as i am at present in a low mode, my thoughts hardly would want to converge into weaving words perceived to be of value.

however low it may seem though, i am to come back wiser...

the greatest sets of words ever written were a product of times either too good or too unpleasant..

there'll be more.. may disputants don't needlessly protract this mode..and if some good sense refute these disputants, then re-existence will be just in a jiffy..

meantime, you enjoy!

while i chill out........


off to my cavern..

you are only hurting yourself with your anger - Job 18:4

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom -Psalm 90:12

Edwin's dad passed away last Sunday. There's mourning of course. It was unexpected, a heart attack. If you are Edwin and your wedding is in 2 weeks, how would you feel?

The barong Tagalog (a Filipino formal wear) that his dad's supposed to wear on Edwin's wedding day is the same one he is wearing while lying peacefully in his coffin. A few weeks ago, Edwin jokingly said "Papa will stand out in this barong. It even is better than the one I'll be wearing on my own wedding day!"

I was there on the 3rd night then on the 5th. While sharing stories, me and other friends worked on "kim" - a brown paper folded like a boat with a stamped name of the person who just died. It's a Chinese tradition to have boxes of kim burned. They believe that the more kims burned, the more money there will be in the next life. The name is stamped and serves as a seal to indicate who should receive it - in this case, Edwin's dad.

Edwin is one of those who do not believe in most of the Chinese traditions and customs. But just so as not to offend his dad's relatives and to avoid more arguments with them, he opted following some of these traditions.

On the day that I learned about the death of his dad, I literally didn't know how I'd be able to at least comfort him and Julie, his fiancee. Both are my close friends. Good thing Ciel and Anthony were there. They did what I couldn't.

My father passed away 5 years ago. I spent a whole week locked in my room crying. It took quite a long time before I eventually got used to not having him around. And once in a while, when I remember something about him, I of course miss him terribly. So I know, no amount of comfort and encouraging words can lighten up the feeling of one who has just lost one of those he dearly loves.

I understand that birth and death are normal events every one has to go through. And life is indeed too short. First day of school, graduation, wedding, a birth of a child, death of parents, growing old... then life ends. Don't you wish you were able to do more the past years, or perhaps yesterday? Don't you regret not having loved more and given more?

Live today as if it were your last..

We plowed through ten inches of snow into the cemetery, got about fifty yards from my dad's grave, with the wind blowing about twenty-five miles per hour, and the six of us lugged that casket down to the gravesite... We watched the body lowered into the grave and we turned to leave. I felt something was undone, so I said, "I'd like for us to have a prayer." The six of us huddled together and I prayed, "Lord, this is such a cold, lonely place..." And then I got too choked up to pray anymore. I kept battling to get my composure, and finally I just whispered, "But I thank you, for we know that to be absent from the body is to be safe in your warm arms." -Bob

a well spent day brings a happy sleep

I was in Spore a month ago and met a group of IT people who's into helping every Filipino in Singapore every chance they get and however they can. One of the noble projects they did was the computerization of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore - guess what? for free! They help each other even with problems at work, immigration, etc. They're dead serious into building each other up :) I'm just so proud of this group that I can't help sharing it with you. I just told them I hope the kind of culture they were able to start will just continue and be like a contagious disease that will eventually spread through the hearts of other Filipinos in Spore. You know even some of the dhs drag each other down. It's really sad, but this group is starting and trying to change that. Like them, I really hope we can all contribute something into making our fellow kababayans proud of our country and our race. I feel even more inspired to strive for excellence upon learning about this group. May this inspire you also. :)

"If each citizen does not use his freedom to try to make things a little better, then his apathy helps to make things a little worse."


can't remember where it's from

fear is just a normal reaction, a feeling
towards
something one has not come across before,
a situation one has never been into,
something one has not enough knowledge of
a situation one has not the confidence to handle

to listen and not merely hear, is a way to have enough knowledge
to have enough knowledge is a way to understanding
to understand with your heart is a way to wisdom
with wisdom is confidence
and confidence conquers fear

wisdom is received by those who seek for it...

A responsible Warrior is not someone who takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, but someone who has learned to deal with the challenges of the moment

Warrior of the Light

If racing against mere men makes you tired,

how will you race against horses?
- Jeremiah 12:5


Dream no small dreams
for they have no power
to move the hearts of men.

Goethe


It is for us to pray not for tasks
equal to our powers,
but for powers equal to our tasks,
to go forward with a great desire
forever beating at the door of our hearts
as we travel toward our distant goal

Hellen Keller


When you do the common things in life
in an uncommon way,
you will command the attention of the world.

George Washington Carver


"By Endurance We Conquer"
He lived by and was haunted by these words.
He tested these words everyday of his life,
He ran,
he walked,
he pulled,
he pushed,
he studied,
he listened.

Leonard Sweet, referring to Shackleton

Nothing earthly
shall make me give up
my work in despair.
I encourage myself
in the Lord my God,
and go forward.

David Livingstone

Do Business Honorably

Lots of folks confuse bad business ethics with destiny.

Somehow we forget the saying that even if we win the rat race,
the winner is still a rat!

Business does not exist in order to make a profit.
It exists in order to benefit society.
Profit is simply society's reward
for the job well done.
- Konosuke Matsushita
(Japan's legendary and revered business genius)

..business is an art for the nobles, not a science for the charlatans. Business, therefore, is not to win, it is to achieve a win-win situation. Somebody provides and responds to a need and he gets rewarded for doing so when he earns a reasonable profit.


Three Little Words

tough times

When something bad happens to us, it may just be a consequence of a wrong decision or action we made in the past. These consequences are supposed to teach us something. how do we handle them? still head on.. tough times make us tougher. It is through difficulties that we learn most and develop a better character - that is if we handle them correctly. Ask God for wisdom and provision (for your needs), obey and let Him lead your every action, consult Him for every decision you have to make, then thank Him for all He has done and yet to do.

Any thing that comes to us, whether good or bad, may still lead into something great. Just with the right perspective and an unflinching faith that our God is able to turn and make things work together for our good :)

what we ought to think about

8...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4 (KJV)

there are no great men;
just great challenges
ordinary men
like you and I
must face..

Admiral "Bull" Halsey

fear

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God, your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-read by Ubiquarian on the wall of a youth hostel in Nairobi

hmm.. i did a little research on this quotation. apparently, this was used by Nelson Mandela in one of his speeches, and from then on has been mis-attributed to him. Further research says it's from a book called RETURN TO LOVE published in 1992.

The secret of achievements is to hold a picture of a successful outcome in the mind.

Thoreau

stand up

fall seven times


stand up eight



Japanese Proverb

I also made a commitment that any business decision I made would be based on His Word. I desired to be a Christian who happened to be a businessman, not a businessman who happened to be a Christian.

God will show you how to work successfully with people. I follow the scriptural admonition of thinking more highly of others than I do of myself. So many people have followed books like Winning through Intimidation and Looking Out for #1, which are utterly destructive.

You don't build a successful team through intimidation;
you get people to work together
because they want to,
and because they trust you.

Excerpts from "A No-Lose Proposition" by Chuck Collings

books worth reading

Here's a list of some of the books I've read, and their authors. Included are only those I find beneficial. I have wasted quite a lot of money on crap books which deceived me of promising to be with substantial content. Yes, I also get deceived at times. I really don't mind.. it's from our mistakes that we learn and become wiser. You might also want to have them on your bookshelves..after you've read them, that is. READ THEM, don't just stock them!

I remember a line from a movie which says "It is through reading that one can be in a company of a great person or be in any place imaginable".

I'll be sharing some of those I've learned from reading, in my next posts..but you may want to read the whole thing, so here goes...

By the way, be also careful with what you feed your mind of. Not everything we read is true and is applicable to the situation or circumstance we are in. We ought to ask God for wisdom to absorb only those that are helpful in building a better character in us and reject those that may just destroy it. Keep what is worth keeping and live it, throw away the rest. Enjoy reading!

21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader's Day - John Maxwell
Alchemist, The - Paulo Coelho
Amy Carmichael (Life of) - Janet & Jeoff Benge
Be All You Can Be! - John Maxwell
Be Smart - Start and Manage Your Own Business - Marlo Sanchez
Becoming a Person of Influence - John Maxwell
Beginner's Guide to Fasting - Elmer Towns
Best of FOOD Magazine
Boy Meets Girl - Joshua Harris
Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
Complete Family Guide to HEALTHY LIVING - Dr. Stephen Carroll, Dr. Tony Smith
Corporate Giants - Robert Darden & P.J. Richardson
Corrie ten Boom (Life of) - Janet & Jeoff Benge
Desiring God - John Piper
Developing the Leader Within You - John Maxwell
Early Bird Catches the Worm, but the Second Mouse Gets the Cheese - Francis Kong
Failing Forward - John Maxwell
Gems from Tozer - AW Tozer
Gift of Acabar, The - Og Mandino
George Mueller (Life of) - Janet & Jeoff Benge
Getting a Grip on Your Money - William C. Wood
Greatest Salesman in the World I - Og Mandino
Greatest Salesman in the World II - Og Mandino
Greatest Success in the World - Og Mandino
HalfTime - Bob Buford
Holy Bible, The *this one I read every day :)
I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Joshua Harris
Intimacy With the Almighty - Charles Swindoll
It's My Turn - Ruth Bell Graham
Jack - Jack Welch
Jesus I Never Knew, The - Philip Yancey
Jesus, CEO - Laurie Beth Jones
Jim Elliot (Life of) - Janet & Jeoff Benge
Keep a Quiet Heart - Elizabeth Elliot
Leadership Promises for Every Day - John Maxwell
Leadership Secrets of Jesus, The - Mike Murdock
Life Lifters - Zig Ziglar
Lists to Live By (Books 1 to 4) - Alice Gray, Steve Stephens, John Van Diest
Little Prince, The - Antoine de Saint Exupery
Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
Loving Monday - John D. Beckett
More Than Conquerors
Morning By Morning - Charles Spurgeon
My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers
One Day at a Time - Francis Kong
Only The Real Matters - Francis Kong
Passion and Purity - Elizabeth Elliot
Power of a Praying Woman,The - Stormie O'Martian
Prayer of Jabez - Bruce Wilkinson
Pursuit of God - AW Tozer
Quest for Character - Charles Swindoll
Quest for Love - Elizabeth Elliot
Return of the Ragpicker, The - Og Mandino
Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
Screwtape Letters, The - CS Lewis
Secure in the Everlasting Arms - Elizabeth Elliot
Soul of the Firm, The - C.William Pollard
Streams in the Desert - LB Cowman
Three Little Words - Francis Kong
Tips and Traps (When Buying or Building a Home) - Armando Ang
Top Performance - Zig Ziglar
Touching God - Harold Sala
Warrior of the Light - Paulo Coelho
Way of the Shepherd - Kevin Leman and William Pentak
Winning Attitude, The - John Maxwell
Woman After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George
Works of the Holy Spirit, The - Witness Lee
You Can Be a World Changer
You Can Reach the Top - Zig Ziglar

past is past

You will not win the race by looking over your shoulder.
We must learn from the past, not dwell on it.

The Soul of the Firm

Distraction

Distraction is anything that draws your attention away
from your purpose.

Refuse to get distracted. Stay focused on your life mission!

Proverbs 4:25-26
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.

First Born - Noel

He is my brother yet I didn't know him. My sisters would tell me he was sacrificing so much just to help our parents with the family's financial needs.

Ours is a family of 11. Imagine how 9 mouths may be fed by one. Nanay was a full time mother and wife. Tatay was a school principal. No other source of income, but the small amount he receives as a salary.

These are the stories told by my sisters and my parents about this person I didn't know.

He left to work abroad while he was still in college, or right after he graduated from college. He left without advising our parents. He called to inform them when he's already settled in another country. He did it because he knew my parents would be hesitant to have him work abroad.
From then on, he never failed to send money to support us with our daily needs: food, tuition fee, etc.

As a kid he was naughty. As a grown up, he was a quiet person.

He was intelligent, always at the top of his class.

My sister remembers him sacrificing his own allowance, just to have something to give to her.

He was thoughtful.

He was good in anything on design, architecture and the arts.


I spent so little time with him. He was the eldest, I'm the youngest. These are those i remember.

He comes home only to visit for a few days.

There was a time he got interested in photography and took solo pictures of each of his siblings.



He gave me gifts: a doll with its head swaying along the music produced by winding a button on its back- when i was 6, a silver watch in high school, a computer in college.




He plays the guitar well. In one of his visits, he played the guitar while all of us sang. I remember a part of the song -

live your story
faith, hope & glory
hold to the truth in your heart

He writes well, too. I can tell from the letters he was sending us.

He went through a lot of hardships and difficulties. He had lots of struggles, too. Yet, he continually provided for us.

All 8 of us finished school. I knew he made sure we would.

Once i was old enough to learn about his sacrifices, I couldn't help imagining how hard it would have been for him - to have a family depending on him when it's not any of his responsibilities.
He must have carried a heavy weight on his shoulders during those times. Was there probably a time when he wanted to give up?

There are more stories about him, which make me admire him even more. I have been looking up to him since I started grasping the stories about him, which my family continually tells me.
When I finally had the chance to spend time with him,the more that I couldn't believe such a person exists.

Now he is even better. He has the Lord Jesus Christ in him. All these years he was being prepared and was being protected and set apart.

I will always be grateful to God for this person's life and for the privilege of having him as a brother. Then only in blood, now a brother also in Christ.

Like David, he is now becoming a man after God's own heart. And I am still at awe with the way God has put together every little piece of his life.

Thank you for everything you did and gave to the family! The day that you came was indeed something to rejoice and be glad about. Thus today, you are remembered. Will forever be grateful to God for you.

I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. - Acts 13:22


And then my soul, awaking with the morn
Shall be a waking joy, eternally new-born. - George MacDonald

Alithian wisdom now Ads-Free

If you ever notice, this blogspot used to have ads. I thought by so doing, I'll gain additional income.. and isn't that good?

But everytime I see those ads, I get the "is it ok?" feeling, and bugged with the question "what really is my motive in starting this blog?"

Isn't it that I just wanna share?
By sharing means giving, and giving isn't giving if something is expected in return.

I even tried clicking on some of the ads, and gee.. they're pointing me to sites that talk so differently from the message that i want to share!

From this day, this site is ads-free. I may create another blog (i plan to share what i learn about UML) where ads are welcome, but not this one.. Otherwise, i will be straying away from the very reason for its presence in the web, and i may even stray you away (and those who just accidentally pass by) from what i truly believe in. And that i wouldn't wanna do.

With this, I can give out what i so abundantly receive, and i don't wanna "mess" up this chance :)


God bless you!

And he remains in touch with God through his innocence and his joy, without losing sight of his mission. - P. Coelho, WOTL

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4

NANAY

...amidst the thorns she sways her heart, him touching nothing but petals of fragrant roses...caption provided by Shalav. thanks Shalav!
Today is her birthday. I sometimes wonder how mothers can be so patient and so giving, thinking of their children's needs first before their own. I am really thankful for Nanay. While growing up, I saw the amount of sacrifice she had to make just to keep our family together and provide for each of us, the best way she knows how. She unselfishly gives so much of herself.

However way I describe her may not be enough to give justice to what she really is and has been to us.

My thanks to her and to the One who has given her to us.


A reflection of the Proverbs 31 woman she is. One like her is rare these days...may God make me one...

10 *Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant's ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day's work for her servant girls.

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm* clothes.

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!"

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

6 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Practices in Business

The common perception among people in business is that if you operate with total integrity, the playing field is no longer level. Because the odds are stacked against you, you can’t successfully compete with those who bend the rules. So, the natural reaction is to live in two worlds: The “religious” world one day a week, and the “real” world six days a week. By so doing, we demonstrate our stubborn refusal to trust God in operating business. And we negate His ability to miraculously intervene on our behalf. For example, if we would allow Him, God would: - Impress customers to respond to our initiatives when it is appropriate. - Plant creative ideas for business in our minds. - Move in the hearts of good men to assist us in our endeavors. - Shield us from those who are bent on doing us harm, etc. Perhaps these six questions will help us determine in which world we are operating:

#1 Do I trust God to move in the hearts of people on behalf of my business? Or do I find myself manipulating circumstances and people to accomplish my ends? “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a water course wherever he pleases.” (Prov 21:1) (See Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Isa 14:24; Dan 4:35)

#2 Am I profoundly influenced in my decisions by the fact that God knows my motives? Or do I rationalize the gray areas, assuming compromise doesn’t really matter all that much? “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2)

#3 Do I understand that God values my obedience over religious “sacrifice”? Or do I mask questionable business practices with a “Christian” façade? “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Prov. 21:3) (See 1 Sam 15:22)

#4 Am I continually checking my heart against insidious pride? Or do I insure the fact that one way or another, I will get the credit? “ Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!” (Prov 21:4) (See Prov 8:13; Isa 2:11, 17; Luke 18:14)

#5 Do I realize that there is no substitute for old fashioned hard work? Or do I let things slide here and there when no one is checking up on me? “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Prov. 21:5) (See Prov. 10:4; 27:23-27)

#6 Do I truly believe that integrity lies at the very foundation of a healthy business? Or do I cut corners and shade the truth when it is to my advantage? “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare” (Prov. 21:6) See Prov 13:11; 30:8; Jer 17:11)

as shared by Mr. Sta. Maria (Facts of the Matter). Thanks to you, for taking the time to come to the office each week and feed us with God's Word and its application to daily life

Love Song for a Savior

In open fields of wild flowers,
she breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daisies and the roses
in no simple language
Someday she'll understand the meaning of it all
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on her lips
Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call her and she will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

...

So as she sits and thinks of words she can mention
to show her devotion.. she'll pray

"I want to fall in love with You"

Jars of Clay

long lost friend

finally we got to talk again .. he was at a low point in his life..some may say a leader should not show weakness to those he leads...part of me is in objection..he sent me a mail with these lines

They told me a great leader is born
And others said that the great is he whose circumstances have made
Still others questioned what is great and why we need a leader

Because he has to lead all the others he is solitary...
And that solitude, if focused shall be his dismay

But then there are inspirations from those who care
Which makes you do things that you have dreamed of

But then there are those who have a well of inspiration
And there are those who have friends like you
Whose support make many things dreamed come true

Whatever I was trying to write I could not....i guess I lost the art of
writing somewhere down the line....guess I need to rediscover it
again...


One may think he is a born-poet.. He sometimes doubts and denies, but I am definitely convinced he is.

Mr. Risal, I hope you will not feel bad that I published your letter :)

you just don't know how much i learn from you

and the words that continually flow through your thoughts

which undeniably, come out gracefully... ;)

Jim Elliot

About 2 years ago, I read on the life of Jim Elliot. This guy, out of the desire to bring the gospel to those who have never heard it, lost his life keeping his promise that he would not save himself by killing those he and his companions had sought out in Jesus' name. He died while his only child was still a toddler, away from his home, in the community of Aucans.

Whenever I experience difficulties, and when I get confused on what really matters in this life, I remember this guy, who remained focused on his calling, his mission, and the work he believes God intended for him to do.

Compared to what he went through, mine is nothing. So what right do I have to complain?

The things we presently have are just on loan to us, ours only to manage temporarily. When our physical bodies die, the material wealth dies with it. But the result of the life we lived - our character - we shall carry with us. So says one "the most important things in this world are not things, but relationships". Give and share as much as you can, of yourself and what you have, to every single soul, every chance you get. Take care of every relationship. The reward is priceless.

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.-
JIM ELLIOT

Goethe

not every one comes across the same hitting lines, piercing words,
awakening thoughts..- if i share those where i find some meaning
and make me tell myself "these are the words i need at the moment", perhaps
some body some where is needing the same, right this very moment..

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back--
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents
and meetings
and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamed
would have come his way.

Whatever you can do,
or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now."

- Goethe

Thanks to my friend, Chips! She came across these lines before I did, and shared it with me..

DEBT-FREE LIFESTYLE

Stressed? Can't sleep at night? Having marital and financial problems? Missing out on God's blessings? The Bible, in Deuteronomy chapter 28, will tell you why. It says that there are blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. If you obey: you will be blessed (vv. 3-12a); you will lend to many, you will never need to borrow (v. 12b); you'll be the head, not the tail (v. 13). If you refuse: you will be cursed (vv. 16-68); they will lend money to you and not you to them (v. 44a); they'll be head, you'll be tail (v. 44b).

No one wants to be in debt, so why do we get into it? Because of easy credit, thanks but no thanks to the credit card! Enjoy now, pay later. Sounds good, doesn't it? But do you realize that 25% more spending is incurred as a result? We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like. The charge-it epidemic encourages impulse buying and causes overspending. This plastic money gives us a false sense of (buying) power. The truth is, buying more means less freedom, for the borrower becomes enslaved to the lender (Proverbs 22:7), putting him at the mercy of the creditor. Worries escalate as bills pile up but income remains unchanged. Financial stress eventually strains marital and family relationships. Working overtime or earning on the side to augment resources leaves less time for God and family. Ultimately, you are robbed of peace and joy. Such are the ill effects of borrowing, that Romans 13:8 gives the following reinforcement: Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. So how can we be relieved of a stressful, debt-ridden lifestyle?

The Ten Commandments for a Debt-free Lifestyle

1. A – Administrators. The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it (Psalm 24:1). Since God owns everything, we are only stewards, not owners, so we are to manage money properly and use it wisely. We must pray and ask God's will as to how money is to be spent.

2. B – Budget. Follow the simple rules in budgeting: Make a record of all your expenses. Have a shopping list. Don't buy anything not in the list. Have a budget and stick to it.

3. C – Cut credit cards. To cut the credit card is to cut the source of temptation to overspend, a practical application of Matthew 5:29-30: "And if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to go into hell.” Getting rid of the credit card is better than it causing you to sin and destroy your testimony. Loans can muddle up your life that it turns into “lason,” the vernacular for “poison.”

4. D – Debt Pay-off ASAP. Cash basis is best. If availing credit facility is unavoidable, pay the full amount reflected on the statement of account. This practice will pay off in the end. Paying only the minimum amount required may seem light on the pocket, but heavier in the long run due to interests ranging from 3.25% to 6.50%, compounded monthly. Here are don'ts in borrowing: Don't borrow to buy anything that depreciates. Don't borrow except to buy a house (which appreciates in value). Don't borrow to pay debt. Don't borrow at high interest.

5. E – Envelopes of cash. Cash funds must be kept in envelopes distributed as follows: MONTHLY: Rent, food, utility, gasoline, school allowance, recreation and entertainment, etc. YEARLY: tuition, textbooks and school supplies, insurance, Christmas, holidays. CONTINGENCIES: Medical, emergencies. Refrain from juggling funds.

6. F – Family planning. More children means more mouths to feed, more bodies to clothe, more minds to educate. This could drain or put pressure on finances. 1 Timothy 5:8 says: But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Plan a family of manageable size which you could ably support as well as amply give care and attention to. Why cause children to suffer? Many children out there are malnourished and out of school. And at the rate population is growing, in a few years, there will not be enough food to go around.

7. G – Grateful and not greedy. Contentment and generosity are the signs of gratefulness. Giving generously to God and others may be the way for others to be blessed.

8. H – Hard work, not easy money. Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed (Proverbs 12:24). Do not gamble. Beware of pyramid schemes. Do not lend at high interest. Aiming for the easy, quick bucks could spell more disaster.

9. I – Invest for the future; Invest in eternity. By simply spending less than what you earn, you can save for future needs, emergencies and retirement. But beyond this life, one can store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Live simply that others can simply live. Instead of spending on something that is not a real need, give it away to someone who has a dire need. Be a major stakeholder in church by giving much of your time, talent, energy and money to it.

10. 10-20-70. The suggested income allocation is 10% for tithes, 20% for savings and 70% for spending. This can of course be modified by spending less so that tithes and savings increase.

Yet a more important debt needs to be dealt with, first and foremost, if we are to enjoy the abundant life. The basics to a spiritually debt-free life are as follows:

A – ADMIT the debt of sin.
B – BELIEVE in Bible truths that
C – CHRIST is the Son of God who
D – DIED and rose again to give us
E – ETERNAL LIFE received by
F – FAITH alone because it is a
G – GIFT of God and
H – HEAVEN is ours if we're
I – IN Christ
J – JESUS.

“.....and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.....If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:32, 36).

While salvation is free, and God is faithful, there are blessings we will never taste unless we meet His conditions. Is it any wonder then that the Philippines is where it's at? The curses of disobedience have fallen on us. Much of our country's woes stem from sin that has led, among other things, to too much borrowing, with creditors running after our throats, and bleeding our national coffers dry. How can we rise up from the ash heap? Stop a life steeped in debt and start living the debt-free lifestyle in our personal capacity, while praying for the country to be free from national debts the debt of sin and debts resulting from loans. Let us not deprive ourselves the unequaled experience of freedom from debt, both financially and spiritually.

This was shared by one of the directors of our company. No single word is mine... just wanna share

what about this blog?

This blog is about the wisdom I continually receive from the One I pray to and believe in, the Bible, the books I read, the experiences I go through, friends, mentors, children, colleagues, street vendors, leaders, subordinates, church friends, and all sorts of people I get the chance to discuss with, be it on love, life, work, struggles, pain, heartache, laughter, gladness, joy, gratefulness, realization, inspiration, loneliness, dreams, changes, fights, stillness, courage.. and the list goes on and on and on...

I intend to write a book, at least before I die...just so I can pass the words, the learnings, and everything I have on my mind and the very recesses of my heart...that may be put into writing..

My greatest desire is to share with as many seekers as this may reach.. as much wisdom.. I once lacked...

If I die without any book on what goes through my mind, heart, and even soul... I hardly pray that this suffices...

may this bring glory to my Lord Jesus Christ, the true source of wisdom