My Christmas Day...

I had my media noche at my friend’s place; we celebrated the Christmas same way as last year. Exchanging gifts, eating, drinking, singing... whoa... it was so fun! But before that, I went first to Ministry House to celebrate Christmas with my church mates. I stayed there just for a while. I received a gift from ate Elay, a book and a polo shirt, and towel from kuya Ric, a cup from Sweet and a necklace from Ethel.

On the Christmas Eve, we went to Pasir Ris Park (I’m not sure of the name) together with my church mates and my buddies for cycling and roller skating. It was fun!

I can say that my Christmas was good but I think it would be even better if I celebrate it in Philippines with my friends and my family.

Malay nya, malay ko, malay nating lahat...Malaysia!

It was on December 6-7 when we travelled to Malaysia for our company trip. A more than 7 hour travel with bus was really a torture, but when we reached our destination... whoa... so fun you know! We went to different places and explore the beauty of Malaysia.

2 days before xmas

Two days more to go then it’s Christmas time! But seems it’s just an ordinary day. I don’t feel the spirit of Christmas... I don’t feel the excitement... seems like I’m not looking forward for this day.

Maybe because I want to celebrate it with my family and friends...

maybe because I don’t have money this coming Christmas and I can’t buy the things that I like...

maybe because I don’t see Christmas decorations here in Singapore and I don’t hear Christmas songs often...

maybe because the Christmas celebration here in Singapore is different...

maybe because I’m alone...

maybe because I’m tired...

Maybe!

I hope during Christmas Eve what I feel today will change... I want to be happy this coming Christmas! May the god will bless me this Christmas and I will find joy in my heart.

Merry Christmas to myself!

A mOthER’s PRAYER

Here's Meg's inspiring message for today...

Have a Blessed week ahead!

-Meg


Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A mOthER’s PRAYER

“For with God, nothing is impossible.” – Luke 1:37

St. Monica is known for the lines on her face that marked the place where her tears constantly flowed as she continuously prayed for her favored child, Augustine.
For 25 years, Augustine lived a life filled with wine, women and song. Despite this, he was still a favored child, because a mother never really forgets the child she bore from her womb.
There is a saying that the prayers of a mother do not remain unheeded. The perfect proof is Augustine, whom everyone now knows as the great saint and doctor of the Church.
The prayers of a mother made the impossible possible. Chelle Crisanto

REFLECTION:
“Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian.” (Andrew Murray)

Lord, I pray for my loved ones today. Turn their hearts to You

WHY EMPLOYEES LEAVE ORGANIZATIONS?

I just received an email from my friend Megs entitled "WHY EMPLOYEES LEAVE ORGANIZATIONS?” It says… the very reason why employees leave is their managers. People leave managers not company. If the company is losing good people, look to their manager… manager is the reason people stay and thrive in an organization.

Yes! I strongly agree… It was quite one of the reasons that really drives me to leave my second company here in Singapore. Here’s the story…

If many office works make me exhausted…then...nothing to do in the office makes me so disgusted!

Bored…sleepy….I am!

Surfing the net…coming in and out in the toilet (not to pee but to have some stretching there just to get rid of this boredom)….then return to my table…surfing the net again… again and again!
I am so tired off of this routine! Disgusting!

I feel so stupid in this company….sucks! I never learn anything new….no development at all…stagnant!

….another disaster…here is my DPM as in Deputy Project Manager…very annoying! I’ll never forget his lines if ever we had an argument…"You know nothing….watch your English….you’re not my boss!"…how gross! Shocks… to the maximum level! If I only had a trophy that time….I will give it to him while yelling to the nth power… "Best Actor"! ohaah! Really disgusting! I almost lost my control…

I can’t stand his presence anymore so why prolong the agony (a line from a TV soap opera…he he he)…so I walked out! I left him why still yelling in Mandarin! Yes! He was already yelling in mandarin…kungkoyla butstikik….so why should I listen….I did not understand him anymore…ha ha ha

House Rules

Here's Meg's inspiring message for today....


Dear Friend,
This Friday, remember that He knows you and loves you.Praying for you,
-meg


“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love… that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:10-11

HOUSE RULES

“House rules? I only have one,” the priest said to our retreat class regarding the use of the facility. Discarding a traditional long list of DOs and DON’Ts, he laid out the shortest but most powerful house rules in the planet. He simply said, “Treat this retreat house as you would your own home that you love so dearly.”

Jesus’ command in the verses above is simple too. “Love one another.” Period. Now it makes a lot sense why He said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.” This is more than just a law. In no unclear terms, He is also showing us the way to a life of joy.

Just take a look at what’s common with the following: a working mother who skips lunch just to be able to buy a blue Superman shirt for her boy, a sleep depraved husband who attends to his sick wife, and a brilliant medical student who opts to be a missionary in the mountains. All these people have the joy that the world may not understand and can never take away!

Today’s message in short: His command of love is joy! (Jon Escoto)

REFLECTION:

Do you want joy in your life? Simply love. This is God’s command to you.

“The true measure of love is love without measure.” (St. Francis de Sales)

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

Here's Meg's inspiring message...

Dear Good Friend,
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Take courage! God be with you.
Praying for you,
-meg

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” – Matthew 14:27

There must be a cosmic joke here somewhere. Which is more frightening: strong, gusty winds that threaten to capsize the very boat you are holed in, or a man walking on the water towards you on the very sea that your boat is just about to turn in?
Hardly any choice, you might say.
Actually, there are many of us who feel the same way about life, seeing one’s journey as a series of capsized boats. Too often we are so traumatized by the events of our past, and so fearful of the uncertainties of the future, that we deprive ourselves of the opportunities of the present.
Yet it is in the present when God’s presence is most felt.
And it is in the present when we make our choice — between the strong wind, and the ghostly figure that beckons us to take courage. This is a choice that we will make from time and again, testing us, molding us into the form that God has intended us to become.
This is a choice born out of faith.
A faith tested by the winds.
And in the midst of the winds a voice cries out to our trembling souls, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.”Red Cerrer

REFLECTION:
Faith that is not open to unfaith, is not real, but simply a convenience. (Martin Heidegger, SJ)

Lord Jesus, give me courage.

BBQ... with my friends

Last Sunday my friend Bhabees invited us to join them in their outing at Pasir Ris. It was a fine weather when we get there but as we fired the coal for barbecue... oh man... here comes the rain! We transferred to a tent... we were all hungry and we never started cooking yet. The rain was so heavy and the barbecue grill is on the outside... what we did... put the fired charcoal in an aluminium tray and then put the gauze on top... then we had an improvised barbecue grill (What a genius idea!).


Just for a while... the rain stopped. And so then we started having fun! I rented a roller blade... actually I’m not used to it but I’m quite fast learner you know... he he he! My friend Bhabees gave a try as well... oh man... I never know that she’s so clever... very clever to split... ha ha ha! She didn’t even make just one step... oh man! Okay... she quits... and she rented a bike.
Here comes the heavy rain again... and we decided to go back!

Broken Friendship turned....Acquaintance?

Friendship is not just built on trust, but with respect as well. The respect between two 'good' friends once violated, causes the friendship to be broken. It isn’t easy, and sometimes impossible to restore a friendship, and mostly if ever mended, it’s never being the same.

I once had a misunderstanding with a friend of mine. I even considered him as no longer my friend but rather an acquaintance. It was because of his thoughtlessness and impertinence (...read "My friend...sucks!"). What I did... I never speak to him. Once he talks to me, I don't respond. It was really hard and awkward because we're living in the same room. The same scenario lasted for 5 days.

I realized, allowing bad feelings don't benefit me at all, rather it's my lost. Then I give up, okay I lost the game! It's always nice to have peace in mind. Anyways, I asked him for doing such a friendly act to me, and guess what...he doesn't even know what the real score of my resentment is! Whaaaaaat........ Stupid brat! It's funny, right?! But, I told him not to do such thing for it's really disgusting, disgusting and ...disgusting!

True friends are hard to find and keep. You will meet many friends, but perhaps just few will be true and sincere. I had six, and then I had five, now I have six again... and I don't want to lose them.

tiCkEt tO hEavEn?

Here's Meg's inspiring message for today...

Dear Good Friend,
Jesus encourages us to be childlike (but never childish) in our faith.
Praying for you,
-meg

It is always with pleasure that I watch children playing well together. There is something of the joy of the Lord in their innocence and the way they just seem to get on with enjoying life no matter what might be going on around their families or in the world. Jesus reminds His disciples that this is the sort of attitude we should bring with us when we come into the presence of God.

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
tiCkEt tO hEavEn?

“Entering” is the verb for today. Jesus tells us that unless we change and become like little children we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Who does not want to enter heaven?
Jesus warns His disciples then and us today that we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven without changing our hearts and acquiring childlike trust in God. Conversion from sin must lead to total faith in God who is a Father waiting to give us His kingdom. It is not true that there is no admission ticket to heaven. There is! Faith.
Unless we have complete trust in God we will never enter His heaven.
Do you have your ticket with you always? Fr. Bobby Titco

Reflection Question:
Faith is my ticket to heaven.

You gratuitously offer heaven to us, O God. Thank You. Let me not miss my chance to enter it. Increase my faith, purify my love, and confirm my hope. Amen.