inspiring you to live a fantastic lifemedia.kerygmafamily.com/media/kmag/pdf/20161001.pdf ·...

No. 316 Vol. 27 OCTOBER 2016

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

Bible: The Sweetest Love Letter of All

the transforming power of

scriptures

the midlife journey: guided by the hero

archetypes

money, love and responsibilty

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This Kerygma Conference 2016, our hope is to give to you what God has intended for you to receive in this inspirational learning event.

The best speakers, the best motivators, and the best leaders will move forward to give you God’s message for your life.

It will be an amazing place to come together and celebrate your destiny with Him.

It’s time to think forward, move forward, and pay it forward.

It’s time to live forward to that place God has promised for your life.

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Let me tell you a Bible story.

Israel had enemies. One day, all those enemies — the vast armies of the Moabites and Ammonites and Edomites and Kryptonites (just kidding) — gathered around Israel, ready to attack.

King Jehoshaphat, the king of Israel, knew they were outnumbered. He knew they were no match to the armies assembled around them. Unless, of course, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and the Black Widow would suddenly appear and fight by their side, they were doomed. So what did King Jehoshaphat do?

King Jehoshaphat called on the Greatest Superhero of all: God. Then the king called the entire nation to fast and pray. While praying, one of the prophets announced this amazing thing: “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

There are times when we don’t have to fight but follow the Scripture when it says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).

How I love the Word of God! I think the Bible is the best life manual ever. It contains the most victorious stories, effective winning strategies, and the most important principles in life. It is filled with wisdom that nobody else can compete against.

Now back to my story.I learned two strategies through this biblical story.First, shift your perspective. When you’re facing an enemy, it’s easy to focus on the

battle. But today, God wants you to shift your perspective and focus on the Lord of the battle.

Our problem? We think every battle we face is ours. But now we learn an important truth: Some of the battles we face are not ours. Because on our own, we can’t win. We have no choice but to turn it over to God and say, “Lord, this is Your problem.”

And second, take your position. King Jehoshaphat did a crazy thing: “After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor” (2 Chronicles 20:21). Isn’t this nuts? Musicians aren’t trained fighters. So why put them in front?

Here’s why: Because whoever is in front will dictate the pace and energy of the entire attack. If the guys in front are fast, the entire army will be fast. If they’re slow, the entire army will be slow. And if they praise, the entire army will praise.

When you’re fighting a battle that you can’t win, start worshiping. When you do, you’re prophesying your victory. When you worship, you’re declaring that you’re not just a battle army, you’re a victory procession. You’re celebrating your future victory!

So the next time you face a battle that you know you cannot win on your own, worship.

And since it will be difficult to worship a God whom you do not know, know Him more. Read the Bible. Study the Scriptures.

I won’t be surprise if you realize that the answers you’ve been wanting to have for so long are just found in the pages of the Bible. As I’ve mentioned, it is the best life manual ever.

May your dreams come true,

The Boss

Kerygma OCTOBER 2016 1

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Mailroom

CONNECT WITH US!E-MAIL: [email protected]

OR SEND TO: The Editor, 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City

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Kerygma OCTOBER 20162

Congratulations for touching many lives through your inspirational magazine. It is with great enthusiasm that I tell you that Kerygma has not only brought me closer to God but also helped me to persuade others to walk with me. Your articles are all fascinating and fun — giving hope and sharing love. I’ve learned a lot of things about life, about God and how others try to live their lives so they can make God smile.

I’m a 16-year-old student from St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur. Students like me, especially teenagers in the developing age, experience a lot of problems and we can relate with the articles and stories in your magazine. You might be reading about this all the time, but you have always been inspiring and encouraging people to live a Christ-centered life.

May you continue to inspire more people and I wish you more success in the coming years.

Thaddeus Austin Villegas St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur

Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Thank you for your Kerygma June issue. It opened my eyes to the different transitions that I am going through as an adult that I didn’t understand before. I also realize why my old parents and growing kids act the way they do. I am blessed because through this enlightenment, our family now becomes more open with each other. My husband and I expanded our understanding of the changes that our kids show. It means a lot to us.

Thanks, Kerygma! God bless you always.

Sarra FelipeCebu City

Just BreatheLiving by Grace

3


One day, I got an email from a friend. He confessed that he had been living an openly gay lifestyle for the past four years. He had been attending a gay

church and had been having a sexual relationship with no less than his pastor. He confessed that he attended that church even after receiving advice that what they were teaching was not biblical. But he said he went because for the first time in his life, he was accepted and loved, understood inside and out.

But the time came when his pastor broke up with him because he was seeing someone else. My friend was devastated and his eyes were opened. He left that church and is now part of a non-denominational, biblical church.

I wept as I read his email. I wept because I felt his pain. And I wept because of the triumph of

God’s grace.I realized that Church needs to be a

home for us — a place where we can go back to after a life of dissipation, after we’ve blown away our inheritance and are tired of eating pig fodder. It has to be a place where we know we can return unashamed after we’ve thrown our pearls to swine and wasted ourselves on the world only to come back disappointed with its empty promises. Church has to be a place where we can go back, no questions asked except, “Kumain ka na ba?” (“Have you eaten?”)

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By Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

A Longing for Home

My musings brought me back to a time when I was a member of another household not my own. I lived among people who shared the same love for Jesus and the same mission burning in our hearts. It was my home and family for years, decades even. But when I reached a crisis in my faith, I didn’t feel like I was welcome there if I wasn’t my “perfect” self. There was no place for a broken version of me. The welcome and acceptance was conditional.

So it’s no wonder to me why our Feasts are popping up like Pokemon Go all over the planet. Recently, Bo Sanchez

shared with me a private

message he got from one of our

attendees. He’s a transgender who had turned his back on religion but has now returned to the Lord because of the love and acceptance that welcomed him at The Feast. It was a place where he didn’t feel any condemnation for who he was.

When our churches and communities are like this, then we won’t be afraid of people going out our doors, venturing elsewhere, and trying out other things here and there. We won’t be afraid because we know that tonight, or maybe tomorrow or a day in the future, they’ll return.

They’ll long for home. And they’ll remember where they

found unconditional love.

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God… (Ephesians 2:19)

Where do you run when you’re hurting or afraid?

Just BreatheLiving by Grace

I was a young teenager when my eldest sister was undergoing a Discipleship Course. It was an in-depth Bible study that included exercises and practical

application of the topics they took up. One day, she asked me to get her a

glass of water. “I don’t want,” I arrogantly replied. In a quiet voice, she said, “You have to obey. God calls us to obedience.”

It was a simple statement that I’ve probably heard from all those years of studying in a Catholic school and listening to Sunday homilies. But that day, that one word was like a key that unlocked a huge door in my heart and in my spirit.

I went down to the kitchen, got her a glass of water and I was never the same again. I would read the Bible and I immediately understood what God was asking of me. I would listen to a preacher talk and I would hear God’s voice revealing to me His will. I believe I received the gift of obedience to God’s Word that day and it set the course of my life for good.

I discovered that God’s Word could leap out of a page or from someone’s lips and speak directly to me. In Greek, that’s called rhema, a revelation given by the Holy Spirit to a person.

One of the remarkable times I experienced this as a young servant of the Lord was in Hong Kong during

By Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

How One Word Changed Me

a mission trip with my mom. Mommy lost her glasses and she was obsessing over it the whole day until I got irritated. By nighttime, we were in bed and I was reading my Bible when she asked if I could read it aloud to her. It was only then that I realized that she couldn’t see much without her glasses.

I was in 1 Samuel so I began to read aloud:

Samuel answered Saul: “I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today.

In the morning, before letting you go, I will tell you everything on your mind. As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found.” (1 Samuel 9:19, emphasis added)

The words leaped out of the page for me and I told Mom, “I think your glasses will be found!” True enough, the next day, a hotel personnel returned it to her.

How we wish that God’s Word would be as direct all the time. But I’ve learned that while His will is not rocket science and we don’t need to jump through hoops to find out what He wants for us, we do need to delve into Scripture if we want to know more of His ways. But it doesn’t stop there. The beauty and power of God’s Word is revealed only when we put it into practice.

Oswald Chambers was spot-on when he said, “The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience.”

[Jesus] replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”(Luke 11:28)

E-mail Rissa at [email protected] or follow her on Facebook.

The more we obey, the clearer God’s Word becomes

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About Our Cover Model

Flying with Love

by Vitna Achour as told to

Maymay R. Salvosa

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But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

This Bible verse struck me to the core while attending a talk by Kerygma editor-in-chief Rissa Singson Kawpeng. I was nursing a broken heart then. I just finished college and applied immediately as a flight attendant — but I didn’t get in. My spirit

was crushed. It was my dream job. The feeling of not being good enough and unlovable, which I acquired since childhood, resurfaced.

As a young girl, I dreamt of flying someday because I wanted to visit my Syrian father who works in the United Arab Emirates. I grew up with only my mother and brothers. Though they showered me with love, I subconsciously longed for deeper affection in the wrong places. I got into a string of failed romantic relationships. No matter how painful the relationship was, it was hard for me to let go — because I didn’t want to be left behind again. I was tired. I lost my self-confidence. I forgot my worth.

All of these showed during my job application at Cebu Pacific Air. Seated with a hundred more ladies, I felt insecure and ugly. I felt small compared to the other applicants. No wonder I failed as early as the initial screening process.

Then a highschool classmate invited me to The Feast, the weekly prayer meeting of the Light of Jesus (LOJ) Family. Though our family was devoutly Catholic, I never really had a personal relationship with God. To me, He was just “God.” At one point, I even thought God never listened to my prayers.

But through The Feast, I became closer to God. I joined a Light Group (small sharing groups) and the Light of Jesus Youth Missions. I was overwhelmed by the immense love of God through the people around me. When I heard Matthew 6:33, I knew I had to make a choice. I chose Jesus. I sought Him first.

I let go of my current unhealthy relationship and focused on developing my relationship with Jesus. It was difficult. Sometimes I was tempted to backslide, but I sought God’s grace all the more. I served through the Youth Missions where I learned that true, unconditional love can only be found in God. I also enrolled in a flight attendant school to develop my personality and skills. What I first thought as a privilege, I later on saw as a form of service.

Exactly one year after my college graduation, I returned to the airlines for another shot. I stepped into the same building, the same office, the same room — but I was a different person. I talked to other applicants with a smile and I walked through each process not with an air of pride but with faith-filled confidence. I held on to God’s promise that “all these things will be added unto me.” Lo and behold, out of the hundred applicants that day, I was the only one who got in. Praise God!

It’s been five years since I said yes to Jesus, and blessings after blessings poured in beyond my imagination: career opportunities, growth in service, closer relationship with my family — especially quality time with my father. It was amazing! If I could just add one more word with my Bible verse, I’d say that “all these things will be added unto you... beautifully.”

Looking back, I realize that God doesn’t just want me to fly. He wants me to fly with love.

October 2016

THE BO FILES1 THE BOSS Know God More48 POINT OF CONTACT

DEPARTMENTS2 MAILrOOM4 ABOUT OUr COVEr MODEL6 DAILY PAUSE8 NEW YOU9 rEAL STUFF10 KFAM INSIDEr Pag-Asa

Graduates: Bringing Hope to the World

12 DEAr K15 FEAST SNAPSHOTS The Feast

Quezon City - BSWM: Soaring Towards Greater Heights

17 IT HAPPENED From Seaman to Entrepreneur: Anchors to Success

36 K-techism An Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

47 ONE LAST STOrY Coming Back from Home

COLUMNS3 JUST BrEATHE How One Word

Changed Me 38 WEALTH & WISDOM Money, Love

and Responsibility39 HEALTH & HOME Having a Baby

Means Making Healthy Choices Every Day

41 SEASONS The Midlife Journey: Guided by the Hero Archetypes

43 FAITH @ WOrK God’s Connection in My Business Travels

45 K PrEACHEr The Weirdest Communion I Ever Had

SPECIAL SECTION21 INTrO TO THE TEACHINg SErIES

The Sweetest Love Letter24 TEACHINg Be a Champion of

Love27 TESTIMONY The Transforming

Power of Scriptures29 TEACHINg Crossing the Red Sea 32 TESTIMONY When You Believe34 MOS Hunger Club: Nourishing

Faith through the Word of God

chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ • president HERMIE R. MORELOS • vice-president for corporate services WENG CEQUEÑA • assistant vice-president for production RISSA KAWPENG • production manager TESS V. ATIENZA • sales director JOSEPH MARTINEZ • marketing manager KRISTINE MUTUC • digital operations KARREN RENZ SEÑA

Kerygma. A Greek word meaning “Proclamation of the Gospel.” It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool for all nations, providing Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. 2016. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. Published monthly by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190, 470-4091 and 881-3082 (Production Department). Fax: 727-5615. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.kerygmabooks.com

founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON KAWPENG • managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA • asst. managing editor MAYMAY R. SALVOSA • creative director MIKE CORTES • asst. layout artist LEAH KIM RECTO • graphics director REY DE GUZMAN • staff writers MARJORIE DUTERTE, DINA PECAÑA, KRIZELLE TALLADEN • contributing writers MIKE VIÑAS, TINTIN MUTUC, GRACIOUS ROMERO, SHELLIE ANNE JAVIER-FOLLERO, ALVIN FABELLA, OSY ERICA • photographer DANIEL SORIANO • columnists CHICHI BARBA, ELEONORE TEO, EARNEST TAN, DEAN PAX LAPID, STEPHEN NELLAS • production asst. ANGIE ESPUERTA

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2 3It is good to never forget that

mercy is not an abstract word, but it is a way of life: a person

can either be merciful or unmerciful; it is a lifestyle.

Faith is born and reborn from a life-giving encounter with

Jesus, from experiencing how his mercy illumines every

situation in our lives.

Jesus knows us, He really loves us, and He wants to free our

hearts from the burden of fear and pride.

We would do well to let our encounter with the Lord’s

tenderness enkindle joy in our hearts: a joy greater than sadness,

a joy that even withstands pain and in turn becomes peace.

As Christians we are called to strengthen the fraternal

communion among us, so as to bear witness to the Gospel

of Christ and to be a leaven of a more just and united society.

Dear young people, may faith have a place and may it give

meaning to your life.

Once it is locked up in the archives of history, faith loses its power

to transform, its living beauty, its positive openness to all.

The grace that acts in us does not seek sensationalism. Usually

it is moved with discretion and without clamour. It works by

patiently modelling our heart on the Heart of the Lord.

Fear paralyzes us, it always paralyzes us; it makes us close

in on ourselves, closed to God’s surprises.

God has chosen us, loved us, called us and forgiven us.

Great things have happened in our personal love story

with him, and these must be treasured in our minds and

hearts.

Faith is also hope for your future and a light for life’s

journey.

We are called above all to build and rebuild paths of communion, tirelessly creating bridges of unity

and working to overcome our divisions.

Concrete love is the Christian’s visiting card; any other way of presenting

ourselves could be misleading and even unhelpful, for it is by our love for one another that everyone will know that we are his disciples (cf. Jn 13:35).

May believers always set an example, cooperating with one another in

mutual respect and a spirit of dialogue, knowing that “the only rivalry possible

among the Lord’s disciples is to see who can offer the greater love!” (John Paul II,

Homily, 27 September 2001)

Daily Pausewith Pope Francis

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“God always brings newness. You have experienced this so

often in your lives! Are we also open to surprises today?”

“Vacations offer a time to rest and to restore the spirit,

especially through a more quiet reading of the Gospels.”

“Let us not allow the painful memories to take command of

our hearts; even in the face of the repeated assaults of evil, let

us not give up.”

“True joy which is experienced in the family is not something

random and fortuitous, but normal and ongoing.”

“In the world of work today it is essential to educate and follow the luminous and demanding

path of honesty.”

“‘Rendering justice’ does not mean seeking punishment for its

own sake, but ensuring that the basic purpose of all punishment

is the rehabilitation of the offender.”

“If God is present in our life, the joy of bringing the Gospel will be our

strength and our happiness.”

“Jesus looks for us and invites us to make room in the inner reaches of our heart. Do we

realize it?”

“We, men and women, need God’s mercy, but we also need

each other’s mercy. We need to take each other’s hand, caress each other, take care of each other and not wage so many

wars.”

“People are the primary artisans of their own development, the first in

charge!”

“We are all on a journey to the common house of heaven,

where we will be able to admire with joyful wonder the mystery

of the universe.”

“In prayer let us experience the compassion of God, full of

merciful love.”

“Look in the mirror, do not put on makeup in order to cover your

wrinkles; no, no, no, that is not my advice! Look in the mirror to see

yourself as you are.”

“The moral and spiritual ‘health’ of a nation is seen in its families.”

“How can you believe in someone who caresses you with

the right hand and strikes you with the left hand?”

Daily Pause with Pope Francis


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Mercy has eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to lift up again.

People who pass by, who move on in life without noticing the needs

of others, without seeing many spiritual and material needs, are

people who pass by without living.

Remember well: those who do not live to serve, do not serve to

live.

Entrusting ourselves to God’s will in fact means remitting ourselves

to his infinite mercy.

Before going to bed, I say this short prayer: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean!”. And I pray five

“Our Fathers”, one for each of Jesus’ wounds, because Jesus has cleansed

us with his wounds. If I do this, you can do it too.

Jesus teaches us not to be afraid to touch the poor and the

excluded, because He is in them.

Prayer enable grace to open a way out from closure to

openness, from fear to courage, from sadness to joy.

What is the Lord asking us to build today in our lives, and

even more importantly, upon what is he calling us to build

our lives?

We need societies of greater justice, where each individual

can lead a dignified life and, above all, be fairly remunerated

for his or her work.

We would do well to read the word of God and in silent prayer

to open our hearts to his love.

When he calls – and I say this especially to you young people – do not be afraid; tell him “Yes!”

By making room for Jesus, we become capable of radiating His

love.

God dwells wherever there is love, shown especially by courageous and compassionate care for the

weak and the poor.

We need Christians who do not allow themselves to be overcome by weariness or

discouraged by adversity, but instead are available, open and

ready to serve.Despite our own failings and the injuries done to us, we must not become

self-centred but open our hearts in sincerity and trust to the Lord, to “the God who is ever near,

loving and good.”

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4 5 6“Loving and forgiving as God

loves and forgives. This is a programme of life that can know no interruptions or exceptions.”

“Indeed, nowadays the death penalty is unacceptable, however grave the crime of the convicted

person. The commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’ has absolute value and applies both to the innocent

and to the guilty.”

“That flame that lives in you must not go out: for we believe

in a God who remedies all injustices, who consoles all pain and who knows how to reward

those who maintain trust in Him.”

“Being judgmental is very ugly. Judgment belongs only to God, to

Him alone!”

“Today the Lord repeats to all pastors: Follow Me despite the difficulties,

follow Me by proclaiming the Gospel to all.”

“You are witnesses of Christ, you are intercessors before God who

hears your prayers in a special way.”

“The commitment to full unity and cooperation among all the Lord’s disciples is like a radiant

light in a dark night.”

“Being Christian involves joining one’s own life, in all its aspects, to the person of

Jesus and, through Him, to the Father.”

“Make your homes, communities and cities into workshops of communion,

friendship and fraternity, which can bring people together and

be open to the whole world.”

“Whatever your state, your story and your burden might be, it is Jesus who brings us together

around Himself.”

“A culture of reciprocity means talking things over, esteeming one another, welcoming one

another, helping one another.”

“I ask you above all to maintain the courage and to keep the

joy of hope right in the midst of your anguish.”

“We are called to embody this Word of God: ‘I know the plans that I have

for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with

hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11).”

“This Jubilee of mercy is a time of reconciliation for

everyone.”

“If there is one thing to be said about Jesus, it is precisely His capacity to welcome.”

“The tangible and clear presence of Christ among you is the witness which

leads to faith.”


HealtH and Safety HabitS

We USUally OverlOOk

HOW tO SOlve COmmOn mOney miStakeS

New YouTips for Personal Development

As much as we are familiar with some do’s and don’ts for our health and safety, we should also be aware of a few small habits that we might be taking for granted. Here are some:

1. We brush and floss our teeth, but do we use them to remove tags and open food packs? Yes, we might be giving extra care for our teeth: brushing, flossing, going to regular dental checkups. But according to dentist Kimberly Harms, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association, using our pearly whites as an all-purpose tool can cause chips and cracks, and will wear down the hard enamel protecting our teeth. It increases the risk of having tooth sensitivity and decay. A piece of advice: Don’t use your teeth to tear non-food items, crunching on ice included.

2. Some of us might not wear shoes in our house, but do we place our handbag on the dining table? Dr. Kelly

Reynolds, a microbiologist who was part of a study in

Quick Health TipApple cider vinegar (ACV) is made from fermented apple juice and has been proven to be more beneficial than white vinegar. ACV has antibiotic properties and pectin that can help in easing tummy troubles such as diarrhea and intestinal spasms. Moreover, its potassium and acetic acid contents can clear nasal congestion. The acetic acid in ACV also suppresses appetite, increases metabolism and reduces water retention, contributing to weight loss. Based on some studies, ACV can also lower cholesterol and helps control blood sugar.

Source: http://www.rd.com/health/

2008, found that 90 percent of bacteria in shoe soles transfers to the floor of houses. And he also found out that the bottoms of most handbags had tens of thousands of bacteria — 30 percent of which are fecal bacteria. She advises everyone to wipe the bottoms of handbags with disinfecting cloths or regularly wash the whole thing if possible.

3. We might not smoke, but do you stay near someone who does? The American Lung

Association (ALA) reports that about 41,000 deaths a year are due to second-hand smoke.

According to Bill Blatt, national director of Tobacco Programs at the ALA, moving seats in

a restaurant with a smoking area doesn’t help because the smoke stays in the air even after the

smoker goes away. Just totally leave the place and tell the staff why.

4. Don’t text and drive. Don’t text and walk as well. According to Dr. Alam Hilibrand, a

spokesperson from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, people who have this

habit of distracted walking risk themselves into dangerous traffic conditions and tripping over

curbs or potholes. About 1,300 emergency-room visits were attributed to walking while texting in

2015 based on the data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Step out of

the flow of cars, bicycles and people first before checking your phone.

Source: http://www.realsimple.com/


We must learn from our mistakes — and this life advice also applies to our money oversights. Rise from the following money mistakes by practicing the corresponding tips:1. Buying cheap clothes that you don’t wear in the end.

Choose quality over quantity. It’s best to invest on a few high-quality clothes that you can wear for a long time, rather than shop for a lot of cheap clothing that just get stuck in the closet.

2. No record of monthly expenses. Not keeping a record of your expenses can lead to overspending. And there’s no other way to solve this but to get a pen and paper, list down all expenses and income, budget accordingly and stick to that budget.

3. Maxing out credit card limit. Credit cards give us convenience but when used unwisely, it can ruin our lives. Swipe only within your capacity and pay the bills as early as you can. Don’t let them pile up and burden you. If this happens, it’s best to let the card go.

Source: http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/

apple Cider vinegar

OCtOber iS mUSeUmS and gallerieS mOntH

Real Stuff

Saints-at-a-GlanceSt. John RobertsFeast Day: October 25 | Birth: 1575 | Death: 1610

John was born to a Protestant family in Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd in Wales, and received his education at Oxford University in London. He decided to become a Catholic during his travels in Europe, and went to Spain to be a Benedictine priest in 1602. Although it was dangerous then to go back to England as a Catholic priest, he kept returning until his final arrest. He was hanged, drawn and quartered with other martyrs at Tyburn in 1610. He is considered one of the most recent Catholic martyrs in British history.

Sources:http://news.bbc.co.uk/http://www.catholic.org/

In the final Mass during this year’s World Youth Day (WYD) in Poland, Pope Francis gave a creative and memorable homily using technology metaphors. He encouraged the pilgrims to “download the best link of all, that of a heart which sees and transmits goodness without growing weary.”

He repeatedly advised his young audience not to be afraid when others laugh, belittle or ridicule them for the sake of following Jesus through actions. He reminded them that a life with Him is a life of action and not of just “thinking… or ‘texting’ a few words.”

Despite being the last Mass in this week-long Catholic youth event, Pope Francis hoped that Jesus would continue to be “in all the ‘contacts’ and ‘chats’ of each day.”

In the last part of his homily, he assured the delegates that God knows everyone and He calls us by name. The Pope said, “Trust the memory of God: His memory is not a ‘hard disk’ that ‘saves’ and ‘archives’ all our data, but a heart filled with tender compassion, one that finds joy in ‘erasing’ in us every trace of evil.”

The final Mass was held on July 31, 2016 in the “Campus Misericordiae” (Field of Mercy) near the city of Krakow. There were more than 2.5 million delegates present, including teenagers, scouts, priests and families.

Sources: http://www.cbcpnews.com/ ; http://news.abs-cbn.com/

One of the observances in the Philippines for October is the Museums and Galleries Month, following Proclamation No. 798, s. 1991.

The Filipinos have shown great interest in visiting the National Museum in any month of the year. It has been observed that whenever the National Museum would open for free from 2013 to 2016, a significant number of visitors and viewers would come.

To encourage more Filipinos, especially the young generation, to appreciate art and learn more about history, the National Museum is now permanently free of charge to all visitors effective July 1, 2016. So for all those who do not know yet, this month may be your lucky chance to go!

The National Museum is located along Padre Burgos Drive, Manila City. For inquiries, contact the Museum Education Division at 527-0278 or [email protected]. You can also visit their website at www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph.

Aside from the National Museum, you can also search for other beautiful museums including Museo Pambata (especially for the kids) in Manila City; Ayala Museum in Makati City; Lopez Museum and Library in Ortigas Center, Pasig City; and many others. Have a happy Museums and Galleries Month!

Sources:http://www.gov.ph/calendar/http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/https://lopez-museum.com/http://www.museopambata.orghttp://www.ayalamuseum.org

pOpe franCiS enCOUrageS delegateS at WOrld

yOUtH day final maSS


Pag-asa graduates: Bringing HoPe to tHe World

As one of the mercy ministries of the Light of Jesus Family, Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation provides scholarship to poor but deserving students. It also conducts motivational talks and seminars to encourage

the scholars to pursue their dreams. This way, the Pag-asa beneficiaries and graduates become vessels of hope to their families and to other people.

Meet four Pag-asa graduates who touch other people by paying forward.

Fr. Jose Adrian SurigaoFr. Ian shared that the most challenging part during his stay in the seminary was confirming “the call.” He said that discerning God’s will is not an overnight decision. It takes a long process and hours spent in prayers. And this is one of the gifts of Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation to him. The foundation helped him to focus on his spritual journey instead of worrying about school fees. Pag-asa paid 25 percent of his tuition fees, board and lodging in Ateneo de Manila, where he finished his studies last March 2015.

Fr. Ian was ordained on October 1, 2015. He now celebrates Mass in the Diocese of Talibon, Bohol. According to Fr. Ian, there are still challenges as a priest — like how to translate what you’ve learned to real life. A priest should be a leader and people in his parish look up to him. He needs to be a good example because a priest serves as Jesus to the people. He has to walk the talk.

Fr. Ian, with his friends in Bohol, came up with a project named SARS. It may sound like a disease, but it is an acronym for “Share a Roof Saturdays,” a project that renovates the houses of the poorest of the poor during Saturdays.

He quips, “Many people are willing to help but they need someone to initiate it. And that is what I am doing now — leading them to help the poor.”

Kfam Insider

By Shellie Anne Javier-Follero

By Shellie Anne Javier-Follero


Fr. Ian commits himself to be a shepherd for the poor, here shown during his ordination day.

Larah Angelica ChingLarah prayed for a miracle to support her education. She asked God for financial assistance because her dad lost his job when she was in elementary and she saw how her mom struggled to provide for her studies.

God answered her prayer one morning at The Feast Valle Verde, the weekly prayer meeting of the Light of Jesus (LOJ) Family. The Feast Valle Verde announced that Pag-asa was accepting scholars. Right after The Feast, she rushed to the book table and inquired. She was referred to Rey Ortega, Pag-asa director. Soon she found herself a recipient of Pag-asa scholarship.

Pag-asa ng Pamilya helped Larah in two ways. First, through financial assistance. She used the allowance to buy things for school and rent a boarding house during her on-the-job training. She rented because she lives in Parañaque while her employer was in Libis. Second, she focused on her studies because she didn’t have to worry about tuition fee and other needs.

Graduating as a cum laude in 2014, she continued to strive for the best and is now a certified public accountant. She is now employed and thankful for all the blessings she received through the goodness of donors.

Paul Winston LontocPaul came from a simple family in Taguig. Though his parents could not support his studies in college, it didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream to finish Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. He searched for institutions that can help him in college. Finally, he learned about Pag-asa and met Rey Ortega.

Aside from helping him financially, Pag-asa also led him closer to Jesus. He learned about The Feast which he attended regularly.

His faith sustained him as he faced different challenges. In addition to his financial problems, he also had to manage his time well since he became an officer in one student organization at the University of Santo

Tomas. He endured traveling for five hours from his home to the school every day. Most of the time, he would only sleep at home then wake up again at 5 a.m. to commute for school.

His hardships paid off when he graduated last June 2016, determined to pass the CPA Board Exam.

Riza Mae Gil BangelesRiza Mae Gil Bangeles grew up in a poor family in Iloilo. Her parents kept on reminding her to study hard so she could have a better future. And study hard she did! She graduated high school with honors. But since they still lacked fund for her college studies, she continued praying. God responded to her through her relatives. Riza’s cousins decided to support her financially but she had to go to Manila.

She enrolled in Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 2010. Her cousin introduced her to Pag-asa ng Pamilya Foundation. The foundation helped her pay for her school needs. But she still had one struggle. She missed her family so much.

Good thing, God always has a solution. The Pagasa ng Pamilya Foundation gathers all scholars for a meeting and an inspirational talk before the semester starts. It led

Riza to know The Feast, a weekly gathering founded by lay preacher Bo Sanchez. According to Riza, she became closer to Jesus by attending The Feast weekly and joining a Light Group, which helped her overcome homesickness. The foundation made her a confident woman and a dreamer.

Riza finished Information Communication Management Technology, a three-year course in PUP. She plans to complete her course and acquire a bachelor’s degree. She’s just waiting for her younger sister to finish college. She now helps out in providing for their family.

More than just extending financial aid, Pagasa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation molds its scholars to raise the quality of the scholars’ family life, and to extend the same love and generosity to the people who come their way.


Your generosity can go a long way. You may deposit your donations to:

Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation, Inc.Banco De Oro

Savings Account #3970059458

Visit www.lightfam.com to know more about the LOJ mercy ministries.

Larah with LOJ founder, Bo Sanchez.

Paul with his mom during his memorable graduation.

Riza (left), celebrating her sister Rosie’s graduation.

TEXT here and here.I am 25 years old, with a stable career as an accountant and a happy family. I have a suitor who is seven years older than me, and he has a son out of wedlock. I used to like him before that’s why we became very close. In fact, I was the one who initiated our closeness. But eventually, I saw his temper and moodswings and it frightened me. He admits to having a depression tendency. Even my parents saw through him and they don’t want him for me. They can accept his child but not the way that he made fun of me when we had dinner with my family. He tends to be proud and disrepectful to me and to my family as well. When I told him that we’re better off as friends, he threatened to take his life. How can I help him? How should I keep my distance from him?

Troubled Lady

title Here and Here

Dear K

First of all, purgatory is not a place but a process of purification. Why would anyone undergo such purification? To be cleansed, for “nothing unclean shall enter [heaven]” (Revelation 21:27).

Anyone who has not been completely freed of sin and its effects is, to some extent, “unclean.” Through repentance, he may have gained the grace needed to be worthy of heaven. He has been forgiven and his soul is spiritually alive. But that’s not sufficient for gaining entrance into heaven. He needs to be cleansed completely.

It is true that the word purgatory is not found in Scripture but it does not disprove the existence of purgatory or the fact that it has always been part of Church teaching. But the Bible approves of prayers for the dead. In the Second Book of Maccabees, Judas Maccabeus instructed his soldiers to offer prayers and sacrifices for the fallen comrades. “In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the dead to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin” (2 Maccabees 12:43–45).

Prayers are not needed by those in heaven, and no one can help those in hell. That means some people must be in a third condition, at least temporarily.

Fr. Rudy

How do I explain the concept of “purgatory” to my daughter? She is 16 years old and is starting to question our Catholic faith. Since the nearest school in our house that offers quality education is a Christian institution, some of her classmates keep asking her about what we believe in as Catholics. I myself do not fully understand about purgatory so I want to be enlightened. Kindly help me.

Diane M.

Dear Diane, You are not alone with having difficulties in understanding the concept of “purgatory.” Non-Catholics often attack the doctrine because, as they say, purgatory is not in the Bible. During the Middle Ages, horrible ideas about the tortures that souls have to undergo there began to float around. Furthermore, non-Catholics say that the Church collected money and got rich “to get souls out of purgatory.”

What does the Church really teach? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030). It notes that “this final purification of the elect is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC 1031).

WHat iS pUrgatOry?

Dear K

When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in 1984, he was first assigned to the Immaculate Conception Parish in Cubao. It was where he came in contact with the still young Light of Jesus Family. In 1990, he moved to Christ the King Mission Seminary, where he now serves as head spiritual director of the seminarians and teaches Religious Education. He also teaches Holy Scriptures at the Maryhill School of Theology and the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.

TEXT here and here.Hi,

I am a mother of two kids and my elder child aged 14 has autism. Because of his condition, my husband and I give him special attention. However, we notice that our 10-year-old daughter is getting jealous of her Kuya. She tries to do her Kuya’s activities so that we can give her the same appreciation and time. She even mentioned once that we only care for our son, but I’d like to believe that we don’t lack spending time with her too. How do we explain to her the situation? How do we balance our time to our kids? Hope you can help us.

Striving Mom

title Here and Here

Dear Lady-in-Waiting, You are not alone when you say that you long for a committed, romantic relationship. And the older you are, the more it seems like all the good ones are already taken. But I always remind singles that you don’t need many men for a lifetime partner; you only need one.

But the question remains: Where do I meet potential partners? In the 2016 Singles in America Survey, 33 percent of singles met their last date

through online dating while 26 percent met their last date through a friend. What does this mean? You have greater chances of landing a date if you go online. In fact, the 2015 survey said that only six percent met a date offline.

We have to admit that times have changed with technology. It’s changed even our dating habits! So if you want to meet new people in the hope of finding The One, then you’ll increase your chances by going online.

Just a warning though. One relationship coach warned that using dating apps that show the places you frequent can compromise your safety. Another friend told me that she met mostly married men at the same site looking for an affair.

If I would pick a dating app, I’d go for a Catholic or Christian site. Although that doesn’t guarantee that all men in those sites are virtuous, you can more or less assume that those who join those sites value their religion.

Here are some characteristics you can use to evaluate a dating site from the book, 10 Best Decisions a Single Can Make by Bill and Pam Farrel:

• Focuses on your character, not on looks;• Asks questions about your purpose in life;• Measures your compatibility based on your conviction and commitment;• Protects your privacy until you are ready to divulge information;• Rates your spiritual preferences and maturity. Most importantly, keep praying even as you keep

looking. Trust that God has the best in store for you. Rissa

I am 34 years old, successful in my career, and contented with my life except for one thing — my love life.

It’s been five years since I had a boyfriend. I admit, I miss having one now.

Recently, some of my friends got into a relationship through online dating and they look happy and contented. I am beginning to consider it, too, but I’m afraid of the risks.

Is it advisable to sign up with online dating sites? I already joined a number of groups that I am interested in, but I still can’t find “the one.” I want to believe that I am for married life (as some of my relatives already start teasing me to enter the convent), but I don’t know if I should still wait for the right person. When should I stop hoping and waiting? Please guide me on this.

Lady-in-Waiting

SHOUld i date Online?

Rissa Singson Kawpeng has been proclaiming God’s Word through radio, TV and print media for over two decades. She has served extensively in youth and singles ministries and is an inspiration to many in living godly lives.

Rissa has written five books, the latest of which is While You’re Waiting. Visit www.kerygmabooks.com for orders.

E-mail your questions to [email protected]. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center counselor. Pastoral counseling by telephone is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face pastoral counseling is by appointment. For correspondence pastoral counseling, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.com.


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Nothing can really stop the growth of the Light of Jesus (LOJ) Family and the Feasts around the world. One of the

promising Feasts is The Feast Quezon City (QC) - Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

The Feast QC - BSWM is a weekly gathering of the LOJ Family under the Feast QC District led by Eng Si, one of LOJ’s elders. The Feast QC District is composed of three Feasts: The Feast QC - City Hall (a Friday session at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.); The Feast Fairview Terraces (held every Sunday at Cinema 4 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.) and The Feast QC - BSWM with two Sunday sessions (9:15 to 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.).

Jericho MarchEng narrated that Feast QC’s first venue was U.P. Ayala Land TechnoHub. They transferred to the Bureau of Soils and Water Management in August 2009 for a bigger venue. He shared that they

even performed the “Jericho March,” which employed worship to “conquer” the place and claim victory. Following Bo Sanchez’s orders to convert all existing LOJ chapters into a single Feast, The Feast Quezon City - BSWM started with about 150 attendees, which include old members from the previous chapters composed of Diliman, Broadcast City, and Fairview. The Feast QC – BSWM only had a Sunday morning session in those days.

Branching OutIn 2013, The Feast QC branched out to a Saturday Feast called “I Love You Sabado Feast” at 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. headed by Eng’s son, RJ Si. RJ is currently the builder of The Feast Fairview Terraces that officially launched in 2015.

Eventually, they removed the Saturday session and just focused on two Sunday morning sessions.

It was in late 2013 that they had a “full Feast,” which means two Sunday

Feast Snapshots

sessions with back-to-back Mass.

A Journey to RememberThe changed lives of the attendees and those who revealed that they met God through gatherings are the most unforgettable rewards of The Feast QC. “Everything is memorable at The Feast QC, including relationships which have developed through the years. As for events, we conducted a concert called “Worthy to Worship” in 2011, and in 2013, we had “QC Got Talent.” We were also able to invite Bene Sanchez, Bo’s eldest son, to give a sharing/talk for us,” Eng recalled.

Now, The Feast QC - BSWM already has around 500 attendees and 120 servants.

Eng’s ultimate goal is to have one Feast for every Quezon City district, specifically in Cubao, Bonifacio, Katipunan (in U.P. Town Center), Fisher Mall (in Quezon Avenue) or Del Monte, and in Novaliches.

At the rate they are going, this isn’t an impossible dream.

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t’s been nine months since I last saw home. Staring at the wide-open ocean, I can’t help but feel lonely. I miss my family. I look at my fellow seamen also looking forward to our return. In three months after we dock, all their money will be gone — spent on appliances, homes and cars, and treating relative and friends.

I could not do that because I have to prioritize my siblings’ schooling. I don’t want to be separated from my family anymore. I want to stay in the Philippines. I thought, kaysa magbarko-barko, magbusiness na lang. (Instead of getting on a ship, why don’t I get into business instead?)

It Happened

anchors to success

IBy Raffy Nene as told to Marjorie Duterte

frOm Seaman tO entrepreneUr:


Raffy (in white polo) enjoys dinner with his J.I.M. employees after a hard day’s work.

The Old Man and the SeaMy father was a fisherman. He would spend his days mostly out in the sea of Masbate. Because it was cold out there, he would often smoke. Our livelihood depended on the fruits of the ocean and he would be gone for months during fishing season.

Sometimes my father would be delayed in sending money because of the monsoon rains. No boats could travel from Cebu to Masbate and back.

Because of these challenges, life was hard for us. We used

to walk two kilometers every day from our house to our primary school.

It became even more difficult when we entered high school because my father already had to pay tuition fee and he had six kids.

Making WavesWhen we learned how much my uncle made as a seaman, my siblings and I took Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation at the University of Cebu.

When my parents were delayed in sending money, I would borrow from my boardmates to pay the school or my father would advance the money from a fish buyer to send to us.

In my sophomore year, I became a dean’s lister. I received a big discount on my tuition fee that eased my father’s burden.

When we were about to graduate, only two out of 35

people passed the company exam given by Dalisay Shipping Corporation. I was one of them. In 2000, at 20 years old, I became a deck cadet, the lowest position in a ship. I started to support my siblings’ education with my $300 monthly salary.

I did everything from mopping the hallway to cleaning the cabins. We went everywhere in the world to deliver cargo in Japan, Australia, West America and Canada.

But it gets lonely when you’re in the ocean, when you can’t see anything except water and you’re with the same people all the time. I’ve served in ships where the captain was so sad or a terror who didn’t care about his crew. We made up for the loneliness when the ship docks for three days to refuel and restock. We bought pasalubong (gifts) to bring home.

We also didn’t get to go to Mass while in the ship. You can’t grow your spirituality there except when there is a pastor who joins us. But that’s rare. When there’s a prayer meeting, only one or two would attend since everyone is too exhausted from work and need to rest.

Turning TidesMy father died of lung cancer when I was 28 years old. When he got sick, our finances were drained. Most of my salary went to his hospitalization and medical expenses. It took a long time before we were able to recover financially.

I continued boarding ships until I became chief officer earning $6,700 a month. They were going to make me captain, earning $8,000 monthly, but I declined.

You can earn a lot but all you have are expenses when you get home because of the luxurious lifestyle of seamen. I also realized that a high salary wasn’t worth it if you are constantly away from your family.

My goal was to earn continuously. I figured P50,000 a month was enough for me to build and grow a fishing boats business in Masbate.


Raffy back on land with his own business.

Raffy showcases their engineered auto sports seats.

Embracing EntrepreneurshipWhen I set my mind on the business, I chanced upon a Kerygma magazine in SM Cebu. I read that Bo Sanchez was holding a Truly Rich Club Super Conference there in October 2013. I attended that seminar because I needed a business mentor.

I learned from the Super Conference that you should develop whatever your passion or talent is. I discovered that my cousin, Reynante, was good in making car seat covers. He used to work in a famous upholstery company. I saw it as a business opportunity to develop aside from our fishing boats. We partnered and opened J.I.M. (Jesus Is Mighty) Upholstery Services in January 2014. Reynante managed the shop in Quezon City, trained workers, while I financed the operations. I stopped working as a seaman in February 2016.

When we started our branch in Sucat, SM Bicutan needed to upholster their cinema seats. They called all the upholsterers in the south area to make a bid. Because we were new, we gave it at an affordable price and we got the project.

Later, the SM Bicutan head got transferred to SM Mall of Asia and he led the SM Lifestyle and Entertainment department.

He liked the quality of our work and he recommended us to other SM malls in Metro Manila. Today, we service SM cinemas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

At one point, we had to stop our projects because we ran out of capital and the payment came in only after six months. One business lesson we learned was to ask for down payments; otherwise we won’t be able to complete the projects since there are usually 200 seats per cinema.

Anchors to Success One of the things that helped me succeed was waking up early at 5 a.m. to plan my whole day and pray. I seek the Lord when I experience challenges. I believe that we have to put God first and He will guide us. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you,” Jesus said in Matthew 6:33. This is my life verse and guide in doing business.

When you read the Bible, you will get a lot of

guidance. You will not be lost, and you will get your answers there.

I even named my fishing boats after the books in the Bible. We used to have four boats — Mateo, Sirach, Wisdom, and Exodus — but now we have nine that we rent out to other fishermen. I prayed for these and I wrote it down in my Novena to God’s Love booklet. These are answered prayers now.

I also believe in the importance of having a mentor. Without one, you go into business blind. When we didn’t know what to do, I sought the advice of Business Daddy Marco Victoria. He advised us to hire new people and train them to replace the stubborn workers who left us. My dream of giving jobs to the poor people in my hometown has been fulfilled as I took his advice. Today, we’ve trained 10 people from the province and employ them in our upholstery business. We give them free board and lodging and they earn a decent living.

Instead of using the money I earned for luxury, I used it to create cash flow. Even if my income increases, my lifestyle does not. When I have enough cash flow in the future, I’ll be able to buy the things that I want, like a car. But now, my Fortuner is my fishing boats and JIM Upholstery. In a year, I will have my dream car. But if I bought the car first, I wouldn’t have my businesses today.


JIM employees with business mentor, Marco Victoria.

Special SectionIntroduction

By Bo Sanchez

Everyday, I feel people’s pain.

I’m a preacher. I go around the world, meeting the spiritual needs of people. But people aren’t just sick in their souls. People are sick in their bodies too. And like a flood of pain, people tell me…· “Bo, I’ve got breast cancer…”

· “I’m taking dialysis, please pray for my damaged kidneys…”· “I have arthritis and the pain is unbearable, I can’t sleep…”· “I’m injecting insulin twice a day…”· “Two of my arteries are blocked; I’m scheduled for an

angioplasty next week…”· “Can you pray for me, Brother Bo? I’ve got liver cancer…”But that’s not all…

A Whole New YouSpecial Section

Introduction

By Bo Sanchez

Carol was peeking through the window again.

Daily, she’d watch the sweet couple next door, doing their morning ritual: Before the husband went off to work, he’d kiss his wife, give her a hug and declare to her, “I love you!” for all the world to hear.

Each morning, Carol saw this sight, and every time, her heart was filled with envy.

Finally, one day, she couldn’t take it anymore. So Carol confronted her husband, Pete. “Why can’t you be like our next-door neighbor?” She pulled the curtain for him to take a look.

“See? This man kisses his wife, embraces her and says, ‘I love you!’ every morning. Every morning! Why can’t you do that?”

Pete’s face was pale. “Honey, I can’t do that!”

The SweetestLove Letter


“Why?” Carol asked angrily.“Why, honey, I… I don’t even know

that woman!”“Sheeeeeesh. Pete, I’m not asking

you to do it to that woman. I’m asking you to do it to me!”

“Oh…” he muttered blankly.“Tell me again that you love me. I

haven’t heard it in a long time now!”Pete shrugged his shoulders.

“Gee, Carol, I don’t know. I mean, I said ‘I love you’ 30 years ago during our honeymoon. And I told you that if I changed my mind, I’d let you know. Well, I haven’t.”

By now, I think many wives reading this would like to throw a few cooking pans in the direction of Pete’s head.

Let me ask you a question. Why is it necessary for spouses to tell each other “I love you” each day? I mean, can’t one “I love you” be sufficient for the next 30 years?

This same principle works for reading the Bible. Or for learning about God. (Huh?)

That’s right. As mushy as this may sound, the Bible is God’s love letter to you. So in your daily Scripture time, you can’t say, “This is boring. I’ve read this story before;” or, “Oh no, today’s reading is the Prodigal Son again. Gosh, I’ve read this a million times,” or, “The Beatitudes? Again? I can recite that in my sleep!”


So what? You see, you’re forgetting one thing: Christianity isn’t just a religion. It’s primarily a relationship. It’s a personal relationship where “I love you” is repeated a million times.

And spending time to know God more through the Scriptures doesn’t only develop your relationship with God.

Sometimes we think that we’re just wasting time when we read the Scriptures. But the truth is, when we open our hearts to the message of the Bible, we open ourselves to the immense love of God. We remind ourselves of the most faithful promises that one can ever say in the entire history.

Saint Jerome remarked, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” May this issue open your heart to the truth and beauty of God’s Word.

In this issue, I pray that you may grow more in His Word.

Grow more in His love.


Special Section

By Bo Sanchez

Be a Champion of Love


Agroup of kids were crowding around an old man.

“Uncle Kenjo! Is it true that you were in the Bible?”“Who told you?” the grey-haired man asked in mock surprise.The kids screamed, “King David! We met him yesterday!”The old man laughed, “Awesome, isn’t he?”“Oh, yes!” the little ones cried out.One girl said, “I like his singing voice so much. It’s so peaceful,

he puts me to sleep.”Everyone laughed.“You should hear him play his harp, too,” Kenjo said. “But tell

me, now that you’ve met the real McCoy, why bother with me? I’m just a bit player.”

The little girl said, “Because he was busy chatting with Prophet Elijah. He also said that you’re one of the best storytellers ever. So can you tell us a Bible story? Pretty please?”

The old man couldn’t resist.Kenjo took a deep breath and began his story…

The BeginningI started as King Saul’s armor bearer.

The Philistines were our worst enemy. They thought they could just swoop down on us, take our land, steal our women and make us slaves forever. Didn’t their mothers teach them good manners and right conduct? I wondered if they actually had no mothers.

Well, one fateful day, these motherless creatures had a new leader. It was the big, bad boy himself, Mr. Goliath, and boy, oh boy, was the guy a walking freak show. He was a beast! He was Godzilla in disguise.

Frankly, I didn’t think he was human.In fact, among King Saul’s soldiers, they called him The Mountain. Because

his mere shadow covered two battalions. And in front of us — all 40,000 soldiers of King Saul — he screamed, “Who wants to challenge me to a duel? Choose one man from among you. If he kills me, all of us shall serve you. But if I kill him, you shall serve us!” He gave this speech for 40 days straight. Twice a day.

So what did my boss do?King Saul proclaimed a bounty for the head of Goliath. Saul declared,

“Anyone who can give me Goliath’s head on a platter, I shall make him a rich man. And I shall exempt him and his family from paying taxes for his entire lifetime. And I shall give him my daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Man, you could hear a pin drop. It was a genius plan. Except for one thing: It didn’t work.It was clear that no one in the room was interested.

The Errand Boy Walks into the SceneAs the entire army of King Saul was turning to mush, out of the blue, a little pebble entered the scene.

His name was David.Just to brag a bit, David was my boyhood chum. Actually, I just played with

him once. Some years back, my family visited his town. Much later, I told him this story and he didn’t remember my name at all.

But I remembered his — the name his friends called him. It was Pebble.If you compared him to his eight brothers (his eldest brother, Eliab, was even

called “The Rock”), it was obvious how he got his pet name. Most of his brothers


were in the army, wearing brass helmets, heavy breastplates and long spears. David was a scrawny shepherd who walked into the scene carrying a basket. David was there because his Mama asked him to bring lunch to his brothers.

Yep, our hero was an errand boy.

The DuelBut people who witnessed this event told me that a strange thing happened when David heard about the King’s reward. It was like the reward seized him.

At that precise moment, everything changed. His attitude, his disposition, his posture. He stood taller. He spoke faster. Even his face changed. From fear, they could now only see passion. It was like his eyes were lit with fire. And he kept asking again and again, “Tell me what will happen to the guy who defeats Goliath one more time, please?”

Finally, after he had heard enough, David shouted out for everyone to hear the line that made him the most famous warrior in the entire history of Israel. He said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

Quickly, the rumor spread through the ranks. A challenger has arisen! We now have someone insane enough to fight Goliath! The King called him up and talked to him. “If you will fight Goliath, you’ll need equipment.”

He snapped his fingers. That was where I, Kenjo, entered the story. I stepped forward, carrying the royal armor.

“Put it on him,” the King ordered me. David removed his woolen shirt and stretched out his arms.

My golly gee, was the guy thin!I looked at him. David didn’t look like a warrior. He looked

like a Christmas tree.And David knew it, too.He said, “King, I’m touched that you’re lending me your

armor, but this isn’t me. I’m just not used to it. If I wear this, I won’t be able to kill Goliath.”

Along the way, David picked up five smooth stones. That was all he needed. Nothing else. He marched towards the Philistine army. Goliath stood his ground — laughing like a mad man. David, while running at breakneck speed, was still spinning his weapon of choice above his head. And some 12 meters from Goliath, he flung it. He flung it with all his might. He flung it like it was the last thing he would do on earth.

One stone. One forehead. Thud.We didn’t even hear the “thud” from where we stood.We just saw the giant’s body fall to the ground like a log.

And David, still running, reached for the enormous sword of Goliath. The sword was bigger than him. But he carried it like it was just a stick. It was adrenalin, people would later say.

And David sliced the giant’s head off. Whack!The Pebble had crushed The Mountain!

The Pebble’s Most Important Battle“Wow,” one of the kids said.

“Let me continue my story. After defeating Goliath, King David saw lots of battles in his life. And I stood beside him, watching him win again and again on the battlefield. He won so often, it got boring.”

David may have won over Goliath.David may have won over armies.David may have won over Israel and became its king.But there was a time in his life when David didn’t conquer

a personal battle — lust. He fell into adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband, Uriah. It was an ugly story. Ultimately, he asked for forgiveness. I thank God that the Bible didn’t cover up the bad stuff.

Because it teaches us a very critical lesson. David had a lot of military victories but he lost when it came to the most important battle of life: following his inner compass.

You have an inner compass that will guide you to happiness.

This inner compass always points to a spiritual north.Friend, your spiritual north will always be love.This is the battle that you must win.

If You Fail in Your Relationships, You Fail in LifeOne day, I prayed for a huge man in the hospital.

The man was an athlete with a superb physical condition. As a weightlifter, he lifted 300 pounds without much sweat. Everything in his body was in excellent condition — his muscles, his bones, his lungs, his kidneys…. Everything, that is, except his heart.

He was a dying man. Because his heart was dying.Your relationships are the heart of your life.You can be winning in your business, in your profession,

in your finances or even in your health. But if you fail in your relationships, you fail in life. If you

fail in love, you fail in all things. Make a choice now to live a life of love. Let love transform you.

This is the heart of the Bible.This is the heart of Jesus.Be a champion of love.

The Transforming Power of Scriptures

Excerpt from Bo Sanchez’s book, How to Conquer Your Goliaths. Available at www.kerygmabooks.com.


In today’s first reading, we find the words of encouragement from the Lord through St. Paul where it is written, “For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:1-6).

The above text was one of my recent posts in our prayer group’s Facebook page. I am part of a prayer group called Pathways. I would randomly post my Bible reflections to our group to inspire my Christian brothers and sisters.

But if you knew me in the past, you might end up asking, “Was that really posted by Richelle?”

I was not the type who would cite, quote or refer to any Bible verse. I believed that I could be a good Catholic even without the Bible in my Christian life.

So, how did I end up loving Scripture?

By Richelle Bumanglag as told to Alvin Fabella

Special SectionTestimonial

The Transforming Power of Scriptures By Richelle Bumanglag

as told to Alvin Fabella

Richelle’s family is a testimony of the transformative power of God’s Word.


Not a Bible LoverI was born and raised Catholic. My mother was a devout believer. Since I am the only daughter among a brood of three, I became her constant companion. It was easy for me to memorize standard prayers and novenas. I became familiar with the basic teachings of Catholicism. I attended Mass regularly. I was a full-fledged Catholic. But there was one aspect of being a Catholic that I didn’t appreciate — the Bible.

I thought it was boring. It’s like I was reading a history book that I couldn’t apply in my life. I also looked at people who quoted Bible verses as show-offs. I even thought they were a bit overacting.

However, I knew that there was an important component of being a Catholic that was missing.

Finding LightI continued to ignore the void as I grew older. Though I was still a practicing Catholic, my faith did not deepen much. I got married to the man of my dreams. I felt ecstatic and was looking forward to experience more joy. I believed that our life as husband and wife would be perfect.

I was wrong.The emotional high we had during

our wedding started to fade after two years. I discovered the cause of our declining relationship: My husband had an ongoing extramarital affair.

My world fell apart. It felt like all my dreams went down the drain. I had a lot of questions. I began to doubt my decisions. I questioned what life is all about and what love is. I even began to doubt God.

Ironically, it was in the midst of my marital crisis when I discovered what would fill the void. My questions were slowly answered as I studied and reflected on the Bible through the help of my brothers and sisters in a prayer group that I was attending.

Trusting God’s WordOne of my questions to God was, “My husband is the love of my life. Why do You have to take him away from me?”

God’s reply came from the book of Genesis. “Some time afterward, God put

Abraham to the test and said to him: Abraham! ‘Here I am!’ he replied. Then God said: Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you” (Genesis 22:1).

I felt the Lord telling me through those verses, “My precious child, I know your desire to know and follow Me. I honor that. But I will show you more ways on how to be closer to Me. I love you. I know that you love Me too. But are you willing to give up your Isaac for Me? Learn from Abraham. Trust in Me because I am a faithful God. I have great plans for you. Do you trust Me?”

I was in awe as I wrote those words in my journal. I read the following words again: “But I will show you more ways on how to be closer to Me.” I realized that God was referring to the void in my faith that I wanted to fill. I took the question, “Are you willing to give up your Isaac for Me?” as God’s way of telling me to surrender everything to Him. God was asking me to trust Him more.

I tried my best to increase my faith, but I had more questions in the following days. God had relevant answers from the Bible.

• When I felt like I have already done everything I could for our marriage, God comforted me through 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

• When I felt too burdened, I received God’s instruction to “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (Peter 5:7).

• On days when I thought that nothing seemed to happen, God reminded me what true love means as written in 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

These words reminded me that love is the foundation of marriage. God seemed to tell me, “What you are asking

from Me is so little. I will not just bring him back; I will bring back love.”

My faith grew more as I reflected on God’s Word each passing day. I wrote my reflections in a journal. I began to prioritize my prayer time and Scripture reading over my worries. I’d receive guidance from God in various areas of my life every time I read the Bible.

After more than a year of separation, God’s promise came to life. My husband returned home in January 2014! He attended a Life in the Spirit seminar and we are now both affiliate members of our community, Ligaya ng Panginoon.

God is truly faithful. It was a difficult phase but God’s assuring words helped me a lot. I continued reading the Scripture as part of my Christian life.

Transformative WordI experienced the fullness of my Catholic faith when I started reading Scriptures. It filled up the void in my heart. It made me complete and feel “more” Catholic. The Bible also gave me the following realizations:• Scripture inspires me. Life

is difficult. But God’s Word encourages me to move forward in holiness so I can be with God one day for eternity.

• Scripture comforts me. God promises to lighten any burden that I go through. It does not shield me from problems but it becomes a source of comfort for me.

• Scripture transforms me. I didn’t experience the change immediately but God’s Word is slowly changing me to be the person God wants me to be.

Today, I do not mind drowning in the vast wisdom of God’s Word. I encourage more people to invest more time in Scripture reading. God wants to speak to us personally as often as possible. The Bible is one of God’s amazing ways for us to receive His message.


IBy Mike Viñas

n the last how many years, a lot of superhero movies came out: The Avengers, Superman, Batman, Guardians of the Galaxy, etc.

Before they become the superheroes that save the day, usually the film establishes the back story first — who they are, where they came from, how they became a superhero, and why they became a superhero. It gives the audience the proper context to understand the future struggles and battles that their hero will face.

One epic story in the Bible was when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. Here’s the back story:

God’s people, the Israelites, were held captive in Egypt for about 430 years. They were forced into cruel slave labor, building their pyramids. Hearing the cries of His people to be set free from the Egyptians, God then calls a man named Moses to be their deliverer. After a series of attempts to negotiate the freedom of the Israelites with Pharaoh, saying “Let my people go…” (Exodus 9:1), they were set free to leave the land of Egypt.

Knowing that now, let’s jump into the middle of this story, when Moses has already led the Israelites out of Egypt towards the land God promised them.

Special SectionSpecial Section

Crossing the Red Sea Lessons on Triumph from Moses and the Israelites


Sometimes the Quickest Way May Not Be the Best Way

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.” (Exodus 13:17-18)

Have you ever tried using the Waze app? It’s a great tool to avoid traffic and get to your destination at the fastest possible time. Just key in your destination and it will calculate the best route for you to take. When it gives me a much longer route to my destination, I sometimes wonder, “Is this correct?” But because I trust the route Waze set out for me, I am able to avoid so much traffic, and arrive at my destination right away. Waze is really a big help! Sometimes, the quickest way may not be the best way. That’s why in life, you have to trust in God’s Waze. Ha, ha! Corny but true.

In our story, the shortest route was to go through Philistine country. However, God led them through a longer route because He knew they weren’t ready to fight the battles they would face if they went through the shorter route.

Sometimes, when you follow God’s way, you may have to go out of your way because there are steps and stages that He wants you to go through before you get to your desired destination.

There are times we think we’re ready for that opportunity, that promotion, that relationship… but we’re really not. Maybe there are still some things in our lives that we need to iron out. Maybe there are certain skills that we need to hone first. Maybe we’re still in the process of maturing in character. So it may not yet be the best time. But thank God we serve a Master who prepares us and knows when we’re ready.

God’s way may not be the most convenient one, but it’s always the best in terms of purpose. So you have

to trust in God’s Waze (It stuck with me.)

God Is Your Advance PartyAs the Israelites traveled towards the Red Sea, the Lord took the lead position to guide their way and protect His people. God was preparing their path to the Promised Land.

In all our life’s journeys, God goes before us. He leads us, guides us, and lights the path for us. One way He does this is through His Word. That’s why we sing “Thy Word” (Psalm 119:105) during The Feast. Through His Word, He prepares our path for us to walk into every promise He has ever made — a promise of abundance, healing, breakthrough and blessing.

Maybe you’re about to enter into a new territory, a new opportunity, a new challenge, or a new problem. Maybe you’ve just stepped into your courage zone. Find comfort and confidence in the truth that God is your advance party and He is setting you up for victory!

Blast from the PastIn verses 5-8 of chapter 14, Pharaoh realized Egypt’s loss after setting the Israelites free. He realized that they lost over two million slaves tasked to build their nation. So he took his chariot and 600 of the best chariots in all of Egypt with officers, horsemen and troops to pursue the Israelites.

There will come a time when something from your past will try to make a comeback. You’ve already defeated it but it haunts you again with more force than ever before. It’s a blast from the past. It can be a past sin, bad decision, an addiction, a regret, a previous unhealthy relationship — and it’s trying to pull you back.

I believe if God saved you then, He’s going to do it again. If God fought for you then, He’s going to fight for you again. He is unfailing and He will empower you to overcome once more. By His grace, you’re going to triumph over your past.

Moses’ Pep TalkAs the Israelites looked back and saw the Egyptians coming after them, Moses gave a word of encouragement

to them based on what God revealed to him in verse 4. God said to Moses, “I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army and the Egyptians will know that I am Lord” (Exodus 14:4).

In other words, God was saying, “I will fight for you, for your good and My glory.” When was the last time you felt God fight for you?

In every battle fought for God’s glory, God will always be on the winning side. God is on our side! Whatever you may be up against in your life right now, know that God is

fighting for you! “If God is for us, who can be

against us?” (Romans 8:31). With this promise, Moses speaks

to the Israelites: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14).


Move On “Then the Lord said to Moses, Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” (Exodus 14:15)

At times, we have the tendency to get stuck when we ought to be moving on. We can get stuck in our sin, addictions, mediocrity, bad habits, even wrong relationships. But running free begins with a decision to move on. To say that you’re not going to stand still and let your life be overtaken by these things that chain you down, but you’re

going to move forward and make even a small step in the right direction.

You can be on the right path of God’s plan in your life, but if you don’t move, you’ll get run over.

Different Marching OrdersIn verse 14, Moses said, “Be still,” but in verse 15 God said, “Move on.” They were two completely opposite marching orders. If you were the Israelites, you would be confused. “I thought you said

be still, and now you’re saying we should move on.”

Think about it. Did God just counter the orders of Moses? Maybe not, but Moses’ orders were incomplete. Because what God possibly wanted the Israelites to do was to be still on the inside and be moving on the outside. To have peace on the inside, while making progress on the outside.

God is teaching us to have the faith to trust Him in our hearts, and to have the faith to act. You want to make your dreams come true? Then you can’t just wait on God to make it happen, you have to work on it. In fact, it entails greater faith to act on something that won’t produce results right away. So you have to put your faith to work.

Move on. You have to get going! Quit waiting for your spouse to fall in love with you again, do something. Take her out to a restaurant and court her like never before. Stop daydreaming of the business you want to launch. Get moving! Make some calls, set some meetings, get your permits.

Trust God and do everything you can to make it happen.

Glorious EndingHere’s how this epic story comes to a close.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.’ Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen — the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of

the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” (Exodus 14:26-31)

It’s ironic that the same story that started with the Israelites trying to get away from the Egyptians, ends with the Egyptians trying to get away from the Israelites because they saw the strength of the Lord defending their enemies.

It doesn’t matter what advantage the enemy has over you. If God is fighting for you, He will take the wheel off the enemy’s chariot to gain glory in your life. Maybe you are faced with an impossible situation in your life right now. Believe that God’s miracles trumps impossible every time. He is the God of the turnaround.

Move forward to see God’s miracle unfold in your life. Keep going forward in freedom.

Post-Credits Scene After witnessing God’s glory and victory, the Israelites started singing to the Lord in worship, saying, “The Lord is my strength.” The enemy sent his best attack against you, but it is no match for God’s strength within you.

It’s one thing to sing to Him when they’ve already won over the Egyptians. It’s another thing when they’re coming up close behind. In your life, it’s one thing to worship when the battle has been won. It’s another thing to worship before the battle begins or even in the middle of the battle.

I wonder, are you radical enough to praise God like you already won the victory, even if you hear the sound of the enemy approaching? Will you praise Him in advance for the triumph that God is about to win in your life?

Moses stretched out his hands in faith and he saw miracles unfold. Would you have enough faith to stretch out your hands to heaven in worship, and declare God’s miraculous grace over your situation?

Take it from Moses. Learn from his story.


I“Many nights we prayed, with no proof anyone could hear. In our hearts are hopeful songs we barely understood. Now we are not afraid. Although we know there’s much to fear.” — “When You Believe” sung by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston

was able to fully grasp the story of Moses and the Israelites when I watched the animated film Prince of Egypt. That was many years ago, but until now, it’s still the animated film that impacted my life the most. And Moses became my favorite prophet of all time.

Out of all the prophets in the Bible, I can mostly relate to the feelings of Moses. I can only imagine how it was like to be in his shoes — living the life inside the Pharaoh’s palace, having authority over people, and a good relationship with his Egyptian family. But one day, he dropped everything for one glorious call.

Saved from the RiverOne day, the Pharaoh commanded all firstborn Israelites to be killed. Baby Moses was on the list. But through God’s divine intervention, he was drawn from the river by none other than the Pharaoh’s daughter. He could have drowned. He was a helpless baby on a basket. But God had other plans.

This may sound weird to some, but as a baby, I was also saved from a disaster. I was born on July 16, 1990 — the day when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the country. I was fresh out of my mother’s womb when the hospital building started to shake. People were rushing out of the hospital, and all the babies in the nursery were being brought out. All except me because of my delicate condition as a newborn only a few hours old. I was a helpless baby who could die in one blow. My mother still had anesthesia so she couldn’t move either. As she recalls, she could do nothing but stare at the swaying hospital ceiling and pray for our safety. By God’s grace, we were saved from the earthquake.

It hit me hard when I realized that God saved me from death as early as day one. I cried

When You BelieveBy Tintin Mutuc

Special SectionTestimonial


as I felt God speak to me, and tell me, “I saved you for a purpose. I saved you because I love you.”

God saves us from a lot of disasters every day. He saves us from possible accidents, arguments that will lead to deep hurts, and other incidents we may not foresee. These are the little miracles that God does every single day, but we hardly notice it. And when God does something miraculous, He’s also preparing for another magnificent miracle.

When God Disturbed MosesImagine a perfect life — abundant riches, power and love. Moses had it. But one day he was disturbed when he saw an Israelite being beaten by an Egyptian. His pity caused him to kill an Egyptian soldier, and God used this incident to slowly reveal to Moses his true identity and purpose.

I’ve made decisions that I regretted afterwards. I’ve said

words that ended up hurting people I love. But praise God for The Feast, the weekly prayer meeting of the Light of Jesus Family. I learned that God is in the business of turning our trials into triumph, our problems into victory. My struggles in life always teach me lessons, depending on what God wants me to learn. Oftentimes, He teaches me to be humble, or to rekindle my faith in Him. And sometimes, He just wants me to go back to Him and remind me that He loves me.

God needed to give Moses a “wake-up call” to know his God-given purpose. And that was what happened to Moses.

The Struggle Is RealMoses was chosen by God for a very special task — to save the Israelites from slavery. But hey, it was probably one of the most difficult and life-threatening tasks in the world! And what did God give to Moses as his weapon? A wooden staff. If I were Moses, I would ask God for a flying carpet or an indestructible shield to defend me from the violent Egyptians. God didn’t mean for it to be easy. What He wanted was full and indisputable trust.

It would have been cool if Pharaoh just said “OK” when Moses asked him to free the Israelites. But God had to send 10 major plagues before the Pharaoh finally agreed to set Israel free. Moses had to warn them again and again of God’s power.

Recall that Moses grew up in the Pharaoh’s palace. They were probably close. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Moses to see the family he grew up with suffer. I can imagine Moses, praying and probably debating with God why all of these had to happen. Yes, Moses was the chosen one, but he also struggled the most.

God doesn’t promise us an easy life when we follow Him. Sometimes, we will be questioned and ridiculed even by our loved ones. It will be hard. But God’s presence is with us. We must continue following the Lord and hold on to His promise: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The Birth of a MiracleBecause of Moses’ obedience to God, he

was able to free the Israelites from slavery.

What if Moses gave up? What if he said, “Lord, I’m tired! I don’t want to do this anymore!” The Egyptians could have killed them all. But Moses, perhaps already exhausted, still cried out to God for help! That’s when the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea happened.

I’ve cried out to God for help many times. I’m sure it would have been fantastic if God answered me as visibly as He did when He parted the Red Sea. But God doesn’t always do that to answer our prayers. There are times when we pray but we think that God is not listening. And we conclude that He did not answer our prayers.

Moses had the privilege of conversing with God, but I don’t think he had fun doing it. He was probably also getting tired of praying, asking God what to do next, waiting for the next miracle from God, thinking every day of how to convince Pharaoh, then eventually also asking God how to lead these newly freed Israelites (40,000 of them). Oh, what a struggle it was!

But the miracle of the Red Sea wouldn’t have happened if Moses just gave up praying. In our daily challenges in life, we are called to just continue to focus on God’s promise, just as Moses did. We are called to pray when life is easy, but more so when life gets difficult.

God didn’t bring us far enough to just leave us hanging. He will carry us to the finish line.

The Good Fight of FaithFaith is something I believe is easy to say, but hard to practice. I’ve been in situations when I just couldn’t hold on to my faith and instead decided to take things in my own hands. There are times when I forget to cry out to God, and instead I ask myself, “What now?” Then I would suddenly realize that the answer I was looking for is found in God. May we never forget that our faith can move mountains, produce the greatest of miracles, and yes, part an ocean when necessary.


© D

ream

wor

ks S

KG

I n 2013, bestselling author and Kerygma editor-in-chief Rissa Singson Kawpeng formed a group of women devoted to growing more in faith by understanding the Scripture. They

fittingly named it Hunger Club — as they would meet early on Saturday mornings and feast on the Word of God for 12 weeks.

This year, she invited more women leaders from different Feasts to join Hunger Club. Rissa expounds on various topics including generosity, spiritual warfare, and holiness among other things, and what the Bible says about them.

In this issue, the Hunger Club ladies gladly share their life verses and how God speaks to them through these Scriptures:

MOS

By Maymay R. Salvosa


Hunger ClubNourishing Faith through the Word of God

Philippians 4:13. It reminds me that whatever situation I may be in, God will always be by my side. -Jeneline M. Guinto, Strategy, Planning and Analytics Unit Head

Proverbs 3:5-6. It encourages me to trust God with my everything. -Erica Lazaro, Talents Operator and Events Coordinator

Deuteronomy 7:9. It assures me that everything in this world will change, except for God’s love for me. Kay Lord, #mayforever. (With God, there’s forever.) -Klarisse F. Itchon, HROD Practitioner and Events Specialist

Acts 20:24. It serves as a reminder that I am here on earth with one goal — to be a living witness of His love. -Lulu Tabanda, Accounts Associate

Galatians 6:9. It helps me to remember God’s promise that as we struggle in doing good, we will earn our reward in His perfect time. -Ruthie Sy-Juanson, Certified Public Accountant

Isaiah 55:10-11. God’s promise is always a promise. His words are my anchor during rock-bottom moments. -Lourdes delos Angeles, Sales and Marketing Team Leader

Ephesians 3:20. It reminds me that God loves me and He wants to bless me abundantly! -Marianne Mencias, Speaker and Author

Romans 5:8. It comforts me that God loved me at my darkest. -Khristine Quicho, Sales Trainer

Lamentations 3:22-23. God’s love never ceases and He is faithful forever. -Ma. Cristina Gegalao, IT Consultant

Jeremiah 29:11. I know that my future is secured and beautiful because my God is on my side. I have nothing to worry because He is my sweetest Lover and Father. Miracles and blessings will follow me all the days of my life. -Rosalie Go, LOJF Servant and Operations Support Officer

John 10:10. It is an assurance of how our Heavenly Father desires only the best for us, His children. -Kristine Grace Reyes, HR Manager

Psalm 23:1. This verse reminds me to trust and depend on God always because He is my Father and He will provide everything He knows that I need. - Frida Marie Trinidad, Data Analyst

Psalm 139:13-14. It reminds me that I am perfectly and wonderfully made! -Pat Morales, Kapamilya and Feast Bay Area Singles Ministry Head

Romans 12:12. It encourages me to trust and hope in God whatever challenges I have. -Melody Reyes, Engineer

May each of us find strength and comfort in God’s promises. His Word never grows old. It contains the Living Word. And Jesus is the Word made flesh.


An Introduction to the Catechism of the

Catholic Church

Holy Trinity. Marian devotion. Saints and purgatory.

These are some beliefs that set the Catholic faithful apart from other religious denomination. These are part of what the

Magisterium (teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church) calls as our “deposit of faith” — Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. And often, the Church comes under fire because of our catechism.

To study and explain the Church’s beliefs, then Pope John Paul II established a commission of 12 bishops and cardinals in 1986 to put the catechesis together. A committee of seven expert theologians, who also served as diocesan bishops, helped the commission.

On June 25, 1992, Pope John Paul II approved the publication of the entire text which we now know as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). In St. John Paul II’s words, CCC is “a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium.”

In the following issues, “K-techism” aims to widen the

By Maymay R. Salvosa

knowledge of our readers about our faith by expounding on the teachings contained in CCC. In this simple way, may we all witness the fulfillment of our beloved St. John Paul II’s prayer: “May the light of the true faith free humanity from the ignorance and slavery of sin in order to lead it to the only freedom worthy of the name (cf. John 8:32): that of life in Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, here below and in the Kingdom of heaven, in the fullness of the blessed vision of God face to face (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8).”

K-techism

Do you have questions about the Catholic catechism? E-mail us to

be enlightened: [email protected].


“Help! My

daughter is so into branded

stuff!”

Wealth & Wisdom

by Eleonore Teo

D o you know what I miss most about being single? It was the freedom to decide what I

wanted to do with my life at that point in time. It’s a selfish confession, but admittedly, it was a stage when I could ask myself any question and answer it immediately at the same time.

Do I go out to party tonight? OK.

Can I be late for work and sleep in the next morning? Sure.

Should I take advantage of a promo fare? Yep.Should I spend that much for a new bag? Why not?I was living at the moment and loving every minute of

it. And why wouldn’t I? I worked relentlessly for eight hours a day, braved through heavy traffic each morning to get to the office and put up with the stress of maintaining a career. I had every right to enjoy what I earned in whatever manner that pleased me. I deserved it.

But then I met someone who completely changed my perspective on my day-to-day decisions. He was one of those quiet guys in the office who ate his packed lunch in the pantry and usually begged off to go home early when Fridays came around.

Eventually, I found out that he was trying to budget his life around a net salary of P9,000 a month. When I asked him how much he was able to save, he told me that he could save P4,000 or more than 40 percent monthly, which took me by surprise. I earned three times more than he did but I’d be so ecstatic to have P4,000 in excess cash. I would’ve

called out my friends to celebrate that small victory.However, it was when I asked him where he spent the

P5,000 that really inspired me. He said a large chunk of it was for gas to get to and from work every day. P2,000 went to his parents and the rest was for his cell phone bill and other miscellaneous purchases. Since he also received a hefty performance-based commission per month if he did exceptionally well for the company, I asked him why he didn’t spend that money to treat his girlfriend out for a nice dinner or to buy himself something nice. He laughed and told me that it was hard-earned money and he wanted to use it wisely. He reinvested everything to make it grow and was hoping that one day, he could buy himself a comfortable life and a nice home for the girlfriend that he wanted but didn’t have yet.

I was fascinated by his ability to resist the temptation of small joys today for his long-term personal gain in the future. His generosity to his parents despite his tight budget was a rare quality that I highly respected. I wanted to learn how to develop that same level of thinking and habit towards personal wealth.

So I married him.My husband taught me being single wasn’t an excuse to

forget that money and responsibility should always come hand in hand. Being single was actually the best time to adapt the proper habits of money management because the younger we start, the more we save. Yes, we deserve what we earn from working hard each day. But we also owe it to our future self to give them the best life we can build today.

So as early as now, change the way you answer your questions to yourself. Don’t assume that you are the only one affected by the decisions you make. Think about where you, your parents, the people you need to support or maybe even the family you want to have in 20 years. Taking on that responsibility will motivate you to change the way you spend and the way you live.

Take responsibility. Now.

Elyo is currently the Director for Marketing and Operations at the Caylum Trading Institute. E-mail Elyo at [email protected].

Wealth & Wisdom

Money, Love and responsibility


Walk Your Way to Wellness

Health & Home

By Chichi Barba

Having a Baby Means Making Healthy Choices Every Day

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3, NAB)

Last month, I was having lunch with a group of friends when someone announced that they were ready to have a baby after being married for more than a year. This announcement was greeted with squeals of excitement, “oohhs and aahhs,” as we joined them in their prayer for a baby. Our ordinary lunch became extraordinarily filled with excitement!

Planning to have a baby requires the same amount of attention engaged couples give for their wedding. I often come across young couples deep in the preparations — the church, guest lists, photos. My then soon-to-be-married friend even signed up for a fitness program saying, “I am only getting married once in my life so I want it to be perfect where we will look like Hollywood actors.”

Sadly, couples don’t often include preparing themselves physically for delivering a beautiful, healthy child. They think that: 1) They can focus on being healthy for the pregnancy when the baby is here, and 2) only the mother needs to prepare for it.

I beg to disagree.The health of parents-to-be before

a baby is conceived translates directly to the quality of a baby’s health and constitution. Your health matters. A lot.

Every child is a blessing and a gift, a treasure that God has entrusted for us to nurture and care for.

If you believe God’s plans for you include getting married and raising a family, here are my questions for you:

Do you want to have a healthy and intelligent baby? Do you want to experience a problem-free and happy pregnancy?

If you answered “yes,” then begin creating a healthy environment for your unborn child. Today. Even if you have yet to find your lifelong partner, you can already start being healthy!

Preparing early is not so complicated. Here are a few simple steps you (and your partner) can start doing:· Reduce your stress (cut back a bit on your heavy

workload). · Sleep early in the evening and take naps when you get tired during the day.· Eat in-season fruits and vegetables most of the time (make vegetables a major

part of your lunch and dinner).· Avoid too much caffeine and quit smoking now if you want to gift your baby

with a healthy constitution.· Acquire a regular exercise regimen (just enough to stimulate your blood

circulation but one that will not tire you out too much).· Avoid eating processed, refined, and sweet food (try avoiding that donut at

4p.m. or cake after dinner and you’ll find it easier every time).It’s challending to be mindful of our health — what we eat, do, and do not do.

Whenever I encourage my friends to make healthier choices, they often answer me, “But that’s too difficult” or “OK, I will try doing that next time,” and say life is just too busy for them to focus on that.

But think about this: If you know that what you do now can make a difference to the health of your child tomorrow, what would you do?

I think you and I know the answer to that.

Chichi authored a book titled Eat Well, Get Well, available at www.kerygmabooks.com. E-mail Chichi at [email protected].

Health & Home


By Earnest L. Tan

The Midlife Journey:guided by the Hero Archetypes

Midlife invites us to take on the role of a hero in our own lives. It tells us to stop being a damsel in distress. We have to let go of our need to be

rescued by others. It encourages us to avoid being a “perennial sidekick.” It is time for us to take the lead, not just to be the reliable support. It challenges us to cease being a “villain.” We have to change from making our own or other’s lives a living hell.

Events during our midlife are parts of God’s orchestration to bring us growth. Nothing is an accident. They exist to call out the different “Hero Archetypes” within us. As we begin to pay attention to the various archetypes surfacing, we realize that we are being guided to be a hero in our own story. Everything conspires to lead us to shine as we are all meant to be.

The ArchetypesArchetypes are blueprints that exist within each and every one of us. They are called out for various purposes.

Let us examine them:The Innocent. This archetype appears when we feel the need to reclaim our child within. This is the part of us that is familiar with Paradise and it constantly believes that we can regain it. Once this archetype surfaces, it brings us back to

a sense of optimism and hope. It trusts that all will come to pass and will end well as God intends it to be.

The Orphan. This archetype is often a result of experiences of rejection, abandonment, betrayal and victimization. It reminds us that, ultimately, we are on our own and we need to rely on our self alone. Our experience of vulnerability calls out to rely on our inner strength. It calls us to become more mature and stronger as we stand on our own two feet.

The Warrior. This archetype gears up to fight against any form of suffering caused by evil and injustice. It challenges us to claim our power to uphold morality and integrity. However, it requires that we learn the rudiments of fighting. There should be a mastery of the art of war. It will persist till the world is improved. The Caregiver. This archetype calls out the “parent” in us to nurture and heal. It tells us to make sacrifices to help empower and transform others. It must, however, equally care for the self in as much as one cares for others to avoid burning out. It revels in the joy that comes as a reward for doing good.

The Seeker. This archetype results from a need to take a quest to search for a better life and a better world. It encourages us to be authentic as we discover our true calling — what we were brought to this earth for. This pushes us to pursue a more fulfilling life.

The Destroyer. This archetype surfaces when we experience “death” in the form of sickness and calamities. It makes us confront our powerlessness so that we can truly surrender to God who has the ultimate control. We are

Seasons

continued on page 44...Kerygma OCTOBER 2016 41

Just recently, I went to the U.S. for a two-week business and personal trip. I had to make three flight connections from West Coast to East Coast (Narita-Seattle-New

York). God worked in mysterious ways during these trips.

Although my business trip was not necessary, I wanted to explain personally to our U.S. principal why our biomass power project did not opt to get their boiler technology. It has been a partnership for three years but the budget constraints and feasibility did not allow it.

The other purpose was a family matter. I was accompanying Cisco, my youngest son, to New York to take the hardest test of his life — the NYC state board for physical therapists.

God’s First ConnectionWhile waiting at the business lounge taking our early breakfast for the Narita flight, a seemingly distinguished lady approached our area. She overheard our conversation about Cisco’s preparation for his PT NYC exam. It turned out that she has a doctorate in PT in New Jersey and started to share how her journey as a professional was blessed. In the end, she prayed for my son quoting James 1:2-5, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers

and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

The trip started with a big blessing of God’s assurance of His love and protection.

God’s Second ConnectionI had to sleep over at my U.S. principal’s place at Gig Harbour, Seattle the night we traveled to Vancouver Washington. It was better than picking me up all the way from the Bremerton base where Cisco and my relatives were temporarily housed.

When I woke up, I was amazed by the view that greeted me. In front of me was Mt. Rainier with its snow-peaked splendor. It had been raining throughout the week, according to Dave, my U.S. principal who owned the place, but that morning, the skies were clear for me that I got to marvel at God’s creation.

At that moment, all I could pray was, “Dear God, as the sun rises, let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love. It brings me joy to feel Your magnificence. As I look upon Your lovely creation, I see the trees extending to the heavens praising You. I see the leaves like hands reminding me that You are my guiding hands. As I walk down the lake, I hear the birds chirping songs of joy. As I reach the lake, it’s so refreshing and calm as if showing reverence to You, O God.”

Wow! What a lovely connection to encounter and talk with God in such a special way.

Faith @ Work

By Dean Pax Lapid

god’s Connection in My Business Travel


invited to discern what is truly essential in this life and let go of whatever attachments that bind us.

The Creator. This archetype taps the artist within us so that we can give birth to innovations. Our intuitive part takes the lead here. We become more receptive to our imagination. We bring in new ways of seeing and doing. We find joy and harmony with our creations.

The Lover. This archetype surfaces when we “fall in love.” It can be love for a person, a ministry or with God. It rekindles our passion and makes us alive once more. We care deeply for whom or what we love and we commit to do what is good for whom and what we love.

The Ruler. This archetype is the return of the Hero to transform the kingdom of God. We are called to govern well and lead with honor so that we may bring order, peace, prosperity and abundance to the sphere of influence we are in. We are asked to use our power and authority to rule well.

The Magician. This archetype taps our prophetic gifts to make miracles happen. Limiting and disparaging situations become opportunities for growth and change. We bring our affecting and healing presence, and become a spiritual guide to others.

God’s Third ConnectionThe visit to Dave’s power plant site was a 3.5-hour road trip one way. There were some dead air as we had nothing else to talk about aside from business.

From nowhere, my friend Dave asked me if I am a devout Christian. I immediately answered yes. He asked again, “Which teachings do you follow — the Old or New Testament?” I replied, “I follow Christ and I read both the Old and New Testaments.”

The following discussions became more interesting that we continued it on the way back home, which was another 3.5 hours of drive. I was able to highlight that the evidence of creation is in the Old Testament (Genesis 1:1), while the New Testament is about redemption (Galatians 3:13). Old Testament portrays a majestic God (Exodus 19:18), and in New Testament God is our Father (Matthew 6:9). Old Testament is a paradise lost (Genesis 3:23), while New Testament is a paradise regained (Revelation 22:14).

The e-mail that I received a week after I arrived back home shocked me in a positive way.

It said, “Pax, it means a lot to me that you stopped in Seattle and drove all the way to Vancouver with me to meet with Martin, our president and owner. That meeting could have been very uncomfortable for you, yet you didn’t hesitate to go to the headquarters and openly discuss a pretty tough topic. Not until I met with Martin on Tuesday did I realize just how much clarity and understanding that meeting brought into the

The Midlife Journey, continued from page 41.

The Sage. This archetype deeply desires to seek the truth to illuminate life. It tries to decode clues to solve the riddles of existence. It focuses on the refinement of the instrument by which we may attain truth and wisdom.

The Fool. This archetype appears to bring a sense of vitality, aliveness, spontaneity and playfulness to life. It chuckles in sympathetic enjoyment and celebration of life’s most difficult moments. It pokes fun at conventions without being mean. It simply affirms the common bond of our fallible humanity.

Take time out then to “tune in” at various stages of your midlife. First, examine the events that precipitate the arrival of these archetypes within you. Second, identify what these archetypes are inviting you to consider. Third, respond to these invitations in order to be a hero in your own life.

Ultimately, our true calling is to be life-giving to ourselves and to others. Earnest is a licensed guidance counselor and freelance facilitator of formation programs along the lines of psycho-spiritual integration and wellness. E-mail Earnest at [email protected].

picture. Your candor and honesty with Martin and the rest brought a new level of understanding of what I had been trying to explain to them for the past six to eight months. I appreciate it more than you know.

“Thank you, my friend. And know that you have refocused and renewed my commitment to the Lord after so many years at arm’s length — simply through the force of your character and the way you live your life. God has His ways, eh? — Dave.”

Today, not only is my son a NYC registered PT (RPT) but my good friend Dave has renewed his relationship with God. I can say that God made me a GPT (God’s personal testimony).

May God continue to connect with us everywhere we are! Our connections with Him are direct and without delay.

Dean Pax is one of the most celebrated professionalspeakers and business consultants in the country, specializing in strategic management, business development, enterprise creation and growth, financial wellness, and family corporation growth. He is the Dean of Entrepreneurship Circle of Bo Sanchez’s Truly Rich Club and a lead advocate of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation Inc.–Go Negosyo. Heis also an adjunct faculty on Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management. His latest book, How to Be a Happy Retiree, is available at www.kerygmabooks.com. E-mail Dean Pax at [email protected].


Say No To A Life of regrets

K Preacher

One day at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral four years ago, I was about to queue for Holy Communion when I saw someone who I never expected

to see that day.I saw my brother.He is the third of five siblings and he

works as a seaman.We had our differences. Many

months before that day, we quarrelled and we hadn’t spoken since.

When I saw him, I felt the most unusual feelings. I felt nervous, funny, conscious and, most of all, I felt the deepest affinity and bond that only brothers could have: love.

He turned towards me and was a bit shocked also to see me there, I guessed.

What happened next really blew me away. We talked. We talked like nothing happened. We were brothers again. How could I have allowed myself to be angry with him that long? How could I have allowed myself to resent him? He looks like me — and he even speaks and sounds like me!

He returned to the pew and resumed his rosary while I was left standing at the back. It was then that I realized something: Everyone was done with Communion and the priest was back at the altar.

I missed Holy Communion! Or did I?Even though I missed receiving the Eucharist,

I was not in the least bothered.Deep in my heart, I felt I still had taken

Communion. I felt Jesus in my heart as if I did actually take Him in the sacrament.

We Become Truly Spiritual When We Truly LoveMany of us are so engrossed with the rites and rituals of our religion that we lose sight of the things that really matter. For me, the whole point of religion and doing religious stuff is for us to attain a spiritual likeness to Jesus’ spirit.

The things we do externally are nothing compared to our ultimate and sole task: to love. Many times, we miss out on loving people more deeply because we can be so “task-oriented.” We think that God is obsessive, holding a checklist in His hands and policing us — to see if we executed our jobs well.

We’ve heard the story of a distraught lady who went to confession. She blurted out, “Father, forgive me! I’ve been a bad child of God. Instead of going to Mass last Sunday, I skipped it.”

The priest asked her why she wasn’t able to go to Mass. She answered, “I was the only one left to take care of my ailing mother who’s bedridden.”

The priest said in reply, “My child, you had not missed Mass. If you had left your mother alone to go to church, then you would have skipped Mass.” Then he went on to tell her, “The point of the Mass is that we all love others as Jesus would. You have not sinned. Go in peace and continue to love your family and those around you.”

Holy Communion is all about love. Let’s continue to receive the Eucharist. Let’s live it by fostering a genuine relationship with Jesus by loving our brothers and sisters.

Stephen Nellas is the Feast Builder of Feast SM Trade Hall in Cebu every Saturday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. E-mail

Stephen at [email protected].

By Stephen Nellas

The Weirdest Communion I Ever Had

K Preacher


Lord, please save me!”

I cried out. I could feel the panic of my wife, Jinky, as she rushed me to the hospital. I just came home from a five-month business trip abroad and was excited to have a post-holiday celebration with my family. But there I

was, being wheeled to the emergency room because I suddenly couldn’t move my arm.

“Why would this happen to me? Jinky and I have built a family of devout Catholics. Why, Lord?” I kept asking.

I soon realized that God had the perfect answer.

On the Way to the SaviorAt the emergency room, I could hear the nurses talking to me, but I couldn’t understand them. My blood pressure was at 220/160. I had a hemorrhagic stroke in the brainstem, and the doctors were not sure if I was going to be alright. I was then brought to the ICU.

The next day, the neurologist said an operation would be risky. He hoped that I would respond to medication. Jinky and my children called family and friends for prayers. But by late afternoon, my respiratory and heart rate, together with my body temperature, increased above normal levels. By nighttime, I was in a coma.

Only 20 percent of patients who suffer this kind of stroke survive, according to my neurosurgeon. Prayers continued to pour in. After only half an hour, good news arrived: I didn’t need to undergo an operation. The Lord heard our prayers. My family was hopeful that I would soon return to them.

The EncounterOn my third day at the ICU, the Lord revealed Himself to me. I remember it vividly.

I was inside a room and I saw people in line. The faces weren’t clear, but everyone was in critical condition. I heard voices mentioning my name and my family. I realized these were the people praying for me. Then a fair-skinned man with sparkling green eyes, a short beard and brown hair, wearing a red cloak appeared. It was Jesus.

He asked me, “Do you want to live?” I replied, “Yes, Lord. I want to live for my family but the problem is I cannot move my hands and my feet.” He told me, “Don’t worry. You are healed.”

As He turned around, I could already move my hands and feet! He sent me back with a promise that everything would be OK.

I woke up while being wheeled to the CT scan room. My wife told me afterwards that my face was beaming. I waved at my wife to let her know I was alright. Her tears showed her gratitude to the Lord for this miracle of life given to me.

I stayed in the ICU for a few more days and, in two weeks, I was on the road to recovery. The stroke affected my vision, hearing, speech, balance and coordination but through God’s grace, I can now see and hear well, speak clearly and walk with the aid of a cane. Everyone, especially my doctors and nurses, were amazed. It was indeed a miracle.

Back from HomeTwo months after the incident, our family began attending The Feast. Just as Jesus is nourishing my body to full recovery, He is also nourishing my soul through The Feast. My faith has deepened and my relationship with Him strengthened.

I was back from Home — Home where my Savior was. The Lord brought me back to life. He is our Healer and Deliverer. In difficult situations, especially in times of desperation, we only have to keep our faith, be persistent in prayer and know that the Lord is in control.

And then I realized why everything happened. It paved the way for my personal encounter with Jesus. And now that I am given a second life, my purpose is to bring Him to others, so they, too, will have the same encounter.

One Last Story

Alfred’s family is forever grateful for his healing encounter with God.


CoMing BaCK FroM HoMe

By Alfred Cruz as told to Osy Erica

Point of Contact

SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH:

Dearest God, we praise and glorify You! We are ever grateful for Your constant faithfulness through the years. You have always been strong and compassionate.

Grant us the grace to know and love You more. May Your Word be alive in our hearts. Speak to us every day and may we draw strength from Jesus — the Living Word. In a special way, we pray that Your Word be the light and balm to our wounded world. We lift all these in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Praying for you,

I PrAY THAT YOU rECEIVE YOUr MIrACLES IN JESUS’ NAME!I PRAY THAT GOD LIFT YOuR TRIALS, heal your diseases, bless your problems and direct you to the path He wants you to take. I pray that God remove your fears and give you the courage to surrender your burdens to Him.

So place your hand over my hand, and let’s pray with trust, together with our prayer team of intercessors praying for you right now…

This page is our Point of Contact, our spiritual connection.Say after me…

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I surrender to You my worries and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs, my problems, my trials. I place them all in Your big hands. And I open myself to all that You want to give to me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for the following miracles for my life...

I believe that You answer my prayer in the best way possible! And I thank You in advance for the perfect answers to my prayers. I also ask for the special intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen!

E-mail your prayer requests to me at [email protected] or write to me at Shepherd’s Voice Publications, #60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.

inspiring you to live a fantastic lifemedia.kerygmafamily.com/media/kmag/pdf/20161001.pdf ·...

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