Resting in God's Peace

          As we have just recently celebrated the All Souls Day and offered prayers for the faithful departed, it is but fitting for us  to reflect on the significance of this element of resting in our life. Oftentimes, when death comes to a person, we usually say or write, RIP which means "Resquiescat in Pace" or "Rest In Peace". A little of history about this practice happened in the eight century when it became ubiquitous on the tombs of Christians as well as for the High Church Anglicans and the Roman Catholics in particular." - Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

          As such, we are therefore constantly reminded that everything on this earth is but temporal and that at a certain point in our life, we will come to terms with our own death. Thus there is that consistent invitation for us all to be always ready when death comes and in some cases, it does in an unexpected manner just like a thief in the night. 

When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home. - Chief Aupumut, Mohican -

                              Source: http://www.a-good-dying.com/rest-in-peace-quotes.html

          From a sharing with my friend Pong, I was fortunate enough to be reminded with the following insights as extended also by their pastor in their congregation. A few of those are the following:

a. The Essence of the Sabbath Day:

It is therefore good to note that the Sabbath Day is basically not just one of those days in our calendar year but somehow, this day is entirely a day that is intended for mankind to offer prayers and good deeds for the Creator. Moreover, as He rested on this day after creating the universe in six days,  He also invites His people to devote a day of rest and prayer. It further denotes our reality as being challenged to establish and sustain a loving relationship with our Creator therefore we also return to Him during our moment of death. 

b. Contentment in God: 

We oftentimes worry greatly on numerous things like our daily provisions, health, day to day activities, children, studies, etc. that consequently, we time after time neglect our very basic relationship with Him Above. Most of the times, we worry so much on what is temporal and forget what is eternal. At certain events in life, we stress ourselves on what is seemed as unnecessary and just wants in life disregarding on the process the more essential things such as our time with God and times with our other loved ones. 

c. Acknowledgement of God Being our Creator:

As human beings, we are created in His own image and likeness therefore initially goodness in our hearts is intrinsically in our nature. However, when we start to use our own free will and intellect, that signals the commence of our commission of things both desirable and not therefore with the undesirable deeds, we are allowing ourselves to become astray from our Creator. 

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          The moment then that we die, we would never carry along with us any of these temporal and earthly possessions. However the only treasures that we can carry with us when we die are those good deeds that we have implanted in our hearts. We will be judged on heaven by these possessions and never on any earthly richness.  However if we live a life worthy of praise and adorations then we can be rest assured that on our moment of death, our Creator will be waiting to welcome us into His fold. 

          Hence, let us learn to live life to its fullest as well as live it according to His plan. Though we falter in certain chapters on this journey yet we should also be humble enough to realise our limitations and offer to return back to His fold.  

P. s. much gratitude to Pong for the sharing


                                     

Cherishing Wonderful Memories

       Memories allow us to re- live and look back all those past events in our life. Some tend just to occupy a skin- deep level of our consciousness that we easily forget and leave them behind. While others seem to linger the more in our minds and allow us to positively harbor every minute of the experience. 

          Every moment then becomes an important  chapter in our individual book of life. As I rekindle each chance of communicating with our little boy miles away from us, I can't help myself but recall to mind as well my childhood memories. Though I could hardly remember some events that I had exactly when I was in my boy's present stage, however, the feeling of being loved and given importance by my own parents continued to stay in my awakened state.

imagecredit: http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/nature/underwater/slides/mushroom_corals_2684.htm

          On the other hand, when we transfered to another house recently, it allowed me to temporarily end that particular chapter of my book of life in that previous place then commence a new and fresh chapter in this new neighborhood. I say temporarily end since I know that on any event, I just can proceed that recently concluded chapter of my journey. Thus I am grateful to all those people who have accompanied me, my wife Yanyan and our most treasured gift, Kurt Kristoff, in that place. To name names, thanks a lot Charlie, Linda, Titing, Pepay, Dundee, Michelle, Jojo, their two lovely daughters, Dina, John, Gabriel, Santos and some other unmentioned names yet they similarly are merited with the same gratefulness.

          This book of life called life journey is such a wonderful one and it is made to evolve into a more meaningful event when we meet and cross paths with remarkable people as mentioned beforehand. Thank you guys and see you one of these days.

 



                
               
                                          

How Do You Treasure Loved Ones In Your Life?

          Life is at times full of elations and sometimes that of misery. Each one has dreams that wanted to be realized. And in your everyday journey, it is also coupled with bountiful trials and crosses. Challenges which you might think that they have no end anymore. With this reality, you then realize that life is  not at all happiness. 

          At times, you tend to fall down but then when those moments come, you need to get up and continue the journey. Life's tests are accorded to you yet they are not given for you to lose hope. Moreover they are not showered in your life to destroy your dreams however they are present to enable you to become stronger and learn how to face life squarely.

imagecredit: http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-wild-horses-image1408129

          As you go on with your journey, your main inspiration is your family. When your loved ones are happy and contented in life, you also become enthusiastic. It is very inspiring for you to realize that your family is always with you in this journey. 

          Furthermore, your life is also colored positively by all friends who have been so thoughtful to you. Friends whom you can be so free to share everything of yourself in and out. People whom you can share life with not just during times of laughter but even during rough moments.

          After some storms and barriers in your life, your real friends will be the ones  to lift you up and give you fresh air to breath.  Your wounds then will heal and trials will end. Just like when those storms fade, you can watch a rainbow of hope- a spark of new light.

Guest writer: Emily C. Devilbiss

                      USA

                                            

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Life: A Wonderful Gift

          LIFE- what is it anyway? There have been so many meanings and attributions to it yet personally, I claim it as a gift --a very precious gift from somebody up there. Hence for being as such, I am also called to positively extend it with others. Every single day, countless world events unfold, both good and bad, and as I take notice of them, I could not help myself but be reflective on them specifically with the negative events that struck our great world nowadays.

imagecredit:By Matt Banks, published on 13 March 2010

While I could not contain myself from feeling pity to all those helpless victims above, the more that I become appreciative to my own life that I have the privilege to wake up everyday. The unfolding of each new day bears personal memories so worthy to cherish. This day is parallel to a great day- the outstanding weather, such fresh air, clean environment, the serenity of the place-they usher me to treasure any day. 

          On the other hand, this day further develops into another occasion for me to exchange laughters and joy with people, both significant and ordinary, in my life. As it is, I am aware that life would never be the same from one person to the other and I can fully understand that there might be people out there who are not that enthusiastic about today due to illness, problems, stress, poverty, disillusionment and other reasons like natural calamities.

imagecredit: 
Free Photo Bank

       
           With this reality in hand, my heart goes along with them on their plight and on their struggles in their journey. Thus far, what is noteworthy in all of these, both for them and for me, is the sensibility that we are still alive this day---that is one great reason for us to be grateful each day.

A REFLECTION: LIFE IS SO WONDERFUL

          Each day that I wake up, I always reflect on what this day brings to me and on others.At times, we worry so much on life's trivialities such as material things, wants and the like. Amidst all of these, I realize that my Divine Creator has been so understanding and generous to me each day. Thus instead of focusing solely on what  I will attain this day, I change my focus instead to how could I express my gratitude to God for His unending generosity for me. Multiple blessings have come in my life everyday and they become concrete manifestations of His love for me.

         The present challenge is how to extend and share this great love from God to others especially to my family- my wife and my little boy. I could reflect of so many things to perform yet I believe that even simpler things would be as big as they are in His eyes. He never measures my deeds rather I know that what counts most for HIM is the genuineness of all my actions and kindness towards myself and others. Hence there is always this personal and constant invitation to be a living instrument of God for others and I know that this entails a lot of sacrifices for me.

          However, believing constantly that He is always here, there and everywhere to guide and give me strength, I am positive that I can always perform my deeds as a person- an instrument of peace and love for others.

REMEMBERING in our HEARTS OUR LOVED ONES

          Significant people are ones who can give us comfort and strength when things are getting rough and tough...when everything seems so blurred, they come to our rescue and offer us a sense of perspective. Thus, it is but fitting to remember them always in our hearts including those who are away from us anymore-our faithful departed.

          Their memories and legacy will constantly remind us of their presence. They are merely physically absent from us yet their examples and good deeds guide us in choosing what is best for us. We always have 24 hours in a day and how great it is when we appropriate a part of these 24 hours to offer our prayers for these significant people for they would always be present in our life.

from:www.dreamstime.com

          Physically absent yet their love would always be our source of inspiration. I remember concretely  my mother who died many years ago. Ever since I  was  a kid, she was my mentor in my prayer life. She everyday initiated us into good deeds especially to prayer by reciting the holy rosary. Every Sunday is always a day of obligation. When everybody seemed to be enjoying their rest on Sundays, she constantly became the first person to wake us all up and prepared ourselves for mass.

          Hence, I offer my daily prayers for my beloved Mama and for other faithful departed and this allows me to continue my connections with them. Do you also keep in your hearts and prayers your own departed loved ones?...