The Best Speech Ever

Photo Credit: TLF Media and Arts Ministry

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." -Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)


I remember when I was still a student, we were always asked to write speeches and asked us to deliver them in the class or with other invited visitors. Also, I always join speech contests. Both in contest and in gatherings where we asked to give a speech, there will always be people who are not pleased with our words, grammar of the way we deliver them.

But I discovered a kind of speech that the listener will always listen.

The best speech we could ever deliver in our lifetime is PRAYER! No mistakes, no corrections the way we deliver and it will always be listened to and accepted as long as it is sincere and comes from the heart.

Try Prayer! It works!


Prayer:

Lord, thank you for listening to me. Amen.

Birthday Learning

Photo Credit: TLF Media and Arts Ministry

"Listen, ...accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many." -Proverbs 4:10 (NIV)

I celebrated my 33rd Birthday on August 21, 2014 with a very personal retreat. An intimate day with the Lord. I decided to do it this year as I recognized my need of going back to my experiences with Jesus and looking forward to what the good Lord still want me to do.

In one of the the prayer and reflection moments I had on that day, I realized one thing:

As I grow old, the golden years of my life may not come back but the good relations and memories will stay in our hearts forever.

I should always praise God for the past. I must always be thankful to Him for the present and I shall trust the Lord for the future.

Simple lessons that I should live for!

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of life. Amen. 

Be Better Than Me

Giving Talk to hundreds of young people. Photo credit: TLF Media&Arts

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." -Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)

In one of the many youth gatherings that I have been invited to give talks, as usual after the event, a somehow meet and greet happened. Many young people are approaching me for photo ops and for pray over. Some thanking me while some just wanted to ask for blessings.

One young fellow as he approached me and full of excitement he said; "Father, you're my idol. I want to be like you!"

I smiled, then soflty told him: "Please be better than me."

Prayer:

Lord, I want to give back to You all the praises and glory. I am nothing without you. May we all strive to be better people, better Christians. Amen.

Praying At The Cab

The hanged plastic-laminated poster of
the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus just
at the back of the driver's seat.

"Lord, teach us to pray..." -Luke 11:1

One day as I took a cab (taxi), for the first time I took the back seat and I was surprised with what I have seen. A plastic-laminated poster of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with prayer in it is hanging at the back of the driver's seat. The picture with prayer just in front of me or of any passenger taking it. I was so happy to see that. I prayed the prayer, then thank the driver whom I forgot to ask the name.

In another instance, as I took the back seat of a taxi, I saw a prayer hanged also just at the back off it's front seat A Traveler's prayer. As I prayed it, my fear vanished and feel good and safe as we travel. The prayer reminded me to entrust everything to God.

I just thought that these taxis and their owners and drivers are agents of Evangelization. They are reminding us that there is indeed God. Just pray and we will experience His mighty power.

Prayer: 
Lord, thank you very much for using places, people, things and even situations to remind us of your loving presence. Amen.

The Traveler's Prayer in one of the Taxis
I was very fortunate to take in one of my
travels.

The Power Of Christ

"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." -John 1:3 (NIV)

I read from somewhere the following about the power of Christ:

Cleansing power.
Healing power.
Restoring power.
Identifying power.
Strengthening power.
Transforming power.

Christ is powerful. Come to Him and experience His power in your life!

Prayer:
Lord, let me experience your power in my life. I come to you in the silence of my heart. Amen.

Michael B. Avelino: Model of Honesty

Mr. Michael B. Avelino, the Honest Taxi (Cab) Driver

"For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man." -2 Corinthians 8:21 (ESV)

August 8, 2014. I was waiting for a cab along North EDSA for some 30 minutes. I prayed to the Lord to send me a ride for I was trying to bit my time, when suddenly a cab came.

When I was inside it, I noticed the photo frame displayed just infront of me. Recognizing Mr. Tulfo, a Radio Anchor of Wanted sa Radyo Program, I asked the driver if it was he who was with Mr. Tulfo and his co-anchor.Indeed, it was he. He was an awardee of the GAWAD KATAPATAN given by the Radio Program to Taxi Drivers returning valuable things left behind by their passengers.I congratulated him and told him that I am honored that my driver is a man of honesty and honor.

The framed photo of Mr. Avelino inside his cab.

Then he started telling me stories of things he returned to the passengers. One will see in the face of Mr. Avelino sincerity and honesty. Mr. Aveino is indeed worthy of emulation not just by cab drivers but by everyone. We should aim to be honorable not only in the sight of God but even of men.

It was indeed an honor to me to meet this guy, a 23 year old honest Cab driver. Kudos to Mr. Avelino.Let us imitate him. If everyone becomes honest. God will bless us and our nation!

Prayer:
Lord, I ask you t bless Mr. Michael B. Avelino 
and his family with your grace and blessings.
Make us all live in honesty in your sight and in the
sight of our brothers and sisters. Amen.

The medal of Mr. Avelino hanged in his cab together with a Rosary

Freeman: A Reminder from God

Mark Anthony reading the Bible while waiting
for our departure from Hong Kong

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" -Romans 8:31 (NIV)

August 4, 2014. Mark Anthony Tayo known to the FB world as Freeman. As he usually do, he fetched me from the Lord's Flock Heritage Building after I gave lecture to the members of the Mother Household of the Community.

By the way, Mark Anthony is my Pare Ko. He usually accompanies me in some of my missions. He is also an Ambassador of Goodwill of a certain foundation doing outreach programs among the poor children and public schools in provinces.

We go back to my story. After he fetched me from the Heritage Building of the Lord's Flock Community, he took me for dinner and brought me home. While in the car, I shared with him some fears. He is one of the few people whom I trusted with some of the events in my life. I shared to him my thoughts on something.

With that conversation with him. He once again reminded me of a very simple Biblical Principle which somehow I have forgotten because I was to engrossed with the situation. He told me "Huwag kang matakot! Walang bibitiw. Mahaba ppa at marami pa..." (Do not be afraid! No one will let go. It still a long journey and there will still be more...")

I was reminded of the things he always is telling me or texting me whenever I feel some discomforts with situations; "Hindi tayo matitinag basta kasama natin si Lord" or "Hindi tayo matitinag kasi kasama natin si Papa Lord!""Hindi tayo mapaghihiwalay sa pagmamahal ni Papa Lord"

What a wonderful reminder that nothing can separate us from the love of God. And indeed it's true that "If God is with us, who can be against us!"

This simple guy taught me great spirituality. This simple guy doesn't know is teaching me to trust more on God. To have more faith in Him.

Pare Ko Freeman Mark Anthony Tayo, you just don't know that with those little conversations you are teaching me more. You are indeed a reminder of God to me.

Thank you for that!

God is indeed using people around us, He is indeed using those moments to let His presence, His love be felt by us.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me Freeman, to remind me to trust your love. To trust only you. To fear not because you are with me. You are with us. Bless Freeman with good health and more wisdom. Guide him and grant him his heart's deepest desire. Amen. 

The Love of God Is...

"...God is love." -1 John 4:8 (NIV)

I just realized when I was alone in my room and praying. The Love of God:

is the VOICE when we do not know what to say.

is our STRENGTH when we are tired.

is our HOPE when we are discouraged.

and our JOY when we are sad and in sorrow.

Just feel the love of God and we will be secured. Wow! God Himself really is love!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for loving me. I want to love you more. Amen.

Are We Holy?

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life..." -2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)

A preacher was searching for a solution to his Sunday problem which was that half of his congregation left during his sermon. Then he hit on this idea.

One Sunday, he started his sermon saying:
"Dear sisters and brothers, my sermon will be divided into two parts, first for holy people and second for sinners."

Then he requested those who believe themselves as sinners to leave. Nobody left. All stayed for the whole sermon.

Prayer:
Lord, we are sorry for our sins. Lead us to a life pleasing to you. Amen.