2015 Highlights

In December 01, I attended my last board meeting for this year as Corporate Secretary. Thankfully, I survived a series of quarterly and annual board meetings. After last meeting’s presentation and during lunch, our CEO requested everyone at the table to introduce themselves and say something significant that happened in their lives in 2015. I gave a short introduction about myself and mentioned that there was nothing significant that happened this year just to cut short my sharing and move on to the person next to me. But now as I look back and remember this year’s events, I realized that I have so much to thank the Lord for as many significant things on the contrary, happened that I would forever remember and thank God for.

For one, by God’s amazing grace, I was requested to visit one of our company’s partners’ office in Terneuzen, Netherlands to attend a crewing seminar. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to Europe so I didn’t hesitate. My boss was amazing enough to allow me to spend extra days to go with my co-worker who will extend her stay to visit her cousin who lives in Brussels, Belgium. So, we had about 12 days to spare. We spent an entire week at Terneuzen for the crewing seminar and series of other meetings. Thereafter, when work was done we went to Brussels where my co-worker’s Filipino cousin lives with her French husband. The couples were both journalists and it was very interesting as we shared some common interests in politics, government, etc. We even visited the European Union (EU) in Brussels where they have most of their coverages. We also did so many sightseeing in Brussels.

The next day we went to Paris, France by bus. It was a four-hour drive but the ride was smooth, puddle and pot-hole free unlike in our highways and roads. The air was crisp and cold so it was a nice time to sleep while on the way. When I reached Paris, I cannot stop gawking at the beautiful picturesque buildings, sights, infrastructures. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the different major and even minor tourist spots like the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel tower, etc. Everything was within walking distance and so grandiose, splendid and unbelievable. Every local and tourist alike looked fab and fashionable with their autumn cool wear. Everyone was speaking French which reminded me of my French classes in college and made me realize how I should have been serious in studying the language as it could have equipped me in this trip.

Another second blessing I received from God this year is a renewed relationship, a second chance shall we say with my ex. God is indeed amazing and I thank Him alone for this redemption. I prayed that if ever He wills for us to get back together then I claim that it will happen but if not I was ready to receive his other will for my life, maybe a new one or a life of single-blessedness which surely would not be easy but would be grace-filled. But to my surprise and as the Lord’s sweet gesture, a rekindling of love, respect and togetherness happened. I will be selfish with the details for now as I have to keep hoping still that the Lord would eventually make this one last for a lifetime.

There were many highs and lows for this year but definitely those above are two of the most significant events and blessings my Lord above graced me with. I cannot help but smile of the Lord’s amazing goodness. Indeed, when He blesses, it pours.

God bless us all and may we all have a blast as we welcome more blessings in 2016!

Forgiveness

Lately, God has been teaching me the principles of forgiveness, wisdom, quietness and gentleness of spirit. More particularly, God impresses upon me the need to forgive those who caused hurt, albeit not directly towards me but to my family.

About a week ago my mother called me up telling me that she had a verbal altercation with my older cousin. I admit I got angry at my cousin for disrespecting and dishonoring her. I tried processing my anger and asked God to help me respond and deal with it in an honorable and Godly way. God in his goodness kept reminding me to forgive others even if they do not deserve forgiveness because that is the proper and right thing to do. 

I try to place my shoes in that of Jesus’ and without a moment’s doubt I know that Jesus would forgive those who hurt Him and pray for them instead. In attempting to imitate Jesus Christ, I prayed for God to help me forgive my cousin for the wrong done against my mother and asked God to instead stir in his heart the right conscience in order to ask for my mother’s forgiveness. As what the pastor in the last Sunday service imparted, honor should be given on the basis of one’s position even if he or she is not worthy of honor. We honor our parents, those in authority or those older than us not because they deserve it because  sometimes they do not deserve our honor but we have to do it because we are called to obey God’s command to do so.

My cousin realizing his mistake and asking for my mother’s forgiveness may not be happening anytime now but I know that God will eventually touch his heart in order for him to recognize that he did a wrong thing and has to ask forgiveness.

I am also asking God to help me forgive one uncle of mine with whom I got so hurt and mad for not attending my father's wake and funeral. I do not know how a sibling can take stand not attending his brother's funeral. I had this feeling of grudge and anger for about 4 years but it's only now that I get to ask God to help me release my anger and forgive my uncle. I do not know his reasons for not attending the wake and funeral but this is no longer important. What's necessary is that I am able to forgive and rid of the bondage of anger and bitterness I hold against my uncle. He may not be worthy of any forgiveness but I choose to do so because I know that is what God wants. Only when I let go of all the hatred in my heart will I be truly free and worthy of the death and sacrifice Jesus did on the cross at Calvary.

Jesus while nailed on the cross, instead of cursing and getting angry towards those who mocked, spat and tortured Him prayed for them instead and asked God’s forgiveness for as Jesus’ words put it “they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus is merciful and kind. If He can forgive others who are we not to forgive those who do us wrong.

So, I choose to forgive and pray for a change in my cousin’s heart. Rather than putting things in my own hands, I choose to let God take control and deal with this situation. God will not let this go and will do what needs to be done according to his justice and mercy.

In Ephesians 4:32, it is written "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

The Curtain Tore in Two

Today is a holiday (Araw ng Kagitingan) as the country celebrates the brave souls of the old who fought hard for this country’s freedom. I took this time off from work to sleep, rest, watch movies and ultimately to have some quiet time and contemplate on God’s goodness in my life. In one of my readings, I came across the subject of our sins’ forgiveness through the sacrifice Jesus has done on the cross.

Just several days ago we celebrated the Holy Week, a contemplation of the death to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I have not really paid attention to this celebration. I was too pre-occupied of going home to my hometown to spend the rest of the holidays with my family. I didn’t spare any time to reflect and I am not proud of it. So when I read about the forgiveness tied to Jesus’ dying in the cross for our sins, it’s just now that I truly realized, understood and appreciated the tearing of the curtain in the temple as a sign of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for me – a sinner.

In one of my Bible readings I came across God’s commands in Leviticus. At first glance, I honestly think that the commands are unreasonable demands - sacrificing of animals, eating of unleavened bread, giving of different forms of burnt and sacrificial offerings to cleanse sins. But I like one commentary which said that “we may be tempted to dismiss Leviticus as a record of bizarre rituals of a different age. But its practices made sense to the people of the day and offer important insights for us into God’s nature and character... God used the form of sacrifice to teach his people about faith. Sin needed to be taken seriously. When people saw the sacrificial animals being killed, they were sensitized to the importance of their sin and guilt…” It was further discussed that “animal sacrifice accomplished two purposes: 1) the animal symbolically took the sinner’s place and paid the penalty for sin, and 2) the animal’s death represented one life given so another life could be saved. This method of sacrifice continued throughout Old Testament times… But in the New Testament times, Christ’s death became the last sacrifice needed. He took our punishment once and for all. Animal sacrifice is no longer required. Now any person can be freed from the penalty of sin by simply believing in Jesus, acknowledging Jesus’ in his or her place, and accepting the forgiveness Jesus offers.” (Life Application Study Bible, pg. 154)

In connection to this, the importance and symbolism of the ‘Tent of Meeting’ and ‘Tabernacle construction’ discussed in Exodus dawned of me. I admit that I didn’t pay much attention to these things when I first read them. But I now understood and appreciate this great symbolism upon reading this article today where it said “Jesus opened the way for forgiveness and entry into the presence of God. The curtain of the temple (see also Leviticus 24:3), which was what separated people from the presence of God, was torn in two supernaturally by God from top to bottom. This symbolized the fact that through the death of Jesus we are given access to God, because our sins are forgiven. God credits us with righteousness and allows us the immense privilege of an intimate relationship with him.”

In Leviticus it was written that Lord commanded that no one is to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark which are inside the Tabernacle, or else the person will die. Before one can enter, Aaron the priest has to make sacrifices and offerings and other meticulous offerings described in the Bible. But because of Jesus’ death on the cross, He waived all these rituals for the forgiveness of sins. He became the ultimate sacrifice in replacement of animals with no defects. He is the best sacrifice, of no defect, blameless, without sin and holy. Forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament required a perfect, without defect lamb as an offer of sacrifice (Lev. 23:12). Jesus as our ‘Passover lamb’ became the perfect offering as he is perfect, without defect. “In Hebrews 10:1-18, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate sacrifice.” “When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the temple (which had replaced the tabernacle) tore from the top to bottom (Mark 15:38), symbolizing our free access to God because of Jesus’ death. No longer did people have to approach God through priests and sacrifices.”

The death of Jesus on the cross allowed us the “immense privilege of an intimate relationship with God.” Jesus’ death opened the way into the presence of God where we can enter with boldness and confidence showing deep respect and reverence.

The curtain tore in two symbolized our access to God thru the perfect sacrificial lamb. No longer do we have to go through anybody else to access God. We have the direct access through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grab this opportunity and seeks God’s forgiveness.

But as we seek God’s forgiveness let us be reminded that “forgiveness is not a reason to sin again. It is in fact an incentive not to sin.” We should stay in God’s paths and refrain from taking lightly Jesus’ sacrifice for the cleansing of our sins. 

God's Goodness and Mercy

February is almost over. It has been a quick month but a lot of things happened. I was able to share God to another good friend of mine who is likewise a lawyer and my colleague at work. We just started talking lightly of how I think I have grown through my independence and faith in the Lord. Then the discussion spontaneously went to my sharing God to her and her telling me that she believes that there is really no coincidence as her coming to work at my place of work led her to start seeking God again. She told me she was already losing interest and faith in God until I started sharing with her my personal struggles and how I keep hanging on to God to help me through it. She said that I helped her start walking in faith and seeking God again. It was said in the Bible that heaven will rejoice even if one soul is saved. I will be happy to know that after our talk my friend would establish a lifelong faith and relationship with God and thru that she would be saved and heaven will rejoice.

I plan on giving my friend the Life Application Study Bible on her birthday in March. This was similar to the Bible given to me by my other colleague in the profession when I was going through a dark moment in my life. I hope it will help her in finding God and seeking only His truth and love. I thank God for using me to share His goodness. It is a privilege to do it for Him. I love God and I want others to get to know the love of my life so they too will fall in love with Him. 

On a different note, my mother suffered a mild stroke last February 25. She was at a mall when suddenly her left hand and left side of the leg weakened that she almost lost control over these parts of her body. She immediately called my elder sister who was on duty at the hospital at that time. My sister advised her to rush to the hospital so she can be checked and admitted if need be. My sister immediately called to let me know about my mother’s situation. After a series of tests, it was confirmed that my mother suffered a mild stroke. I cried and prayed that God would heal her. I also looked at it in a positive perspective. Instead of being angry with God, I chose not to. Yes He allowed the sickness to afflict my mother. But instead of paralyzing her complete body He allowed a mild stroke that still left her capable of walking and basically functioning normally. It was also a wakeup call for my mother to take care of her health. I realized that it is really about having the right perspective and trusting that God will not let us suffer more than we can bear. Now my mother is back at home. God indeed listens to our sincere heartfelt prayers. God listens, God hears and God answers. 

Tithing

I am challenging myself to tithe the way God instructed it should be done. Lately, in my daily quiet times God impressed upon my heart the obedience that is shown in tithing. In the Bible it has been said that 10% of the first fruits of our labor should be given back to God as tithe.

The very first idea of tithing I believe is found in the biblical account of Cain and Abel. In Genesis 4:2, Cain and Abel were brothers, sons of Adam and Eve. Abel kept flocks while Cain worked the soil. “In the course of time, Cain brought some (emphasis mine) of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering – fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on his Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and his face was downcast.”

It is really unsure why God favored Abel’s offering over that of Cain. But I guess it was because of the quality of what Abel offered. It came from the firstborn of his flock, it was of fat portions. While Cain merely offered some fruits of the soil, not firstfruits.

I had a conversation with a good friend yesterday who is already well on her way towards a strong Christian walk. We discussed about tithing and what it really means. She emphasized that through the Bible, God requires the first fruits of our labor. The first produce, the first portion, first percentage. She explains that in this day and age, our labor comes from our work. So the first fruits would most definitely be our wage which we now get through our ATM cards. Come payday, the first 10% of that salary should immediately be set aside for God as tithe. Then we set aside next the bills that must necessarily be paid. This way we are entrusting God to take care of the rest of our needs.

I have been having budget issues lately. You can say that my salary is generous for a single person like me. It can in fact feed a family of seven given the right amount of care put into budgeting. But year on year I have taken loans for investments that I realized there is almost nothing left for me at the end of payday. Almost everything is utilized as payments for the amortizations. I even have to save for clothing when given the salary I get I can buy a whole wardrobe of branded clothes if I so want. It doesn't really bother me before because I try to justify my expenses, i.e. buying a lot is an investment, paying for my kid brother’s tuition in medicine is worth it, contributing to the household expenses even if I don’t live there anymore is generosity, my car is a worthy buy, the condo is a necessity nowadays, etc. I even had a time when I maxed out my credit card. Whew. But I realized that this is not God’s concept of good budgeting and definitely not his idea of being good stewards of His blessings.

Lately, I am trying to follow God’s principles of tithing. I don’t expect to get filthy rich out of this act. The motivation really is to show to my God that I acknowledge that all of my blessings come from Him alone. I am giving Him back what He has given me as a sign that I trust Him with all of my needs. I hope to impress upon God that I want to trust Him in every aspect of my life be it in my financial affairs, emotional well-being, career aspirations, personal dreams, etc.

I just started tithing and not even halfway through this process when I offered God 10% of my 15^th month pay day last February. After three days from the last Sunday that I offered my 10% title, almost 100% of what I offered God returned to me when my co-lawyer (co-notary public) received a check payment for some documents we notarized. I was able to pay for a debt I owed a friend and I had enough to pay for one month of my car’s amortizations. Few days before this I was praying for God to help me pay these bills because I went overboard and went out of budget. God came to my rescue and proved to me that nothing is impossible with Him. As long as He sees my sincerity in all that I ask He rewards with even a thousand fold than I deserve to receive.

Here are some Biblical principles/verses on tithing:

“You must set aside a tithe of your crops – one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year.” – Deut. 14:22

“Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts. “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” – Malachi 3:10

“Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship – the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored – and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.” – Deut. 14:23

“You must present one-tenth of the tithe received from the Israelites as a sacred offering to the Lord. This is the Lord’s sacred portion, and you must present it to Aaron the priest.” – Numbers 18:28

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ You have cheated me of the tithes and offering due to me.” – Malachi 3:8

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Cor. 9:6-7

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” – Prov. 11:24

“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.” – Exodus 23:19

I want to quote here also some of Rick Warren’s take on tithing and giving:

“The law of reproduction says you reap what you sow, but the principle of multiplication says you will also reap more than you sow.”

“When you put one kernel of corn in the ground, you don’t get one kernel of corn back. You get a cornstalk with multiple ears on it and hundreds of kernels on each of those ears. This is the exponential power that God has established the universe to handle. You always get more out of it than you put into it.” 

Finally, "we should not worry about how much we are giving up, for all things are God's in the first place. Instead, we should joyfully give to God our best in time, money, possessions, and talents." -LASB

Valentine's Day

It’s Valentine’s Day. Same time last year I was at the hospital suffering from viral exanthem. Looking back I realized that I was still with my ex back then and while I was in bed ridden with sickness he was already contemplating on leaving me until he finally did on the 26^th of February. Maybe things have to happen so that God’s way better plans can materialize. I just trust that when God closes a door windows of better things and opportunities will surely open. God will never waste a hurt. While waiting for the day God’s chosen man for me will come, I will settle with a happy contentment that my God and my cute little dog are my lovely valentinos for now. Happy Valentine’s Day to all.

Treadmill

Lookie! A dream come true! 😁

Coincidence

It's quite funny how things in my past keep coming back to me now as weird coincidences. Remember when texting and cellphones were still starting? When the first few coolest phones were the Nokia 5110, 3210 and etc.?

My elder sister and I did this silly thing when we randomly texted a number and asked if we can have her as a texmate. This person replied and we started talking and exchanging information. But all the information we gave her were untrue. We told her she is texting a certain Dennis A. Silverio. It was my sister who thought of this name which is just out of the blue without reference really to any actual person that we know of. When the lady started dishing out information about her we learned that she was an owner of a famous restaurant back in our place. And many years later my younger sister came to know and got acquainted with her in the school chapel choir.

Fast forward some 16 years later, I notarized an affidavit from one of our seafarers in the office earlier. When I was reading the document I read in bold letters the name "Dennis A. Silverio" who hails from the same Province as mine. What a coincidence eh? I told my sister about it over text.

Maybe God wants to remind me of that little game my sister and I played which I should be sorry and pray about. I realized it was nothing for my sister and I but it may have meant something for that girl. Looking back, I realize that it wasn't really nice playing with someone else’s feelings. I resolve never to do anything silly like that again even if just in jest. Now that I am older, I hope I am wiser than my younger years.

Sorcery

While I was having my quiet time with God I read this: "Sorcery was punishable by death because it was a crime against God himself. To invoke evil powers violated the first commandment to "have no other gods." Sorcery was rebellion against God and His authority. In essence, it was teaming up with satan instead of God." 

I remembered being asked by a former law school classmate to have myself checked by a fortune teller so that I would be able to see more or less my possible future with my ex. At that time I was in one of my darkest place, confused by the sudden twist of events, betrayals and shock. I almost resorted to his bidding. But I guess God loves me so much that He sent me to two good friends who are Christians to ask their opinions on this. They discouraged me and quoted Bible verses to support their stance. They said that the Bible speaks of so many things against it and that sorcery, fortune-telling and the like are not from the Lord. 

Looking back and reflecting on what I just read, I prayed and thanked God that He sent me two good friends as Angels to watch over me to make sure that I won't fall trapped to the devil's schemes. Indeed the devil deceives in ways that would make bad look good and desirable. I thank God that He shows me His love and care through the cautions He puts my way. All I have to do is to trust Him fully. 

As to my two friends, I immediately sent them text messages thanking them for talking me out of resorting to fortune-telling.

"Do not allow a sorceress to live." - Exodus 22:18 

Victory in the Second Case

Few posts ago, I wrote about these two cases I am currently handling for the companies I work for. I recounted that one of two cases won. Last Thursday, I received another news that the other one won as well. I wouldn’t say the effort came from me since there were at least three lawyers represented three different companies as co-respondents there. I am not as thrilled as this one for some reasons I cannot divulge as I am bound by some serious lawyer-client privilege communication. But I am just relieved that this got somehow got away of my concerns for now. Hopefully, the complainants would no longer pursue this case to the higher level. But I just want to say that God listens and He decides. I have to trust in His wisdom.