Friday, February 5, 2021
I Feel Like A Failure
Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. Exodus 2:1-2
“I feel like a failure,” said the mother of two young children, “because I never accomplish what I set out to do.” It’s not only mothers who feel that way, but it’s a fact mothers do face unique challenges when it comes to time and meeting possibly unrealistic expectations.
Do you ever stop to think about the number of young mothers who are confronted with situations which they were never really were prepared for? A young woman graduates from high school with honors and goes to college. First thing she does is pick a major. Four years later she graduates with high expectations that she will make her mark in the world. She has majored in information technology, communications, biology, chemistry, literature, economics, or sociology. She knows how to analyze genetic codes. She can quote the leading authorities in her field and is ready to make her mark in the marketplace. For four years she has prepared for this career.
She launches that career and marries the man of her dreams. Then a few years later she is pregnant. Wait a minute! Life has changed radically and drastically. Her career now faces a major challenge and things just will never be quite like they used to.
Women have discovered that trying to “have it all” in the same season of life is often unsatisfying and almost always exhausting. But when women (or now, even some men) step out of their careers to care for children at home, they often bring their expectations of workplace efficiency with them. Life at home involves its own set of goals and expectations. Mom plans her day out, makes her list of what she expects to accomplish, and then… things don’t go right. Life with little humans happens. Kids get measles, ear aches in the middle of the night, colds and runny noses. They get the flu and throw up just as she has loaded them into the stroller to go do a round of never-ending errands. Her husband comes home to a messy house and within the first two minutes of his arrival comments on the same.
No wonder young mothers get frustrated. What mother hasn’t cried, thinking that her husband doesn’t understand or care, and wishing she was back in her quiet office where she accomplishes “important” things?
As my wife of some 57 years and I were talking about this very issue, she remembered that she, too, wondered if she would ever survive the three whom God gave us. Thankfully, today there are many more options for moms and dads, to stay connected to the workplace and invest with presence in the lives of their young children at the same time.
Our hindsight is always 20/20. Believe it or not, those small children are not forever. Someday you will also look back and think, “If I could only grasp those tiny fingers one more time. Raising a family–for both a mother and a dad–is one of, if not your greatest accomplishment in life. Children are your highest and best investments which you grow to cherish long after the company you thought you would be with until retirement, has gone broke, and your bonus–a reward for making your sales quota–has disappeared with your unrealistic expectations.
As a young mother, you may want to downsize those lists of what you want to accomplish and someway realize you are accomplishing what God wants. You are building something for a forever future: you are shaping a life, born in the image of God, with the potential to impact the Kingdom of God. Never underestimate the importance of investing yourself into the lives of your children.
Resource reading: Proverbs 31.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/i-feel-like-a-failure/
Manila begins Feb. 6 PH Christianity quincentennial celebration
By Ferdinand Patinio
The capital city's celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the country will kick off on Saturday.
According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM), among the activities for the day would be the wearing of the 500 Years Mission Cross. The cross has the name of Jesus inscribed in Roman letters and ancient Baybayin script intersecting.
“This symbolizes the encounter of the faith from Western missionaries and our own culture and life, resulting in a colorful and vibrant Filipino faith that now becomes our contribution to the universal Church. The Mission Cross is an invitation to bring back the tradition of wearing a cross, which is a sign of our faith in Jesus, of protection from God, and most importantly, as a badge of our missionary work. Wearing a cross, we are reminded that we are Christians, we are Catholics, and we say yes to God’s mission,” the RCAM said in a statement Friday.
There will also be a ceremonial giving and wearing of the Mission Cross, particularly for the mayors and representatives from communities and chosen pilgrimage churches of the Archdiocese.
Earlier, the Manila archdiocese has named 10 pilgrim churches that will be the centers of prayer, forgiveness, and charitable works during this jubilee year.
These are the Manila Cathedral (Manila), Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church (Manila), Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Manila), Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Tondo (Manila) and San Pablo Apostol Parish (Manila), Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish (Pasay), National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Makati), Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Makati), San Felipe Neri Parish (Mandaluyong), and St. John the Baptist Parish (San Juan).
Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo will celebrate the 9 a.m. Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, the priests of the Archdiocese of Manila, representatives of the religious and of the laity will be present. Also invited are the five Mayors of the cities within the Archdiocese.
“We also invite everyone to like, follow, and share the official Facebook page “500 Years of Christianity – Archdiocese of Manila” to be notified and updated on our different activities,” the RCAM added.
Another highlight of the Manila celebration is the launching of the official Mission Song, 'We Give Our Yes' to be performed live by singer Jamie Rivera.
The official music video will be released on the same day.
The local launching of the celebration in parishes will follow on Sunday (Feb. 7).
“Parish priests will be launching and explaining to the people the wearing of the 500 Years Mission Cross. The music ministry and youth ministry in the parishes will lead the singing, accompanied by the action, the mission song, WE GIVE OUR YES, during the recessional of all Masses,” it added.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Your Words Can Be Deadly
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:9-10
Opposites attract, but when there are too many differences, opposites repel. He likes to sleep with the windows open; she likes them closed. He’s a night person; she’s a day person. He prefers country western music; she likes classical. She’s well organized; he’s a “take-it-as-it-comes” person. Before they married, they both admired in the other the very characteristics which later became annoying.
Over a period of time those differences in personality escalate to cold-war status. Discussions become arguments, and temperatures rise. Each expects the impossible of the other. Instead of attacking the problem, individuals attack each other. Neither is willing to compromise, thinking that yielding is losing–when both are losing far more than they realize.
The joy of “first love” is tarnished. Romance is replaced with rebuff. Love is still there but it’s wounded and bleeding. “Can this marriage be saved?” asks the advice bloggers who dispense advice quite freely with no personal stake in the results.
Dr. Paul Popenoe, known as the father of marriage counseling, believed that any marriage could be saved when two individuals want it to work. I’m convinced that he was right. Needed, however, is a large dose of commitment along with a massive infusion of self-discipline. When a couple realize that a marriage is going the wrong direction and they understand that selfishness (I gotta win this one!) threatens their future, and are willing to recognize that what is happening is nothing less than sin in the eyes of God, some strong measures can turn the situation around. The following guidelines can reverse the trend.
Guideline #1: Tackle the issue, not each other. Realize that harsh words, name calling, statements that belittle or denigrate the one whom you pledged to “love and cherish till death us do part” must stop. Can you stop, once a habit has been established? With God’s help you can.
Guideline #2: Learn to communicate your feelings. Instead of saying, “You…” say, “This is how I feel when you do this.” Think and think again of the consequences before you say, “You…” For centuries the Sphinx stood in the shadows of the pyramids outside of Cairo, but today the image of the grand old monument is badly pitted and scarred. Soldiers, not realizing what they were doing, used it for musket practice. The damage is done. Get help with talking about feelings now before even more harm is done.
Guideline #3: Refuse to let a relationship with one you love degenerate to a battle of sharp words. Take the words of James 3 and put them on every mirror of your home. This powerful text reads: “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body…. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (see James 3:1-12).
Most of the time you don’t really mean what you say. The answer is self-discipline. If you must, bite your lip until it bleeds, but refuse to say what you know will hurt the other.
Guideline #4: Focus on what counts–your children, your faith, your true feelings for each other. Budget time to be alone and to expand the solid areas of your love and marriage.
Guideline #5: Begin praying together every day; and yes, as you talk with God, swallow your pride to confess your failure and ask His help in being the person He wants you to be.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose but your pride, which is a poor substitute for real love. Believe me, these guidelines can change your life.
Resource reading: James 3:1-12
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/your-words-can-be-deadly/
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
God Had Planned Something Better
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Hindsight vision is always 20-20, but seeing what lies in the future is totally something else. The future is unknown, risky, and indefinite. It’s no wonder we hesitate to take the bold step whether it is launching a business or moving away from the security of the nest. No business or marriage would likely fail if we knew the future, but neither does any endeavor succeed apart from a measure of risk. The armchair critics risk nothing. They are the ones who quarterback from the sidelines. They are exactly right with their criticism, but they are worthless when it comes to playing the game.
The writer of the book of Hebrews talks about a genre of heroes–at least heroes from God’s point of view–whose exploits always seemed to fall short of success. The writer says, “Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy…” (Hebrews 11:36-38). Tough people, those who chose to face difficulty and the sure consequences that accompanied it, rather than to take the easy way out.
In the same passage the writer says, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40). Did you notice that phrase, “God had planned something better for us…”? And what does that mean? Does it imply that it is better not to face the tough times of life? Naturally, that appeals to us. Nobody likes criticism or persecution for his faith. But that isn’t what it means.
Those individuals who were willing to pay the price for their faith did it without seeing deliverance. They willingly laid down their lives for a victory which they did not yet see.
Those whom the writer of Hebrews was addressing, though, did see a victory which those who lived in bygone years only anticipated: the victory of an empty tomb, the victory of seeing Jesus Christ go hand-to-hand in combat with the enemy and come off victorious.
It was this that the writer saw as “something better which God had planned.” What’s the bottom line? There are many things which we’ve got to take by faith–the times when we seem to lose, the times when we pray and it seems that evil triumphs, the times when you do right and seem to become the victim.
Can you accept by faith the proposition that God had planned something better? “Hey, just a minute!” you may be thinking. “Isn’t that like whistling in the dark, or pretending that something is true which really isn’t?” It all depends on your perspective.
If you live only for the hour, then perhaps the one who suffers or dies for a cause which will ultimately win is really the loser. But if God is God, and He is the Sovereign of the universe, then He will have His payday someday, and He will ultimately even the score, giving reward to those to whom it is due, and rendering judgment to those to whom it is due, as well.
The wheels of justice seem to grind so very slowly, yet the overview of history says that they grind exceedingly fine and sure. Better to lose in a cause that will ultimately win than to win in a cause that will ultimately fail.
Resource Reading: Hebrews 11
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/god-had-planned-something-better/
Fear from anti-terror law due to law enforcers' track record: analyst
Law enforcers must prove themselves that the implementation of the new counterterrorism law will remain conscious in protecting human rights, a security analyst said Wednesday.
"I think the main challenge here is the track rating of our law enforcers. Some people, they don't trust our law enforcers about their credibility in implementing this kind of law," Professor Rommel Banlaoi, director of the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, told ANC.
"I think the ball is now in the court of the law enforcement authorities to prove themselves that the implementation of the anti-terrorism law will remain conscious of the need to protect the rights of the people that this law intends to protect."
He made the remark as the Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing oral arguments on petitions challenging the validity of the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act.
Despite such concerns, Banlaoi remains in favor of the anti-terror law "as the threat of terrorism in the Philippines has evolved into a more brutal and draconian form."
"We have to understand that the main intention of this law is not only to put to jail terrorist organizations but also to prevent individuals and organizations from committing actual acts of terrorism and put to justice all personalities and organizations supporting, financing, training, and even endorsing and glorifying acts of terrorism," he said.
As among those consulted when the measure was being crafted, Banlaoi stressed it was a "misunderstanding" that the law would be used against legitimate dissent.
"The anti-terrorism law is promoting and supporting activism, as long as this kind of activism will remain to be peaceful and lawful," he said.
"Of course, the anti-terrorism law will run after activists supporting armed struggle, propagating violence and even endorsing acts of violence."
The counter-terror law was signed in July 2020 despite heavy opposition over fears it could be used to crack down on dissent.
Among the law's contentious provisions includes warrantless arrest, prolonged detention without charges and the designation of any person or group as terrorists.
Iloilo City redistricting gets Congress nod
By Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY – The proposed redistricting of this highly urbanized city into two legislative districts earned the nod of the House of Representatives (HoR) on the third and final reading on Tuesday.
“Our dream of leveling up and becoming an even greater metropolis got a fresh boost today with the approval of our bill adding a legislative district in Iloilo City,” Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda, author of House Bill 8477, said on Wednesday.
In an official statement, Baronda said once it becomes a law, the city will have two representatives in the HoR, which means a “louder voice in Congress”.
“With two legislators, we can expect more projects and programs from the national government, a doubled effort to woo investors, and more benefits for the people,” she said.
She added that she hoped the Senate will also pass a counterpart bill for the proposed redistricting.
Meanwhile, in an interview over RMN Iloilo, Mayor Jerry Treñas said he fully supports the proposed redistricting.
“As a congressman for nine years, I have seen how a congressperson can help out in the development of our city,” he said citing that Cebu, Marikina, and Makati among others were also divided into two legislative districts.
He added that if needed, he will try to campaign with senators he knows to seek their support.
The proposed redistricting of Iloilo City started during the time of former Rep. Raul Gonzales Jr. and Treñas.
“We continued what they have started, and we are fortunate to have successfully received support from our esteemed colleagues,” Baronda added.
She thanked the House leadership and her colleagues for supporting the bill.
One congressional district will be composed of Jaro, Lapaz, and Mandurriao districts while the other legislative district will have City Proper, Molo, Arevalo, and Lapuz districts.