Pamparo in Toronto

It’s amazing how God uses ordinary situation to touch the hearts of people. We had some friends over tonight and before we started eating dinner, my son Gabby, had the privilege of praying for the food. Here’s an excerpt of his prayer:

“Dear God … Bless those peoples who don’t have money to buy food. We have food to eat. In Jesus name, Amen … “

Wow, this is coming from a 4-year old who heard about the problem of poverty here in Toronto. I really choked up … really, I did. I have been thinking when was the last time I actually prayed for them … or actually do something for them.

Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 25:40

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

So this Christmas season, before we think of the food, or the gifts, or the festivities, let us say a little prayer like what my son prayed for. Better yet, let’s try to do something for those people in need …

It’s our third day in Dominican Republic and we took a trip on one of the Catamarans. I am lying down with my eyes close on a net in front of the boat. Nothing but water under and wind on our face . My son was lying beside me in my arms and my wife was sitting on the other side. Most of the songs being played that day are dance/disco music. For no apparent reason, our “DJ” just started playing “Beautiful Day” by U2. I am not a very big fan of U2, but this trip has definitely given new meaning to this song, especially this part:

It was a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Beautiful day

Touch me, Take me to that other place
Reach me, I know I’m not a hopeless case

What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
Don’t need it now, Was a beautiful day

It was indeed a beautiful day. That very moment reminded me of God and how much thankful I am for my life and for giving me the things that I really need … God and my family!

This is definitely one of the highlights of our trip that I will always cherish forever.

Amazing how much of how we feel can affect the songs that we play. Here’s a short 45-secs clip that pretty much describes how we are feeling now as we prepare for our very first trip to the Dominican Republic. We’ve been praying to God to give us a great weather to enjoy His creation and just to be able to spend time with the family.

Without further ado, I give you:

Have fun, we sure will

Last night, me & my wife were watching a re-run of House where there was a conversation regarding prayer.

The atheist doctor asks, “Do you know why people pray to God”? And she continued to answer her own question by saying, “To let Him know how great He is, although He already knows that”. After a few more dialogs, Dr. House responded with the line, “They pray to their Gods so that they won’t be crushed like bugs”.

In my perspective, the writer got half the conversation right. Yes, we do pray to glorify and praise God even though He already knows that He is great. God enjoys the worship of His people. Unfortunately, the other half does not hold that much ground in Christian views. In the first place, Christians have already secured salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Therefore, there is no need to worry about being crushed like bugs. If anything, it should be the people who don’t believe in God that should be wary of this ever happening.

We, as a family, pray because we are thankful of the fact that in spite of us, we are still given the free gift of salvation. We pray for the many blessings that we receive and even for the trials that he allows to come our way. And above all, we pray to God to guide us to live everyday in line with His purpose and will.

I’m sure that there are many other reasons why people pray. But, because we are afraid is not and should not be one of them!

How about you, why do you pray? Or do you ever pray?

People are inherently stubborn. We still do things even though we already know that it is not good for us. Just the other day, I went to Popeye’s Fried Chicken to grab lunch. Though I know and can clearly see how greasy the deep-fried chickens are, I easily ate 3 pieces. Talk about cholesterol! And there is no difference when it comes to our spiritual life. Even from the beginning, God has made himself known to us, yet we ignore it.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … ” — Romans 3:23

We have failed to measure up to God, my friends. All of us, including me and you. But the good news is that it does not end there. God is gracious and have provided a way for us to be acceptable to Him.

“… and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” — Romans 3:24

You see my friends, God is good. All it takes is for us to believe and have faith in Christ. It has been given freely and nothing else needs to be done. Jesus said these words during his time here on earth:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16

If you feel you need take that step of faith, please feel free to contact me here. It will be a blessing!