Are you a helicopter or a lawnmower parent?

As a parent, I would always ask myself, "Am I doing it right?"
To all parents of Gen Zs* out there, I chanced upon this article. Let me know which kind of parent are you.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-way-we-raise-children-today-might-do-more-harm-than-good-2017-7

God bless us all!

*GenZs - all kids 21 years old and below

Be brave to say "Sorry!"

This morning while preparing Matteo, our six-year old, for school, the mother stormed out of the bathroom, angry, and left him to fend for himself. Apparently, the little guy made faces. So, with me guiding him, he had to take a bath by himself. And before getting out of the shower, I reminded him to say, "Sorry", to his Nanay Peachy. And he wouldn't move because he was afraid. So I said, "If you were brave enough to make face to your Nanay, then you should be braver in saying, 'Sorry!'"

One thing I learned in my spiritual walk is to be quick in asking forgiveness, especially from the Lord, as quickly as I recognize the sin or wrongdoing I made. While, as a Catholic, I cannot go to Confession as often, but the Lord gave us a promise in 1 John 1:9 which says:

"If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing."

So be not afraid, that is as good as saying, be brave to ask for forgiveness. If we are reminded by the Holy Spirit of a grave sin in the past, ask God for forgiveness. If we make a wrongdoing, today, ask for forgiveness. Then find time to go to Confession.

So finally, the mother again reminded him of his wrongdoing, and with tears, he asked for forgiveness. All is well again with them. She took care of his packed lunch and packed his school bag. That is what happens when we ask for forgiveness from the Lord, the relationship is restored and all the benefits of that relationship follows - guidance, protection, provision, special favors.

So, what are you waiting for? Be brave. Say sorry.

God bless us all, today and always!

You have the Power!

Say it again, "I have the power!"

Most of us feel helpless. We often hear, "I can't do anything about it!". But just like any feeling, sometimes it is far from the truth. What is the truth?

The Word of God says,

"Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you." (Luke 10:19  NABre)

So, be it temptations (symbolized by the serpents) or unseen danger (scorpions) or oppression (the enemy), God says, nothing will harm you. You can say it again, "Nothing will harm me!"

So look to the Lord now and say, "God, I repent from helplessness. I am sorry for declining your offer for help. I surrender my life to You now. Give me the power to tread upon temptations, unseen dangers and oppression by the enemy. Help me to live with confidence in the power that you give to me. In Jesus' Name I ask. Amen."

To live an empowered life, visit www.lordsflock.org and look for schedules of our Spirit Empowerment Seminars.

God bless us all!

Pity moves to Passion

Today's Gospel Verses
Matthew 9:32-38

Our focus

"At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.""

We have heard that thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become character. In this particular verse, what really moved me is the word "pity". Pity is a feeling or emotion that is a reaction on the sufferings or dire circumstances of others. In this verse, Jesus was moved with pity because he saw in the crowds their being troubled and abandoned. Let us remember that in those times Israel was under the Roman rule and they were without prophets or righteous priests to guide or rule over them. And just prior to this verse, they were without power over the demons and sicknesses that haunted and afflicted them. 

Our Christian calling is to be like Jesus -- to think, feel, and do as Jesus did. As a struggling Christian, today, I learn from Jesus. In understanding my motivations and passions, I learned that I have not been moved with enough pity for those under me, for the lost and for those drifting away. The reason why I often fail as a leader, as a brother. Today, I pray the Holy Spirit will lead me to be moved with pity for the lost, the troubled and the abandoned so that I will be more passionate for my ministry. 

To fellow leaders in Christian communities, let pity move us to pray for more laborers in the vineyard. Let pity move us to wake up each day excited to find the lost, assist the troubled, heal the sick, and guide the drifters back to the sheepfolds. Let pity drive our passion to serve as Jesus did. 

God bless us all today and always!