A Fulfilling Life

Today is another remarkable day to enjoy. Aside that it's Saturday, the weather is cool and relaxing. It's been weeks now that Gingoog City weather is quite cool. This may appear ridiculous to others but for me it keeps me going and kicking. Although , one thing I keenly notice that because of this weather phenomenon, I could hardly make my morning daily exercise of either walking or biking. After my morning devotion of prayer, word and meditation, I rush immediately to my workplace, GIT. My commitment towards work has improved this time . I could feel the passion of teaching reverberating in my soul as I prepare my lessons for the day's class. Certainly, this is my passion. This is what I like to do. This job keeps me going .

All these years, my life is focused on building people's lives. The task is challenging yet inspiring because I see people growing and achieving something in their lives. I feel fulfilled when I see my mentees reaching their life's dreams and aspirations. Take for instance , a student of mine who just emailed me recently and expressed his gratitude towards GIT . Currently he is working overseas and about to go home for vacation. Stories like this makes me feel relieved and always grateful to God for his continuous provision, strength and wisdom in my life as I continue to do my task of educating. Certainly, life is fulfilling if you help other people achieve their dreams :)

The Leader

Recently, I have witnessed a presidentiable leader of our nation who has shown a great sacrifice of his personal ambition to become the next president of the Philippines. I reckon that he has spent enough resources of preparation for his ultimate dream of becoming the president of the Philippine republic. Because of his love of his countrymen and that of his political group , the Liberal Party, Senator Rojas opted to withdraw his presidential candidacy and openly support his colleague , Senator Noynoy Aquino. Truly, Senator Mar is a breed of statesman who is sensitive to the call of times. He eventually heed the voices of the people for genuine change which they believe Senator Noynoy could better address when elected as President. To my mind, this political circus is an indication that just as Christmas is ringing its bells, the election fever is also approaching. Another presidentiable that I am also watching closely is Senator Villar. No wonder among presidential surveys, He topped them all. His life story is challenging yet very inspiring. From being a fish vendor, Senator Villar stand stall above the rest of his colleagues in the political arena. In 2009 he is considered one of the 40 wealthiest man in the Philippines with various business undertakings of real property and the like. Since he has brought his business into an empire of success, I am just curious if he can do the same if he gets the people nod to the Malacanang. According to Dr. Maxwell, the rise and fall of any organization lies on leadership. In the same manner, the rise and fall of our beloved Philippines will depend much with the leaders whom the filipino people have trusted to lead. On this regard, let us just hope and pray, that the filipino people will be more discerning in selecting the leaders of our land .

Open Letter to God

Dear God,

All this time, I realize one thing that keeps me believing and trusting in you. Though I may have a number of questions underlying my mind with respect to the various challenges I am facing this moment, yet it can’t be compared with the realization that I learned from you. This realization makes me confident that inspite of the different concerns of this world, my God is able to help me realize my dreams and aspirations. Although my dreams seem so big than me but God’s Spirit bears witness in my spirit that in His Time all things are made beautiful. Certainly, God destined everything in his purpose; however, he still respects my will to accomplish his stuff. In other words, God is still dependent on man’s will to choose His purposes rather than man’s personal preferences. In my case , as I continually align myself in his ways, I am making myself closer to the completion of the dreams He has planted in my heart. Thank you Lord for making my life a journey to enjoy; an opportunity to explore and a battle to overcome. In you I trust everything. In you I hope unswerving. In You I live loving.

your loving son,

Rick

Morning Devotion - 26 August 2009

Text : Joel 2
A. Message
1. God's invading army is courageous and beyond compare. Their enemies tremble as they see them in full gear for battle.
2. God calls for his people to return to him in full repentance from their wickedness.
3.God promises his people a full bunch of blessings and favor as they repent sincerely from their wickedness. Surely he satisfies, protects and performs great things for them.
4. God sends autumn and spring rains to his people which signifies his awesome concern for them. In addition, he restores the things that were stolen from them. They are assured of being full at all times in contrast of having suffered from lackness because of their sinfulness.
5. God pours out His Spirit upon all people that will help them in various situations of life.
6. God warns his people with signs and wonders prior to his second coming in the days to come.

B. Application
1. Keeping myself connected with God enables His abundant blessings to overflow in my lifetime.
2. Being sensitive to God's dealings helps me to be prepared always from any form of eventualities.

The Passing Away of a Great Leader

There has been argument in the past whether leaders are merely born or even made. In the ancient times, the former argument seemed only to be logical since leadership in those times were handed from generation to generation. However, in these recent centuries, there had been a belief and actual incidents that leaders can also be made. The case of late President Cory Aquino is a perfect example to this effect. Previously, when her husband NINOY AQUINO was still alive, she used to be her buddy in all her husband's life's endeavors more particularly in politics. The late Senator NINOY described his wife as the person he loved three times. These was during the time late CORY was young; became a mother of their children; and when he got prison during Martial Law for seven long years. There was even a poem written by latE NINOY on this regard which in 1987 was given melody by popular Filipino composer and singer Jose Mari Chan.

The life story of the late PRESIDENT CORY AQUINO is a life worth considering since she sacrificed most of her life for others. She served as NINOY's wife and her children's mother even during the most crucial part of their lives. She remained firm and dedicated to her roles as circumstantial events occurred in her life. She was even more determined when assumed the presidency of the Philippine Republic in 1986 which paved way for the restoration of democracy which was purchased by the blood of many filipinos in the past from the nation's colonizers. Today , when the nation needs her most especially during the political crisis of our nation, she is gone and nowhere to be consulted which was her consistent role after her presidency. Nevertheless her legacy of dedication, sacrifice and service could be regarded as inspiration for every Filipino who seeks for total liberation from corruption, poverty and disunity.

Each Filipino deserves a good life even in the midst of global crises. By May 2010, every filipino voter will elect another bunch of leaders that will lead our land. It is my hope and prayer therefore that every filipino will elect someone who possess similar qualifications of the late CORY AQUINO which is described as selfless, sacrificial and service. I hope that in the days to come we get more replica of CORY's trademark of sensible filipino traits. Truly she is not merely an ordinary FILIPINO but a great one that seeks FREEDOM beyond measure. God bless our beloved PHILIPPINES !

No WORRIES

NO WORRIES is one of Aussie's expression which means "no problem", "it's alright", "you're welcome", "everything is under control", "It's OK", and " I don't mind". These are just perhaps few of the meanings I could think of while staying in this country for more than a year now. This phrase is timely to consider with since people today are worried much of the life's various circumstances. People today are worried about their future, food, clothing, shelter, health , physical well being, finances, education , business, relationships, death, debts , failures and the like. However, the bible encourages everyone to be worry free and leave worries of its own. Certainly , worrying doesn't help solve the problem instead creates more problems. A colleague in the workplace once said that worries make life stressful. In Australia alone, a recent survey reveals that 9 out 10 adults are experiencing stress in their daily living. Moreover, worries create sickness; break relationship; steal happiness; enhance negative outlook and affect physical, emotional and mental well being. Thus , why worry if confronted with various lapses in life. Why don't you just be happy and make the best of what the day brings. Instead of being worried, why don't you just be HAPPY :)

Challenging Days

The days went by were challenging; however, the days coming are more challenging yet inspiring since new things will come. Keeping oneself excited on daily basis requires an optimistic perspective of life. Otherwise, one will be drifted away into the river of disappointments. Everyday, I suppose is a new day. Whatever lapses of yesterdays, one has to leave it behind or else it will haunt him all his days with regrets and sorrows. Thus, we need to wake up each morning with an end view of our mind that something good will happen within the day even to the extent of turning challenges into opportunities and opportunities into fulfilling our dreams. Have a blessed day to everyone :)

Image Source http://www.faludi.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/5in5day5.jpg