Saturday, December 28, 2013

Closing time


                                                                                     
December 28, 2013

I have just cleared all the stocks in the store.  Only half a year of trying. I am still trying to grope what I really feel. There are times when not knowing exactly what I feel make me panic. But right now, I am just sort of stepping back and looking at everything from an outsider’s point of view.  Otherwise it will hurt me no end.  I keep getting depressed every time I think of it and how I failed. It is so not easy to fail, not an easy feeling. Not easy to accept it. It makes me just want to lie down the whole day and cry over it. I do not want to stop crying. If only I could still save it. If only I did better. If only I was wiser and more patient. I worked hard, no doubt about that. But I guess it was never enough. It's not just about money. It's about wanting to help my loved ones, especially my parents and be able to take care of my son and everything that he needs. More than money, I want to make sure they have everything that they need. All I want is to take care of them. And how will I be able to do that if I always lack money? 

We have prayed over the store. That night when I was whining to N about how I really wanted to start this business already. And he took my hand to that empty store, and he asked if we could both pray over it. We prayed, he was touching the grills of the store, bowing his head and praying intently. I prayed, too, amazed at his faith. The following day something in the sky opened up and I was able to open the store. 

My hopes were high. I felt God’s favour for answering our prayer the following day. So fast. Maybe it made me rest on my laurels. I know  I have my lapses, too, like not making sure my inventories were done faithfully. In spite of the fact that my parents always needed something as long as the store was there, it would have been taken care of had I been faithful in my inventory. I was lazy. And I hate myself for that. Well, it was something that I hadn’t realized. I have  a full time job and it would be very challenging to maintain a store with only a nanny to take care of it. In the first place, her primary role is to take care of my son and our home. 

Come to think of it, God gave it to me still. Of course he knew it would be difficult. But I prayed for it and he gave it to me. Surely there are learning. Surely he knows better than I do.  I know I should always be open to changes, to things that the Lord is sending my way. He is sending something my way, something marvellous, something amazingly abundant. He is sending me help. It is something that I have been praying for a long, long time now.

I am stubborn. So stubborn that I guess the Lord has been having a hard time dealing with me. But I am so humbled to think that he hasn’t given up on me. Not for one second. Not for one bit. Who am I to even think about giving up in the midst of all this problems? He is doing it all. My only job is to hang on and be steadfast enough.
I will be steadfast Lord.  I will hold fast. I will wait excitedly for you to fulfil all you have promised. Surely there is something for me out there. For me, my family, the ones I love. It was you, who said that we and those around us will be blessed. All I am wishing is for everyone to be happy, Lord.  Won’t you bless someone who desires only good things for the world?

I will not be scared to try again, to venture again into another business. As long as it is work, as long as it is something to give us more blessings to live a more abundant life. Don’t we all deserve it? Don’t we all deserve to be happy and enjoy this life somehow? You are  a loving, generous, most merciful God. I know you want the best for us. I know you want us to be happy.  I know we deserve that because we are your children. 

Friday, December 27, 2013

Thank you for the abundance, Lord. Thank you for never forsaking us, for taking care of our daily needs. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you that we are alive,
Sorry gid Lord ha, amo pa lang ko ni subong. Kadamo pa gid man sang need ko bag-uhon. Please be patient with me. Thank you for always being there. If only I can be perfect for you. Thank you for making me deserving of your blessings in spite of my imperfections. Thank you, I will wait. Thank you for your promises, it gives me hope, so much hope. Miskin papano gaka dula ang kakapoy.

Lately I have been having nightmares and I always see him in the scenes. Every once in a while I could feel the sadness realizing how he really didn't love me at all. It so sad to look back and discover the things I should have discovered way back. If only I wasn't so stubborn. Lord, is it okay if I promise you my obedience? Please just give us this freedom. I am willing to do anything just to have this another chance to be happy once again.

If only we can be friends. If only we can forgive each other. If only you can grant us that miracle, Lord. I will become one of the best parent in the world. I will raise my son in a way that you will be pleased. Anything Lord. Just anything to have that freedom once again.

Christmas thanksgiving

Thank you Lord, nalamapsan namon ang season nga wala sang may naka gamo sa amo. Thank yo for preparing everything for us, for setting our schedules and for providing us the money that we needed for the occasion. Thank you for the extra money. I am looking forward for some more, as what you have promised.

I wonder how his Christmas went. He hasn't made any effort of reaching out to his son, I suspect he doesn't celebrate Christmas anymore. It makes me sad but I am not worried. He will be fine because you are taking care of him. And you have promised me of his conversion. I am waiting for that dear Lord. I pray for him to be happy already. Please send him someone who will take care of him and love him like he needs to. Send him someone who can bring out the best in him and show him that life isn't about having the material things that he needs but it's about something more than the eyes can see. Nakapoy na ko Lord mag hala ka worry nga kung indi sya ma happy indi man sya mag untat pang hilabot kag hingabot sa amon. Especially when we can be so happy.

Please bless him Lord with peace, happiness, provide for everything that he needs. All I want is for him to be the best that he can be so that he can live his live meaningfully. I am not sure if I can say thank you nga na meet ko sya sa akon life. But somehow at least may anak ko. Siguro dira na lang na da asta. Amo na lang gid na guro ang iya pinaka purpose.

Thank you nevertheless for all that you have done for us, for your patience kag pag patawad miskin nga gin lahug lahugan lang namon ang sacrament of marriage. I know I can still make it up to you sa akon second marriage.

I claim the blessings and happiness that are coming our way Lord and for our kids. I am thanking you ahead of time for all the we will be enjoying. Good health, financial stabiility, salvation, forgiveness, peace. Every good thing that we deserve.

All this I pray in the name of Jesus, whose blood has been shed for our salvation. Amen.

Daily Reading for Friday, December 27th, 2013

Resurrection. It's all about resurrection. Waiting upon the Lord. Waiting for the dawn and experiencing the unfolding of his promises. I am waiting, I am oh so patiently waiting, no matter how long, no matter how tiring, no matter how too many a times I am being faced with discouragements. I am waiting. I will wait. But today Lord, is a much better, more hopeful day. You will fulfill your promise. I can't wait to see the tomb opening and experience your resurrection. Over and over and over again. I am so excited right now. I can't wait for you to finally make things come true. Please make it soon Lord. I am hanging tight. It will not be for long, I am sure. There is so much that I can do with the blessings that you will soon pour upon me, and my family and loved ones. Basta Lord mahulat lang gid ko. Thank you for all the answered prayers. Thank you for sustaining me and my family with your love and provision. Thank you for sustaining my group. Thank you for all the wonderful things that are coming our way.


Reading 1, First John 1:1-4

1 Something which has existed since the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have watched and touched with our own hands, the Word of life -- this is our theme.
2 That life was made visible; we saw it and are giving our testimony, declaring to you the eternal life, which was present to the Father and has been revealed to us.
3 We are declaring to you what we have seen and heard, so that you too may share our life. Our life is shared with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 We are writing this to you so that our joy may be complete.

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

1 Yahweh is king! Let earth rejoice, the many isles be glad!
2 Cloud, black cloud enfolds him, saving justice and judgement the foundations of his throne.
5 The mountains melt like wax, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his saving justice, all nations see his glory.
11 Light dawns for the upright, and joy for honest hearts.
12 Rejoice in Yahweh, you who are upright, praise his unforgettable holiness.

Gospel, John 20:2-8

2 and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. 'They have taken theLord out of the tomb,' she said, 'and we don't know where they have put him.'
3 So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb.
4 They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first;
5 he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in.
6 Simon Peter, following him, also came up, went into the tomb, saw the linen cloths lying on the ground
7 and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.
8 Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Gospel for December 17, 2013, Tuesday



Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
Posted at 12/17/2013 2:34 AM | Updated as of 12/17/2013 2:35 AM
3rd Week of Advent

Psalter: Week 3

Ps 72:1–2, 3–4ab, 7–8, 17
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

1st Reading: Gen 49:2, 8–10
“Gather round, sons of Jacob. And listen to your father Israel!
Judah, your brothers will praise you!
You shall seize your enemies by the neck!
Your father’s sons shall bow before you.
Judah, a young lion!
You return from the prey, my son!
Like a lion he stoops and crouches,
and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
The scepter shall not be taken from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs,
and who has the obedience of the nations.

Gospel: Mt 1:1–17
This is the account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (their mother was Tamar), Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron of Aram. Aram was the father of Aminadab, Aminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon.
Salmon was the father of Boaz. His mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed. His mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David, the king. David was the father of Solomon. His mother had been Uriah’s wife.
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Then came the kings: Abijah, Asaph, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah.
Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
After the deportation to Babylon Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel and Salathiel of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud of Eliakim, and Eliakim of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, and Matthan of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ—the Messiah.
There were then fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.

Reflection:
Generally, people are proud of their ancestral links and eager to trace them to famous personalities. But the genealogy of Jesus is an anomaly if we go by such standards. It is a mixture of “good” and “not-so-good” men and women. A few samples are worth considering: Jacob was a liar. Judah slept with his daughter-in-law, Tamar. Perez was the child of their union. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was a gentile. David was a murderer and adulterer. . . . Not really the kind of genealogy worth publishing!
Yet, God willed that His Son would emerge from a lineage of saints and sinners, people who are a mixture of good and evil. God belongs to everyone, period. If no category of human being is excluded from Christ’s genealogy, no one will be excluded from his descendants either (unless some choose to opt out). Everyone is invited. Blessed are those who choose to belong to his family!
Naluoy gid ko sa iya. Every time I hear news about him, I instantly worry and feel so guilty. I guess as long as I know he isn't doing well in his life, it will be difficult for me to move on.



All I want is for him to be well, Lord, for him to be able to pick up the pieces of his life. There is nothing to go back to. Really nothing. As of now, I do not have any much choice but to move forward. Things are getting better as they are, at least in my own side of the fence. There is a great potential about me and my son being happy and well taken care of in the future. Even now, it is happening already. What people may think and call abnormal, is very normal to us.

Lord, if it is not too much, please I beg you, take care of him. Be with him and guide him with your spirit. You have promised me that you will convert him. I am waiting for that, Lord. I am praying for his heart to be healed and be freed from hatred and resentment. I pray for his mind to be free from bad thoughts and suspicions. I pray for his mouth to be filled with only praises for you. Only you can change him, Lord. I have tried that already. Too many times I failed. How could I be so stupid thinking that I could change him, that I could be the one to inspire him to change. Well, I thought that's what love can do, and as you can see, he hasn't really loved me. He doesn't really love me.

Please take care of him Lord and hold him in the palm of your hands. Ginahatag ko sya balik sa imo. Sorry nga gin pilit ko ang process. Sorry nga gin ingos ko sa imo ang amon relationship. Now I know ngaa daw kabudlay gid sang mga bagay bagay para sa amon nga duha. But I trust in you love for him. I trust in your love for us. Thank you for taking care of us.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

December 12, 2013 Reading

Lord, help me become like Mary,
ever faithful and ever obedient.
Help me become like Mary,
ever humble and ever abiding in your will.
Help me become like Mary,
Lord, ever steadfast and resilient.
If only I can be like her not complaining
but keeps believing,
never questioning but keeps on going.
If only I can be like her
choosing to abandon in your will
no matter how scary, no matter the pain...
Help me become like Mary
who endured so much and yet loved so much
anyway,
whose faith showed me that one
doesn't have to know in order
to believe...

 

Readings: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Thursday, December 12, 2013

First Reading

First Reading: Zec 2:14-17
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! 
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!
For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

Responsorial Psalm

Responsorial Psalm: Judith 13:18bcde, 19
R./ You are the highest honor of our race.
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God, 
the creator of heaven and earth.
R./ You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R./ You are the highest honor of our race.

Holy Gospel

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-47
      Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"
And Mary said:
      
 "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior!
Bless him Lord, have mercy on us, on him. Wala naman ko sang balikan pa. Ano ang balikan ko? Kalayo katama sang kabuhi ko upod sa iya sang una kumpara sa subong. Siguro naluoy lang ko sa iya. Kay kon makita ko sya nga happy I think ma happy na ma lang ko sa akon present life. Maybe I am just too concerned for him. In spite of everything that has happened between us, all the deception, lies, hatred, disillusionment, resentment, I still wish him the best. That is my only prayer, Lord, for him to be happy, to find someone he will love and that will help him find contentment in his life, and the happiness and peace that he deserves. Pero syempre Lord I know nga indi ta ka dapat pag pangunahan. That is why I am bringing this at the foot of your cross. Ikaw na ang bahala. Wala man guro sang malain sa gina pangayo ko. You did promise nga ma convert sya. I will hope in your promises Lord. Please take care of him. I know may mga sala man ko sa iya. This isn't just about him betraying me but I too betrayed him. Pero as you can see, we are not in love with each other. Our relationship was based on the need. Tani Lord atipanon mo lang sya. Please send someone who will love him and take care of him. Please send him someone who will bring out the best in him and who will show to him how beautiful life is. Please help him get up again and start all over again with his life, kag tani Lord, I pray gid nga help mo sya para ma forgive nya ko, para ma let go nya ko. Is it possible Lord that we will become friends? Is it possible for him to love our son in a way nga malipay man ang bata ko, kag pati sya man? Is it possible for us to deserve the happiness that is in you? Please take care of him and show to him Your love. Please.

Bukas Palad - Awit ng Paghahangad (Lyrics)

Finding comfort under your wings, Lord. This song lulls my heart to sleep and rest in the assurance that Our Father up there is in fact someone so near. 




O Diyos Ikaw ang laging hanap,
Loob ko'y Ikaw ang tanging hangad.
Nauuhaw akong parang tigang na lupa
Sa tubig ng 'Yong pag-aaruga.

Ika'y pagmamasdan sa dakong banal,
Nang makita ko ang 'Yong pagkarangal.
Dadalangin akong nakataas aking kamay,
Magagalak na aawit ng papuring iaalay.

Koro:
Gunita ko'y Ikaw
Habang nahihimlay
Pagkat ang tulong Mo sa tuwina'y taglay.
Sa lilim ng Iyong mga pakpak
(umaawit akong buong galak/umaawit, umaawit, umaawit akong buong galak.)

Aking kaluluwa'y kumakapit sa 'Yo,
Kaligtasa'y t'yak kong hawak Mo ako.
Magdiriwang ang hari ang Diyos S'yang dahilan.
Ang sa Iyo ay nangakong galak yaong makakamtan. (koro)
Ari naman ko Lord. Ma ingos naman ko sa imo. Amo na man lang gid ni ang pwede ko mahimo sa subong. How else can I do this anyway? Ga pisan man ko, wala man. Gina try ko man tanan, wala man. Te sa imo na lang gid ko matangla. Basta importante ma focus lang gid ko in purifying my heart and my intention. Budlay katama pero amo na lang na subong ang pwede ko mahimo. Ma ingos na lang gid ko sa imo Lord. Te nakita mo man to. Amo na subong ila kinanglan nila. Ma ano pa gid ko? I want them to be happy. I want to take care of them. I want to provide for them. But I got nothing. Halos wala. Halos maka provide sa bata ko. But I am not feeling hopeless. Because I have found my hope in you. I know you will not forsake us. Miskin e forsake mo pa ko Lord. Indi lang tani sila. Indi lang ang pamilya ko. I will do what you want me to do. Sugua lang ko. Mapa dala lang ko sa anod. Please. Provide for them right now, kon ano man ang ila gina ingos. O sige. I think I have one more thing last to bargain with. Indi ko na na pag himuon pa. Indi ko na sya pag hilabtan pa. Indi na ko mag ginanaga. Basta ma try na ko live sang holy life. Indi ko man na guro ma completo pero e try ko. Sige na be Lord. Please. Just this once. Pakita man be sa akon. I want to feel you are alive. I need to feel that you are there. Please.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Keeping the Faith

Ako lang di subong isa. Hopefully wala sang may makakita sa akon. Ever since amo ko ni. Misunderstood. Sometimes it feels unfair. Feeling ko ako lang naga intindi sang iban. Ako lang ang pilit mag intindi sang iban. I open my mouth kag ako gali ang may sala. Kabudlay man mag amo ni Lord. Amo na gid ko ni kalain nga tawo? Sorry ha. Feeling ko gina gabaan ko. Lain gid man ko klase tawo. Damo naman ko guro sang may nasakitan. But in spite of all these I am still thankful that you are there, not giving up on me. I'm sorry for all the times that I have screwed up. I can't imagine how much you have loved me over and over again.

It is not a nice feeling to be always misunderstood. Maybe I am not after all supposed to be expecting anything from them. I shouldn't blame them for my own misfortunes. Maybe that's what makes me bitter at times. I hope I am not envious. I don't think I am. That is their life and they've certainly earned that. This is my life and I, too, have to work hard. But haven't I for a long time now? It's so sad to think that all these fighting, all this harboring of ill feelings, are all because of money. It has always been an issue. You see, we are good people Lord. I believe we are. For a long time we have been struggling over this. I just wish I can stay away so we won't have to fight or quarrel each time there is concerns about money.

Ngaa kabudlay gid Lord haw? Gusto ko ma lang simple katama mo. Makabulig sa pamilya ko. Maka provide para sa ila. Ngaa kabudlay gid. I have finished my degree and I have earned it. May tarong ko nga trabaho and yes, thank you for it. Wala ko man na tanan nahimo kon indi tungod sa imo. But why do we always have to suffer? Always. Most of the time. All the time. Daw indi na ko ka tanda sang tiun nga tawhay amon pangabuhi. At least for my family. Tanan nga tuga sang away kag ginamo, kwarta. How I wish ma solve ko na lang na tanan.

Right now I feel so discouraged, Lord. Feeling ko gina pabay-an mo na lang gid ko. Feeling ko you are too conditional. Feeling ko I need to be perfect pa anay para grasyahan mo man ko pareho sang pag grasya mo sa ila. Ngaa kabudlay gid mag tib-ong sa akon Lord haw? Ngaa daw namian ka gid mag sunlog sa akon? Amo na gid ko ni kalain nga tawo?

Right now, I just feel so alone. And somehow I know gina allow mo na matabo para pangitaon ta ka, para sa imo ko mapa apin. Abi mo kis-a daw wala na ko confidence magpa apin sa imo. Kay feeling ko ma disappoint lang ko, ma reject. It has been this way for quite some time now...Gusto ko man mag bag-o a. Gusto ko man malipay ka pa gid sa akon. I know man that you are not running out of second chances for me. I know man, and I am very aware, indi lang ako. Mas damo pa sang mas sobra pa ka dimalas sangsa akon. Pero subong daw sakitan gid ko katama. Grabe gid nga self-pity. Feeling ko it's never going to end.

Maluoy ka man be sa akon. Sa akon pamilya. Buligi man kami nga maka pahuway miskin gamay lang. I need a little breather. Please let me know you are there. Please. I know may kakulangan ko. I know I am also being lazy, complacent. But right now, I just need your help. I need you to help me. Please. Just a little light. I am so desperate for it. Sorry gid sa tanan ko nga gin himo. Sorry gid sa tanan ko nga ka gagahan. Sorry gid sa tanan ko nga lies, deceptions. I promise to do my best to be better. Indi man insigida pero I promise I will try every day. As in EVERYDAY. What do I have to bargain with, Lord? Do I need to at all? Just to get some little bit of favor from you? Miskin gamay lang.

Amo na lang gid ni guro himuon ko for now. Wala man ko anything nga inug bargain. Ma ingos na lang gid ko. Everyday. Ma ingos ko sa imo. Asta maluoy ka sa akon. Or asta matak-an ka sa akon.

Monday, December 9, 2013

All is well

Everything will be fine. You are with me, Lord. You are with me. I am not fine, but I will be fine. I am tired but You will help me get through it. I read this on FB today: 


Today, Nanay, we believe God wants you to know that ...

as you surrender to divine providence in your life, you will feel lifted and carried and held.



Well, I do not have any more choice but to surrender, have I, Lord? You have left me with no choice but to surrender to you. And right now, I do. I surrender everything to you. Wala na ko sang may mahimo pa. Indi ko gusto mag daug ang kontra. He wants me to be miserable and I won't allow that Lord. Your are my God who stands before me. You will trample the enemy and send them back to where they belong. Ikaw na lang anay Lord for now. Ikaw na lang. Kakapoy na. Huya naman ko sa imo. Ano pa gid bi akon pwede himuon? I am nothing but a sinner. I am nothing but a mess. My life is a mess. But I know I still have hope. I know you have plans for me. Plans to give me a future full of hope. I believe that Lord. I want to hang on to your promises. Please be my strength. Please hold me now. Please. Basta Lord mapa kabal lang gid ko ya sa imo. Ari lang ko di gakabit :( Ikaw gyapon ang pinaka ka gamhanan. Ikaw gyapon ang pinaka taas kag pinaka powerful. Ikaw lang. Ikawou  lang gid. Ikaw ang may power over sa akon life. Ikaw ang mas powerful kesa mga worries ko. Ikaw ang mas naka balo. Take over Lord. Be with me. Do as you please. 

Are you settling out of fear of being single?

I didn't have any fear of being single. I didn't have the fear of being alone. There were several guys running after me those younger years. I knew I had a few things worthy of adulation. But I rushed into things simply because I wasn't happy with my life. There was an emptiness, something that I was trying to look for. Some answers. I continually felt depressed. I wanted to feel this connection with someone. Looking back now, I'm not actually sure what got into me, actually. Maybe it was Catholic guilt. I didn't want to commit pre-marital sex. So I deemed it important for me and my boyfriend to be married soonest. It was really crazy. If only I had known back then, I wouldn't have rushed things. If only I knew myself too well, I wouldn't have gone lost as to be desperate to be found. 




A new study on loneliness may force some people to take a good honest look at their relationship and reevaluate their choice of partner.

Because according to researchers out of the University of Toronto, some people are willing to settle for less just to be coupled up.

"Those with stronger fears about being single are willing to settle for less in their relationships," said lead author Stephanie Spielmann in a statement.

"Sometimes they stay in relationships they aren't happy in, and sometimes they want to date people who aren't very good for them. Now we understand that people's anxieties about being single seem to play a key role in these types of unhealthy relationship behaviors."

The study, published in the December edition of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, also breaks gender stereotypes that only women struggle with the fear of being single, researchers said.
"In our results we see men and women having similar concerns about being single, which lead to similar coping behaviors, contradicting the idea that only women struggle with a fear of being single," added co-author Geoff MacDonald.

"Loneliness is a painful experience for both men and women, so it's not surprising that the fear of being single seems not to discriminate on the basis of gender."

For their study, researchers conducted a series of tests among different groups of participants recruited through online forums. Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 59 and included singletons, people in exclusive relationships, casual daters, and married couples.

In addition to a series of self-reporting tests on their relationship satisfaction, researchers also explored the fear of being single during a speed-dating event.

In one of the studies, 39 percent of the 152 respondents (of which 125 were women and 27 men), said they harbored no fears about being single, while 37 percent said they feared being single to some degree. The most commonly cited concern among those who feared being alone was the lack of companionship and intimate connection with a partner.

Research out of Ohio State University published earlier this year also linked loneliness to a number of dysfunctional immune responses such as coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. 




Do I have the right to declare these things when I am in this situation? People label me so many things simply because I have separated from my husband and hoping to move on and live my life the way I please it, start over again with someone who loves me. This time I have another shot at life. Chance to be happy. Lord am I still worthy?

Find me, your lost sheep

Thank you dear Father for finding me over and over again each time I get lost. Thank you for your patience to me. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank your for the promise of forever with you in paradise. I want to cling to it, Lord. I am clinging to it so desperately. I am clinging on to your words. I am clinging on to your promises. I am scared. I have messed up so greatly. Please never give up on me, I beg you, have mercy on me, have pity on me. I know that I am not a hopeless case. I know that my life is not the worst of all. I know that the evil I have done is not the most evil of all. I know that the enemy is just trying to make me feel condemned and hopeless. I know he is trying to rob me of hope. I will not let him, Lord. I will not allow him to ruin me. By your grace my life will be restored. Everything will be restored. By your grace I will be saved. My loved ones will be saved. We have hope. In you. Excited ko Lord sa mga ehatag mo sa akon. Excited ko sa mga changes nga ma abot. Excited ko nga mag bag-o ang tanan. Excited ko nga liwaton mo ko, ang akon pagka tawo para mag hatag pa gid pagdayaw sa imo. I have been so lost, but you will find me, as you have promised. 



Gospel for December 10, 2013, Tuesday

Posted at 12/10/2013 5:09 AM | Updated as of 12/10/2013 5:10 AM

2nd Week of Advent
Psalter: Week 2
Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13

The Lord our God comes with power.


1st Reading: Is 40:1–11
Be comforted, my people, be strengthened, says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of Yahweh she has received double punishment for all her iniquity.

A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley will be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low. The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth. The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry.” and I say, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty as the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of Yahweh blows upon it. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will forever stand.” Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion, lift up your voice with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!
Here comes your God with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty. Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.

Gospel: Mt 18:12–14
Jesus said to his disciples, “What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you: when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it than about the ninety-nine that did not get lost. It is the same with your Father in heaven: there they don’t want even one of these little ones to be lost.

This is one of the songs that I always like to sing whenever I sing praises to God. I am pasting the lyrics below for reference. I wish I can find a simpler guitar chords. 

 


Prepare The Way


by Darrell Evans, Eric Nuzum


Rated 2.33/5 (3 Votes)



He has come
To bring light into the darkness
He has come
To bring freedom to the captives
He has come
To restore the broken-hearted
It's time to proclaim
The year of the Lord


Prepare the way
Prepare the way for our Redeemer
Prepare the way
Prepare the way for our Restorer
Make ready your heart
Make ready your home
Make ready the people of God
Prepare the way


He has come
To bring hope to the hopeless
He has come
To comfort all who mourn
He has come
To heal our every sickness
It's time to proclaim
The year of the Lord




Prepare
The way of the Lord
Prepare prepare
Preparing the way of the Lord


Prepare
Prepare
Prepare


Prepare the way for our Redeemer
Prepare the way
Prepare the way for our Restorer


Make ready your heart
Make ready your home
Make ready the people of God


Prepare the way
Prepare the way
Prepare the way




© 1999 Integrity's Hosanna! Music 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

BUKAS PALAD AWIT NG PAGHAHANGAD LYRICS

I'll let the lyrics speak for what I feel right now. I do not have the confidence to express myself kay feeling ko wala ko pulos. Feeling ko palpak ko. Wala pag-asa. But then I want to hang on to God. Miskin amo ko ni ka higko. "Sa lilim nang iyong mga pakpak"... Dira ko gusto manago Lord. Mapa patay huya na lang ko, mapakaba. 



O Diyos Ikaw ang laging hanap,
Loob ko'y Ikaw ang tanging hangad.
Nauuhaw akong parang tigang na lupa
Sa tubig ng 'Yong pag-aaruga.

Ika'y pagmamasdan sa dakong banal,
Nang makita ko ang 'Yong pagkarangal.
Dadalangin akong nakataas aking kamay,
Magagalak na aawit ng papuring iaalay.

Koro:
Gunita ko'y Ikaw
Habang nahihimlay
Pagkat ang tulong Mo sa tuwina'y taglay.
Sa lilim ng Iyong mga pakpak
(umaawit akong buong galak/umaawit, umaawit, umaawit akong buong galak.)

Aking kaluluwa'y kumakapit sa 'Yo,
Kaligtasa'y t'yak kong hawak Mo ako.
Magdiriwang ang hari ang Diyos S'yang dahilan.
Ang sa Iyo ay nangakong galak yaong makakamtan. (koro)