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.

Stress and strain have caught up with me, but your commandments are my joy! (Psalms 119:143 CEB) No matter how stressful the day may be, when you love something you do and you believe that you are doing it for God's glory, stress becomes irrelevant.

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 currently studying for my comprehensive exam on the 18th. It is one of the requirements for me to finish my MBA. It has been twice postponed and I am hoping that it will not affect my thesis timetable.  While having a hot chocolate drink break from studying, I read the bible for some inspiration.  By surrendering our lives to Him and to His will, we get to understand how our faith works in our lives.