Our Guiding Star

“To us she was the symbol of the world we wanted: a world where people could speak their minds without disappearing, where public servants actually served, where leaders were honest, just, selfless, intelligent and dignified.”

- Jessica Zafra, “Our better selves” (Philstar.com)

Last week, the Philippines had lost one of the greatest, if not the greatest leader it ever had.

I was more than sad when I heard the news. I was panic-stricken.

Corazon “Cory” Aquino was the living symbol of democracy, the shining star that guided millions of lost Filipinos yearning for a better future in thier land.

After serving her term as president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992, she never left us. Like a real mother, she did not leave and just stayed behind the curtains, making sure that us, her children were in good hands.

She was decent and loving and pure and humble.

And now she’s gone.

The question remains: who will take up where tita Cory had left off? What lies ahead for Filipino rallyists who clamor for a fair and equal share of rights and citizenship in this country?

Cory Aquino…I think her death, though tragic as it is, has a timely purpose.

The 2010 elections will happen in less than a year…if we MAKE IT SO.

Let us make sure that we will have the right to VOTE, and we will see those whom WE HAVE VOTED FOR rightfully take their place.

Let’s protect this country just as tita Cory had wanted us to.

Let’s not forget WHO WE ARE. We should be the ones to take up where she had left off. We should stop relying on self-centered, wicked, and scheming politician-opportunists in leading this country!

Let’s not forfeit our identities as Filipinos!

Ninoy said, “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

And tita Cory said, in her own silent ways:

“The Filipino is worth LIVING for.”

Thank you, Nanay Cory…for everything.

Cross-less Christians

“Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” - Luke 14:27

We live in a cross-less society, where people are not willing to carry their own burdens or endure any trouble. Even some Christians want their faith to be light, worry-free, and non-challenging to their life-style choices. It’s as if we’re saying to Christ and His first disciples, “that cross carrying stuff is old-fashioned. We want to emerge as new Christians, who are free to reject what we don’t like of the old ways and re-invent our faith. We want it all to be light and fluffy, likeable and popular. We don’t want to carry nasty crosses anymore.”

Situation Ethics: Pig+Lipstick

Reposted from http://www.verticalthought.org

Would you ever kiss a pig? What if the pig were wearing lipstick? From a distance it might look a little better. But when you got closer, you’d find the same dirty, smelly pig. Situation ethics is just another way of rejecting God’s law. By dressing it up with concepts like love and consideration, some try to make it look better—like putting lipstick on a pig.

by Barry Korthuis

You’re probably wondering what ethics has to do with swine and makeup. Granted, it’s a strange picture. But it is a good way to understand the code of conduct most people have embraced today. Before we get to the pig and lipstick, let’s consider a little background on ethics.

Ethics means the principles that determine morality and acceptable conduct. Everybody has ethics, whether they consciously think about their ethical principles or not.

Farewell, Kiko…

Francis Duran Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009)

A legend has passed away. For a Filipino like me, who wouldn’t know this guy, Francis M? A lot of people looked up to him, specially the young pinoys all over the world.

Letter From A Christian

Reposted from http://www.christianblog.com:

“I have many family members and relatives who are atheist, and also ungodly in their lifestyles.

Despite witnessing to them, praying for them all these years.
They have yet to come to faith, at times it can be discouraging.
Still I will continue to walk with God and hope for their best.

Waterfall

“Here I am dying to say I am desperate for Your touch… I fall upon this desert ground, and I am empty at Your feet. Will You break me now? Will You take me in Your grace?” “Take me deeper in love, take me deeper with You Where the streams of Your mercy run… Feel Your waves over me, feel Your power over me In the roar of Your waterfall.” “Wash away the hidden stains of my falleness, I pray; I’ll tell the world of all You’ve done, of Your saving power in me.” “Saturate me now, ever leave me in Your grace.” “Take me deeper in love, take me deeper with You Where the streams of Your mercy run… Feel Your waves over me, feel Your power over me In the roar of Your waterfall.” -Reuben Morgan, Waterfall

Sharper Than A Two-edged Sword

The apostle Stephen, being stoned to death

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:12

Why do most people get easily offended with things written in the Bible? Even the skeptic instantly gets defensive. I know how that felt five years ago because I was like them, too. I was like “Am I that sinner you’re talking about?” and “Are you telling me that I’m wrong/stupid?” I was obviously getting “bullseyed” – and hating it.

I’ve had many experiences in sharing God’s Word. Most if not all had an awkwardness about it, because I was worried I might “offend” those people. Sometimes I get violent reactions and they do get mad at me. I feel sad whenever that happens...but I never regret what I’ve shared.

Man’s Endless Quest For Happiness

(reposted from Good News Magazine)

How can you find real happiness? Many people look for it by acquiring more and more or doing more and more. But that’s not where the key to real happiness lies.

by Beyond Today host Gary Petty

What would make you truly happy—a new car, a new job, a different husband or wife, more money, or to be better-looking?

Or maybe you’re a young person and your definition of happiness is to find a special someone, get married and have a family. Maybe your definition of happiness is to become a doctor and help others or perhaps you want to be an entrepreneur and be your own boss.

Now imagine what it would be like to have everything you think would make you happy—and then to suddenly lose it all. That’s exactly what happened to Viktor Frankl.

Where’s Your Heart?

“…I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

Lost

“just because i’m losing, doesn’t mean i’m lost…”