We are on the brink of a New Year. For 2008, God has given us a twin gift of pain and joy! Pain, because, one of our board members passed on. After serving in MEANS for 20 years, he left us suddenly and unexpectedly. Joy, because despite bad economic times, our donors have given so generously and sacrificially to help missions and the ministries in the Philippines and around the world. The increased in giving to missions has encouraged us as we look forward to helping our ministry partners build the Kingdom of God in their midst.
I wonder what 2009 will bring to each of us? It is as if I were on my tiptoes trying to see what God in His mercy and providence will give us in 2009. One thing is sure, though. Great is God's faithfulness and His mercies, they are new every morning. Hallelujah!
This year, let us remind ourselves, that He Who is faithful, Emmanuel, God with us, in us and for us, will never leave us nor forsake us. He will be there to light the path that we will tread, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He will be our Light. In Jesus, there is no darkness at all. Therefore, we will not fear, but have courage, hope and joy!
Let me share with you one of my favorite poems. I have cherished this poem through the years because it reminds me that within our reach is JOY!, if we could but open our eyes to see the works of God in our midst. This poem was written in 1513 by Fra Giovanni, a priest during the Renaissance period, to his friend. I hope and pray that his advice, though written centuries ago, will challenge and encourage you for 2009!
Fra Giovanni's Letter to a Friend
I salute you. I am your friend and my love for you goes deep.
There is nothing I can give you which you have not got.
But there is much, very much that while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today.
Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance.
Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.
Take joy!
Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty . . . that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven.
Courage then to claim it, that is all! . . .
And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.
Fra Giovanni, 1513
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit " (Romans 15:13)
Lina
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
A Hope-filled New Year to one and all
We are on the brink of a New Year.I have been meditating on the word "hope" these days. The Beatitudes and every verse in it is full of hope. I would like to share some thoughts with you.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the Kingdom of God;
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they will be comforted;
Blessed are the meek,
For they will inherit the earth;Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they will be filled;
Blessed are the merciful,
For they will obtain mercy;
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they will see God;
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called the children of God;
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For they will inherit the earth.
------Matthew 5:3-10
Thomas Merton from his book Passion for Peace wrote:
"Despair is NOT permitted to the meek, the humble, theafflicted, the ones famished for justice, themerciful, the clean of heart, and the peacemakers. All the beatitudes "hope against hope", bear everything, believe everything, hope for everything,endure everything (1 Cor. 13:7). The beatitudes are simply aspects of love. They refuse to despair of the world and abandon it to a supposedly evil fate which it has brought upon itself. Instead, like ChristHimself, the Christian takes upon his own shoulders the yoke of the Saviour, meek and humble of heart. This yoke is the burden of sin, with all its confusions and all its problems. These sins,confusions and problems are our very own. We do not disown them."
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
A blessed and fruitful 2008 to everyone.
Lina
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the Kingdom of God;
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they will be comforted;
Blessed are the meek,
For they will inherit the earth;Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they will be filled;
Blessed are the merciful,
For they will obtain mercy;
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they will see God;
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called the children of God;
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For they will inherit the earth.
------Matthew 5:3-10
Thomas Merton from his book Passion for Peace wrote:
"Despair is NOT permitted to the meek, the humble, theafflicted, the ones famished for justice, themerciful, the clean of heart, and the peacemakers. All the beatitudes "hope against hope", bear everything, believe everything, hope for everything,endure everything (1 Cor. 13:7). The beatitudes are simply aspects of love. They refuse to despair of the world and abandon it to a supposedly evil fate which it has brought upon itself. Instead, like ChristHimself, the Christian takes upon his own shoulders the yoke of the Saviour, meek and humble of heart. This yoke is the burden of sin, with all its confusions and all its problems. These sins,confusions and problems are our very own. We do not disown them."
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
A blessed and fruitful 2008 to everyone.
Lina
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The twelve days of Christmas
In the liturgical year calendar - today, Dec. 28, is the 4th day of Christmas. The 1st day of Christmas starts on December 25. The Christmas season ends on January 6 (Feast of the Three Kings). A total of 12 days of joyful celebration remembering the coming of Jesus in human flesh. May I encourage you to spend a holy Christmas season this year? Let us continue to meditate on the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and let our hearts overflow with gratitude and thanksgiving for His great love and mercy to us. To begin with, may I share with you, the lyrics of a popular Christmas song which we often hear during this season? It is a fun song but there are religious symbolism in the song which will help us as we continue to think about God's love to us this holy season.
Religious symbolism of:
The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
A blessed Christmas season to one and all!
Lina
Religious symbolism of:
The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
A blessed Christmas season to one and all!
Lina
Friday, November 16, 2007
Advent - A season of waiting and hope
Advent: A time of waiting.....waiting....for the coming of the SON, Immanuel, God with us.
God's gift to us. Let us prepare our hearts for His coming. Let us think of how we can wait with joyful expectation and adoration to God's precious gift to us.
" O Emmanuel O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O Wisdom O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And order all things mightily To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in her ways to go.
O Lord and Ruler O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might: Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height In Ancient times did give the law In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
O Root of Jesse O Come, thou rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust Thy mighty power to save, And give them victory o'er the grave.
O Key of David O Come, thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav'nly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, That we no more have cause to sigh.
O Dawn of the East O Come, Thou Dayspring from on High And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadow put to flight.
O King of the Gentiles O Come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind. Bid every strife and quarrel cease And fill the world with heaven's peace. "
I wonder what it will be like this CHRISTMAS to those who have not heard about the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to us. I am thinking of 3 Filipina missionaries who started Elpis School in Maesot, Thailand, laboring to share the goodness of God’s love and care to about 243 migrant Burmese children. These children are getting free education, free school supplies and free food! One of their projects is to open a coffee shop to help sustain their ministry and to teach the older children livelihood skills like weaving, baking, sewing and haircut training, t-shirt printing, and card making. As independent missionaries, they are fully trusting God to provide for their own needs and the needs of Burmese migrant children.
Let us remember those who are serving the poor and the underprivileged.
Posted by: Lina
God's gift to us. Let us prepare our hearts for His coming. Let us think of how we can wait with joyful expectation and adoration to God's precious gift to us.
" O Emmanuel O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O Wisdom O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And order all things mightily To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in her ways to go.
O Lord and Ruler O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might: Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height In Ancient times did give the law In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
O Root of Jesse O Come, thou rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust Thy mighty power to save, And give them victory o'er the grave.
O Key of David O Come, thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav'nly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, That we no more have cause to sigh.
O Dawn of the East O Come, Thou Dayspring from on High And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadow put to flight.
O King of the Gentiles O Come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind. Bid every strife and quarrel cease And fill the world with heaven's peace. "
I wonder what it will be like this CHRISTMAS to those who have not heard about the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to us. I am thinking of 3 Filipina missionaries who started Elpis School in Maesot, Thailand, laboring to share the goodness of God’s love and care to about 243 migrant Burmese children. These children are getting free education, free school supplies and free food! One of their projects is to open a coffee shop to help sustain their ministry and to teach the older children livelihood skills like weaving, baking, sewing and haircut training, t-shirt printing, and card making. As independent missionaries, they are fully trusting God to provide for their own needs and the needs of Burmese migrant children.
Let us remember those who are serving the poor and the underprivileged.
Posted by: Lina
Friday, November 2, 2007
Child Soldiers in Myanmar
The Myanmar junta forces children as young as ten into the army.
You might be interested to view the video in Bangkok Post where they featured Myanmar or Burma Army recruiting 10 yr. olds into the army. Click link here to seek the video:
Posted by Pappet
You might be interested to view the video in Bangkok Post where they featured Myanmar or Burma Army recruiting 10 yr. olds into the army. Click link here to seek the video:
Posted by Pappet
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