LOVESTRUCK: Sana All Edition Online Book Launching

FINDING MEANING IN SUFFERING AND DEATH (This Season of Grief Book Review)

Grieving is uncomfortable because we are not usually trained to make sense of our losses. It disrupts our entire being, reinforces deeper self-awareness and compels us to be vulnerable and emotionally defenseless. This Season of Grief provides a vivid picture of these certainties. Readers shall surely partake of this experience with an open heart, soul and mind. 

As C.S. Lewis accurately put it: pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world which ignores His dealings. To endure the process of grieving, we must appreciate His raison d’etre for this season of anguish. Villanueva’s exposition of Biblical lament dismantles popular notions about rejoicing and praise among “triumphalist” believers. That God’s children need to recognize the value of weeping as circumstances require it. That it is OK to refrain from singing happy songs if your crushed spirit does not call for it.  Prayers of lament are, therefore, in order (Reyes). 

Personal anecdotes are not mere stories (Abiva, Caparos, Rodriguez, Tiongson-Manalang, Lucas, Nicolas-Na, Torres, Sarile-Alagao, Huang). They are divine-inspired narratives which reveal God’s unseen hands even in the darkest period of our lives. He has been with our medical frontliners as they go through their “valleys of shadow of death” (Gonzales-Lim). He sustains  workers struggling with work-from-home setup (Batac) and provides for those who resorted to online selling just to make both ends meet (Ang). 

This pandemic accentuates the need for emphatic listening, tactful words and ministry of presence (Arandia, Malibiran-Salumbides). It invites us to acknowledge that peace and chaos can co-exist. There is value in the acceptance of the inevitable and exercise of self-care (Torres). We should, therefore, befriend grief in various ways (Manzanilla-Manalo). 

The year 2020 was undeniably an “annus horribilis” (disastrous year) for the entire humanity. Yet, God has been working in different ways to shape His and church and His children. This pandemic season could be a “time-out” for our “romanticized version” of the old normal. CoVid was the great revealer of our socio-cultural pathologies (Maggay) and fragmented national consciousness (Pasion). Church leaders were compelled to rethink their ecclesiology (Pabiona) and how they should sustain their ministries affected by a downtrodden economy (Cura and De Guzman). Moreover, tragedies are opportunities for believers to be the “salt and light” of the world. We are compelled by Christ’s love to reach out to the needy and the marginalized (Estrada, Ngo). 

This volume would surely be revisited by the generations to come not only because of its historic relevance but moreso due to its psycho-spiritual value. What’s personal is, indeed, the most universal. Honest misgivings toward God’s love and sovereignty amidst deaths of loved ones and loss of cherished properties are uncovered and Biblically-processed. 

Chapters provide a confluence of existential emotions but all of them culminate with a tinge of hope and blessedness. Death is indeed God’s mechanism to usher us into His presence (p. 38). Grief is also an instrument for us to appreciate God’s grace and peace (p. 50). Huang beautifully captures the book’s essence: that “we can grieve our losses not just in the private darkness of our thoughts but also by the light, the presence of God, and His Word” (p. 130).

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BAGO KAYO BUMOTO Webinar 3: Competence (Magaling Ba?)

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BAGO KAYO BUMOTO Webinar 1: Philippine Politics 101

REAL TALKS Episode 8: Aalis Ka na? Usap Muna Tayo. (On Leaving Your Church)

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REALTALKS Episode 4: On False Doctrines and Gaslighting

REAL TALKS Episode 3: Honesty in Leadership and Relationship

REAL TALKS Episode 1: Community Pantries and Couple Vloggers

BUHAY SI LORD! (Resurrection Sunday Message)

OUR SOURCE OF HOPE (Romans 8:18-30)

This pandemic has brought many people to their knees. We have found ourselves looking for the elusive light at the end of this dark historical tunnel. It has also  proven that human strivings are inadequate and God is the only reliable source of wisdom and strength. 

God’s children are not insulated to earthly sufferings. Paul’s letter to the Romans instructs us to take solace in the fact that our present hardships are incomparable to the glorious destiny we have in Christ (v.18). Hence, the need for us to stand firm in faith until the redemption of our earthly bodies (v. 22). This period of expectation is always assisted by the power of the Holy Spirit who “intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (v. 26). God can always bring us through painful circumstances. 

Our hope lies in the truth that in “all things” He works for the good of those who love Him (v.28). It is only Him who can turn things around. What the enemy or other people have meant for evil, He can intend it for good to accomplish His purposes (ref. Genesis 50:20). This promise, however, is only reserved for His children who have acknowledged His authority over their lives (ref. Matthew 22:28-30, John 1:12).

 Always remember that God, in His infinite grace and wisdom, would never let His children suffer without a noble purpose. This was beautifully revealed when He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the salvation of humankind (ref. Isaiah 53). He provided the ultimate solution to a hopeless, broken and dying world. We cannot have genuine peace and comfort apart from Christ’s loving presence.   

Let’s pray: “Father God, thank you for giving us Your Son to be our source of hope and salvation. Always remind us, Holy Spirit, of the hope and security we have in Christ. Amen.

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PAYONG KUYA LIVE: Usapang Discipleship

OVERCOMER SERIES: Real Discipleship

BAKIT KAILANGAN NINYONG IPAG-PRAY ANG INYONG MAPAPANGASAWA?

May isang babae akong niligawan noong college years at talagang hiniling ko sa Panginoon na aking mapangasawa at makasama sa ministeryo. Pero may mga tao talagang pinagtagpo pero hindi itinadhana. Pangalawang heartbreak (may nauna noong high school). I just cried to the Lord. Then, doon ko na-realize na I have been doing things my way. Nang ibinigay ko kay Lord ang pagmamaneho ng love life ko, doon dumating ang aking beloved wife.

Maniwala man kayo o maniwala kayo, nalaman ko na si DearestGie ang ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng isang God-given dream. For the full story, you may click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61sCWTEw3x4. Matagal na kaming magkasama sa ministeryo (gitarista ako, worship leader siya) pero wala lang. Aso’t pusa nga kami niyan kapag may practice. Ganoon daw minsan: nagkakatuluyan ang nagkaka-asaran. Eniweiz, punta tayo sa punto ng post na ito: bakit kailangang hinugin sa panalangin ang ating buhay pag-ibig?

Una, prayer is an act of humility. Na parang sinasabi mo kay Lord na unless Siya ang gumawa ng paraan para maayos ang love life mo, hindi mo kayang ayusin iyan. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6,10, 1 Peter 5:5). Binabago ng panalangin ang mga maling ugali at pananaw natin sa buhay. At kapag nasa gitna ka ng kalooban at favor ni Lord, hindi ka kailanman magkakamali.

Pangalawa, kasi si Lord ang nakakaalam ng the best para sa iyo. When you seek His will through prayer and meditation of His Word, He would reveal Himself to you. Your spirit would be more sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. Hindi ka basta-basta kikilos kung wala kang go signal sa Panginoon. Siya ang magri-reveal ng mga bagay na hindi mo alam at mga kailangan mong gawin (John 16:13, Psalm 143:10).

Pangatlo, para maihanda ka at ang future partner mo sa inyong pagtatagpo. Naniniwala ako na may mga tao talagang potential na maging partner mo for life pero minsan hindi matched ang season ninyo sa buhay. Ipanalangin ninyong kapag nagkita kayo, pareho kayong handang magbigay ng pag-ibig sa isa’t isa.  Everything is made perfect in God’s appointed time (Eccl. 3).

Pang-apat, at palagay ko ay ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat: para hindi mawala sa hulog ang iyong ugali kapag nagka-jowa ka na. Maraming pumasok sa relasyon pero nawala na sa trono ng puso nila ang Panginoon. Kapag ibinabad mo sa panalangin iyan, alam mong kapag si Lord ang nagbigay. And you would be forever grateful. Hindi mo makakalimutan ang author ng love story ninyo. You will always be reminded that all good things come from Him (James 1:17). At ang relasyon na iyan should always glorify Him all the days of your life.