Be Patient, God Is.

I have not had any Sabbath Book but i subcribed to it through email. I dont read Sabbath diligently since I have a Companion with me. Today, the Title of the Sabbath entry caught my eye and it's such a waste not to publish it here.
Hope you'll enjoy this...
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Be Patient, God Is.

I recently read an article in the Internet regarding a Japanese student who killed himself because he was a “loser.” He did not get the top honor in school and so out of frustration, he killed himself.
A man who can be described as a perfectionist has been suffering from anxiety attacks over the tiniest “imperfections.” His guiding principle in life is “everything must be A-OK.” He spoke to a religious guru one time and asked him, “What should be my guiding principle instead?” The monk said, “If things are not OK, that’s OK.” There are people so driven to perfection that they could not tolerate any semblance of failure. Everything has to be perfect. There is no place for second place.
The parable of the weeds and the wheat illustrate the reality of good and evil co-existing. This is a very practical teaching Jesus is giving us. Patience over our limitations is a virtue we need to survive in a world that is imperfect.
They say that every infant born into the world is an indication that God has not lost hope on humanity. If your day did not turn out well today, do not fret. That is why God made tomorrows, to give us another chance to correct our mistakes. God is patient with us all. Why couldn’t we be the same to ourselves and to each other? Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:
Have my intolerance over error led me to be intolerant over the errant? Have I been unreasonably demanding on myself and others?

O Lord, I thank You for being with me every step of the way in my life. As I again go through this day, guide me by sending Your Spirit in the path that is pleasing in Your sight, never letting me fall astray. Give me the sight tosee the goodness in me andin the people that I meet every day, whether it is my family, co-workers, classmates, friends and loved ones. Teach me to be generous to those who need it. And help me to grow and be that wheat that You will keep ever at Your loving side. All this I pray for Your greater love and glory. Amen.

St. Samson, Bishop, pray for us.

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Sabbath is daily scripture book published by Shepherds Voice. The same publisher as the Companion. All their pulications are great!

Companion

Today, I am going to do my firt book review. This is a very simple book with very simple approach in living life through the Word of God. Sure, we should have our own personal Bible. But reading the Bible alone can sometimes leads to misunderstandin and confusion. I personally believe we need to reflect on God's word but my question before was simply HOW?

This book helped me a lot. Indeed, this My Companion.



Companion is a Catholic Scripture Diary. One book covers one quarter. In this issue, it't July, to September. The cover is usually colorful and pictures , I believe are carefully chosen to inspire us and give us encouragement to read. I often look at the pictures every time I read at night. The pictures here depicts love, care , compassion and simple beauty; which our God is.



Here, is Mr. Bo Sanchez. He is the man behind Shepherds Voice Publication. I wish to meet him , if God's allows. (^^) In the introductory page, Bo shares his letters he received containing lovely and wonderful changed life.



Perhaps the best thing in this book is this!
I have to confess that I am still starting out with my faith and my relationship with our Lord. For newbies like me, I was so clueless how to read and what to prepare before reading the Bible. I didn't even know that someone has to pray first before reading the Bible. This opened my eye and opened my soul in accepting God's good word.

This page has the Five Steps in Using the Companion. The stepds are so easy to follow. Wow! The steps starts with 1. Prayer, 2. Read, 3. Read Didache (review to follow later) 4. Write, 5. Pray Again.

A little closer look...



Companion allows you to make a Personal Mission Statement (The ultimate purpose of my life). I haven't made mine. God will reveal it in His time. So you should not be discouraged when you don't know yet and the statement can be a process as you mature in our faith. This is what I learned. Below is the Goals for the Quarter. Simple this targets the priority areas God wants us to work on. Isn't this pracatical and simple?



Above is the Prayer Sheet. Things you need to pray for regularly. Below the headings are tables - the first table is the Date, then the Personal Need, Date the prayer is answered.



Next feature is the "daily page". The approach of the companion is Reflection-God's Word- Praise- Reflection-God's Word - Reflection. Reflection includes 1.God's Special Verse/Thought for you Today and 2. The Reflection provided already.
Based on my experience, sometimes the reflection provided is also my special verse. It doesn't really matter.



The Sabbath Pause. From the name itself, this is a weekly pause. This pause allows you to reflect on the previous week's life. And to most of all, this give you the time to prepare for the next week's life. This is so great!!!!!! Personally, this gives me strength to continue and face the week with God's blessing! It's a good way to start the week.



The last final pages of Companion end with the Review of the Quarter. Here, you can review wether you achieved your goal which you have written on the first page. Just like the Sabbath Pause, this final page also prepares you for the next quarter.

I have never thought maturing in faith and being closer to God can be so organized just like when we attend meetings or events. It's simple and so organized. If you diligently give time for this, there's no reason you wont grow in faith. I am so amzed by this at first, because I had no idea this kind of approach can be done... I mean, it makes me feel I have a homework to do everyday. But this homework gives me peace. A pause from the busy life in the city... and to spend time with our Creator!

Lastly the price is reasonable. For the whole quarter you'll be paying P120 only.

I am recommending this book for those people who are still starting and finding their way.. and for those people who has found the way but continue to walk. This is you COMPANION!

Praise the Lord and God bless you!

I Don't Want to Go (Avalon)

My friend suggested me to listen to this song. Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of time to check YouTube. However, I checked the lyrics first to savor it more when the melody is there.Here goes..


You changed my world
When You came to me
You drove a passion
In my soul down deep
Lord, to follow You in everything

CHORUS:
I don't want to go somewhere
If I know that You're not there
'Cause I know that me without You is a lie
And I don't want to walk that road
Be a million miles from home
'Cause my heart needs to be where You are
So I don't want to go

So come whatever
I'll stick with You
I'll walk, You'll lead me
Call me crazy or a fool
For forever I promise you that...

CHORUS

Without Your touch
Without Your love
Filling me like an ocean
For Your grace is enough
Enough for me
To never want to go somewhere
If I know that You're not there



And since I didn't have the chance to reflect on this nor feel this sink in into my heart, I can't comment much. There's a line though that catches me. The line I Italized "'Cause I know that me without You is a lie". It reminds me of the worldly things we all want to achieve versus the real things that last forever and give us eternal peace. Yes! The wordly things are lies. Look how much we spend to clothes or other material things. This gives us pleasure and happiness. But it is undeniable doesn't last forever, sometimes not even for days.. and then we need more to fill that emptiness. Not even achievement gives you inner peace... ^^


You may check YouTube and feel this song more. Tell me about it.

Till then, God bless you always..

Letter from God to You

We do have our own times of trials and rainy days.
Almost three months ago I had my own trials especially in my workplace.
I was so down. I was on verge of breaking and thinking of resigning.
I felt betrayed by someone whom I gave my trust.

I prayed and prayed. I knew in my heart God is listening but sometimes we can be so impatient. I prayed for guidance and strength on what action to take. And God was telling me to fight, not to quit for I trully believe I had done nothing wrong. I was just betrayed.

I fought to may last strength. I gave it all. It was a tough fight. I was so down i shed tears.
After fighting this battle, in my mind I talked to God exacly like this .. " God, I have done what you have told me to do- to fight, even if I am weak and wanted to quit. I am tired Lord but I followed you. I have no strength to fight now. But I did what you said. I am just tired in this battle. I dont know what will happen next. I did my best.. my very best. But i feel alone in this battle. I feel like I am fighting this alone... I am tired.. but I followed you..."

After saying this, I just closed my eyes and sigh. I told myself "I did my part". God knows that. Tears were about to fall from my eyes when uttered that...


After a few minutes of saying that.. for almost one hour after, my cell beeped. I got a text message from one of my brothers the religious community I attend.
The text message goes ..

Dear Mighty Soldier,

I see that you are tired. But don't drop your sword nor put down your shield. Just dont worry about the fight. After all, it's not your battle. It's mine! All you have to do is to be in the battle field. Then against the thousand who tried to destroy you. There I will stand and rescue you. Winning this requires you neither only me nor you alone. But rather me and you. Just do your best and I'll take care of the rest.

Your Commander,
Jesus Chirst


I cried halfway reading the text message. I felt that God answered everything I told Him, every line was addressed clearly. Isn't that amazing!? A miracle in its own little way...Praise the Lord for this!
It gave peace through the battle and strength to move on. God is listening. This is the lesson for all of us! He hears!

Now, things are better. I prayed for love so I can forgive the person who betrayed me. It's not easy to completely erase the anger and the pain in my heart. But with prayers, my desire is to forgive and to be forgiven. Forgiveness defines God.
I remembered Jesus was betrayed by Judas- It's the same story as mine..(^^)

Life Is Unpredictable

Life is unpredictable.
Anything could just happen.
It might be success or a mess.
But for as long as were leaning on the Lord's side.
We will win.
Because God never loses a battle.

(Sent by Bro. Arnel)

(I took the picture above in one of the beaches in Argao, Cebu. I was fascinated by the subject. Simple yet it sends a message.