For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. If the foot were to say, "Because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. And if the ear were to say,"Because i am not an eye, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be. There would not be a body if it were all only one part! As it is, there are many parts but one body.
So then, the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" Nor can the head say to the feet, "Well, I don't need you!" On the contrary, we cannot do without the parts of the body that seem to be weaker, and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty, which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it. And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The 7 Deadly Sins
Holy week is here and most people would think of this time of the year for a deeper reflection of their misdeeds and repent. It might be a normal practice but as Christians, we don't have to wait for a "special time" to do this. There should be a moment each day to reflect on what has been done for the day and review ourselves. The basis for our wrongdoings will be guided with knowing the 7 deadly sins, which are:
1. Pride - pride is the greatest sin and the root of all man's problem.
2. Greed - is the self-serving desire for the pursuit of money, wealth, power or other possessions especially when we deny the same goods to others.
3. Lust - we often have negative or lustful thoughts toward other people, what's usually corrupted is what is inside our mind and our hearts. Lust is the desire for what God has forbidden, it is an "obsessive sexual craving".
4. Anger - belongs to the righteous, every angry person feels that he/she is righteous and his opponent is unrighteous.
5. Gluttony - the main problem of gluttony is the sinful content of the heart, it is deadly toward others and deadly towards self.
6. Envy - the deadly sin with the worst excuse, it makes us think that God is unfair, it encourages us to entail sins no matter where and envy changes our priorities.
7. Sloth - is the sin of idleness, it suggest laziness, time and talent wasting. It is a sin of mediocrity and a sin of omission.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
1. Pride - pride is the greatest sin and the root of all man's problem.
2. Greed - is the self-serving desire for the pursuit of money, wealth, power or other possessions especially when we deny the same goods to others.
3. Lust - we often have negative or lustful thoughts toward other people, what's usually corrupted is what is inside our mind and our hearts. Lust is the desire for what God has forbidden, it is an "obsessive sexual craving".
4. Anger - belongs to the righteous, every angry person feels that he/she is righteous and his opponent is unrighteous.
5. Gluttony - the main problem of gluttony is the sinful content of the heart, it is deadly toward others and deadly towards self.
6. Envy - the deadly sin with the worst excuse, it makes us think that God is unfair, it encourages us to entail sins no matter where and envy changes our priorities.
7. Sloth - is the sin of idleness, it suggest laziness, time and talent wasting. It is a sin of mediocrity and a sin of omission.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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
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.
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!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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."
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."
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