Smile, Great is the Lord's Faithfulness!

It was April 29 when I felt awkward that it seems half of my face was not responding properly.

The left part of my lips and cheeks were twitching. I then found out that it was Bell's Palsy after a Medical Checkup.

Fears and worries started to come upon me; "what if I would not recover from it at all?"

I sought the Lord, and asked my family and friends as well to pray for me.

I am very thankful to the Lord for giving me a very supportive girlfriend who accompanied and encouraged me all throughout the checkups and tests, and for a very supportive family and Church family who has been praying for me.

True Healing is From the Lord

You know what the Lord has taught me all throughout this sickness? True healing is from the Lord. By His grace, as He was healing me physically, God was strengthening my faith in Him in the process.

 I regularly look on myself on the mirror during the first three to six days, and there were no significant improvement. This caused me to worry again.

I was then reminded of the story when Peter was sinking after looking onto the giant waves caused by strong wind.

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:28-33)

"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'”, this has spoken to me loudly during this time.

While I was busy worrying and doubting, God was busy in working in me and for me as He strengthen my faith in Him through His promises on His Word.

It was as if God was saying to me at that time, "Why are you doubting? Don't you know that you can give me all of your fears, worries, doubts, frustrations, disappointments, and unhealthy emotional baggage, and ask me to take them away and replace them with more faith in Me?"

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

Taste and See that the Lord is Good

I could say that I was first healed spiritually, before I first felt the physical healing. After my 7-day steroid medication, I stopped looking on the mirror looking for improvements, and started looking on to the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord once again.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8)

It was after 11 days that the MRI results and the EMG-NCV (to test the nerve electrical functions and muscle strength) results were given back to the Doctor to see if there have been improvement after all. The Doctor congratulated me and said that favorable recovery is expected.

It was by the Lord's marvelous grace through Jesus Christ that I was healed and now am recovering from Bell's Palsy!

But above the physical healing, I praise the Lord all the more for healing my doubting and worrying heart and strengthening my faith!

Visible Reminder of God's Faithfulness

I posted on the wall of my room one of the results of the MRI of my brain.

I posted on top of it a printed copy of Psalm 34.

It has been two weeks already since I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, and I would like to declare how good the Lord is because I have a big smile once again (literally)!

Every time I see that MRI result I was always being reminded of how big our God is, and of His faithfulness and goodness.

This brings back to memory of the story of David when the Lord has delivered him from Goliath.

"This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand... and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.

And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent." (1 Samuel 17:46a, 47, 54)

David kept a visible reminder that the Lord was bigger than the giant enemy, and it was God who was able to deliver him from that gigantic problem.

Indeed, the battle is the Lord's. Great is His faithfulness!

Give your fears and doubts to Jesus Christ, ask Him to take these and replace it with more faith in Him.

As you seek the Lord, He answers and delivers you from all your fears.

Are You a Fragrant Flower?

"Just as a flower which seems beautiful and has color but no perfume, so are the fruitless words of the man who speaks them but does them not." ~ John Dewey

While walking at a park with my lovely girlfriend, we took the chance to take some photos using our phone cameras. It was just right after a downpour. These little red flowers caught our attention, and it was indeed beautiful!

But I felt something is missing. I never smelled its fragrance. It should have been a more delightful experience if it had a very pleasant aroma!

It is just as the same way as the words that we speak. We might be the best silver-tongued man, but if our actions do not back these words up, we are more like a man who after looking at himself on a mirror, immediately forgets what he looks like.

"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." - James 1:23-24

The Word of God, is like a mirror that makes us see our true nature - sinful, wicked, wretched, hopeless, all because of sin. It shows us that we need help. On our own, we tend to ruin ourselves.

That is the reason why Jesus Christ became a baby - a human like us but still God at the same time, grew up, was crucified on the Cross - to die for us as the punishment for our sins, buried - to show that our sins were also buried with His body, and was risen again - to demonstrate that every one who believes in Jesus Christ and surrenders everything to Him has a new life already!

My friend, if you have surrendered your life to Christ already, you are a new person now. Jesus Christ is living in you now. Therefore, let us ask God that by His grace He would help us walk what we talk about.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves... But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." - James 1:22, 25

Be a fragrant flower today, my friend, and may others smell that fragrance and point them to Jesus Christ who is far more fragrant and delightful and pleasing - the One who made it possible for us to appreciate beauty in the first place!

© 2016 Erickson Ibana

 Image is my own capture.

What Satisfies You?

“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” - Paulo Coelho

What satisfies you? What is your treasure? What is your greatest desire?

Will you really be happy when you attain these:

• Money? (unending passive income)
• Real Estate Properties? (luxurious house and lot)
• Fame? (be a star in a movie)
• Relationship? (the most beautiful/loving person in the world as your special someone)

Given the chance to experience each of the above, let's examine if it is indeed the endless source of joy in your life...

Money

It was once said that it's "money that makes the world go round!" You use money to buy your basic needs: food, clothes, a decent house; and even for the not-so-basic ones like pleasurable moments watching the movie. What if you revolve your world around money? Will it really satisfy you? How ironic that a great number of depression and suicide cases are from the wealthy!

Real Estate Properties

Wouldn't you be happy if you have your own house and lot? You do not need to rent. You are secured both from the heat of the sun and the coldness of the storm. Imagine you have several world-class mansions on a thousand-hectare land! You sleep on the softest bed, with the most comfortable pillows. But really, could this make you satisfied? How come there were times that even the softest bed and the most comfortable pillows could not grant you the precious sleep that you desire?

Fame

Just within 24 hours, you gained a 39.5-million tweet popularity. From a common television watcher, you became the star - the actor to be watched at. Several commercial and movie contracts line up at your doors! But, would the applause and admiration of the crowd really satisfy your heart? Sadly, a number of movie and theater personalities committed suicide. Amidst the wonderment and appreciation of their myriad fans, they still felt lonely.

Relationship

It really is a pleasure to have such loving wife! Your marriage is on a constant up-and-down, but you both still manage to make each other happy. Plus you have the most beautiful lady in your arms, it seems you are in heaven whenever you are with her, and you could not ask for anything more! Unfortunately, life turns in an unexpected event, you learned that she has a terminal cancer and she only have less than a year to live. Could you still say that you are satisfied and joyful?

Reality

My friend, most of the times, reality strikes in the most unexpected way. And the truth is that everything will soon pass away. Money could be lost in a one-day stay at the casino. Your house could be burned down instantly with a leak in the gas pipe. A simple act of scandal could ruin a reputation overnight. A one-night-stand causing an illicit affair could destroy a family.

It is interesting that the Bible, even if it was written thousands of years back, is still relevant to the modern age!

In John Chapter 4, there is this Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well. Jesus asked for a drink. Then Jesus turned the conversation from the simple water from the well towards the "Living Water" that can really satisfy the longing of the heart.

Then Jesus asked the woman to bring her husband. Why do you think, of all He would ask, it was her husband? Because the deepest desire of that woman was to satisfy her heart with relationship. In fact, she already had five husbands, and the one she is with her now is not her husband!

Jesus Christ knows the deepest longing of the Samaritan woman's heart, and He knows yours too! Are you trying to fill in your heart with acquiring money, properties, fame, relationship, or any other things? Jesus said to the woman:

“Everyone who drinks of this water [the physical and temporary, things of this world] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him [Jesus Christ Himself as the Living Water] will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” - John 4:13-15

Friend, only Jesus Christ can really satisfy your heart. Everything will soon pass away. Talk to Him today, surrender your life, and desire for Him. Treasure Jesus Christ in your heart, and find joy in Him.

"God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him." - John Piper

© 2015 Erickson Ibana

Image found using Google Image Search: "heart" and "treasure"

3 Remarkable Attitudes Leading unto Complete Obedience

I think you would agree with me that for something that you love the most, you would spend most of your time for it, right?

You would think about it most of the time.
You would not let it slip away from your attention.
You would do things, sometimes weird things, to nurture it.
You would cherish every moment being with it.
You would wrap your arms around it as tight as possible, to ensure that it is safe.

But what if one day, God would ask you to give it up to Him, to surrender it unto His feet, would you obey?

Abraham encountered this same scenario. After 25 years of waiting for a son, finally he and Sarah had a son - Isaac! Abraham was already 100 years old by that time. Imagine how joyful his heart might have been! Imagine how Abraham did everything to nurture him, to make sure that he would grow up into a great man.

But one day, God asked Abraham to surrender up his son, Isaac, and that would mean losing his one and only son! Here is what we could learn from Abraham's reactions.

3 Remarkable Attitudes Leading unto Complete Obedience

1. Total Surrender: Does not withhold what he loves most
When asked by God to give up his long-awaited son, Abraham obeyed. Abraham surrendered unto God's will for his life by not holding too tightly on to who he loves the most - his son. He did not question God for His reasons. Abraham just obeyed.

"Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.' 
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac." - Genesis 22:2-3

What are you holding on so dearly, that has already taken up the place of God in your heart? Have you been in a situation already that it seems your life is already revolving around it?

A special someone?
Career?
Family?
Dreams and Aspirations?
Hunger for Success?
Devotions to friends?
Craving for acceptance from others?
Desire to be loved by someone?

Please don't get me wrong, most on the list are not bad at all. But, if it has already been your "god", then you will be utterly ruined if it has been taken away from you - either by natural death or taken by someone else!

Do you know why did God want you to make Him the center of your life? It is because He will not die at all, or He cannot be taken away from you by someone else, EXCEPT for SIN. It is the ONLY thing that could separate you from God. But if you have surrendered everything unto Him, including those SINFUL things that you do, and accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life, He will come into your life and be with you!

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

2. Confident Trust: Trusts that God will provide
Abraham did have a confidence in God trusting that when He asked for something, He will provide for it!

"Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?' 'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied. 'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?' Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' - Genesis 22:6-8

Has worry eaten you up already? Have you been dragged down already by life's hardships and trials?

Abraham confidently trusted God for provisions, showing his desire to constantly run unto God for all and his every need. And you can confidently trust Jesus Christ too!

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

3. Expectant Hope: Believes that God keeps His promises
When Abraham was about to strike his son, Isaac, as the offering sacrifice, God stopped him.

"The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, 'I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.'” - Genesis 22:15-18

Abraham believed that, NO MATTER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, God will keep His promise when He said that his descendants will be as many as the stars, even if it means that his son, Isaac, will be offered up.

And he was not forsaken after all! Abraham DID BECOME the FATHER OF ALL NATIONS through ISAAC!

Renew your hope on Jesus Christ and His promises, His love never fails!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'' - Lamentations 3:22-24

© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image found using Google Image Search: "cartoon Jesus girl with a teddy bear"

Brightness Amidst the Darkness

Who didn't love the evening sky, the round shining Moon, and those bright little stars? But while you were gazing at those glitters across the sky, have you noticed one or two "unnaturally-bright stars"? You might have wondered what these super bright objects are, and these might be quasars!

Have you heard of the term "quasar"? It was first discovered in the early 1960's, and due to lack of modern technology at that time, a Chinese-born U. S. astrophysicist Hong-Yee Chiu just coined the name "quasar", and he described it as:

"So far, the clumsily long name 'quasi-stellar radio sources' is used to describe these objects. Because the nature of these objects is entirely unknown, it is hard to prepare a short, appropriate nomenclature for them so that their essential properties are obvious from their name. For convenience, the abbreviated form 'quasar' will be used throughout this paper."

Wikipedia described these as:

"Quasars (/ˈkweɪzɑr/) or quasi-stellar radio sources are the most energetic and distant members of a class of objects called active galactic nuclei (AGN). Quasars are extremely luminous... Their luminosity can be 100 times greater than that of the Milky Way."

However, there had been a controversial scientific discovery in the early 1980's. Didn't you know that this super radiant object is actually not bright all by itself? And what was so shocking is that what had been causing its brightness was, in fact, a super dark material (actually the darkest existing matter) - a blackhole!

It might be so hard to accept that at first, but didn't you know that in life, the darkest of moments could bring out the most radiant character in you? That is, once your life had been surrendered to Jesus Christ. All by ourselves, we only tend to make selfish, stubborn, and destructive decisions. We were inclined to make sinful decisions due to our sinful nature. As Romans 3:11-12 says:

"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside;  together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

But by God's great mercy and grace, Jesus Christ made a way for our reconciliation with God when He died on the cross, was buried, and was risen again after three days! And everyone who believes on Jesus, surrenders his life, and turns away from his sinful ways, is reconciled with God! God's light will shine upon him in such a way that others will be seeing the positive changes in his life. As 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 says:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

My friend, you might have been experiencing the darkest nights in your life: heartbreaking relationships, frustrating failures, discouraging disappointments, shattered dreams, or ruined plans. But please know that even during these times, God's light never dims out. His grace is still sufficient no matter how hurting and painful your situation might be. He knows you more than you know yourself, and He longs for you to seek Him with all of your heart.

Friend, remember, the stars shine the brightest in the darkest night! Look unto Jesus, the ultimate source of this light.

© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/482/20140219/look-up-night-sky-enjoy-stars-photos.htm

Not Famous Yet Important

Let's have a simple Guessing Game!
What do you think all of these items have in common?

• A rivet on the hull of the RMS Titanic
• The steel tyre on a wheel of a train in Eschede, Germany
• A valve in a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India

Your guess: all are industrial components? (Well, let's take it deeper, a more insightful one.)
Perhaps, all are machine parts that were broken? (Hmm.. You're now close to the right answer!)

By the way, for your information, the items above happened to be one of the Deadliest Disasters in the world:

• the sinking of the famous Titanic where more than two-thirds of the 2,224 passengers and crew died; 
• the derailment of a Deutsche Bahn train in Germany where 101 people died;
• the gas leak in an industrial plant in India where an approximately 8,000 died within just two weeks and an additional of 8,000 or more also died from diseases caused by these poisonous gases.

Still don't know what's common among all of them?

The rivet, the steel wheel tyre, and the valve are all "just plain and common" materials, yet so important that a negligence, either consciously or unconsciously, on the part of a Maintenance Officer would mean a catastrophic disaster! Furthermore, these insignificant materials only caught so much attention from the public right after when their respective incidents had already occurred.

Recently, the Philippines has witnessed losing a "not-so-famous" hero. The former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo died in a plane that crashed off the coast of Masbate on the afternoon of August 18, 2012.

As Wikipedia narrates:

In 1988, Robredo was elected mayor of Naga City at age 29, the youngest mayor in Philippine history. His three terms as mayor ended on June 30, 1998. He was again elected as City Mayor in 2001 and finished his second three terms on June 30, 2010. He served for a total of nineteen (19) years as Naga City Mayor before being appointed on July 9, 2010 as Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Goverment (DILG). Robredo was able to transform Naga City from being dull and lethargic to being one of the "Most Improved Cities in Asia," as cited by Asiaweek Magazine in 1999.

During his time in city hall, Robredo was credited for "dramatically improved stakeholdership and people participation in governance, in the process restoring Naga to its preeminent position as premier city of the Bicol Region." In 1995, in recognition of his skills and competence as a leader and development manager, Robredo was elected President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, the national association of city mayors. Robredo also chairs the Metro Naga Development Council." He served as chairman of the Regional Development Council, the regional planning and coordinative body of Bicol's six provinces and seven cities, from 1992 to 1998.

Honestly, before the incident, the name "Jesse Robredo" does not ring a bell for me. Ironically, only after his tragic death that his great and humble works were recognized. Imagine, the youngest mayor at the age of 29! Also, I was quite amazed to know that a simple guy could get so much approval from his neighborhood that he was elected as mayor and served for a total of six terms!

Wikipedia also narrates:

In recognition of his achievements as Naga City mayor, Robredo was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000, the first Filipino mayor so honored.

Indeed, the whole nation is grieving because we lost a very important person.
Kudos to you Secretary Jesse Robredo for a job well done, an exemplary servant leader!

Actually, the Bible also has an example of an important person yet not famous at all!

Okay, have you heard of the name "King David"? (Well.. Of course, he is a very famous character, the one who defeated the giant Goliath with a pebble and a sling shot!)

Hmm.. How about the name "Ittai, the Gittite"? (Duh.. Who is that?)

Let me give you a brief background of what's happening at that time.

David was the king of Israel by that time. However, his son - Absalom, deceitfully plotted a scheme to steal the hearts of the men of Israel. He was successful that he managed to commit a somewhat coup d'état. David was technically being overthrown and needed to escape as soon as possible.

2 Samuel 15:13-23 narrates the story:

Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.” Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.”

But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.”

So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

Ittai has all the reasons not to come with David at all! Being with David would mean danger to him and his family, and they would also be branded as rebels against the dominant authority. That would mean they have to always run for their own lives just to escape the eyes of Absalom!

These are some of the reasons Ittai should have used:

• He is a foreigner of the land - it means he is "safe" from Absalom's attention;
• He just arrived a day before the coup - it means he really is not involved at any party;
• He has a family - it means they would be "safer" if they would stay.

Ironically, Ittai did not use any of these, but decided to go with David instead!

What do you think is his reason for this?

Verse 21 says:

But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.”

Ittai might have heard and seen long before that the Lord has been guiding David. In fact, the Bible has called David "the man after God's own heart." What great faith he has!

Sometimes, it seems life indeed is unfair. Why do "good" people die early? Or Why do these tragic events happen on good people? But one thing is for sure, God knows what's best! He is sovereign, yet loving.

As Isaiah 55:8-9 says:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Moving on with our story, you would further read that a "common" Ittai would be one of the three Mighty Captains of David leading one-third of the army! 2 Samuel 18:1-2 says:

And David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite.

You might be in a situation where you feel so insignificant like the rivet, like the steel tyre, like the valve, or perhaps like Secretary Robredo when he was still alive and serving, or just like Ittai the Gittite...

Colossians 3:23 encourages us:

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

© 2012 Erickson Ibana

I'm Waiting

I’m Waiting
by John Waller

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

Sometimes, waiting isn’t fun at all…

I remember seeing the movie “Fireproof”. Caleb and his wife had a terrible fight that would be leading to an inevitable divorce. At first, due to his anger, Caleb would agree at once at his wife’s dare. But, as time went by, through the good counsel of his friend, his mother, and ultimately, by his father, Caleb started to realize the importance of his family – his wife.

It all started when he found the greatest love of all – the love of God through Jesus. It was only after he had let Christ be the center of his life that he started seeing life in a different way, in a better perspective. He realized he has hurt his wife so badly that her heart has gone so cold towards him. He tried every way possible just to win her back, but it seemed these attempts just made her farther away.

Then, the waiting began. However hard it was, Caleb waited, while doing everything to win her heart back. There were times that he would do the dishes, he would clean the whole house even after his job as a firefighter, he would make a meal for her, and even he would leave a bouquet of roses at home with a note! (The funny thing here is: before, he couldn't buy even just a stem with a petite flower, thinking it was just a waste of money!)

The ultimate sacrifice that he had made was when he sent his savings to pay the hospital bills when his mother-in-law became sick and also for the wheelchair needed. He paid those bills secretly. The interesting thing here is that those savings were supposed to be for his "Ultimate Dream of his life" yacht! And his wife knows that this dream was very important to Caleb.

While waiting, just like the song:
•    Caleb was hopeful, though it was painful,
•    Caleb was peaceful, though it was not easy,
•    Caleb was patient and faithful,
•    and most importantly, Caleb served and worshiped the Lord, even while waiting!

Just as Isaiah 40:31 says:

But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

The once impossible became possible, and the once inevitable became evitable. Caleb’s wife began to see the changes in his life. She started to see Christ’s light shining in and through him that it also led her to believe the hope Caleb is holding on to. She did not carry out the divorce, and she opened her heart once again for Caleb.

Indeed, waiting could be so hard. But why not serve and worship God while waiting?
Why not put your hope on Jesus – who sees your needs, knows how you feel, and loves you so much?

He has a promise:
•    your strength will be renewed,
•    you will soar on wings like eagles,
•    you will run and not grow weary,
•    you will walk and not be faint.

But before the promise, there is a premise:
•    put your hope in the Lord!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

A Time of Love

 The man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”
“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.

“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.
“If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed.
Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?”

 The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.


The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.

After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00, and he really didn’t ask for money very often.

The man went to the Door of the little boy’s room and opened the door. “Are you asleep son?” he asked.

“No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.
“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that $10.00 you asked for.”


The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, since the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father grumbled.

“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied.

“Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?”

~Author Unknown

Source: http://www.touchinglovestories.com/lovestory247.htm

Pause for a while.

• How much time have you spent pleasing your boss – working so hard for the company?
• How much time have you spent talking with your son, asking him if he already has someone from school that he likes or has crush on with?

• How much time have you spent with your workmates during your recreational/team building activities?
• How much time have you spent appreciating the work-of-art drawing of your daughter, building your bond with her as you compliment her?

Then, how come when your children grew up to be a misguided and rebellious adult, you ask bitterly, “Where did I go wrong? Isn’t it that I worked so hard for them? Isn’t it that those Overtimes at work are for them – to have a better future?”

Really?

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Choose what’s more important for you, and spend more time on it… more time of love!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Steve Jobs Died

Oct 5 (Reuters) - Apple Inc (AAPL.O) co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on Wednesday at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.

Jobs' death was announced by Apple in a statement late on Wednesday. The Apple.com homepage featured a black-and-white picture of him with the words "Steve Jobs, 1955-2011."

 But, who really was Steve Jobs besides being the former CEO of Apple Inc.?


Steve Jobs, as Forbes.com describes at a glance:

With $7 Billion Net Worth as of September 2011

Forbes Lists
#39 Forbes 400 (The Forbes 400 Richest People in America)
#110 Forbes Billionaires (The World's Billionaires)
    #34 in United States
#17 Powerful People (The World's Most Powerful People)

 And Steve Jobs' profile as described by Forbes last September 2011?

August should have been a triumphant month for Apple co-founder Steve Jobs; his once written-off tech company briefly topped Exxon Mobil as the most valuable U.S. corporation. But later that month he resigned as CEO to battle what most believe is his final bout with cancer. The Reed College dropout founded Apple in his garage. Jobs created the Macintosh in 1976 and was fired 9 years later after a power struggle with Chief Exec John Sculley. He returned to Apple in 1996. Still most of his wealth still comes from Disney, due to Disney's purchase of Pixar in 2006; as the largest individual shareholder, he owns about $4.47 billion of Disney stock.

Based on his profile, indeed Steve Jobs was a very wealthy person! With $7 B net worth, I think he won't have to work anymore just to enjoy life!

It is true, money is a very important commodity. In fact, almost every "thing" that we need has to be bought with money! The food that we need to eat, the clothes that we need to wear, the maintenance for the house that we live in, the bills that we accumulate as we use the electricity and as we consume water daily, the tuition fees for our children... You name it! You can add more things on the list.

In order to cope up with those above things, we really need to work hard and work smart! But, sometimes, it's really sad to hear news about people doing "everything" just to acquire money, even if it means to kill someone, or to steal from someone else.

Is really money "all" that we need? As 1 Timothy 6:10 says:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Hmm.. one thing that I've noticed: it did not say "money is the root of all evil", but rather the "love of money"... and the last part says: "and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Incidentally, more and more cases of wealthy people committing suicide and doing nasty things are getting into the headlines!

Money, compared to a kitchen knife, if used properly could grant enormous benefits. The beef steak and chicken curry that you enjoy, all reap the benefits of a knife. Imagine eating a whole chunk of beef, or a whole chicken in just one meal!

But just like the kitchen knife, money if used improperly, could bring disastrous things to you and to your loved ones.

How about you? Have you been so obsessed with acquiring more and more money that you trample upon your own integrity?

1 Timothy 6:6-8 advises us:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Steve Jobs' death reminds me that life really is short. When we die, everything that we acquire here on earth cannot be brought with us, and that is a reality of life. 

Let's evaluate ourselves, my friends...

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

A Wedding Saving Passbook

Monica married Nick this day. At the end of the wedding party, Monica's mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook with Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother: 'Monica, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your marriage life. When there's something happy and memorable happened in your new life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line. The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with Nick.
When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you've had.'

Monica shared this with Nick when getting home. They both thought it was a great idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit can be made. This was what they did after certain time:
* 7 Feb: Rs.100, first birthday celebration for Nick after marriage* 1 Mar: Rs.300, salary raise for Monica* 20 Mar: Rs.200, vacation trip to Bali* 15 Apr: Rs.2000, Monica got pregnant* 1 Jun: Rs.1000, Nick got promoted* ..... And so on...

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing for trivial things. They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the nastiest people in the world.... No more love... Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Monica talked to her Mother: 'Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We agree to divorce. I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!"

Mother: 'Sure, girl, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing first.

Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage.'

Monica thought it was true. So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account. While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record. She looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up her mind. Her eyes were then filled with tears. She left and went home.

When she was home, she handed the passbook to Nick, asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, Nick gave the passbook back to Monica. She found a new deposit of Rs.5000. And a line next to the record: 'This is the day I notice how much I've loved you thru out all these years. How much happiness you've brought me.'

They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe. Do you know how much money they had saved when they retired? I did not ask. I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone thru all the good years in their life.

"When you fall in any way, don't see the place where you fell instead see the place from where you slipped. Life is about correcting mistakes."

-Author Unknown

Oftentimes, we just see the imperfections of this life. In fact, life has so many things to be thankful to God for! :)

Pause for a while, I believe you'll remember a lot of things to be grateful for!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Like A Child

An airplane on its return flight suddenly encountered a turbulence. Oxygen bags started to be dispensed, so all the passengers started to panic.. Except for one little boy who was playing with his PSP.

They asked him why he was so calm and why he was not afraid to die.He answered.. "My dad is the pilot."

-Author Unknown

I can't explain it, but I think I am learning to be like that child.

Before, I really cannot understand how it is to be like a child when facing life's hardships and trials. I once thought, "Hmm.. so, I need to act like a child..", and the result was: I did a lot of childish acts.

How did I say that I was childish? Let me explain further:

• When I didn't get what I need, I would go tantrums (well.. because I am an introvert person, it doesn't show much). I would complain to myself why others could easily get those things that I want, while I couldn't even acquire those things.
•  When I had experienced pleasant things, I would get easily disappointed and frustrated if these pleasures suddenly stop and another hardship was right in front of me (what I mean were healthy and clean-living pleasures).
• When I was in the middle of turbulence, there were times when I could not see the "good things" or those "unnoticeable blessings" while at the storm: like having your loved ones right beside you all the time supporting you.

But now, I believe I am learning to be like a child: trusting everything up to God completely, that whatever happens, He knows what's best for me... and because He is my Dad who knows me better than I know myself.

I did not say that I am now completely free of hardships and trials, but what I am reminding to myself now, is that everything happens for a purpose. And God knows what's best for me because His thoughts are way higher than my thoughts in the first place.

As Isaiah 55:8-9 says:

“ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

“ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." 

Indeed, God knows me better than I know myself! :)
To God be all the glory!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Remembering The 9-11 Incident

What was your memory of the 9-11 (September 11) incident?

Imagine this:

You were in front of the office's coffee-brewing machine waiting for your first round of hot energizing coffee. You were hearing subtle noises of people chattering with each other, soft sounds of people typing on their keyboards, and the pleasant humming of the airconditioner units. You were startled by a high-pitch sound of the machine - time to get your coffee now.

As you walk along the isle, you were greeted by your fellow workmates, some handshakes and some hello's. You were about to sit down when you saw your workplace crush, then exchanging sweet smiles with each others.

While organizing your tasks, you were tapped at the back by your boss, followed by a "You did a good job yesterday!" remark.

Oh, how peaceful and beautiful life is!

But, what if, after those pleasant things above, you heard a loud booming sound, window glasses shattered into pieces, there were flames everywhere, and all of the lights went out?

This was what had happened to Brian Clark, worked at the Euro Brokers, on the 84th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center.

The Associated Press narrates:

Brian Clark was working at Euro Brokers, on the 84th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center. He arrived at about 7:15 a.m., had his cup of coffee, went about the morning's chores. 

A "loud double boom" is the first thing he remembers. Then flickering of the lights in his office. Something caught his peripheral vision. He spun around. His view usually looked out over the Hudson River. The river and the sky.

"It was filled with flame," he says. "Two yards from my nose is the window, and it's right against the glass, almost swirling. I can't recall whether there was a flash of heat. But the bright glass — you were in the fire. The flames washed right up."

Suddenly, those pleasant and peaceful scenes were all replaced by scenes of chaos.

But amidst the chaos, as a volunteered fire marshal, he calmly guided his workmates, with a flashlight and a whistle, to the stairs down to evacuate the building. (The complete story can be found at the Yahoo News.)

Eventually, he and Stanley Praimnath (a friend he just met while escaping) managed to get out of the building safely.

Indeed, it was by God's grace that Clark managed to get out from the 84th floor before the whole building completely collapsed.

The 9-11 incident was really a shocking incident. Even here at the Philippines, we were so saddened by the news of more than 2,000 people dead because of the incident.

But, one thing I admire about Clark's attitude was that he did not just think of himself during the incident. He managed to help his fellow workmates, even by using just a flashlight and a whistle.

How about you, are you in a chaos right now?

May your first response be a quick lending of your hand to help a fellow in need.

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.  ~Sydney Smith

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

The Stone Cutter

There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.

One day he passed a wealthy merchant’s house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. “How powerful that merchant must be!” thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he could be like the merchant.

To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. “How powerful that official is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a high official!”

Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. “How powerful the sun is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the sun!”

Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. “How powerful that storm cloud is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a cloud!”

Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. “How powerful it is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the wind!”

Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it – a huge, towering rock. “How powerful that rock is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a rock!”

Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. “What could be more powerful than I, the rock?” he thought.He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.

“And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – that is indeed a gift from God.”   “People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.” ~Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT

~Author Unknown — from amelia.s.ladaga@ph.pwcglobal.comSource: http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/stories/stone_cutter.html

Have you ever desired to be like someone else? Well, I mean, have you ever wished that you were someone else; envied someone else’s status in life, wealth, lifestyle, and possessions to the point of craving to be like that person, to have what that person has, and even to acquire better things?
The cravings of the heart are really hard to please.

You may have an Iphone4 now, but after Apple has launched the Iphone5, you tend to desire to have one, even though your current phone is still in perfect condition. And then comes Iphone6...

You may have an Intel i5 computer, but then you desire to have an Intel i7, though you would be using the computer just to browse the internet... (it's like buying a tank of water, but you need just a cup of it..)

Quoting Blaise Pascal regarding the heart of man:

“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus”

As Matthew 16:26 says:

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Are you like the Stone Cutter?

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

Do You Love Coffee?

A friend of mine shared this inspirational story:

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:

"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups...

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

~ Author Unknown

As Matthew 6:25-34 says:

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 

 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

An Old Tree

Here is one inspirational story encouraging you that whatever you are doing now for the Lord will bring forth fruit!

Once upon a time there was a leafy tree in a field. Leaves grew densely on the tall branches. The roots were deeply into the ground. The tree was the most remarkable among the rest.

The tree then became the home for some birds. They built their nests and they lived on his branches. The birds made holes on him, and they hatched their eggs within the greatness of the tree. The tree felt so delighted because he was accompanied as he walked through his long lasting days.

People were grateful for the presence of the tree. They often came over and sheltered under him. Under his branches, they sat down and opened their picnic baskets. “This tree is very useful,” that’s what the people said every time they went home from shelter. The tree was very proud hearing those compliments.



However, time went on. The tree was beginning to be sick. His leaves and twigs were falling, then his body became thin and pale. The greatness he used to have was fading away. Birds felt reluctant to build their nests there. No one would come to sit under the tree to shelter anymore.

The tree wept, “Oh God, why is it so hard for me? I need friends. Now no one would come close to me. Why do you take all the glory I used to have?” The tree cried loudly, so it echoed throughout the forest. “Why wouldn’t you cut me down, so I don’t have to bear this suffering?” The tree kept on crying, and his tears were running down his dry body.

Seasons came and went, but his condition had not changed. The tree was still feeling lonely. His branches became drier and drier. Every night the tree wept and cried, until the morning broke.

“Cheep…chirp….cheep” Ah, what was that noise? Oh, it’s a little baby bird who has just pipped from the egg. The old tree woke up from his daydream.

“Cheep…chirp…cheep”, the noise became louder and louder. There was another baby bird. Not long after that, the tree became noisy because of the birth of new baby birds. One…two…three…and four baby birds have been born to this world. “Ah, He has answered my prayers,” exclaimed the old tree.

The day after, there were many birds flying to the old tree. They were going to build new nests. The dry branches have turned out to attract their attention to nest there. The birds felt warmer to stay inside the dry branches instead of their place before. The number of birds was increasing and there were more kinds of them. “Wow, now my days are brighter with their presence here”, murmured the old tree gladly.

The old tree was back to cheer again. And when he looked down, his heart was flowing with joy. There was a new little tree growing near his roots. The new tree seemed to smile at him. The tears of the old tree has grown a little tree who would continue his devotion to nature.

~Author Unknown

As 1 Corinthians 15:58 says:

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Take heart my friend!

© 2010 Erickson Ibana

Dare to Defy the Crowd

“In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.” ~ Galileo Galilei

How in the world could a mere consuming of oranges and other citrus fruits cure scurvy – an epidemic case for sea voyagers killing a large number of passengers and crews?

Perhaps this was the question the world threw at James Lind, a Scottish surgeon in the British Royal Navy. 

As Wikipedia describes:

It was a Scottish surgeon in the British Royal Navy, James Lind who first proved it could be treated with citrus fruit in experiments he described in his 1753 book, A Treatise of the Scurvy, though his advice was not implemented by the Royal Navy for several decades.

It was not until 1932 that the connection between vitamin C and scurvy was established by American researcher Charles Glen King of the University of Pittsburgh.

Imagine this, from 1753 to 1932, that is 179 years! One hundred and seventy nine years – such a long time and a large number of passengers and crews from sea voyagers still dying from a disease  where its cure is just around the corner. If only the world had listened to James Lind!

It was the same case for Galileo Galilei. Wikipedia narrates:

In 1610 Galileo published an account of his telescopic observations of the moons of Jupiter, using this observation to argue in favour of the sun-centered, Copernican theory of the universe against the dominant earth-centered Ptolemaic and Aristotelian theories. The next year Galileo visited Rome in order to demonstrate his telescope to the influential philosophers and mathematicians of the Jesuit Collegio Romano, and to let them see with their own eyes the reality of the four moons of Jupiter.

In 1612, opposition arose to the Sun-centered theory of the universe which Galileo supported.

In 1614, from the pulpit of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Father Tommaso Caccini (1574–1648) denounced Galileo’s opinions on the motion of the Earth, judging them dangerous and close to heresy. Galileo went to Rome to defend himself against these accusations, but, in

1616, Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino personally handed Galileo an admonition enjoining him neither to advocate nor teach Copernican astronomy.

In October of that year, however, he was ordered to appear before the Holy Office in Rome.
Following a papal trial in which he was found vehemently suspect of heresy, Galileo was placed under house arrest and his movements restricted by the Pope.

I wonder, what if Galileo Galilei didn’t stand for the truth and created the change, then the world might still be in the belief that the earth is the center of the universe!

Even Jesus Himself suffered from such case! The Pharisees (the High Leaders of the Church) questioned Jesus’ authority. Luke 20:1-8 says:

One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”
He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

And in verses 45-47, Jesus said:

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Jesus added in Matthew 23 the seven woes to the teachers of the law and the Pharisees:

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.  “Everything they do is done for men to see…

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!

Ouch! It seems the heaviest teachings Jesus made were for the Leaders of the Church!

Do you feel like you’re all alone standing for the truth as you create a great change? Well, if you are in the center of God’s will, then you are not all alone anyway!

As we share God’s love to everyone, He promised never to leave us!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:19-20)

Would you dare to defy the crowd to stand for the truth?

© 2010 Erickson Ibana

God Will See

Are you familiar with this painting? How about these?

Yes, I think you got it right! These are paintings on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel in Vatican City painted by Michelangelo, one of the greatest painters in his time.

Have you ever wondered how did Michelangelo finish his masterpiece? Was it really that he accomplished these paintings by himself alone?

Quoting Michaelangelo himself:

“After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-size figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become.”

As HowStuffWorks describes:

Working on scaffolding was physically demanding, and Michelangelo created image after image on an ever increasing scale. He eventually exerted all the power of his mind and spirit, using themes and motifs from past sculptural works in his glorious fresco masterpiece. The four-year ordeal proved physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist…

Perhaps what have struck me the most was his response when someone asked him why so serious painting those images even on parts of the ceiling where no one could notice. And I also asked myself, “Yeah, why bother to exert your effort to paint something that eventually only a few could notice?”

Michelangelo’s reply to that inquiry was:

“God will see.”

It was just a three-short-word sentence, and yet it contains a profound truth. This calls for a great commitment – Michelangelo gave all of him in order to accomplish a task he voluntarily accepted.

Are you currently in a certain task and it seems it demands your commitment? Moreover, are you performing your task with all of your heart, energy, and passion, and yet it seems it ends up that you’ve got unnoticed and unrecognized?

As Ephesians 6:5-8 says:

Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.

I hope every time we are tempted to lose heart and get discouraged, we could pause for a while and say:

“God will see.”

© 2010 Erickson Ibana

When Man Prays

It was on the 5th of January, 2010 at around 11:00 in the evening when I received a text message from my youngest brother that I need to call back. Something has happened and I had this weird feeling that it was an awful one.

"Dad was stabbed and he is now at the hospital!", mom uttered with a trembling voice.

I was at work at that time. I sat still in front of my laptop for about a quarter of an hour figuring out what to do and how is dad doing right now. Until a beep from my phone was heard. It was a text message from my younger brother suggesting that I could wait until my work schedule ends and not need to go there at once for they have already arrived at the hospital and no further advice is being heard from the doctors yet.

Calmness and serenity suddenly took over me that when I arrived at the hospital at around 3:30 in the morning, I've had a "satisfying" taho (made from soy beans) breakfast with my mom, my younger brother, and my cousin, while sitting at the sidewalk in front of the hospital (the hospital doesn't have any waiting area, well.. the whole parking lot is the waiting area).

Three weeks have already passed. As I recall everything that had happened, I can't cease to praise God's Name! Let me recount those details for you, bridging the gap between 5th of January and 26th of January, 2010.

From the day of the incident until today, I could say that everything that had occurred are all miracles.

•It was only after twenty minutes from the time dad was stabbed, that he was escorted down from the second floor to the streets to find a cab to take him to the nearest hospital. The reason was that the stabber was just right in front of the building, as one witness informed dad, perhaps expecting that he would come out soon for that was the only way in and out of the building. It was only when the Barangay Tanod had arrived that dad was safely taken out of the edifice.

•No cab was present at that time, but fortunately, one of the bystanders has a tricycle. This was used to take dad to the hospital. Despite of the speed (not quite fast enough compared with a cab) that took quite long before they've arrived, dad said that he didn't feel nervous or agitated at those times. Even after seeing his left elbow pouring out a lot of blood because of a cut, he hadn't felt any uneasiness. It was only when his body was rested onto a bed on the operating room that he said he felt he would faint.

•AB+ was his blood (a rare one), but at that time there was this last bag of AB+ available for him, and even the doctors were amazed because every medicine that's needed were all there (for some of those medicines were fast to deplete in terms of supplies).

•It was two stab wounds - six cuts on the intestines, but it was just five days later that he had taken his first successful bowel movement (as my medical friends would say, once bowel movement was successful, it means the intestines are working fine)

•It was six days after the incident that he was permitted by the doctor to go home.

•Currently, he now takes his daily walk with my mom for his exercise.

"Weave in faith and God will find the thread." ~Author Unknown

I have proven God's amazing and awesome ways once again.
Indeed, He works in majestic ways, that in the end all I could do is to stand in awe of Him!

Those things wouldn't have been possible without the support and prayers of my relatives, friends, church family, and workmates. Indeed,

When man works, man works;
When man prays, God works.

© 2010 Erickson Ibana