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compassionate considerations…
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compassionate considerations… Front Page About Joshua Generation When the young ones kill themselves October 10, 2008 · No Comments This news item from South Korea hardly made it to the big broadcasting networks. Even the Asian subsidiaries of these giant networks did not broadcast what has been happening lately to the young people in S.Korea. Within a span of days, two young popular celebrities have committed suicide. These were the suicides that got the attention of many in Seoul, but one could only wonder about the many that went un-reported in weeks and in months. The young people are killing themselves. And the world was too busy to pay attention. When young people kill themselves, we must pay serious attention. We must pause from our daily grind and race and determine what is causing this phenomena in a society that seemed to have been able to rise from so many threats and challenges. It would be very easy to theologize, pontificat even or just cite reports as to why the young people kill themselves. But given all these, I think we need to have a fresh look into the lives of these young people. Celebrity suicides could also give the act celebrity status for the very impressionable ones or worse, disconsolate majority. How about you? What are your thoughts on the young people and why they are killing themselves? Have you determined what could be some of your pre-conceived biases or judgment toward the young people? When young people commit suicide, do you shake your head in disgust and point a blame to the society, their upbringing, their “weaknesses…” or does your heart swell with compassion to the parents and regret that the voice of that young person was not adequately heard soon enough? Let us pray for the young people in South Korea right now. No one is noticing that they are going through so much because the whole world is busily just trying to survive. → No CommentsCategories: care · counseling · family Tagged: counseling, death, hope, South Korea, Suicide, Teen Suicide Deaths from Natural Disasters - 1st half of 2008 = Dec 2004 Tsunami Deaths October 9, 2008 · No Comments I was speechless while watching CNN yesterday morning during one of their reports on deaths caused by natural calamities. It was staggering to realize that in Dec 2004 when the great tsunami hit and claimed approx 225,000 lives - that the total recorded deaths of the first half of 2008 surpassed had already exceeded that. The tally for the 1st months of 2008 has reached 229,000 deaths. 2008 is not yet over and I wonder how many more precious lives would be claimed. Earthquakes in China and in other parts, massive flooding in India, Bangladesh and Caribbean and United States…. and still many more people are unreached without any help from the flood victims of Myanmar whose government is too proud to receive help. And people are still dying and the resources are dwindling and the world economies are melting along with the polar ice-caps. These are indeed sobering times. It is difficult to look and watch for any interesting and encouraging news item on any broadcasting channels worldwide. It seems as if the whole world is just being tossed and fro from one bad news to the next and it seems that there is no respite in sight. The whole world is in agony right now. And our only hope in this very discouraging times is Christ alone. May we know you more in these times of trouble and difficulties. May we put our confidence and trust in you alone despite what we see and hear. May our eyes see how you are going to redeem these painful circumstances that we are all going through. May our eyes be ever fixed on Jesus who is the Alpha and the Omega. In your precious name, AMEN → No CommentsCategories: God · Jesus Christ · Trust · being loved · faith · prayer · surrender Tagged: 2008 deaths from Calamities, catastrophe, CNN World Report, deaths, disasters, earthquakes, hope, natural disaster, prayers, relief, tsumani Interviewing for a CIO position on October 23rd! October 8, 2008 · No Comments Every now and then I would send a “hello how are you doing these days?” offline/online message to my college best friend. From time to time, he would also drop me a line or two. Well recently, he immediately answered my IM and asked me to pray for his job interview on the 23rd. “You are applying for a new job?” “Yes, I am going to be interviewed for the position of CIO!” Whoaaaa…. CIO ( Chief Information Officer!) I still shake my head in amazement. Not because he cannot do the job, but how simply amazing God is and how He lovingly and quietly works in our lives. Ron was my roommate during my freshman year. We were exact opposites. I was working on my second degree and really determined to do well, while he was, fresh from highschool and still figuring out what to do and how to impress the girls. I got to know his family when he invited me over for Winter Break during our sophomore year. I can still remember the long drive and how my stomach, mysteriously hurt like hell when we arrived in Harrisburg on our way to Buffalo. I remember one evening after dinner, he started putting on his thick jacket and I asked “are you going out to get a movie at Blockbuster?” “Nah, I just want to go out for a walk…maybe you should come walk with me…” His mom then sprung into her motherly ways and started handing out 4 jackets to me to make sure i will survive the walk. “You are from the Philippines and this weather might be too extreme for you - so go ahead, wear this, wear this and this…” We walked out and I was looking like the Michelin man with all the thick jackets. But Ron was still quiet and I knew something was up. ” I might not be able to go back next year…” “Go back where?” “To college…” he answered as we were walking down this deserted road somewhere. “My grades are terrible… and I am on probation list…” That was the first time it hit me - that if he did not do well in school the next coming weeks, I might lose my bestfriend and that really was something I was not prepared to experience. When we got back to school, I religously followed him up on his exams, assignments and papers. It was a small college and we had similar classes so it was relatively easy to do that. I did not want to lose my bestfriend sitting down - so we studied together and helped memorized 200 scriptures for the Fundamentals of Theology class. I remember one night when we were struck by the realization that the answers to our questions would have to rely on FAITH. All our what if questions about God led us to that place where only FAITH can fill up. And for the first time (last time as well) we prayed together and placed our dependence on God. Fast forward 3 years after Graduation and I attended Promise Keepers in Dallas with him. He just clearly obliged me since he was my host. 2002 - he paid for my ticket and I flew on my birthday to join him in Hongkong where he was stationed for 1 week. He was already working for this company that has started sending him all over the world. We were supposed to meet in Manila early this year - but I cautioned him with his financial spending since his wife will be giving birth. He agreed and just worked in SIngapore until his project was done. And now, he is going to be interviewed for the position of CIO! The same guy who almost flunked out of college is about to be the CIO of this multinational company with branches in every continent. The same guy who in college, could not even decently use a personal computer, is now taking care of different structures, platforms, network architectures and so many more. Many years later, I find it a blessing that two things have remained: 1. Our friendship 2. Our need for prayers from each other. On October 23rd midnight, i will be praying again for him because that is his interview time in New York. My boothmate in Booth 1010 during my freshman year, is about to become a Chief Information Officer! Thank you God for what you have done in my friend’s life. Thank you for blessing him. Thank you for the love you have given him through his parents, siblings and now his wife and children. Bless him Lord. As you use him in the corporate world, I pray that you will also gently whisper to him, that you would like him to serve you in the Church as well… Please grant him this huge favor of becoming a CIO. He knows that he cannot do this on his own. Allow him to become a CIO for your divine use and purpose. I surrender him and his dreams in your precious hands. In Jesus Name, AMEN → No CommentsCategories: God · care · family · prayer Tagged: Ambassador College, brothers, Chief Information Officer, CIO, College buddies, corporate world, friends, grace, interview, management information systems, prayers Remembering Grandma Boning October 8, 2008 · No Comments I woke up this morning thinking about Lola Boning. Lola in our language means grandma. I don’t know why but lately, I have been thinking of people and relatives who had passed. I wish I had known Lola Boning more when she was alive. We did not get to visit her as often as we would have liked because Mindoro was very far from Manila ( when I was growing up). Now, the travel is more convenient and the time to get there has been significantly reduced. Back in the day, I would remember the long hours of waiting inside a parked bus, boat and another bus. We would always get there around 3 - 4am… Few memories stand out as I remember Lola Boning now. 1. Lola Boning fixing me a papaya snack with condensed milk one afternoon. 2. Lola Boning making her signature suman late through the night so that we could bring some on our way back to Manila. Now that I am older, I am pining away for those original, home-made sumans. She made the best kind. 3. When I left for college in the US, I was so surprised to receive a letter from her. It was the only one she wrote. I could not remember all the details contained but one significant sentence stood out and I remember it so clearly now…”napatunayan kong mahal mo pala ako kaya hindi mo kinuwento ang muntik mong pagkalunod kasi natatakot ka na baka tumaas ang presyon ko…” “I have proven that you love me because you made secret your near-drowning incident because you were afraid that my blood pressure will rise…” I can even visualize that paper now. I wish I had kept that letter. She was referring to my near drowning incident up in the mountains when I swam at the lagoon - and halfway through, my limbs froze because of the coldness of the water. I almost drowned in a very remote place and no one, except God, would have seen me flailing away despite my Advanced Swimming class in UP the previous semester. 4. Lola Boning sitting at the bottom rung of the old staircase and telling me that Lolo Inoy was “asking her to join him…” She said the first time she was asked was when I was leaving for college, and so she told him “but your grandson is going to the US. I will wait for him to come back first…” The second time was when I got back. She said “but wait, I am still waiting for your grandson to marry someone…” I just listened to her and hugged. Wow, I can still smell her hair which she diligently took care of with coconut oil. Lola did not want to travel that long to see my wedding. We planned to visit her afterwards - but unfortunately, it did not work out. It was too late. When I brought my wife to see my Lola - Lola Boning was already inside her coffin. My uncle who had passed this February said “Hindi man lang nakita ni Lola mo ang asawa mo…” ( Your grandmother did not even get the chance to meet your wife…) He was right. I did the funeral rites for Lola Boning at the request of my Dad before her coffin was taken to the Catholic Church for a catholic blessing. I woke up thinking of Grandma Boning - and my thoughts shifted as well to Lola Santa and that one special prayer with her that I will never forget. I don’t know why. But I suddenly miss them both. → No CommentsCategories: Uncategorized Tagged: catholic rites, death, family, funeral rites, Grandmothers, grandson, love, Mindoro, remembering grandmothers My Blogger Brain was on BREAK October 3, 2008 · No Comments I just got back froma Worship Conference in Baguio City, Philippines. Have not even been able to write something - but will do so in the coming days. It was a great respite. It was an awesome breather. The warm fellowship, awesome praise and worship and the small tokens of love received and shared really made the heart feel wonderful. Will be writing more about how we felt loved by the people who were there at the worship Festival! → No CommentsCategories: Uncategorized 13,000 babies affected by the tainted milk! September 22, 2008 · No Comments Watching CNN at 3 am today, I was startled to see that the number of babies affected by the tainted milk produced in China had ballooned to 13,000! The figure could still rise in the coming days. There are no words enough to describe my outrage. I could feel for the parents who are struggling to make sense of this right now. I pray that the Chinese government, after that impressive display of the OLYMPICS would also show an OLYMPIC-SIZED efforts in treating these babies for free. God, take care of the precious little ones. Rescue them. Those babies who may be very far from medical facilities and whose parents do not have any means to have them treated. Lord God, perform your miracle in China. Hear the cries of the parents and the little ones. Forgive the people whose greed significantly affected the innocent ones. Dear God, you know each one by name. Reach out to them as a FATHER, that only YOU, our Divine Father ever could. Embrace each one and whisper your healing words to them. In Jesus’ name AMEN → No CommentsCategories: Uncategorized Tagged: babies in China, child care, China, families, greed, infants, milk, parents, prayer, sick children, tainted milk “It was an insignificant amount….” (what the Philippines lost at the Lehman Brothers’ collapse) September 19, 2008 · No Comments Last night, the second news report that really got my attention was the P15B that 6 RP banks have lost due to the financial collapse of the Lehman Brothers. I read from the Philippine Star yesterday the headline indicating the amount. 6 RP banks ( three were named and the other 3 were not mentioned) who lost a total of P15B. What really got me mad when a Malacanang Palace (our version of the WHITE HOUSE) was quoted as saying “yes, we lost… but it was just an insignificant amount…) I could not believe what I heard! An insignificant amount? Universal Currency Converter© Results Using live mid-market rates. Using live mid-market rates. More currencies… Printed from the XE Universal Currency Converter at: www.xe.com/ucc Memo: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Live rates at 2008.09.19 02:04:08 UTC 15,000,000,000.00 PHP = 320,649,971.01 USD Philippines Pesos United States Dollars 1 PHP = 0.0213767 USD 1 USD = 46.7800 PHP Almost $321M!!! you call that insignificant amount??? The last time I checked here are the facts in this country: 1. Majority of the people in the Philippines are not eating 3 full meals a day. 2. Majority of the people are under-employed. 3. Working overseas seems to be the only hope for the majority of the families here because the opportunities are no longer here. 4. The wars in Mindanao have demolished whatever anti-poverty gains the government has achieved the past several years. P15B …. that is beyond what anyone could save up for in honest and truthful employment in the country. For a government that still had to really explain all the scandals and anomalous transactions regarding the proposed broadband internet, access roads that were excessively charged by the hundreds of millions, by the amount of money that we are losing that should be benefitting the whole country, yes, by their reckoning P15B would be insignificant. Tell that to the families who eke out a living. Students who worry if they can still pay their fees so they can take the exams. Mothers with nursing children who are wondering where and how to buy milk. Parents who are wondering how to feed their children. Employees in both private and public sectors who are wondering how they will pay their bills. Of thousands of people who are lining up at DSWD centers for any form of assistance. Tell that to the thousands of families displaced by the wars in Mindanao and the families affected by the ship that sunk off the island of Romblon. ( the ship is still there with its toxic cargo). P15B is more almost 4x the DSWD budget for 2008! Oh no, please call it anything - but please do not call it insignificant. To call it an insignificant amount is an insult to the millions of Filipinos who could have benefited if the money was theirs. To call it insignificant was not only insulting. It was revolting. → No CommentsCategories: Uncategorized Tagged: AIG, Filipinos, financial collapse, financial giants, Lehman Brothers, Malacanang Palace, Merrill Lynch, Philippine economy, Philippines, poverty, Wall Street God, please save the babies in CHINA September 19, 2008 · No Comments The news about the tainted milk in China was really horrendous. I was tearing up when the news indicated that the 4th baby had died after being fed that tainted milk. The news also said that 6,000 more are being treated right now. I could just shake my head in total un-belief. I am not sure who the real culprits are - but most of the times, when products are released without following strict health restrictions - it would be easy to find that GREED plays a major part. When real estate companies in the Philippines would pay DENR to declare what used to be agricultural lands as industrial that can be converted to residential or other things beside agricultural, the bottom line is greed. When major landslides and erosions take place because all the trees are gone. When retail stores hide the expiry dates of their products and still put them on the shelves, that is greed. Everywhere, it can be seen. It can be felt. Even inside our homes. Sadly even inside our hearts. Greed affects us all. And in this case, the innocent ones are the ones losing their lives because of greed. God, please rescue the little children. They are in pain and some are dying. Forgive us all for our greed (in whatever way, shape, degree or form) and cause us to repent ( to change our perspective and act according to that changed and renewed perspective). Reach out and rescue the little ones in China. In Jesus’ name AMEN → No CommentsCategories: babies · being loved · death · family · greed · health concerns · poverty Tagged: babies, child care, children, China, dying children, economics, greed, tainted milk Concerns over the swollen private parts of your dogs : Additional info September 18, 2008 · No Comments The other day, I told my wife how this blog generated a lot of hits. I wondered if the phenomenon is quite common to all dogs. This article would somehow end up as one of the TOP POSTS almost every week. http://compassionateconsiderations.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/lessons-from-the-swollen-discomfort-of-sgt-beans/ The article though was not about the medical help - but the processing of thoughts after the whole experience. I thought I would share some more helpful things now for the dog owners. So if your dog (in my case, Sgt Beans, my black lab) is having swelling on its private parts - maybe you can consider what I have learned from my research and from what the vet had told me. 1. I did not take action right away because I thought it was just one of those things that will go away anyway. SO WHEN YOU notice something that is not right, INSPECT. LOOK and ASK questions. 2. I did my research when the swelling was a lot greater. I could have saved Sgt Beans from more pain had I acted right away. 3. I researched through the internet - and GOT SCARED BECAUSE diagnosis is more important. I was inundated with WHAT IF questions. One vet student mentioned a virus that could infect humans. I researched that and got afraid because it said, it is dangerous when it comes in contact with human skin. 4. Yes it is going to be costly. But PETS like children are costly anyway. I tell myself that is ok because “Sgt Beans won’t have to go to college anyways..” 5. If your vet is like a good friend, maybe you can work out a reasonable payment plan. 6. Sgt Beans was injected twice on that visit. Then I was told to give him antibiotics (the same antibiotics we take as people). 7. The antibiotic cream helped a lot too. 8. CARE FOR THE DOG: Sgt Beans likes water a lot. I just have a tub that we fill up for his needs esp when the temperature outside is really high. MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER IS CLEAN. THROW the water after one using. I thought I could save more by reusing it for BEANS. BUT NO. The bacteria may have already infested that water - and do not allow your dog to lie down on the tub using the old and already dirtied water. 9. SGT Beans would always mark certain areas (pee certain areas)… and sometimes these areas are places he considers his haven as well esp when the sun is OUT. Under the bushes, next to a tree etc. When the vet said that he may have been lying down on his urine, I vehemently said NO because Beans has a house and the house is somewhat elevated. A couple of days later, I realized that there are at least 2 areas where Beans would mark most of the time. He would also lie down on those areas. It had been raining and the mud, mixed with what used to have been dried urine, have stuck on his soft testicle skin covering. In time, the bacteria had eaten away the soft covering. 10. Maybe you could pour hot water on those areas where your dog marks the most. Lessen the bacteria from cultivating. 11. Every time Beans has his bath, or his play in the tub - I always make sure that his balls are wiped dry with a clean towel. CLEAN TOWEL. When it rains and he plays outside, I make sure I dry that part of his body before sending him back to his house. 12. Carefully apply the antibiotics that the vet will prescribe. Make it as pleasant as possible. 13. Give positive reinforcements before, during and after placing the medications. 14. It was easier to apply the medications when Beans are slightly pressed against the wall (on all fours)… I hope these things are helpful. It took less than a week for me to see major improvement on his privates. Up to now, I still reinforce the command “raise leg…” and he would give me access to check, to wipe , inspect and to just make sure that he is okay down there. → No CommentsCategories: care · dog care · dog medicine · dog virus Tagged: pets, male labrador, veterinary medicine, dog virus, dog care, Labrador, swollen testicles, care for swollen testicles of a dog, tips, medications, antibiotics, why private parts get swollen, effects of dried urine, bacteria From one hurricane to the next September 18, 2008 · No Comments We are just beginning to see the aftermath of “Ike” - and even before we could fully assess the damage and the dramatic stories of the people who survived, financial hurricanes were blowing Wall Street. Reverberations of these financial meltdowns will have its effect in markets overseas. Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and then the AIG (my Philippine insurance company is a subsidiary of AIG!) that needed BAILOUT. What was touted to be the MOST STABLE among them needed an $85B infusion. I could not at the top of my head count how many zeroes you write after $85 much less comprehend what it all meant. While everything may seem to be going back to normal, ( if we could still ever go back to that one, yeah) I am beginning to wonder about all the other banks (CITIGROUP and others). It was not just the reliability of the levees that were tested. It was not just the financial powerhouses that are being tested. It seems like ANYTHING that would claim to be STRONG, RELIABLE, FORMIDABLE are being tested to its very core. In the global economy, climate change, OFW migration, corruption that are undetected to the highest levels, dirty political campaigns, showdown of powerful countries, continued bombings in Iraq and the unchecked wars in Afghanistan… NOTHING in this world is ever sure. The very core of our belief and foundations are being shaken. How about you? How is your life? How are you doing? If your life is like a small raft sailing a raging ocean, you are not alone. It does not need an IKE in our lives to render our foundations, morale and sure-footing in crumbles. Sometimes it takes an unexpected call. Or you were waiting for the call that never happened. Maybe you just touched the wall of your job that said DEAD END, or you see the value of your hard-earned money dwindling before your eyes as you stare at the prices at the gas pumps, or you sigh at the end of another day and wonder “when will it be over?”. Or the relationship you cherished are now being thrown back at you like a used rag. Or the nights are getting shorter and the days are getting longer as you wait for a son to come home. You are not alone. I wish I have some magnificent words that will act like a balm over your searing pain. I wish I could tell you when all these will end. One thing I do know, is that all of these will also end for you. Just like Hurricane Ike, the stormy weather will also pass. The sun will shine again as you mend the broken panes of your windows to the world. Hang in there. It will be over soon. → No CommentsCategories: God · burnout · care · core issues · emotional searching · fatigue · fear · heaven · hunger · inconveniences · love · prayer · purpose · reflection · weariness Tagged: comfort, discomfort, God, hurricane Ike, loneliness, misery, religion, search for happiness, tragedies, trials, troubled heart ← Older Entries Blog Stats 5,224 hits WORD FOR TODAY View Verse of the Day October 2008 S M T W T F S « Sep 1234 567891011 12131415161718 19202122232425 262728293031 FESTIVAL 2008 COUNTDOWN Recent Posts When the young ones kill themselves Deaths from Natural Disasters - 1st half of 2008 = Dec 2004 Tsunami Deaths Interviewing for a CIO position on October 23rd! Remembering Grandma Boning My Blogger Brain was on BREAK Top Posts Concerns over the swollen private parts of your dogs : Additional infoPhenomenological Seduction of Pornography : Gateway to Most CSBWhen the young ones kill themselvesMoving Toward an Inter-generational Family SpiritualityYou Are My HealerHappy 45th Wedding Anniversary - May 5th"The Filipino is worth dying for..."" I can only imagine..." by Bart Millard"A Brother who happens to be the Chief Justice"Generational things that are slipping through our hands... 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