Christmas over the years

Christmas celebrations are homecoming. When we were kids, we always go back to Cagayan de Oro for Christmas coz that is the hometown of my Dad. Christmas was like a homecoming where everybody comes back for a family reunion. My cousins and I had a great time spending the holidays together. It is one of only 2 occasions (the other is summer) in the year where we hang out and just spend time together. After several years, we have grown. And in the last couple of years we were not able to have our Christmas homecoming simple because our families have grown and moved to other places. Some of my cousins have migrated abroad. Some of us are deployed in far areas because of work.

This year, we have a great get together. This time, it is in Davao City where most of us are based. We have a simple celebration but a meaningful one. Just like the birth of Jesus, people from different places - the shepherds, the wisemen, came to a common place to celebrate the birth of a King. Our family members may come from different places but every Christmas, we gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Merry Christmas.

Effective Altruism and the Ethics of Helping Others through Medical Missions

Effective altruism has been a major concern about the ethics of helping others. The discussion has centered on whether the help we offer has the greatest positive impact to the world. It scrutinizes whether the intent to help others is a valid reason enough to use our resources in certain activity. Such is the ethical questions that needs to be addressed by organizations thinking of maximizing their resources to help others through a medical mission. Here are Six Questions that needs to be answered before you organize a medical mission:

1. Is the medical mission needed in the area?
Many medical missions are conducted in areas that do not match the resources available to the needs in the area. One group once went to a depressed squatters area bringing antibiotics expecting many sick children. They found many to be sick with tuberculosis but do not have the medicines for it. Because medical missions often address acute medical needs, the timing and the location are important considerations for this activities. Another location might benefit the most with what you have to offer.


2. Are the recipients the neediest people who need the service?
This question is related to the first. Medical missions are often limited in their resources. It becomes important then to ask who will receive these limited resources? Do we give these to members of the organizations only? Do we invite our family and friends? Do we cater on a first come, first serve basis? Or do we exclusively limit it to the poorest people who needs the help the most?


3. Is the medical mission the best way to improve the health of the individual and the community at large?
Medical missions are useful when disaster strikes as the health care system is overwhelmed by the situation. Yet, in ordinary times there are existing health services that the government are offering. It might be more effective to help improve the existing health programs and services available in the community to have longer lasting impact in improving people's health and the community as well. It It is better to put your resources to a program that will provide the greatest benefit to most number of people.


4. Is the "medical mission" helping the local health system?
Each locality has an existing health care system. In low-to-middle income countries (LMIC) like the Philippines, it might not be as effective as we want it. But are the medical missions we are conducting helping the system or are we competing against them? Check if there are local health centers and health workers in the area. It will be unfortunate to conduct medical missions without their participation. You might miss creating a bigger and lasting impact.


5. Is the medical mission highly dependent on donations?
Do you conduct the medical missions on a regular basis or only when the resources are available? How will this impact continuity of health care to the people? If the reason why the medical mission was done in the area is because medical services are really needed, what does it mean to provide only once in a "Blue Moon" health services to them or only when resources are available? Limited resources is better placed in programs with the greatest health outcomes for all.


6.  Is the group concern with the health of the people or are they just using it as leverage for their own purpose?
What could be the driving force for the medical mission? Some churches have conditions for the beneficiaries, they offer only medical services only after the beneficiaries have participated in a Bible Study by the group. Politicians leverage it for their election. Groups use it to promote their products. Or do they simply want to help improve the health of the most number of people regardless of nothing to gain in return?


Effective altruism does not question the intent of the people to help others. For many utilitarians like Dr. Singer, they question the impact and effectiveness of the help offered. Effective altruism, thus, puts into proper perspective how medical missions can effectively impact the health of the wider-community. Were the resources used properly? But for virtuous doctors, the question really is, can the medical missions effectively help me become a virtuous doctor? Are the medical missions the best venue in forming in me virtues that will make me an excellent doctor?  For Christian doctors, can these medical missions be the best way for us to achieve Christ-likeness? Will these activities form in me virtuous of magnificence? Do I practice generosity?

For in generosity, I am helping the best way I can to a person who needs me most.

Breaking the Bad News

Virtuous doctors are humans with a heart for their patients and their patient's families. They recognize the "importance of their role" in breaking the bad news to the family members.

Doctors can be God's instrument of healing their wounded heart if they allow God to use them.

Watch and learn.

Oh those #TearsOfGreys feels! 󾌺󾌺󾌺 #GreysAnatomy
Posted by Grey's Anatomy on Lunes, Oktubre 19, 2015

Work or Charity?

Working hard has always been applauded as an admirable trait. The Proverbs seems to tell us that hardworking people will reap financial benefits. For some healthcare workers, "working hard" means "helping many sick people." But here is the problem. For many, the "working hard" they provide should be reciprocated with financial benefits. We can't deny the fact that the "work" people give is the means of income to support their family. Where do you draw the line where hard work is just plain and simple charity? What would be the source of financial wealth for those whose "work" are not compensated justly?

Community Medicine makes you ask this important question...

I attended the National Colloquium on Community Medicine early this month. The speakers where fellow practitioners of Community Medicine. Most of them have been serving in the remote areas of developing countries like the Philippines for decades. One of the social teachings of Christianity is that the Gospels challenges us to have a preferential option for the poor. Repeatedly, the speakers noted that Jesus associated with the poor and sick. I was so captured by their thoughts and insights about their theological views and how it led them to practice medicine in geographically isolated and difficult areas. The poor and the sick is affected by the society one lives in. The doctor, therefore, must be able to consider and address the social conditions if the doctor really wants to treat the sick and poor. One important question captured my mind during that colloquium that I think every healthcare provider should consider and struggle with:

Is Christianity and Capitalism compatible?

The Philippines has an open market economy greatly influenced by the capitalist ideals of the Western world. The capitalist economy promises good life for its hardworking people. As of August 2015, the Philippine government prides itself as one of the fastest growing economy in Asia with a current annual GDP of 5.2% in Q1 and an IMF forecast of growth as high as 6.7%. However, the economic growth is not felt by the common masses as most live in poor condition. The latest SWS survey in the Q1 of 2015 shows 51% of Filipinos perceive themselves as poor. It seems the people that benefited from the growth of the economy are only the rich. The Forbes reported in 2014 that the 50 richest Filipino collectively earned almost half of the Philippine GDP. The 50 richest Pinoys earned $8.45 Billion in 2014 which is 51% of the $16.6 billion earned by the country.  Thus the cliche, the rich is getting richer and sadly the poor is becoming poorer.

The question then, how did 85% of the Filipino people who are Christians allow such injustice to take place? Regardless of affiliation, the Roman Catholic and the Protestant church have great influence in the mind and attitudes of the people. The mainline Christian teaching is to help the poor and the needy yet the Filipino people exist in a capitalist economy that seems to do the opposite? Is capitalism incompatible with the Christian teaching or is it being abused? But Jay Richards says that capitalism is the solution. If capitalism rightly drives us to do our best to produce better quality products, be competitive in a setting with equal opportunity to succeed and rid ourselves of poverty; should Christianity then blame the poor for being lazy, not competitive enough and responsible for their poor state?

What do you think?

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Join the Church Health Ministry FB Group Page to know other church health ministries.  

Learn how to start a Health Ministry in your church. Invite us to help you conduct seminars and workshops. 

I'd love to hear from you. Share your insights and thoughts in the comment below. 

What makes Health Promotion programs in churches successful?

The Bible is replete with stories and messages about taking care of our physical health. Jesus ministering and healing the sick shows us the importance of health in our life. Throughout history, Christians have been on the forefront of promoting good health among people. Today, health promotion in churches is arguably the best health ministry local churches can implement. It is cost-efficient, sustainable and effective program available. But not all programs will become successful. 

There are certain elements that makes a health promotion in churches successful. A research done by Jane Peterson et al (Peterson, 2002) in 2002 reviewed the literature on health promotion and identified seven elements that made the program achieve its intended goals. They were able to identify the following elements of a successful health promotion ministry:

1.       Partnerships

2.       Positive health values

3.       Availability of services

4.       Access to church facilities

5.       Community-focused interventions

6.       Health behavior change

7.       Supportive social relationships

As the church year starts this month and ministry planning coming, take time to consider these elements. Reviewing our existing health ministries and ensuring these elements are present can help us achieve the desired outcomes of our programs. 

-----------------------------------------

Join the Church Health Ministry FB Group Page to know other church health ministries.  

Learn how to start a Health Ministry in your church. Invite us to help you conduct seminars and workshops. 

I'd love to hear from you. Share your insights and thoughts in the comment below. 

5 Things You Must Do When Moving

Packing things

Almost every year or two, we move to a new place. As missionaries, moving is nothing new to us. But it is still stressful every time we move. So to help ease out the stress, we do some simple things before we move to a new place. Let me share with you five things we observe to reduce our stress.

1. Search out the new place.
 - You can visit the new location and get familiar with the area. Familiarize yourself with the area and with the people too. We attended worship service in the closest church to our new home in the area just to familiarize with the people as well. If this is not physically possible, you can always check the place online.

2. Say good bye to the place.
- It is important to acknowledge that we are leaving a certain place and must bid it farewell. These places have special memories to us and oftentimes it has emotional attachments to us. Weeks before we left, we include in our prayers saying goodbye to the place and the memories it holds for us. This is where I taught my kids to ride a bike, celebrated Christmas and New Year together and other memories. Saying goodbyes help put closure and eases the stress on the emotions.

3. Say good bye to friends.

Goodbye Cards

- Or at least inform them that you may not be seeing them as frequent as before. People might hate saying goodbyes, but kids need this kind of activity to put order and closure in the part of their lives. We had our kids set one day to send goodbye cards and gifts to their teachers and friends as they will be moving to a new school. It is important to emphasize that goodbyes does not necessarily mean the friendships will end but that staying in a particular place does.

4. Move at night.
- Traffic is bad. But traffic eases out during night time. So plan to move your stuff at night time. I also love the image of moving at night and finishing all the transfers as the dawn breaks. It just sets the setting where God prepares something new with the new day.

5. Bless the household before moving in.
- As in literally before moving in, you must bless the household. Not just the house and the place but the people in the household. More than the new place, the people involved - the parents, the kids, the relatives who are moving - needs God's blessing and guidance. Before we even open the door of the new place and put the first box inside, we prayed together outside the new place and ask God to bless the household. God provides the comfort and the peace to remove all the stresses involved in moving to a new place.

We're moving today. Happy moving.

The girl effect: The clock is ticking

Early teenage pregnancy is a problem in our country that needs attention. In my practice, I have seen young teenage mothers. I even had a 12-year old girl with her second pregnancy. How can such things happen?

One of the things that greatly affects our society is the rising number of unwanted early pregnancy. Young women as early as age 8 are being  readied for arranged marriages. This is a tall matter as culture plays a big factor here. However, health promotion and educating the community can help them understand the health implications of such practices.We need to do something about this. The clock is ticking.

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Join the Church Health Ministry FB Group Page to know other church health ministries.  

Learn how to start a Health Ministry in your church. Invite us to help you conduct seminars and workshops. 

I'd love to hear from you. Share your insights and thoughts in the comment below. 

How to Celebrate Birthdays with Technology

I am often on travel. Because of technology people are more mobile than ever before. We can be from one corner of the world and to the other side in just a matter of hours. Technology is supposed to help us live a better life. Although technology can let you travel a great distance in a short time, technology can also bridge people together faster. Here is how I was able to celebrate my birthday with my family despite the great physical distance with them.

1. The good "old" e-mail

Yes, email may sound old but it is still relatively a new technology that brings people close together. The first birthday greeting I received today is through my email. And to prove to you that email is not an outdated technology, the emails I received are from my friends who are senior citizens. Of course, they still pride themselves to being abreast with modern life because they know how to use an email. E-mails like mails can be saved. And I love reading mails again and again even after years have gone.

2. Facebook

Facebook messages can bring your message across faster. The simple greetings in my posts are heartwarming. The FB posts are public, making any birthday announced publicly. Good for me, I am not home so I am saved from the usual dinner blowouts and parties. But it blesses me to receive greetings, wishes and prayers from family and friends. FB can make e-birthday celebrations.

3. Skype

Skype allows you to feel like you are with your loved ones. The first greeting I received on my birthday was a skype call from my wife. Skype gives the technology where I can talk to my wife and see her at the same time. What more, it is free. I can even talk to other family members simultaneously even if they are in different places. Even with a different timezone, our celebrations can happen at the same time. My family prepared a thanksgiving meal for me with a cake and they sang a birthday song and I can see and hear them. I even get to blow the cake.

Technology can really bring people closer together despite the physical distance. But sometimes, we only realize this when we are apart. So, the next time we are together with our family and friends, let us make sure we enjoy each others presence. There is nothing much comforting than being in the presence of your loved one. "And remember that I am always with you..." M

atthew 28;20.

Three Steps to Glimpse God's Glory

* Sermon by Rev. Dr. Nezer A. Soriano delivered during Transfiguration Sunday in Kamuning UMC, Quezon City last February 15, 2015.
Text: Mark 9: 2 - 9.

The Lord be with you.

Recently puro, bad news ang nababasa natin at puro bad news din ang sinasabi ko sa mga patients ko. So, I am happy to share God’s good news today.

Let me share a story. I recently told a patient she has hypertension. She cried after I told her that. I asked what made her sad? She replied, she will probably die of heart attack or stroke in a few years time. I told her, she can reduce the risk if she would change her lifestyle. I told her if she would avoid eating lechon, kare kare, stop eating too junk foods, burgers and fries, avoid softdrinks, stop partying at night, sleep early and exercise regularly she would decrease the risk. She cried even further. (You are supposed to laugh). She was only seeing the disease. She only sees superficially.

Let us pray.

Today is Transfiguration Sunday and our Gospel story tells us about this event.

A week ago, Jesus was talking to the disciples about his coming suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. The disciples were scared at what they heard. They criticize Jesus for speaking about death. They only understood the superficial meaning of the sufferings Jesus will experience. Maybe they were scared for Jesus. Imagine your friend talking about the pain, humiliation, struggles and even death that he will experience.

Even though the disciples has been with Jesus for the longest time, and have witnessed the miracles of Jesus, how he healed the sick, how he fed thousands, how he commanded the wind and rain to stop, they only saw a Jesus as a mortal being prone to suffering and pain.

How long have you been Christians? I have been a Christian since I can remember. I know of Jesus from Sunday School. Every CI I receive Jesus in my heart. Just to be sure. Yet, everyday in the clinic and in the hospital, I only see things as they are. I only see sickness, suffering and pain as they are. And for many of us Christians, we just see things as they appear to us. Look at the person beside you. He is just a friend. Look at the other person across the pew, just any other church member. Every Sunday, we just see the worship service as a time to sing songs and recite your prayer requests. We often do that. Yes, we see Jesus but only superficially.

Now, everything changed for the disciples when they saw beyond the superficial. This is especially true for Peter, James and John in their transfiguration experience.  An experience when they had a glimpse of God’s glory.

We need to learn to see beyond the superficial to be able to see the glory of God, even if it is just a glimpse. Let us continue our story and journey with the Disciples and learn from them, how they were able to see beyond the superficial. And have a glimpse into the glory of God. Three basic actions.

First, climb and expect to see God.

Jesus invited Peter, James and John to climb up the mountain.  In the mountain, they saw God. The mountain has been symbolically the place where we meet the divine. I do not tell you to climb mountains although that is a good spiritual exercise that I will encourage you to do. But climb mountains everyday. Be intentional in meeting God out of the ordinary. In everyday people you engage with. In everyday activities that you do. In every place that you go. You can meet God there.

For example, when you go to church on Sundays. Do you expect to see God out of the ordinary things we do here in church? Or do you expect to sing hymns only? Do you expect that the words that comes from your mouth will be heard by God? Or when we light the candles as we begin the worship service? Do you just see a candle being lit? Or do you expect to feel the presence of Jesus symbolized in the light? Or when we give offerings? Are you intentional in allowing God to use these resources for his work or do you see money subtracted from your budget? Do you expect to see Jesus in the fellowship of your fellow Christians? Do you expect to see the image of God in the other person beside you? Hindi ko naman kilala yan eh. If you do not climb the mountain - if you are not intentional in finding time to meet God, it will be difficult to see God’s glory in ordinary things. Peter, James and John found time and were intentional when they climb the mountain that they will commune with God. Climb the mountain.

Let us continue our story. The disciples are now ready to see God. They prayed. So they closed their eyes and fell asleep. How many of you are falling asleep when you are praying? Paminsan nga kahit sa sermon, natutulog. Tignan mo yung katabi mo, kung nakapikit ang mata, wag mo distorbohin, nagdarasal lang yan.

In the Gospel of Luke, while the disciples were in the mountain praying, they were sleepy. Their eyes were closed or maybe half closed. The disciples had to open their eyes wide to see the transfiguration.

Open your eyes. That is the second principle.

Luke noted that Peter, James and John were very sleepy at that time but when they opened their eyes and became fully awake, they saw the glory of God. We need to open our eyes to see God’s glory out of the ordinary. We will only see the physical being of Jesus if we are sleep and half awake.

By opening our eyes, I do not simply mean that idilat mo ang iyong mga mata. Ako, dilat na dilat ang mga mata ko but sometimes I still do not see clearly. More than the physical eyes, we must see with the eyes of our hearts and our soul. That is the message of the song “Open the eyes of my heart” by Michael Smith. “Open the eyes of my heart… I want to see you… High and lifted up… Shining in the light of your glory”

When the disciples opened their eyes, the eyes of their hearts and soul, they saw a bright light shining from Jesus. God’s glory was revealed to them. If we open the eyes of our heart, if we are fully awake we can see God’s glory beyond the ordinary. They saw that Jesus was not just any other prophet or teacher, they saw he was divine.  They saw God’s glory.

Now I have to explain that the transfiguration of Jesus did not mean Jesus was transformed from ordinary to divine. No. when the disciples opened their eyes, they saw Jesus beyond the ordinary, and saw who Jesus really is and has been all along.

Since yesterday was Valentines, let's use the example of your best friend na babae. Dati you saw her only as a friend, but you have that transfiguration moment, she was not just your ordinary friend, she was the love of your life na pala.

Their view of the ordinary was transfigured. It was transformed. We can see God’s glory in everyday people we meet. We can see God’s glory in ordinary events in our lives. We can see God’s glory out of the sufferings we endure. We can see glory in everyday of our lives.

Speaking of Valentines Day. It was a day to celebrate love. But what kind of love did you celebrate? Did you celebrate your love for your husband and wife? Did you see God’s love in that? Where does the love come from in the first place? The love that you received from your parents? Or relatives? Where does that come from? The love that you give to your friends? Is that kind of love the love of God? What does it mean then for us Christians to confess that God is love if your love is not the glorious presence of God in your relationships?

Open your eyes to see God’s glory in the ordinary. Open your eyes to see God’s glory in ordinary relationships between husband and wife, parents and child, among friends and even with a stranger. Lagi ba kayong nag-aaway ng asawa mo? When you forgive your spouse and confess your shortcomings to God, do you not see the glory of God? Even among strangers, when you see boy respectfully giving his seat to the elderly in a full bus, do you not see the glory of God? When you go in the hospital and see a newborn baby cuddled by a mother, do you not see the glory of God? When you see a stranger, worshipping with us for the first time, do you not see the glory of God? Open the eyes of your heart and soul to see God’s glory in the ordinary.

The third action from the disciples is going down the mountain.

Going down the mountain means moving beyond the moment. After Peter, James and John saw the transfiguration of Jesus, they wanted to bask in the moment. They were awe struck and that was understandable. If you experience the most wonderful thing, you don’t want to let it go. Maybe that is why Peter suggested that they build altars there. He wanted to enjoy the experience and stay in that moment. He wanted it to last forever.

Just like many of us, we enjoy having wonderful experiences. I remember as a student, I had those wonderful moments after receiving grades from your exams. Pagkatapos mong maghirap mag-aral at magpuyat, you will receive the passing score and your grade for the semester. You enjoy that moment. You want it to last. Sometimes, you want it to be your last. Ayaw mo na. Kaya hindi ka na papasok sa next semester. What you do after the glorious moment will spell the difference. So for most of us, after that glorious moment, you have to go down from the mountaintop experience.

The disciples just did that. They had a glorious experience and wanted it to last. But like any wonderful moment, it had to come to an end. They had to go back down and continue the ministry work. And when their faith was being tested, they used that moment to strengthen them during the difficult time when Jesus was arrested, crucified until he resurrected.

You don’t have to hold on to that singular glorious moment. My dear brothers and sisters, the good news is that we can glimpse of the glory of Jesus anytime, anywhere. But we need to go down the mountain to have more glimpses of God in our everyday life. For God is always with us and around us. We can have a transfiguration experience and catch a glimpse of God’s glory everyday. Those little glimpses of God’s glory will assure us that God is always around us. That God is in control of everything. 

You can choose to live in that glorious moment or use that moment to find hope in times of struggles. You can choose to make that glorious moment help you carry through difficult times knowing that Jesus who is both human and divine had to suffer and be crucified like what we experience in this life. But just as Jesus overcome death, we know we will also triumph.  Allow God to transform our minds.

Climb. Open your eyes. Go down.

So my dear brothers and sisters, find and see the transfigured Christ in the ordinary things in our life and experience the glory of God. What you do after the transfiguration experience is up to you.

Transfiguration Happen Everyday

The Lord be with you.

I thank Pastor Tess for sharing the pulpit with me and bring to you God’s good news. Recently puro, bad news ang nababasa natin at puro bad news din ang sinasabi ko sa mga patients ko. So, I am happy to share God’s good news today.

Let me share a story. I recently told a patient she has hypertension. She cried after I told her that. I asked what made her sad? She replied, she will probably die of heart attack or stroke in a few years time. I told her, she can reduce the risk if she would change her lifestyle. I told her if she would avoid eating lechon, kare kare, stop eating too junk foods, burgers and fries, avoid softdrinks, stop partying at night, sleep early and exercise regularly she would decrease the risk. She cried even further. She was only seeing the disease. She only sees superficially.

Let us pray. Lord, bless the people here today that they may only see and hear your word, use your humble servant and cover me with your spirit that only your glory will be seen and magnified. Amen.

Today is Transfiguration Sunday and our Gospel story tells us about this event.

A week ago, Jesus was talking to the disciples about his coming suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. The disciples were scared at what they heard. They criticize Jesus for speaking about death. They only understood the superficial meaning of the sufferings Jesus will experience. Maybe they were scared for Jesus. Imagine your friend talking about the pain, humiliation, struggles and even death that he will experience.

Even though the disciples has been with Jesus for the longest time, and have witnessed the miracles of Jesus, how he healed the sick, how he fed thousands, how he commanded the wind and rain to stop, they only saw a Jesus as a mortal being prone to suffering and pain.

How long have you been Christians? I have been a Christian since I can remember. I know of Jesus from Sunday School. Every CI I receive Jesus in my heart. Just to be sure. Yet, everyday in the clinic and in the hospital, I only see things as they are. I only see sickness, suffering and pain as they are. And for many of us Christians, we just see things as they appear to us. Look at the person beside you. He is just a friend. Look at the other person across the pew, just any other church member. Every Sunday, we just see the worship service as a time to sing songs and recite your prayer requests. We often do that. Yes, we see Jesus but only superficially.

Now, everything changed for the disciples when they saw beyond the superficial. This is especially true for Peter, James and John in their transfiguration experience.  An experience when they had a glimpse of God’s glory.

We need to learn to see beyond the superficial to be able to see the glory of God, even if it is just a glimpse. Let us continue our story and journey with the Disciples and learn from them, how they were able to see beyond the superficial. And have a glimpse into the glory of God. Three basic actions.

First, expect to see God.

Jesus invited Peter, James and John to climb up the mountain.  In the mountain, they saw God. The mountain has been symbolically the place where we meet the divine. I do not tell you to climb mountains although that is a good spiritual exercise that I will encourage you to do. But climb mountains everyday. Be intentional in meeting God out of the ordinary. In everyday people you engage with. In everyday activities that you do. In every place that you go. You can meet God there.

For example, when you go to church on Sundays. Do you expect to see God out of the ordinary things we do here in church? Or do you expect to sing hymns only? Do you expect that the words that comes from your mouth will be heard by God? Or when we light the candles as we begin the worship service? Do you just see a candle being lit? Or do you expect to feel the presence of Jesus symbolized in the light? Or when we give offerings? Are you intentional in allowing God to use these resources for his work or do you see money subtracted from your budget? Do you expect to see Jesus in the fellowship of your fellow Christians? Do you expect to see the image of God in the other person beside you? Hindi ko naman kilala yan eh. If you do not climb the mountain - if you are not intentional in finding time to meet God, it will be difficult to see God’s glory in ordinary things. Peter, James and John found time and were intentional when they climb the mountain that they will commune with God. Climb the mountain.

Let us continue our story. The disciples are now ready to see God. They prayed. So they closed their eyes and fell asleep. How many of you are falling asleep when you are praying? Paminsan nga kahit sa sermon, natutulog. Tignan mo yung katabi mo, kung nakapikit ang mata, wag mo distorbohin, nagdarasal lang yan.

In the Gospel of Luke, while the disciples were in the mountain praying, they were sleepy. Their eyes were closed or maybe half closed. The disciples had to open their eyes wide to see the transfiguration.

Open your eyes. That is the second principle.

Luke noted that Peter, James and John were very sleepy at that time but when they opened their eyes and became fully awake, they saw the glory of God. We need to open our eyes to see God’s glory out of the ordinary. We will only see the physical being of Jesus if we are sleep and half awake.

By opening our eyes, I do not simply mean that idilat mo ang iyong mga mata. Ako, dilat na dilat ang mga mata ko but sometimes I still do not see clearly. More than the physical eyes, we must see with the eyes of our hearts and our soul. That is the message of the song “Open the eyes of my heart” by Michael Smith. “Open the eyes of my heart… I want to see you… High and lifted up… Shining in the light of your glory”

When the disciples opened their eyes, the eyes of their hearts and soul, they saw a bright light shining from Jesus. God’s glory was revealed to them. If we open the eyes of our heart, if we are fully awake we can see God’s glory beyond the ordinary. They saw that Jesus was not just any other prophet or teacher, they saw he was divine.  They saw God’s glory.

Now I have to explain that the transfiguration of Jesus did not mean Jesus was transformed from ordinary to divine. No. when the disciples opened their eyes, they saw Jesus beyond the ordinary, and saw who Jesus really is and has been all along.

Since yesterday was Valentines, let use the example of your best friend na babae. Dati you saw her only as a friend, but you have that transfiguration moment, she was not just your ordinary friend, she was the love of your life na pala.

Their view of the ordinary was transfigured. It was transformed. We can see God’s glory in everyday people we meet. We can see God’s glory in ordinary events in our lives. We can see God’s glory out of the sufferings we endure. We can see glory in everyday of our lives.

Speaking of Valentines Day. It was a day to celebrate love. But what kind of love did you celebrate? Did you celebrate your love for your husband and wife? Did you see God’s love in that? Where does the love come from in the first place? The love that you received from your parents? Or relatives? Where does that come from? The love that you give to your friends? Is that kind of love the love of God? What does it mean then for us Christians to confess that God is love if your love is not the glorious presence of God in your relationships?

Open your eyes to see God’s glory in the ordinary. Open your eyes to see God’s glory in ordinary relationships between husband and wife, parents and child, among friends and even with a stranger. Lagi ba kayong nag-aaway ng asawa mo? When you forgive your spouse and confess your shortcomings to God, do you not see the glory of God? Even among strangers, when you see boy respectfully giving his seat to the elderly in a full bus, do you not see the glory of God? When you go in the hospital and see a newborn baby cuddled by a mother, do you not see the glory of God? When you see a stranger, worshipping with us for the first time, do you not see the glory of God? Open the eyes of your heart and soul to see God’s glory in the ordinary.

The third action from the disciples is going down the mountain.

Going down the mountain means moving beyond the moment. After Peter, James and John saw the transfiguration of Jesus, they wanted to bask in the moment. They were awe struck and that was understandable. If you experience the most wonderful thing, you don’t want to let it go. Maybe that is why Peter suggested that they build altars there. He wanted to enjoy the experience and stay in that moment. He wanted it to last forever.

Just like many of us, we enjoy having wonderful experiences. I remember as a student, I had those wonderful moments after receiving grades from exams. Pagkatapos mong maghirap mag-aral at magpuyat, you will receive the passing score and your grade for the semester. You enjoy that moment. You want it to last. Sometimes, you want it to be your last. Ayaw mo na. Kaya hindi ka na papasok sa next semester. What you do after the glorious moment will spell the difference. So for most of us, after that glorious moment, you have to go down from the mountaintop experience.

The disciples just did that. They had a glorious experience and wanted it to last. But like any wonderful moment, it had to come to an end. They had to go back down and continue the ministry work. And when their faith was being tested, they used that moment to strengthen them during the difficult time when Jesus was arrested, crucified until he resurrected.

You don’t have to hold on to that singular glorious moment. My dear brothers and sisters, the good news is that we can glimpse of the glory of Jesus anytime, anywhere. For God is always with us and around us. We can have a transfiguration experience and catch a glimpse of God’s glory everyday. Those little glimpses of God’s glory will assure us that God is always around us. That God is in control of everything. 

You can choose to live in that glorious moment or use that moment to find hope in times of struggles. You can choose to make that glorious moment help you carry through difficult times knowing that Jesus who is both human and divine had to suffer and be crucified like what we experience in this life. But just as Jesus overcome death, we know we will also triumph.  

Allow god to transform our minds.

Climb. Open your eyes. Go down.

So my dear brothers and sisters, find and see the transfigured Christ in the ordinary things in our life and experience the glory of God. What you do after the transfiguration experience is up to you.

Love and Relationships

Valentines Day is always a season to talk about love, especially about relationships with other people. But as Christians, we tend to be swallowed by the popular culture understanding of romantic love. We hear pick-up lines that exemplify this distorted understanding of love. As Christians, we need to recapture true love based on Biblical truth. 

Listen as I preach on Love and Relationships and the perfect pick-up lines that mirror our Christian understanding. 

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Learn how to start a Health Ministry in your church. Invite us to help you conduct seminars and workshops. 

I'd love to hear from you. Share your insights and thoughts in the comment below. 

Valentines Day

Today is Valentines Day.

I don't usually give flowers to my wife on Valentine's Day but today I felt it is only right to give a bouquet to my lovely wife to show my love to her. I was thinking how she will feel and respond to my acts of love.

I wonder how God also thinks of our reactions to God's act of love? Everyday, we receive showers of blessings from our loving Provider. The hugs and affection from family and friends are acts of love from the Source of love. Yet, we often fail to see that.

This Valentine's Day, let us not look for love. God gives it to us everyday without fail. God brings us flowers everyday to show God's unconditional love. Only, the flowers we receive comes in different shapes and forms.

Hospitality

Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church visits the Philippines on January 14 to 18, 2015.

The Roman Catholic Church members are excited to welcome the Pope. But not all non-RC are as welcoming. Some did not welcome the Pope's economic impact as private businesses closed including banks, schools and airports. Other non-Christians did not welcome the festivities and dismissed it as religious fanaticism. Some other non-RC did not welcome the Pope who reminded them of the colonization and abuses of Roman Catholics in the past.   Some non-RC Christians still did not welcome the Pope's arrival simply because they hold beliefs different from them.

That night, everybody in the family is in the living room watching the news about the arrival of the Pope. My 5 year-old son noted how everybody is watching the TV intensely.

"What's happening?," he asked.

His sister replied, "the Philippines have a visitor. He is the Pope."

"We should get ready then and welcome him also," my son replied.

"We are not Roman Catholics. Do you know what is a Pope?" her sister answered back.

"I don't know what is a Pope. But if he is a visitor, we should welcome him," my son replied.



Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9.

January 2015

It's  New Year.

After the holidays and feast, many people are definitely looking at the weighing scales.  The next agenda in line is to hit that ideal body weight and gain that perfect body shape before summer hits in two months time. TWO MONTHS. Gaining weight and unhealthy food intake increases the risk for lifestyle diseases. In fact, worldwide, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the top causes of death all because of unhealthy living.

So, how can Christians have healthy living? I have been asked this question time and again. So, from a medical perspective founded on Christian understanding, let share some thoughts. This advise is a brief summary from the e-book I'm writing. Here we go. Living a Christian and Healthy Lifestyle includes:

1. Eating healthy. Choose to eat for nutrition.

2. Exercise and meditate. Move your body and cleanse your mind.

3. Hit the ideal weight. Know your numbers.

4. Stop smoking. You have the right to breath clean air.

5. Stress relief. Cast your burdens and sorrows to God.

6. Make friends. Share God's love.

7. Pray. Pray without ceasing.


Our body is God's temple. Let us take care of it. This New Year, let us resolve to live a Christian and Healthy Lifestyle.