Mass Wedding on Valentine's Day

On yearly basis, a mass wedding initiated by the office of the City Mayor of Gingoog City, is held  every Valentines Day. For this year, I am privileged enough to be invited by the Chief Local Civil Registar, Mrs. Josefina Balsamo  to render a message to the newly wed couple numbering more or less 50 pairs. No less than City Mayor Ruth Guingona officiated the wedding ceremony  with the representatives from the Provinical National Statistics Office headed by Mrs. Marilou Igdon. The occasion is also guested by City Councilors Mai Mercado and Tetet Mortiz-Arao, ABC President Jun Militante and Philippine Redcross Gingoog City Chapter Chairperson Marie Guingona.

Husbands love your wives

“Husbands , love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her , that He might sanctify  and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word .” ( Ephesians 5:24)

This verse simply puts the husband in the best position of his life … to love his wife. For me, it is more than a commandment but a commitment call for all husbands to rally behind the nourishing and cherishing their wives just as Christ does to the church. In the precedent verses , wives are called to submit to their husbands which is a Godly thing to do. However, there may be a question floating as to who do the first move then, the submitting wife or the loving husband ?  In my point of view, both must exert the effort in doing their share of building a strong relationship. But if we take a glimpse of what the Bible says on this regard, I understand that it was Christ who loved the church first. By giving his life for the salvation of his people, he has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his love towards them is pure and sincere. Thereafter, the church begins to submit herself before him without question. It is to this effect that I am  challenging all husbands in this generation to love their respective wives just as Christ loved his church. We must prove not only to ourselves but to God that we are his obedient children that seeks to glorify him in everything that we do. 

Wives submit to your husbands

“Wives , submit to your own husbands , as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife , as also as Christ is head of the church and He is the savior of the body. Therefore , just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to there own husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)

A triple of verses above simply implies the importance of submission in a husband and wife marital relationship. As such, I do not consider these verses as ordinary as what might perceived of but rather a topic that brings much blessings if taken in God’s perspective. The act of submission of the wife is compared to the submission of the church to  Christ as head of the church. Every Christian believer for that matter would agree with me in believing that Christ is the ultimate head of the church; thus , total act of worship and adoration is given to him. As a result, the church has been blessed by God overwhelmingly. In the same manner as the wife submits herself to her husband in everything as commanded, the latter does not only receive favor from her husband but a blessing from God who in the first place has this instruction. However, I can’t just understand why a significant number of wives has difficulty in doing so. Would it be because their respective husbands do not deserve that degree of submission just as Christ is respected. Would it be because the husband fails to show his love to his wife?    Nonetheless, if the husband makes the first move of showing his love to his wife just as Christ took the bold step of loving the church  first, submission of wife to her husband I supposed would not be a problem :)

GIT SPORTSFEST 2010

Watching the various talents of our students in various forms makes me feel more proud as an educator for a number of years now. Yesterday is a significant day among GITians because we had our opening salvo of the three-day GIT SPORTSFEST 2010. The cheering squad competition is amazing as the three competing teams showcased their curves, moves and music. I love it :) The Search for Mr. and Miss GIT 2010 adds color to the opening program. The team's yell, chant and energy makes the sporting event something to be cherished this school year.  The parlor games makes me feel thrilled as students shouted joyfully without hesitation. Certainly , these students have something to prove to themselves and to the entire GIT community. God bless GIT !

Overcoming Discouragement

A Moment with SP

I take it  both an opportunity and privilege to open the Sangguniang Panglungsod Regular Session with  a word of exhortation and prayer this morning . I was sharing to the city councilors and  vice mayor of Gingoog City regarding the kind of life that matters. It is indeed a wake up call for everyone including myself to reckon with much intent the motivation of  living  daily.  In the scripture, Job is a perfect example of living to glorify God. He was considered as one of the wealthiest man in the East before; however, he was put to test when he lost everything including his children. In spite of his predicament , he never cursed God instead he worshipped him wholeheartedly. At the end, eventually God restored his wealth, family and infirmity-stricken body because he never ceases to honor God.

Since everything in this world belongs to God, we have no right to boast anything. Indeed ,  we are just stewards of his resources. In the event that we are striving in this so called life, we need therefore to live not only for ourselves but also for others. After all , that is what life is all about. Living for others J

HOUSE RENOVATION IS EXPENSIVE YET RELIEVING

It's been a while that I have our house goes into massive renovation since June 2010 . Obviously , the monetary expense is mounting since construction materials and carpentry labor are getting expensive. Nevertheless, upon looking the result, you would sigh with relief when things are done within the context of one's perspective or even beyond what is expected. Most of the repair works are restoration in nature which paves way for my liking on wood finish. The once old and stain narra doors become a glittering brown. The topcoat finish of polyurethane makes a classy look especially on furniture and the like. What astonish me also is the complete restoration of the narra wood stairs which look so untidy for years then. When my mom visited me recently, she teased me again and again that wherever she looks in the house, brown is dominating, her favorite color  of which a hate color of mine in my teen years. There was even a time that I convinced her to replace the wooden sala set with a modern foam set.

In totality, I am satisfied with my house renovation project :) It's not yet fully done yet because of financial  constraints; however, I believe in my heart that God's provision will help me finish the entire house renovation project before 2010 ends. Every peso spent for the project is worth spending especially so that from this property emerge another remarkable undertakings in the days ahead. My heart leaps with joy as I see the house in total renovation completion. Indeed it reflects God's glory and goodness in our lives. I do salute to my wife Susan who oversee the financial requirements of the project. Truly , a woman of dignity and of perseverance. Thus, I am still expecting  that with our partnership in this undertaking, we can make it through since God is able enough.