BLESSINGS

We pray for blessings...

We pray for peace...

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep...

We pray for healing, for prosperity...

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering...

We pray for wisdom...

"Blessings" is a song by American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter Laura Story from her 2011 album Blessings. It was released on February 21, 2011, as the lead single. The song became Story's first Hot Christian Songs No. 1, staying there for four weeks. It lasted 34 weeks on the overall chart.

Laura Story married her partner Martin; two years later he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Story learned that despite his life-threatening illness, they saw how God never intended for people to provide for themselves and that instead of walking alone they would need to rely on Jesus's help. Blessings was written to describe how God will allow things that are not immediately understood to happen, but from a different perspective they are a means of spiritual growth. The song is also about how sometimes material possessions are not what God wants for believers, and it lends the idea about how character, along with what is in someone's heart, is ultimately more important.

The song inspired me to write this column. At my age I think about all my blessings. Blessings are really not only money... .

Blessings in the Bible suggest an intimate relationship between the blesser and the blessed. A blessing from God marks an intimate relationship between God and man, serving as proof that he finds himself in God's favor.

The phrase 'blessings be upon you' is correct and usable in written English. It is a traditional phrase often used in religious texts, and can also be used as a standard blessing phrase in casual conversations. For example, you might say, "May blessings be upon you and your family" when wishing a friend well.

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.

The wonderful gift that Christ gave us is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. We can touch the lives of others this Thanksgiving by sharing the love of Jesus through a meal, a place at our table, and giving selflessly.

I am blessed because I am living in the Philippines together with my family. No doubts. No fears!

MY PRAYERS AND ME

The pandemic has not only made our lives more difficult, but has killed many people. We are thus living in panic and feeling helpless and pray more desperately for family protection, for faith in difficulties, and for our lives and work.

Prayer is how we as Christians draw close to God as well as a necessary condition for us to be moved by the Holy Spirit, and enlightened and illuminated by God. If we genuinely pray to God, and understand the principles and practices of prayer, when we encounter difficulties or dilemmas in our life, we’ll be able to face them in a relaxed way.

“The Power of Prayer” is a 2020 song by Bruce Springsteen from his album Letter to You. It was only released as a radio single, and a promotional video was released on November 23, a month after the release of the album.

The song has a spiritual language. Springsteen was born in a Roman Catholic household, and that turned him off religion, but he didn’t lose his faith. The video features archival footage from his youth and clips of Springsteen and the E Street Band working on the song in the studio. The message of the video is about old friends he’s lost and the optimism of that era, reflected in the footage of Jersey Shore in the summertime during Springsteen’s youth. 

When tragedy strikes, it’s easy to harden our hearts and cry out, “God, why did you let this happen?” Maybe then, we started praying. Before, when everything went smoothly, we would not even think a minute about praying… .

“To be a Christian without prayer, “said Martin Luther, “is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be. This is the reason why Jesus spent many hours praying.

Unquestionable, our needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger or tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God’s help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since you’ve brought your burdens to God? Since you asked His forgiveness for your shortcomings?

In his very interesting book “People in Prayer”, Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative. White writes: “God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives.”

Yes, God always speaks. It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God.

There was a time, I wasn’t in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn’t listen to my prayer any more. I didn’t get what I prayed for. Of course, not… ! That’s not the meaning of praying to God. Will all my wishes be granted? Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God’s answers may puzzle us. But as time goes by and as events unfold we see God’s purpose in His answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes. Not what WE like… .

Think about it for a moment: How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to God? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

I confess that a long time ago I have been trying to persuade God to change other people in my surroundings or circumstances. Nothing changed. Of course not, what a fatal attraction? I got confused because God never granted my requests. Meanwhile I got God’s answers to my prayers. Maybe very simple: I was willing to let God change me… .This is how each one of us should start. Happy endings. Because I prayed according to His will… .

Nowadays, I live a wonderful life in my second and last home, the Philippines. I never regretted moving here for good. I have everything I could ask for. I can do everything I wish to do. Thank you Lord for all the blessings.

Of festival and blessings

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times.

The different activities and event of the 34th Kadayawan Festival in Davao City kept me very busy and enjoyable too. That's the reason, why this column is being published a little bit late. But, not to late, because Kadayawan will be going on up to the end of this month of August. 

Of course, as a member of the Davao City's (Mindanao's) Consular Corps, I am receiving invitations as German Consul for Mindanao for most all different events of this amazing and awesome festival. While writing this piece, the festival is still ongoing. The celebration offers an incredible array of activities full of fun and joy: dance group competition (just experienced yesterday, grabe!), street party and a food trip at the strip. Sure, Kadayawan is also about the indulgence in the best cuisines that Davao has to offer. Kadayawan is indeed a fest of sorts.

Living and working in Davao City since almost 21 years now, I observed this festival is becoming more and more awesome. As our good mayor Inday Sara Duterte said during the launching,  "We celebrate it annually not just to give Dabawenyos a reason to celebrate; we do it o we do not forget where we come from and what blessings we have received through the years, blessings which we continue to receive".

Living in Davao City, I strongly agree: We have been blessed not just with natural resources but favorable climate conditions, a thriving economy and peace and order. I go further. While observing global disputes at any corner, we are blessed in Mindanao. Not only Dabawenyos are showing the whole word how to get together as a multicultural community. 

Yes, this year's Kadayawan is indeed different, as most events have spread during the weekends of the month of August to ensure the city will be able to accommodate more visitors. I was surprised meeting you so many people during so many events from different countries.

First time ever, I came to together with Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte. He said, "A bountiful harvest, rich natural resources, disciplined an resilient people, dedicated public servants, safe community and a lot of wonderful opportunities."

Yes, we have to be thankful for everything, while looking to so many place on earth, where the situations look different and scaring. 

 I still remember then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte saying in 2009, " With global warming and climate change a very real phenomenon in our lives now, we need to look to our indigenous people for wisdom and guidance as they have been respectful towards their relationship with the earth!"

The Presidentsaid this ten years ago ... ! Happy Kadayawan 2019!

God bless Mindanao. God bless the Philippines!