The Least of My Brethren...

Our son, Malcolm, wrote from a fishing village in an island in the province of Bohol, Philippines, of children having no books to read, older boys and girls quitting school because their parents are too poor to have them continue on with their schooling.

Our daughter, Eunice Lois wrote from Isabela how her heart was moved to open a school to teach children to read. She is amazed to find out that the parents also desired to learn to read and write. Yet the mothers often have to pull their children from their class to work with them in the field. Illiteracy seems to be a hard nut to crack.

I call upon all Christians and charitable persons to help me ameliorate the deplorable socio-economic conditions of people in underdeveloped as well as developing countries, particularly in targeted rural villages in the Philippines.

You can pray as well as share what the LORD tells you to do.You can send me an email at apple_jun@yahoo.com for inquiry, prayer, and how you can partner with me.

If you have boxes of old books, toys and clothing that you wish to donate and share with the needy children of Danajon Bank in Bohol and the indigent school children of Isabela, Philippines. Please get in touch with me ASAP. Thank You and God Bless You Richly!

All donations will be properly acknowledged and receipted and its subsequent distribution documented (video/photo) and posted here in my blog.

Why the New Year is Always Happy...

As I write and ponder on the title of this reflection, my son, Attorney Samuel Jonathan called long distance from Butuan City, Philippines greeting us "Masaba nga bag-ong tuig" ("Noisy New Year")."What can you see beyond the noises?" Yes. What can you see beyond the noises of firecrackers, church bells ringing, blowing of horns, and banging of empty cans, barking of dogs and a cacophony of cries from scared animals? Above all the loud noises is the ringing of the church bells. The ringing of the bells is a promise of hope and joy and prosperity to men of good-will. It is an assurance of the continuous presence of God among His people and a reminder of His promise "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

"Happy New Year" is best celebrated with thanksgiving, praise and worship to God with His holy congregation in a church or with the family at home followed with a thanksgiving dinner. There are no demons to drive away. Only the wonderful peace of the presence of God. The wonderful proclamation that God is still the only Sovereign over the whole creation.

"Hallelujah!" God is with us.

Immanuel reigns!

Why the New Year is Always Happy! (Part 1)

I think and so I believe that the celebration of a new year should always be happy and hopeful. No matter what hardships and difficulties we experienced in the day of the passing year, just the fact that we survived these hardships and difficulties, is the reason to rejoice and hope the ensuing year will bring peace, goodwill, and a stronger desire to be more charitable and tolerant of others including those who call themelves "enemies."

The New Year is time for reflections and revival of our faith in God Who made Himself known to us in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ as well as in our fellowmen. It is time to really understand who we are as believers and followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, how we treated our fellowmen - our neighbors,

Living Life of Jesus Christ Daily

Hi friends and loved ones wherever you are scattered and planted in this world beloved by God. I love this beautiful world because God loves it very much. He refuses to destroy it despite the ugly things men do in it. We who love the LORD and His Son Jesus Christ are chosen and called to manage it, to repair the damages men of ill-will are doing in it, and to multiply and replenish what gives beauty and goodness to it. How do we do this? Simply by following and doing the example of Jesus Christ.

Let us all learn to deal honestly with one another. See the beauty of loving one another, forgiving one another his hurful acts, not giving offense but giving praise and appreciation even when offended. Remember you do not live for
yourself. You are not your own. You are bought with a price. You belong to Jesus Christ. Let is beauty be seen in you.

This is my prayer for the ensuing years until He comes again in glory.

Greetings!

It is a rare privilege to greet you fellow bloggers an advance Happy New Year 2008. Looking forward to what is to come in the year 2008 enables us to reflect on what we have done or failed to do in the past. There is wisdom in looking back before making plans for the future. It makes us see and understand why we succeed and feel satisfied and confident induplicating, multiplying the process. It also us to see, understand, and avoid those things which end in failures and loses. It minimizes frustrations and depressions and disappointments because of the failures.

If you are religious you may blame God or the Church or the pastor particularly as pertains to moral lapses and inability to accept responsibility and blame. for fallureHowever on the plus side of being spiritually alive we can still praise and thank the LORD. By the power of His spirit He has made us to overcome our depresions and disappointment and given us the wisdom to seek His presence and guidance in all our plans for ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods, our country and our fellowmen. He has the power to make us live the abundant life - wealth, health, honor, prestige,
and contentment.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008.