Is Life Meaningless?

The topic discussed in our church last Sunday was about life's frustrations. King Solomon was the most wealthy man during his time, the most powerful, with 700 wives and 300 concubines. With all the material things surrounding him, his life was still filled with frustrations. In these words: Ecclesiastes 1: 2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." It is the emptiness of life, no matter how rich or wealthy a person is, life is still empty if the mind focuses earthbound. His frustrations were defined as follows:

I. All is Frustration - Ecclesiastes 1:3 What does man gain from all his labor
at which he toils under the sun?
II. Frustration in Nature and History - Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;there is nothing new under the sun.
11 There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come
will not be remembered by those who follow.
III. The Frustration of Wisdom - Ecclesiastes 1:16 I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
IV. The Frustration of Unlimited Wealth - Ecclesiastes 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
V. The Ultimate Frustration: Death! - Ecclesiastes 2:16 For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered;
in days to come both will be forgotten.
Like the fool, the wise man too must die!
VI. Practical Advice: Ecclesiastes 11:9 Be happy, young man, while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,
"I find no pleasure in them"-
V. Final Conclusion - Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

God has set a pattern of our life, it cannot be changed. God knows and set it for us to have a meaningful life, we just have to act on the right time! Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

How to identify God's blessings

God blesses us everyday. He sends us blessings in different ways, we may not realize it but it is right before our eyes can see. How do we recognize God's blessings? Foremost, one should have a grateful heart. If we are thankful for whatever that comes or happens in our lives, it is easy to identify the blessing given to us. A bitter heart never sees the goodness of life and the mind could not recognize anything better than heartaches and failures.

A few days back, i had a very short stint with a call center. My work mates felt bad about the work stoppage as everybody needed the job. I felt sad too but looking on the brighter side, I was glad I was able to join the group even for a short while as I gained new young friends. Now I have young buddies to go job hunting and I feel young again! That's making me lively! Thank you God for my new young friends.

Graduation!

I am a very happy mother!

Last March 17 my only son graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Cebu with the course of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. He was the top Cadet of his batch. As his Mom, I felt so blessed and grateful to God for giving me a fully-packed gift. He is a son every mom could be proud of; brainy, responsible, respectful,loving and very good looking...nothing more you could ask for!

Kris Aquino

Remembering the Past

I admired Kris Aquino as i watched the news today. Truly, it was painful to see those people freed from prison who were accused of killing her father Ninoy without being remorseful of what has been recorded as an unforgettable event of the Philippines. She speaks without pride, humbled herself of what the family has been through.

Kris understands that the soldiers did not act on their own, they (the Aquino's) did not point their fingers on the soldiers but they want to hear the "true story". Sadly, these soldiers still have the guts to dare re-opening of the case. Wouldn't it be wise for them to keep their mouth close if they have nothing relevant to say? And, Be Thankful that you are now free and can breathe the air of the outside world! Keep that pride away for God has blessed you to be with your family again.

Lenten Reflections

1. Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
2. Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
3. Sometimes, He sends us pain so we can be stronger.
4. Sometimes, He sends us failure so we can be humble.
5. Sometimes, He sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
6. Sometimes, He takes "everything" away from us so we can learn the value of the little we have left.

"One good reason why we should pray, it is because GOD CAN DO MORE in five seconds than what we can do for ourselves in five years."