Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Forgiving People You Don’t Want to Forgive
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Amidst the heather of beautiful Scotland lived a country doctor many years ago. This Scottish physician was greatly loved by the villagers and patients of the wee town in bonny Scotland, so when he died, he was greatly missed by his village. His wife, though, did not share his disposition or love for people, and upon his death she examined the financial records which were found in the doctor’s office. On several pages were written these words in the doctor’s hand in bold red ink: “Forgiven—too poor to pay.”
The widow, believing that she could collect the forgiven debt, instructed her attorney to enter suit against the forgiven patients of her deceased husband. When the matter reached the court, the judge examined the accounts. He turned to the widow and asked, “Is this handwriting in red ink that of your husband?” “It is,” she replied. “Then,” said the judge, “there is no tribunal in the land that can demand payment of any account over which the deceased has written the word Forgiven.” And the case was dismissed.
Forgiveness is really a legal concept. In the first century, the Greek word for forgiveness meant “to give up the right to something,” hence, to give back your right to redress a grievance. To give forgiveness and yet hold a grudge against someone is really no forgiveness at all.
I am thinking of the young wife who sat in my office for counseling. Her husband had been unfaithful to her, but then realizing how deeply he loved her and wanted her, begged her to forgive him, promising that it would never happen again. Finally, she blurted out, “Well, I guess I can forgive him, but I can never forget it.” To say I can forgive but not forget is like saying, “For the moment I will not demand your punishment, but if I ever have any reason to question your integrity, I’ll quickly remind you of your failure.” Such is not forgiveness at all.
Esther York Burkholder was driving at this when she wrote, “Most of us find forgiveness one of the most difficult virtues to put into practice. ‘I can forgive…but I can’t forget.’ This is a rather paradoxical statement. For in our hearts, we still hold a grudge which rankles and festers and does us more harm than to the offender.”
Man’s forgiveness is different from God’s, for man’s forgiveness is marred by his hesitance to forget. God’s forgiveness is complete. How many times does God expect a person to forgive another? Is it once under some circumstances; or twice, or three times, or even thirty times?
On one occasion Peter, the big fisherman, came to Jesus with this problem of forgiveness. Perhaps he remembered his competitor’s fouling his fishing nets, or taking his favorite fishing spot, so Peter put the question to Jesus, “How often am I to forgive my brother if he goes on wronging me, as many as seven times?” This was quite liberal for blustering Peter, yet Jesus responded, “Not seven times but seventy times seven.” In other words, “Always forgive.”
The Apostle Paul told us that we ought to forgive because of God’s forgiveness to those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. To the Ephesians he wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave You.” (Ephesians 4:32).
Perhaps you are thinking, “I just cannot forgive.” If you feel like that, may I pass on to you a formula for forgiveness that I have never seen fail? Begin earnestly to pray for the one who has hurt you, asking God to give you the grace to forgive, and soon you will discover your hate has turned to pity, and you will find the grace to forgive and to forget.
Resource reading: Colossians 3:12-14.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/forgiving-people-you-dont-want-to-forgive/
Maika Rivera, bagong aabangan sa 'Ang Probinsyano'
Isang bagong artista ang papasok sa sikat na serye ng ABS-CBN na "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."
Nitong Martes ng gabi, inilabas na ang teaser na nagpapakita sa karakter ni Cassandra na gagampanan ni Maika Rivera.
Base sa teaser, si Cassandra ay pamangkin na tutulong sa kanyang tiyahin na si Lily Ann Cortez-Hidalgo (Lorna Tolentino), isa sa pinakamatinding kalaban ng bidang si Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin).
Naglabas na rin ang Dreamscape ng promotional photo ni Rivera nitong Miyerkoles bilang parte ng sikat na serye.
Isang Star Magic artist si Rivera na ipinakilala noon bilang isa sa mga miyembro ng grupong GirlTrends ng "It's Showtime."
Bago sumabak sa showbiz, isang tennis player si Rivera.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/04/07/21/maika-rivera-bagong-aabangan-sa-ang-probinsyano
Erap's condition improving amid COVID-19 battle, says son Jinggoy
Former Philippine president Joseph "Erap" Estrada's condition in the intensive care unit has improved amid his battle with the coronavirus, his son Jinggoy said Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, the younger Estrada said the former chief executive and Manila mayor is in stable condition.
"His kidney function is improving and his requirement for oxygen support is also slowly getting better. His other vital organs are functioning well," the former senator said, citing the former president's latest medical bulletin.
Erap was intubated and mildly sedated this week due to pneumonia.
Jinggoy added that they are "thankful" because the family patriarch's inflammatory markers are also "on a downward trend." This, he said, could signal that Estrada's immune system is responding to the treatment.
"We are praying that no new complications set in and that he continues to improve. Thank you very much for all your love and concern for my father. Very much appreciated," he said.
The former senator earlier said it has been hard for their family to deal with his father's situation most especially that all instructions and communication must be coursed through his medical team.
He also said that it was painful that they could not visit Estrada, who is turning 84 on April 19, in the hospital.
He also revealed that his wife and his aunts have tested positive for COVID-19 following exposure to the former president, and that they are all asymptomatic.
Estrada won the presidency in 1998 but saw his term cut in 2001 as he was ousted over corruption allegations.
He was convicted of plunder in 2007 and sentenced to life imprisonment, but his successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pardoned him a month later.
Toni Gonzaga likes to reminisce about 'simpler times' when she feels stressed
Toni Gonzaga admits that her simple life before all of showbiz’s glitz and glamour is still one of the fondest memories she treasures up to this day.
In an interview with Boy Abunda, Gonzaga said she and her sister Alex always talk about it especially when they feel pressured with their work.
“Actually this is a conversation na lagi naming ginagawa ni Alex when we feel pressured, when we feel ungrateful minsan. Lagi naming pag-uusapan 'yung mga buhay namin noon, the simpler times,” she said.
“Yung ang saya na namin kapag summer kasi magrerenta lang kami ng video noon tapos manonood lang kami ng DVD, masaya na kami sa bahay lang kami. Simple lang ang buhay so 'yung kasiyahan mo simple lang. Those who were the happiest moments, yung simpler times,” she added.
Gonzaga said it is really true that “as you elevate in life, your problems elevate also” and that comes with a lot of pressure and responsibilities in life.
“Tama 'yung sinabi nila na the more money you have, the more problems that you will have. So minsan mami-miss mo rin ang kasimplehan ng buhay,” she said.
Nonetheless, Gonzaga is grateful for everything she has now after two decades in the entertainment industry. This, however, does not mean she no longer has insecurities.
“Laging may question na ganun. Am I still good enough to do this? Am I still capable of doing this? Should I still be doing this? Laging may questions na ganun,” she said.
Gonzaga believes she will never get to a point where she will be so secure of herself.
“Kasi the moment that you feel na you know it all, you have it all, that’s the moment you stop learning,” she explained.
With her stature now, Gonzaga said she no longer fears being “laos.”
“When I was younger, [takot ako malaos]. Laging 'yun ang panakot sa 'yo kapag ayaw mo tumanggap ng trabaho or kapag tatanggi ka sa gig. Laging iyan ang panakot sa 'yo when you’re younger. As you grow old, you choose the people you will listen to. Pinili ko na. Mapapagod ka eh,” she said.
“’Hay nako malalaos ka.’ Bigla ka na lang magsasalita sa sarili mo, ‘Eh ‘di malalaos talaga.’ Inevitable naman iyan eh. There will be a season where it’s not your season anymore. You have to be comfortable with that. You have to accept that. 'Yung pagiging laos is a matter of how you look at it.”
LOOK: Bubbles Paraiso returns to TV via 'Ang Probinsyano'
Bubbles Paraiso is back on television after a long hiatus to play the newest villain in ABS-CBN's long-running hit series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."
In the series, Paraiso plays Lara Vera, the long-time friend and syndicate partner of Lito Valmoria (Richard Gutierrez), one of the nemesis of lead character Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin)
Together with her squad -- Malena (Drey Brown), Margarita (Jamina Cruz), Santiago (Franco Daza), and Derick (Zeppi Borromeo) -- Lara helps Lito in his illegal drug business.
Paraiso said that after a long break from television, she just couldn't refuse the role.
"Took a long hiatus from tv but this was a role I couldn’t say no to. Been in the taping bubble for a couple of weeks now," she wrote on Instagram.
"This year’s career pivot was not planned but I am grateful for the opportunity to go back to doing something I’ve truly missed," Paraiso wrote in another post.
She also thanked her friend Gutierrez for making her television comeback an easy one.
"Going back to showbiz after a long hiatus has been made easy thanks to having one of my OGs beside me. Thanks @richardgutz for being the best partner in crime," she wrote.
Paraiso's brother Paolo is also part of the action-drama as Police Captain David Alcantara, one of the members of Black Ops.
"FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" airs on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, CineMo, Kapamilya Online Live YouTube channel, ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page. It's also available on The Filipino Channel, IPTV, WeTV and iflix.
Health workers sa pribadong ospital sa Butuan, sumailalim na sa 2nd dose ng COVID vaccine
Nagsimula ang pagtuturok ng second dose ng COVID-19 vaccine sa 270 na mga health care worker ng Manuel J. Santos hospital sa Butuan City nitong Martes ng umaga.
Marso 9 nang mabakunahan sila ng unang dose ng Sinovac vaccine.
Ayon sa mga health care workers wala naman silang masamang naramdaman matapos ang unang dose kaya’t nagpapasalamat sila dahil kumpleto na ang kanilang bakuna matapos ang second dose.
Importante umano ang makamit nila ang full vaccination upang makuha ng isang indibidwal ang full efficacy at proteksyon laban sa COVID-19.
Samantala, ipinatupad naman ang QR Code sa ospital kung saan paperless na ang proseso at mas mabilis ang isinagawang vaccination program ng ospital.
Magpapatuloy naman sa Miyerkoles ang pagbibigay ng bakuna sa iba pang mga health care workers.--Ulat ni Lorilly Charmane D. Awitan
Campaign on to create more Rizal poll districts
Even before a plebiscite could be scheduled, congressman from Rizal province has started campaigning for the ratification of a new law that creates two more legislative districts in the province, saying more government resources will now be channeled to the locality with the reapportionment of its Second Congressional District into three.
This as Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the bill that created two more congressional districts for the province.
“On behalf of the residents of Rizal’s Second District, I wish to thank the President for signing the reapportionment act. This will go a long way toward addressing issues of inequity under the present setup, and ensure that in the near future Rizaleños will have better access to the government’s resources,” Nograles, the principal author of House Bill 6222, said.
Under the recently-signed law, the town of San Mateo was established as Rizal’s Third Congressional District and Rodriguez (Montalban) town as the fourth legislative district.
The current Second District will retain the towns of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jalajala, Pililla and Teresa.
“I am glad that the piece of legislation that I promised to Rizaleños has been achieved, and with very good timing because this will give ample time for all concerned to prepare so that new leaders could be given the mandate to serve during the 2022 elections,” Nograles, a deputy majority, leader, said.
The Harvard-trained lawyer had lamented in the past that his current district’s pandemic response was being hampered by the sheer number of its constituents.
“It is a good challenge to be able to serve more than one million constituents. But it is a challenge that does not need to continue existing in the future, and I’m glad that the country’s leaders recognized the urgent need for a more equitable distribution of resources as we try to recover from the pandemic,” Nograles said.
He says he is looking forward to help in the efforts to implement the reapportionment law as soon as possible.
Maguindanao plebiscite slated in August
MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato: Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu said in an interview that the plebiscite for the division of the province of Maguindanao may be conducted on the first week of August 2021.
Sangki-Mangudadatu believes that residents of Maguindanao will support the plebiscite as the provincial government aims to further strengthen the development of the province via the division.
The provincial government of Maguindanao allocated P120 million in funds for the conduct of the plebiscite.
According to the governor, Maguindanao has been left behind in terms of economy and stability compared with former Kutawato empires such as Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sarangani.
If “yes” votes win in the plebiscite, the first district of Maguindanao shall be called “Maguindanao del Norte” and the second district will become “Maguindanao del Sur.”
Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura. Its seat of government will be Datu Odin Sinsuat.
Maguindanao del Sur will be comprised by Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay and South Upi. Its seat of government will be Buluan.
Last March 13, a plebiscite was held in Palawan to consent the province’s residents on the proposal to divide Palawan into three separate provinces: Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental.
The “no” votes prevailed, rejecting the proposal. It was the first election held in the country during the time of pandemic.
Three years later, on December 8, 2024, the majority of votes cast were "Yes", ratifying the division of the province of Palawan to create the provinces of Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/04/07/news/regions/maguindanao-plebiscite-slated-in-august/860748/