Pillar of the house is what symbolizes the father in the Philippine culture. This is in the context that the house is made of bamboo and wood. It portrayed the father as the foundation of the family. I would like to honor all fathers this year with another image in the American context, Father as a huge Pine Tree. From the picture, you see me hugging a Pine Tree. I found it in the backyard of Elizabeth Roseman’s former house during the estate sale. It is huge and tall. The branches and leaves spread, giving comforting shade on a hot sunny day. I hear birds chirping from its branches. Who knows what other creatures are residing or resting on it. Having a seat on a garden chair or a picnic mat under this tree will surely give a sense of rest, comfort, and peace. Hugging that tree gave me a sense of security too. <!–split–>

I guess that Pine Tree is more than a hundred years old. It has grown well and stood the test of time, as the cliché goes. An ideal father is like that huge Pine Tree. A father stands tall and strong. He is a source of protection; someone you can depend on. Like the huge trunk of the Pine Tree, father seems to be tough, rough, and immovable, but once you come near and hug him, you will feel his love, so strong, that you feel safe and secure. His warm side may not be as cozy, upfront as a mother but surely, he will show it subtly like the shades the Pine Tree gives.

My Pine Tree, Papa Sonnie showed his love to us and our family by being there, standing tall and strong for us the whole time. He helped me write my name and memorize poems for school presentations. He cooked breakfast. (His fried rice was the best!) That’s their marital arrangement because Mama Pat taught pre-school. He hand-washed clothes with Mama when we were young. He brought me to school for two months or more, I think. Oh no…you’re wrong. It’s not easy, we commute. It is a 4-hours bus ride one way. This was in my first year in college. He lent me his sermons (type written and well kept), books, pastor’s paraphernalia, and even his clerical clothes and pants!

Papa Sonnie was there for me all the time. One of my favorite memories of him was the catch me game we always played when I was young. I will go up and stand on the table and eagerly jump to him and he will catch me. Later in life I learned from psychology studies, that the catch me game is one of the best ways to build trust. I was not able to ask him if he knows about it or it was it just his subtle way of loving me. Either way, it made me trust him fully, 101%. I am very much certain that he will be there to catch me when I fall. He will catch me with his love so strong.

For all the fathers and those who act as fathers, we hug you back with much love as you catch us when we fall, as you cover us with your shades of love, and as you embrace us in full strength. We are thankful for your love so strong, we always feel safe and secure. In the same manner, we can come to God as our father.

Psalms 5:11 tells of fatherly love.

“But all who find safety in you will rejoice; they can always sing for joy. Protect those who love you; because of you they are truly happy.”   (Good News Translation)

“But you’ll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration.”    (The Message)

Happy Father’s Day! We love you !

Mama, Nanay, Inang, Mommy, Mom, Mathair, Mutter, Madre, Moeder, Uwa, Umi, Eomeoni, and a lot more… these are Mother in different languages around the world. Different language but one universal meaning… Unwavering Love.

Strong, firm, unshakable, does not weaken and steadfast, these are the descriptions of Mother’s unwavering love. I like to believe that mothers will move the heavens and earth to give the best care for their family, especially to their children. Whether the children are 5 months old or over their 50’s (Right, Mama Pat?) their mother’s love continues to nurture them. What’s amazing about the mother’s love is that it is expandable. <!–split–>

Mother’s arms are stretchy enough to embrace people beyond their household. In 1858, Ann Jarvis, pregnant with her sixth child, founded the Mother’s Day Work Clubs in West Virginia. The club’s goal was to improve the health and sanitary conditions of the community. During the American Civil War, they expanded their care to both Confederate and Union wounded Soldiers. After the war, Ann was asked to help mend post-war strife between soldiers. In 1868 at Taylor County Courthouse in Pruntytown WV, Ann and her club members organized Mothers’ Friendship Day to help in the healing process. She shared a message about unity and reconciliation to the veterans and their families. Ann was a Sunday School Teacher. She served as superintendent of Primary Sunday School Department of St Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal for 25 years.

It was in Ann Jarvis’ honor that we have Mother Day’s Celebration today. In memory and honor of Ann Jarvis, the first Mother’s Day service was held in St Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal on May 10, 1908. With Anna, Ann’s daughter perseverance, the second Sunday of May was declared National Mother’s Day in 1914. Today, we continue to honor all mothers in the whole world. I am so blessed to have two mothers from opposite sides of the world, whose unwavering love pampers and sustains me. Mama Pat, who brought me to this world-fiftyish years ago braved herself to come here to Moline, Illinois (to make sure I eat well ). It was her first time to travel alone and first trip outside the Philippines. She supports and inspires me in my ministry. Mom Linda, who welcomed me (a stranger, a foreigner) in their home in Macomb in 2021 treated me like a daughter. She took extra miles helping me in my transition in America. And she still does even though we are now miles apart. Life is good with a mother. In my case, life is better and more blessed with two beautiful, loving mothers around me.

In Proverbs 31:31 says, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” This Mother’s Day, let us honor all who share their unwavering love for us. Let us love them back to the fullest. Happy Mother’s Day!

The Christian World is in celebration this April 9, 2023, Easter Sunday! Theologically it is called Resurrection Sunday. In the Philippines, we commonly use the term Pasko ng Pagkabuhay (Christmas Resurrection) or Second Christmas.

We see the similarities of the first and second Christmas. Jesus Christ came to bring redemption for all.

The Angels and shepherds announce with great joy the birth of the Messiah. An Angel and women disciples testify with amazement the resurrection of the King of Kings. Jesus Christ’s birth was the manifestation of Isaiah’s prophecy: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV ) <!–split–>

His resurrection was the realization of Isaiah’s another proclamation: “He will swallow up death forever. The LORD God will wipe tears from every face; he will remove his people’s disgrace from off the whole earth, for the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 25:8 CEB)

The sole reason for these two Christmases is God’s love for all, clearly stated in the Gospel of John: “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16 (The Message)

Our celebration of Easter must be as joyful and hopeful as Christmas. We should sing one of Charles Wesley hymns in full gusto like we sing Joy to the World!

“Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!”

Love comes down on Christmas, Love raises up in Easter!

Last spring, I found this purple crocus in the middle of dry leaves down from the porch where I lived. They are so wonderful, not only because of its colors (which is my favorite though ha, ha, ha ) but because of their design and how they were able to grow after winter and beneath those dry leaves. They were the first flowers I saw that naturally bloom from ground after that winter. For me, Crocus is a symbol of Hope. <!–split–>

Crocus, has been with us in the ancient days. In the book Isaiah 35:1-4 crocus was mentioned:

The desert and the dry land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus.     ²They will burst into bloom and rejoice with joy and singing. They will receive the glory of Lebanon, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the Lord’s glory, the splendor of our God.   ³ Strengthen the weak hands and support the unsteady knees.          ⁴ Say to those who are panicking: “Be strong! Don’t fear! Here’s your God, coming with vengeance;  with divine retribution God will come to save you.”

Seeing crocus bursting into bloom this spring reminds us of Isaiah’s hopeful message. Let us be strong and do not be afraid for our God is here with us. In celebration of springtime, let us rejoice and sing, for God’s glory is with us to make us burst into bloom after our winter hibernation. God will strengthen our weak hands and un-steady knees to be able to go and be a blessing, to be a symbol of hope to others, just like the Crocus. May we find Crocus to make us smile and be a Crocus to one another. Rejoice!

Sweetheart and Honey, my purr-buddies (cats), give Mama and I extra dose of love each day. According to some studies, in a cats’ world affection or love are shown in several ways:  These are purring, bunting, rolling, scratching, kneading, hunting and gifting prey, playing, sleeping, loving eyes, tail curling up, meowing and licking. <!–split–>

Purring (it’s cats’ affectionate hum for me), meowing (cats’ talk) and kneading (I consider it as special massage) are cats’ way of saying they are relaxed, enjoying our company and being loved. Tail curling up is like a flag that says, Hey, I love you! A slow eye blink is considered as cats’ kiss! Bunting (cats’ rubbing their cheeks/heads or head-butting you), licking, and scratching are ways of leaving their scent on you and marking of territory as if saying, I love this person, he/she is mine. Rolling (specially showing their belly) and playing (often they like to do hide and seek) are their greeting expressions and invitation to more fun loving interactions. Sleeping on your lap or beside you, and placing their face with eyes wide open are expressions of trust.

Finally, hunting and gifting prey. Cats with their hunting instincts will share their prey with their family. When they offer you their catch, that means you’re loved, you are their family. I remember back home, I found a dead lizard beside my bed, a loving gift from Jedai, my late Siamese cat. Good thing, here with Honey and Sweetheart, they bring me their toys, no dead prey. Often times, in the morning, I will find them at my bedroom door.

Let us find inspiration from our purr-buddies, to express our love and affection clearly and openly. Just like our cats, let us intentionally purr and pour our love; tell our loved ones how we felt loved by them, how we trust them, create opportunities to have fun and loving interactions and share with them what you have.

1 John 4:19 says, “We love because God first love us.” May the unconditional love we receive from God, be shared and shown unconditionally to each other. A daily dose of purrfect love keeps the negative vibes away.

“Any new beginning is forged from the shards of the past, not from the abandonment of the past.”                                                                                            – Rev. Craig Lounsbrough

 This quote from Rev. Lounsbrough is a fact of life. Our journey to 2023 doesn’t start from scratch. We always carry with us a baggage of the past. What is inside that baggage varies from one person to another. Some would carry the toughest, painful, and most negative experiences. Some prefer to carry a full load of happiest, amazing, and most wonderful events of their lives, while others would carry half and half. The big question is, what do you do with that baggage as you face the New Year? <!–split–>

Prophet Nehemiah has an answer for us “… I feel sad because the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and its gates have been burned  ⁵ LORD God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. ⁶ I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you… We must rebuild the city wall so that we can again take pride in our city.“  Nehemiah 2: 3b, 17.  Prophet Nehemiah did three things: 1) Expressed his feelings.  2) Come to God.  3) Take Action.

First, he was true with his feelings. When he learned about the devastation of Jerusalem, he wept. He was known as the crying prophet. In Nehemiah 1:4, it says, “When I heard this, I sat down on the ground and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed.”  Prophet Nehemiah expressed his emotions. Denying deep emotions makes life harder. Pretentious life is even harder than its existing problems. Expression of emotions is an indication of accepting reality of life.

Second, Prophet Nehemiah prayed. In Nehemiah 1:5-6a, it says, “LORD God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. 6 I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you.” He didn’t just stay sulking; he came to God for rescue. Even in the depressing moments, Prophet Nehemiah calls out to his God whom he recognizes as divine, great, faithful and merciful. And truly believes God will answer his prayers.

Third, Prophet Nehemiah rebuilds the Jerusalem Wall. In Nehemiah 2:17 it says, “But when I got back, I said to them, “Jerusalem is truly in a mess! The gates have been torn down and burned, and everything is in ruins. We must rebuild the city wall so that we can again take pride in our city.” Heeding to God’s answers to his prayer, Prophet Nehemiah acted. He surveyed the ruined walls, looked for resources, asked for helpers, struggled with enemies, stayed firm, and finally rebuilt the city wall.

This New Year, lets survey our walls, express your feelings about it, pray to God for guidance and help and the start rebuilding your walls.

Have a Blessed and Hopeful 2023!

What is your favorite Christmas decor? Mine is the Manger Scene or the Nativity Scene. It depicts the birth of Jesus Christ, laying lowly in the manger with his human parents Mary and Joseph and with shepherds and animals as first visitors. Why is this my favorite? Because … The manger scene is a Christ-centered décor. Having an image of baby Jesus on the manger at the center of the scene reminds us of the reason of the season, Jesus Christ. Hence, we have CHRISTmas, a Mass of Christ, a worship service for Christ. Christmas is a time to reflect whom we truly worship, whom we truly adore; it’s the perfect time to ask ourselves: Who is in the center of my life? <!–split–>

The third stanza of the song Away In A Manger is a statement of faith. A hymn that tell about CHRISTmas:

Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with you there.

The manger scene is a family-centered décor. The scene depicts the image of a family close to each other. In subtle way it shows the love of parents to their child. Christmas is the manifestation of our Heavenly Father’s love to us, his children. As it is written in John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” Love is the gift people received on the first Christmas Day. Christmas is a time to love. We celebrate and gather on Christmas to love. It’s time to check your Christmas gifts. Do your gifts have love?

May this CHRISTmas makes us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. May this CHRISTmas warm our hearts with love, flamed to share love to each other. May we all be gift-boxes of love this CHRISTmas! Have a Merry CHRISTmas with lots of love!

This November 1^st marks the 304^th day of 2022. We had lived 304 days under God’s grace and blessings. We had faced challenges and battles in 304 days. There were winning moments and losses too. But I am certain that when we look back and count the blessings we receive, we cannot help but be thankful. Thanksgiving Day is a much-celebrated national holiday. We look forward to family traditions, friends, community, and church celebration. This is a special day for us to be thankful. That is good. <!–split–>

But what is better or great is to be thankful every day. Paul in his letter to the church in Thessalonica says: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The way to give thanks to God in everything is to practice Thanks Living. Thanks Living is gratitude in action. Every day we intentionally find reasons to be thankful for. I am certain you will be amazed how God is at work, generously and lovingly for our sake. I encourage you to have a

Gratitude Journal or Gratitude Notebook to record the blessings and grace God is giving us. I found this poem by American author Wilfred Peterson that talks about thanksgiving is thanks living.

 The Art of Thanksgiving      by Wilferd A. Peterson

The art of thanksgiving is thanks-living.

It is gratitude in action. It is applying Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy: ‘In gratitude for your own good fortune you must render in return some sacrifice of your life for other life.’

It is thanking God for the gift of life by living it triumphantly.

 It is thanking God for your talents and abilities by accepting them as obligations to be invested for the common good.

It is thanking God for all that men and women have done for you by doing things for others.

It is thanking God for opportunities by accepting them as a challenge to achievement.

It is thanking God for happiness by striving to make others happy.

It is thanking God for beauty by helping to make the world more beautiful.

It is thanking God for inspiration by trying to be an inspiration to others.

It is thanking God for health and strength by the care and reverence you show your body.

 It is thanking God for the creative ideas that enrich life by adding your own creative contributions to human progress.

 It is thanking God for each new day by living it to the fullest.

It is thanking God by giving hands, arms, legs, and voice to your thankful spirit.

It is adding to your prayers of thanksgiving, acts of thanks-living.

May we live the remaining days of 2022 and welcome 2023 in thanks-living!

Have you ever walked on a path along with your favorites? Like flower patches or show cars or white sands and waves? How do you feel? If you ask me, I feel great! I feel grateful for being on that spot.

In celebration of Stewardship Month, we are reading “The Gratitude Path”, based on the book of the same title by Rev. Kent Millard. Pastor Millard is a gratitude coach and former senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Each Sunday we will walk with Jesus’ Gratitude Path with the hope that we will be able to walk and talk as Jesus did. <!–split–>

We will revisit principles of thanksgiving and giving in Jesus’ Gratitude Path. These principles might be very familiar but we hope to find new inspiration and be motivated to be more grateful. The Gratitude Path has questions for us to ponder. Here are some of them:

Am I living with a grateful heart or hard heart?

How do you give thanks to God in every situation?

What experiences do you have in receiving unexpected blessings in your life?

Is my life characterized by joy and generosity?

Do you believe God still performs miracles in our world?

May we find answers to these questions by God’s guidance and grace. And may we find ourselves enjoying walking on The Gratitude Path every day.

— Pastor Jan

Back-to-school vibe is on! Can you feel it? There are mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety, happiness and loneliness, curiosity and fear, feeling of new beginnings yet missing the old and more. We hear different stories about first day of school. Some are hilarious while others are tear-jerking.

Funny though, even those who no longer go to school could still feel the vibes when the school opens or even just passing by the back-to-school section of the grocery store. Why is that so? Dr. Jeffery M. Schwartz, a research psychiatrist who is an expert of neuroscience of habits, explains that repetitive behaviors become habits. These habits can become deeply embedded in our minds and are not readily revised. Going to school every day for more than 15 years formed habits and memories that are so wired in our brain. A relevant stimulus like passing by the back-to-school section of a grocery store can trigger your back-to-school memories together with its feelings and emotions, as if it just yesterday. <!–split–>

Back-to-school is also like the New Year. It sets new beginnings, new experiments to try, new problems to solve, new people to meet too. It brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. And so, we give high value to back-to-school and set high priority to education.

What about back-to-church vibes? Would it not be great if we have similar enthusiasm for church activities like Sunday school, small group meetings, prayer fellowship and alike? Faith growth is in fact life-long learning. In Micah 4:2 it says: “People from many nations will go there. They will say, “Come, let us go up to the Lord’s Mountain. Let’s go to the temple of Jacob’s God. He will teach us how we should live. Then we will live the way he wants us to. The law of the Lord will be taught at Zion. His message will go out from Jerusalem.” The church is the modern time Lord’s Mountain and Temple of Jacob’s God. Through the church, we receive God’s teaching and understand how to live our lives according to God’s will. This is a life-long process, not a one semester deal or a seasonal course.

We went to school and keep sending children to school with the belief that education is an essential part of life. We trust the school, the teachers, and its books to teach us life skills and made us better, successful people. The church is our School, Jesus Christ is our Great Rabbi (Teacher) and the Bible with 66 books is our textbook. The school teaches us to be a better person, but through the church we learn to be the best person God wills us to be. After 2 years of lockdown due to Covid Pandemic, we are now Back-to-Church! We went back to face-to-face worship and some church activities. Do you remember how it feels to be back to church? The door of the church is wide open for more meaningful and enriching ministries this year. On September 18, we will have our Back-to-Church Program. We would like to have programs and ministries with the hope that it will all wired to our brains and soul! Everyone is invited to participate in and share your “bright ideas”. We will start with Potluck Lunch right after the worship service. Bring out your lunch bag and fill it with food to share to your church mates. Just like in school recess. Let us come together, create new things, with excitement and joy! Our Great Teacher is waiting for us. Haven’t you heard Jesus already rang the bell? Let’s go!