent my message via email but due to unavoidable and unpredictable circumstances, my email was not able to get to the recipient, thus my message was not read during the baby shower.

Izaiah Kiel is already more than two weeks now, and I'm devoted father to him.

I'm sharing this message hoping someday he'll read this blog to let him know how I/We really love him:

(Translated in English)
To Kiel, did you know that all of us are excited for you? Especially your mom, but I told her just wait for the right time. Every night, I always tell your mom about God's miracle how you were formed. From a microscopic thing to a frisky baby you are now inside your mom's womb. 

You know from the moment your mom told me that she's pregnant. I already thought of your future. I made plans in my mind for you for the next 20 years (Hahaha). That's how excited I'm to you. Praying to God, one at a time He will lead us to my plans in His time. 

Son, it was said in the Bible that all the first born male is dedicated for God. You are blessed because we believe in God, and you are our first born male, thus we already dedicated you for Him even though you're still in your mom's womb.

As your parents, we'll do our best for your well-being and hope you remember all things I've said and will be saying whenever I talk to you. As you grow old, you'll encounter many issues in life and try to find a solution on your own. Praying that you'll be open to us and discuss those issues and will be there always for you. We can talk about anything under the sun, even the most complicated question we'll try to answer because we want you to learn everything from us with God's guidance.

Below is my first Bible verse for you:

    "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7"  
 
Will teach you more Bible verses as you grow old.

Wow! I just felt that I'm already a father, technically not yet because you're not born yet . We love you Kiel so much, and we are very excited to welcome you in this world.
With so many things I said in this message but only one word can describe these. I just want you to gain WISDOM.

I Love You Son.

To God be the glory.

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Thank You and God bless.