Curbside Stories

Photo from  here . Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. - Matthew 7:12 -------------------------------------- Sadly, judging other people based on their status in life, the clothes they wear, the way they speak, the food they eat, the company of friends they keep and all other criteria man has ever made, happens every time and everywhere.

Photo from  here . If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But, if you will be crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty. - Proverbs 11:3 ---------------------------------- I had a stressful day today. I had an investigation, together with other authorities, about a case of dishonesty... stealing a considerable amount of money. It involved one employee who's been in service for almost 10 years. It's a sad and disappointing case.  I was saddened by the fact that it involved money and an old employee. I still couldn't grasp the idea of the case. Just like the other cases we have investigated, it was of fateful discovery. I was disappointed because the person involved did not make use of the chance to defend herself. We asked her if she could explain the circumstances and yet we only received a blank face for a response. She briefly cried but I could not sense the sincerity and truthfulness of each drops of tears from her eyes.  After about three hou...

Photo from here . The parable of the fish and loaves is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Its message is simple--sharing. I am from the Philippines and I am very much aware that ever since the government announced the stay-at-home order because of the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of people have become poorer and that majority worry about their daily living. I currently live in the US and I can see the contrast between the effects of the order between a third world country and the US. I didn't worry for my family here in as much as I worried about my family and friends back in the  Philippines because we still have our jobs and we still can provide for our family. For that I am grateful. It hurts me to watch in the news that food and resources that are supposed to be for the people, land in the hands of corrupt government officials. I feel angry about a lot of people's deliberate disregard for authority and guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. How...

I had a  blog post two years about forgiveness. I honestly have forgotten about it and that maybe it was  Divine providence that I was able to read it again a few weeks ago and for me to contemplate about what happened since that post. A few days after re-reading it, my son's dad called asking if he could spend a day or two with him. I said yes because I want my son to feel that he has a father despite everything. While waiting for my son to come home from school, we had a little chat. It was awkward at first but our conversation went well. After almost ten years of separating, I finally heard him say sorry. He didn't elaborate but I knew in my heart what he was talking about. I just gave him a nod to confirm that he's forgiven. When that moment happened, it felt like a heavy yoke was lifted from my shoulders and I knew at that point, we have both moved on. I now fully believe that healing comes in time. If you allow yourself to be fully healed by that hurt, you must fir...

Sometimes we are too stubborn and proud of ourselves that we forget that we do not have full control of our lives. We oftentimes insist on things that aren't supposed to be so we end up frustrated and depressed to the point of questioning the plan of the One who is really in control of our lives. Many plans are in a person's mind, but the Lord's purpose will succeed. (Proverbs 19:21) Who are we to question the plan that has been laid upon us even before we were born? Just let Him be, let Him in.

Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. You know that you will receive an inheritance as a reward. You serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24) Amen.

It's Holy Week and I succumb myself into watching the television with my son. I have to take this opportunity to spend the long vacation with him because I have a really busy schedule. Yesterday's show was about the 7 Last Words, the first word of Jesus Christ is what really brought me into deep reflection. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) A married couple shared about their struggles in life. The husband was a drug addict, philander, and plainly irresponsible father. For ten years the wife endured everything but her faith and trust in the Lord did not falter. One day, the wife's prayer was answered. Her husband completely turned his back away from his old ways and sought the Lord's hands for healing.  What struck me about the couple's story is the wife's commitment to their marriage. Yes, her husband drifted away from them but she remained steadfast and loving. She was ready to forgive and forget everything...

I am not the most righteous person but I have beliefs and I try to live God's teachings in whatever decisions I make. What I am trying to say is that I am the kind of person who doesn't like the idea of revenge. When my son was hit and ran by a motorcycle about two years ago,  I was devastated and we couldn't find the person who did that to him, even until now. Remembering my son's condition at the Emergency Room still brings tears to my eyes but what can I do. I guess what hurts the most is that I could not give justice to my son and the thought of it breaks my heart into pieces. Despite the hurt, I could not sense revenge in my pain. I believe that in time, his action will have a counter effect on him. I also believe that if the things that we do, our endeavors, are rooted out of revenge, we will not succeed. God knows what is in our hearts even before we were born. Revenge must come from Him alone, in His own time. "Don't try to get revenge for yoursel...

PSALMS 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That's why we won't be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah.

PSALMS 94:18 Whenever I feel my foot slipping, your faithful love steadies me, Lord. I was searching last night of a Bible passage about love using a Bible app in my iPad. I guess more than a hundred passages matched with the word love but of all that I was able to read, it is this passage that made an impact on me. I hope this passage will inspire you today and for always.

I had the most life changing dream last night. It was the first time that it happened to me. It was the most concrete proof of God's intercession in my life... the proof that God is always with me, because He was with me even in my dream. In my dream, I was sleeping and was possessed by a demon. I was alone. My body stiffened, I could not breathe, but my mind was clear. I prayed. I have never prayed like that before. I was crying. I closed my eyes. I prayed for forgiveness and salvation. I surrendered myself to God. When I opened my eyes, while still in demonic possession, I saw before me a familiar image taking form. It was Jesus Christ! My heart rejoiced and I cried of happiness that He heard my prayers. All I could think of at that moment is I am saved. He stretched out his right arm, reaching his hand to me. I reached out my hand in return. There was a blinding light and the possession was no more.   When I woke up, I checked the time on my cellphone. It was 4AM....

This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him.  1 John 4:9 Never forget that HE is always with us... no matter what.

Don't do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. - Philippians 2:3 In a historical turn of events, Juan Manuel Marquez defeated Manny Pacquiao via technical knockout on Round 6. It was the most devastating sight any Filipino could witness from a man who has brought so much honor in the country through boxing. Go and succeed in your grandeur! Ride out on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your strong hand perform awesome deeds! - Psalms 45:4 Despite the loss, Pacquiao left the arena with a smile. It is not something that you get to see in the world of competitive sports. Defeat definitely teaches us humility. What we can learn from this day is that we must know when to stop. If we will not listen to God, He will have to do it the hard way... like letting us hit the floor really hard

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. Now when these things happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near. Luke 21:25-28 Take care that your hearts aren't dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don't let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One. Luke 21:34-36 Are we prepared for the second coming of Christ?  That was the question ...

Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you, who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you."

This is the confidence that we have in our relationship with God: If we ask for anything in agreement with His will, He listens to us.

Not intended to promote a coffee brand. I was just cold that I have to have something to keep me warm. We were allowed to have coffee, anyway. I attended the last session of my Ethics subject for my MBA and we discussed about good governance, ethical standards expected of a public official and the like. One of the reporters said that a public officer should earn public trust--which I totally agree. Another thing that was discussed were the 8 norms of conduct of public officials: 1. Common public interest  2. Professionalism 3. Justness and sincerity 4. Political neutrality 5. Responsiveness to public 6. Nationalism and patriotism 7. Commitment to democracy 8. Simple living If only these eight are being practiced by all government officials and employees, then, probably our courts will not trial a public official for graft and corruption. Blessed is the nation whose God is LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm ...