Do you ask, "God, help me"?

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Do you wonder why people in the countryside are closer to each other than those in the city?  Well, it seems that everybody is a neighbor in the countryside even if they live and is separated by mountains.  As a kid, I love those experiences of almost knowing the people in our village.  What makes our relationship stronger is how we care for each other.  

One practice, which I suppose is not anymore done today, is the manianita.  I don't know if that is the correct spelling but it is like this. When one member of our Basic Ecclessial Community (BED) or Gagmay'ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) celebrates a birthday, a group GKK members will visit the house, sing songs, conduct prayer session and give wishes for the celebrator.  I usually part of the team since I am the guitarist (already playing the guitar that time). By the way, this is done at dawn.  Just imagine we have to walk in the dark because we don't want to be detected we are coming.  There have been funny anecdotes to this experience like falling in the canal, bumping a tree, or being chased by dogs.

Anyway, we start singing upon reaching the vicinity.  After sometime we are allowed to enter the house and the ritual follows.  One ritual exercise is to ask the birthday celebrator to open any page of the Bible.  After doing it, our prayer leader will read a portion of that page.  What surprises me is every time a passage in the Bible is read, there's always a relationship or meaning to the one celebrating.  As a kid, I am so amazed how our prayer leader explains the passage and relate it to the life of the celebrator.  I think it's a miracle of God.

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Later on, i realize that the whole Bible is indeed about our life.  Have you ever noticed every Sunday when we attend Church service?  The readings have always been related to our life.

This realization brings me to the conversation I had this morning with Rowela.  This friend was into a deep crisis in her life.  I listened to her.  She poured out her heart.  There was a time when she boldly say, "God, help me." The good thing was it was 1 month ago.  She is a different person now.  When I asked how did she manage to survive such a terrible ordeal, she enumerated her angels such as friends and family members.  Moreover, there was something she emphasized and it was the advice of her parents.  She was told to read the Bible and go to Church.

That was the turning point.  When she listened to the Word of God and participated in the Christian community in fellowship, her mind was open.  Later on, blessings come pouring in. 

I know a lot of you reading this article can attest to the power of the Word of God.

Do you have a friend who is in crisis or in deep trouble?  You know what to suggest.

Have a meaningful Bible Week celebration to all!

May your dreams be blessed.

Randy T.

Do you have a constant lamp in your journey?

Have you heard that song?  "Thy word is the lamb unto my feet and the light unto my path."

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Beautiful song. Today, the Church celebrates BIBLE SUNDAY.  

I could still remember when I was a kid.  I always received an award for perfect attendance during the whole month of May Flores de Mayo.  Our chapel catechist was an excellent teacher.  Although I encountered many teachers from elementary to post graduate studies, no one can beat my non-professional teacher, our chapel catechist.  She was just so effective that we really looked forward for the Bible lessons as part of the Flores de Mayo activity.  I could still remember her using a picture Bible.  That was the only one in our place.

As a young kid, I was very familiar with stories in the Bible so much so that I don't anymore pay attention to the Sunday readings at our chapel because I know already the story.  

Fast forward, after more than 30 years, I could still remember those stories.  The Word of God has so much impact in my life that I became an altar boy until high school.  I entered the religious formation and became a brother.  When I left the convent, I continued to work as a director of the Campus Ministry Office.  The Word of God has become part of my life both personal and professional.  Even when I teach non-religious subjects, I still inculcate about God, about Jesus.  Where did I learn knowledge?  The Bible.

The Word of God has been the lamp in my journey.  It has guided me in my most difficult moments.  I might not be a regular reader but I make it sure to go to Church every Sunday to listen to His words.

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Friends, get your Bible. Open, read, study  and pray over it.

"Other books were given for our information,  the BIBLE was given for our transformation"- The Defender.

May your dreams be blessed.

Randy T