Black

Martial Law has but one color: black as black can be.  

The lights went off on September 21, 50 years ago, when Martial Law (ML), through Proclamation No. 1081, was declared by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. (branded by the world as a dictator for this act). 

Fifty years is a long time. But we, who experienced its abuses and atrocities, will never forget that darkest time in our democracy. And we pray it will never happen again.  

The numbers ML produced are daunting: 

Around 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed, according to human rights group Amnesty International. Many of those are friends, once young, and kin. 

“Never look back to the dark times,” my grandma used to say when she saw me moping as a little girl. “Forget them; they will only hound you, and torture you all over again.”  

If she were still around, she’d most likely re-word that nugget of wisdom.  

Thirty one million people (if the results are to be believed) either chose or were paid to forget ML and voted for the dictator’s son, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr (Bongbong), to be our president today. This election has made us look back and remember—opening old wounds and rubbing salt into them once again, more vigorously this time.

Beyond mere remembering, we have learned hard lessons that we need to pass on to the next generations. 

It’s ironic that during Bongbong’s first 100 days, we would be commemorating the 50th year of ML’s proclamaton. 

It’s even more ironic that the relentless campaign to revise history by his supporters—to deodorize and eventually erase ML from our heart and mind—is paid by people’s money. 

Unless there's honesty and humility to admit that crimes during ML happened, and debts are paid per court decisions, there will never be a closure.

Professor Emeritus Clarita Carlos, appointed by Bongbong as the National Security Adviser, said these on national television prior to the election:  (I took the liberty of translating her Taglish into English): 

“If I were Bongbong, I’d admit that there were military and police atrocities because those are documented. They’re not anything contrived or imagined.  I have many colleagues and classmates in UP—they just disappeared Their parents could not even grieve properly. So admit it. Then make a categorical declaration, ‘These things will not happen in my administration.’ How difficult it is to say that?”  

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Then black will be no more. 

Anci with an E

This lovely little girl spells her name without an E, but in my heart of hearts, I see the E—three E’s in fact, and all in caps: Engaging, Extraordinary, and Excellent. 

AnciE wote and illustrated a book when she was only seven years old! Two years later, today, she has an extraordinary portfolio of art and design, and she continues to write.  

I was (and still am) one excited recipient of two of her works when she and her parents visited the booth of OMF Lit at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) last Sunday.

I wish I had time to talk to her, but the booksigning for Lumpia Lane and my other books nailed me to my seat for more than an hour. 

Her book, Valerie's Life Lessons, is engaging. It is about values many people thrice her age will never learn in their lifetime. 

When AnciE's mom first uploaded to social media a photo of the first page of this book, with my name on it, my hands froze, unable to type a word of response. And when AnciE gave me a signed copy at the MIBF, I was tongue-tied. See, I drew an arrow to my name to flex it!  

 

I first met AnciE when I spoke at one of her school’s events, which the teachers and children her age attended. It was online, so there was no time for chats. 

On that grace meet-up I heard my adrenaline rushing, carrying an extra drop of grit to answer the children’s incisive, candid, and difficult questions. 

It is to the credit of her school, The Learning Tree, that talents such as AnciE’s are encouraged and honed for excellence. Many events that showcase the students' God-given gifts are mounted often so that other children (with the support of parents) who view/hear them can likewise be inspired to never rein in their creativity. 

Writing for (and with children like AnciE) is a ministry I will latch on to till the Lord whispers in my ear, Time's up. 

000

". . . whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:5 NIV) 

My Cup Overflows

If I were to express that, it’d be, “My cup runneth over,” the King James Version of Psalm 23, which I memorized as a little girl, and still could recite without blinking today, decades later.

Yesterday, one very important celebration in my life happened after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19:  the 47th anniversary of our home church (my family shares 45 of those years), with the theme, “My Cup Overflows."   

I should be shouting with joy over its success. But why do I weep? 

Because “my cup runneth over.” 

Our Sunday School was where my children grew up, imbibing the values my husband and I echoed at home. Now my youngest son chairs the board, empowered by an excellent, hard-working team composed of his VBS classmates years ago. He makes me toe the line when age gives unsolicited advice, and assigns me jobs, such as handling the Women’s Sunday School, when we lost our teacher. 

Through 45 years, we hurdled a succession of church workers, the comings and goings of members, and the many other hiccups that threw us into a tailspin—but God keeps filling our cup. 

While watching the children perform an action praise song, I saw on their faces my sons’ and their friends’. The Pillar of Praise, spirited youngsters all, kept us singing our hearts out.  Angels from above sang "Overflow" with the euphonious PVGC ensemble.    

Beautiful flowers filling the sanctuary, arranged by the women the day before, bloomed with God’s multi-colored grace. The physical arrangement was impeccably done by the men.  And the church’s musical instruments, screens, video equipment, and other technical doodads, installed by the youth, enabled everyone to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” 

Inside, God’s church was packed to the rafters!  Outside, the yard, kitchen, rooms, and offices, were areas of celebration.   

All of these—from 45 years ago, when we first set foot inside a small, dingy bodega that has  metamorphosed into this church structure—were nothing but prayers. 

“My cup runneth over.” 

Then our guest preacher, the first pastor who shepherded my family 45 years ago, declared in a strong voice that belied his cancer-abused body on its 5th punishing year, asked, “When our cup runs over, what do we do with the overflow?” 

Tears blur my eyes. Let me continue when my sight clears up . . .

Photo credits: borrowed from posts of PVGC brethren on the PVGC FB page. Thank you all.  

Entrance Fee

Tennis enthusiasts know all about Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and is regarded by many as the most prestigious. One Wimbledon fan is Mabel, who never misses any tournament. 

She planned on going to the latest one (2019) but was complaining, “The entrance fee is too steep at P85,000! And the seat for that fee is too far away—the players would just be the size of my thumb!” 

“Just watch it on TV,” suggested her aunt, Sol. “You won’t spend a thing and you can watch the games up close.” 

“Oh, but there’s nothing like being surrounded by the roaring crowd!”  

“P85,000 entrance fee, plus plane fare and hotel accommodations could buy a car!” Sol added.  

There is a steep entrance fee to the venue/place of any important event. Some are higher than others, but one has to pay for the privilege of watching or participating.  

In contrast, the most important place of all—the kingdom of God—has no entrance fee. It is FREE. Jesus paid the price for us on the cross. The cost is on Him, and by His grace alone.  

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 3:23-24 NLT)

Without any entrance free, can everyone simply enter the Kingdom of God? 

Individually, we first need to acknowledge our spiritual drought and accept, by faith, God’s forgiveness for our sins. Then we are guaranteed a new life in Him—and when the time comes, eternal life with Him in that kingdom.  

Anybody in the world (regardless of race, language, country or culture) can enter a new life today because, by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus has paid our entrance fee! 

Empty Canvas

“What is most satisfying for me about painting,” remarked Calvin, a Christian landscape painter, “is looking at an empty canvas. Then, when your hand starts swishing and swooshing your brush on it, this white space begins to be filled with shapes and colors that form into something beautiful!” 

Where do you get your ideas?" asked an art enthusiast. 

“Why, from Scripture and creation, of course!” he replied. “Just looking around, I see God’s amazing works. When I read my Bible, I see images that come to life for me. There are not enough canvases to capture all of nature's grace!"  

Psalm 104:24-25 (NIV) mentions some of God’s spectacular creation. “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small.” 

As a beholder moves her eyes across Calvin’s paintings, she marvels at the work of God’s hands: oceans rolling with bigger-than-life waves; fields teeming with crops below and birds above; mountains and clouds embracing; animals cavorting under the skies; flowers meeting bees and butterflies; and waterfalls cascading to boulders on the ground. 

“He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.” (Psalm 95:4-5)

Calvin’s paintings, amazing and astonishing, are all inspired by our Creator. And yet, it will take all of Calvin’s lifetime to capture perhaps only one percent of God’s magnificent creation.  

How do we contain and reflect on God’s creation in the canvas of our heart?  

(Three of many paintings of God's creation by various artists; free downloads from the Net)  

Bodyguards

A bodyguard is usually armed and works as a personal security officer who protects his client from such threats as assault, kidnapping, and stalking. His job includes planning routes for his ward. 

In this country, an armed bodyguard may also serve as a driver for his client. 

High-ranking government officials, wealthy businessmen and their children, and those who feel that their lives are in danger hire a bodyguard (or more, if necessary) to protect them. 

Ordinary people have bodyguards, too. But they are unseen and unpaid. They are grace from our loving and protective God. 

They are called angels, celestial beings who protect and guide human beings, and carry out tasks on behalf of the Lord. “. . . angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14 NLT)

In the Old Testament, God said to the Israelites as they left Egypt for the Promised  Land,  “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20)

God’s host of angels praise and worship Him. They are described in detail in Revelation 4. We hear their voices in verse 8, “Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.’”

Just as a mayor  or a millionaire has bodyguards, believers are blessed to have them as well—God’s heavenly protectors and ministers, armed with His anointing.  

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2) 

Proxy

Any corporation with a scheduled election of new officers usually sends all members a formal notice. It states the date, time, and place of the event. Attached to the letter is a proxy form, where a member, who cannot attend the meeting, can designate someone—a substitute—to take his place. 

The member has to brief his proxy thoroughly, so he would know how to act and what to say during the meeting. 

Proxies, however, usually don’t say anything—they are just a warm body who will vote for the pre-chosen candidates of the member they represent—because they are not privy to all the issues in the organization.  

Corporation members are valued in an organization. But no matter how dependent the organization is on them, they cannot always be there. Sometimes they are busy elsewhere or abroad. Sometimes, they are indisposed. Or sometimes, they have lost interest in the organization altogether and have moved to a new one.  

As is often said in the business circuit, “No one is indispensable.” This means, nobody is special. We can easily be X’d out by anyone who is just as qualified. Someone will always be available to take our place.  

But there is One who is indispensable. He can never be replaced or X’d out. 

He is never busy elsewhere, never indisposed, and never loses interest in you and me. He does not send any proxy to care for and guide us either. He is the only One Who dispenses grace to sustain us. 

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.”  (Psalm 139:7-8) 

Corporation-member proxies are dispensable. So are corporation members in any organization. But God is indispensable in our life.

When is the best time to cling to God? Every moment, every day of our life. 

Almost there!

“Almost there!” is an optimistic cry, triumphant even. It celebrates the fact that we are about to complete a job, solve a problem, or reach a destination.  

After decades on earth, we know that there is a destination—a place where grace is strewn around for the picking, a place more beautiful than a garden full of fragrant flowers, and a place more refreshing than the first rain after a drought.  

We read of numerous promises in the Bible, many of which have already been fulfilled. We know that the rest of what we are waiting for will soon be fulfilled as well. Believers  know that the greatest of these promises is coming soon. 

“. . . the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” (Thessalonians 4:16-17)  

Almost there! The signs are everywhere. “We will be with the Lord forever.” 

 

We also find this promise in Mark 9:9 when Jesus said, “‘I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”

In John 14:3, Jesus said it succinctly, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”  

Although we have not been told of the exact day and time, we know we’re almost there. Let’s encourage each other as we await that glorious day! 

Challenge to self:  Be ready, be all set to go!  

Metaphor

Among all the figures of speech available to writers, the metaphor is used most to infuse written text with graphic descriptions, making them more vibrant and delightful to read. (A metaphor makes a comparison between two things that are not at all alike but with common characteristics.) 

Jesus used metaphors familiar in ancient times so people could relate to His teachings. Most important, metaphors are used in God’s book to make us better grasp the varied qualities of God.  

Many of the metaphors used in Scripture are alluded to and referenced in many verses, so it is a good idea for Bible readers to be familiar with them. Here’s a list of some metaphors that describe the Lord: 

    1.    Shepherd 

    2.    Potter 

    3.    Bread of Life 

    4.    Fortress

    5.    Light

    6.    Lamb 

    7.    Vine 

    8.    Prince of Peace 

There are many more. But the above shows us that each has specific qualities describing facets of the Lord’s inimitable character. Let’s take the metaphor “shepherd” for instance: 

“Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock.” (Psalm 80:1 NLT)

“You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” (Ezekiel 34:31)

When Jacob, blind and dying, blessed his son, Joseph, he said, “May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked—the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day . . .” (Genesis 48:15  )

Although technology-driven methods have made raising sheep easier today, the faithful Shepherd continues to tend His flock—us.     

Like a sheep, I totally depend on my Shepherd for grace and guidance especially in what I have chosen to spend most of my time on in my sunset years: writing and teaching. 

Night Thoughts

“I can’t sleep well at night,” Anatalia, who just turned 62, complained to her doctor. “I try to sleep early, but I wake up at 2 AM and could not go back to sleep anymore.” 

“Have you tried reading?”asked her doctor. 

“I read my Bible before going to bed and at 2 AM, I read some more.” 

The doctor wrote on his prescription pad, “Take one pill of anti-histamine before going to bed.” 

“What?!” Anatalia worried. “What if I get addicted to it? Then it might not work anymore.” 

Her doctor, patience personified, said slowly, “My mother is 95 years old and I prescribed the same pill. She has been talking it for the last five years and she has been sleeping soundly at night, every single night.” 

“Oh.” 

Without telling her doctor, Anatalia did not buy the pill. But every morning, between one and three AM, she would read her Bible and talk to God in prayer—telling Him about her day, her worries and anything that came to her mind. 

“Even if I only had five hours sleep,” she happily shared with her friends, “I felt as though I had eight—my daily grace.”  

Our days are filled with too many activities and concerns. But alone, at night, we have all the hours to talk to God, which we normally do hurriedly in our busy lives. 

From Anatalia, I learned this lesson for those nights when sleep also eludes me. It’s beautifully worded in Psalm 63:6-7, “I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.”  

Loving Your Work

Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

The problem is, there aren’t enough jobs to choose from. So parents/adults advice new graduates, “Don’t be picky. Take whatever job is available to get started.” 

As a result, we have a number of young people employed in businesses doing something they have no passion for, and so they produce mediocre work.  

Marion is an exception. He has a degree in engineering, but when he couldn’t find a job along his line, he accepted a job in a food joint as a waiter. From day one, he committed himself to excel in his job. And he did. So he began to enjoy his chores. 

In a few months, he was promoted to the next rank. And after a year, he was named manager of the food shop. All along, Marion has been sending two indigent relatives to school.  

"My job was first offered to me on a tray of grace," Marion said, reminiscing.  

In Eden, the Lord gave Adam and Eve work.  “. . . God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’” (Genesis 1:28 NLT) 

Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.” 

There is an addendum to the edict for man to work, “If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.” (Ephesians 4:28)  

Marion knows this Biblical principle by heart. And so must we. 

Photo credit 

Look It Up!

This enlightening grace story was told to me by my friend, Shiela, a Sunday school teacher for tweens.

She asked her class, “If you want to know the correct meaning and spelling of words, what would you do?” 

“Look it up in the dictionary,” Jolo, the smartest student, answered.  

“Good. And if you want to know the right way to act and behave, what would you do?” 

Answers were varied: “Ask my Mom.” “Ask Lolo!” “Ask Kuya!” 

Jolo stood up again and said, “Look it up in the Bible.” 

Children as young as tweens or even younger need to learn that the “manual” for good behavior is the Bible. 

Shiela took the opportunity to read to them a simple verse that specifies how to act and behave: “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18 NLT)  She then gave examples of loving by action.  

God’s Word is carved in stone—it cannot be changed or erased. As we go through verses upon verses, we read all the age-old principles that should guide our acts in both private and public. 

On justice: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8-9) 

On debts, taxes, and attitude toward government: “Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” (Romans 13:7) 

When in doubt or unsure about how to handle things, we can take a cue from young Jolo, “Look it up in the Bible!” 

One Grace Too Many

This piece has nothing to do with alcohol, which the phrase “one too many” refers to: an advanced state of inebriation. It has everything to do with Grace, my first name. 

Some of my friends (those new on socmed) complained that they could not find my page. They couldn’t guess who among the many Grace Chongs was moi. That was when I decided to include my middle name to, at least, make me distinct from the others with the same moniker. 

After counting those who share my name—more than a hundred—I almost passed out. How can I be so common? 

But that was before I discovered that there are over 79,000 John Smiths! 

“One grace too many” is the perfect phrase for the grace, not Grace Chong, that is dropped from the generous Giver from above.  His grace is unending and unstoppable; it falls and falls and spreads and spreads, like perpetual rain and flood. 

Let’s hold our breath for one second.  

Our continued breathing is grace. And that is just a teeny part of us. Medicine divides our psysiological system into: skeletal, nervous, muscular, respiratory, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular/circulatory, urinary, integumentary, reproductive, and digestive systems. Whew! 

What’s all this grace for? 

One of my favorite verses in the Bible, which I relish, answers this:  

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV) 

Three-story House

After Miguel was promoted to a high-paying managerial job, he immediately proposed to his fiancee. Now he could afford to build his three-story dream house. 

Why three stories? He wanted to lord it over everyone’s house in the small village where he grew up—to show that he, the once-poor boy, had arrived. 

The beautiful house became the neighborhood’s landmark. Miguel reveled in all the compliments he received for his “tower,” which he felt symbolized his success, how lofty he had become.   

Fast forward to 30 years later. Miguel started suffering from knee arthritis, and had a hard time going up and down the stairs. Because it was a struggle to go up, he converted his first-floor den into the master’s bedroom. And after his two children had gotten married, the two upper floors had become uninhabited and useless. 

Those of us who are in our senior years feel the “wear and tear” of time. Painful joints, reduced mobility and faculties are part of the natural cycle of life. 

Miguel’s symbol of success had become a monument to his pride. In another two years, he sold the house to pay for his expensive medical expenses. He and his wife moved to a one-bedroom townhouse. 

“There’s nothing wrong with having a three-story house,” his neighbors would talk behind his back. “But to build one because you want to be exalted is another story.”   

Scripture has a message to the proud, “For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has a day of reckoning. He will punish the proud and mighty and bring down everything that is exalted.” (Isaiah 2:12)  

Thoughts to reflect on:  

My past glories do not define who I am. But my relationship with the Lord does. Pride must be shunned under all circumstances.  

Photo credit: unsplash.com 

Keeping an Open Mind

There is a fierce, divisive debate going on in the world, which has recently escalated when the US courts handed down a controversial decision that has sparked both protests or celebrations, depending on whether you are pro or con.   

One side is pro-choice: abortion should be legalized because it is a fundamental right of a woman and should not be limited by laws or religion. Pregnant women opt for unsafe illegal abortions because there is no legal option. 

The other side is pro-life: individual human life begins at fertilization, and therefore abortion is the immoral killing of an innocent human being. It is unfair to allow abortion when couples who cannot biologically conceive are waiting to adopt. 

Some Christians have stayed neutral, “We are keeping an open mind, studying all the arguments before saying it is right or wrong.” 

“Keeping an open mind . . .” in this sense means: tolerance, reserving judgment.   

What does the Bible say about being open-minded (Luke 24:45-47 NLT)? “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” 

From Jesus’ own mouth, these words came, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”   

He opened the disciples’ mind to everything that He fulfilled as written by Moses and the prophets. 

The world does not see Scripture the way believers, who live by grace, do. They look at it based on logic; we look at it based on faith. The opening of our mind is guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Keeping an open mind is not about “studying all the arguments before saying it is right or wrong.” It is about seeing issues in light of how Jesus sees them. 

Ask and reflect: Am I keeping an open mind in this debate on abortion? 

In His Book

“Am I in your book?” asked one little boy in one of my book-signing events.  

“Well, your name is not in this book, but I am sure you will know that the obedient and delightful little boy I wrote about is just like you,” I replied, hoping he’d be satisfied with my answer. 

But he pressed on. “But when will my name be in your book?” 

“In my next book, promise, I will name one of the characters Dante.”    

“Yey!” He cheered, took his signed book and his dad’s hand, and skipped away. 

And so Dante is the name of the major character in Twin Blessings.* 

I never saw Dante again, but if ever he chances upon that book, he would remember my promise.  

ooo

That very same question was asked by the preacher in his message in one virtual worship service.   

“Are you in God’s book? Am I?” 

He then read what Scripture says, emphasizing every word:  

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them. 
(Psalm 139:16 NKJV) 

More than amazing! I’ve read that verse many times before and I never looked at it the way I did that morning. I shouted in my mind, I am in God’s book!  

Long before I was formed, God had me in mind. He had written my name in His book. And I didn’t have to request Him. 

The pastor explained further God’s promise: anyone who believes in God, in the redemptive grace of His Son Jesus, and in His Holy Spirit is in His book. 

What a reassurance, especially at this time of pandemic confusion and commotion and this politics of disunity and disharmony.    

He asked one other question before he ended his message: “Will you turn your thoughts to the God who turns His thoughts to you?”  

*

What's That Light?

For 10 miserable years, Lorenz was addicted to drugs. It started innocently—a few puffs of marijuana with friends during parties. But the urge to have more never left him. He got hooked. 

On year eight, he was into cocaine and lost everything he ever owned—his job, his home, his cars, his integrity, and his family (a wife and two children). 

In a seedy, dark apartment unit one night, he knelt in prayer, “God, I surrender. Do what you will with me.” Grace rushed in as a blinding light and illumined the phone before him. He picked up the phone to call his brother-in-law to come and get him.  

The next thing he knew, he was in a hospital room with his wife watching over him. That was the beginning of his painful journey to recovery—from detoxification to rehabilitation.  

In just over a year, he was welcomed back home. “The craving for drugs never left me,” he confessed, but in his struggle, he rediscovered his love for the arts and started painting. 

Lorenz hawked his works in tiangges (flea markets) and was surprised that young people were drawn to them. They asked him questions on how he did them. 

He’d reply by citing his past darkness and how he saw the light. Then he’d quote the verse written by prophet Isaiah (chapter 9, verse 2) during a dark period of Israel’s history, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” 

His young market could relate to Lorenz’s art because the images mirrored their own feelings and struggles.  

Amidst the darkness, may we see the light in our lives as Lorenz did, and reflect this light to others. 

Surrender

Crossword clue: “Wave the white flag.”  

Answer? Surrender. 

The white flag is a sign of truce that requests for negotiation. It also symbolizes surrender, since it is the weaker party which requests for negotiation. 

Have you ever felt like waving the white flag? When we are saddled with problems, giving up seems to be the easiest way out. 

In Scripture, Job, a faithful man of God, lived out the real and true meaning of the word surrender. He lost his children and wealth, then he was struck with painful and ugly sores over his entire body. His friends shunned him and he became a pariah; his good life was razed to the ground.    

Instead of encouraging Job to endure, his wife added to his pain by saying, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9 NLT). She thought God abandoned Job in his time of trouble.

The response of Job’s wife is similar to ours when everything seems to crumble. Job, however, rebukes her. He tells her that we are to accept all—both good and bad—from the Lord, trusting that His plan is best. 

In short, it is not waving the white flag, which is what we use to mean “I give up!" 

Surrender means offering and leaving our life and all that we have to God. 

Surrendering therefore is completely giving up our own will, so that our thoughts and deeds are placed in God’s care. 

James 5:10–11 (NLT) reminds us, “. . . We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance. . . Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” 

Job gives us, despairing people, the clue: surrender our all to the rescuing grace of God. 

Let’s make a covenant with God today by singing the chorus of the hymn, All to Jesus I Surrender (written by Judson W. Van DeVenter [1855–1939], and put to music by Winfield S. Weeden):  

Planted and Re-Planted

Pastor Popoy was ecstatic when he was accepted to teach English in a Cambodian school. Fascinated  by the place and its people early on, he had already read as many books as he could find about Cambodian culture.  

His friends, however, were sad to see him go. The young pastor had been a dynamic leader in the youth group, where he was a role model. “The Lord has been using you here,” cried some of his wards. “Why leave?” 

“Remember Abraham?” he would reply. “The Lord asked him to leave his country to a place he never knew existed. As for me, I am going to a place I already know so well. God planted me here, and He will re-plant me there so I could produce lasting fruit for Him.” 

“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.’” (Genesis 12:1 NLT) 

The youth need not have worried. After Pastor Popoy was gone, several members of the group rose to the occasion, and shared doing the work he left behind.   

Meanwhile, Pastor Popoy embraced his new job with purpose and excitement. In teaching the children English, he used Bible parables, stories, and heroes to illustrate concepts.  After the kids had learned enough English, he introduced them to Jesus.  

He and the Philippine youth group continued to communicate via social media, sending each other photos and narratives of how grace nurtured them in their growing work for the Lord. 

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” (John 15:16) 

May we always aspire to produce lasting fruit wherever we go. 

Lower photo credit 

A PINK Panacea for the Basher Bug

The Flu Bug is as old as the hills. But the Basher Bug is new; it came with VP Leni's announcement to run for president. Unlike the Flu Bug that afflicts you physically and makes you miserable for, at most, a week, the Basher Bug afflicts your self-respect, your soul, your middle, and makes you miserable for months on end. 

Why? Because you don't know where it's coming from. No rhyme, no reason. As Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo, a noted historian and whose books/articles we love to read, said, bashing is a different kind of discourse.  

As a writer focused on the theme of grace, I am careful with the messages I write, especially online. I often agonize over misused words, misplaced commas, and grammatical lapses. Despite that, my posts (PINK campaign) were incessantly bashed—a new and noxious-to-the-nth-degree nightmare for me. 

Bashers are vile and vicious, spewing venom. They always pick a fight. They split hairs, claiming malice where there is none. They reply with fake news and expletives to make you feel dirty and small.  

I'd quickly block them, especially those with hidden profiles and shallow posts on their timeline.

But they are like bacteria, specifically the strains that double in size every 10 minutes and therefore produce more offspring than the combined weight of all organisms! They have a prodigious power of reproduction, because whoever hired them has an "unli" stash of cash.

These bacteria leave a gnawing feeling at the pit of the stomach and sometimes cause insomnia.  

But two days ago, while I was scrolling down my wall, this was re-uploaded by a kakampink. It was the one-letter reply of VP Leni's spokesperson, Atty. Barry Gutierrez III, to a cantankerous presidential candidate.

It shushed up the loquacious leech for good.

Immediately, I borrowed it as my reply to bashers. Eureka, it worked! 

Bashers/trolls don't know what to make of K. Is she agreeing? They stay quiet, as though tased. It has made blocking unnecessary. 

This one-letter-word capsule seems to have these ingredients: "I don't care." "Blab all you want." "It does not affect me." "Your comments are your baggage, not mine." "Wallow in your own blank blank blank." "C'est la vie." Plus, it has extra-strength Vitamin C, for courage to combat fake news and disinfomation. 

Well, what do you know!  Rx PINK panacea has slowed down my pulse rate. Dosage: as needed. It has allayed the toxic Basher Bug that used to bug/badger/bully/belittle/bait/bedevil me.  

Thank you, Dr. Barry.

On that note, I will cease writing PINK blogs. 

For now.

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27 NIV)

Wedding Vows

You must have attended many wedding ceremonies through the years, as I have. Then we have all witnessed how the traditional vows have evolved. 

They used to be sacrosanct classics. No wedding vow would be complete without these words—“to have and to to hold; to love and obey; in sickness or in health; for richer or poorer; and till death do us part.” 

In this multi-polar world today, wedding vows are as varied as websites and URLs.

But no matter how differently worded, wedding vows express undying love. It is that part of the ceremony where the betrothed couple uses profuse superlatives but never accused as mushy; and guests shed copious tears but never branded as sappy. 

Marriage vows express so much love they make one forget wars, disasters, political upheavals, and other depressing news around the world. 

One such vow made me laugh and cry at the same time—and to this day, even as the bride and groom  already have three children, I remember the words fondly. This was the wedding of Pastor Ralph, our associate pastor then (now an officiating minister), and Shiela, a teacher in our church’s school. They have many things in common, one of which is asthma.  

My eyes misted when Pastor Ralph promised his bride, “I will let you use the nebulizer first, and I would give you my last nebule.”  

Shiela vowed, “And I promise to laugh at your jokes . . .” 

Beneath and beyond the wit and humor, the couple expressed the covenant of loving someone above self. 

Our Savior—bleeding, tired, in pain, and ridiculed on the cross—showed us what Eternal Love is, till His very last breath. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NLT)  

 

From Him, we learned to love and to explicitly express it in wedding vows. 

Recalling my wedding vows now, I wonder, How have I demonstrated love through the years?  

Servant-Leader in PINK: TOTGA?

Servant-leader (or servant-leadership) is a term credited to Robert K. Greenleaf, who introduced the concept in his 1970 essay, The Servant as Leader. 

Much earlier, however, the world already recognized several inspiring leaders who exemplified this concept: Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela.

As a Christian, I believe that servant-leadership has its origins in Jesus, the embodiment of Hope and Grace, over 2,000 years ago. 

In “The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard” (Matthew 1:1-16 NLT), verse 16  reads, “The last will be first, and the first will be last.”

In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus told his disciples:  

“. . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Tough (or impossible) act to follow?  

The good news is, this benchmark has been simplified since 1970 into various permutations for mortals in workplaces. Here’s one that, I feel, covers all aspects:  

Based on documents, Atty. Leni’s work ethic (in Angat Buhay, Office of the Vice President, for six years; her years as developmental lawyer prior to and during her stint in government) was guided by this template. 

Those who pored over the candidates’ platforms would know that VP Leni's eight-pronged program was the strategic statement and execution of the above. 

Integrity is for government officials to model, so the country's resources can be accounted for.  

A leader needs to listen to divergent groups to come up with projects and solutions to issues.     

People in government who do their job well must be recognized by the leader, not only to improve morale, but to reward competence. 

A leader must share his/her vision with her team so that the electorate will buy into the direction the government is taking. 

To fight injustices, a leader guides change.  

These qualities were reinforced during the launching on July 1 of the SEC-registered Angat Buhay Inc, devoted to helping  improve lives. Citizen Leni outlined four doable programs: 1) Health and Nutrition; 2) Education; 3) Disaster relief and rehabilitation; and 4) Community engagement. 

It's almost like a parallel "universe" except that: 

The government has all the resources for all projects, but are in danger of being siphoned off by corrupt beauracrats. 

In contrast, Angat Buhay depends on volunteers for logistics and money, every cent of which will be accounted for.  

This servant-leader in PINK is TOTGA (the one that got away), people say. That was also my belief when she lost the presidential election. Thirty-one million voters (per Comelec count) ignored the qualities of a servant-leader.    

With Angat Buhay, however, this lawyer and mother in PINK did not really get away. She is right here with us, working just as hard in a parallel, but better (although poorer in resources) "universe." 

For kakampinks, PINK symbolizes HOPE. I remain hopeful therefore that one day (maybe not in my lifetime), unenlightened voters will finally see the light—recognize and elect a candidate who lives by the values of a servant-leader.  

P.S.

And speaking of transparency, Leni's work for six years as VP is documented. 

PINK Alert! Troll Farms Go Berserk

Several blog posts ago, I wrote about rhodophobia, the fear of PINK. That was tame. 

This fear has become virulent and violent—fake news peddlers are running amok, especially after the launching of the Angat Buhay project on July 1.  

I would have thought (the normal human behavior) that the troll farms’ candidates, plus their alleged 31-million compatriots, would be dancing on the streets, shouting with glee, patting each other on the back for a job-well-done, being magnanimous “winners,” and working for unity, their solitary campaign promise. 

Instead, these nameless, faceless windbags have stepped-up their disinformation on practically all posts about Leni since the winners were proclaimed till now. While I agree that public officials need to be called out for their misconduct and mandate failure, I can't fathom why troll farms continue their massive slandering. Leni is no longer a government official and her VP post required no job but to stand by in case something happens to the president. And now as private citizen, she is continuing her project in the OVP, financed by volunteers and the private sector.   

Yet, they continue to vomit damning fakery like “did nothing as VP” “asking for Angat Buhay donations to fund her next presidential campaign" “Met with diatabelizers in the US” “NPA supporter” “Brainless” “$%^#+!@*!” and a lot more I dare not write for fear of falling into the pit of ungrace.  

One posted a scoffing message (let me try to make sense of it in English): “Kakampinks are a poor copy of us. We are united and we have the numbers. One post alone earns thousands of likes in minutes. Our vloggers have millions of followers.” 

Poor copy?! That would be comparing apples and oranges. 

Trolls are handsomely paid and therefore spend their time on the Net, their source of income. In an article in South China Morning Post (researched by Jonathan Ong), the president-elect admitted, "I hired a troll army, thousands and thousands." 

Kakampinks are all volunteers and go online only during our spare time; we have legitimate jobs or businesses. 

Trolls are provided with scripts or content, as evidenced by many sumilar cut-and-paste posts. 

Kakampinks write what they have in their heart. Nobody, not even Tony beloved, orders me what to write about. 

Trolls hide their profiles on socmed because they have multiple accounts; they go by aliases and borrowed photos.  

Kakampinks’ profiles are for all to read and our individual pages are openly PINK. 

Trolls do nothing but comment, using gutter language meant to divide and incite rebellion.  

Kakampinks speak their minds and do creative things. An endless number of songs, poems, presentations, art pieces, books, etc. by individuals and groups for the PINK campaign pepper the Net. 

So why the PINK alert? 

Disinformation by troll farms were mostly directed against Leni prior to the election, according to UP professor of journalism, Yvonne Chua. And now, in “victory,” these fake-news generators have become more vicious, more ferocious, and more dangerous than ever. I have been cursed and damned for my posts on helping with Angat Buhay. Let us not let our guard down. 

What can we do? 

For one, the announcement that a number of lawyers will take to court those spreading fake news is welcome news. 

We can likewise debunk lies and present the truth, always with proof. Those of us who have been praying for divine justice must press on. 

Together, we are a 15-million force that can help uplift the lives of our people by helping kakampinks in need and being as driven in working for the Angat Pinas, Inc. (Angat Buhay project) as we were during the campaign. 

Divine justice is a promise; it is forthcoming. 

"A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish." (Proverbs 19:9 NIV)

Photo credits: the images in the collage are borrowed from kakampinks' socmed posts.  

We Wear PINK on June 30, 2022

This announcement must have passed my socmed wall a hundred times from different kakampinks since mid-June. What's so important about today? It is the swearing in of our voting-machine-anointed president. 

And so I wear PINK. 

Rather, my blog site, which reflects my swirling thoughts (I write PINK blogs to talk to myself; it's my self-prescribed therapy for post-election syndrome) wears PINK. 

Today, too, VP Leni steps down to begin Angat Buhay NGO tomorrow as citizen Leni. Words are unnecessary, except for a most heartfelt thanksgiving to the One whose grace enables us to keep working—and safeguarding our hope—for a rosy/healthy Philippines.

"I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." (Psalm 69:30) 

PINK Flowers for Gene

Just before the presidential election, Gene sent me a photo of a lovely pink flower via Messenger with this note: “My first-ever collection of multi-petals adenium . . . for VP Leni for President!” 

“Oh, wow!” I gushed, “I wish I had a green thumb, too!” 

He replied, “If there were a garden in Heaven for flowering plants, I'd like to be one of the gardeners.” 

Perhaps he got his wish. The Lord welcomed Gene to His heavenly garden last week. He was 71. 

Gene was a dear friend and a colleague. A respected professor, he was my chat-mate in the faculty room about grace, our common faith, and ministries.  We lost touch for sometime, with the pandemic and all, but somehow, during the presidential campaign, we met again—online. He got in touch with me after reading my posts and told me he was a kakampink. 

Cyberspace enables friends to say “hello” again, and alas, “goodbye” again.

He did not reply to my last message so I wondered how he was doing. Upon visiting his socmed page, I was shocked to read about what happened. A neighbor narrated that Gene was found unconscious in his garden and was rushed to the hospital. A few days later, he was gone. 

I last saw Gene years ago, but our recent exchange of messages about our shared vision for our country made me feel like we were still in the faculty room, this time around, talking about politics and flowers. 

In memory of Gene, I made a collage of unusual PINK flowers, which I am sure he would have loved to plant in his garden. I am uploading it today, PINK Wednesday, because we, along with other kakampinks, always greeted each other on a day such as this.  

So long, Gene. Till we meet again—at the Lord’s home with its lovely garden! 

“Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.  The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.” (Psalm 103:15-16 NLT)