Blessed is anyone who perseveres when trials come. Such a person is of proven worth and will win the prize of life, the crown that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Never, when you are being put to the test, say, "God is tempting me." God cannot be tempted by evil, and he does not put anybody to the test. Everyone is put to the test by being attracted and seduced by that person's own wrong desire. Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches full growth, it gives birth to death.
Make no mistake about this, my dear brethren; all that is good, all that is perfect, is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow caused by change. By HIS own choice, HE gave birth to us by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first fruits of all HIS creation.
- James 1:12-18
HAPPY THE MAN WHOM YOU TEACH O LORD! (Psalm 94)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
GIVING UP FOR LENT
Wanted to shave my head for Lent this year, but my wife talked me out of it. She had her point.
First of all, I don't care what I look like when I go to work, nor do I keep a very neat hairstyle anyway, so having no vanity does not serve its purpose. Besides, all I would do (if shaved my head) is attract unwanted attention.
Secondly, she made me realise that giving up for Lent is from the heart; something that you really want to give up, and do it in secret. Perhaps for me, I would have to abstain from fried oyster and hokkien mee. Sigh. Tough one. So my friends, lead me not into temptation!
After all the feasting (and one more day of majong and what not), can't wait to settle into Lent. It's time to take the challenge.
First of all, I don't care what I look like when I go to work, nor do I keep a very neat hairstyle anyway, so having no vanity does not serve its purpose. Besides, all I would do (if shaved my head) is attract unwanted attention.
Secondly, she made me realise that giving up for Lent is from the heart; something that you really want to give up, and do it in secret. Perhaps for me, I would have to abstain from fried oyster and hokkien mee. Sigh. Tough one. So my friends, lead me not into temptation!
After all the feasting (and one more day of majong and what not), can't wait to settle into Lent. It's time to take the challenge.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
SAYING GOODBYE
My godson, Mark, set a new chapter in his life by flying off to Tasmania, Australia, to pursue his law degree. I am so proud of him because he always knows what he wants in life, and has understood the meaning of struggle.
My only regret was, however, getting stuck in a traffic jam, and despite prayers and rosaries, there was no way I could make it to the airport on time to see Mark off. Sigh.
I feel a sense of loss, not so much of losing a son, per-se, but more of struggling to let go of the kite string, and watch this godson of mine soar to exciting heights. I have full confidence that with discipline, and guidance, he will be all right.
But not being able to see him off made me furious, frantic, incomplete. Perhaps I needed 'closure' in a form of a hug, or a last minute personal pep talk with this boy. Thank God it was just missing an airport date. Imagine if it was a life and death, and I could not experience full closure with the people I loved; being able to at least say goodbye properly.
I would be devastated if my wife, for example (and touch wood), were to go so suddenly. I can't imagine how I would react, or what my emotions would be. Just imagine that and compare to millions of people who struggle with loss of loved ones without having full closure.
I only pray that God will be merciful to me, a dreadful sinner, to allow me to reunite with people I love when it's time. I trust in HIS mercy and love. Only problem is, my humanity will cause my faith to fluctuate. The cross I bear, perhaps, is such, and the sooner I learn to embrace and trust my God, the better I will understand the magnitude of HIS love, and faithfulness.
REMEMBER YOUR MERCY, O LORD!
My only regret was, however, getting stuck in a traffic jam, and despite prayers and rosaries, there was no way I could make it to the airport on time to see Mark off. Sigh.
I feel a sense of loss, not so much of losing a son, per-se, but more of struggling to let go of the kite string, and watch this godson of mine soar to exciting heights. I have full confidence that with discipline, and guidance, he will be all right.
But not being able to see him off made me furious, frantic, incomplete. Perhaps I needed 'closure' in a form of a hug, or a last minute personal pep talk with this boy. Thank God it was just missing an airport date. Imagine if it was a life and death, and I could not experience full closure with the people I loved; being able to at least say goodbye properly.
I would be devastated if my wife, for example (and touch wood), were to go so suddenly. I can't imagine how I would react, or what my emotions would be. Just imagine that and compare to millions of people who struggle with loss of loved ones without having full closure.
I only pray that God will be merciful to me, a dreadful sinner, to allow me to reunite with people I love when it's time. I trust in HIS mercy and love. Only problem is, my humanity will cause my faith to fluctuate. The cross I bear, perhaps, is such, and the sooner I learn to embrace and trust my God, the better I will understand the magnitude of HIS love, and faithfulness.
REMEMBER YOUR MERCY, O LORD!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
Something that hit me a week ago, and I shared it with my wife.
I saw a bus with huge letters that read IMMORTALITY.
Take the cross (or letter T) out of it, and what do you get?
IMMOR ALITY
How apt!
I saw a bus with huge letters that read IMMORTALITY.
Take the cross (or letter T) out of it, and what do you get?
IMMOR ALITY
How apt!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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