Reflection on Faith

In my personal view faith stands on something we believe in. Somehow this is what pushes us to do better, to do well and to be a better person. I have faith in God as my Lord and Savior as my redeemer and my only way towards salvation.

Despite circumstances, Faith is the only thing that keeps me going. My recent story will just be the same old story of everyone else. My life story is so ordinary that everyone may be experiencing and or has experienced in one way or the other.

Just recently, I lost everything that I have been working for the past decades or so. I planned everything according to my will and everything was running smoothly. Until one day, someone came in and started breaking every foundation that I have built. Masked with friendly gestures then turned into a personified monster from the underworld. I was caught off guard. Then every foundation started to break so easily. These people came like a strongest magnitude of an earthquake. Then left me with almost nothing.

The career that I had been holding on has gone astray and I became a dog without a master. Then I realized, after all these long journey that I had been doing there was one thing I forgot. The FAITH to my creator was set aside. It was this missing link I suppose that when a quake has come the foundation I built gets shattered that easy.

That was my missing link. That was the most important part that I had missed. The self-centeredness has consumed me. Anger has changed my attitude. I used to be so positive and vibrant and because of that anger from within me it has changed me to become meaner each day. God has a way of making us realize the things we miss.

One Sunday when I went to church, the pastor started talking about Faith not just a Faith but an audacious faith. He was talking about the story of Zelophehad’s daughter. It made me realize that their story is amazing displaying the faith they had for God.

Here’s their story as I narrate it with my personal experience and thoughts.

Long time ago in the Old Testament, where the culture is strongly patriarchal Zelophehad died along the way on their journey to the promise land. Zelophehad died without no son. So all his belongings including a land will be given not to his daughters but to his brothers living his daughter without any means of livelihood.

Zelophehad’s daughter, Mahlah, Noah, Milcah and Tirzah knew they had inheritance they knew they have a good God. These ladies, hold on to GOD’s promise. They also knew they don’t have a voice because in Hebrew in the olden times, inheritance are to be given to the sons from their deceased father. They knew that if they will make a stand they would have to stand before Moses, Eleazar the priest and chiefs of the congregation.

Because Zelophehad’s daughter had an audacious faith towards GOD, they would make a stand and appeal in their hearts to give them the inheritance they should receive from their deceased father Zelophehad.

I then realized, I didn’t had faith from GOD that he can do all things. I knew God can move mountains but merely knowing is definitely useless if you don’t have the faith that GOD indeed can move mountains for us. Knowledge is just a tool for us to survive, for us to use it to become a better servant to our creator. It shouldn’t be the definition of what we can do but rather it is a definition that GOD gave us knowledge to function better according to his will. All we need to do is have faith. It is that FAITH that we have in our heart that will guide us through the decisions we make or the words we utter.

With Zelophehad’s daughter and their argument, Moses asks God to make the decision.

In real life, let’s be like Moses. When faced in a challenging situation we should sit back for a while and ask God’s guidance. We can never go wrong if it is the will of the Lord. Remember, the decision you make may somehow impact someone else’s life. Should Moses acted upon the Law of the Land then no matter what the Zelophehad sister would do will definitely

The story of the Zelophehad daughters and their faith is found in the bible in the book of Numbers Chapter 27 verses 1 to 7.

Each day as we pursue our daily task we are given decisions to make. It is always best to have that Faith burning just like the daughters of Zelophehad who always had their faith in them and in those desperate situation God stood with them. Their story is a biblical testament that with intense faith that we have for as long as we fuel it and keep it burning each day, then God will always be there too with us battling 90% of our battle.

The Sunset of Life

It was one cold afternoon of January when I decided to stroll. Just the normal activity I do since I lost my job. It is a perfect time for a realization of the things I have done. I am person who planned everything. I planned on everything from my life goals to career moves.

I remember that before entering my college life I also had a long walk at dawn planning from my biggest goal up to the steps that I need to do to achieve my lifetime goal. This was my beautiful sunrise. When the sun rises from the east it signals a beautiful day. The birds chirps excitedly. The kids are joyously preparing for their activities for the day. The flowers in the garden standing proud awaiting for the sun to finally rise to help them build the food they need. Sunrise signifies a beautiful day ahead. The sun smiles brightly from afar to the creation of this universe excited to fulfill their duties and tasks for the day ahead.

For me, the sunrise is the signal for a day to execute the plans for the day. I planned on the things I need to do on my college days to gain all the experience I needed to land on a professional job after college. My life’s blueprint was all laid up when I finally enrolled in college. I am able to execute all these plans perfectly and was able to reach all goals that I have.

Sunrise signifies a beginning of a journey to a beautiful day. No matter how we conjure the things around us the sun will always rise and the course of the matter will always come to life. No human can ever stop what is bound to happen. The only thing human can do is to decide which way to go. It is the call of nature. What is bound to happen will always happen no matter what.

It will not always be a beautiful sunny day when the sun rises. There will be days where there are storms stronger than the other. Storms that shatters someone else’s life. Storms that will blow everything that you will have. Or there will be days where the sun seems to come closer to us where there is extreme heat. The soils will crack, the plants will wither.

But after all this, the sun will always set in the west. As the sun continues to set the sky turns to different shades of orange. The rays of the sun adorns the blue sky with colors pleasing to the eye until it finally disappears and turns the sky into pitch black.

Sunset is a reminder for us that everything has an end. No matter what the situation is whether it a blizzard of bad lucks or a basketful of luck it will always have an end. It is also a reminder that it was such a fine perfect day.

Just in life, we meet different persona that stumbles our way.

There will be people who would come and shatter our life just like one of our stormy days. They will probably come and leave us with unrepairable damage in our life. There are those people who would come and leave us with penniless. There will be situation forcing us to become the person who we are not. Just like a storm, they will come unexpectedly more often than not they will come at your lowest point.

Sometimes amidst this staggering happenings in our life, someone will come to brighten up our days. Just like a sunrise. It energizes us to do the things we are ought to do. They will light up our life after we come out from the dark. There will be situation, the unexpected one that will come and give us the energy that we needed the most inspiring us to exceed the expectation on the things are destined to do.

Above all, there will be someone who will always be our sunset. The one who will always be there reminding us that everything shall pass and everything will come to an end. Just like the beautiful sunset with wide range of colors adorning the sky, that person will always be that someone who resets us to have that there will tomorrow waiting with the hopes of a better than that of today and yesterday. It is our sunset that reminds us that there will be hope of a better tomorrow.

That was the meaning of sunset for me. It is a reminder that no matter what there will always be an end of all the things that is happening. It gives us hope for a new tomorrow. So who is that person who will be the sunset of your life. That person who will remind you that everything shall come to an end.

Trusting People

I see the world as a place where everything is possible. A world full of love and injustice. I see it as a place for dreamers to fulfill the dreams they have been working on for years. A place where everyone will experience the beauty of living. A place so beautiful yet very dangerous. A place where everyone would grow their faith and experience the majestic miracles of what we call LIFE.

They say NO MAN IS AN ISLAND which is true. Everyone needs someone to grow and strive for whatever they are destined to be doing. We treat our neighbors as our friend, our comrade, our comforter, in short we see and treat them as our family because we know in times of trouble they will be our run to person when times get tough.

As we sail on to our journey either going to work or simply dining in to a little or mini food stores we will be mingling with different people of different personality and walks of life. We chat, laugh and simply talks to them which may lead to something better and deeper relationship. Our simple HI and Hello's somehow creates a bridge to the people we first met until we ended up talking to them.

However, sometimes that simply HI and HELLO's may lead to catastrophic incident burning the bridges that was once created. The bridge that was built beautifully by simply bumping into those people we accidentally meet. These things happens simply because we are TRUSTING too much.

We are called HUMAN because we TRUST. However, because of that TRUST sometimes will lead us to our own distraction. Human by nature are loving and caring just exactly as describe in the old testament. As God has created Adam and Eve to be loving and caring to almost everything. We are created in the liking of God.

Trusting to people is definitely very human in nature. We trust people we meet because we don't see them as enemy but rather as a brethren in fellowship in our world full of unknown possibilities. For it is written in the scripture to LOVE each other. LOVE and TRUST goes together as husband and wife. For we cannot LOVE if we dont TRUST.

However, it is true that only few of those people we meet along the way really are worthy of our TRUST. Many are simply there to take advantage on your weakness. Sometimes even the people we invited to our table to dine and drink with us would leave us and take away the belongings we have. It is a hidden truth that those whom we considered to be our friend, or could be our ally in terms of raging conspicous human battle is actually a bomb that will explode to distroy or take away everything that we have.

It will never be easy to identify those who are unreal. Never trust a man who speaks foolishly nor should you invite a person in your house who are boastful. Above all, the most dangerous of them all, never TRUST a person who speaks flowering word. There are people who pretends to be a friend, concieve by good words and definitely a mask of a good man. These are the one's who will attack you visciously when you are in their trap.

The Voice Within

Have you ever experienced sitting down in the middle of a cold black night not thinking of anything maybe puffing a cigarette with a bottle of beer. Enjoying the melodious spund of the cricket, the baritone bark of your neighbor's dog, the high pitched sound of the cricket.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a question pops out of your mind. This could be a random question like why I failed my English subject? Or questions like why aren't you attending your Sunday Church service or why are you going to church? Questions you never imagined just popping out of your mind.

Psychologist may say, that it is your subconscious mind talking pastors may say it is God's way of reminding or talking to you.

Since this questions just pops out, more often than not they're left unanswered or even ignored.

It happened to me once, and I am left hanging asking myself if this are by products of my imaginations or this are questions buried under the realm of my subconscious self. Or was it really God's way of communicating to me.

Months has passed and then same questions has crossed my mind. Then came series of related questions started to flow in my mind.

I am amazed how brains works. I am not trying to ask question I am just puffing my cigarette then it coined serries of words formulating into questions I never imagined asking myself.

I came to realize somehow that it could be God's way of talking to its people through our mind in our most unexpected way. Could be His own way of guiding its people to His plan.

These questions, so simply and yet so powerful. I believe that this questions could lead the person to a total transformation or a rebirth of that person to new persona.

Then I asked myself, could this scientist and engineers gone through same situation where they were alone sitting at their porch enjoying their own coffee came across a simply question and transform them to the birth of Albert Einstien upto Steve Job and Bilm Gates?

A question they are willing to answer that totally changed them and become who they are destined to become or should I say a rebirth from their oldselves and become what God has planned them to be.

What about you? Did you ever experienced the same situation? Did you ever try to find out what is it for you? Did you believe it is God's voice talking to you through your brain?

I believe in God as my saviour and my creator and that he has His own way of talking to His children.

Share yours via the comment box.

Baking Soda for Skin care

There are countless benefits of baking soda to your skin. Amongst the most popular are natural deodorizer, exfoliant, pimple and acne remedy, removes blackheads amongst other. So this week I tried creating my homemade facial mask.

WHAT YOU NEED?

2 tablespoon of lemon juice
4 to 5 tablespoon of baking soda
1 tablespoon of sea salt or rock salt.

Procedure

Mix all ingredients until it becomes clay like in texture. Always make sure to do some skin test to check if your skin reacts. After 10 minutes and you havent felt a burning sensation or extreme itchiness then you can apply it on your face.

Aside from using lemon juice you can also use milk or honey or even distilled water.

Because there is other benifits of using baking soda you can also apply it on your arms, armpit, on your feet.

For face and neck you can wash it after 10 to 20 minutes.

For feet, sole, ankle or knee you can wrap it and leave it overnight. It leaves the skin softer.

Please note not to over use baking soda as it may damage your skin. Preferably twice a week or even once a week.

(PS I am using my phone to write an article)

Jason Floresca and His ALDUB Artwork

If you are an ALDUB fan, I am sure you would definitely know Jason Floresca. A Filipino Overseas Worker based on Jeddah who finds time to share his talent that keeps inspiring other Fans through his art work.

I am also one of those many fans who awaits the pictures that he shares on his Twitter that is being shared a hundred times because they are simply beautiful. A craft that is truly amazing!

Personally the artworks, poems, qoutes that is being shared and tweeted always awe me with so much appreciation.

This month, I want to pay tribute to a fan who willingly shares his talent at no cost but inspires me in so many ways!

Here are some of his beautifuly crafted artworks.

Were you amazed? Well there's more of this in Jason Floresca's Twitter, Facebook an Instagram. FOLLOW HIM @jasondmx for more!

January Inspirational Qoutes

I wanted to kickoff my 2016 with positivity. Positivity for me is how we view things on a different angle.

For example, I resigned from my job due to some unfavorable personal circumstances that I do not want to sacrifice the relationship I build from my clients. It is somehow depressing when you suddenly slow down the pace and reflect back to everything that happened in the past.

Looking back from your past is not to mourn for what you have lost but rather to learn from those experience and draw inspiration for you to build your future. With those life experiences I was able to pull some inspiring qoutes that I can share to inspire others.

MY NEW YEARS WISH TO EVERYONE WHO READS MY BLOG

BIBLICAL INSPIRATION

I always draw my inspiration with some bible verses. It is always fulfilling to read some scripture not to memorize it but rather to try to relate it with your current situation. Or a situation that has happened in the past or to even draw an inspiration for the future. It is always best to seek guidance from the Almighty for whatever dwelling we have.

QOUTES THAT INSPIRES

Sometimes, the things we share in our social media like facebook, twitter, or instagram may somehow inspire not only yourself but to others as well. I somehow get my inspiration to be more positive with these qoutes that was shared in those social media platforms.

What about you? Where do you get your inspiration aside from the obvious which is family and loved ones? Share it with me in the form of a comments. I surely appreciates it.

PANAGBENGA 2016

Its this time of the year again when Baguio City will again hit its highest tourist peak. A celebration for being blessed known to its wonderful climate, honest Igorot Taxi drivers, jams, strawberry and its by products, vegetables, ukay-ukay and above all for its tons of beautiful flowers supplying a huge chunk of flowers sold in Metro Manila.

Below is the schedule of activities for PANAGBENGA 2016.

Photo credit

February 1, 2016

• Grand Opening Parade: Drum and Lyre Competition- Elementary Division
  Location: Panagbenga Park, Session Road-Magsaysay Avenue-Harrison Road-Melvin jones Football Grounds
  Time: Program starts at 8:00AM
• Opening Concert
  Location: Atrium, SM City Baguio
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 2 – 7, 2016

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 8, 2016

• Chinese Spring Festival
  Location: City-wide
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 9 – 13, 2016

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 14, 2016

• Handog ng Panagbenga Sa Pamilya Baguio
  Let a thousand Flowers Bloom
  Panagbenga 2016 Kite-Flying Challenge
  Panagbenga Variety Show
  Fireworks Display
  Location: Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Grounds
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 15 – 17, 2016

• PMA Grand Alumni Homecoming
  Location: PMA, Loakan Road
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 18, 2016

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 19, 2016

• Floral Arrangement Competition (Judging)
  Location: Baguio City National High School
• Barangay Clean and Green Landscaping Competition (Judging)
  Location: All Baguio City Barangays
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 19 – 21, 2016

• School Based Landscaping Competition (Judging)
  Location: Baguio City Schools
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 22 – 26, 2016

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 27, 2016

• Grand Street Dancing Parade
  Location: Panagbenga Park-Session Road-Magsaysay Avenue-Harrison Road – Athletic Bowl
  Time: 8:00AM
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 28, 2016

• Grand Float Parade
  Location: DILG – Session Road – Harrison Road – Athletic Bowl
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 29 – March 4, 2016

• Session Road in Bloom
  Location: Session Road
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

March 5, 2016

• Pony Boys Day
  Location: Wright Park
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

March 6, 2016

• Panagbenga Closing Ceremonies and Grand Fireworks Display
  Location: Athletic Bowl and Various Areas in Baguio CBD
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

To maximize your Panagbenga experience here are some few tips and guidelines:

1. Book your hotels now. Most of the hotels for sure is fully book by now. An alternative is a transient house. Most affordable transient houses are located at Teachers Camp, Trancoville, Pacdal, near Lourdes Groto. I suggest you search the internet for affordable transient houses. Click here for Transient Houses 

2. Dont bring your car. Having a car during the Festival is very inconvenient since parking spaces are congested. It is better to take a bus going to Baguio and take public transportation like jeepney and taxi when roaming around Baguio or walk.

3. Make sure you throw your garbage at the proper bin. As the city street sweepers cant clean the whole parks because there are tons of people and garbages to collect.

4. Book your bus ticket in advance (going and coming back to Manila) to avoid delays and book it as early as January.

5. Smokers can only smoke at smoking areas.

6. You can also bring a tent and set it up at BURNHAM PARK. In case you cant find a place to stay.

7. February is one of the coldest month in Baguio so bring your thickest jacket and bonnets.

ANG ATING PAG-ASA

"ANG ATING PAG-ASA"
BY: MARK ANDREW SALES PADILLA

Daan tungo sa tagumpay ay lubhang matarik at mapanganib
At marami ang sa atin ay pilit na hahatak pababa
Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa, umiyak man tayo taas noo parin lalakad
Mga mahal natin, kaibigan sa buhay pataas tayo'y kanilang itutulak  Linangin natin ang taglay na kakayanan
Gaya ng mamahaling ginto
Na kailangang idaan sa apoy para masuri ang taglay nitong kapuruhan
Di magtatagal at tayo'y papaitaas
Huwag tayong sumuko, huwag nating itigil ang laban dahil kasama natin ang Diyos na mananagumpay
Tagumpay ay halos abot na natin
Pumailanglang, panatilihin ang lipad na may kapayapaan
Sabi nga nila tiyaga ang kailangan
Haluhan natin ng sipag at dalangin ng may pananampalataya sa Diyos
Mga pagdududa ay dapat nating  lupigin para
Makamit natin  ang magandang hangarin
May mga panahong walang kasing hirap ang mga pagdaraan natin sa buhay
Pero sino ang nagsabing ang buhay ay madali?
Pintuan ay bukas, maging maagap lagi tayo
Dahil sa kabila nito'y kaligayahang di malilip ang sa ati'y lalapit
Kapag ang ating mga pangarap ay napakasamay na
Huwag kailanman kalimutang lumingon sa ating pinanggalingan
Tayo naman ang sa iba ay luminga
Tulangan natin ang iba sa kanilang pagbangon
Ngayon na nasa rurok na tayo ng tagumpay
Kayakap ang pantasyang ating pinangarap
Manatili tayo sanang sa lupa nakatapak
Na may pagpapakumbaba sa lahat.