Oct
2nd
Salute to a Loving People
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
A salute to all the government employees and private volunteer
relief workers at the flood-ravaged areas of Metro Manila and
Central Luzon, and to all donors far and wide.
May your tribe increase.
And to God be the glory.
Oct
2nd
Powerful Witnessing
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
The flood of September 26 that submerged Metro Manila in deep water
and swept away lives, homes, dreams, and hopes was followed by
another crisis — sickness and hunger involving thousands of
people.
Schools and gyms have become refugee camps. Understandably, the victims have all the reason to cry because of their extreme grief, and all the reasons to fight tooth and nail whenever food and water was brought in by volunteer citizens because of their empty stomach and dried-up lips.
It is a pitiful and horrible scene to see people lining up for food and relief goods when only a few days ago they had been contentedly living their lives in the privacy of their homes. Mother Nature's wrath has turned many people into victims, awaiting help for their basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter.
But amid this picture of helplessness, a handful of individuals who were also mercilessly victimized by the Ondoy deluge have chosen to lift themselves up from the status of victims to the status of relief work volunteers.
What a show of courage! What a powerful Christian witnessing!
If all of us would follow their example, calamities that look like mountains in the beginning are more easily reduced into molehills in the end.
Theirs is an example of exceptional faith in action.
And we know that where there is true faith, even one as tiny as mustard seed, we can be assured of the presence of Divine power that is always bigger than all of the calamities in the world combined.
For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." — Mt 17:20
Schools and gyms have become refugee camps. Understandably, the victims have all the reason to cry because of their extreme grief, and all the reasons to fight tooth and nail whenever food and water was brought in by volunteer citizens because of their empty stomach and dried-up lips.
It is a pitiful and horrible scene to see people lining up for food and relief goods when only a few days ago they had been contentedly living their lives in the privacy of their homes. Mother Nature's wrath has turned many people into victims, awaiting help for their basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter.
But amid this picture of helplessness, a handful of individuals who were also mercilessly victimized by the Ondoy deluge have chosen to lift themselves up from the status of victims to the status of relief work volunteers.
What a show of courage! What a powerful Christian witnessing!
If all of us would follow their example, calamities that look like mountains in the beginning are more easily reduced into molehills in the end.
Theirs is an example of exceptional faith in action.
And we know that where there is true faith, even one as tiny as mustard seed, we can be assured of the presence of Divine power that is always bigger than all of the calamities in the world combined.
For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." — Mt 17:20
Oct
1st
The Nervous Artist
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
A college sophomore was worried because his pocket money was
dwindling fast and his folks at home had no ready cash. He
prayed for a solution of his problem, and God instantly
responded.
On the way out for lunch break, he passed by a school bulletin board announcing a poster contest, and the top cash prize was enough for two weeks' jeepney fare and snacks at the university canteen. Since he had some
artistic talent, he decided to give it a try.
He had to race against time because the submission deadline was 7:00 p.m. that same day. However, he had already a clear idea of what his entry would look like right after reading the announcement.
That evening, with his rolled-up poster in his hand, he went to the Student Affairs office to submit it. But when he got to the closed door, he hesitated. Questions suddenly popped up in his mind. What if the people there found his entry funny? Would they criticize him for trying too hard? Would they tell him to get lost? Would he become a laughingstock in the campus?
He debated with himself whether to go ahead or just forget it. The minutes ticked by and the clock said it was five minutes to 7:00.
Better forget it, he finally decided. As he started to walk away from the Student Affairs office, his female cousin was walking in his direction.
"Hey what's that you're holding?" She asked.
"Oh some crazy poster. I thought of joining a poster contest but I changed my mind. It won't stand a chance."
"Give me that," she said, and he handed it to her.
She unrolled the cartolina and took a good look at the art work (which was done in Pilot pen and thinly daubed with some watercolor). Rolling it up again, she smiled and said, "I will submit it."
The following day, all the two dozen poster entries were displayed in the university lobby when Mr. College Sophomore entered the main door. When he saw the big dazzling posters in oil, charcoal, and art paint done by other contestants which many students enjoyed looking at, he regretted that he allowed his cousin to submit his entry the evening before.
Wondering if his crude piece was even included among the display, he tried to search for it.
To his amazement, his poster was there after all. But something caught his attention, and he had to go nearer his work to really see what the object was.
It was a piece of ribbon attached to the bottom of a circular cardboard which was pinned to his poster. Two words were written on it. First Prize.
Moral of the story: Never take God's answer to your prayer
for granted.
P.S. — By the way, the student was me ... and that was the first
and last time I joined a contest like that.
Sep
29th
Sharing from My Multimedia Archives
By Oliver Nunez Jr.In 2001 God blessed me with the opportunity to record the Loved Flock Chorale concert in Hongkong.
I love the opening number rendered by our brothers and sisters in the group because it uses simple and common songs that we get to sing in our prayer meetings regularly.
But choir leader and trainer Bro. Jess Romillo repackaged the songs into something that really inspires us to do praise and worship in a different way.
I share it here in Bo Planet for whatever it's worth.
Sep
29th
Texting While Driving is a NO-NO
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
Be a good Christian.
If you have the habit (God forbid!) of texting while driving, STOP immediately.
When you see others do it, gently tell them to STOP immediately.
Here's a video that will inspire you to spread the message.
If you have the habit (God forbid!) of texting while driving, STOP immediately.
When you see others do it, gently tell them to STOP immediately.
Here's a video that will inspire you to spread the message.
Sep
29th
The Flood
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
It shocked me when I saw Metro Manila on TV, neck-deep (or more) in Typhoon Ondoy floodwaters.
It's a horrible sight that a whole roof of a house with people on top of it got swiftly carried away to sure doom by a murky Marikina river at the height of catastrophic rampage. It is such a pain watching bodies of people who perished right in the "safety" of their own homes. It's a disappointment to watch uncoordinated rescue efforts, knowing that there is supposed to be a National Disaster Coordinating Council that is on top of situations like this. (Well, OK we weren't quite expecting a flood of this magnitude. Does that mean our disaster planning should be limited only to flooding of kitchen sinks?) We pray for the rest of the souls of the people who perished. We pray that the families rendered homeless in the Flood find adequate shelter. We pray that those who have no food will receive feeding from those who have. We pray that those who lost all possessions will find comfort in God's love through help from more fortunate relatives, neighbors and friends.
We pray even more that our government agencies will wake up (really wake up) -- and move -- this time.
For example, a few days before the Ondoy flood, there was disturbing news on TV: the Angat Dam structure is not safe anymore. Have the appropriate government agencies taken real action immediately? Have the local communities joined hands to push government officialdom into action for the sake of their lives and property?
And yes, can our officials forego with expensive foreign travel and other wasteful spending, and preserve funds for updated weather forecast equipment, rescue choppers (and crew), rescue vans (and crew), and ... rubber boats?
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. - Prov 3:27
Sep
22nd
"Good Morning Fr. Jun"
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
It happened years back in Punta Princesa, Cebu City, where I
lived at that time.
I was commuting by jeepney and alighted at a street corner near
the church area of Our Lady of Lourdes parish. Out
of nowhere this little lady in her 20s approached me, took
my hand in Mano Po gesture, and cheerfully greeted me:
"Good morning, Fr. Jun!"
I wasn't surprised at the "Jun" thing, because that is how I'm called by my folks at home (but most people outside the family circle call me by my given name). But "Fr."? Sure, I was a father ... of five (repeat, five) little kids, but not in the context that she used.
Caught a little flat-footed, I didn't know how to handle the
situation. It was a little embarrassing that she mistook
me for a priest. But I also wanted to save her from the
embarrassment of having given me a roadside ordination.
"Where are you going, Father" she asked.
"To church," I replied, pointing to the direction of the Lourdes
Archdiocesan Shrine compound, "Excuse me. I'm in a
little hurry." And before she could react, I half-ran into
the church gate.
I really had no intention to go to church that day and in that
particular hour. But the little incident rattled me. So
I settled in one of the empty pews and got myself into a
moment of reflection.
The incident flashed back a scene at the pier of Toledo City, my childhood hometown, where I had fun-fishing with my neighborhood friends during the long school vacation following my grade school graduation.
On that day, an unusual thing happened. My mother went to the wharf and watched my little activity. A few minutes later she said, "Jun, I want to send you to the seminary when the next school year opens."
My automatic reaction was ... cry. Why should I enter the seminary? I had no thoughts whatsoever of becoming a priest. At my tender age, I already had a crush with a classmate who looked pretty to me.
My mom got the cue and did not pursue the matter. She silently left me alone to attend to my simple recreation.
Fast-forward back to the future. Er, present. The incident at the street corner led me to think that God must have a good sense of humor. He just showed me how easy it was for me to become a priest if I only showed an iota of interest. (And, mind you, it was a good feeling that a total stranger kissed your hand and treated you with reverence!)
Years later, in a meeting I attended on behalf of a non-profit foundation that employed me, one of the guys across the conference table briefly spoke to me during snack break. He smiled and said, "Excuse me, Father, may I know your name?"
Again..?
Was it the Lord's way of telling me that I can be some kind of a priest without the formalities? I don't know. Do you?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding - Prov. 3:5
Sep
22nd
Our Provider
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
One of the spiritual songs that I have learned and come to like
very much is Jehovah Jireh, the version
that has this tune ...
(click play button
to start)
... and lyrics:
Jehovah Jireh
My Provider
His grace is sufficient for me,
for me, for me
My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches and glory
He will give his angels charge over me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me,
for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me
My Provider
His grace is sufficient for me,
for me, for me
My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches and glory
He will give his angels charge over me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me,
for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me
He is not just any provider. He is a Great provider.
I remember one of Bro. Bo's talks in The Feast years back wherein he shared an anecdote about the legendary golfer of his time, Arnold Palmer. Palmer had an exhibition game with the king of Saudi Arabia which the latter thoroughly enjoyed.
As a token of his appreciation, the Saudi king told Palmer to ask
for any gift. Wanting to be modest, Palmer simply asked for
a golf club. And the king happily said yes.
The following morning, a couple of the king's men knocked on the
door of Palmer's hotel room. When he opened the door, they
cheerfully greeted him, "Mr. Palmer, we are here to deliver the
king's gift, your golf club."
Palmer looked at the men before him up and down, but to his surprise they were not carrying anything that closely
resembled a golf club. Before Palmer could say another word, one
of the men handed him a key.
"What is this for?" He asked.
"Ah," the king's messenger replied, "that's the key to your very own world-class Golf Club. The greens, 18 holes, caddies, umbrella girls, the clubhouse -- the whole package!"
The bottom line of Bro. Bo's anecdote: Don't ask for small things
from a Great King.
My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with
his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Phil. 4:19
Sep
22nd
Ex-Blind
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
I really like music. I like songs.
One of them is Amazing Grace, the beautiful
message of which is right there in the first stanza:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see
(click play button to start)
The song reflects my life before Jesus revealed himself to me on the day of my spiritual birth on January 5, 1997.
It reminds me of a memorable scene in the Gospel of Luke: a
short, notorious tax collector named Zacchaeus who had to
climb a sycamore tree in order to feed his curiosity about the
latest talk of the town in his time: a man from
Nazareth called Jesus.
As we all know, Jesus instantly noticed Zacchaeus when he passed
by the sycamore tree. To the tax collector's surprise, Jesus
announced his desire to enter Zacchaeus' house and break bread
with him and his household.
So overwhelming was the joy in the heart of Zacchaeus that when
the appointed time came, he offered to pay back 400% of all
the money that he had squeezed out of the harried taxpayers, and
divest 50% of his wealth in favor of the poor.
What struck me most in this part of the Gospel was when Jesus said: "I am here to find and to rescue the lost."
Zacchaeus was blind to the sufferings of the people he oppressed.
He was blind to God's love. He was lost in his own greed and
pride. So was I.
As he found Zacchaeus, Jesus found me.
I was blind, but now I see.
Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a
son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save
the lost. - Lk 19:9-10)
Sep
22nd
Thank God, I Receive What I Don't Deserve
By Oliver Nunez Jr.
For so long a time, my style of praying had been like this: Lord,
I've done many good things lately. And because of this, I
believe I deserve your grace. Here is a list of things that I
desire but are not yet in my possession. Please grant
the desires of my heart. Amen.
I have treated God (and I think I still do every now and then)
like I am a subordinate and He is my boss in
an employer-employee relationship. When I think my
performance is satisfactory, I demand a promotion or a salary
raise.
And when I don't get what I want, I sulk and don't do as much
good anymore.
Often I treat God in human terms, forgetting that His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways not my ways.
In recurrent bouts with self-righteousness I ask God, "Why is it
that corrupt politicians, smugglers, and drug lords
enjoy your blessings, while people like me who avoid their
evil deeds do not? Why am I not getting what I deserve?"
But then the Lord has His ways showing me the truth. During the
quiet moments of my life when my spirit is more receptive to
His Spirt, He would remind me of a few things:
"You only look at things that appear pleasing before your own
eyes and conveniently overlook you nasty side. You seem to
forget: the unkind words you have spoken in front of people and
behind their backs; the resentments you harbored; your
camouflaged lies; your secret hypocrisies, your cleverly
disguised arrogance and pride.
"The list of 'little evils' you do (and justify) is so long that
it would take a Savior to pluck you out from their fatal
effects."
Think about it. When we examine ourselves honestly, we realize
that before God we deserve a long prison sentence but He gave
us freedom. We deserve condemnation but He gave us
unconditional forgiveness. We deserve death but He lays before
us eternal life.
I receive really big things that I don't deserve, and I thank God
for it.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my
ways. - Is.
55:8
Viewing 1 - 10 of 10
