tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084376453209541842024-02-19T10:24:46.815-06:00Sweetened WatersDivinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-88203810164334321732017-11-10T19:13:00.002-06:002017-11-10T19:13:16.667-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-41441416560378547282012-07-10T09:17:00.001-05:002016-10-23T22:18:28.820-05:00"Asin" (Salt)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i>As submitted to EV Mail News for publication.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."</span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> -Mark 9:49-50</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the many things I miss the most in the Philippines and one that is very hard to find here in Midwest America (that's where we live right now) is salt water. No not the kind we use for cooking or brining because that would be easy to make. I'm talking about a whole large body of salt water. <i>The seas! The oceans!</i> The salt-water beaches of Leyte and Samar! Those I miss so much right now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have beautiful lakes and fresh water rivers here in Illinois but they are kind of bland, so to speak. Our beaches in the city of Chicago are fresh-water though how fresh is kind of questionable sometimes. Ha! But they're way so much better than our <i>Ilog Pasig</i> in Manila for sure.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Salt water supposedly has some healing powers. I remember from my childhood when my elders especially my grandmothers used to tell me that the beach is the place to go when someone is being plagued with some kind of disease or illness that baffle even the medical doctors or from any type of rash or skin malady or body aches and pains and arthritis, the salt water of our beaches is the key ingredient for the treatment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Their prescription for cure: just soak once or twice a day for a month or two and you will feel like a brand new person after that. I've no idea if this is true because I don't remember getting healed from any kind of disease. All I remember is having fun at the beach with family and friends, riding the waves no matter that I already looked like a roasted pig due to too much sun and with the taste of salt water on my lips that lasted for days. Those were fun days indeed!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the news of the healing powers of salt water seem to continue to spread around the world. The Dead Sea (which is actually a salt lake) bordering Jordan and Israel in the Middle East is well known for its supposed healing powers. The Sea has continually attracted millions of visitors from around the world for hundreds of years. It is known to be a place of refuge even for King David of the Old Testament Bible. Various diseases afflicting mankind are said to get healed when people soak in its salty waters. But I guess visitors are more likely to float than soak in those salty waters due to its very high salinity and density levels.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another thing for which salt is of importance is cooking. Food definitely tastes so much better with salt. Even in baking pastries a pinch of salt is needed in order to enhance the flavor of the cakes. No one likes to eat bland food and I'm pretty sure Filipinos are on top of that list.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We love the tasty, flavorful, very rich and sometimes very salty food. Salt has always been a part of the Filipino diet and sometimes it's even way too much part of it that we find out too late about the adverse consequences to our health. But I'm not even gonna talk about the side effects for now. All I can say is that everything and anything extreme is always bad and that includes salt. A pinch goes a long, long way and a dash can make any meal palatable just don't go overboard.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The reason I wanted to write about salt today because aside from the truth that I suddenly have a craving to swim in salt water and how it reminds me that I miss "home" but also as a Christian I have been compared to salt by my Savior. This got me to thinking about the properties of salt, the healing powers of salt water, the need humans have for salt in our food, <i>etc.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's such a lowly mineral and what a seemingly insignificant matter from earth. It's just a microscopic speck but what an impact it has on our lives! That's salt to you. And that's what Christians are supposed to be here on earth according to God. We ought to have some sort of an impact in the world, in our communities and in other people's lives. We are the salt of the earth. We are commanded by God to be "salty" and to have some "flavor" towards others. Our lives, our stories, and our testimonies in Jesus must take some form of "saltiness" so that we can glorify our Father in heaven.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."</i> -Matthew 5:13-14</span></span></div>
Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-89265197589722561382012-06-25T08:53:00.003-05:002016-10-23T22:30:54.579-05:0010 "Filipino Ways" I'm Not Too Proud Of...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I do realize that I might be putting a brick to my head the moment I decided to write about this 10 things today. I know I don't have any right to judge nor to point any fingers at anyone because I can be judged right back. And that pointy finger I use? It's much dirtier than anybody else's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And yet it is my hope that this article will not be considered as judgmental nor should it be taken as something written in stone. We're just having some fun here. There might be some tinge of truth to some of the things on the list so it's my intention to use these truths to help ourselves change and become "better people."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've realized a long time ago that nobody is perfect but at the same time I've also understood the need of accountability and the essence of checks and balances among us. If only we will commit to do what is right, to maintain integrity at all times and make ourselves accountable to the highest of standards, this world will be a much better place. Sadly, not all people think this way. We have a long way to go. I have a long way to go. God's standards in my life are a given but it doesn't mean I'm perfect. It only shows how much I need Him every day because I'm too messed up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So with this 10 things article today, I hope that we will all have a good time with it and maybe, just maybe, we will think about some of what's on the list that truly hits home, then hopefully and prayerfully, we can make a decision to change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So here we go: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1.) <b>"Crab Mentality."</b> I've never exactly understood what this phrase mean. I remember learning it in school. Even the famous books of Jose Rizal (the "Noli" and the "Fili") this negative mentality has been condemned and trashed. One thing I do know, it is something bad. And it's supposedly something Filipinos do a lot to put down others. In my research, "crab mentality" is defined as <i>"a type of thinking in which a person tries to pull others down if he or she can't get ahead."</i> Do I need to say more? Don't you think we need to get rid of this kind of behavior quick? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2.)<b> Procrastination and tardiness.</b> Filipino time, really?! Is there even such a thing? It's just a made up excuse to be late all the time and be disrespectful towards others. There! I got it off my chest. I hate being late and I also don't appreciate other people being late at my expense. We all have the same 24 hours, don't we? As my Pastor in Tacloban said: <i>"Plan to be on time and you will always be late but plan to be early and you will be on time."</i> A basic truth that has been very helpful to me ever since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3.) <b>"Crowding around."</b> I'm not particularly a fan of big crowds especially the rowdy, boisterous, rude kinds. I try to stay away from those at all times. There's nothing that’s too important for me to join or to buy, or to watch, if the whole city is in "it," pushing and shoving. Some Filipinos are sometimes fond of crowding especially if there's some kind of a panic buying mode or a craze that we wanna be a part of. Ever since I've experienced the "respect my space" mentality here in America, the more I get nervous about too much crowding. If you can tell that I have big pores on my face, you're way too close. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4.) <b>Gossiping. </b>I guess this one is not "exclusive" to Filipinos. It's a favorite pastime for all people, period. But for some odd reason, Filipinos have quite mastered the "art." Even here in America, Filipino groups still have the tendency to split up and quarrel due to excessive gossiping. In a way I'm glad I'm the only Filipino on my floor at work because all the Filipinos on the other floors have rifts due to gossiping. <i>"Nakakahiya." "Makaarawod hin duro."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5.) <b>Driving skills.</b> What driving skills? Are you kidding me? I think the Philippine roads are a "blank canvass" of a "no-holds-barred" style of driving. I was too scared to cross the streets in Manila when we went back for a vacation after 5 years of being away, too scared that I refused to get out of the house without a car and a very good driver that came with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">6.)<b> "Non-unity."</b> Ooh, this one is huge! <i>"Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan 'wag magagalit!"</i> Living in a foreign land can be very traumatic. It can be a scary and lonely experience especially when you're alone, with no family or old friends around and when homesickness kicks in with a vengeance. Those are the times we need to feel at home away from home. It's this time when we long for some kababayan bonding. But sadly, even though we are a "minority" in foreign lands but with the staggering numbers of Pinoys abroad we’d think that we would have some semblance of a "force to be reckoned with" as a group but in Chicago alone I don't know any Filipino organizations that have a strong influence in the society. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">7.) <b><i>"Takaw-mata." </i></b>We usually want more in life than we can handle. And we want what we can't have and we want what others have. <i>"I will buy all the i-gadgets even though I can't afford it because that's what everybody has, even though it will cause me to wallow in debt."</i> <i>"Bahala na bukas." </i>This is mostly the kind of mentality I encounter among our kababayan here. And more often than not, we are in denial about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">8.) <b>Exclusivity.</b> This is sort of a personal experience for me anywhere I go here in America where there are Filipinos who don't know me. Pinoys usually flock together and tend to socialize with our own race alone. And there's nothing wrong with that, it only becomes wrong when we shun other people based on the color of their skin or based on the language they speak. Just because I look different from the "average" Filipino, I've often been a victim of "unknowing discrimination" from my own kababayan. How do I know? Because I understand what they're saying about me when they think I’m not one of them. It was fun at first but it gets really annoying as it happens more and more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">9.) <b>Traveling "heavy!"</b> This one is funny. We love to travel with all our possessions (as much as possible). Maybe I'm exaggerating here but our baggage include: our favorite pillows, blankets, favorite (smelly) foods, fruits and vegetables (because they're fresh-<i>er</i>), <i>pasalubong,</i> our favorite <i>tsinelas, </i>socks, all our toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, facial wash, <i>sabon, </i>body lotion, hand lotion, deodorant, moisturizers, astringents, toothbrush, toothpaste, cologne, perfume,<i> ap-ap</i> solution, whitening products, tiger balm, white flower, <i>aciete de manzanilla, </i>our pet dogs, cats, the chickens, and maybe some eggs. Ok, ok<i>…</i> I know this is becoming a ridiculous list but you see the point. And by the time we get through Customs, half of our stuff are confiscated and thrown away! <i>Duh. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">10.) <b>Holding grudges "'til death do us part."</b> We do this all the time. When asked why we're not speaking to somebody we can't even remember the reason for the quarrel. We just want to carry those grudges to keep us burdened and miserable. We love to "hurt" other people by not speaking to them or caring about their life not knowing that we hurt ourselves more by holding grudges. Remember, emotional stress and keeping hard feelings can kill you!</span></div>
Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-25066295823393869892012-06-03T14:18:00.000-05:002012-06-03T14:18:33.030-05:0010 Things I Love About Chicago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of April 16-22, 2012.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-april-16-22-2012" target="_blank">Link: EV Mail News (Digital Version)</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I will be staying in Chicago for a very long time, I might as well count my blessings and appreciate the great things that my new home city has to offer, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here it is… I've listed down 10 things that I love about Chicago. And while I was thinking of what to include in the list, there's no surprise that I’ve ended up with more than 10 things. How can you put the things you love (or like so much) into just one short list? But since I've promised that I will write the “10-thing series” for this column, and since I'm a person of my word, 10 things it’s gonna be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chicago is a great city, and not only because of the “superficial” things tourists see when they come to visit, but also because of the wonderful “unseen” and every day things we get enjoy and experience. I guess my perspective on this subject can be considered as "biased," ever since I've began to call this place as my own. A perspective coming from the heart always changes everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But of course, I wouldn't even pretend and say that this is the greatest city in the world because everything here is fine and dandy, for I'll be lying. As in any other places, there will always be problems. There are unresolved issues and not everybody can be pleased. Chicago is not exempt or immune to that. There are also the negative and the bad things that happen here just like everywhere else. But this article today is not about those bad things. I chose to focus on the things I love, the ones I like so much, which are beautiful, wonderful and great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You might think that I’m contradicting myself on some points on the list, but I beg to disagree. You have to read between the lines. For example with the commute, I know I said I love the 10-15 minutes commute I used to have in the Philippines before but I also love the commute here in Chicago considering that I don’t have to drive long hours or to contend with traffic. I love the best of both worlds, I guess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And oh, these so-called wonderful things are the rules. You know what they say about rules --they are made to be broken, or whatever. For every rule, there’s always an exception. There will always be the wayward number of people who simply can’t or won’t follow the rules. Their number will always be in the minority.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So let’s begin, shall we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(1.) <b>Traffic. <i>What traffic?</i></b> This opinion comes from someone who has seen traffic at its worst. Ok maybe not the worst, but one of the worst in the world. Actually, it’s one of the top ten, to be exact. Yes, that’s how Manila traffic is ranked today. Not a good place to be but it’s the reality. That’s why I say that traffic (what traffic?) in Chicago is actually heaven for people like me. Cars actually stop (literally!) for pedestrians over here. It’s the law. When the sign says stop, drivers do stop, even when the police are not around. Also, drivers normally don’t change lanes just because.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(2.) <b>Commute.</b> I don’t drive here in Chicago, not because I don’t want to, it’s just that I don’t have the need for it. I travel by train and by bus everywhere and anywhere in the city. And I’m only speaking here about Chicago’s public transportation since it’s the one I have experience with. I’m not too sure about the other major cities in America. In Chicago, I can almost go anywhere in the city without the need to drive. Our public transportation system here is comprehensive and connected all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(3.) <b>Snow.</b> Although I’ve already mentioned in my past articles that winter and the freezing weather are not my absolute favorites but still I can’t deny it, I do love the snow, especially the fresh, light coating of the first, new snow of winter. It’s always glorious. No words are enough to describe it or to express how it makes me feel. Simply spectacular.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(4.) <b>Spring and autumn.</b> Oh, these seasons are two of my favorites. Again, there are not enough words to express how these seasons make me feel. Refreshing, eternal hope and a new promise are only some of the words I can think of to describe spring. And autumn, oh where do I begin? All the grandeur and magnificence of God’s creation come together in time for “fall.” The deep, rich colors and the crisp chill in the air that’s just perfect. I can live with spring and autumn anytime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(5.) <b>Inexpensive food.</b> This is one of the things that make this nation great. No matter how a family may not be able to have a car or luxury items, especially at this economic downturn, but at least food is aplenty and inexpensive. Of course, as anywhere else, there will be places where food can be a luxury in itself and will cost you arm and leg, but I’m talking about the every day, regular food. As I’m looking at my bills and receipts right now, food and grocery items are always the least amount in them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(6.) <b>Public parks.</b> If you remember, I wrote an entire article for this column about our parks here in Chicago. (Please see EV Mail News issue for the week of August 15-21, 2011 for my article “Concerts at the Park.”) They’re great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(7.) <b>The "American" way of having disagreements.</b> I admire most Americans on this. They do know how to argue, have debates, disagreements and exchange of words, but I’ve never seen them hold a grudge (openly) forever and ever after. But I won’t pretend to know what’s in their hearts and minds nor will I say convincingly that they actually don’t have any hard feelings after such disagreements. All I’m talking about is what I see among my network of people and what I’ve personally experienced. This perception is coming from a Filipino who has seen open and evident grudges among family and friends in the Philippines being paraded around at no end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(8.) <b>Thinking "green."</b> No, this is not about the money. And no, this is also not about the Filipino way of thinking "green." This is living in an “environmentally friendly” way. Honestly, I’m not too big on recycling or in “saving the earth” movement (I ought to be ashamed of myself, I know) but I like how Chicago is going in that direction. Less pollution, no smelly garbage lying around (most of the time) which means no rats (I hope), clean waters and clean air in the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(9.) <b>The "1-2-3" way of life.</b> If we say “1-2-3” in the Philippines, it has the negative connotation of doing things improperly, ineffectively and poorly. In other words, the “1-2-3” of doing things for Filipinos is the "haw-syaw" way. That's not what I mean here. Let me explain. Americans have a knack of doing things step by step. When we buy furniture or a small appliance, they come with a manual that has the “1-2-3” steps for us to follow from its assembly to the usage. For the most part, everything has a place and there’s a place for everything. American corporations are continually coming up with ways on how to make our lives easier. You have a new packaged food you haven’t tried yet? Check out the instructions, there’ll be a “1-2-3” way to do it. A new patio set? Read the manual, it’s easy as 1-2-3!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(10.) <b>Living the "American dream."</b> The American dream is this --as long as you work hard and dream big, America will give you the opportunity and the way to achieve them. My family is a living proof to this. We came here with almost nothing --no house, no car, no possessions, no friends, and no jobs-- but look at where we are right now. It wasn’t very easy at first but I’m a believer in hard work and God’s rewards. Thank God for His abundant blessings indeed!</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-12344048135949542202012-05-28T19:01:00.000-05:002012-05-28T19:01:38.976-05:0010 Things I Miss the Most from the Philippines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of April 2-8, 2012.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-april-2-8-2012" target="_blank">Link: EV Mail News (Digital Version)</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When some things that are very important to us become suddenly lost or just not around anymore, that's the time when we finally realize how much we miss and love those things (and people). That's exactly what happened to me when I first left my homeland after more than 30 years of living there, when my family and I were suddenly "uprooted" and transferred to Chicago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was some kind of a whirlwind situation for us that I didn't even have the time or the comprehension to grasp what was happening and what it really meant for us. As for me, as long as my family is together, it doesn't matter what journey we had to embark, or where ever God would allow us to be. At this time, we’re in Chicago and that's that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yet, this doesn't mean that I don't miss my life back "home" in Tacloban. Now that we've settled in Chicago well enough, I have more time and the needed peace to think over and ponder what has transpired in the past (almost) 7 years of our lives. Too many words have been left unsaid to friends and family back home; so many things to be done that are neglected now, or have been taken for granted, since I've never really thought that we would be leaving the Philippines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And how about the countless great things from my homeland that we’ve left unappreciated and un-enjoyed? With the power (and maybe the curse) of hindsight and afterthought, I would have loved to explore and enjoy my country more in the past 20 years of my life if only I've known I’d be missing it so much now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As promised, here’s one of the articles for my "10 Things-series" that I've talked about in my previous article. This is a bit of nostalgic and bittersweet; I hope you’ll all bear with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(1.) <b>The warm, summerlike weather all-year round.</b> I know that one of the most exciting things to look forward to in coming to America is to experience winter, snow and cold for the first time. But I'm sorry to say that even though snow can be pretty, fun (for kids) and heart-warming especially during the holidays, winter can get old so quick. Just like how I've taken for granted the beautiful, warm climate in the Philippines all my life and now I want it back! I've come to realize that I can live with warm weather anytime rather than have winter for 5 (or more) months a year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(2.) <b>Summer outfit, sandals and "tsinelas" (flip-flops).</b> Of course, with the summer-like weather comes the short-sleeves, pedal pushers, skirts, summer dresses and sandals. My toes get cramped with thick socks, closed shoes and boots for too long. (Sigh.) I guess that's why we love our summers here in Chicago too much because we know how short and fleeting it can be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(3.) <b>The "greeneries" and flowers everywhere.</b> Winter time can be gloomy and sad sometimes. What with all the "dead" trees, shrubs and no flowers (except in the flower shop). I don't care now if all the forest of plants, shrubs, grasses and coconut trees in the Philippines bring bugs and insects. I'd rather have green around me than gloom. I may be exaggerating quite a bit here but I think you know what I mean. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(4.) <b>The beaches, sand and salt water.</b> <i>Oooh,</i> how I love and miss the beaches back home! We do have a huge lake here in Chicago (Lake Michigan) and a very long river (Chicago River) but there's nothing like salt water and beach sand. I miss the way the specks of our black sand in San Jose, Tacloban twinkle under the sun. Again, I guess we miss what we don't have anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(5.) <b>The short commutes, jeepneys, tricycles and "pedicabs."</b> I go to work everyday by train (with a short walk) and I'm thankful that I don't have to drive and no traffic to contend with. But (here's that but again!) the train ride takes about 40 to 45 minutes one-way and I'm stuck on the train for 1 hour and 30 minutes everyday. That's 7.5 hours a week, almost a day in my computation! Oh well, I guess it's not that bad. I just miss the 10 to 15 minute commute I had to make to work when I was in Tacloban, then I can go home everyday for lunch, too! (Sigh again.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(6.) <b>The food!</b> And that brings us to the food. Do I need to say more? I know how we get tired of our everyday Filipino food sometimes that we might have a craving for a "McDo" burger or a Japanese sushi once in a while but imagine having no Filipino delicacies and specialties the whole year round! (Like the chocolate <i>moron, binagol, "law-law," ginamos, "buraw nga bulad,"</i> or my Mama's famous Carabao "beef" steak.) <i>Oh my, my. my.....</i> I'm drooling just about right now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(7.) <b>The "malling" experience.</b> For some reason, malls in America have a different feel and ambiance to them compared to the ones in the Philippines. Although I really didn't go much "malling" in the Philippines except when we were in Manila every Christmas season to be with my husband's family, and yet I miss the Filipino way of "malling." We do mall in style! Even if it’s just to cool off from the heat outside. (LOL) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(8.) <b><i>Siestas,</i> "istambay" and "pahuway."</b> Do I need to elaborate on this? I feel that I've been deprived of pure relaxation and "real" vacation for almost 7 years now. Oh, that's not counting the one time we went home to the Philippines for an "almost-a-month" of vacation 3 years ago. That was great! I need more of those please. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(9.) <b>One word: Alice.</b> Ever since I can remember right after I got married, we've had Alice in our life in Tacloban. She's not just a nanny to my son nor a helper at our home. She's family. She helped me with household chores and endless domestic errands while I worked full-time. She took care of Meldrick just like any mother would. She cried when we left for Chicago, I bawled. Now, I'm left alone with everything --working full-time, taking care of my husband and son (not that I'm complaining), the cooking, cleaning, scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming and "attacking" the endless pile of laundry and ironing every week. Whew! It's now more than ever that I appreciate what Alice did for our family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(10.) <b>Family and friends.</b> And of course, what is life like without family and close friends? It would be like going through the motions of life but not actually living it. I miss them so much. I miss the weekly fellowships we had at friends' homes, sharing a meal, playing games, having Bible studies, laughing and crying together, loving and growing together. I miss my parents, siblings, nephews and nieces, and cousins no matter how frustrating and "hair-pulling" stressful they can be sometimes. That's what family is all about, right? That's what they are there for, to make our life "miserable" yet full of joy, full of "drama" yet we’re filled with inexplicable fulfillment when they’re around. How I miss them so.</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-23308936854664011372012-05-09T06:54:00.002-05:002012-05-17T16:31:55.667-05:00"10 Things"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of March 19-25, 2012.</span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-march-19-25-2012" target="_blank">Link: EV Mail News (Digital Version)</a></span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ever since I've written the <b>"10 (Unsolicited) Advices for Teenagers"</b> <i>(see EV Mail News issue for January 23-29, 2012),</i> I can't get over the fact that I've really, really enjoyed writing that article. I'm not sure if any of the readers enjoyed it too but I loved writing it. It was an easy-breezy for me. I actually finished writing that article in just one sitting and I was laughing the whole time. For the most part, I was imagining my son while I wrote each of those 10 advices. I can vividly picture his facial expressions and eye-rolling. <i>Kids!</i> I can't get enough of him but sometimes teenagers can really wear down any parent, even the best of the best among us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I didn't write this article today to reminisce on that previous one. I'm introducing to you the <b>"10 Things Series"</b> for my column. Since I've enjoyed writing the previous "10 Advices," I plan to write more "10 Things" in the future. I will vary it once in a while of course, but I'd love for you to join me in the countdown of several 10 things in my world. The possibility is virtually endless! <i>10 favorite things, 10 worst things, 10 most beautiful "whatever" things, 10 most annoying "whatever" things, and so on and so forth.</i> I can't wait to get started, but not today though. This is just an introduction remember?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For some unknown reason, I’m an organizer. I'm a planner and I'm a manager. I love to have things in order, like from 1 to 10, if possible. Sometimes my husband teases me that my "neatness" and orderliness can come about as "obsessive-compulsive <b>(OC)</b>" at times. Take note that I placed the word neatness in quotes because I don't consider myself as neat, I'm just organized. Big difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A number of people in my life have already taken noticed of my "organizational abilities." Even with my household chores when I was still in the Philippines were "categorized" by day, per week, and according to importance. But wait, I'm not done yet. Those chores were also listed on paper. I actually had that list on my refrigerator door for my "assistant/nanny" Alice to follow each week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my Pastors in Tacloban saw that list one time when he came by our home for a Bible study with my husband (we were newly married then) and he commented on my being "organized" based on that list. I was so proud of myself then but thinking back now, um, I think it was a little bit over the top.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still do my lists until now. I have them on my PDA, my cell phone and on my computers (work and home), but I still love to write my to-do-lists on paper. I guess old habits are hard to break. And as I "mature" in age, I found out the hard way that remembering things in my head alone doesn't work that effectively anymore. I can't escape it, I do need those electronic and paper reminders more than ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thing about those lists is that I do follow them strictly. It seems like my day is not complete and I feel I haven't really done anything constructive if I haven't at least checked-off half of my to-do list. I'm a creature of habit and I can't help it if I follow a list to help remind me of “very important” things I need to do, and then to actually do them. What's the point of having a list if not to do it, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So for now, one of my to-do things for today is to finish this article and email it. <i>Check!</i> Then I have to begin with that next article of "10 Things" so I can share with you my "<b>OC</b>-iness." <i>Get it?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And as a follower of Christ, one of the "10 Things" that is very important in my life is the 10 Commandments given by God to Moses as recorded in the Old Testament. I know that as Christians we don't live under those Laws anymore in order for us to be right with God because we are under God's grace through faith in Jesus, and we're not judged under the Law. But as Christians we still have the obligation to follow and obey God because we love Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"<b>(1)</b>Thou shalt have none other gods before me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(2)</b>Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(3)</b>Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(4)</b>Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(5)</b>Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(6)</b>Thou shalt not kill.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(7)</b>Neither shalt thou commit adultery.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(8)</b>Neither shalt thou steal.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(9)</b>Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(10)</b>Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's."</i> -Deuteronomy 5:7-21 <i><b>(The numberings are mine.)
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</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-52309160573145500452012-04-30T19:54:00.000-05:002012-05-14T15:31:20.496-05:00Me, My Camera, and the City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of February 27-March 4, 2012. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-feb-27-mar-4-2012" target="_blank">Link: EV Mail News (Digital Version)</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's as if I'm not already very busy as it is right now, I've actually added another project for myself to work on. I've recently "launched" my very first photo blog on the internet. I call it "Water Reflections." I'm really, really very excited about this project but I sometimes think that I must really be crazy for doing this to myself. Adding extra work to my already full and "overflowing" schedule? Oh yes, my screws up there are quite loose for sure! Oh well, but I love doing it and I'm enjoying what I'm doing for a change. It doesn't feel like it's another job that I have to "tackle" just for the sake of tackling it. So why limit and deprive myself with such a creative and fun "artistic" outlet? This will be a treat for me and I will call this new photo blog my "guilty pleasure." I'm allowed to spoil myself sometimes, am I not? And this is all going to work out, I promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of working out, in one of my "blog surfing" on the web, I happened to stumble upon a blog saying that said: "For every successful blog, there is a family (or a husband) less fed behind it," or something like that. That is just too funny! Funny for me until my husband saw it. He actually put a limit to my blogging time. <i>The nerve! </i>I only do my blogging when everything has been scrubbed clean and sparkling, and the table has been set with my delicious cooking! <i>Uh okay</i>, the delicious part may be a little bit of an exaggeration, but it's true, I don't blog the whole day. I've found a "system" that works for me so I'm able to maintain all my four blogs. <i>Four</i>, you say? Yes, four. See, I told you I was crazy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I already have the "water" pattern for my writing "projects," beginning with this column here on EV Mail <i>(Sweetened Waters)</i> and then my "original" first blog <i>(Writings on Water)</i> so I just continued the pattern with the new photo blog <i>(Water Reflections)</i>. This photo blog, as the name suggests, is a website for my photos which I want to share with the world. It's open to the public. Anyone can access it and everyone is invited to enjoy the featured photos. As you all know, I'm walking a lot these days as some form of exercise so, I might as well enjoy the strolls by taking everything in and by recording the sights I see through the lens of my camera. I'm a pathological photo-taker, what can I do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me tell you about the sights. I've seen some pretty incredible things on my walks. Sometimes I wish I was more bold and aggressive in taking pictures just like the paparazzi we see on TV and on tabloid magazines, but I'm simply not. I’m just too bashful for that kind of job. I hate to step into anyone's toes (literally and figuratively), I hate to offend anyone, and I dread to cross the invisible line of what’s appropriate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have some examples to show you when moments come up that I wish I was more aggressive in my picture-taking. One was when an Asian lady accidentally dropped all her money from her coat pocket while walking in downtown Chicago. I just happen to be walking behind her at that time. As you know, Chicago is a very windy city so needless to say I had to help that poor lady pick up all her paper bills from all over the place. If I were a calloused, uncaring photo-taker just for the sake of my photo blog, I would have taken pictures of the commotion around me instead of running wildly after those wind-blown money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another example was when a person with an incredible Mohawk haircut, stretched to its full length with some super hold hairspray and his whole head was dyed neon blue, walked right in front of me at a pedestrian red light. If I were not too shy, I would have whipped out my camera and took photos of him. I don't think he would have mind. I'm guessing he would have been flattered by my delight and interest in his hair but I simply couldn't do it. My feet were stuck to the pavement and I just couldn't stop staring wide-eyed at that marvelous hair! And then he was gone. Say goodbye to an interesting photo subject. My chance has slipped away. <i>Maybe next time?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another photographic moment is when it's a gorgeous day in Chi Town and the sun is shining brightly that its rays are hitting a beautiful skyscraper at a certain "artistic" angle but the same moment passes by so quickly. I need to be more quick and alert with my camera on hand when such things happen. They are so fleeting and ephemeral that when they're gone, they're gone forever. I know the sun will shine again, I know its rays will hit the same skyscraper again but the original moment, the feeling I had when I first saw it is now gone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's why I love taking pictures. They not only capture a certain moment, it takes you back to that specific time, on how you felt, on how the ambiance affected you at that particular occasion, and on how you feel towards the people or the sights that are captured in still life forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."</i> Ecclesiastes 3:1-8</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-19205931364549527612012-04-05T06:51:00.000-05:002012-05-14T21:29:50.723-05:00A Movie, A Dinner, and A Stroll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of February 20-26,2012.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-feb-20-26-2012" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-feb-20-26-2012</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">By the time this article gets published, I'm pretty sure Valentine's Day would have passed by already. But no sweat, I'm still going to write something about (yes, you've guessed it) dating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm not even going to try and talk about dating before marriage because I don't have much "quality" experience on that. My boyfriend-relationship with my husband was kind of a "whirlwind romance" of sorts. We had a short courtship. We went out on "formal" dates maybe only two or three times before we got married. But now, after being married for 17 years, I'm enjoying more "quality" dating time with my husband on couple getaways, impromptu "movie, dinner and a stroll" moments, and after work rendezvous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is possible now since our son doesn't need to be watched or to be taken care of like when he was little. My husband and I have more "freedom" and more time to go out of the house now even without any prior plans. It's kind of liberating to feel that we don't have to be bothered anymore with finding a "yaya" (nanny), or to worry of getting home at a certain hour while on a date. We are free! (Ah, not totally, but you all know what I mean.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Our favorite date is to go out and watch a movie, have a quiet and yummy dinner, and maybe a short walk after, if the evening is nice enough for a stroll. A very simple night-out is what we both like --nothing fancy, nothing expensive or crazy. Sometimes we even just skip the movie all together and just go home and watch a good DVD on our couch in our pajamas. My husband likes it that way even better since he can pause and stop the movie while he goes around the house --to go to the bathroom, to zap some popcorn or to get some iced tea or water, all in the comforts of his jammies. Yes, we are very "low-maintenance" people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's my strong belief that married couples must never stop dating. Even after 50, 60 or 70 years of marriage, spouses must never stop surprising each other with small, simple gestures of love, and doing special things for each other. Learn new adventures and activities with each other and take turns in doing what the other loves the most (no matter how much you hate it, like watching basketball on TV!). We must always "keep the flame alive!" You are married, not sentenced for life!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It took me a while, and with a lot of disciplining from God, but I've learned how to be a better wife to my husband now. I'm not saying that I'm a perfect wife or that we don't have any riffs, but at least we've made a firm commitment with God that we will give it our best to make our marriage work, most especially to make God the center of our relationship. In the olden times when, and in some cultures where, marriages are often arranged and forced by families and relatives of the couple, and yet more often than not, they manage to stay together, have a family, and make it work somehow. So how much more in our time right now, when in the best scenario, no one is forced to marry anyone anymore, ought we not to give our best effort and everything to make our marriage be a success even more?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I know it's easier said than done. I'm not even going to try and preach on the topic of marriage because I'm the least qualified of all to do it. I just want to share with you today on how God has helped me and my husband to understand that our marriage will crumble and will amount to nothing if we remain selfish, stubborn and unforgiving towards each other. It doesn't matter even if we love each other so much, our human love will never overcome the difficulties and hardships that come naturally with life and relationships. We need a power greater than ourselves to help us to be grounded, to be reminded, to be strong everyday, and to work hard for our marriage. We need God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Young love is fresh and exciting but as time matures that love, it becomes even more beautiful and fulfilling. I will never trade the love I have now for my husband with anything. Even when it's just a movie, a dinner, and a stroll that makes our weekend a thrill, I'm in a happy place in my life right now. I couldn't ask for anything more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."</i> -Ephesians 5:22-28</span></div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-55398864258999537912012-03-23T15:45:00.000-05:002012-03-23T15:45:33.056-05:0020 Pounds..... and Counting!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News </b>for the week of February 13-19, 2012.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-february-13-19-2012">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-february-13-19-2012</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The holidays are now long gone. The feasts and dinner parties have been over since the New Year came in. All is back to normal. It's quiet. People are now focusing on how to regain the pace of "ordinary" living, trying to get back to the old daily routine. As for me and my family, another focus would be on how to "revive" our depleted checkbook. The holidays can be very expensive these days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is also the time to take back the right balance which has been lost through the holiday "marathon" eating. It's time to regain the equilibrium after all the busy-<i>ness</i>, the excitement, and all the flurry of activities during the holiday season. It's now time to breathe again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think, <i>um</i> wait… no, I’m sure that I've gained a lot of weight during the holidays. I know it's already "bad" enough that I indulge in all the festivities, parties and treats, beginning on Thanksgiving (here in America) all the way through the New Year's Eve celebration, but then add to it the freezing weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winter is the worst time of the year to be feasting on anything. It's cold and just the thought of walking around the block in my neighborhood already makes my bones chill. All that people want to do on winter time is to "hibernate." Bears do it all the time, why can't we? We need the extra layer of fat in our bodies to help us stay warm until the next spring. <i>Yeah,</i> and let's keep on telling that to ourselves, for we might actually believe it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So after the holidays, I have to contend with an extra 5 to 10 pounds of unwanted fat (and that's on top of the extra weight I should have lost last summer!). I tell you, it's no fun at all, especially for me who hates (absolutely detests) working out. But I do love to walk --walking is my "thing."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've started to (seriously) walk in the spring of 2011 because <i>you know</i>, right after the holidays of 2010 I'm confronted with the same old dilemma of extra padded weight so I've decided to do something about it. At first, I've only managed to walk for about 10 to 15 minutes a day on my breaks at work and then I cranked it up a little bit more to about 20 to 30 minutes per day. By summer time, I was already walking 3 times a day --15 to 20 minutes on my morning break, 45 to 60 minutes (that's a full hour!) during my lunch break, and another 10 to 15 minutes in the afternoon. These walks don't yet include my everyday "foot trip" from my house to the train station, and <i>vice versa</i>, which takes about 10 minutes one-way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all the "hard work" (which I don't think is too hard since I really enjoy walking), I've seen some considerable results! I've lost 10 pounds in the first 2 months of walking. That's 5 pounds per month! I've never lost that much before even from strict dieting. Then by fall of 2011, I've already lost 15 pounds. Another 5 pounds were lost before winter even began. We're talking of a total of 20 pounds lost just by walking. I'm just too excited about this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I started to dread the upcoming holidays and the winter of 2011 because I always gain weight by the time New Year comes. And it's the kind of weight that sticks like butter. I can't seem to shake those extra pounds off. But I kept at it, I kept on walking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so proud of myself that even though I've re-gained some of the weight I've lost before, it was easy to shed them off again after the holidays since I already have a physical regimen in place that works for me. So I just kept on walking. My friends at work thought I was crazy because even if it was freezing outside, I’d still put on my coat, bundle up, and go out for my walks. Rain, cold or shine, I’m out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And <i>oh</i>, I would be lying if I say that it's all due to walking that I've lost all those pounds because it's not entirely true. Exercising is a huge part in losing weight and staying healthy but I do believe that it should also be a lifestyle change. I had to change the way I think about my health, about the food I eat, and about being physically active.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know this may sound like an old cliché but I've found out the hard way that looking for something that works best in making a healthier you is the only way that would work <i>long-term</i>. All the health fads and diet trends out there that have been invented by man will never work for you if it's only for the purpose of losing weight quickly and fast with no evident investment in any type of physical activity and by sticking to a healthy, balanced diet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For example, I do love my vegetables. I've never really put much thought on it since I've always been a veggie eater, but now it's different. I really take some time and effort in getting the best vegetables for our meals. I've found out that the more colorful, the more vibrant, and the deeper the colors are in fruits and vegetables, so much the better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was used to eating wilted and overcooked vegetables since I was a child but now I tend to eat a lot of raw, fresh and half-cooked, crisp veggies. And I can't get enough of it. One of my new favorites is broccoli. <i>I know, I know</i>, I'm crazy because my family says so themselves. They're not too fond of broccoli either but I love it! It's been nicknamed the "green gem" for its known properties of preventing and fighting different diseases including cancer. And that's just an added bonus for me because I'm not kidding when I say I love broccoli.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and cilantro too! I'm addicted to it. I put it on everything. It's a type of Chinese parsley which is dominant in Mexican cooking --lots of antioxidants in that herb. My husband has had enough of it in my cooking already that he "banned" it from our kitchen for some time. That's how extreme my love for cilantro is!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here goes: exercise/walking... <i>check!</i> Fruits and veggies... <i>check! </i>Stay away from sodas and "junk" food... <i>check!</i> More water… <i>check!</i> Not too much salt or too much sugar on food… <i>check! </i>These are only some of the things that have made a better me (physically and health-wise) for 2012. This is what works for me so I'm sticking to it. I want to glorify God in my body for I'm precious to Him, and being healthy in order to enjoy a long, full life is just one way to do it. And now, to get my family into this with me... <i>uh,</i> that's a whole different story. I'll tell you more about it next time! <i>Ta-ta!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."</i> -1 Corinthians 6:19-20</span></div>
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</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-38401535987203379782012-03-06T21:05:00.001-06:002012-05-14T15:46:07.492-05:0010 (Unsolicited) Advise For Teenagers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of January 23-29, 2012.</span></i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-jan-23-29-2012"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-jan-23-29-2012</span></a></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><i>"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."</i></span><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"> -Psalm 71:17-18</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">I know this would be kinda hard to believe for some younger people (including my son) but yes, I was once young. I've also been a teenager before. It's not important now on how long ago that was, but it would be safe to say that it wasn't during the Stone Age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">I find it all too amusing when I hear kids or teenagers talk about getting old as something that is so, so far away for it to happen to them. I've heard a teenager on TV here in Chicago said something like: <i>".....when I get old, like, when I'm in my 30's....."</i> That just sent me cracking up the whole day!<i> Phew</i>, these kids, they don't know what they're talking about!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">My son looked directly at my face one time, with an incredulous expression on his face, when I told him that I once worked for a local TV station in Tacloban City. I thought he was looking at me with awe, probably thinking at last that his Mom was in fact cool? Then he said, with the same crazy expression on his face, "There was TV when you were young?!" <i>Wow.</i> These things might seem very amusing to me now (and I also find teenagers too adorable) but I got to remember that I might have been amusing as well to my parents and to my elders when I was a teenager. Hmm, were they laughing behind my back?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">My son is so funny at this age that even without him trying hard, his antics, the vocal changes, and the physical awkwardness are all amusing and endearing to me at the same time. I try not to laugh at him (most of the time), because I know how teenagers get embarrassed so easily, but sometimes I just can't help it! <i>(Just wait 'til he reads this article, ha?)</i> It's like watching my baby trying hard to turn into a man but still doesn't really want to, not yet at least. Teenagers are like people trapped between childhood and adulthood and it's understandable why this stage can be very confusing, scary, and may also be traumatic for them, if not handled with care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">There's much talk, open dialogues, lots of self-help books, Facebook posts, etc. allotted to raising teenagers and what we can do to help them achieve success and well-being. I'm not against it or anything like that, I'm just fascinated by it all. I didn't have that same help when I was a teenager (and yes, you do hear a whine in my tone here), but I came out fine, didn't I? <i>Okay</i>, that may be a bit questionable, but the point is, I'm glad that our society is now more open to talk about this issue and on how to help parents know (and the teenagers as well) that they're not alone in this whole process of growing up. Everybody goes through with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">So, on the authority of being a teenager once and having a teenager now, I give my ten <i>unsolicited</i> advise to all the teenagers out there (but I guess to all the parents of teenagers is more appropriate since they are the ones more likely to read this article):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(1.) <b>You are only young once.</b> Make every year/age count. Don't waste it on doing anything illegal, immoral or stupid, of which you will soon regret for the rest of your life. It's okay to be crazy once in a while, you are teenagers after all. I just hope you would listen more to the wisdom of your elders, especially from those who've done it all, <i>especially</i> from them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(2.) <b>Listen well.</b> Don't just hear, listen. Make all "oldies" talk be your life lessons even though you don't know nor understand what we're talking about yet. Write them down or tuck it in the nearest accessible memory "hard drive" in your head for later use. You never know when a good advice will actually be useful in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(3.) <b>Don't be grouchy all the time.</b> I know it's all those hormones inside you creating the havoc in your head, with your moods, and with your emotions, but please try to smile once in a while. It looks good on photos for posterity's sake and also great for Facebook! <i>There you go...smile!</i> See, it doesn't hurt, does it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(4.) <b>No matter how "modern" or "liberal" or "independent" you've become</b>, I hope you will never forget the basic words of human respect and civility. Saying "Hello," "Please," Excuse me" (in a nice tone of voice), "Thank you," and "I'm sorry" still make a huge difference in people's lives. A kind word will go a long, long way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(5.) <b>You don't know everything.</b> No matter how convinced you are that you do, you actually don't. Stay in school and learn more. Stay out of trouble as much as you can and work hard on those school projects. Pick up a book and read. Read a lot. <i>(Surfing the internet does not count either!) </i>If you're anything like my son who hates school but he knows he doesn't have any choice but to be there anyway, try to enjoy every minute of it. You're going to be in there for quite a long time. Better make the best of it, have fun and enjoy, rather than flunk every subject and pay for it one way or the other later on. School is not that bad. Jail is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(6.) <b>Family is everything.</b> <i>(I see you roll your eyes!)</i> But yes, even though you might think friends are everything right now, they really are not. Friends are very nice to have. Friendship is so precious and is a great gift but friends come and go and family always stay. We can choose our friends but we can't get rid of family. Believe me when I say when trouble comes, friends may be hard to find but family is more than enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(7.) <b>Eat what you love and eat as much as you can.</b> Be adventurous with your food. Try everything. You are young, you can take almost anything. So when you get older, you already know your favorites and would enjoy more. But please do this without going overboard or resorting to gluttony. And also don't make your parent's monthly budget for food shrink to cover only a day. Anything to the extreme is always bad. Also learn your family's medical history in order to make intelligent food choices. And when the word "teen" drops out of your age, <i>stop</i>. Health is always wealth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(8.) <b>Exercise!</b> Since you're doing number 7 above, do number 8 as well. I know you're young. You're active and busy, but please don't neglect a good exercise. Walk, walk, and walk. If you can run, by all means, <i>run!</i> You like the gym? <i>Go! "A body in motion tends to stay in motion,"</i> I've heard that line from a commercial. I hope that a good physical regimen will always be a part of your life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(9.) <b>Experience life!</b> Do exciting, normal teenage activities with your friends and family. Travel if you can, go play sports, experience something new and exhilarating (again nothing illegal here, okay?). Don't wait until you're a middle-aged, arthritic version of yourself to do some stunts that your body nor your bones can't handle anymore. Take photos, soak in everything. Make memories and remember for a lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">(10.) <b>Give back.</b> It's always a blessing to give back to family, friends, your church, and specially to strangers, to the poor, and to society. For every blessing we receive, more blessings should be given back. It feels good. It's the right thing to do. Give back to your parents and honor them always, it's the only commandment in the Bible that has a promise that comes with it --a long, full life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><i>"And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."</i> -Isaiah 46:4</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-81160886145153329882012-02-09T08:44:00.000-06:002012-03-10T12:31:03.712-06:00"Mano Po!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News </b>for the week of January 16-22, 2012.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-january-16-22-2012" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-january-16-22-2012</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">To all my American and non-Filipino friends and readers, I guess I owe you a short explanation on what the title for this article means. The Filipinos have a tradition which has been handed down through generations, and of which I believe has its origins from our Spanish heritage, which is called <i>"pagmamano."</i> It's the tradition of asking for blessings upon us while giving deep respects to the elderly, especially among our family and relatives. It's a gesture that involves kissing or placing the hand of the elder unto our forehead as a way of greeting. This is one of our cultural traditions that I really, really like<i>,</i> and of which my husband and I have decided to hand down and teach to our son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Our son was brought up in a sort of "modern" family environment. Modern in the sense that we shower him with much "visible" and affectionate love that includes hugs and kisses everyday ever since he was born. I believe this was unheard of in most of the "older" families in our country. <i>At least</i> my own family (parents and siblings) wasn't like that when I was growing up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And also, my husband and I brought up our son teaching and speaking a foreign language (English) because we wanted him to be ready for the "global world" in the future, and besides, we reasoned, he would learn how to speak Tagalog or Filipino, as well as my mother tongue or dialect, <i>Waray-waray</i>, as he goes to school and interact with his Filipino friends. This was without foreseeing that we would leave our home country and raise him in America eventually. So much for wisdom and vision on our part, huh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As we shower him with hugs and kisses, and many "I love you" everyday, we sort of forgotten the old tradition of <i>"pagmamano"</i> (in Tagalog) or <i>"pag-amen"</i> (in Waray-waray). It was more from a lack of foresight rather than from voluntarily disrespecting our culture's time-old tradition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As I've said before, as long as a tradition does not go against the commands and the truths of God in His Word, the Bible, any traditions are fine with me. Traditions can be a great way of preserving morals and family values that have been passed down throughout the years. This is the reason why, too late or not, we've decided to teach our son to do the "mano po!" (bless me!) in our home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When he started practicing the <i>pagmamano,</i> my son was a little too self-conscious about it because he hasn't done it in all the 16 years of his life! And we understood. It takes time and practice, aside from learning and understanding what it means, and what does a particular tradition stand for in a family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We were gentle yet firm on our stand about it, reminding but not pushing too hard, and letting him take on the tradition to be his own. He's been doing this for only about 3 to 4 months now and, I must say, he's getting better at it. Although he can't remember to say "mano po" all the time, but he does say, "Hello, Mom" or "Good evening, Dad" whenever he does it, and that's more than enough for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Little, but precious things, like this tradition of <i>pagmamano</i> is very important to the family and to society as a whole. It what makes us grow closer together and it gives meaningful essence to life and to our relationships. I know that in other cultures and in other homes, families have their own traditions that they call their own. Sometimes when certain traditions are broken for no apparent reason at all, it tends to be difficult on the family members, especially the children. They don't know and can't understand what's happened and why something so precious in their own home has been broken so suddenly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So we try to practice and keep traditions intact within our homes, the traditions that are sweet and precious, the ones that promote love and care among family and close friends. Even the traditions which include strangers into our life --these are the traditions that are worth keeping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." </i>-Colossians 2:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But whenever I get caught up in the sentimentality of family, friendship, relationships, and traditions, especially from my home culture, I always try to remember a word of caution for myself, lest I forget or if ever I get too drawn in by such things, that traditions are only well and good if they don't surpass or go against my faith in God and His truth. And that my relationship with God and my "traditions" with Him supersede all other things in this world, <i>for without Him I can do nothing.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."</i> -Matthew 12:48-50</span></div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-78066100763751981702012-01-26T08:38:00.000-06:002012-03-10T13:35:02.284-06:00Why the Bible is True and Infallible<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of January 2-8, 2012.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-january-2-8-2012" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-january-2-8-2012</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"...it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."</i> -Luke 16:17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When I was growing up, I can't say that reading the Bible was part of my daily routine. I can't even remember if I've ever opened one and if I've actually read it during my childhood way up to my teen years. This may sound horrible to you now as I tell you this truth of my younger years but, honestly, I didn't think much about it then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We're not a very religious family. (And we're still not.) Yes, we went to church and I was raised in a Catholic school all through high school but the Bible was not a "normal" part of our daily lives. Not reading it was what’s "normal" for me back then. The only passages from the Bible that were familiar to me were the common ones used during the Catholic Mass and some of the verses that we read from children's books. I didn't even bother to check out those passages against a real Bible. I just didn't have any reason to. And as I've said, it was no big deal for me then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But since the moment when the Lord found me and made me comprehend His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, on how He died on the cross to pay for my sins, Bible reading is now a daily "routine" for me and my family. Maybe if I tell my son about the "small" truth from my childhood, I guess he would be a little surprised because what's "normal" for him includes a daily Bible reading in our household.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm not blaming anyone for what has occurred in my childhood (or, has <i>not</i> occurred), <i>for it is what it is.</i> There are things God allows to happen in our lives without Him explaining every bit of the<i> why</i> part. One of the reasons I know why I wasn't reading my Bible when I was young was simply because my family thought it was not important. <i>I </i>thought it was not important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yes, since I was raised by my parents then the responsibility for my spiritual well-being lies on them but they didn't know any better. The same way I don't know any better about a lot of things for my son's well-being today. But I thank God that reading the Bible regularly at our home is not one of them. This is not because I'm smarter or wiser than my parents on how they raised their children. No. God just showed me then my husband and I decided to take this route for our family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">After I became a Bible-believing and a serious "Bible-studying" Christian, I took notes on some reasons why I believe the Bible to be true and infallible. These reasons are not just my own. They are shared by millions of Bible-believing Christians around the world. These may be very simplistic and basic which come from my simple thinking and layman deductions, and for that I apologize. If you expect some earth-shattering or deep theological arguments to be presented on here, you're reading the wrong article. So, here are the reasons:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>First.</b></i> The Bible (the term originated from Latin, then Greek, meaning "books") is actually a compilation of several books --66 to be exact. It is divided into two periods: the Old Testament <b>(OT)</b> and the New Testament <b>(NT)</b>. The <b>OT</b>, simply put, is the time from God's creation of the world up to before the time of the birth of Jesus. The <b>NT</b> is from the time of Jesus Christ's birth up to the book of Revelation, which covers some part of the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As I continue to study the Bible, it shows that the <b>OT</b> books mainly spoke of the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, of God in the flesh, to save mankind. Then the <b>NT</b> books speak mainly of the fulfillment of those prophecies. These <b>NT</b> books also point into the future of the same Messiah's second coming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Each of the <b>OT</b> and <b>NT </b>books span several hundred of years apart. They were written in different places, in various cultures, and in different ages, by several different writers who (most likely) didn't even get to meet each other in their lifetimes. So how did their writings coincide with each other? How did all the <b>OT</b> writers penned about all of the prophecies on Jesus and then the <b>NT</b> writers came later to write about its fulfillment? Nobody, even in this digital age or with all the talents and genius of Steven Spielberg, can conjure such an uncanny coincidence. And by the way, I don't believe in coincidences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Second.</b> </i>Most, if not all, of the historical events recorded in the Bible, especially in the <b>OT</b>, are backed-up by an innumerable proofs and evidences. These evidences are scientific facts, archeological proofs and findings, artifacts, and ancient physical materials that can be found in museums and places where experts keep such priceless things for safekeeping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Fossils and the remains of sea creatures have been found on mountaintops which confirm the story of the flood as recorded in the book of Genesis. Stuff used for everyday life that are said to possess "Israelitic" origins have been found at the bottom of the Red Sea which prove the story of how God parted its waters to save the Israelites from the Pharaoh of Egypt. And the places and streets on which Jesus has trodden while He was here on earth which can be found on Google map today is proof enough that the stories of the Gospels are not merely from the <b>NT</b> writers' imagination. Real coins, real types of grains, food they ate, the style of clothing they wore, and all the historical data of actual people who lived mentioned in the Bible can be researched by anyone who wants to find out more about them. They are not fictional stuff. Some historians even use the Bible as a historical reference although they don't necessarily believe in God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Third</i>.</b> This is my last reason and really, I don't need any more. Three is compelling enough especially when the Holy Spirit continues to give me His quiet assurances of God's truth from the Bible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The third reason for me is the "unhuman" teachings from the Word of God. I believe not one person can think up of such passages out of imagination or thin air, no matter how much he tries. The best of the best of man's literary works throughout the ages may be considered great, thoughtful, spiritually moving, intellectually stirring, and provocative at its best, but never has anyone written anything that can be considered as totally stripped off of human tendencies and human nature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Only the Bible can tell a person to go against one's own natural inclinations. What man can honestly think of loving one's enemies or to offer the other cheek after we've been slapped? Who in their right mind would think that having hatred in our hearts is equivalent to murder and looking at someone with lust is the same as the sin of sexual immorality or adultery?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And what best proof of the Bible's truth and infallibility but from the testimonies of the billions of Christians from around the world? On how each Christian would attest that the Bible has changed them, changed them from the inside out, changed us for the better. And on how the lives of Bible-believing Christians will never be the same again after the truth of the Bible got a hold of their hearts and has gripped their minds and souls forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."</i> –Matthew 5:17-19</span>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-3282260570229769342012-01-13T08:59:00.000-06:002012-03-10T13:40:26.682-06:00Genesis 1:1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of December 19-25, 2011.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-december-19-25-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-december-19-25-2011</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."</i> -Genesis 1:1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is where everything we know about our world and the whole known universe all started. This was the beginning of the story of man and the earth. I don't know about you but this short passage in the Bible is more than enough for me to know that God<i> literally created the heavens and the earth out of nothing, just by the Word of His mouth, at the onset of time.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And yet, apparently, this is not enough for some people, especially for the scientists and the "so-called" experts in the field of life sciences. They've been searching, and are <i>still</i> searching to this day, for the origins of human beings and all the living things on earth. They've conjured up various theories and hypotheses throughout the years to satisfy their own questioning and insatiable minds. Sadly, all those theories and hypotheses remain as that --just a bunch of theories and hypotheses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is still a great deal of things that I personally don’t know and of which I probably won't know or understand in my lifetime but I’m not afraid to admit it. This is not due to my lack of knowledge and education, or of any ignorance on my part (of which I'm sure I have a heaping measure in me). This lack of understanding is because I'm a limited being. My mind can only grasp so much and my wisdom is finite. I don't care if you are some kind of a genius, it's still a fact that your intelligence and comprehension can only go so far, and your knowledge can never be invincible, your thoughts will never be endless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So whatever theories all the geniuses of this world come up with in regards to the creation of the world for as long as they're not in line with God's Scriptures, I'm afraid that I have to say this: they're all figments of man's imagination, and are therefore, fiction and inaccurate at its best. This may sound like a closed-minded attack on science and all the logical studies in the realm of education known to man, but <i>really</i> it is not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Science is a great tool given to us in order to learn the wonderful facts and lessons about the living world and all of creation. There are even scientists who live and work in their own fields of specialized studies who make it their life's mission to show the unbelievers that God's Word is true and infallible through the use of scientific methods, facts, proofs and evidences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Bible and science are not necessarily opposite. They don't necessarily contradict each other. Science when used properly can be a great way to back-up and prove that what the Bible has recorded from years past and what it teaches us today are true and factual. There are innumerable material and physical evidences available here on earth alone which point to show that what the Bible says is true. Those evidences are overwhelming but not necessarily popular nor commonly known. For some reason, most of the school systems in the world refuse or somehow neglect to teach these scientific and biblical facts which are in conjunction with each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Also, one of those things I don't necessarily comprehend now is how and when the "beginning" actually started. I do know that God is not bound by space nor time, or by age as we know it, but He knows that the notion of time is important to man. So when God says "in the beginning," it meant the beginning of time as known to people and not to Him. God is immortal. He has existed beyond the limits of time. God came from eternity past and will continue to exist unto the eternity future as He has promised in His Word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These are mind-boggling truths which I don't even dwell upon too much for fear of a brain hemorrhage. I will leave it up to God and I'll wait patiently until the day when He shows me the "big and complete picture." I can't wait to spend eternity with Him and with the multitudes of His children, and all the angels in heaven, as we worship and praise Him day and night, and also swap stories of how things went from before time into the beyond. What a majestic truth to behold! Glory to God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."</i> –John 1:1-6</span><br />
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<a href="http://relijournal.com/christianity/genesis-11/#ixzz1fDzAED25"></a></div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-58654072369556834392011-12-23T08:54:00.000-06:002011-12-29T10:30:29.101-06:00The Christmas Story (A "Behind-The-Scenes" Version)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News </b>for the week of December 5-11, 2011.</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-december-5-11-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-december-5-11-2011</a></span></span></i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love Christmas. It's one of my favorite occasions next to Resurrection Day or Easter. Since I like to celebrate the birthdays of my family and close friends (I don't necessarily like celebrating mine!), it's no surprise that I'd love celebrating Christmas. It's the birthday of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It's the Birthday of all birthdays!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It warms my heart just to see all the celebrations going on in every home, in the workplace, in the streets, and in places of business during the holidays. Christmas trees of different sizes everywhere. Gifts, ribbons, tinsels, glitters, bells, beautiful decors, Christmas balls and Christmas lights all around! What heart wouldn't melt in such glory, in such warmth and majestic pomp? Christmas is the time of year when we can go overboard with everything --from the decorations, lights, presents, food, parties, to the presence of families and friends around us. Sometimes "too much family" and too many people can be overwhelming but not on Christmas! We revel in the luxury of love, friendship, sentimentality, reminiscing, and celebrating with those we care about because... <i>why not?</i> It's the birthday of The KING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a lot of people, the story of Christmas is a very familiar one. We were told about it since we were young. We read it in books, we see it on TV, and everybody talks about it in church especially during the holidays. It has been handed down from generations to generations and almost everyone, even those who don't believe in Christ knows the general concept of the story of Christmas. Which version do you know?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I continue to read and learn from God's Word, and as I also read other books by Christian authors on the subject of Christ's birth, I may have a slightly different version compared to the more common one as told in bedtime storytelling. This version is biblical, partly "intelligent speculations," partly historical, and little part fiction. I say "intelligent speculation" because for this story of utmost importance, I don't want to inject anything that is only hypothetical or purely imaginary since it might mar the essence of the whole story. Whatever speculations there are on this version of the Christmas story, they are all based on the truth of the Bible, the common knowledge of the traditions and way of life of the people during the time of Joseph and Mary and at the time when Jesus was born. There are also views from some Bible experts. And whatever fiction I include, it will be very minimal and will not affect the main truths of the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here goes:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPdUdipysws/TvSU6eIHWfI/AAAAAAAAAJg/BSndaX-RTuY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPdUdipysws/TvSU6eIHWfI/AAAAAAAAAJg/BSndaX-RTuY/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Photo borrowed from</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">Huffingtonpost.com</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was probably sometime around the end of June or mid-July more than 2,000 years ago, when a teenage Jewish girl named Mary, who lived in a small town in the city of Galilee called Nazareth, had an experience of a lifetime which she will never ever forget. An angel of the Lord named Gabriel paid her a visit to announce something that will change her life forever. The angel announced that the teenage girl Mary has found favor in the eyes of God and He will use her to conceive a son who will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the angel Gabriel stood before her, Mary was trembling with awe and fear. She has never seen an angel before. What a sight to behold! What an amazing, glorious being! But what the angel was saying was even more amazing. It was unbelievable! The Lord God Almighty whom Mary serves with all her heart has given her a favor to use her as His instrument? <i>But, but.....</i> Questions were reeling in Mary's mind. She was only a teenager. She has never known a man. How can the conception happen? Besides, she is betrothed to Joseph. They are in the middle of all the preparations they needed for the wedding. Joseph is a good man, a godly man. <i>How will I tell him? How will he take the news?</i> Mary was scared. Her heart was beating so fast she can feel it almost jump out of her chest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But despite of all the questions and thoughts that were going through her mind, there is one thing Mary was sure of --she cannot say no to God. And so she answered the angel Gabriel, <i>I am the handmaiden of the Lord, be it to be according to thy word.</i> What humility! What servitude! What courage! See, at that time, it was unheard of for a teenage girl to be without a husband at a certain age <i>and</i> to be pregnant. And especially to be pregnant without a man! Mary can be stoned to death for humiliating her fiancé Joseph and both their families. It was as good as the sin of adultery because according to the custom of the Jewish people, an engagement is almost as good as marriage. There will be so much shame that will be brought on by this pregnancy. <i>Oh</i> and how is she going to tell Joseph and her family? Tell them than an angel appeared to her and told her that God wants to use her and that the Holy Spirit will make her pregnant? <i>Yeah right.</i> <i>Oh no, what am I going to do? </i>Mary must have asked herself. Maybe that's why the Bible says that she left for the hill country with haste to seek solitude and help from her cousin Elisabeth, in the house of Zacharias.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But Mary need not have to worry after all because God took care of Joseph. Apparently, after Mary told Joseph about the situation, he decided to divorce her privately in order to avoid shame upon her and their families. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and explained everything to Joseph. Being a godly man, Joseph, of course, obeyed and he married Mary and decided to take care of her firstborn son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When taxation time came, Joseph had to go to the city of David in Judaea called Bethlehem in order to be registered and taxed together with his family. So he and a very pregnant Mary traveled with a donkey. As they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary was beginning to have labor pains and cramps. The time came for her to deliver her firstborn. Due to the important occasion of taxation when most families go home to their place of origin, Bethlehem was packed with people. They couldn't find any place to stay for the night. They ended up in an animal stable by the back of an inn where Mary delivered her baby. They were ill-prepared for the coming of the baby due to the trip. And the stable was hardly a place to welcome a newborn child. They only had some swaddling clothes to cover the baby with and they placed him in a manger for there was no bed or any crib in sight. And by the way, they named the baby, JESUS.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No kings or royalties were present at the stable to welcome the King of Heaven in a manger as He entered this world. The only witnesses were the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields that night. The angels in heaven declared it to them and told them what happened. Even though there was no flair or celebration happening in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born but all the heavens was rejoicing. A multitude of angels were singing praises and worshiping God for the momentous occasion. The shepherds were there to witness such glorious sight. Heaven was rejoicing because God's plan of salvation has already begun with the birth of Jesus. It's going to be a long road ahead but mankind will be rescued. Death and hell will be conquered by this baby on a manger. <i>As God has planned.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All these things happened to fulfill the prophecy of the Lord from the Old Testament. God was at work here. He was in control. He has a plan. He wanted His Son to enter the world without any worldly glory or recognition because He came not to be served but to serve, He came not to judge the world but to save the world, and He had to do it fully as God and fully as Man. There was no other way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."</i> -Matthew 1:18-25</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(For more Bible readings on the Christmas story, also read the Book of Luke, Chapters 1 & 2.)</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-90702665169252234542011-12-20T09:03:00.000-06:002012-03-10T12:24:19.672-06:00Do You Speak English?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of November 28 to December 4, 2011.</i></span><br />
<i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-nov-28-dec-4-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-nov-28-dec-4-2011</a></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When we first came to the United States, one of the first things I've noticed was that a lot of people were surprised that my family and I can speak very good and fluent English. They are surprised when I tell them that most Filipinos can speak the language very well because it's considered to be the second official national language of the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then they get even more surprised when I tell them that Filipinos use English in schools, in offices, for businesses, in the government, in reporting for some TV programs, on the radio, for some news prints, and even with our everyday conversations.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since English is widely used in the Philippines, I tell my American friends that we even came up with a new "language" nicknamed <i>"Taglish,"</i> (a combination of Tagalog and English), but this doesn't come as a big surprise for them because they've already heard of <i>"Spanglish,"</i> (a combination of Spanish and English), which also happens to be the title of a movie released here in 2004.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Speaking the language in an English-speaking country is not difficult. It was never a problem for me and my family, or for any Filipinos who come to America for that matter. Communicating with the language, however, is a different story. Using it in the Philippines and using it in a foreign country are two different matters. For one, there's the "issue" of the accent, diction and pronunciation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Americans, as we already know from the movies, speak with their own accent which is very different from ours. If you find it hard to understand what they're talking about in the movies, try to imagine them speaking to you directly without any "theatrical" enunciation nor any microphones or speakers to amplify their words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is where the "communication" part between two persons who speak exactly the same language can sometimes get "lost in translation." It's either Americans speak too fast, with too much slang, or with a "heavy" accent, that they might as well be speaking in another unknown, foreign tongue.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Another "issue" is the choice of words. It's very interesting to find out (and most Filipinos find out the hard way during the first two years of arriving in the States) that a particular English word that we've used in the Philippines all our lives means differently here in America. Or that word is simply not used for common, daily conversations. We might use it in schools, for essays, or formal letters, but not in informal banter.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Case in point is the word "soft drinks." Filipinos automatically know what I mean when I ask for a <i>soft drink</i>. As you'd have probably guessed, we found out that they don't use the term so much here in Chicago. They use the general word "pop" or soda for all types of soft drinks. "Cola" is acceptable but there are only two choices for that: Coca-cola or Pepsi cola. If you want a variety of soft drinks, you have to say "pop."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Another case in point is the term "comfort room." This is readily understood anywhere in the Philippines and there are even signs for it everywhere. But the first time I asked for directions to the nearest "comfort room" here in Chicago, I was met with a blank stare and a big <i>"say what?"</i> They don't have comfort rooms here, they have restrooms, ladies room, bathrooms, or (to be fancy) a powder room.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Another "funny" word is Ma'am. Filipinos are so respectful that we call almost all females as Ma'am. The only problem is that we pronounce it as <i>mum</i>. An American once asked me why we call all ladies as our Mom. I laughed so hard I can hardly breathe! I explained that it's just the diction. What we mean to say is <i>"maaam."</i> (Remember the joke we used to have with the lessons of the English alphabet we had in first grade? <i>A</i> as in <i>ay</i>-pol? Those were good times!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As for pronunciation, I remember an American friend telling me that she wished she could give me a "rule of thumb" for pronouncing some English words I wasn't too familiar with but there just isn't any, she said. "New arrivals" just have to learn by listening, asking, and making a few mistakes along the way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Words like comfortable, interesting, assessor, mayonnaise and supplements were very tricky for me at first until I've learned how to say them (the American way) by listening to others. Even with the most ordinary of words like <b>Eli's</b> (pronounced as <i>eee-lies</i> not eh-lees), <b>Paulina</b> (<i>pooh-lay-na</i> not pawleena), <b>broccoli</b> (<i>brok-lee</i>), <b>oven</b> (<i>ah-ven</i> not ooh-ven), <b>calcium</b> (<i>kal-si-yum</i> not kalshoom), <b>etcetera, résumé </b>and<b> register</b> were very tricky indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Some Americans snickered at my pronunciation just because they say it differently. But no worries, they are my friends and they only chuckled at my pronunciation because they can't help it. They find it too funny the same way we find it so funny when Americans try to speak Tagalog, Bisaya or Waray-waray amidst us local folks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes we just have to learn the hard way in order for some things to stick to our <i>"kukute"</i> (thick, dense skulls), and <i>then</i>, we might just learn something new for a change.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And here's the Bible story on how God confounded the language of man in the tower of Babel:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."</i> –Genesis 11:1-9</span></div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-63911480289654522492011-12-06T09:16:00.000-06:002012-03-10T12:15:42.629-06:00Food Talk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of November 14-20, 2011.</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-november-14-20-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-november-14-20-2011</a></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Food experts, nutritionists and medical professionals all agree that "we are what we eat." And what we eat does reveal a lot about our personalities. Food really does talk, they say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chicago is kind of a "melting pot" of different cultures and peoples. It's one of the few major cities in America where a multicultural convergence of sorts happen everyday. It's the way of life here. Name a group of people and more likely than not you will find them here in the Windy City. Due to this multicultural presence here, our gastronomic experience is greatly elevated as well. If anyone has any sudden craving for some exotic cuisine, they don't have to worry because they will find it somewhere in Chi Town for sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From Asian cuisines- <i>Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan or Malaysian</i>; to some Middle Eastern food- <i>shawarma, lamb kabob, gyros, olives, pita, tahini sauce, hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, baklava and couscous</i>; and to experience some of the African gourmet cooking- <i>Ethiopian, Eritrean, Ghana, Moroccan, Libyan, Tunisian or Egyptian</i>; and down to the everyday burgers, hotdogs, fried chicken, fries and shakes --all these are available in Chicago and more! Our culinary choices seem endless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before leaving Tacloban, I was only exposed to some Chinese food and the usual burgers, hotdogs and fries aside from the local Filipino food and the sumptuous <i>Waray-waray</i> specialties. But now I'm becoming more and more "culturally rounded" (literally and figuratively) due to my extensive culinary experience around the city. I don't have to leave Chicago in order for me to sample different cultures and exotic foods from different countries. They are mostly available here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Besides, I love to eat. Maybe this is both a curse and a blessing at the same time. Maybe a curse because in my pursuit of a diverse food adventure, I may experience some dishes that are not to my utmost liking (which can happen very rarely though) and food poisoning is also very real in the culinary industry. Although Chicago is very strict and tight in their regulations and sanitary inspections, there are still some loopholes in the system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, being a "foodie" is also a huge blessing because aside from learning other people's cultures and their way of life through their food, I get to see and enjoy the various blessings God has given specifically to each nation. And with food also comes fellowship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Filipinos are fond of gatherings which include family, friends, food, great conversations, music and fun. Maybe that's where I got my love for food and people. I can't help it, it's in my heritage. And thankfully, I'm not scared to try out new things as well. I would eat anything as long as it's not unsanitary, it's not crawling or moving in any way, and it's not hairy. In my knowledge, I haven't eaten any snakes, bugs, cats nor dogs, unless I've been served those without my consent and my knowledge, and maybe it tasted good so I ate. But my list of inedible food is very short indeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man." </i>-Matthew 15:17-20</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad that as Christians we don't have to answer to each other as to what or what not to eat. We are on our own in this matter. But looking back at the time of Jesus, the Pharisees (a group of priests and teachers of the law of Moses among the Jews) condemned Jesus, His disciples and His followers, for not following the traditions of their own people on how, what, and what not to eat. Jesus was criticized for mingling and dining with "sinners."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I study that part of the Bible, it goes to show that people even in the past were so hung-up with what other people eat and do. That's when Jesus replied with the verses quoted above in Matthew 15. Although basically Jesus is saying that food per se will not and will never defile a man's heart, He continues to say that the motive and the act of eating may cause other people to "stumble," spiritually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."</i> -1 Corinthians 8:12-13</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Food really does talk, huh! It says a lot about who we are and more importantly the way we eat says a lot of what's in our hearts. Eating is a social activity. As Jesus has shown with His life here on earth, food is always shared with family and friends. Verses in the Bible tell the story of how crowds of people follow Jesus to hear Him speak, and they always interact together with food and they always eat together among the crowds. Jesus knew that we need nourishment for our physical bodies in order for us to function well and to focus on what's important in life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, Jesus teaches that we <i>"must not live by bread alone, but by every word of God"</i> (Luke 4:4), but He also showed His disciples the miracles of multiplying and dividing food among the multitudes. God knows that food is important for us but He wants us to also understand that His Word is everything that we could ever need, want or hope for, and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So as I continue my culinary adventure, I would always thank God for His provision of food and good health as well as the blessings of family, friendship and fellowship. I pray that my eating habits will not offend anyone and that I will never judge anyone in return for what they eat. Man was never intended to live by bread alone or to be alone in this world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the saying goes, “No man is an island.” Even God is never alone. He is the Triune God --God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God is our perfect example of the perfect unity and fellowship among us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." </i>–Romans 14:13-17</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-91312395199870711032011-11-24T09:41:00.000-06:002012-03-10T12:10:38.521-06:00Bleaching and Tanning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of October 24-30, 2011.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-october-24-30-2011" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-october-24-30-2011</a></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is among the intriguing topics that my friends and I find too irresistible not to talk about. Anything that pertains to culture and the unique ways people do things are always very interesting to talk about. I find it stimulating to dissect different cultures, human beliefs, ways of life and man's similarities as well as our eccentricities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I was a child, learning about other people's lifestyle has always been captivating for me. One of my childhood dreams was to become a sociologist or an archaeologist so I can find out more about the world's old and new civilizations. I think a genuine and noble interest in people's lives is what can help make us become better human beings. In sharing our humanity, telling our personal stories, and to be curious about each others' ways without being judgmental, can help us to grow closer with one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to take on the topic of bleaching and tanning today. My personal knowledge of the bleaching industry, specifically of the whitening products in the Philippines, may already be outdated due to my long absence. But more than 6 years ago, I still remember that Filipinos were fond of bleaching and whitening products. The fondness, if I remember correctly, was almost bordering on obsession.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The "power" to whiten was available everywhere --from the lowly<i> "tawas," </i>a crystal rock made of purified potassium alum which can be ground to powder form, up to the commercial products available in every grocery. I remember using <i>"tawas"</i> directly from its rock form. Probably due to increased demand, a lot of toiletry and cosmetic products started coming out in the market with the added ingredient of <i>"tawas"</i> in them. There were facial washes, astringents, deodorants, body lotions and body wash, all claiming to have the power to whiten. They promised visible results after only days of regular use. The famous tagline I remember from the commercials was, <i>"It gives you a fairer skin with a pinkish glow!"</i> What girl could resist that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was normally fairer than most girls in my country (that was then, I’m not too sure about now) due to my mixed heritage but still, I stacked on those products. As I look back now, I honestly can't fully attest to the whitening results the products promised. Maybe I simply don't remember or I didn't take notice of any difference in my appearance. I only hoarded on those products because they were readily available and they were very popular. Besides, everybody was using it, so why shouldn't I? Talk about societal influence! And as for the lowly <i>"tawas," </i>pure from the rock, I can attest to what people say it's supposed to do. I remember how it can truly lighten the skin almost naturally without any side effects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for the extreme, I've also heard of bleaching treatments being offered in beauty salons in the Philippines. I've never tried it on myself, and I don't know anyone personally who has tried it, so I can't speak about it fairly. All I know is that it's some kind of a chemical treatment which can lighten the skin to a much fairer complexion. <i>On how much and how often to apply? </i>I've no idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've also heard that once you have started the treatment, you cannot let your skin be exposed to the sun or else a bad reaction will occur which can burn and ruin your skin entirely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In contrast, our fair-skinned American counterparts are not very fond of their own "whiteness." As opposed to the "obsession" we have for bleaching in the Philippines, the Americans go to the other extreme to tan themselves in beaches, on their own porch or in tanning salons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are also various tanning products in the supermarkets here in America. There are the tanning sprays, tanning lotions, tanning oils, bronzing make-ups, darkening creams, and my personal favorite, the age-defying, mega-sizzler, sun-kissed skin toner. Doesn't it make you feel "pale" in comparison?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of my American friends tell me how much they love the dark, olive-skinned Asians and Latinas they see in this part of the world more and more these days. I do agree that the Filipino brown skin tone is so gorgeous. I tell my American friends we call it being "moreno" or "morena." I guess whatever brown skin tinge I had before has now been washed away by all the whitening products I doused on me in the past years. Oh well...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess the point in talking about these curious but seemingly polar practices is for me to ponder on the truth of human discontent.</span><i> </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content"</i> -1 Timothy 6:6-8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD."</i> -1 Chronicles 16:10</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever." </i>-Psalm 22:26</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's common for us to feel dissatisfied with what we have now. It's not only true with the color of our skin or the texture of our hair or the shape and color of our eyes, it may also go deeper as how and what the state of our heart is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Envy, jealousy and covetousness are very real emotions that each of us can relate with. I believe Satan uses these as weapons against us. He whispers lies into our ears to make us believe that we ought to be better, so much better, from how God has created us, and that we deserve only the best in everything. But the real question is, <i>what is the best in everything for us?</i> Do we really know? Or, is what we call the "best" are those that have only been dictated by the world?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we leave our hearts unguarded even for just a second, we become prone to the attacks of the evil one in the form of greed, dissatisfaction, discontent, unfaithfulness, disloyalty, love of money, and service to mammon. Oh how easily we forget the goodness of the Lord in our life and that the contentment in all His blessings is a great gain in itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I get older, it's my prayer that God will help me to guard my heart from things that can rob me of my satisfaction in Him alone. He is more than enough for me. His grace is sufficient for me through all the days of my life. I know it's easier said than done, so help me God. But it's so much better to aim for godly contentment than to aim for anything lower than that.</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-28715020026231963772011-11-22T09:40:00.000-06:002012-03-10T12:03:13.183-06:00"Writings On Water"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of October 17-23, 2011.</span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-october-17-23-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-october-17-23-2011</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the story behind my original blog I named <i>"Writings on Water"</i> or W.O.W. for short.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Water is powerful. It's one of those things that can make or break you, sustain or kill you, can be the best thing for you, or can be bad for you. This is why I love water. It's clear, colorless and odorless yet it tastes good. Our human bodies consist of 60% water while our brains are composed of 70% water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We float in water while we were still inside our mother's womb and this is why experts say that water is like a second skin for an infant right after it is born. Have you ever heard of water birth? A lot of new mothers are getting into this form of delivery now because experts say it is the most natural way, it's less painful for both the mother and the baby, and the baby's entry into the world is less "traumatic." And even the world we live in is also covered in water --around 70% of our planet is made up of water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yet at the same time I also dread water. Especially those huge, bottomless bodies of water, I'm scared of them. I'm scared primarily because I'm not a strong swimmer. I know how to float and swim in shallow waters but oceans, rivers and lakes are out of my league.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And with the onslaught of the industrial and commercial world people are warned to be very careful in what kind of water to drink. We must be absolutely sure where the source is and that it's reliable and safe. Water contamination and toxicity are becoming one of the modern world's growing concerns. These days it doesn't mean that when there is water that we can just drink anytime. Although this latter part is an issue not inherent in water but it has given H2O a bad rap. See what I mean about making and breaking? Water can do that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On these qualities of water I did dare to name my very first blog after. The writings on my blog are just my own thoughts, my opinions, my feelings and emotions, my beliefs and my upbringing (which as I've previously said is what blogs are for). I'd like to share my own story with anyone and everyone who likes to read and who are willing to listen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know my posts can either "make me or break me" but if I don't do what I love and I won't be brave enough to share a part of myself even to strangers, my words and my story will stay within me forever, unknown and unheard. Since it's my wish and my only good intention to share my faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is my Savior and my Lord, it is then my hope that my blog and my writings will be more of Him and about Him and less of me. Every thought I have, all that I do and say, and my life as a whole are all for His glory, <i>I hope</i>. So I pray that at the end of the day my story is pleasing to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"...the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."</i> -Matthew 14:24-27</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">To my mind it was also apt to name my blog as </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Writings On Water</i></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> since my Savior literally walks on water and by the command of His voice, rain and storms calm down. As a Christian, my ultimate goal is to be more like Jesus every day. We are commanded to imitate Him in all our ways and "to be perfect since our Father in heaven is perfect." This may sound too lofty to even attain in the slightest sense but this is the particular reason why we need God and why we should cling on to Him always, without Him I am nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And lastly, for us </span><i style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pinoys</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> when we say "to write on water" </span><i style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(ilista nalang muna sa tubig)</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> means to forget everything, ultimately. Everything from other people's offenses and sins, to each of our debts and past hurts, and all the </span><i style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"utang na loob,"</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Filipinos write them on water all the time. So therefore, it's my desire and hope that my blog and all my writings will be forgiven for its misgivings and assumptions, for its errors and hearsay, and for my audacity and </span><i style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"kapal-muks"</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in sharing my humanity to all. God bless us all!</span></span>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-81322973650954033462011-11-09T11:14:00.002-06:002012-03-10T11:58:24.611-06:00What Is Your Nickname?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of October 10-16, 2011.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-october-10-16-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-october-10-16-2011</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<i>And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them."</i> -Exodus 6:2-3</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Names are very important. In some cultures, they believe that a person's life, his character and personality, his destiny and future, depend largely on the name given to him at birth. There are also some societies that give names that mean something to their people. No matter where our names come from or in what type of culture or society we live in, people tend to agree that names are very essential and are very dear to the heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was writing this, I <i>googled</i> the most "unpopular" names for babies. Not surprisingly, no parents in their right minds would call their babies Judas, Demon or Satan. I've never met or known of any parents who would be eager to name their baby as Lucifer, Hades, or even Saddam (this last part is pure speculation on my part, who knows, Saddam may be considered a "hero" by his own family and "friends?").</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't really matter if these parents are godly or not but for some good reason they stay away from these types of names. We love our children too much for us to knowingly "burden" them with names that have negative and evil stigmas that come with it. I'd like to believe that all good parents won't voluntarily bind their children to a "bad name" for the rest of their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We can say that we all agree that names are important but how about <i>nicknames</i>? Are they as important and significant to a person's life journey? Nicknames might not be as essential as our real names (for example, the agents at Customs or in any Immigration office would not bother to ask for your nicknames unless you're known to have an infamous one like "Scar Face"), and yet they are a part of our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To an average person, it is normal to have a number of "pet names" which they have "acquired" throughout the course of his life. For me alone, I've had a few nicknames which I've "gone through" over the years. Some of those nicknames are not in use anymore (for obvious reasons) and some others have been forgotten already and a couple of them may somewhat be "irrelevant" to who I am now. Let me explain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Parents and adults have the tendency to call babies with "silly," funny names. I guess it comes with the territory. When we take care of little, cute, cuddly miniature human beings, adults can't help but be silly at times. We resort to "baby talk" (the <i>gooh gooh, gaah gaah</i>), excessive cuddling and<i> "panggigigil"</i> (translated as "excessive thrill" or "overly adoration" --sorry this is the closest I can get), and giving babies weird nicknames.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So when I was a baby, some members of my family began calling me <i>Dit-dit</i>. To this day I've no real idea where it came from or what the nickname means. When I went to grade school until I graduated from college, my classmates just called me <i>Mara</i> or <i>Mar</i>, which is perfectly understandable since that is my name after all. When I started working, some of my close friends began calling me <i>Mayang</i>. I love it because I know the people who call me that are very good friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Chicago, my friends at work call me Mara-<i>pooh</i> or Mara-<i>sweet</i>. They are the only people in the world who call me that. Then there is another group of friends who sometimes call me <i>MJ</i>, short for <i>Mara Jean</i>, which is really <i>not </i>my actual name but it sounds right and I love it. There's another friend who calls me Mara-<i>san</i> just for fun (and she's not Japanese in any way). I know that those who call me by these nicknames are some of my great friends. And then of course, I'm just plain <i>Mrs. Dizon</i> or <i>Meldrick's mom</i> to my son's friends and classmates, which is perfectly fine with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are the nicknames I've "earned" through the years and as you can see each one of them has a story attached to it. Each nickname is "tied-up" with a particular group of people that have touched my life one way or the other. So, when somebody calls me Dit-dit (which is very unlikely now), I would know that that person comes way back since my infancy. The only people I personally know who used to call me Dit-dit are my Dad, <i>tita </i>Lalaine Jimenea and my late grandma Corazon (my Dad's and tita Lalaine's mom). To those who know me as <i>Mara Marcos</i>, I'm a hundred percent sure they are from my hometown in Tacloban City. And if I hear someone calling me Mayang here in Chicago, I would truly freak-out because the only people who call me that are hundreds of miles away from me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are the stories to my nicknames. You see now why I said that even "pet names" are very important in one's life? Without them, I will never be the Mara I am today, I will be incomplete. All those names are intrinsic parts of my whole being. I'm glad I got to have nicknames which mean something, not only to me but to the people I care about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."</i> -Romans 8:15</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." </i>-Galatians 4:6-7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also very happy to learn from God's Word that since I am His child and because He is my Father, He has made me to know His "nickname" and I can call It out anytime I need Him. <i>Abba</i> in the Aramaic language means father. But it does not just simply mean father, it is an address of esteem and is used with deep affection. It's a non-formal way of calling a father with personal intimacy. It can be loosely translated as like calling your earthly father as <i>Itay, Tatay, Daddy, Papa </i>or<i> Dada.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With this endearing term, God has given His children a much more open and a personal access to Him as the same way as to call Him <i>'Tay </i>or<i> Dy</i>. God wants a closer, meaningful relationship with us that's why even if He is the Almighty, Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth, the King of kings and the Great I AM, He still wants us to call Him<i> Abba, Father</i>. What an amazing grace! This is nothing I deserved at all. I thank God I can call Him <i>Tatay</i> and also for He knows not just my name but all my nicknames too!</span></div>
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</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-45975210712070359282011-11-01T09:07:00.001-05:002012-03-10T11:52:10.756-06:00A "Night of Hope" in Chicago with Televangelist Joel Osteen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News </b>for the week of September 26-October 2, 2011.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-sept-26-oct-2-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-sept-26-oct-2-2011</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was a night of "firsts" for us. For one, we've never been to a huge gathering of Christians before. Second, we've never been to one of the most famous and biggest stadiums in Chicago, the U.S. Cellular Field. It's the "home" of one of Chicago's two baseball teams, the Chicago White Sox. And third, we've never seen "televangelist" Joel Osteen in person. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was one of the gatherings for his "Night of Hope" tour in America. According to him in his many interviews, a big part of his ministry is to motivate people and to "bring them up." There's just too much "negativity" going around in the world which brings people down but with too little or no encouragement. So it's his hope to motivate and bring people up for a change, he says.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was a Saturday evening, August 6, and the weather was exceptionally gorgeous that day which lasted all throughout the night. I checked the weather report, it was 77 degrees Fahrenheit, a perfect temperature in Chicago's standards. There was the cool summer air, not a cloud in the sky, not a drop of rain, and when the "concert" began at 7pm, the sun was still out just enough to give some light for us to enjoy the entire surroundings and the beautiful skies. We were in a group with the family of one of my friends from work. It's always fun to hangout with friends outside of the office.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">An estimated 25,000 people or more attended the gathering in Chicago. It was particularly a special blessing for me since as I've said I've never been to a huge gathering of believers all in one place before. The U.S. Cellular Field was teeming with people but it was not a scary kind of crowd. Each person has an assigned seat per ticket and there was no bad view anywhere around. Although we can't clearly see the people who were on stage which was set-up in the middle of the field but we can watch them on the big screen TV set right up in front of the crowd from where the concert was being shown live the whole night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A choir of around 50 people (I'm just guessing because I really didn't count) was on one of the stages in the middle of the field and oh how they can deliver songs of praise! That's how it all began, the cue came from the choir who sang a couple of songs before Joel Osteen came up to the stage and began preaching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As everyone who knows <i>of</i> him, Joel Osteen is a very good motivational speaker. He is known to draw crowds with his preaching and motivational talks. His home church in Texas boasts of at least 20,000 members. This number does not include those who come by to visit every Sunday. He speaks of his life experiences, and about his family and friends, that tell of the power of God to heal, to restore and on how God moves mightily in people's lives. He talks about how God can make all our dreams come true and how we need to "weed out" the people who bring us down. I also noticed he didn't even have notes that night while he was preaching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">To be fair with my reporting, I also have to mention that there were small crowds of people outside the stadium who were there to protest against Joel Osteen and his ministry. Sadly, some of them are Christians themselves which really doesn't help to promote the cause of Christ with all their protesting. This sort of brought our mood down a little bit. I was thinking that if we Christians can't seem to agree among ourselves, how much more can the "lost" possibly see the truth themselves? This is one of the sad issues we Christians talk about all the time but can't seem to overcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There are also some criticism against Joel Osteen that claims that he rarely quotes the Bible when he talks or preaches. This particular critique I've personally witnessed firsthand at the meeting that night and it kind of bothered me, I have to admit. Maybe this is why he has a lot of detractors and critics against his ministry? But I also have to make it clear on here that it's not for me to criticize and it's not my place to "correct" anybody. I'm just reporting what I've witnessed and also to share our family's experience at the concert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The "service" went on until 11pm and people still didn't want to leave the place. Aside from the praise and worship songs from the choir and the worship leaders, there were several testimonies and life stories from Joel's family --his wife Victoria, his mom Cindy, his brother Paul-- as well as testimonies from his friends. There were also pastors and preachers from different churches in the Chicago land area who came out and got together that night to pray for and claim God's blessings for the city of Chicago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There were stories of how great God is and how He only wants the best for all of us. It was all about positive talk, more encouragements and motivations, inspirational preaching and how to leave "the past in the past." The concert was aptly called a "Night of Hope," for Chicago and America as a whole, is so in need of the hope that only God can give.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The gathering ended without any mishap. We went ahead from the thousands of people who were still in the arena but the streets outside were already crowded with people who were walking to their cars, some were heading down to the train station to get a ride, and cars were slowly streaming out of the parking lots. The protesters already went home for the night. It was such a fun night that came with lots of hope and blessings for our family to bring home with.</span></div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-75320543147976090412011-10-25T15:52:00.000-05:002012-03-10T11:37:57.816-06:00Blogging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of September 19-25, 2011.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-september-19-25-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-issue-of-september-19-25-2011</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Blog. </b></i>Has anyone ever heard of blogging yet? Twenty or even ten years ago, the word <i>blog </i>didn't even exist in our vocabulary let alone in the dictionaries. But today it's one of the newest words people use in the internet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The online dictionary defines <i>blog </i>as a <i>Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites. Its origins supposedly began between the years 1995 to 2000</i> when the word <i>weblog </i>was apparently being used to mean <i>a type of online diary that someone makes available to other people on the internet. It was a very popular way to communicate one's personal details without any social interaction. </i>In a sense, <i>it's an online journal</i> or a "public" diary. (These facts in <i>italics</i> are taken from the Online Dictionary: <i><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blog" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blog</a></i>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, is anyone among you<i> blogging</i> yet? Actually, I am. I began blogging about 6 months ago. I've heard of the word once or twice but I've no real idea what it really meant and what it entailed until I began blogging. <i>Oh joy! </i>I truly don't care if nobody else reads my blogs (yes it is with an "s" meaning they are plural!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By creating, updating and writing for these blogs alone have already given me so much fulfillment and joy. It's more of an outlet for me, for my likes, my emotions, my opinions and my thoughts. I didn't realize that I had so much to share! Great memories come rushing back to me as I think of topics to write week after week. Memory is such a funky thing I now realize. At times, I can't even remember where I've placed my cell phone which I was just using two minutes ago but I can suddenly remember a distant past memory. Doctors call it selective memory. We Filipinos call it <i>"ulyanin."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More importantly, these blogs allow me to write about God, my Lord and my King. Since the day He saved me by His grace, I've got so much to share to anyone who is willing to read and listen. He is everything to me and without Him I am absolutely nothing. It's my hope and prayer that my blogs will "showcase" His greatness and He will be glorified with every word I say on there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blogging has now taken so much of my free time. The designing, creating and updating of the sites itself take lots of time and effort. I'm glad that I love doing what I'm doing or else I could have quit just days after I started. It's like another full-time job! It also takes so much energy and effort just to think of what to write and how to compose each piece.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As an amateur writer, I consider it to be "creatively challenging." Maybe I'm just being too hard on myself. Besides if you come to think of it, based on the definitions of blogging, it's just supposed to be a plain journal or another form of a diary, and yet it's totally "glorified" and have been made more complicated to a hundredfold. Please don't misconstrue my meaning here, I'm not complaining at all. As I've said, I love doing it, I love to write and I intend to continue blogging for as long as I can even just to "record" my life story, God's great blessings and His works and more importantly, His infallible truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I got more into this blogging thing much deeper, I've discovered that there is a whole new "world" of blogging on the <i>world wide web</i> that I've never known before. I get to meet fellow writers, bloggers and Christians who serve Him as His "warriors" on the internet. It's absolutely mind-boggling. But I don't recommend your children to be visiting this "blogging world" especially if they are not sure of what they are doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As always, parents and responsible adults must always supervise children's online hours. No matter if it's just for homeworks and assignments, for school projects or just for games and leisure. There's too much "unknown" on the internet as you already know, and to be clicking on links and new sites can be very dangerous not only to your children but also maybe to yourself and to your computers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Computer viruses are rampant from untested and "underground" sites. As I venture into this new "world," I practice sound judgment, practical reasoning, and proper recommendations from trusted bloggers and online friends. And believe me, of all the hundreds of thousands out there I only have a handful of people I can say I truly trust. Half of them I know personally and the other half I just know by name and reputation. Sure, it's an exciting world but caution is still the key to a "healthy blogging."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’m aware that my son doesn't even read my blogs. I know that he knows that his mom is "blogging" but as a teenager there are more pressing matters that need his attention rather than to read his mom's (lame) blogs. And that's all fine and dandy with me but I hope that as he gets older that he will learn to appreciate my "work" and how I "chronicled" my life in writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's exciting just to think how he will show my grandchildren and his children's children how their <i>Lola</i> made the decision "to serve the Lord and glorify Him with her life." That would be so cool indeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>My blogs:</i> <a href="http://divinelyacquitted.blogspot.com/">http://divinelyacquitted.blogspot.com</a> <b><i>and</i></b> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/unoffendablechristian.blogspot.com">http:/unoffendablechristian.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Follow me on:</i> <b>Twitter</b>: @SweetenedWaters; <b>Triond</b>: Sweetened Waters; <b>Email</b>: <a href="mailto:mara.dizon@gmail.com">mara.dizon@gmail.com</a>
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</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-65535416090788268142011-10-11T10:23:00.000-05:002012-03-10T15:14:39.295-06:00Citizen Dizon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of September 12-18, 2011.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-september-12-18-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-september-12-18-2011</a></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our journey to become citizens of the United States of America has not been an easy one. But it was not as dramatic or harrowing either, when compared with other immigrants' experiences to attain the "dream" to become officially part of America.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since we have been granted the "permanent resident" status in the winter of 2004, our family had to wait for five years before we can apply for citizenship. For us, it was the next logical step and the proper decision to make after permanently living in the U.S. all these years. It was not a very difficult decision. In fact, it came easy and naturally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So we went ahead with the applications and documentations not really knowing for sure how long the whole process would take. We were willing to wait and we were not in a hurry at all. Finally, after a cumulative total of nine months among the three of us, we are now officially new citizens of this great country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since we did not submit our applications all at the same time, as a result, my husband and I experienced the oath-taking ceremony three times. The mood at the oath-taking took me by surprise. My assumption of what happens at the ceremony was that it was only for formality's sake, and that it was going to be as boring as any other ceremonies ever invented by man. And that also it was just something of the ordinary and will be sort of routinary. <i>I was wrong.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As I was surrounded by the other new citizens and as I witness names of other countries being called out, like the war-torn nations of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda and Sudan, and those from the impoverished countries like Haiti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Myanmar and Yemen, I can't help but get choked-up with emotions. I can see people standing up as their countries of origin are called and they have tears of joy and relief in their eyes just for making it to America. Becoming American citizens for these people meant literally life and death for them and their families. When my country, the Philippines, was called out I also can't help but to rise up and stand proud, so glad, and teary-eyed for the wonderful opportunity we have been afforded that day. <i>It was a great day in America.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As my husband's turn to take his oath came, I felt the same ambiance as I did at my own oath-taking. More so, I also got to experience a different side to the story. This time, I was sitting with the families and relatives of all the new citizens. Since I've already witnessed previously among the "oath-takers" on how emotional the ceremony can be, this second time around I got to see how emotional it is also for the families and relatives who were there to witness the momentous occasion. The man sitting next to me, his name is Dave, was literally sobbing when his wife stood up when their country of origin was called. They are from Bosnia & Herzegovina. <i>It was another sentimental and meaningful day in America.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then it was my son's turn to take his oath. Minor children of American citizens automatically become citizens themselves but they have to take oath if they are 15 years old and above. This part of the story I have to share with everyone but I hope it won't diminish the essence of becoming a part of this great nation. As any responsible reporter would do, I will only be reporting the facts and what I've witnessed the third time around at the oath-taking ceremony. It was planned to be a specific day for the children to take their oath, with some adults who missed their previous appointments. So 95% of those present to be new citizens were teenagers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was still a solemn moment but the intensity of emotions was not as palpable as what I've previously witnessed twice before already. Most of those kids were probably raised here in America since at a very young age. Either they were brought here when they were still very young or they have never experienced any hardships like what Dave and his family might have gone through in their origin country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The kids were not disrespectful at all but I can also see from their faces that they were not elated either. It was just something they had to do because their parents told them to. Most of them wore summer casual clothes. No one among them was crying, that's for sure. The ceremony was short and sweet. Not a lot of <i>hoopla</i> like in the previous ones I've witnessed. Then it was time to go home. <i>I guess I can say it was still a good day in America.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we know kids will always be kids, no matter where they came from or how they are raised. Teenagers will act as teenagers because that is who they are. But I'm also sure that all of those kids present that day at the ceremony will thank their parents for the wonderful opportunity that was given to them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I tell my son, he doesn't lose his heritage and his being a Filipino just because of a piece of document. He is only adding another layer to his "colorful" inheritance and legacy which he will pass down to his children and to his children's children. He is now a Filipino-American, which alone is an accomplishment and an <i>added feather to his cap</i>. So after he is done with being a teenager, I'm pretty sure he will look back to the day of his oath-taking and will be proud and thankful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, <i>as God is my witness</i>, I still love my country of origin, the Philippines, but I've also come to love America as well. I love everything that's great and good about this country and I hate everything that's bad in it, just like any other good, abiding citizen must feel. And as I continue to learn new things about my adopted country, I will even love it more if all my immediate family were here. That's something we are working on and hoping for the "system" will follow through fairly. <i>So help me God.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="tl"></span></div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-75234584216645512382011-10-04T09:16:00.000-05:002012-03-10T10:56:46.255-06:00Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of August 22-28, 2011.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-august-22-28-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-august-22-28-2011</a></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have lived all my life in Tacloban for some 30 years before we left for the U.S. Can you imagine how it feels like to experience winter for the very first time? There's absolutely nothing that can prepare you for it. Reading about it is one thing, looking at it from the movies and through Christmas cards is another, but to be actually <i>in </i>it is something different all together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, snow is <i>postcard-pretty</i> and winter is beautiful especially during the holidays and at Christmas time. It's synonymous with Christmas trees, gifts, red ribbons and silver bows, caroling, hot chocolate <i>with</i> marshmallows, cozy evenings, warm blankets, and a fireplace (if you have one). It's always fun to play in the snow but it's most enjoyable for kids rather than for the "oldies."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Chicago, nicknamed as the <i>Windy City,</i> a mere 30 degrees Fahrenheit on winter (that's negative 1.1 degrees Celsius) may translate, with the brutal wind chill, to a negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit (or, -23.3 degrees Celsius)! The only way I can describe it for you who live in the tropics is this way --it's like eating ice candy inside a huge freezer with an electric fan turned on high and you're soaking wet to the bones. <i>There.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For me, part of the excitement of winter is the anticipation of the coming springtime. It's one of the attractive qualities of Chicago and the Illinois state as a whole. Despite its infamous weather, we do get to experience all the four seasons God has created so wonderfully. <i>Yeah sure</i>, some Chicagoans may say, and they take this fact for "granted" since according to them we don't get any proper spring in the first place. Whatever they mean by "proper" I really don't know. All I know is that once the snow and ice of winter start to melt, the green grass and the foliage on trees begin to appear and the tulips are abloom, <i>that's </i>spring for me!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tulips always mean springtime. They are very lovely and delicate flowers. When it's too cold they wilt and when it's too hot they get scorched. It's when the temperature is just right that they bloom perfectly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After springtime comes summer of course. It's still my top favorite season. Some habits are just hard to break. Summer still brings back great memories of my childhood and my life back in the Philippines. It's the season for picnics and barbecues, of beaches and sunburns, of clear blue skies and long evening walks, of ice cream and a bowl of super special <i>halo-halo!</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the season to be out of the house and enjoy the warmth for as long as we can because it is short-lived in this part of the world. One of my favorite pastimes is to hang-out in the parks where there are so many activities going on all summer. There are free concerts, free movies, and there is the free grass, sky, air and benches to lounge around on a lazy, breezy afternoons and even on evenings. I wish summers are endless in Chicago but the downside of that is I wouldn't be able to experience the wonders of autumn. <i>Fall</i>, as this season is also called, is my next favorite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fall is when God brings out His palette of tremendous, vibrant colors of dark reds, maroons, pinks, browns, golden yellows, bright oranges, dark greens, and different hues of burgundy, mahogany, magenta, and gold. Autumn is another magnificent thing I've never seen before in my life until we came to Chicago. And also, there is absolutely nothing that can prepare you for this glorious season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fall is synonymous with pumpkins and gourds, squash and sweet potatoes, berries, apples, pears, pomegranates, allspice, vanilla and cinnamon. All the great and rich foods fresh from the farm become available in autumn maybe in preparation for Thanksgiving, an all-American holiday celebrated every fourth Thursday of November.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although Thanksgiving is an American tradition going back to the time of the Pilgrims who celebrated it for the first time with some American Indians thanking God for helping them survive a most brutal winter and yet it is a celebration everybody can relate with and which they can do it in their own way. There's simply too much to be grateful for but we offer too little thanks to the One to whom it's due. Thanksgiving is a tradition our own family has adopted, as well as for the millions of multicultural families in America.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next big celebration after Thanksgiving is Christmas, one of my favorite holidays next to Resurrection day or Easter. Needless to say, winter has taken its full turn by this time of year. Christmas takes on a life of its own because of winter. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are doubly special when there is fresh snow outside.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This wonderful holiday, with the pristine white snow blanketing almost everything, makes winter bearable. Although December 25 is not the actual birth date of Jesus Christ, I'm pretty sure He wouldn't mind for us celebrating it with some flair and a little pomp. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords after all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."</i> -Psalms 51:7</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."</i> -Isaiah 1:18</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Y</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ou know how we understand some things but when "re-learned" in a different perspective it brings out a much deeper, more valuable meaning? I've only fully comprehended these previous verses from the Bible when I saw snow with my very own eyes. That's how white, clean and pure I <i>look</i> in the eyes of God, <i>not</i> because of who I am or what I have done but only because of the cleansing blood of Jesus completely covering me.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>W</i></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><i>inter, spring, summer or fall,</i> as the song goes, but I will put my personal spin on it… <i>all we have to do is call on God.</i> He is our friend for every season. And up to now, I still love the four beautiful seasons of Chicago and I don't think I will ever get tired of it.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-30777402013876833302011-09-19T20:16:00.001-05:002012-03-10T10:23:53.856-06:00Concerts at the Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the week of August 15-21, 2011.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-august-15-21-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-august-15-21-2011</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the many reasons why I fell in love with Chicago is its "obsession" with having well-maintained, beautiful and accessible public parks everywhere in the city. The fact that I can sit down and relax at these parks with no one to bother me and with free concerts to go with it's simply perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the clear skies, the ample grass to stretch out on and the clean air. Summers are extra special in Chicago because we only get to enjoy this season for at least four months in a year. Thousands of tourists flock to the Windy City to participate in the endless enjoyment of activities. The park alone is more than enough for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm very thankful that I work near the Millennium Park, one of the newest, sleekest and most modern parks in the city. Located in the heart of downtown "Loop," it's bustling with energy and people. Did I already mention the free concerts? How I love those too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are classical, the opera, the symphony orchestra performances, there's jazz, African and Latin American music, and these are only few of the wide array of choices in concerts we have here each week. To top it all, we get to enjoy these wonderful events until later into the night since daylight is much longer in summer. People are still out enjoying their picnics, outdoor gatherings, or just simply lounging around even at 8 in the evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And let me tell you about these concerts and performances at the park. They are never mediocre. The artists and the musicians are the <i>crème de la crème</i>. The orchestra and the bands are the best in the industry. They may not possess the celebrity status afforded to those who are popular in Hollywood and yet to the hundreds of concert-goers in the park and for those who know what good music is, these performers are "rock stars."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every show and each performance is teeming with skill, talent and heart. It's impossible for the audience not to be moved by such talent and vigor in front of them. No matter that it's for free. Still, these are world-class performances and a display of extraordinary talents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My "backyard" and my "lunch room" in the Millennium Park, as I call it, is just a block away from my office. Every break time I get, I go straight to the park and find me a bench to sit, relax, eat my lunch, read my book, watch people, or just simply enjoy a gorgeous Chicago weather. Most of the time, it gets so difficult to go back to work after an hour of pure lunch bliss. <i>Oh well</i>, I just tell myself that I get to do it again the next day and <i>until</i> summer is over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a tremendous feeling to be able to appreciate the beauty of creation in nature. I've never felt like this before especially when I was younger. I felt I was invincible back then and that I can never do anything wrong. I was so selfish it makes me want to slap my teenage self right now. I also used to think 40 years old was <i>old</i>! But now, 65 years old is looking <i>pretty</i> good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This new-found appreciation I have for all blessings might be stemming out of "getting older syndrome" but how I wish I've always felt this way. It's almost unbearable to think of all those wasted years when I didn't see life with these "renewed" and "grateful" eyes. Even the simple chirping of birds, the soft rain, the trees and the flowers, a nice weather, and especially on sunny days, they all make me so glad and thankful to be alive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Am I turning into a wimp and a sentimental dreamer? I hope not. I guess I'm only beginning to realize how much I've missed by not appreciating and loving every moment of life. The Bible says all God's works and creation are marvelous. All that comes from Him is good. So there's no reason for me not to regard those things with a positive attitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."</i> -Romans 1:19-21</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, when I look at nature and enjoy all of God's creation, I'd like to believe that I see God's face. It may not be a literal face but I know that He has His "stamp" on it, and most especially, He has His image in all of humanity. And how do I know this for sure? Because He says so in the Scriptures. He created man in His own image and through all things that He has made, people have absolutely no reason nor any excuse to say that we can't know that He exists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I may be turning into a "wimp" in the eyes of some people but I wouldn't trade these real, heart-warming feelings of appreciation, contentment and thankfulness that God has allowed me to experience. I might be a wimp but I'd rather be a <i>blessed, contented</i> <i>wimp</i> than an<i> ungrateful, thankless</i> one. And maybe, <i>just maybe</i>, my appreciation and enjoyment of all simple things might be contagious.</span></div>
</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-508437645320954184.post-9613642469266502562011-09-05T10:32:00.001-05:002012-05-14T15:43:54.340-05:00Is Meekness Obsolete?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">A repost. As originally published on <b>EV Mail News</b> for the weeks of August 8-14, 2011 & September 5-11, 2011.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-august-8-14-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-august-8-14-2011</a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-september-5-11-2011" target="_blank">http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-september-5-11-2011</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">I'm not the </span><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><i>ladylike</i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">type of girl. I wish I were and I've always hoped that I can act and speak the same way those ladies used to do during the Victorian era, directly out of the Jane Austen novels. I'm allowed to dream, aren't I? But dream it will remain because I was not brought up that way and I guess it boils down to personality as well. If you know me personally, you know I can never be the timid, quiet one. As my Dad love to say, we are of the Marcos clan, being loud is normal for us. </span><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ha!</i></span><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">And I love the phrase </span><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><i>blessed quietness.</i></span><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"> I first read it in a devotional booklet I have by Mrs. Debbie Jenkins. I wanted that character for myself. Yes, it is hard and it is not particularly popular especially in these modern times when women are encouraged to speak up and to speak out, to be vocal about our feelings and our opinions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our society has now become very opinionated. Sadly, the character of meekness, quietness, and gentleness has been unwittingly regarded as outdated and <i>un</i>interesting by many. The digital age also helps to stoke the fire of unrest and noise. People are always on the run, with the <i>gotta-be-busy</i> mentality, and somehow we feel inadequate if there is nothing to do or say. I'm a victim of those thoughts myself. Maybe that's why I began <i>blogging</i> recently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be "meek" according to the dictionary is <i>to be patient, long-suffering, or to be submissive in disposition or nature;</i> and <i>to be humble.</i> The dictionary also doesn't fail to add that this word is already obsolete. And that it's an obsolete word for <i>gentle</i> and<i> kind.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wait, <i>what? </i>When exactly did this happen? When does a word become obsolete? According to my Bible, <i>meekness</i> is not at all obsolete! It is still being talked about in churches, in preaching at the pulpits, and by serious Christians all over the world. And since I'm at it, I might as well add that it is weird for me to say "serious Christian" because the Bible says in so many passages, that not unless you're serious about your faith, you're not a Christian at <span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>"S</i></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">eek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.</span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>"</i> -Zephaniah 2:<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>3</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>"B</i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">ut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."</span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"> -Galatians 5:22-23</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">The above mentioned verse is one of the most compelling reasons why I'm personally convinced that the Bible is God's infallible Word. What man would ever think up of these things? It's absolutely against every fiber of our human being to have all these --a godly love, joy (as opposed to happiness), peace that surpasses all understanding, to be long-suffering, and to be always gentle, always good, always faithful, to be meek, and to have temperance (that's self-control; self-restraint). It's simply impossible! And whoever claims to be all these, all the time, is lying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>"</i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." </i>-1 John 1:10</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">I know what you're thinking right now and believe me, I don't mean to "preach." I'm writing these stuff more <i>for </i>myself than for anybody else because this meekness topic seems so elusive to me. It is just one tough cookie!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Daily life in Chicago can be tough sometimes, especially for the young and the teenagers. Chicago is one very segregated city. I don't say this to condemn the place because I've already come to love this city as my own, but it's a well-known fact. There is a <i>north side </i>and a <i>south side</i> in Chicago. And I don't mean just for directions. They are two different "worlds" of the city.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">We even have two separate baseball teams coming from both "sides," competing with each other. I do understand that this is only a part of a "friendly" spat between teams and the fans to pump up some good old excitement over sports, but there are a few who gets too serious about it. For an avid sports fan, meekness is not necessarily a priority in mind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">The local news report also has daily stories of gang activities in the city. These are not the <i>infamous</i> mafias or the Al Capone/John Dillinger-type of gangs which made Chicago "famous" in the yesteryear. These are kids and teenagers who have too much idle time in their hands. They go into all-out "wars" in the streets and with various types of initiations that involve knives, guns and blood.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">The saddest part of all this, it's the innocent bystanders who get hurt in the "crossfires" all the time. I watch mothers of innocent victims wailing on TV, shaking their fists at whoever has done these horrendous things. I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through. I would make a wild guess but I don't think meekness would be anywhere near their thoughts during these times. I know it is hard. I would say it is even unimaginable to remain godly when we see evil things happen all around us, <i>if only</i> I have not personally witnessed people do it despite of wickedness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">This is why God encourages us to have constant fellowship with believers because it's from other people's lives and testimony that we witness the "impossible" becomes possible. It's by sharing our lives with the church (which according to the Bible is <i>not</i> the building but all the living saints and believers collectively) that we see and know that God is mightily at work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">It's with other people's meekness and long-suffering, their peace and their faith in the midst of troubles and pain, that I can fully reconcile what my Bible says and how God shows that He is always true to His Word. Meekness might be one tough cookie but it sure is not obsolete!</span></span></div>
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</div>Divinely Acquittedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172098927700562070noreply@blogger.com3