10/16/2024
What Has made Your Faith Stronger?
10/13/2024
50 Years and Beyond
THEN and NOW |
10/10/2024
Same Difference
10/07/2024
What’s So Special About the Elderly?
10/04/2024
Teachers Are Learners
Yesterday was Teacher’s Day. I wasn’t aware of it till I dropped by the school where I teach part time. A student gave me a box and said, “Happy Teacher’s Day!”
Teaching takes only a smidgen of my time (compared to the hours I spend on writing). But being called a teacher is precious grace, like winning a Lifetime Achievement Award.
I have always believed that being a teacher is more like being a learner. I have saved a lifetime worth of knowledge from preparing the lessons to understanding how young people would react to and absorb them every single class hour.
Opening the gift at home, I was delighted to see a cup and packs of tea and coffee, to either keep me awake or make me sleep.
Happy Teacher’s Day to everyone who teaches (mentor, trainer, adviser, facilitator, etc.) May our Lord Jesus, the Teacher in us, continue to guide all teachers in guiding those whom we teach.
10/03/2024
Wide Awake in September
- A radio interview on “Blessed are the Peacemakers”
- The launching of my new book, Every Grace for Kids, at the International Book Fair (MIBF)
- Combing the MIBF for new book finds
- Our church’s 49th anniversary thanksgiving-celebration
- An “evangelism” talk before senior citizens of our village
- My sister Aie’s visit that allowed me the luxury of a massage, long chats, and feasts to celebrate her birthday
- A lunch with former peers to fete friendship
- Wrapping up my first-term teaching, saying goodbye to students and university staff
9/29/2024
Fathering Chika
9/25/2024
Shock and Awe
Before I could recover from the bliss of a magical surprise, I watched in shock and awe how people in my circuit moved somewhat eerily that morning.
Tony wouldn’t join me for breakfast, our daily ritual. Son #3 woke up early and hurriedly walked to the gate a few times. Mother Teresa was busy arranging everything neatly in the living room and flowers in vases at the terrace.
Then as I sipped my coffee, I heard the doorbell ring and son #3’s voice, “What took you so long? She’s already having breakfast.”
A throng of people carrying trays and trays of breakfast food came in noisily, and shouting, “Happy birthday!”
I was in my house dress and slippers, with my hair uncombed. Here they all were and I had no chance to powder my nose. A most beautiful cake with my age on it was the centerpiece, a reminder of the years with which the Lord blessed me.
Grace, grace eveywhere! They sang a hymn after which they prayed for me.
From the terrace to the garden for a photo op |
Again, I am stunned. The fullness of joy cannot be defined. The photos speak, but they leave all those in my heart unheard.
Who am I to deserve this? “...what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:4 (ESV)
9/21/2024
A Day Minus the Writing
This is one of those days when I am raring to write (as I always do) but can't because there is some speaking to do. Yes, every once in a while, I get invited to speak. And everything else gets fuzzy-wuzzy. There is the audience to think about, the speech, the slides, plus other things that invite butterflies to invade the tummy.
I am clinging on to this verse today: 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Tomorrow is another day . . .
9/17/2024
A Magical Surprise
9/13/2024
No Writer’s Block, No Dead Air
9/09/2024
Everyday Grace for Kids
9/06/2024
They Laugh and I Cry
Many posts make fun of people’s mistakes. Some dig into the private lives of celebrities. Some ridicule public officials’ faux pax. Some cast aspersions on someone's misery, disguised as a joke. Some hurl savage insults. Some judge without knowing the facts. Some praise abusive memes.
And today! In major newspapers' front-page photos, the fugitive Alice Guo is shown laughing triumphantly in wacky poses, like a celebrity, with our authorities and NBI agents. These have gone viral on social media.
I cry over what we have become.
What is so funny? Why do we laugh over sad, depressing comments of and issues on how we view people and life. Is laughing over our misery the special menu for today?
“Lessen the grief! Ignore the news and social media,” I keep reminding myself.
“But I need to read my friends’ encouraging posts,” I reply to me.
So I scroll through those hundreds, sometmes thousands, of laughing emojis.
And I cry, and click on this emoji--a sore thumb in a sea of laughter.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 ESV)
9/02/2024
Turning 50
8/29/2024
Pain of Childbirth
8/25/2024
Grrr!
8/21/2024
Appetizers: Storybooks and Videos
8/17/2024
Spending Is Investing
8/13/2024
Talk of the Town
8/09/2024
Gender Confusion
8/05/2024
TOXIC
8/01/2024
Pie Surprise
7/28/2024
Mother’s Day 2024
7/24/2024
Priceless Anniversary Gift
7/20/2024
Chain Reaction
7/16/2024
“Yes, Dear”
After all, the Bible specifies in Ephesians 5:24, “As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.”
Otherwise, the man of the house would be labeled, “Yes, dear.”
“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.” (Ephesians 6:1 NLT)
Even Jesus showed obedience: “. . . he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)
Jesus also reminds us, “If you love me, obey my commandments." (John 14:15)
There’s a promised reward for obedience, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.” (Deuteronomy 28:1)
Lest it be forgotten, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible emphasizes obedience. In the Ten Commandments, obedience to God is of prime importance.