Thin Wire, Eternal Sleep, Meaning of Life

Thin wire.

I asked my kids this morning about what use do we have of it. "For clothes," they answered rightly. "Sampayan." Then, I asked, "Pwede ka bang mahiga sa sampayan?" (Can you lie down on a thin wire?). Before the kids can respond, my wife Imelda blurted out a question, "Is the thin wire designed for that?" That's the point.

I was trying to teach my kids that to trust on temporal things, such as wealth, health, beauty etc. for security is like "lying down on a thin wire." The thin wire simply can't hold you. It's not designed for that. Unfortunately, lots of people do "lie down on thin wire," grasping a false hope of security in this life.

I told my kids though that it's fine to seek after the good things of this life as long as they don't become the basis of our sense of security. The only true security in this life is to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This one will give you eternal security regardless of life's circumstances.

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Yesterday, I was at the funeral place of Sis Letty who was a former pioneer member of a local church I pastored before. Eternal sleep is how I'd describe the state of Sis Letty when I looked at her face in the coffin.

It's another reminder for me of how fragile human life is. You may be rich, famous, and beautiful this side of existence. But what possessions, awards, or money do you carry to your coffin?

It reminds me again of the fact that I'll die someday. How then do I live my life so that I can die with peace and security in my heart? With no regrets and shame?

Funerals are always an opportunity to rediscover the meaning of life. And one indeed finds the root of all meaning of this life in the Lord.

Life here on earth is just a preparation for the after life.

Bible Thoughts, Prov 29:25: Fear of Man or God?

This morning, I stumbled on Proverbs 29:25 that expresses a condition of many, including those who profess to know God.

"The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted."

Lots of us are driven by insecurity to seek approval from people around us instead of seeking God's approval. Too much "personal identity" can be bound up in a job, business, club, sport, group, or anything to let it go to please the Lord.

This proves to be a "snare." We will never find complete satisfaction in the approval and acceptance of others.

True joy, fulfillment, and happiness come from submitting to the Lord's priorities and plans for our life.

But do we have an alternative?

Sorry I may read a bit brutal at times. But once you stop twitching from the shocks, I pray you'll thank me for it. Reality and truth can do hurt. But do we have an alternative?

Article, "50+ Articles August 2005 - March 2006"

I wrote some previous 50+ personal development articles between the latter part of 2005 and earlier part of 2006.

Read all these articles online HERE!

Article, "I'll Visit a Prisoner Tomorrow"

Christ has something to say about prisoners.

"Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from [the] world's foundation: for I hungered, and ye gave me to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was ill, and ye visited me; I WAS IN PRISON, AND YE CAME TO ME." (Matthew 25:34 ~ 25:36)

Christ continued, "Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me." (Matthew 25:40)

Tomorrow I'd visit a prisoner put in a city jail. Would I be compassionate enough? I certainly would commit myself to follow Christ's example. I love Him to be able to show love to a prisoner.

Indeed, prisoners appear to be "the least of brethren." They're least understood. They are often the forgotten ones of society.

There can be a combination of factors why people go to jail. Or, why criminal behavior is committted. Poverty. Lack of education. Lack of conscience or values. Negative role models. Family abuse. Desire for Attention. Unemployment. Drugs. Low IQ. The list of possibilities can be endless I suppose.

We must never forget to take care of the victims of crime. But we often overlook the fact that prisoners or criminals are also victims. They also need help.

When I think of the prisoner I'd be visiting tomorrow, I see one who has become a stranger to his wife and even his children. Treachery. Family Disease. Such a case of tragic workings of the heart.

But, as long as one lives, there's always hope. It's never the end of the world. He can start over breaking from his past. He needs to stop being a victim (or victimizer?) and start taking responsibility.

The best he can do is to turn to God and His Word. With this, it will truly turn his life around. He can now make right choices and decisions. If he fails to do so, he'll be guilty of the greatest crime of all -- not developing his potential. What a waste of life. And the world will be robbed of another precious contribution.


View 2005-2006 My Articles Database here.

Bible Thoughts, Ex 32: Diversion, Golden Calf etc.

Last night I was in bed with Imelda and our three kids. Chatting and laughing until almost 12 midnight! Wonderful time.

Among other things, we talked about the danger of "diversion" in spiritual and family life. "Diversion?" That's the tendency to be swayed away from God and His purposes to worship an idol or substitute.

A serious "diversion" in the Bible was the golden calf idol. Moses had it as a problem way, way back. People experienced God and His goodness. Then after a while, they became corrupt and unfaithful to Him.

"Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." (Exodus 32: 7, 8)



Such unfaithfulness and corruption still happen today. People's hearts are the same. There's always a need for us to be renewed and empowered by God's Spirit to remain faithful to Him.

GMA on prisoners; educational, spiritual reform needed

I know some people who are into prison ministry. They go to jails to share gifts and the Gospel. There's so much need.

God cares for prisoners too. They got lost.

Seeing most prisons in our country, there's really not enough care for prisoners. There's really not enough physical, educational, and spiritual reform given to redeem them.

Yet society expects prisoners to return to them better than angels!



Speaking of prisoners, the papers headlined our president GMA's latest action: Commutation of all death sentences to life terms. As expected, many reacted with negative criticisms and arguments.

So, why would GMA stake her "position" again with this latest action? She's pro-life. It affirms her deeply held personal spiritual values no matter what the cost. It evidences her belief that a human being can still have a chance to be saved when alive.

Nature Adventure, Life Appreciation

Want nature discovery adventure? ... holistic life appreciation?

Click "Nature Discovery Adventure" on your right to catch it!

Contact us.

My wife and I will join you.

Where am I bringing them?

Where am I trying to bring people, to God or to our church?

Bringing an unbelieving friend, relative, business contact etc. to church or bible study is good, but not good enough.

I, we, need to bring them to God first.

Something to think about.

Bible Thoughts, Matthew 6:24 - Is Money Your God?

Will enough money get you to do something you know is sin or wrong?
Then you are serving money -- you will do what it tells you.

MATTHEW 6:24 NKJ
24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the
one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

You must choose who your god will be. If you choose Jesus
Christ -- you cannot make every decision based on the financial
bottom line, and then still claim He is your Lord.

SAY THIS: I will serve God. I refuse to serve money. Instead,
money will serve me.

Gardening with my kids

I found a great "no-school, summer vacation break" idea for my kids, Christine and Paul: GARDEN WITH ME! Last night, I bought seeds and fertilized soil for them. And this morning, I put aside a little garden space in our backyard for each of them.

It's not that hard to encourage the kids to garden. They have a natural curiosity and liking for outdoors. But the trick is to get them to dig, plant, and work! You know how kids are. What's important is I can be around gardening with them, having fun, and connecting with them.

Time to rediscover also my inner child as I garden with the kids.

JOIN A CLASS IN MY WEB BASED CLASSROOM

Do you desire to have a Bible certificate or diploma after attending my web based classroom and finishing courses? Yes, it's here available!

Under the auspices of Unites States-based Asian Internet Bible International (AIBI), you can now take online courses with me and receive diplomas/certificates from our U.S.-based Bible School.

SPECIFIC LINKS (regularly updated):

Choose any of the following courses where you'd like to enroll or register online and copy your "CLASS KEY" for online registration (this is updated for additional courses offered, so do come back for updates).

HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN
Class Key: YZ68650R84

ARE YOU GOING TO HEAVEN?
Class Key: ?Z68844A62

VICTORY: ONE ON ONE
Class Key: EZ68845V40

VICTORY: PREPARING FOR VICTORY
Class Key: YZ68846V25

BIBLICAL EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT (biblical IQ)
Class Key: ZZ6865ZP73

BIBLE INTERPRETATION
Class Key: NZ68840B8Z

BIBLE SURVEY
Class Key: YZ68843B2

After choosing the course or subject from the above list and noting your class key, go HERE to join the class online.


COURSE OFFERINGS FROM U.S. BASED AIBI BIBLE SCHOOL
Professor: Dr. Angelo Subida
angelosubida@gmail.com
09063222710

AIBI Certificate Courses
These courses are designed to equip Christians for life and ministry. They are from evangelical and charismatic theological perspectives.
1.Each certificate course contains six subjects and is meant to be studied in a local church under the supervision of a pastor or other mature Christian. You can participate in online forums as well.

2.When you satisfactorily complete all six subjects in a certificate - then you will be issued a Certificate from the AIBI.

3.Most subjects require a 3 page (1500 word) essay as assessment.

4.You can do the certificates in any order.

5.Most of the required texts can be downloaded from Dr. Angelo Subida's web based classroom.

6.If you do THREE entire certificate courses (18 subjects) you will be awarded a Diploma in Christian Ministry

7.We recommend the free E-Sword bible study software you can download from www.e-sword.net

Certificate Courses Offered:

Certificate 1: Christian Discipleship

John 1-11 The Savior Is Revealed
John 12-21 St. John's Passion
Sermon On The Mount
Romans 1-8
Ephesians
Christian Sexuality

Certificate 2: Prayer & Healing Ministry

Prayer 101 - Introduction To Prayer
Prayer 102 - Spiritual Warfare
Shattering Shame
Biblical EQ - A Christian Handbook For Emotional Transformation
The Ministry Of Healing
Solution-Focused Faith

Certificate 3: In-Depth Bible Study

Using E-Sword To Study The Bible
The Minstry Of The Holy Spirit
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Growing Christian Character
The Life Of Abraham
The Heavenly Realms
The End Times

Certificate 4: Missional Church Studies

The Life & Ministry Of Jesus The Messiah
Acts 1-8 - The Primal Church
The Kingdom Of Heaven
Beyond Denominations
Temples And Tithes
Key Readings In Church History

Certificate 5: Global Ministry

Missions: An Adventure In Faith
Cults, Sects and Heresies
Christian Ethics
The Spiritual Dynamics Of Global Issues
The Bible And Politics
Introduction To Urban Ministry

To enroll in any or all of these certificate courses, click here.

Article, "Doctorate and Discipleship"

This month a year ago, I got my Doctorate. Academic success. A pinnacle of sort. What makes it special was that I was mentored by the best Ph.D's around. So very few survived in my batch. I'm thankful that I was one of the survivors!

The doctorate was desirable. But to tell you the truth, nobody needs it to feel valuable. I do not need it to feel good about my existence. When I'm reminded of the fact that I'm God's child created in His image, then anything such as this is so much less than reality.

People are fond of thrills as substitutes to real,lasting satisfaction. If not academic success, flashy cars, fashion dresses, luxury cruises, public fame, beautiful women around. Why do people get attached to these things? Because people like to feel good about themselves. They want to feel valuable. If we actually know who we really are, then there's no reason to cling to these temporal crutches. No need to pretend to be something else.

Thinking about my doctorate this afternoon reminds me of the importance of spiritual foundations in discipleship. The wise man in Jesus' parable built his house on the foundation of the rock. Thus, it will survive because of the kind of foundation laid down. Jesus, when training His disciples, always talked about character and ended up
talking about foundations.

A doctorate is nothing if it's about merely knowing. Jesus said that those who put knowledge to practice are building true, lasting foundations. As James said, "If we hear the word and do nothing, we deceive ourselves .... (James 1: 22-25). How sad to see many overly educated professionals in our society who fall short of this!

My bottom line: After I got my doctorate, I had to go back to reality and deliberately rebuild my spiritual foundations. What a timely, gracious call of God in my life!

Pastor Luther

Resurrection sermon. Two points: 1. Jesus opens eyes for us to see Him. 2. Jesus opens the Scriptures for us to understand. Message is simple yet deep and passionate. Am sure many got encouraged with Pastor Luther's Bible exposition. Not to mention his explosive, fast-lane sense of humor.

Mulling Over My Writing

I don't think my writing/blogging frenzy will ever fizzle out. It's personally satisfying and soul-searching. A natural to me. By the way, this site will soon also have "angelosubida.com" as a URL, aside from angelosubida.blogspot.com. After my personal blog, I hope to go into other types. Like travel blog, ministry blog, etc. Awesome, here I go!

Church Based Seminary Graduation

I'm used to seminaries. I'm a product of it after many years of study. In fact, I even became professor in it.

However, ENLI, our home church's "church-based seminary" is different. It operates like a traditional seminary. Yet, it distinguishes itself to be "training done only within the church." No "outsourcing" of church leaders' equipping.

In a way, this somehow transforms my own paradigm about discipleship. I reviewed my Bible again. And I found ENLI to be much closer to what Scriptures intended.

In the photo is pastor Steve. He's the "church-based seminary" president.

Angel my Baby

Now, here's the most dangerous among my kids. Angel my baby! She's with Lola here, dangerous like her. As a matter of fact, my Angel looks like Lola. In many ways, not only in face, also the way she gets angry and shouts!

My longest prayers will be for my baby Angel. Help me, Lord!

My Paul the little boy

Beware of this little boy. He's dangerous. He'll smile at you. Think some things about you. Then burst into smiles again.

He looks like this some years ago. But he changes appearance today. He's bigger now. Aside from his smiles, he'll show you his muscles.

My Work: A Place of Destiny and Freedom

Allow me to describe my self in one way as a former "executive" once employed full time in the business corporate and church/seminary settings. Now, I've turned my back on all that by becoming a home-based full time entrepreneur/writer/minister, husband, and father of three.

I am a rebel by nature. I don't readily conform to norms or expectations. Though I hated the daily grind, there was still something much I learned in my employment in the corporate and church/seminary worlds. I am thankful for those experiences.

As for going full time with my present multi-track calling as a home-based entrepreneur, writer, and minister, a major factor is that I really prefer to work on my own time. An 8-to-5 employment is quite unmanageable for me. Even a flexible time arrangement (which I had in church and seminary) is still not quite up to my taste.

I get more productive working wherever and whenever I want to go. Owning a business (especially a mobile one like web development or travel) affords me this condition to develop my fullest potential. I also do a lot of writing, which will turn to books or so. I write wherever there is coffee shop, paper and pen, and internet!

My family is another major factor. I wish to do something better to prepare for their future. I only want the best for them. Also, having a toddler and two grade schoolers, I can't have peace of mind being away from them most of the time during day jobs. I'm probably not normal. Or, there were things I missed earlier in my life. So, I longed to be with my wife and children more.

Ah, work doesn't have to be a prison to me anymore! With my present work situation, the possibilities are endless. I can own my own life now. Work has become a place of destiny, freedom, and blessing.

Bible Thoughts, 1 Cor 15: 3, 4 : I hope because of the Risen Christ

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15: 3,4)

The past few Holy Week nights we're reading the last chapters of John, Luke, Matthew. It's our family devotion. My school-age kids, Christine and Paul, answer quizzes from Daddy and Mommy along with our sharing, prayers, and singing. My wife Imelda plays the keyboard. Our 3-year-old baby Angel, she just wiggles around.

Light of dawn on a Sunday morning shines into an empty tomb. Jesus' body is not in the grave. He is risen! The One who died on the Cross came back to life. That fact forever changed my life and the life of millions all over the world.

It's Easter. But today, commercials try to substitute the easter bunny for the reality of the risen Christ. Our culture tries to ignore the Cross and the empty tomb. It always offers substitutes to us.

I hope because of the Risen Christ. Sometimes, I get affected or driven by circumstances. But when I go back to the truth of Christ's resurrection I remember that there is hope and life beyond death. My seeming endless grind is not all there is. Nothing here on earth is forever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your gift of eternal life. It keeps me from being beaten up by the circumstances of this temporary world.

Bible Thoughts, Matthew 27:36: Watching at the Foot of the Cross

"They sat around and watched Him as He hung there."
Matthew 27:36 (Living Bible)

Morning again. Nice, sunny day. Cleaning around. Breakfast with wife and kids.

Holy Friday. Just start remembering Jesus. He was crucified. Hung on the cross.

That infamous day, many were at the foot of or just around the cross. Watching Jesus while He hung there.

I imagine, if I lived then, I'd also be at the foot of the cross. Watching Jesus. Why would He come to that point of crisis?

I can hear the faint rings of His voice penerating my heart. Among them, He is saying "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Something must be badly flawed inside me for Him to make that prayer.

Count me in with the others at the foot of the cross. I'm one of those that He came for to save.

Stolen Kiss, Yesterday's Fun etc

Had fun with Imelda yesterday. Accompanied her in a client call to Johnson and Johnson to meet a pregnant, young exec. J & J is tops. It cares a lot about its employees based on all the pictures and words I read while waiting. It's a few of a kind I suppose.

Also had time walking and talking with my sweetie. Coffee, pancit, siopao. Holding hands. Hang out at our favorite Father's Coffee in Robinson's Galleria till night. We're like singles again!

Stolen kiss story. My sweetie got that from Ben while in high school. Laughs. My wife was known to be in demand among admirers, both offline and online! I wonder what she has. Maybe "gayuma." Maybe because she always looks the same -- I mean, not looking older even as the years go by.

Anyway, I like the stolen kiss story. It tickles me.

Article, "Holy Week"

Commemorating Christ's death and resurrection begins in silence. It has something to do with reflecting deeply on what He has done for us in our mind.

However, to remember Christ's saving work cannot be a mere intellectual affair. It is also very much a matter of the heart.

By faith, we get to grasp the meaning of His death on the cross. By His Spirit, we experience His love and presence.

Thus our knowledge and understanding of Christ' death and resurrection this Holy Week are in a profound sense beyond words. There needs to be that mysterious work of the Holy Spirit.

If we think we can contain Christ with our head knowlege, our words, or our theology, we are grasping far less than what is real in our relationship wih Him.

May we commemorate Christ's death and resurrection this holy week through both head and heart as well as His Spirit.

New Neighbors

Dong and May are new neighbors. Christians from Bread of Life. We just met yesterday. But we already had coffee with them in their house while talking business! I find it odd and amazing. Would it be a case of too much too soon? Well, they're well-to-do, traveling entrepreneurs, so shop talk is just but natural for them. Another possibility seems like they're God-sent to us! The basic thought is that if we leave the business behind, we will still be good friends and brethren even though we're neighbors! We'll see.

Brokenness and Wholeness

Just had a "busy" night and morning with my sweetheart. We got broken again. Tears, hurts. We kept pressing on, talking, pushing and pulling till we come to mutual understanding. Everybody makes mistakes in marriage. Including us. Remorse set in, thinking how much better we could have been. How I wish I could take back some of those earlier years we had to be better! If we had only realized and worked together much earlier! But God is gracious and loving to Imelda and I. The blockages, breaches, or barriers, God is tearing them down. He wiped bad memories from our minds and hearts to start new, positive beginnings. Surely, this development in our marriage is one of life's finest blessings for us today. We value it and feed our faith on it.

My Daughter Christine Graduates from Grade School

My 12-year old daughter, Christine, graduates from elementary school today. How time flies so fast!

I can still remember so freshly how Christine was just a little baby back in our Makati days. It was not that too long ago.

But she has grown much already. How I wish she won't get bigger anymore!

I'm just glad that I'm around enough at this point of Christine's life. Can give her warm hugs, warm gifts. Other Filipino Dads have to be physically away, and many times, kids feel abandoned.

I wish for Christine to grow up as a devoted Christian. One who is able to give and receive love. To feel worthwhile to be herself and to others. To have a sense of true security.

I thank and praise God for Christine, and the gift of opportunity that I can be here for her.

Filipino pastors and Koreans

I was with some independent Filipino pastors in Manila. I tried to help them in a way. Korean churches give them money each month. Delays in the money. Worried, they tried to "impress" the Koreans to turn things around. Even in the prayer time, the word "impress Koreans" came up. After the prayer, I told the pastors, "Impress God, not the Koreans!" I got troubled inside. Even pastors may get confused or misguided. I hope I'm just over-reacting.

Article, "High School Graduation Thoughts"

My speech notes:

When I was invited to speak as a “guest speaker” for your high school graduation today, I asked myself why? I was kind of surprised for I no longer feel like a “guest” here at Rich Golden Shower Montessori.

I see and share with you during our weekly Thursday High School bible studies. I was even there during your high school seniors spiritual and character development retreats and even in your classrooms teaching some course.

So let’s just say I’m your guest speaker who is no longer a guest!

But still I asked, Why? I prayed and sought God about what He wants to say to you today. God answers my prayer and leads me to deliver to you 3 things which I believe He wants to say to you today.

Regarding these 3 things, I discovered they are things I wish someone has told me when I myself graduated from high school several years ago.

PERSPECTIVE

Let me start with the first one: Perspective.

Perspective to me is an ability to view things properly. We need perspective in order to realize the right way and values to view and build our life.

Here at RGSMC, proper perspective in life is important. It is even embedded in your total high school education. This is the only school I know where a percentage part of the official grade of every subject is on character. That’s how important this matter is to your school.

Where do you get the right perspectives in life? To answer this question, I say it could be dangerous to build your perspectives and life only around college. Life is more than college. Your life’s perspective doesn’t have to be shaped by the philosophies that you hear from your college professors or learn from your textbooks.

As a matter of fact, some can be bad examples, so beware of them! Especially when these examples are examples of corruption, laziness, dishonesty, lack of discipline. Beware of them for they will influence your perspectives and values in life.

How do you develop right perspectives for your college and life beyond? You need to listen to Scripture. Scripture is a manual that teaches us how to live. Scripture talks to us about life’s proper perspectives. The meaning and purpose of life. How you should relate to yourself and others. Attitudes towards money, possessions. Family values. Concern for justice, truth and so forth.

In preparing for your college and life beyond, the right perspective is therefore to have God at the center of your life. Of course, you can push your own way in life. And it may get you to the top of your college and career.

But without God’s blessing, your achievement is shallow. You’ll discover that you can long for things but after attaining them you’d feel empty and less satisfied. You can have much (much money etc), but if God is not at the center of what you have, you actually have very little.

You need God’s perspective in all your decisions, be it college course, a job or career to pursue, a life partner and so on. You need God’s perspectives in your life if life is to really be successful and satisfying.


PASSION

The second thing I believe God wish you to reflect on is embodied in the word “passion.” What is your passion? What are the gifts and abilities God has given you? What do you enjoy and do best?

If I were back in high school and someone asked me about what my plans are after graduating, I'd say that my first priority was to learn what the options are. What you need to do is discover what you like. You need time to work on things you like to do if you want to make right choices for your college and for your life.

It sounds easy to find out what you like to do. But the truth of the matter is that it’s a difficult thing to get a complete and accurate picture of your self and most careers. What complicates the situation is that we don’t always know what is best for us.

This therefore encourages you learn about career options and connect them to where your passions and abilities lie. If you ask me what I regret most about part of my college, I’ll say this: I wasted so much time. If you're wondering what you're doing now that you'll regret most later, that's it – wasting time. I wasted time pursuing things that were not my passion.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “Do you love life? Then do not waste time for that is the stuff life is made of.” The Bible also affirms the importance of using our time wisely. It says our life is like a vapor. We appear and then disappear. Our supply of time is limited.

A key to wasting time is distraction. If you want to discover how addicted you’ve
become on distractions, try this experiment: set aside time and sit alone. Think of nothing else: no friends, no TV, no cellfone, no computers, no web games, email etc. Within an hour most people will feel a strong craving for distraction. When you start feeling deeply uncomfortable, that’s distraction.

Time is God’s gift to us. It is a sin to waste it or merely spend it. We must invest it in our passions and where God has told us to be.


PREPARATION

Last but not the least, preparation. Remember to prepare well to take hold of your future.

You don’t have to wait to be older. You can start being an adult now by deciding to take responsibility for your life. You can do that at any age.
You may say, “Oh I’m just 16 years old, I have no money, I have to live with my parents, I have to do what adults tell me to do.” Don’t be restricted by these limitations. You can prepare now by living like an adult. If you think it's restrictive being a kid, imagine having kids!
That realization hits most people around 23. But I'm letting you in on the secret early. So get to work. Maybe you can be the first generation whose greatest regret from high school and college is not how much time you wasted.

YOU NEED also TO PREPARE FOR A world that changes very fast. Some of the things I'm presently doing didn't exist when I was in high school. The world changes and the rate at which it changes is itself speeding up.

In such a fast changing world, would it be a good idea to have fixed plans? Well, every graduation, you’ll be encouraged not to give up on your dreams. It does feel good – don’t give up on your dreams.

But if it means you're supposed to be bound by some plan you made early on, then you could be heading towards disaster. The computer world has a name for this: premature optimization. Better to say simply, don't give up! Don't get demoralized to move on inspite of changes that you see around you.

While faith in God is the foundation of your preparation, you need also to be realistic about yourself and the world around you.

The future is always open. Be prepared to face life and your future boldly.
The important thing is to get out there and do stuff. Instead of waiting to be taught, go out and learn and be well prepared to take hold of your future.

Congratulations, my dear young friends, on your graduation today. REMEMBER IT’S JUST A BEGINNING OF ANOTHER NEW LIFE FOR YOU. Have God’s perspectives in all your important decisions. Know and follow your passions. Be well prepared to face the challenges of the world and the future.

God bless, and again, congratulations!

Guest speaker at a high school graduation

Phone call from Jojo. Am a bit surprised that I'm being invited as "guest speaker" at the school's HS commencement tomorrow. Actually, I don't feel like a "guest" there. I see and share with the high school kids during our weekly Thursday bible studies. I was there during their retreats, camps, and even in their classrooms teaching some subjects! Ok. I'll be their guest speaker who is no longer a guest!

Disciplining Christine

Disappointment today. I had to discipline my daughter Christine. I remember one little girl saying, "Pag di mo bigay sa kin yan, di na tayo bati!" (If you don't give it to me, I won't be your
friend anymore!) That is her way to get her own way. A young child will try to manipulate and be in charge. My Christine tries to do that today. Should I let her get away? If I do, then I'm not loving her properly. I want to be my children's friends but they must learn that I love them even though I don't give them what they want. Letting children control and manipulate you puts a burden on them. Discipline relieves them of this burden and builds an essential foundation on their character.

Article, "Little Feet"

My little 3-year-old baby Angel has little feet. Anyone who watches little children is aware of this fact. With babies' little feet come their trust, love, and courage. Babies don’t have any hang-ups. They are not plagued by a lack of confidence, burdened with anxiety, or poisoned with hatred. Their little feet somehow symbolize for me our great, natural state -- happiness.

Yet, when our feet became bigger, we started to become unhappy and troubled by all manner of problems. So, what went wrong? How did we lose our natural state of happiness? Where did all the negativity come from? What happened to us?

Although not true for everyone, many of us had a less than perfect childhood. Our caregivers, such as parents, foisted their opinions on us. Opinions like, "You’re a stupid child. You’re clumsy. You can’t do anything right. You’re no good." Indeed, the little feet may do get immersed in a sea of negativity daily.

To a child like my 3-year-old baby Angel, Daddy and Mommy are like gods. How can she doubt the words she hears from me or Mommy? At such an early age, Angel lacks critical thinking skills. So, if mommy or daddy tells her she is bright or stupid, it must be true. So, not knowing any better, young children can easily come to accept the negative opinions of their caregivers. The opinions of their parents become their own opinions.

In fact, the opinions crystallize into self beliefs. They become accepted as facts. A child may now believe, "I am stupid. I’m worthless." He or she now identifies with a FALSE SELF. The false self is also called the wounded self, inner child, or conditioned self. It is based on lies. Weighed down by so much baggage, is it any wonder children give up learning how to walk with their little feet towards their growth and dreams?

Although once free, the little feet now live in a world of limitations. Filled with self-doubt, they can go only so far. It is as if there were a chain preventing them from reaching their potential.
Now that the children believe they are worthless, what are they to do? You don’t expect them to rejoice and tell everyone, do you?

But let me tell you these: When you had little feet, you simply accepted the opinions of others. But now you are an adult with big feet! You can question the negative opinions and prove them to be wrong. Take small steps, one at a time. Do what you want to do, but were afraid of trying. Watch your confidence grow. Watch your happiness increase. Start shedding weight.

Rediscover your true self. You do so not by trying to grasp it, but by letting go of your false beliefs. It is never too late to start blooming into your full potential. As you start reclaiming your true self, you'll be able to remove the mask. You'll discover the freedom to be who you are and the joy of accomplishing whatever you wish.

Let's hear a little conversation here before I end:

A disciple asked his spiritual teacher, "What prevents me from being happy?"
"Fear," came the reply."
What is the cause of my fear?"
"False beliefs," came the answer.
"What kind of false belief?"
"The belief that the sweet-smelling flowers surrounding you are poisonous snakes."
"How can I cast aside my false beliefs?"
"By opening your eyes and seeing."
"Seeing what?"
"That there isn’t a single snake around."

Move on, little feet, and be happy!