Choose Life!
By Cherry Moriones Doromal
The last couple of weeks have been full of surprises. And not all surprises are desirable.
As shared with my husband and sister-in-law one day: "Though I post a bucketload of feel-good stuff on my wall, what my FB followers don't know is that my inbox is flooded with all sorts of issues shared by people... by friends and strangers alike from different parts of the world. And social media has long been my special kind of personal ministry in a manner that only I and God know."
Speaking of not-so-desirable news, one instance that really broke my heart recently was when I heard about the 7-year old Filipino-Australian boy Julian Cadman who was one of the 13 casualties of the so-called Las Ramblas attack in Barcelona-- terrorism case, August 17, 2017. The kid and his mom who are residents of Lalor Park, New South Wales, Sydney Australia were only visiting Barcelona at that time to attend a wedding when the terrorist's van drove into the busy tourist district killing thirteen and injuring many others. As mentioned, Julian died and the mom has been undergoing series of surgeries since then.
Lalor Park is particularly close to my heart as I had the chance, not so long ago, to visit the place, mingle with community leaders and attend some of their community meetings through my friend Cindy. Anyhow, the lighter side of this story is learning that the entire Lalor Park community (from the school, to the firefighters to the local police) had recently initiated a superhero tribute for Julian where kids and adults dressed up in superhero costumes along with their GoFundMe fundraising efforts for the family of the victim. Anyway, it's just one of the pile of stories I encounter in my inbox.
Meanwhile, a 60-year old close family friend who was one of my enthusiastic FB likers passed away this week without any hint that it would happen quite soon. Until now, I can't remember anything about her but features of happiness in all of her posts. That's why it was jaw-dropping to hear that she's gone home instantly, right? And just before the week ended, the young spouse of another treasured young female friend passed away after a 3-day dengue battle... That's after providing him with all the best medical attention, intervention and support by the family.
The whole point is that we don't own our earthly life and that death may come at any age, expectedly or not... I hope everybody puts that in mind.
People tend to complain, feel despondent or dispirited for various life issues without realizing that they're nothing as compared with what others are going through.
I am inspired by what Kuya Ed Lapiz said last night in his message: "If you have a problem, do something about it. If you can't do anything about your problem, leave it to God. Do the possible...and leave the impossible to God."
Well, let me cut this message here and finish it up with these Biblical verses as we begin our new week:
Deuteronomy 30:19
"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." John 10:10
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." Isaiah 40:8
By Cherry Moriones Doromal
The last couple of weeks have been full of surprises. And not all surprises are desirable.
As shared with my husband and sister-in-law one day: "Though I post a bucketload of feel-good stuff on my wall, what my FB followers don't know is that my inbox is flooded with all sorts of issues shared by people... by friends and strangers alike from different parts of the world. And social media has long been my special kind of personal ministry in a manner that only I and God know."
Speaking of not-so-desirable news, one instance that really broke my heart recently was when I heard about the 7-year old Filipino-Australian boy Julian Cadman who was one of the 13 casualties of the so-called Las Ramblas attack in Barcelona-- terrorism case, August 17, 2017. The kid and his mom who are residents of Lalor Park, New South Wales, Sydney Australia were only visiting Barcelona at that time to attend a wedding when the terrorist's van drove into the busy tourist district killing thirteen and injuring many others. As mentioned, Julian died and the mom has been undergoing series of surgeries since then.
Lalor Park is particularly close to my heart as I had the chance, not so long ago, to visit the place, mingle with community leaders and attend some of their community meetings through my friend Cindy. Anyhow, the lighter side of this story is learning that the entire Lalor Park community (from the school, to the firefighters to the local police) had recently initiated a superhero tribute for Julian where kids and adults dressed up in superhero costumes along with their GoFundMe fundraising efforts for the family of the victim. Anyway, it's just one of the pile of stories I encounter in my inbox.
Meanwhile, a 60-year old close family friend who was one of my enthusiastic FB likers passed away this week without any hint that it would happen quite soon. Until now, I can't remember anything about her but features of happiness in all of her posts. That's why it was jaw-dropping to hear that she's gone home instantly, right? And just before the week ended, the young spouse of another treasured young female friend passed away after a 3-day dengue battle... That's after providing him with all the best medical attention, intervention and support by the family.
The whole point is that we don't own our earthly life and that death may come at any age, expectedly or not... I hope everybody puts that in mind.
People tend to complain, feel despondent or dispirited for various life issues without realizing that they're nothing as compared with what others are going through.
I am inspired by what Kuya Ed Lapiz said last night in his message: "If you have a problem, do something about it. If you can't do anything about your problem, leave it to God. Do the possible...and leave the impossible to God."
Well, let me cut this message here and finish it up with these Biblical verses as we begin our new week:
Deuteronomy 30:19
"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." John 10:10
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." Isaiah 40:8
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| Me, Zekie, Strong and hubby Wilson |
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