hear, speak - KerygmaFamily

Transcription

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life
Scan the QR code and enter your details
in the website to download FREE
Kerygma Interactive!
No. 292 Vol. 24 September 2014
HEAR,
SPEAK,
SHARE
Go Viral
with
God’s Word
KERYGMA BARCODE.pdf
11/16/06
THREE THINGS
MUST HAPPEN
BEFORE
YOU SHARE
GOD’S WORD
DO GOD’S DEEDS
JUST LIKE MARY DID
THE SIMPLEST AND
MOST POWERFUL WAY
OF BRINGING PEOPLE
CLOSER TO GOD
By Bo Sanchez
A Baby on Jesus’ Birthday
Through St. Pio’s
Intercession
5:43:58 PM
Philippines P70
US $7.00
AUS $ 7.00
Euro 5.00
UK 4.00
CDN $7.00
SING $9.00
HK $47.00
RUPIAH 64,000
A Catholic Found
His Way Back
to His Original Faith
After Straying
in Another Church
You can now shop from home!
Why wait to go to the bookstore when you can shop right where you are? Shop for inspirational
books at www.KerygmaBooks.com and have the books delivered to your doorstep, free
of charge!*
You can GO DIGITAL! Have the books delivered straight to your gadgets!
Visit www.KerygmaBooks.com/ebooks to get the digital editions of your favorite inspirational
titles.
* For minimum orders of Php 300.00 within Metro Manila only. Standard shipping costs apply for orders below Php 300.00 and
non-Metro Manila deliveries.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR
“HAPPY EVER AFTER”?
Do not arouse, do not stir up love before its own time (Song of Songs 3:5).
You spent your entire life believing that fairy tales do exist, and that somewhere out there, your prince charming is
taking on the entire world (dragons, witches, and evil queens included) just to get to you. But he’s taking too long.
In your quest to take matters in your own hands, you’ve gone on so many dates — some of them disastrous, some
of them just “OK,” and some left you believing that maybe fairy tales only happen in Walt Disney films.
But then a miracle happens. Finally, you meet. The glass slipper fits. True love’s kiss has finally woken your heart
from its eternal slumber. You’re finally having your own “happy ever after.”
In your mind, you’ve cued in the festive song and dance production number, which prompts The Kiss. Curtains
close, and then you live happily ever after.
But here’s the truth. Happy endings don’t just happen.
Love stories are more than just sparks, love at first sight and you-andme-against-the-world scenarios.
Somewhere along the way, reality happens. You have a family to attend
to, bills to pay, a crying infant to feed in the middle of the night and a
toddler to send to school every morning.
You realize that you have enough conflicts and challenges in your life that
will always make you want to run away and disappear. Or pull your own
hair. How do you survive what happens on your way to your happy ever
after?
Journey with bestselling author Rissa Singson Kawpeng as she walks with
faith towards “happy ever after.” Something Happened on My Way to Happy
Ever After will teach you how you can discover blessings hidden amidst
misfortunes, overcome hurdles in your marriage and how to just enjoy life
and love, one day at a time.
GET YOUR COPY NOW! CALL 725-9999 loc. 101 to 108.
GO DIGITAL! Buy the e-book and read it straight from your gadget! Visit www.kerygmabooks.com/ebooks to
download your digital copy now.
God’s name will be exalted like never before
at the biggest inspirational event of the year.
NOVEMBER 20-23
WITH BO SANCHEZ, JASON EVERT,
THE KERYGMA PREACHERS AND OTHER RENOWNED SPEAKERS
KERYGMACONFERENCE.COM
725-9999
#KERYGMACONFERENCE
#LIFTEDHIGH
By Bo Sanchez
Bo’s outfit in this issue courtesy of Golden ABC/MEMO and Elite Garments/SOLO
D
o you want to bring friends, officemates or family
members closer to God but you feel very frustrated
because they’ve not been responding?
Then keep reading. Because in this article I’ll teach a
simple, non-confrontational and happy way of bringing
your loved ones closer to God.
Why is this important?
Because it’s your sacred mission.
If you’re working in a company, I bet you’re aware that your
company has a mission statement. But I also bet that you don’t know it by heart. (If you do, you
must either be the owner of the company, or the Human Resource
manager who wrote the mission statement, or a genius who
memorizes everything — even the entire Chemistry table.)
Let me tell you about the history of the “mission statement” in
my little spiritual family, the Light of Jesus. When we began in 1980, we had a very long, convoluted,
complicated, heavy-loaded mission statement containing hundreds
of words. The problem was that no one could remember it. I’d actually
go around and ask people, “What’s the mission of the Light of Jesus? I’d get all sorts of answers from people who wanted to pretend
that they knew. They’d tell me, “Our mission is to shine the light of
Jesus through the annunciation of the visitation of the presentation
of the resurrection…”
And I’d say, “I’m not asking for the mysteries of rosary. I’m asking
for our mission statement.”
The point was that it was too long.
So 18 years later, we shrunk it from hundreds of words to 24
words. It was a vast improvement — and people were happy! But
here’s what we found out. Even if it was just 24 words, no one could
remember it either! I ask them, “What’s the mission statement of the
Light of Jesus?” And they’ll tell me, “The mission of the Light of Jesus
The
Boss
is to shine the light of Jesus so that the light of Jesus
will shine.” Answers like that made me wonder if our
members were fasting too much.
So, four years ago, we shrunk down our mission
statement from 24 words to two words. And it
worked. People remember. It’s exceedingly easy to
remember.
Here’s our two-word mission statement: Make
disciples.
Problem is, no one uses that word anymore. Making disciples is what the Light of Jesus Family
is all about. That’s the reason why we exist. That’s the
reason why we have The Feast, our weekly gathering. But alas, most people are afraid of the word
disciple. It seems so scary. If someone approaches you
in a mall and says, “Hi! Can I disciple you?” I think you’d
run away.
But Jesus used it a lot in the Bible. Here’s the
simple definition of disciple: someone who follows
Jesus.
How do you follow Jesus? And can you make
other people follow Jesus by your example?
Friends, make disciples of Jesus — wherever you
are.
May your dreams come true,
THE SIMPLEST AND MOST POWERFUL WAY
OF BRINGING PEOPLE CLOSER TO GOD
SEPTEMBER 2014 • KERYGMA
1
Mail
room
I first read Kerygma when I was in high school. It was still smaller and
Ms. Rissa was still single. Back then, I was already moved by the articles
and stories published in the mag.
As a working adult, I first attended The Feast on June 16, 2013
where Kerygma mags were given away for free. I was surprised to see
the new face of Kerygma. It has changed but it’s still loaded with God’s
blessings.
Thanks for the inspiration, Kerygma! More power!
Please relay to Ms. Cheri Roberto how touched I
was by her article in your June 2014 issue. I am not a
mother yet, but her story appealed to me on a very deep,
emotional level — it burns. The pain she underwent
radiated in my flesh. I sobbed as if I knew how it feels
exactly to lose a son, and how to cope with such loss in
very difficult waking moments. And her positivity was
strikingly amazing. Indeed, Jesus never leaves us alone.
His hands are always stretched wide to catch us every
time we fall. Amen to that!
May God give you strength, Ms. Cheri, and may
He constantly replenish your blessings in life from His
infinite basket of abundance!
Krizelle R. Talladen
Via Text
Mavic Batoon
Via Email
I am a second year college student and I still remember how I first
encountered this amazing magazine in 2012 when my sister subscribed
to it. As I read the mag, I felt the grace of God and it blessed me every
single day. I am very grateful to have this mag and I am confident that
I can surpass life’s challenges and hardships because it taught me to be
brave, thankful, faithful and positive every day!
I also shared this mag to my friends and cousins. Thank you and
more power! God bless!
I am a teacher in a far-flung barangay. I have been
reading Kerygma since my college days. Reading it
inspires me so much that sometimes I just find myself
integrating my lessons with the articles, especially Bo’s
practical, lesson-filled and touching stories.
I share them with my friends and co-teachers,
too. I see to it that copies of Kerygma are visible in my
classroom and at home because I believe that God can
use them to inspire people even at the most unexpected
place and time.
Christine Villaganas
Bohol
I used to depend on energy drinks a lot. I always needed a boost
to start any work activity. It also helps stimulate me mentally and
physically. My consumption decreased when I experienced severe
palpitations, tremor, chest pains and headache from time to time.
But today, I no longer crave for those drinks. I now have a different
and much stronger source of energy, and it’s from reading Kerygma
magazine. Kerygma gives me the same stimulation, power, strength and extra
force that I need — and it’s free and has no harmful side effects! I did
not even subscribe; I just gave a love offering. I’m truly blessed and
forever thankful.
Now, whenever I feel low and drained, I read. I overdose myself
with inspiring stories and articles. I am hooked. Thank you and cheers
to Kerygma— it keeps me going!
Ara Diaz
Via Email
We Want to hear from you!
Send your message via email to [email protected], through
text to 0923-378-4941,
or by snail mail to The Editor at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City,
Philippines 1109.
You can also reach us through Kerygma Family. Simply log on to
www.kerygmafamily.com. Or like our Facebook page and post your
message there.
For subscription-related concerns, text or call Sarah Discutido at 0922814-7031 or email [email protected].
2
KERYGMA • SEPTEMBER 2014
Liza Palmes
Passi City, Iloilo
ERRATUM on the photo captions on page 25 of
Kerygma July 2014 issue: Rightmost on the two
group photos is Idamae Fajardo’s dad, not fiance.
Paolo, her fiance, is leftmost in the upper photo.
Living by
Grace
Just
Breathe
By Rissa Singson Kawpeng
Worry Busters to Keep Romantic Blues at Bay
Actions to Take When You Panic over Being Single
I
love those stoplights with the timers. You see them mostly in busy, major
intersections on EDSA.
Why do I love them?
Because you know exactly how long you’ll wait before it’s your turn.
So if it’s red, you can text, make a quick call, or turn around and check on
the kids in the backseat to make sure they’re not chewing on your brand
new seat covers — without having to keep checking if the light has turned green.
If it’s green and you’re still many cars away from the intersection, the timer
keeps you from stress because you know if you’ll have to floor the pedal to beat
the red light or graciously allow the pedestrians to cross because you have
enough time to make it through the intersection.
When you know exactly how long you’ll wait, you won’t get impatient.
The same thing applies to your love life. What if God gave me the extraordinary
gift to be able to tell you that on June 20, 2015 you’ll be walking down the aisle
with the man of your dreams?
Will you still be an impatient bride?
I think not.
I think you’ll contentedly go your way — do the things you’ve always wanted
to do as a single person and enjoy every remaining moment of your single life.
I’ve always said that it was the waiting that killed me when I was single. It
was the uncertainty of not knowing, of praying and not seeing any answers, of
hoping only to be disappointed yet again.
And this is where God’s Word comes in to assure us. Philippians 4:6 says,
“Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need,
always asking Him with a thankful heart.”
So when your body clock is screaming or another girl friend asks you to be a
bridesmaid and it’s your 11th time, or maybe you’re just feeling blue and loveless,
don’t give in to anxiety over being an old maid. Instead, P.R.A.Y.
Pause. Drop everything you’re doing. Take some time to find refuge in God’s
presence. If there is a chapel or prayer room in your office building, go on a coffee
break and spend it there. If you’re at home watching TV, turn it off and get down
on your knees.
Lamentations 2:19 says, “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the
night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up
your hands to him….”
Refresh. As God’s presence recharges you, jog your memory about His
goodness to you in the past as well the promises He’s made to you. For decades,
I’ve kept a journal where I record big and small blessings, and the things that God
has spoken to me. Whenever I read my journal entries, it never fails to lift me up.
Accept. Surrender your situation to
the Lord. Instead of kicking, fighting and
grumbling over your circumstance, accept
it. Say, “Lord, I’m in tremendous pain but I
embrace this suffering. I know that You have
a purpose for this. I may not like the pain but I
love the purpose. So I will go through this with
joy, knowing that You are in control.”
Yearn. Redirect your longing towards
God. Instead of entertaining your negative
emotions that just drag you down, focus your
heart on the Lord. Psalm 63:8 says, “My soul
follows hard after you: your right hand upholds
me.” When we yearn for God, He sustains us.
Other synonyms of “uphold” is to “preserve,
protect, defend, keep alive, keep going, back
up.” The Lord will do all these for us as we cling
to Him!
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek
his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11)
Email me at [email protected],
subscribe to my Facebook page or visit my
website at www.rissasingsonkawpeng.com.
This is an excerpt from my book Love
Handles: Get a Grip on Finding and
Dating Your Lifetime Love. It’s available in
paperback and ebook editions on www.
KerygmaBooks.com together with many
other inspiring reads that will help you
live a fantastic live. Don’t miss out on lifechanging books that will help you grow
closer to the Lord and fulfill your dreams.
Log on to www.KerygmaBooks.com
now!
3
Hi,
I’m Sarah!
Lost copy?
Changed address?
Defective copy?
For all subscription-related concerns
Call
Sarah
725-9999 local 105 • 411-7874 • 726-9918 • 0922-8147031
[email protected]
Subs Concern ad 2013.indd 1
3/12/13 3:55 PM
HOW HAS KERYGMA CHANGED
YOUR LIFE?
For 25 fantastic years, Kerygma has been featuring stories of ordinary people, whose lives are
made extraordinary by the grace, blessings, healing and miracles of God.
These amazing stories have inspired and changed thousands of other ordinary lives. It’s now your
turn share your K story!
For its special 25th Anniversary Edition, we are inviting you to submit stories on how Kerygma has
transformed your life.You may submit your testimonials and stories to Tess Atienza at theresa.a@
shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Or call us at (02) 725-9999 local 219 if, for some reason, you cannot
write.
What’s
Inside
THE
BO
FILES
01 The Boss
THE SIMPLEST AND
MOST POWERFUL WAY
OF BRINGING PEOPLE
CLOSER TO GOD
40 Point of Contact
September 2014
COLUMNS
3
DEPARTMENTS
2Mailroom
6New You
7Real Stuff
8 Wounded Family, Wounded
Healer:
WHEN WOUNDS HEAL:
My Jeremiah Experience
10Dear K
12Kfam Insider
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY, ANAWIM!
13Feast Snapshots
TFM:Higher and Higher
15 It Happened:
THE HOMECOMING
39 One Last Story:
Jesus’ gift to us on
christmas day
Just Breathe
Worry Busters to Keep
Romantic Blues at Bay
33 Seasons
OUCH! MY EARLY TASTE OF RETIREMENT PAIN
35 Kitchen Scribbles
Gray Matter Matters
37 K Preacher
WHAT’S YOUR CAKE?
SPECIAL SECTION
19 HEAR, SPEAK, SHARE: Go Viral
with God’s Word
20 BEFORE YOU SHARE HIS WORD
26 DO GOD’S DEEDS — JUST LIKE
MARY DID!
TESTIMONIES
24 Kwentong CG*: God’s Story
Guides
30 A HEART FOR SERVICE
ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL
Jason Casuncad is an IT professional, a Toastmaster, and an entrepreneur. He
is also a sports enthusiast, a writer and a budding inspirational speaker. He
loves to read, meet new people, and travel to new places with his family and
friends.
He first attended The Feast at Valle Verde in 2010 and had been a regular
attendee since then. Right after attending the first batch of the “Love Life”
retreat in June 2012, Jason has been actively serving at the singles ministry.
With his very busy schedule in the corporate world, he considers service as
the best way to give back to God. To him, service is the opportunity to be
closer to God, to fellow God-loving people, and even to himself. He considers
the ministry his second home where he finds spiritual nourishment,
emotional belongingness and a deeper sense of fulfillment. Currently a Connect Group coordinator, he is in charge of discipling
Connect Group Heads as well as their members. He is also part of the Batch
4 of the Light of Jesus Radical Training program, which aims
to develop his leadership skills and his character. Lastly, as
part of the singles ministry leadership team, he is one of
proponents of the vision of having 5,000 active PICC
Feast singles by year 2018. His involvement with the community changed
his life completely. From being the typical critical,
corporate-driven workaholic, he now learned to
live a balanced life by placing Christ at the center
of everything.
He dreams of becoming a full-fledged
entrepreneur, an international inspirational speaker
and a bestselling author reaching out to Filipinos
worldwide: bringing one soul closer to God at a time. founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief and production manager RISSA SINGSON KAWPENG • managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA • creative director MIKE CORTES • graphics director
REY DE GUZMAN • assistant layout designer LEAH KIM S. RECTO • staff writers MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE, KARREN RENZ SEñA • contributing writers JUDITH CONCEPCION, BELLA ESTRELLA,
MAYMAY SALVOSA, LELLA SANTIAGO • photographer DANIEL SORIANO • columnists ROSANNE ROMERO, CYNTHIA U. SANTIAGO, ANDREUS COSIO
chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ • president HERMIE R. MORELOS • vice-president for finance and administration WENG CEQUEÑA • assistant vice-president for production RISSA SINGSON
KAWPENG • sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZ
Kerygma. A Greek word meaning “Proclamation of the Gospel.” It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool to 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. 2014. No part of this magazine may be
reproduced without permission. Kerygma is published monthly by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St.,
Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel. Nos.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190. Fax: 727-5615. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.kerygmabooks.com
New
You
Tips for
personal
development
Self-Esteem
5 Steps you can do
to boost
your Confidence
1. Sit up straight. People with good posture have
more confidence than slouchers, research says.
2. Strike a pose. Think Wonder Woman. Stand in a
“power pose” for at least two minutes with feet flat
on the ground, shoulders square and with hands on
your hips. It can help you feel more powerful than
sitting with your arms crossed.
3. Have a cup of coffee. One hundred milligrams
of caffeine has been shown to increase alertness,
energy and confidence.
4. Move your body. A 20-minute workout can sharpen
your state of mind for a whopping 12 hours, science
says.
5. Have a confidence toolbox. Dr. Carol Dweck,
psychology professor at Standford University,
recommends choosing objects that can
give you a major morale boost when you
need it.
Your confidence toolbox
reminds you of your strengths and
aspirations, and should include the
following objects, among others: a photo
of those closest to you, a symbol of a new
endeavor, a token of improvement, a
profile of a personal hero to inspire you,
an invite to an upcoming social event,
and a token from a time you helped
someone.
Source: http://www.oprah.com
Business
Five Things Successful
Entrepreneurs Do
E
ntrepreneurs are among the busiest people around, but
what help them succeed are their daily routines. Here are five
good habits we can learn from to increase our productivity:
1. Establish a routine. Stick to a daily schedule. Set up themed
days to focus and complete specific tasks. For example, you
can schedule Mondays to prioritize Operations, Tuesdays for
Product, Wednesdays for Marketing. By having a plan, even for
a day or week in advance, you’re using time wisely.
2. Exercise and meditate. Successful people make exercising a
priority. Make time for any activity that relieves and releases
stress and clears your mind. Having time by yourself will help
you prepare for tackling your next project.
3. Evaluate your progress. Break down goals into attainable
tasks that can be accomplished daily. For a couple of minutes
every day, check how far you’ve been progressing toward the
goals that you’ve established. This will help you decide how to
prioritize your time.
4. Spend quality time with family. When you spend time with
your loved ones, it not only clears your head. It also helps you
remember what you’re fighting for.
5. Plan tomorrow tonight. Prepare for the next day before you
sleep. When you plan for the tasks or goals for the next day,
you’re more likely to wake up and start on the project at hand.
Important Tip: Successful entrepreneurs go to bed at the same
time every night. Having a good rest is important for you to be
ready to face your tasks the next day.
Source: http://www.entrepreneur.com
Papaya
Quick Health Tip
C
alled the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus, papaya
contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and
relieves gas due to indigestion. It is also used to treat sports
injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies.
Papaya is rich in antioxidants including carotenes, vitamin C and
flavonoids. It also contains the B vitamins, folate, pantothenic acid,
potassium, copper, magnesium and fiber. These nutrients promote
cardiovascular health and protect against colon cancer.
Source: http://www.whfoods.com
6
Real
Stuff
MANILA IS THE WORLD’S 2ND MOST
POPULAR BPO DESTINATION
RIZAL PARK IS ONE OF ASIA’S
BEST PARKS
R
izal Park, also known as Luneta, is one of Asia’s best parks
according to Agoda.com, one of the leading hotel booking sites
in the region.
In a survey made by Agoda.com, Rizal Park is one of the Top 8
most rated parks in Asia based on customer feedback. It received an
average customer rating of 3.88 out of 5 and ranked among the best
parks along with Japan’s Osaka Castle Park and South Korea’s Hallasan
National Park.
Situated in the Philippine capital, Rizal Park in Manila is a
sanctuary for those who long for history and green spaces. Families
and couples often come here to witness the park’s dancing fountains,
which doubles as a mini light show in the evenings.
Named after Filipino national hero Jose Rizal, this park’s history
dates back to the early 1800s when the Philippines was still under
the Spanish colonial rule. Shaped like a small moon or a lunette, it
was called Luneta. It is here where Jose Rizal died by firing squad on
December 30, 1896. In memory of his heroism, the Rizal Monument
was erected on the site that also contains his mortal remains.
Today, it is now one of the most popular spots in Manila for
Filipinos to hold picnics, exercise and relax among gardens and
greenery. One could visit the park’s Japanese or Chinese Garden for
only P10 per person or about 25 US cents. Horse-drawn carriages are
also available to take tourists around. A visit to the Philippines would
not be complete without stopping by the Rizal Park.
Source: www.choosephilippines.com
M
anila has become the second-best outsourcing
destination in the world, replacing Mumbai,
India, according to services globalization and
investment advisory firm Tholons.
Three Philippine cities also improved their rankings
in the 2014 Tholons Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations
report. Davao and Bacolod went up to 69th and 93rd
place, while Santa Rosa, Laguna, moved up to the 82nd
spot. Cebu and Baguio stayed at eighth and 99th position
respectively. Iloilo is at the 95th spot.
Overall, seven Philippine cities made it to the Top
100 ranking. India remains the dominant country, with
six cities in the top 10 and 13 overall. Bangalore remained
number 1 on the list.
The goal for 2016 is to add three more Philippine
cities to the Top 100, said Undersecretary Louis Casambre
of the Information and Communications Technology
Office of the Department of Science and Technology.
“The goal of the Next-Wave Cities Program of the
DOST-ICTO and the Information Technology and Business
Process Association of the Philippines has always been
to develop globally preferred outsourcing destinations
outside Metro Manila,” Casambre said, to bring more jobs
to the countryside.
Last year, revenues of the business-process
outsourcing sector have increased by 15 percent to
$13.34 billion. The industry reportedly employs over a
million people and is expected to add over 100,000 more
this year.
Source: www.goodnewspilipinas.com
St. Raphael, Patron Saint of Travelers and Healers
Feast Day: September 29
Saints-at-a-Glance
S
t. Raphael is one of seven Archangels who stand before the Throne of God. He is
mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Tobit. He was sent by God to help Tobit and
Sarah after hearing their prayers. Tobit was blind and Sarah has had seven grooms
die on the night after their weddings.
St. Raphael became the travel companion of Tobit’s son, Tobias, when he journeyed
into Media. Disguised as a man named Azariah, St. Raphael brought him to Sarah’s home
and taught him how to drive away the evil spirit that was tormenting her. Sarah became
Tobias’s wife. St. Raphael also taught Tobias on what to do in order to heal his father of
his blindness.
Besides St. Raphael, St. Michael and St. Gabriel are the Archangels mentioned by
name in the Bible. St. Raphael’s name means “God heals.” He is the patron of the blind, of
happy meetings, of nurses, of physicians, and of travelers.
Source: http://www.catholic.org/saints
7
WHEN
WOUNDS
HEAL
MY Jeremiah Experience
An Anonymous Sharing
8
W
henever I pass by an adoration chapel, I love to kneel
down and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. I feel so
comfortable before my Lord, basking in His embrace
and love. Whenever I felt down, I would just turn on
my CD player and listen to songs that would lift my
spirits. The songs have become my prayers as well.
One of my favorites is the song “Healing” by Deniece Williams.
I particularly like the chorus, which goes, “Cause Your love just
keeps on healing me, no matter how I bruise, if I just trust You,
Your love just keeps on healing me…” Also in my playlist are the
songs “Take Me Out of the Dark” by Gary Valenciano and “Come
to My Aid” by Bukas Palad.
Sometimes I would be so moved, I would even kneel down in
prayer with my headphones on. It was always like a date with the
Lord. The songs remind me of my woundedness, the hurts and
pains I’ve gone through, and God’s unfailing love and healing
grace. Those were the days when I was struggling to forget the
traumatic experiences I had back in my childhood.
Different Abuses
I’m the eldest of five children. I was left in the care of my paternal
grandparents since I was a year old. My other siblings stayed with
my mom. There were times when I was left alone at home because
my grandfather was busy in the farm and my grandmother was
busy with errands. Without their knowledge, one of our farm
laborers molested me. I never told anybody about it, even as I
grew up.
I was also bullied in school. I was five years old when my
grandparents enrolled me in Grade 1, so my classmates were
older than me. I can still vividly remember what happened when
I was in Grade 2. My classmates threw garbage all over my desk.
One of them even put an already-chewed bubble gum in my hair.
These experiences motivated me to study harder. My high
grades and achievements were the stones I wanted to throw back
at those who bullied me mercilessly. I graduated valedictorian
in high school, which should have been a cause for jubilation.
But we, my grandmother and I, were sad; in fact, she was crying
the entire time she was walking with me on stage. She was
heartbroken because my parents should have been the ones
with me up there.
My parents separated when I was in Grade 5. I didn’t know
where my mom went, while my dad visited only during summer
or Christmas. By the time I reached college, I was so messed up
because I didn’t have my parents to guide me. I had a hard time
making decisions. I failed many times, but the one constant thing
that kept me going was my faith in God. By His grace, I was able
to finish medical school in spite of all the past hurts and failures.
Taking Me Out of the Dark
God led me to The Feast when I was in medical school in 2002.
Those were tough times, but I was greatly inspired by the
testimonies I heard at The Feast. I can always relate with Bo
Sanchez whenever he says, “Your past does not define your
future.” There were times when my experiences would haunt
me, but I held on to God through prayer and worship. I read
Bible reflections daily in Didache and other inspirational books.
I continued to listen to praise and worship songs to inspire me
every day. I eventually became a regular Feast attendee. I gained
more wisdom and inspiration from the talks and
testimonies.
A few months ago, I attended the house blessing
of Jeremiah Foundation, one of the mercy ministries of
the Light of Jesus Family. It caters to the needs of girls
aged 10 to 16 who were victims of sexual abuse. The
moment I entered the shelter, the girls came up to me
and greeted me with heartfelt smiles.
My heart broke for the girls. They were smiling and
laughing with each other, but I knew how deep the
wounds they were carrying could run. I felt for them
— their hurts, pains, traumas — because I could relate
to their stories.
During the short program, the girls sang a song that
struck something in me: “Kung bubuksan mo lang ang
puso, at diringgin ang hikbi nila, ay may pag-asa pang
naghihintay para sa tulad nila, halika at sila’y damayan
at wag nang hayaan pa, habang di pa huli bigyan natin
ng ligaya…” I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed at
the onslaught of emotions that came rushing over me.
Obet Cabrillas, Pasig Feast builder and a trustee of
Jeremiah Foundation, couldn’t have said it better when
he mentioned a reflection from Rick Warren: “Other
people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your
greatest life messages and your most effective ministry
will come out of your deepest hurts.”
When I heard this, I felt it was the Lord speaking
directly to me, telling me to use my deepest hurts to
heal others. He made a way for me to reach out to
these girls because He knows that the experience will
also help me in my healing.
I found myself crying while watching the girls.
I wanted to hug each one of them before I left the
shelter that morning. I wanted to tell them, “Yes, there
is hope. Yes, you can rise up, take up your mat, and
move on. Jesus loves you and I love you, too,” but we
weren’t allowed to hug or touch them.
I left the shelter with a promise to go back and
serve the girls because they also helped me heal
from my deepest wounds. We were privileged to
have Bo Sanchez with us that morning, who gave this
simple message: “More important than any success or
achievement is the decision to fulfill your purpose in
life…the decision to love.”
The Blessing of My Painful Past
I now realize that God indeed has a purpose for each
one of us. The painful experiences I had in the past
reminded me of how faithful He is to His promise
that He will be with us no matter what happens. God
indeed has used my hurts and pains to bless others.
(Editor’s Note: The writer is a medical doctor who serves every
Sunday at The Feast PICC with her family. She finds joy in helping
and healing others not only medically, but also spiritually by
leading them to Jesus.)
For more stories of healing, visit www.choosetobebrave.com
and www.woundedfamilywoundedhealer.com.
9
Dear
K
I HAD AN AFFAIR WITH
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW
I am single and jobless. Two years ago, my sister
and brother-in-law stayed here in the Philippines.
Unknown to my sister, her husband and I had a
relationship. My sister is a workaholic and my
brother-in-law was in need of attention, and so was I.
We got close because we were always the ones left at
home. He was someone I trusted after many years of
hating the opposite sex because of what happened
to me in the past — molestation by my father and a
few relatives when I was young, and by an abusive
boyfriend when I was older. I even had a relationship
with a lesbian because I hated men. I felt worthless
and dirty because of those abusive experiences, until
I began to know my brother-in-law more deeply.
When they went back to the US early this year,
we continued our relationship and communicated
via email. Just last week, he wrote that my sister
has read our emails. She didn’t confront him, but
according to him, she has been giving him more
attention and care now.
I know that I have hurt my sister and I wanted to
explain my side — and to let her know of my painful
past, not to justify my relationship with her husband,
but to beg for understanding and forgiveness.
I want to be loved, but I don’t know how I can
have a meaningful relationship with anybody when
I am still a very wounded person.
Please help me.
Dear Sandy,
I commend you for openly sharing your struggles and wounds. This must be very difficult for you to
do. Your hurts and scars run deep as someone you trusted violated an intimate part of who you are.
And now you are suffering its effects.
Your cry for help points to your desire for healing and restoration. Behind the woman who
had an affair with her brother-in-law, I see a woman who sincerely repents for the wrongs she has
committed against her sister. However, more important than begging for your sister’s understanding
and forgiveness is to take the rightful course of action by cutting off your relationship with your
sister’s husband.
Based on what you have shared, I can see a pattern of unproductive responses to your past abuse
such as hating the opposite sex, having a relationship with a lesbian and acting out sexually. You can
choose how to respond to the abuse that has happened to you. You can choose to wallow in selfpity and feel worthless and dirty, or you can choose to believe that your identity as a child of God is
bigger than the abuse you have suffered. You can choose to be a victim of terrible circumstances in
your life, or you can choose to rewrite the story of your life. You can choose to remain stuck in these
unproductive responses, or you can choose to grow in gratitude, joy and courage to leave your past
behind and pursue God’s purpose and meaning in your life.
I strongly urge you to seek counseling. Recovering from sexual abuse may be a long and
complicated process, but there is hope. You may call the Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center (contact
details on the opposite page).
I pray that the Holy Spirit leads you to healing.
Ditas
10 KERYGMA • SEPTEMBER 2014
Sandy
Ditas Español is a cancer survivor.
Twenty years ago, she fought for her
life with the sword of faith that God
has given her. Now a counselor, she still
uses that sword to battle the pain of
others. She believes she was healed so
she can be an instrument of our Divine
Healer. Together with her husband, Vic,
Ditas trains the counselors of the Light
of Jesus Counseling Center.
I am a single parent with two children. One is already working while the second
one is in college and will enter law school in a couple of years. I have a job in a call
center, although I am in the day shift and in a supervisory position.
My problem is that recently I am becoming very sickly. I am approaching
my fifties and probably in the premenopausal stage. There are times when I’ve
thought of quitting my job for health reasons, but when I think of my daughter’s
education, I change my mind. For how can I support her dream of becoming a
lawyer when I don’t have a job?
I have siblings but I cannot depend on them as they have their own families.
They do help me from time to time, especially when there are emergencies, but
of course I cannot ask them to shoulder my daughter’s educational expenses. I
do have a sister-in-law who’s sending monthly allowances to my daughter and
sometimes she also sends money for her tuition. Again, I do not want to depend
on her too much. The reason she’s probably helping out is because her brother
has not been supporting us since our marriage got annulled.
Can you help me think of other options that I can look into to support
ourselves if ever I decide to quit employment?
Thank you very much and God bless!
I WANT TO QUIT MY
JOB FOR HEALTH
REASONS, BUT…
Irene
Dear Irene,
I honor you for raising your children almost singlehandedly. Your
children must be proud of you.
I agree with you that you cannot and should not depend on
your relatives for child’s education. If they give you money from time
to time, that is a welcome blessing, but should not be expected or
demanded.
The first issue that I want to address is your claim of a failing
health. Have you consulted a doctor for it? If you have not consulted
one yet, I suggest that you do to find out how you can address your
health concern. You may also take certain measures to improve your
health, such as embarking on an exercise and diet program. Thus,
you may not need to resign from your present job.
The other issue is your plan to “quit employment.”
There are several options that you can do outside of regular
employment. You can go into a selling career, but do you have the
aptitude for it? You can also start a business, but this may require some
capitalization and it may not be wise for you to risk whatever funds
you can get from your separation pay. Do you also have a special skill
that you can use to do consultancy services?
Lastly, before you resign from your job and decide to embark
in any of these options, you should have a fund good for three to
six months to tide you over while your selling job, consultancy or
business is taking off. Leaving a stable job is a major decision. This
requires a lot of thinking, consultation, and most of all prayer.
Pray and seek guidance from the Holy
Spirit.
Vic
Vic Español is one of the elders of the Light of Jesus Family. At present, he
is the Feast Builder and preacher in the Ortigas Feast every Monday at 7:30
p.m. and every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., held at Cinema 4, Robinsons Galleria in
Ortigas City. Vic and his wife, Ditas, train the counselors of the LOJ Pastoral
Care Center. Vic is a retired executive of a multinational life insurance
company.
Email 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, email [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.com.
Or Call
(632) 725-9999
Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 0917816-4700 or email [email protected]. You may also contact Pro-life Philippines
at (632) 733-7027.
SEPTEMBER 2014 • KERYGMA 11
K Fam
Insider
By Bella Estrella
Photos by Dave Apalla
J
une 11, 2014 was a rainy Wednesday
in mountainous Montalban in Rizal.
But the rains and winds did not deter
the celebration of Anawim’s 18th year
anniversary. Anawim is the Light of
Jesus Family’s ministry for the abandoned
elderly.
People in the gazebo huddled together
and opened umbrellas during the Holy Mass
presided by Fr. Eduardo Apungan, CFM.
Bo Sanchez, founder of Anawim, his wife,
Marowe, and eight-year-old son, Francis,
moved closer to the side and front of the
altar table to shield it from the elements.
Moments later, the sun peeped
through the clouds and transformed the
atmosphere into a nice mixture of sunshine,
light showers and soft winds.
Bodily and Spiritual Nourishment
Anawim has been taking care of not only
the food, clothing, shelter and medicines of
the lolos and lolas who reside there, but also
of their spiritual nourishment.
Gil Ramiscal, a long-time member of the
Board of Trustees of Anawim, encouraged
the guests, mostly donors and volunteers
who have a heart for the abandoned
elderly, to continue serving at Anawim. He
reminded them of Proverbs 19:17 (Whoever
is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He
will reward them for what they have done)
and 28:27 (Those who give to the poor will
lack nothing, but those who close their eyes
to them receive many curses).
Halamanan ng Buhay (Garden of Life)
Halamanan ng Buhay is a sustainable
livelihood program for the elderly that
promotes organic farming, a long-time
dream of Bo Sanchez for Anawim.
Back in 2013 when they made a
pilgrimage to Anawim, Mat Maderazo
and Narcing Pangan, Extraordinary
Ministers of the Holy Eucharist at The
Feast PICC (Light of Jesus’ regular
Sunday prayer gathering led by Bo at
the Philippine International Convention
Center), saw the potential for the
project. Having the passion for and
experience in agriculture, they presented
their ideas to the Board of Trustees of
Anawim. With the Board’s approval, they
obtained partnership with agencies of
the Department of Agriculture, local
government units and other entities, and
started Anawim’s agribusiness venture
for sustainable livelihood, which is now
called Halamanan ng Buhay.
Mat Maderazo said, “The project
will create a major impact not only on
the lives of the elderly, but also to the
communities where Anawim is located.”
The Lord Will Repay You
In his message, Bo said that he was
inspired by the homily of Fr. Edu, who
shared his experiences as a priest,
evangelizing even in dangerous grounds.
Bo said, “I thought I have already done
much. Now I realize that there are others
HAPPY 18th
BIRTHDAY,
ANAWIM!
who are doing so much more.
Whatever we give to others, the Lord
will give back to us. If a lola is grouchy,
the people around her get lonely. But
if a lola smiles, people smile back at
her.”
He thanked all the donors and
servants at Anawim. “I will not be the
one to repay you. The Lord will,” Bo
said with a big bright smile.
If you feel God’s Spirit calling you to
help our poor abandoned elderly
in Anawim, you may call any of the
following: Caloy Dimson at (02) 7105273, Aida Dy at 0917-894-4072, or
Lynda Reyes at 0917-807-3434. If you
wish to join the monthly pilgrimage
to Anawim or donate in cash or
kind, please contact Aida Dy or visit
the Anawim table at The Feast PICC
every Sunday morning.
O
n July 4, 2014, The Feast
Manila (TFM) celebrated
its fifth birthday with the
theme “High Five.”
Outside
Cinema
4, SM Manila shoppers
would think that there was a premiere
night happening that evening. The
line was long and every person was
buzzing with excitement. Ecstatic
exchanges of “Happy Anniversary”
greetings filled the place. Smiles were
pasted on everyone’s faces. People
just couldn’t wait to enter the movie
house. A live streaming in heaven with
God’s children as main cast was about
to begin.
Fr. Erick Santos set the bar high for
a merry celebration as he presided the
Holy Mass. Feast Manila’s builder, Obet
Cabrillas, fondly called “Daddy O” by
TFM regulars, enthusiastically talked
about the four things that we need
to uphold if we are to lift high God’s
banner: Humility, Integrity, Grace and
Hard work.
Feast attendees Stephanie Sibal,
Clarisse Rimpola, Mimi Galeno, Pau
Sumera, and couple Alfie and Ishie
Ramos testified how God worked in
their finances, studies, health, faith,
and family, respectively, amidst
the trials that they went through.
The jam-packed venue roared into
one worshipping voice and joyfully
danced when a number of anointed
Light of Jesus Family’s servant leaders
led the crowd into a powerful worship.
TFM attendees were asked what
comes to their mind when they hear
“The Feast Manila”, and their top five
answers (in random order) were:
•
•
•
Family. Cinema 4 converts from
a movie house to a “free hugs”
venue every Friday. Nobody
is out of place, because every
heart, whether broken, grateful,
hopeful, has a special spot here.
Everyone is considered family.
Love. Every session is a love-tank
refilling station. From the Holy
Mass, where God’s love is heard
and experienced, to the worship
and talk, love runs over. Love in
TFM is so strong, it’s impossible
not to feel it.
Happiness. “Joy unspeakable
that won’t go away...” More than
just a Last Song Syndrome, this
Feast
Snapshots
TFM:
Higher and Higher
By Maymay Salvosa
•
•
line describes a TFM “hangover.”
Happiness effortlessly glows from
within. Laughter is part of every
session, but the deeper source of
that joy is being reminded that we
have a God who loves and accepts
us untiringly, unconditionally. It is
easier to tap our funny bones once
we realize that whatever happens,
God finds His way to bless and
love us. Happiness springs out
from gratitude. And every Friday,
we celebrate that gratitude with
great music and dance in an all-out
worship.
Hope. Living through its tag line,
“Hope Is Here,” TFM is really a hopebearer to its attendees. No, hope is
not preached every time. In TFM,
hope is planted; hope is shared. It
is witnessed through the stories
of failures and triumphs discussed
with one another through Connect
Groups (CG), personal testimonies
and thanksgiving prayers. There is
no reason to quit because we have
each other, and most importantly,
we have God.
Jesus. All the talks, service,
embraces, music will be in vain if
Jesus is not manifested in TFM. The
past five years and the years to come
are all due to God’s providence and
guidance. Thus it is fitting to give
back the glory to God through The
Feast. Everything is about Jesus.
In a span of five years, TFM has
already reached greater heights. Its
youth, campus, singles and family
missions are growing incredibly. The
ministries are on the rise. The servants
and attendees are soaring high not just
in numbers, but in their relationship
with God, their families, loved ones, and
social communities.
Wow! Cheers to all the changed lives
and the victories won! Without a doubt,
we have reason to raise our hands and
shout with praise, “High Five!”
The Feast Manila (TFM) happens every Friday at SM
Manila Cinema 4. It has two sessions: 4:30 p.m. and
7:30 p.m. Be blessed with the Holy Mass, nurturing
talk and powerful worship.
THE HOMECOMING
Everything’s A-OK now
that Robertson has rejoined the Catholic Faith.
How He Found His Way Back
to His Home — the Catholic Church
It
Happened
I
stood in front of the class.
My body was shaking
all over. My heart was
racing and I could hardly
breathe. It was my first
time to do it, so when
the opportunity presented itself,
I grabbed it as soon as I had
mustered enough courage. My
voice trembled when I began to
speak. ”Excuse me, classmates.
Can you please keep quiet? I
have something important to
say.”
I preached about the Gospel
of Jesus Christ as I attacked
specific Catholic teachings. My
high school classmates were
silent, but I could sense their
dismay until one of them stood
up and told me, “Robertson,
stop this. You’re not respecting
our faith.”
In defense I replied, “But I’m
just telling you the truth.”
I was a zealous Born Again
Christian back then. In college,
I would approach strangers
in public places and share the
Gospel to them. I knew the
Bible inside out and could recite
significant verses verbatim
even at gunpoint. I regarded
Catholics as having no personal
relationship with God. To me,
they were superstitious and
performed religious rituals
emptied of meaning. I knew
the Gospel of our salvation, so
I wanted to enlighten people
about it so they could be saved
from eternal damnation.
Because of my zeal, however,
there were times that I failed to
show love and respect to those
I was trying to evangelize. Then
By Robertson T. Poblete as told to Judith Concepcion
Photo Credits: Cris Legaspi
No longer confused, Masol and Robertson
now enjoy growing together in their Catholic
faith.
the day came when the tables
were turned and my beliefs
were challenged by a Catholic
convert. And that began my
journey back to my true and
original home.
Life as a Born Again
I was born and baptized a
Catholic. My family was Catholic
but became involved in spiritism
through the influence of my
godmother. When my family
became Born Again Christians,
except for my mother who stayed
with the spiritists and even
became a spirit medium, they
learned that spiritism was wrong.
The sad thing was they associated
spiritism
with
Catholicism.
The spiritists used Catholic
sacramentals as paraphernalia in
their occult practices. Thus, these
gave my family a false impression
that these practices were taught
and allowed by the Catholic
Church. Back then, I couldn’t even
distinguish between amulets and
sacramentals.
As I was growing up, my
father taught me how to read the
Bible, to pray spontaneously, to
sing worship and praise songs,
and to preach. I officially became
a Born Again Christian at 12 years
old when I accepted Jesus as my
Lord and Savior. I was very active
in the church and got involved in
different ministries.
In the public elementary
school where I studied, my teacher
in Religion gave each one of us a
rosary. I just tossed it in my drawer
at home and let it accumulate
dust. One day, I threw it in the
canal because they said that the
rosary was an object of evil and
served as an open door to Satan
so it had to be disposed. Just like
what my father did to our other
religious images at home.
In college, I met a girl named
Masol to whom I had an instant
attraction. Through a getting-toknow activity in our English class, I
learned that she was a Charismatic
Catholic. Since she was Catholic, I
didn’t consider her a Christian and
so, she needed to accept Jesus in her life. For that reason,
I started my “evangeligaw” — evangelism with courtship.
We got close and later we became a couple.
I convinced her to attend our Sunday worship
service. She still continued to attend her Charismatic
prayer meetings but she now attended Mass irregularly.
Eventually, she was baptized as a Born Again Christian. She
almost left the Catholic Church when a former classmate
of mine — a Born Again turned Catholic — challenged
us to study the Catholic faith. Whenever he mentioned
anything contrary to what I knew, I’d say, “That’s not in
the Bible.” And he’d reply, “That’s the problem. For you, it’s
the Bible alone. Study the Church’s history.” He explained
to me the history of the Catholic Church, how the Bible
was formed, and other Catholic faith matters. I also did my
own research. One of the books I read was Stephen Ray’s
Crossing the Tiber, where he wrote his reasons for leaving
the Baptist Church and choosing to be a Catholic.
Masol was getting confused. After a month with the
Born Again church, she left for good and embraced the
Catholic faith, this time with her whole heart. Last year, she
became a delegate to the World Youth Day in Brazil.
The Transition Period
The pull of the Spirit towards the Catholic Church
became stronger when I understood the Sacrament of
the Holy Eucharist. My first Mass was on Christmas Eve
with Masol and her family. I felt uncomfortable attending
both churches. I feared that somebody from my church
would see me and report me to our pastor. I also feared
being discovered by my Catholic neighbors whose faith I
attacked. So I attended Mass in the evening and in another
parish. That was the set-up. I just couldn’t leave my Born
Again church yet because my friends and my family were
there, and it was where I grew up. It was like a habit that’s
hard to break.
I started questioning the Born Again teachings
openly, especially the issues thrown against Mama Mary. I
gave myself away with that one. My heart of stone towards
the Blessed Mother had melted. Whenever I saw beautiful
images and pictures of her, I couldn’t help but admire her.
I finally got myself another rosary from a street Mass
I attended. I didn’t know how to pray it but I looked at it
daily because I was enamored by its beauty even though it
was just a simple brown plastic rosary. There’s something
that invited me to pray. I asked Masol to teach me how to
pray the rosary. The first time I prayed it, I struggled when
I came to the “Hail Mary,” partly thinking that I might be
committing idolatry. Nevertheless, I continued and, upon
finishing it, a certain peace enveloped my heart. I said to
myself, “It feels good to pray the rosary. It feels good to
meditate on the life of Christ.” I prayed the rosary in the
privacy of my room, hidden from the prying eyes of my
family.
Then my turning point came. I was about to enter the
Born Again church’s building to attend its worship service
when one of the church’s Board of Trustees intercepted
me. She told me, “The Board of Trustees has decided to
ban you from this church because you’re already attending the
Catholic Church and you’re also attending here.” She also said that
some church members were becoming confused because of me.
It felt like cold water was poured over me that jolted me to my
senses. Though it was painful to be rejected, it gave me freedom. I
didn’t have to hide anymore. That time my mother had just joined
the Born Again church. She told me, “We already left that. Why are
you returning?” She thought that I was going back to spiritism.
In 2007, I joined the Kumpisalang Bayan (a mass confession)
and confessed my sins to the priest. I told him of my desire to go
back to the Catholic Church. I was absolved from my sins and was
accepted back into the fold.
I joined the Legion of Mary, Praesidium Ark of the Covenant
in San Sebastian Church in Manila. Here, my love for the Blessed
Mother, especially for the Lord, was strengthened and deepened.
I then had my confirmation, with one of the members of the
Praesidium standing as my godmother.
Robertson is now a devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
My mother also eventually returned to the Catholic Church.
My sisters are still with the Born Again church, but my father left
and joined Ang Dating Daan of Mr. Eli Soriano. They are still having
a hard time accepting my decision to embrace the Catholic faith
but because my mother has already reverted to Catholicism, the
arguments are already minimized.
Home Sweet Home
Knowledge of Scriptures is important to understand our faith well.
But more than that, we should live out our faith. Talk is cheap. If
we do not have love, our faith is dead. I have learned to be more
understanding and loving of others who do not share the same
faith as mine. I have ceased to be judgmental. I learned that I need
to be humble, not to have a holier-than-thou attitude. At the end
of the day, when I come face to face with my Creator, I believe He
wouldn’t ask me about what I know but what I did with what I
know, and how much I have loved.
My greatest realization is this: The very thing that I detested
before proved to be the greatest gift that I received from God.
Being a Catholic makes me happier now. Indeed, there’s no place
like home.
KERYGMA MISSION PARTNER 2014
SUBSCRIBE
NOW!
24th ANNIVERSARY RAFFLE PROMO
By being a kerygma Mission Partner, you will not just subscribe to our highly inspiring magazine. You will also contribute to all our
ministries and be a blessing to Anawim – our home for the aged; he Cares and Tahanan ng Pagmamahal – our ministry for street
children and orphans; Grace to Be Born – a halfway house for unwed mothers and their babies; Shepherd’s Voice Radio and Television,
Inc. – our media ministry.
KERYGMA
Regular 1 year
Silver kMP
Gold kMP
Platinum kMP
Amount
FREEBIES
Ø 24th Anniversary T-shirt
One raffle entry
q P700
24
Y E
A R
S
#Keryg
ma24y
ears
q P2,500
Ø One-Year kerygma Subscription sent via courier
Ø Thank God I’m Blessed
Three raffle entries
q P5,500
Ø One-Year kerygma Subscription sent via courier
Ø My Conspiracy Theory
Ø Awaken the healer in You
Ø how to Live a Life of Miracles
Ø 8 habits of the happy Millionaire
Five raffle entries
q P10,000
Ø One-YearSubscription of kerygma/Fish/Mustard and All Stars sent via courier
Ø Memoirs of a Great Person
Ø Awaken the healer in You
Ø 8 habits of the happy Millionaire
Ø how to Live a Life of Miracles
Ø how Your Words Can Change Your World
Ten raffle entries
For International Subscriptions: P2, 600.00 / Year – No Freebie
FOR PROVINCIAL REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Option 1: Snail Mail. NO ADDITIONAL FEE- Send monthly via Post Office unregistered mail.
Option 2: COURIER plus 300 /year– sent every two issues
q Charge me:
q Cash
SUBSCRIBING IS EASY!
• By Mail: Return this form with your payment
(PMO or check payable to Shepherd’s Voice)
to 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City
P. O. Box #1331 Quezon City Central Post Office
1153 Quezon City, Philippines
Contact Nos.: 725-9999 local 215
411-7874 (Direct Line)
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0922-8147031
Please allow three weeks delivery time for your
first issue, together with your free items.
ThIS SERVES AS A RAFFLE COUPON
q Check
See Poster
and Print Ad
for details.
q Money Order
Given:
B-day:
Zip code:
Date Sent:
Start of subscription
Signature
q CASh
q ChECk
q MONEY ORDER
Bank Deposit thru Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. BDO S/A No. 397-000070-4 or BPI S/A No. 0123-4832-94, UBP Tektite Branch
SA# 1020-6002-7201, Allied Bank S/A No. 3160-00255-7, Metrobank S/A No. 3-2655-0807-4 (validated deposit slip enclosed)
I am authorizing Equitable Card Network to charge my Visa/Mastercard in the amount of P
Cardholder’s Name:
Card No.
Expiry Date:
SPONSORS:
Signature:
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 2767 Series of 2014.
Introduction
Special
Section
By Bo Sanchez
HEAR,
SPEAK,
SHARE
Go Viral with God’s Word
H
ave you experienced receiving something that truly blessed you, that all you want to
do is share it with others?
It’s the same with God’s Word. Once we have encountered it in a powerful way,
our natural response is to share it. Because we can’t contain it in the first place. We
want people to experience the same. Sadly, that doesn’t happen all the time.
In this issue, I’d like to share with you how you can share God’s Word in a way that people
would embrace it and allow it to change their lives.
Read on.
Special
Section
by Bo Sanchez
Jesus Teaches You Three Things to Remember
BEFORE YOU SHARE
HIS WORD
O
ne day, Jesus was passing through Jericho. Zacchaeus
was the chief tax collector in that area. The Bible says
in Luke 19:1-10 that Zacchaeus could not see over the
crowd because he was short. In today’s politically correct
world, you can’t say Zach was short; you have to say
Zach was vertically challenged. But let me point out
something very important: Zach was short physically, but he was also
short spiritually.
Let me explain why he was small. Tax collectors weren’t even
allowed to enter a synagogue or the church during their time — just
like prostitutes — because they were public sinners. Because they
were unclean.
You’d wonder why, right? I know we don’t like paying taxes, but we
don’t prohibit employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to enter
our churches. Here’s the explanation. In the time of Jesus, tax collectors
were Jews who worked for the Roman Empire. They collected taxes for
the enemy that has conquered their land. (Think makapili when the
Japanese conquered the Philippines.) Not only that, Zacchaeus and tax
collectors like him weren’t paid by the Romans. So, to make a living,
they would overcharge their countrymen. That’s why some of them —
like Zacchaeus — became very rich.
And then the Bible says that Zach “ran ahead and climbed a
sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.” You know what made the difference for Zach? Zach wasn’t
just small. Zack knew he was small. There are many people who are
spiritually small, but don’t know they are spiritually small.
We need to acknowledge our smallness before God by climbing
the sycamore tree of humility. And if you humble yourself, God says
that He will lift you up.
When Jesus saw Zach, He said, “Zacchaeus, come down
immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
But people grumbled against Jesus. They said, “He has gone to be
the guest of a sinner.” Here’s the difference:
People saw a sinner. Jesus saw a saint. People see the past. Jesus sees the future.
That day, Zach was saved. He said, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give
half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out
of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
And Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
Right now, you may feel like you’re Zach. You feel very small in
yours eyes; you may feel very small in the eyes of other people. But
Jesus still sees you. Because though you’re small, you’re BIG in God’s
eyes. You feel very small. You know you’ve failed, you’ve fallen, you’ve
stumbled, you’ve sinned. And Jesus tells you the same thing today. Jesus says, “I want to stay
in your house. I want to live in you. I want to make your life My home. I
want to make you the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Not temporarily but
permanently. Open your house to Me. Open your life to Me. Open your
heart to Me. You may think you’re a small person. But that’s not true. In
My heart, you’re very big.”
Discipleship Is Friendship
The strategy of Jesus is summarized by these three words: Discipleship
Is Friendship.
Let me break it down into three lessons…
1. Meal Before the Message
When Jesus saw Zach, He didn’t say, “Repent, you thief! Ask forgiveness
from God. You’re stealing from the people and
enriching yourself, you greedy bastard… And if you
repent, I’ll think about staying in your house and we
could have lunch — so that we can discuss how you
can repair your wrongdoing, pay all those who you
have stolen, and give half of your wealth away.”
That would be how some religious leaders
would do it. But not Jesus. Jesus’ first words to him were, “I must stay in
your house.” He wanted to have lunch with Zach. He
was offering His friendship.
In ancient Middle Eastern culture, having a
meal with someone is a solemn declaration to that
person — and to the entire world — that you want
to be friends with that person. Do you want to make disciples?
The meal must come before the message. The
relationship must come before religion. The
testimony must come from the teaching. In other words, Jesus first wanted to express
His love for Zach. He wanted to build a relationship
with him before He talked about rules, rituals or
regulations. Arguments don’t win souls; affection does!
There’s another person Jesus evangelized…
The Woman Who Changed Spouses the Way She
Changed Clothes
The Bible doesn’t give us her name, so let’s call her
Sam — for Samaritan woman. Sam lived in a small
dinky town called Sychar. There were no more than
20 homes in this little barrio. The Bible says she was
drawing water from Jacob’s well (John 4:6-8).
Jesus comes along and asks her, “Can you give
Me a drink?”
With that one simple line, Jesus gives her
something gigantic. He was giving her worth. And He did it in three levels. First, Jesus was
a Jew and Sam was a Samaritan. Jews hated
Samaritans. Why? Samaritans were bastardized
Jews. They were a product of the intermarriage
between Jews and Gentiles, such as the Philistines,
Edomites and Moabites — the hated enemies of
Israel. So Jews didn’t even share the bowl, glass or
plate of a Samaritan because they were unclean. But
Jesus asks her, “Can you give Me a drink?” He was
going to use her bowl. In one act, Jesus was giving
her worth as a Samaritan.
Second, Jesus was male and Sam was female. In
the time of Jesus, men don’t talk to women in
public because it was beneath their dignity. (In
ancient times, a woman was a little bit higher than
the family cow.) But Jesus was talking with her,
giving her worth as a woman.
Third, Jesus was holy and Sam was unholy. The
Bible says she drew water at 12 noon. Who in her
right mind would do that? (Everyone draws water
early morning when it’s not too hot.) She drew
water at noon because she was hiding from people. Sam was
an outcast. Why? Because she had five husbands, and the man
she was living with wasn’t even any of them.
Jesus told her He knew that she changed husbands
as often as others changed clothes. But He still insisted in
becoming her friend. By asking, “Can I have a drink?” Jesus was
saying, “In this town, no one likes you. Because they feel you’re
a big sinner. And to talk to you means bad luck. But I like to be
your friend today.”
Have you messed big time in your life?
Here’s the second lesson I want to share with you today…
2. Worth Before the Word
When Jesus discipled this woman, He didn’t first give the
Word. He didn’t start the conversation by saying, “Sam,
don’t you know the Ten Commandments? Doesn’t the
word ‘adultery’ mean anything to you? My goodness, you have
five husbands! Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
He didn’t say that. Instead, He gave her worth before giving
the Word. He told her, “You’re valuable. You’re important. You’re
worthy to be My friend.”
When you’re discipling, you don’t talk down to people. You
don’t say, “You’re a sinner and you’re going to hell. God is sick
and tired of your sinfulness. Gosh, when will you repent?”
Look around you. There are many more Zachs and Sams in
the world today. And all of them are waiting for Jesus to love
them.
Question: How Many Catholics Still Go to Church?
Every Sunday, churches are full. But this standing-room-only
crowd gives us a false complacency that the Catholic Church is
doing well. Truth? It’s not.
My own Bishop told me that very few Catholics attend
church today. (We just have a huge population, that’s why
our churches are full.) He gave me the statistics. Out of 10
Catholics, only 1.5 attends Sunday Mass regularly. Out of 10
Catholics, 8.5 no longer go to church on Sundays.
And this 1.5 people feel the church will condemn them
because they’re living in immorality.
Some of these 8.5 people still go to church
perhaps three times in their lifetime: When
they’re “hatched, matched and dispatched.”
In other words, when they’re baptized,
when they get married, and when they are
about to be buried.
Here’s our problem: We
focus on serving those 1.5
people
who still go to church. We
forget that God calls us
to reach out to those 8.5
people around us who
don’t go to church.
Jesus said, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them
gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others
in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until
he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).
But that’s not what’s happening today. Sadly, we focus
on the 99 who are attending church. All our church activities
are for insiders. We sing songs that insiders like. We preach
messages for insiders.
As a Church, we need to change.
The Purpose of The Feast
That’s why we created The Feast, our weekly gathering. This is
our small and humble way of reaching out to that one lost sheep.
The Feast isn’t designed for insiders but for outsiders. Everything
about The Feast — the music, the message, the atmosphere —
every detail of The Feast is designed for the unchurched, the
irreligious, the people who feel far from God, or people who
feel spiritual but not religious. But as beautiful as The Feast event is, it can’t make disciples
— by itself. Because the real work of discipleship happens not
in events, but in everyday life, in close encounters we have with
one another. That’s why we have established Connect Groups
(CG) at The Feast.
3. Do Before Delegate
When Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in the tree, He didn’t say, “Hey
Zachy, I’m preaching at the market two days from now. Can you
go there at 8 a.m.? I’ll reserve a seat for you. I’ll be preaching
on how to live an abundant life. If you come, you’ll receive a
welcome gift — a Novena to God’s Love booklet….”
When Jesus met Sam the Samaritan, He didn’t say, “Sam,
can I invite you to a prayer meeting? You’ll love the music
ministry…”
He didn’t do any of that. The first thing He did was offer His
friendship. And that’s what we need to do too.
Before you invite people to a religious event, invite them
to a friendship. Because discipleship is friendship.
So here’s my third lesson: Do before delegate. We like to
delegate discipleship to The Feast. Don’t do that. Do it first.
Here’s a tragedy: People come to a prayer meeting, like it
a lot, but after a few months drop out. Why? Because a friend
wasn’t there to disciple them.
Seek Out the Unchurched
In your prayer meetings, I encourage you to create
a welcoming atmosphere. Talk to people around
you. If you find out that there’s someone new
beside you, then make a new friend. Invite that
person for coffee.
One day, a woman came up to me and said,
“Bo, God has changed my life upside down. I’ve left all my
un-renewed friends. Because we talk about the most inane
stuff. They curse so much, I feel like puking. And they smoke
like chimneys. I really can’t stand their gossip, the cursing,
their smoking anymore. I now hang out only with members of
our prayer group. So everytime we talk, we talk about godly
stuff. We talk about the Word. We talk about what God is doing
in our lives.”
I told her, “Keep meeting your prayer group friends for prayer and
fellowship. But you need to set aside time to build relationships with
un-renewed friends. Who will reach out to them?”
Remember, God calls you to be a fisher of men.
There are two images of fishing in our minds.
The first image is a fisherman wearing a hat and seated on a recliner,
with a tackle box beside him, holding a bottle of beer in one hand and
holding a fishing pole on the other.
The second image is a group of rugged men on a boat, pulling a
large circular net with weights around its side.
When Jesus calls us to be “fishers of men,” He didn’t mean the first
image because that didn’t exist during His time. He meant the second
image — because that was what He saw every day around the Sea of
Galilee.
Here’s my point: You can’t make disciples alone. You can only make
disciples within a community. Why? Jesus said that people will know
that we’re disciples because of our love for each other (John 13:35).
I tell members of our spiritual family, the Light of Jesus, to create
an open event for people who aren’t attending The Feast yet. Play
badminton or watch a movie together or go to an outreach. Love is the
greatest magnet because love is our greatest human need. So let the
unchurched see how they love each other.
My Meal Ministry In College
When I was in college, I had a classmate with whom I ate lunch every
day for two years. Every once in awhile, I’d talk about God — but he
wouldn’t want to listen to me. We’d just end up arguing. So I decided
just to be his friend.
We talked about girls, sports, girls, politics, girls, exams… Did
I mention that we talked about girls? Sorry, we were regular college
kids with hormones raging through our veins. Our favorite pastime was
sitting at the cafeteria and grading beauty. I will say, “That’s an 8.1,” and
he’d say, “Are you sure? Nah, just a 7.6…”
When I dropped out of college, I never saw him again. In one sense,
I felt I was a big failure in the evangelistic department. Because he
never followed Jesus.
Fifteen years later, I was walking in a mall when a guy greeted
me. He said, “Bo Sanchez!” I turned around and saw my long-lost pal. I
couldn’t believe my eyes.
And the first thing he said was, “Bo, remember all our lunches and
how you tried to talk about God to me — and I just ridiculed you?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I want to thank you for planting the seeds in my heart. I’m now a
missionary. Thank you, Bo…”
“But I didn’t really talk about God to you. I couldn’t. You kept arguing
with me. So instead of talking about God, we talked about girls!”
That was when I realized something: Our lunches “worked.” I just
gave him my friendship. And that simple friendship was God’s love to
him. The meal came before the message. Because the meal was the
message!
The Three Stages of Discipleship
Here’s what I realized: Just like farming, discipleship is composed of
three stages — planting, growing and reaping. Sometimes, God wants
you to do all three. Most of the time, God will ask you to do only one of
these three stages to a person. The third stage — reaping — is always
the most exciting, because you’ll actually see someone turn to the Lord
and give his life to God.
But sometimes, God will call you to the planting stage only. It’s
BO’S ACTION STEPS
1. List down the names of your “unrenewed” friends. Choose one or
two whom you’ll disciple.
2. Renew your friendship with
them. Take them out for coffee or
a meal.
3. Share the Word when the time is
right. Better yet, show them how
God’s Word is working in your life.
very discouraging when God calls you to be in the
first stage — because you won’t see any results. For
example, after having lunch with my college buddy
every day for two years, I didn’t see any evidence that
he was growing closer to God.
Perhaps you’re in the same shoes. Perhaps you’ve
been loving your children, or loving your husband,
or loving your friends — but they still refuse to join
you at your prayer meetings or pray or read the
Bible. That’s OK. You’ve done your part. You’ve planted
seeds. Trust in God that His Word does not return
empty. God says, “It is the same with my word. I send
it out, and it always produces fruit” (Isaiah 55:11).
Believe That the Seeds You Plant Will Bear Fruit
Last month, I received news that filled my heart with
so much joy. You see, 17 years ago, I worked with a
bunch of teenagers in our community. I personally
took them under my wing.
But when they hit their twenties, some of them
got busy in their careers, got married, had babies,
and worked abroad. I didn’t hear from them for many
years. Two years ago, our international missionary, Roy
Pasimio, visited the Middle East. He told me that we
now have new video Feasts in that part of the world. I
asked him, “Who are our leaders there?” And Roy told
me, “Remember the teenagers who were part of our
youth group here years ago? They’re now our leaders
there.”
Yes, the seeds planted in their youth are now
flourishing and bearing fruit.
Friend, don’t be discouraged when it seems like
nothing is happening to your loved ones that you’re
trying to disciple. Be happy that you were able to
“plant” your love and friendship in their hearts. Your
role is to plant. God’s role is to grow the plant. As they
say, you may be the only Bible that some people will
read. Believe that one day, harvest time will come.
Email me at [email protected].
Special
Section
Testimony
Willie and Cora take on the challenging role
of discipling God’s people through connect
groups.
Kwentong CG: God’s Story Guides
By Willie and Cora Talon
As told to Lella M. Santiago
Photos by Mark Domingo
W
here’s Bro. Willie? I will shoot him!” our
Connect Group (CG, also formerly called
Caring Group) member shouted as
he waved his toy gun. This happened
often when he’s had too much to drink.
Sometimes, it’s a bolo he’d brandish. It
wasn’t just my husband he challenged. He provoked the
other brothers in our CG, too. I (Cora) used to be so afraid
when he would barge into our house in that state.
When we held CG meetings in his house, he wouldn’t
join us. He’d be drinking outside.
All our group, especially his wife, could do was pray that
he’ll join us eventually. He’d attend our chapter meetings but
he was always contradictory.
He seemed like a hopeless case. I (Willie) didn’t know how
to guide him away from his vices — drinking and smoking —
and onto the right path. It took a lot of patience, but we didn’t
let him distract us from our duties as CG heads. We didn’t give
up on him. We continued to assign him tasks and gave him
importance in the group. After 10 years, God transformed
him. He was hospitalized because of an illness brought on by
his vices. When he was discharged from the hospital, he
changed dramatically.
His transformation was instant. Before, he refused
to join us in prayer. Now, he leads the prayers, regularly
attends The Feast and is a committed ministry head. This
brother’s story is one of many that inspires us to keep on
guiding people to God.
Listening with the Heart
We were very reluctant when we were first assigned as
CG heads in 1990. Although we were trained for the role,
we hesitated because we’re naturally shy. Over the years,
as we shared our stories, we not only learned to open up
to people but we also helped our members tell others
about God’s blessings in their lives. We have to think of
creative ways to draw their stories out. Sometimes, we
use pick-up cards with Bible verses to get the sharing
going. It amazes them that most of the time, the verses
they pick are related to what they’re experiencing at the
moment.
By making time to listen to their stories, we show
our members the love and concern we have for them. I
remember when I offered to stay with one of our brothers in
the hospital. His wife couldn’t be with him because their children
were still small and no one could watch over them. He didn’t
want to bother me, but I said, “Brother, let me stay so you’ll have
someone with you.” We spent the time talking about his family.
Later, I received a text saying how much he appreciated what I did.
I realized it’s not only through telling stories but also by listening
that we can point people to God. And it’s not just listening with
our ears but also with our heart. We have to be sensitive to the
story behind their story and give help when needed.
Share, Connect, Care
Sharing our own story helps us guide our members. We start the
ball rolling when nobody wants to be first to share about their
blessings during our prayer meetings. Our members are inspired
to keep trusting that God will answer their prayers, too, when we
share about our fulfilled dreams. One story that kept them hoping
despite seeming impossibilities is our trip to the Holy Land, a
blessing straight from our dream board.
Stories about our struggles motivate them, too. One of our
members said, “How can I not be encouraged to attend? My CG
head is always present even if he has no car, whereas I have a car.”
Before, our CG meetings were held in members’ homes.
What made it challenging was, we were scattered all over —
in Pacita, Biñan, Bicutan, Sucat, Better Living, Muntinlupa. But
we went no matter what. Once, on our way to a meeting, a
storm hit. Several of us had to cling to each other so we will
not be swept by strong winds. Whatever happened, we were
almost always present because we enjoyed it. When I don’t get
to attend, I feel there’s something lacking in my week.
It’s heartening to see that our members also developed the
same commitment. One time, this old couple from Bicutan arrived
in our meeting in the midst of a raging typhoon.
And we’re blessed that it’s not only our members who were
encouraged by our stories. Our children, whom we had to spend
some time away from when they were little because of CG head
duties, grew up with servants’ hearts. They also became CG heads
and more. Sherwin is a worship leader in Feast Sharjah (Dubai),
Malou was a youth leader, and Mark served in the Kids’ Ministry.
Their Story, Our Story
Just recently, we were asked to head the Connect Group Ministry.
Like the first time, we were reluctant to accept. We felt we did not
have what it takes to be effective. My style is informal. All I do is be
a buddy to them. Our Feast Builder, Arun Gogna, asked, “What do
you have?”
We said, “Just love and care.”
He replied, “That’s it!” and he gave us five minutes to decide.
Being a good speaker is not essential to the job. It’s more
important to listen, to connect through the stories we share.
Our faith grows because we realize we are not alone in the
situation we’re in. We get strength and love from each other.
The inspiration is not a one-way street from us to our members.
We, in turn, are inspired and blessed by their stories.
Another proof that Cora and Willie are doing it right is the fact that
their children have grown up with servants’ hearts.
Special
Section
By Bo Sanchez
DO GOD’S DEEDS —
JUST LIKE MARY DID!
O
ne day, someone asked me a
very disturbing question. He
asked, “Bo, the Philippines is
a very religious country. We’re
supposed to be the only
Christian nation in Asia. Yet
why are we so corrupt and so poor? How
come?”
Yes, Filipinos are religious. No doubt
about it.
But here’s the key: There’s a giant
difference between religious maturity and
spiritual maturity. Religious maturity means you do your
religious duties very well — you pray daily,
you go to church, you read your Bible, etc.
Spiritual maturity is totally different: it
means you love like Jesus.
Spiritually mature people express their
faith through action. God says that faith
without action is dead (James 2:17). If
your faith has no love, the Bible says we’re
like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1
Corinthians 13:1). Without love, all our religiosity is noise.
Do you want to know if you’re spiritually
mature? Look for these three signs:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” said
Mary, “may it happen to me as you
have said. And the angel left her.”
Soon afterward Mary got ready
and hurried off to a town in the hill
country of Judea. She went into
Zechariah’s house and greeted
Elizabeth.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth
for about three months and then
returned home.
— Luke 1:38-40, 56
First Sign: Service
After Mary gave her yes to God, the
Bible says she “hurried off” to the hill
country of Judea.
Why the hurry?
Real spiritual people know that there’s
this twilight zone between your decision
and your action. Don’t stay in this area for too
long. It’s dangerous.
If you dillydally, if you loiter, if you meander in
this twilight zone, before you know it — poof! Your
decision disappears forever.
Here’s my advice: Once you make a decision,
act immediately. Run through this twilight zone
between decision and action. Don’t sleep until you
do something!
I’ve yet to meet a successful person who doesn’t
have a bias for action. Once a successful person
makes a decision towards a goal, a flurry of activities
takes place. The successful person acts immediately. My Books Have Varied Results
When I was in Cebu one time, a man came up to me
and greeted me with so much joy. “I read your books
and I love them,” he said. People say that to me all the
time. But what blew me away was what he said next. He said, “Bo, I read your book, 8 Secrets of the Truly
Rich. Because of that book, I was inspired to build
three businesses, all giving me passive income. I still
have a job, but I now own six taxi cabs, a store, and a
water station.”
Wow! I began to think of the other people who
read the same book, who also made a decision to do
something, but didn’t do a thing.
Why? They didn’t hurry in the twilight zone
between decision and action. Because they didn’t
have a bias for action; they had a bias for analysis.
They like analyzing something to death before they
act.
Another man came up to me yesterday. He said,
“Bo, I’m still far from becoming a success. I suddenly
realized why nothing has happened in my life.
Because I’m afraid of failure.”
I asked him, “Have you had a major failure in your
life?”
And he said, “None. Because I don’t even try.”
“Then your problem isn’t your lack of success,” I
told him. “Your problem is your lack of failure. Here’s
what you do: Increase your rate of failure so you can
increase your rate of success.”
In the same way, the truly spiritual people I met
have a bias for service. Why is this important?
Loving God is easy. He’s perfect! But loving another human being will be more
difficult.
And it doesn’t have to be a big service.
Second Sign: Simple
Serve simply.
Mary served simply. She didn’t conquer
armies, vanquish nations, run organizations,
or preach to millions. Instead, she went to
Elizabeth to cook meals, mop floors, wash
clothes, dry dishes, and clean toilets.
When we reach heaven, I bet we’ll be
surprised at how God will reward different
people.
For example, my staff — the tech guys
setting up the audio system every time I
preach — may have a bigger mansion than
the preacher.
Our wonderful caregivers serving the
abandoned elderly in Anawim every single
day — bathing them, feeding them, cutting
their fingernails and toenails — may have
a bigger mansion than the founder of
Anawim.
Our telephone counselors in our Light
of Jesus Pastoral Care Center, or the staff
who sell my books in the book tables,
or the cooks who prepare the meals in
our orphanages — all of them may have a
bigger mansion than my mansion.
It’s true!
It may be possible that altar boys and
church janitors may have a bigger mansion
than the Pope.
Why do I believe in that?
Mother Mary is our model of simple
service. She never served in a high-profile
manner. She never had a title. She just
served.
And that’s what God wants you to
do.
If you’ve experienced God’s love
through The Feast, I invite you to
volunteer immediately in a simple
ministry. Give that love to others.
Volunteer in our Warmth Ministry.
Volunteer in our Awesome Kids
Ministry. Volunteer in our Youth
Ministry. Volunteer to serve in our
Connect Groups.
I remember a woman came up to
me and said, “Bo, I really want to join the
Warmth Ministry. But it’s difficult for me to
wake up early and come here 30 minutes before The Feast
starts…”
So I reminded her, “Service is sacrifice.” Which brings me to the third sign of a spiritual person.
Third Sign: Sacrifice
Sacrificial service.
I go to Israel every other year. And every time, without fail,
I take that looooong trip that Mary took to visit Elizabeth —
from Nazareth to the Judean hill country. But unlike Mary, I took a nice tourist bus. A very wellappointed, comfortable, air-conditioned tourist bus. Mary had no bus. Goodness, Mary didn’t even have a
skateboard.
While already pregnant, this 14-year-old girl trekked
for four days, under the scorching heat of the sun, through
the Judean desert — crawling with wild beasts and thieves.
(Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? And how thieves
beat up the guy? It was pretty common among travelers.) She
did that because she wanted to serve an elderly cousin.
That was sacrifice.
Spiritual people are sacrificial people.
She had all the excuses in the world not to go. She
could have said, “Lord, I’m pregnant myself. I have morning
sickness. I don’t like the smell of garlic. How can I serve my
cousin Elizabeth?”
But she didn’t think of her own discomfort. Or her own
pains. Her own issues. Her own needs. She went out and served someone else.
This is real Christianity.
Christianity isn’t about going to heaven. Christianity is
about bringing heaven down to earth, especially for those
who are going through hell today.
And sacrifice starts in our families.
Sacrifice in Your Family
I once went on a three-day trip with Francis, my youngest son,
to Cebu. Just the two of us. It was a father-and-son trip. No
wife. No sibling. Just him and me — talking, laughing, playing,
swimming, and eating together.
I promised myself to bring out each of my sons for a trip
like this at least once a year.
(Note: This isn’t part of the message of this article, but
let me tell you about the second child syndrome. Francis is
my second child. It’s easy for the second child — or middle
children — to feel inferior, especially if the elder sibling is an
achiever. You need to spend time with each of your kids. But
pay close attention to your second child and your middle
child — because sometimes, they need it more.)
Why did I take a trip with little
Francis? I’ve realized that life is about
creating memories. When Francis is
older, his conscious mind will forget the
details of that trip. But his subconscious
mind will remember everything. Your
subconscious mind is a perfect recording
machine. It remembers every detail. Most
of all, Francis will remember how much
I loved him that I spend enormous time
with him.)
I’m a busy guy. I run nine non-profit
organizations and 12 businesses. So how
can I “waste” three days with my son?
Simple. It’s called sacrifice. When you love
someone, you make sacrifices. Spiritual people make sacrifices.
I know my roles. Before being
a preacher, or author, or leader, or
businessman, I’m first of all a father. Real spiritual people sacrifice.
Serving others is a privilege. The
reward of service is the fact that you have
been given the chance to serve someone.
Friend, when you serve, always
remember how Mama Mary did it. You’ll
not be far from heaven.
Email me at [email protected]
BO’S ACTION STEPS
1. Ask about the different
ministries in your community.
Choose where you’d like to
serve in and where you feel
God is calling you.
2. Serve one Sunday a month
initially. Commit to this
schedule.
3. Commit to serve in your family,
your first community. Start
doing a specific chore and do it
regularly.
Special
Section
Knowing what she has learned in her previous
mission, Edith’s heart is ready to board the ship
and go wherever the Lord calls her.
Testimony
By Edith Laurino
As told to Marjorie Duterte
A Heart for Service
T
here was an ongoing prayer meeting at the church when
I dropped by after work one day. Someone suddenly
called out, “The girl wearing red!” I looked around me and
realized that I was the only one wearing red. Someone
asked me to come forward, saying that the Lord has
something to tell me. He prophesied that I would be
traveling a lot, mostly to Asian countries, to share God’s love.
I was 21 then and didn’t take what he said seriously.
In My Comfort Zone
During my early years as a Christian serving the Lord, I already knew
that God called me to be a missionary. But I brushed it off quickly
because I was busy with the world.
I enjoyed my job. My salary as a wedding planner was great. God
was calling me into the mission field but I was scared. Instead of being
one, I supported a missionary because I was earning well and I could
give financial support. But the call of the Lord became heavy in my
heart.
An American missionary spearheaded a short mission trip to
Thailand in 2010. I joined that trip and things were never the same
again. I quit my job to become a missionary.
Into the Mission Field
Douglas Sharpe, the Philippines’ National Director of Youth with a
Mission, a Christian organization, encouraged me to join a Discipleship
Training School in Cambodia where they train young people to
become missionaries. All of my classmates were Cambodians. They
were treated as second-class citizens. My compassion
for them grew when I witnessed what they had to go
through.
Back then, I made it my goal to help change things
for the better in Cambodia. I wanted to be a part of that
change. I stayed behind in Cambodia to serve them
after my DTS graduation.
It was difficult. The culture was totally different and
not many spoke nor understood English. I served the
children whose parents survived the civil war where the
elite and educated people had been killed. In Cambodia,
Jesus is a foreign name.
I started giving free English lessons to the children.
One student asked me, “Teacher, who is Jesus? Is He an
American or a Filipino?” They really don’t know who
Jesus is. Jesus should have a face to them.
I realized that lessons don’t affect them as much as
kindness to them and compassion does. They don’t get
it from their parents because their parents don’t have
proper debriefing coming out of the war.
I wanted to help the Cambodians by giving them
quality education because I believe it is the way to fight
poverty in their country.
The Love Language
To the young Cambodians that I teach, Jesus is a lollipop,
a touch.
The children, especially the poor, will always have a special spot in Edith’s heart.
I served by hugging the children, kissing them and
saying “I love you” to them. The moment they see me,
they would run to me and just hug me. They enjoyed it.
In Cambodia, being able to speak English gives
one a high opportunity to have a job in respectable
establishments such as hotels and restaurants. The
country is very poor. The parents don’t mind that their
children go to church to study. Sometimes it’s the only
time that their children will eat for that day.
I learned that love is the best language. It is out of
love that I understood them and they understood me. I
befriended them. I let them stay and laugh with me. I let
them eat what I ate.
I’m a teacher. I’m a friend to them. In Cambodia,
there is a big distinction between poor and rich. The rich
people do not associate with the poor and vice versa. It’s
like God gave me the task to be the bridge for the two
groups. I can recall a moment when one of my students accompanied
I could come back to Cambodia. My students ran after the
me to the market. A seller said, “You should let your maid carry your
taxi I was in, crying out, “Teacher! Teacher! Please come
stuff.” I replied, “Excuse me, she’s not my maid. She’s my friend.” I
back!” My heart broke as I watched them run desperately
believe I earned the child’s loyalty that day because I defended her.
after the taxi.
She said I am her friend. That’s how I share Jesus’ love to them.
That time, I promised myself that I would go back to
Jesus came here to serve, not to be served. We are called to serve
Cambodia.
like Jesus. Service is a practical way of showing His love.
I believe service means that we think of others for the love of
Heartbeat for Mission
God, even if we had to go outside of our comfort zones.
This I learned: If God is really calling you to go on a
mission, worry not. He will send you the people and
My Rewards
provisions you would need to survive and carry on.
As a missionary, I don’t have a salary. My sole reward is knowing that
As I came to know more of the Lord and read the
my students understand and receive the love I give them, and that
Bible, I realized and understood that everyone is called to
they have come to know Jesus.
be a missionary (Matthew 28:19-20).
Working in Cambodia also gave me the chance to change. By
My hope is to make a difference in the lives of the
the grace of God, I’ve become more patient and relaxed. I used to
Cambodians and the people in other countries that I may
be sensitive before, but when I became a missionary, I learned to
be assigned to. I pray for God to continue to use me for
overcome my emotions. Instead of blaming people when things go
the change that the country needs, to help transform
wrong, I would examine my heart and reflect. I have become more
lives for His greater glory. And I also hope that I would
understanding. I became a better person, and that is reward enough
live to see the difference I helped create.
for me.
My heart will always beat for missions.
There was a time when I was going home to Cebu, not knowing if
I am a missionary for Christ.
Whether it is in her hometown shores or in some other country, Edith never fails to
magnetize the children’s hearts to Jesus.
Edith feeding kids in Cambodia not only with some food
but with love and care.
ARE YOU SURROUNDED
BY VAMPIRES?
No, not the blood-sucking, fang-baring, garlic-hating kind. Those
exist only in the movies.
We’re talking about the ever critical, perpetually controlling and forever complaining people in your life.
In other words — the toxic people. The ones who do nothing but make your life difficult.
If your answer is a huge “YES!”, then this book is for you.
Let’s face it. Most of the time, we hate dealing with these difficult people. The moment they enter the
premises, we’d rather leave the room — or even the building — just to get off their radar. But sometimes,
what we don’t know is that we are difficult people as well.
In his newest book, How to Deal with Difficult People, Bo Sanchez discusses how you can protect yourself
from the “vampires” in your life and how to love them wisely.
It gives you a deeper understanding not only of the people
that surround you, but also yourself.
After all, YOU might be a vampire, too!
Learn how to:
• Spot the Most Common Types of Vampires
• Protect Yourself from a Vampire
• How to Transform a Vampire
• How to Transform Yourself (If You’re the Vampire!)
• And many, many more!
ORDER your copies now!
CALL 725-9999 loc. 101 to 108
or log on to www.KerygmaBooks.com
GO DIGITAL! Buy the e-book and read it straight from your gadget! Visit www.KerygmaBooks.com/
ebooks.
God in Every
Stage of
Seasons
Your Life
By Cynthia U. Santiago
I
learned about a major consequence of retirement as early as when I was
33 years old.
At the time, some friends and I put up a publishing company and our
products were trade magazines, including one for working women. We
had fun the first two years, enjoying the perks of being “Media,” especially
the lavish attention of Public Relations people who wanted us to feature
their clients in our magazines.
Unfortunately, during the economic crisis in 1983, following the assassination
of Ninoy Aquino, our company went bankrupt. We stopped publishing our
magazines and, suddenly, I was no longer “Media.”
I felt the loss of media power one day when I happened to be in the office
building of a public relations officer whom I had helped publish articles about
her clients. I thought we had become friends so I went to her office just to say,
“Hi.”
At the waiting room outside her office, a receptionist asked me to take a
seat, and then went inside the PR’s office to announce my presence. After a few
seconds, the receptionist came back to me, and told me the PR was busy and
could not see me.
Ouch! What a snob!
I realized then that without power — material power, that is — I would not
matter to people. That is, people for whom material power matters — and they
are not few in this material world.
I went on to pursue my career in Journalism. I found a good job in a lifestyle
magazine and enjoyed media power again. And yes, the PR who snubbed me
became friendly again.
So every single day, hour, minute and second of my career life, there it was at
the back of my mind: the clear and present truth that I would get old, retire and
give up such power. I knew then that in this world, everything is as ephemeral
as our earthly life itself.
And so I went on with my exhilarating career, but without kidding myself
that the bliss would last.
There was a time that I had become kind of jaded, that when someone
invited me to have lunch, I asked, “Why?”
That’s because office policies or media ethics prevented me from publishing
just any item requested by PRs or anyone, for that matter. So I figured if I accepted
the invite, and I ate the food, but could not accommodate the press release, I
could no longer return the food that was already in my tummy, right? So I asked
first what the lunch invite was all about.
In 1985, my sister May invited my husband, Ed, and me to join the Light of
OUCH!
MY EARLY TASTE OF
RETIREMENT PAIN
Jesus Family. By God’s grace, through the talks
of Bo Sanchez, our founder, I would hear how
to live the Gospel of Jesus in a practical, happy
way.
Little did I know, this was the start of my
preparation for retirement. It was my gradual
transition from the fleeting media power to
the everlasting one: God Power.
I write this just after I’d read “WOW, The
Wonder of Work,” a recent talk series at The
Feast, the weekly faith gathering led by Bo
at the Philippine International Convention
Center. The theme of the series comes from
Colossians 3:23: “Work willingly at whatever
you do, as though you were working for the
Lord rather than for people.”
Indeed, pains or gains at work and
thereafter, at retirement time, I see as big
blessings since I’ve surrendered them all to
God.
NEXT: WOW! The Perks of Retirement
Visit us at Booth # 261-262(1/2)
New products, discounts
and freebies await you
See you there!
SOMETHING AWESOME IS COMING YOUR WAY!
Kerygma has gone digital! You can now download the interactive version of the
most-loved inspirational magazine in the country!
What to expect in the ALL-NEW KERYGMA INTERACTIVE EDITION?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Videos from Brother Bo Sanchez
More testimonials
More interaction
More inspiration
More surprises
More blessings!
Go to www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph/kerygmamagazine and
subscribe to our newsletter to download your copy.
As our gift to you, you can download Kerygma Interactive for FREE!*
Bless more people by sharing your copies with all your friends and loved ones!
Coming soon on Apple and Google Newsstand.
*For a limited period only, so DOWNLOAD NOW!
Kitchen
Scribbles
By Rosanne Romero
I
Gray Matter
Matters
found out I had Multiple Sclerosis in 1986. My neurologist
carefully explained the disease to me by showing me MRI images
of my brain. He showed me which parts had lesions. They were
numerous — some huge, some small. He mentioned parts of
the brain I had studied in school — cerebrum, cerebellum, brain
stem occipital lobe, frontal lobe, and some others. Looking back,
I realized that these are things I had memorized for exams when I was
a student. But that day, they aren’t just terms anymore. Things got
personal.
With a laser pointer, he showed me the different parts of my brain
If the part responsible for cognition were
that had lesions. He then pointed to one lobe that had none. It was the
affected, where would that leave me? Without
part responsible for cognition. Some people who suffer from MS have
cognition, I might read hilarious Facebook posts from
lesions in this part of the brain, disabling them to process information
my friends and not be able to laugh. I might read
and to think well. When I learned that, I felt so blessed. Yes, MS is awful
beautiful stories and not be touched. I might read
news, but learning that this part of my brain had been spared is a miracle.
Scripture and not be moved by it. I would be bereft
But for those who aren’t familiar with the term, cognition means
of insight. I would not be able to trace God’s hand.
having sound thinking. Impaired cognition means being batty. I was
I would not comprehend adversity as I comprehend
very glad that I had no lesions in that part of my brain, because I’m
it. I would not be able to hear Him or make sense of
already batty enough as it is!
things. And if I could not hear God or make sense of
Because MS hit my cerebellum, I have serious problems with
things, what would be the point of living? MS, as an
balance. I frequently fall, so it became necessary for me to move around
adversity, would have had no redeeming value. in a wheelchair. I sorely miss running and I can’t take long walks anymore.
Allow me to use 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 to frame all
And I have pain. Not the excruciating kind. And not a melodramatic telethat I’ve said here:
serye kind of pain either. Just pain. Also,
“However, we possess this precious treasure
sometimes, when I’m mincing garlic in
in frail human vessels, so that the grandeur and
the kitchen, I clumsily end up mincing
exceeding greatness of the power, may be shown to
some of my fingers, which means
be from God and not from ourselves. We are hardmy family’s been ingesting parts
pressed on every side, and oppressed in every way,
of me (ha, ha!). It takes me forever
but not crushed. We suffer embarrassments and are
to thread a needle. And my left
perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not
hand is practically dead. There
driven to despair. We are pursued and hard driven,
is a host of other things about
but not deserted nor left to stand alone. We are
having MS that frustrates me.
struck down to the ground, but never struck out and
But in spite of all
destroyed.”
these things, I
am
not
totally
unblessed. And so even if MS is an ever present thing in my
life, I am thankful that God keeps it just where it is.
There’s a donut hole, yes. But
there’s more donut than there
is a hole. SEPTEMBER 2014 • KERYGMA 35
HANDA KA NA BANG BUMYAHE?
Manong, bayad po!
Lahat tayo ay may iba’t ibang byahe sa buhay. Anuman o saanman tayo patungo,
siguradong may mapupulot tayong kwento at aral mula rito.
In his first book, JC Libiran shares his adventures, misadventures and reflections as
he journeys through the metropolis as a commuter.
This book reflects everyone’s journey. It allows us to look deeper into our daily
travels in order to recreate our story into something greater.
Let’s R.I.D.E. together and become the best BYAHEro we can be!
Manong, dyan lang po sa tabi!
BUY YOUR COPY NOW!
For orders call 725-9999 local 101 to 108
or log on to www.KerygmaBooks.com
K
Preacher
By Andreus Cosio
I
t was our regular Feast Builders meeting. Bo Sanchez suddenly
announced, “We have an extra cake. Let’s have a raffle!”
The brothers got excited. We had fun writing our names
on small pieces of tissue paper. When I wrote my name, I
included the words, “Thank you sa cake!”
Then we had our raffle using the elimination method.
Jan Silan, associate Feast builder of Makati Feast, was assigned to
pick the names. Every name picked was considered out and the
remaining name gets the cake. One by one the names were picked.
And then it was down to 2. Jan’s name and mine still weren’t called.
So they asked Adrian Panganiban, Sucat Feast Builder, to pick the
last two. And then Jan’s name was called!
“And the winner is Dreus Cosio!”
Wearing my most grateful smile, I asked Adrian to also read the
note under my name: “Thank you sa cake!”
Gratefulness creates wonders in our lives. Thanking God in
advance is being ready to receive God’s best, using our lens of faith,
expecting great things to happen.
Be Grateful When Things Go Your Way. It feels good when you
see people appreciate the gifts that you give. In fact, it inspires you
to give more, and nothing beats thanking the Real Source of all
blessings in our lives — for every answered prayer, for every miracle
and surprises. God renews His blessings for us every morning —
even if we don’t ask for it. Being able to wake up in the morning is a
big blessing when you realize that a lot of others are not able to do
so. God gives us so many other blessings that we sometimes take for
granted. A grateful heart makes us ready to receive more. Be Grateful Even When Things Don’t Go Your Way. It is easy to
be grateful when things go right, but when things go wrong, we
tend to rebel, to curse and to turn our backs on God. What we don’t
realize is that this is the perfect time to exercise our faith, trust and
love. How? By being grateful! Thanking God for the lessons learned,
for protecting you from a possible worse situation, for making you
stronger, wiser and moulding your character. Thanking God even in
times of distress gives you the grace to see that you have more —
WHAT’S
YOUR CAKE?
and not less. You let the Blesser be in control and let
Him alter things to receive what’s best.
Be Grateful in Advance
Fear is expecting bad things to happen while faith is
expecting great things to happen. When we thank God
in advance, it gives us the grace to act in faith. Have the
fire to live a life without worrying, and instead surrender
and tell our God, “Thank You, Lord, I know You got my
back. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the best
— for You are the Best!”
Are you praying for healing, for your relationships,
for financial provisions?
What is your cake?
Thank Him in advance!
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice
glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I
will show the salvation of God! (Psalm 50:23)
Email me at [email protected]
Dreus is the Associate Builder of Feast Biñan, which happens
every Saturday, 6 p.m., at the 3rd Floor of Central Mall in Biñan,
Laguna.
KeRygma mission PaRtneR
24th anniversary Promo
tRiP to singaPoRe
PRIZES:
Grand Prize – Trip to Singapore for Two
Consolation Prizes:
3 Units Samsung Galaxy Tab 3
2 Units 29” LG Flatscreen Television
1 Package of SVP Products worth P15,000
Here’s How:
1. Subscribe to Kerygma from April 1, 2014 to December 21, 2014 and receive a FREE GIFT. Plus a chance to win a trip to Singapore for two or other minor
prizes.
2. To subscribe, tear off the subscription form from Kerygma and fill it out with your complete name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, mode
of payment, affix signature and mail to:
Shepherd’s Voice Publications Inc.,
c/o KMP 24th Anniversary promo
#60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City 1109
3. To get a subscription form, buy a copy of Kerygma at Shepherd’s Voice’s head office or at any of our distributors/outlets.
4. The winner of the trip to Singapore will have free hotel accommodation for two, including breakfast and dinner, for three days and two nights. Prize
is exclusive of tax.
5. Promo runs from April 2, 2014 to December 21, 2014.
6. All entries received until December 14, 2014 qualify for the draw. Grand Draw: January 11, 2015 at The Feast, PICC, Pasay City
GUIDELINES
1.
Lucky winners will be drawn. A participant can only win once per draw.
2.
If a name is drawn more than once, the prize of higher value will given.
3.
A notification letter via registered mail will be sent to winners for confirmation
and will be published in the March 2015 issue of Kerygma. Instructions on
where to claim the prize will be detailed in the letter via registered mail.
4.
The winner of the trip to Singapore and his or her companion will secure
their own passport.
9.
The Winners shall claim their prizes at the Shepherd’s Voice office at 60
Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City upon presentation of the notification
letter, claim stub and a valid ID with photo and signature (e.g. driver’s
license, company ID or passport). Winners may send a representative
provided they present the following:
a. Letter of authorization from winner
b. Proper identification
c. Letter sent by SVP and claim stub
10. The promo organizer’s decision is final with the concurrence of a DTI
Representative.
5.
Prizes are transferable but not convertible to cash.
6.
The winner of the trip to Singapore and his or her companion shall shoulder
all the taxes and documentations related to the trip, and the 20 percent tax
for prizes exceeding P10,000.
7.
Prizes must be claimed within 60 days from receipt of notification. The
validity of the trip shall be for a period of six months from issuance.
12. A DTI Representative will be on hand to witness the draw on January
11, 2015, 10:30 am at the PICC during The FEAST.
8.
Prizes unclaimed will be forfeited in favor of SVP with prior DTI approval.
13. Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 2767 Series of 2014.
11. All SVP employees are not eligible to join the raffle promo including
their relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity.
One
Last
Story
By Giancarla and Jesus Macaspac, Jr.
Finding a job in Singapore’s
competitive environment was not easy.
Despite a solid experience in the Human
Resources field, I never got a single
invitation for an interview. We were blessed
that my application for a Dependent’s Visa
was approved so I was able to stay with my
husband longer.
Through all these, we still held on to
our faith and continued to pray, both for
the coming of our baby and the patience
to continue waiting.
Jesus’ Gift to Us on Christmas Day
W
hen we got married on July 19, 2008, we decided to
wait a year before having a baby. Looking back, we
realized that we had not really waited seriously. There
was no conscious effort to prevent conception and just
a few months after the wedding, we went to our first
OB-Gynecologist for a routine check-up.
My monthly period came religiously. The wanting intensified. We
hopped from one doctor to another. In September 2009, we started
going to a fertility expert. We were dead serious about having a work-up,
but we didn’t expect that the tests and medications would be that costly.
For example, testing for blockage in my fallopian tubes cost us P18,000.
We could not afford to spend any more than what we already had.
Sacrifices for Our Future Baby
When our OB suggested trying intrauterine insemination, we stepped on
the breaks. Although we badly wanted a baby, we weren’t sure if it would
be worth it to spend all our money on a procedure that had very little
success rate. After much consideration, my husband decided to sacrifice
and chose to work overseas so we could save up more quickly to continue
with the work-up.
In February 2011, he went to Singapore on a tourist visa, hoping to
land a job within the allowable two-month period. He settled for a job
that was enough to hold a worker’s visa, then eventually landed a job
as a quantity surveyor in a multinational engineering consultancy firm. I
resigned from my job and joined him in September so I could also work
and help him.
God continued to teach us about the virtues of patience, faith and
strength amid trials.
Back home, my father, who was battling lung cancer since 2009,
was getting weaker. I went back to the Philippines so I could take care of
him. It was difficult for my husband and me to be apart again, but I did
not regret my decision because I was able to care for my father until he
peacefully passed away on December 27, 2011. After spending time with
my grieving family, I flew back to Singapore to try my luck again.
Remembering St. Pio of Pietrelcina
I had the opportunity to hear Mass every
Thursday after work at the Philippine
Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina in Libis,
Quezon City, when I had a weekly deployment in
Pasig in my previous job in Manila. My husband
and I also visited this very peaceful place of
worship a couple of times. While there, we read
about testimonials of miracles attributed to St.
Pio’s intercession, especially for childless couples.
So, while in Singapore, we prayed the rosary every
night, followed by St. Pio’s “Prayer for Having a Baby.”
On May 25, 2012, St. Pio’s birthday, we learned
that I was pregnant.
I had a high-risk pregnancy so I had to be
extra-careful because of gestational diabetes. I was
hospitalized on my sixth month because of asthma
attacks. During my last trimester, my blood pressure
went above normal levels. We continued to pray
and ask for St. Pio’s intercession for a safe pregnancy
and a healthy baby.
On December 25, 2012, I gave birth to a
beautiful and healthy baby girl via an emergency
Caesarean Section operation. It was Jesus’ birthday
and yet we were the ones given this very special gift!
Naomi Francesca (named after Francesco Forgione,
our dear Padre Pio), our miracle baby, proof of God’s
faithfulness, was finally in our arms.
Five months later, on May 25, 2013, St. Pio’s
birthday and exactly a year after that positive
pregnancy test, we welcomed Nica to the faith that
will mold her to become the kind and loving person
that we pray she will be. We will forever thank God
for this answered prayer and all His graces.
We will keep our promise to God to raise our
daughter to be good, in its truest sense. And we will
never tire of inspiring others to, just as Padre Pio
said, “pray, hope and don’t worry.”
Point
of
Contact
By Bo Sanchez
I pray that you
receive your
miracles in Jesus’
name!
I pray that God liftS your trials,
heals your diseases, blesses your problems,
and directs you to the path He wants you
to take. I pray that God removes your fears
and gives 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!
SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH:
Bless the readers of Kerygma, Lord. You want all Your children to come close to You. Sadly, some
don’t even know You. May we, who know You and have come to love You, be strengthened by
Your grace to lead others to You. May our lives be living proofs of how much You love us. May
this inspire others to open their lives to You as well. May they learn to listen to You and obey You,
no matter how hard it might be sometimes, because You know what’s best for each one of us.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Praying for you,
Email your prayer requests
to me at bosanchez@
kerygmafamily.com or write
to me at Shepherd’s Voice
Publications, #60 Chicago
St., Cubao, Quezon City,
Philippines 1109.

hear, speak - KerygmaFamily

Transcription

Similar documents

Sales Sheet

A. His Word is True

Through the Fifth Gospel - Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies

summer wednesday evening service - First Presbyterian Church of

September 2015 Parents Newsletter

Parish Mission Series Presented by Fr. Bill McCarthy

Recursos para la Parroquia Encíclica del Papa Francisco

What About . . . Jesus Rising From The Dead?

1 – Bread of Life

Reaching The Unreached - Valley Baptist Church

mountains - KerygmaFamily

cannot do - KerygmaFamily

An Anonymous Sharing from a Virgin No More