A treat for my sweet boys

(Photo taken by Khane)

Chairo at 11 mos

Quotable quotes from the rice trade policy seminar

"Anyway, it is a postponement of the inevitable."-Roehlano Briones (on rice tarrification vs. QR)

"Let me be the husband that the pregnant wife curses."-Ramon Clarete (on rice trade liberalization)

Tatalon-talon ang engine

While I was driving Khane to school,

Khane: Mama, ang kaya mo lang overtake-an ay iyung mababagal at maliliit?
Mama: Oo anak, at kahit maliliit kung mabilis hindi ko oovertake-an.
Khane: Tricycle, motor, bike lang mama?
Mama: Oo tsaka kuliglig. Alam mo ba iyung kuliglig?
Khane: Mama, ung tatalon-talon ang engine sa harap at 'kushuug'?
:) :) :)

Let him that glorieth glory in this:

Jeremiah 9:23-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

New International Version (NIV)

²³ This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
²⁴ but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

 King James Version (KJV)

²³ Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
²⁴ But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Chairo milestones: teeth

Lolo Domingo's eyes

The judging that shoos not woos others to Christ

It is really very difficult to glorify God every day of our lives. In the research institute I work at, not a few of the Christians struggle to keep their testimonies. The only Christian director we had was sadly relieved of his position in relation to many issues. Some of the more vocal Christians are disliked or hated either because they are tactless, proud, arrogant, or just being very judgmental. Some are also disliked simply because they seem to be the ‘holy art thous’. I, for one, made a terrible mistake in one period of my life because I thought I was doing a family I was counseling some good. The fact was I did not; it just felt good being depended at, and I got caught in the miry clay. That chapter of my life is now long buried and I know that my transgression is blotted out by virtue of the blood of Christ. But yes, the damage has been done.

Just now, an officemate can’t help but cry because she read a surprising very judgmental email from a professing Christian. She told me to read it and while it probably meant to rebuke, it didn’t arrive well; actually it arrived as a very unkind condemning judgment even to me who was not involved. Worse, the accused was not given a chance to explain. Worst, based on the facts I gathered, the accused cannot be guilty as judged. This is another one of the many cases of a Christian’s judgmental tendencies that shoos others rather than woos. And it was a written message, not a spoken one (so it must have been thought over well somehow). It can forever be saved in the inbox where the recipient can save for future investment in resentment. It didn’t even start with a “dear” and had no “might” or “maybes”. It condemned even before it loved.

It is a very sad picture because our God is rich in mercy and loves us so much, and all He wants is for us to love Him, and love our neighbors as ourselves. He was very gracious to us, saving us, because we cannot save ourselves. And now, still by His grace, there is now no condemnation due us who believe. So if God was that gracious and merciful to us, how can we not be more gracious and less condemning and judgmental of others?