Ziklag

 An article by Bo Sanchez, a great read . . .

Do you want to be successful? You've got to learn how to encourage yourself.

Because there are days when you won't receive any encouragement from anyone else, you've got to do it yourself.

There's one passage in the Bible that I love so much. it says: David encourage himself in the Lord. (1Samuel 30:6). Let me tell you the Bible story behind this verse.

David and his men—600 of them—went away to work and left their wives and children in their camp called Ziklag. Three days later, tragedy struck. The Amalekites, sworn enemies of Israel, attacked and burned the entire village to the ground—and taking all the women and children with them as slaves.

When David and his men arrived, the Bible says his men “wept until they could weep no more.” Can you imagine 600 men crying at the loss of their wives and children? Can you imagine 600 men weeping over a pile of burning rubble that was once their home?

You think that was bad? It got worse. The Bible says that these men—once upon a time fiercely loyal to David—wanted now to stone David to death. 

I’ve noticed that when things go wrong, human beings want to look for someone to blame. We always want to look for a scapegoat to vent our rage.

Imagine you were David.

You just lost your family. Your kids were taken away from you. Your home is now but ashes under your feet. You now own nothing except the clothes that you’re wearing. And the friends that you thought were friends now want to kill you. 

This is what you call an Impossible situation. 

In other words, it’s a Ziklag…

Are You Going Through A Ziklag?

Are you going through an Impossible situation?

Then you’re going through Ziklag right now. 

Perhaps you lost your job.  Perhaps you lost your possessions. Perhaps you lost your friends. Perhaps you lost a loved one. 

In Ziklag, you have a choice: You can do what the 600 soldiers of David did or you can do what David did.

The 600 men wept and found someone to blame. (Because hurt people hurt people.)

But I love what David did. In the midst of an impossible situation, he did the impossible. What was that? The Bible said, “David encouraged himself in the Lord.”

Let me explain what that meant…

Getting Encouragement From Within

Normally, we get encouragement from people around us. 

And rightly so. Because we’re the Body of Christ.

When I feel burdened, the first person I go to is my best friend—who happens to be my wife Marowe.  She’s not a preacher. If given a choice not to shop for a year—or to speak in public—she’d choose not to shop for a year. (Okay, maybe one week…) But she’s my encourager. She’s the builder of my faith. When I tell her my burdens, she doesn’t even say anything. She just listens—and I feel my burdens are lifted up from my shoulders.

And I’m spoiled. God gave me the most fantastic friends on planet earth.  They’re my Super Friends, my Avengers Team. When I’m going through my struggles, I share it with them—and when I do—I don’t feel alone anymore.

But I believe there are times when we go through Ziklag. Ziklag is a place where even the family and friends that we depend on aren’t there. Perhaps because they’re busy. Or because they’re faraway. Or because they themselves are going through some struggle—and they’re not there for us.

And that’s where you have to learn how to go to God directly.

Ziklag is the place where your relationship with God goes to a whole new level.

Ziklag Is A Furnace…

Let me warn you…

Ziklag is a burial place and a birthplace. It’s where boys are buried and kings are born.

Ziklag is a furnace. If you are made of wood, you will be pulverized. If you are made of gold, you will be purified.

Ziklag is a rock. You can be crushed under the weight of the rock or you can stand on top of the height of the rock—and see the world in a whole new perspective.

Ziklag is a sword. It can kill or it can cut. It can kill your soul or it can cut the cancer in your soul.

In Ziklag, David had to learn a very important life skill, a life skill you need to win permanent victory: You need to learn how to encourage yourself in the Lord. Do not wait for others to encourage you. Do not wait for your spouse to encourage you. Do not wait for your friends to encourage you. Do not wait for your leaders to encourage you. You need to learn how to encourage yourself in the Lord.

How To Encourage Yourself

       I don’t know what David did specifically. The Bible doesn’t say what he did. 

But I have a guess.

Because I’ve been through Ziklag many times. And I know how I encouraged myself. 

I believe David went back into his own history to remember those special times when he saw God intervene in his life. Like when God rescued him from the bear and the lion. Or when God rescued him from Goliath with a stone and a slingshot.

       I have those special stories too. I dig deep and remember them….

       Like the day God called me to preach when I was twelve…

       Or the day God rescued me from my addictions…

       I even remember the small miracles in my life.

       Let me tell you one of them…

Recall God’s Interventions

       Twenty-five years ago, I attended a graduation ceremony in PICC. Not as a preacher but as a photographer. My cousin was graduating and I volunteered to take his pictures. To do that, I borrowed a friend’s expensive camera, complete with a long lens that the paparazzi use. I went up in the balcony and took lots of photos.

       It was a long graduation ceremony.

By the time it was over, it was evening.

After the ceremony, I congratulated my cousin and walked back to my borrowed car. (Borrowed camera, borrowed car… You get the picture how poor I was then?) But when I rode the car, I noticed that my bag was light. I looked inside it. To my horror, I saw that the long lens was gone!

       I knew that long lens was expensive—more expensive than the camera itself. And I was a poor missionary. I stepped out of the car and looked back at gigantic PICC. Where will I look?

       I remember praying, “Oh God, you’ve got to help me!” Immediately, I felt peace. I knew God was in charge.

       I walked back to the building, taking a shortcut through the grass. Picture this: I was walking on grass in the dark. And that was when I felt an inner nudge to stop walking. 

       And I did. At that exact spot, I felt the same nudge to bend over and reach down. In that darkness, I stooped down and held something round. I lifted it up—it was the camera lens!

       The grounds of PICC are massive and covered with darkness. It was literally like finding a pin in a haystack.

I remember that day and tell myself, “If God guides me for a something as small as a camera lens, I believe God will guide me for the bigger things in my life.”

God allows Mt. Tabor experiences in our lives to ready us for Mt. Calvary experiences. In Mt. Tabor, Jesus showed Himself with brilliant light beside Moses and Elijah to Peter, James, and John—because he knew that in a few days, they’ll experience the horrific sight of him hanging on a criminal’s cross. When they start doubting, “Did I follow the wrong guy?” they can look back that once upon a time, they saw a glorious Jesus.

Which reminds me of a very important point in the story of David and Ziklag…

God Will Return What Was Stolen From You

David wasn’t only seeking for Encouragement. He was also seeking for Enlightenment. He asked God, “Can I pursue the Amalekites? Can I overtake them?”

God told David, “Pursue the Amalekites. You shall be able to overtake them.” So David rallied his men and they chased after the Amalekites. They found them in the middle of a party, drunk and distracted. They attacked them, defeated them, and took back their wives and children. They also brought home the spoils of war—the wealth of their enemy.

When you experience loss, I believe that if you “encourage yourself in the Lord”, you’ll experience what David experienced: God returned to him what was stolen—plus interest!

What kind of interest? The Old Testament says that the thief, once caught, should return seven times what he has stolen. (Proverbs 6:30-31) 

Have you lost anything? 

Whenever I lose money in business, I ask God to return it to me sevenfold. It happens.

If you go to the courthouse of men, they may punish the thief and ask him to return what he has stolen. But if you go to the courthouse of God, claim in faith that God Himself will see to it that what was stolen from you shall be returned sevenfold.

Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one. Perhaps a parent just passed away. Perhaps you experienced a miscarriage. And there’s a deep wound in your heart. Believe me, God will not only return this person to you sevenfold, but eternal-fold. Be patient. In Heaven, you’ll be reunited with your loved one forever and ever and ever…

       Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord.

       May your dreams come true,

       Bo Sanchez

Heed Mothers

 Here's a tip for mothers from my favorite motivational speaker, Bo Sanchez:

I see this so often: When mothers no longer have time for themselves because of the children’s needs.

Don’t do that.  Or you’ll burn out.

My message to mothers:  Eat the right food.  Take vacations.  Exercise.  Take time to pray.  And see to it that you have “alone” times.  And time to be with your girlfriends. 

I love it when my wife goes out with her girlfriends.  Because I know that when she comes home, her Love Tank is full, and she has much love to give to me and the boys.

Dream Come True

Yup, yup, yup. This is a dream come true for me, seeing Seoul.


Here, I get to pose at a place they call Prosperity Wall (of course wishing for continued prosperity in life, heheh). Thanks, Lord.

A Hug

Nothing beats the warmth from a son's hug.

It was the start of the winter season when I got to visit my son. It was so cold, my lips and cheeks were stiff.

But what could be more cool than having your son showing you around a wonderful place amidst colorful city lights. Topping my delight? A huge super duper warm hug!

I thank the heavens above for I felt being cuddled by thousand of angels. Definitely from a happy mother's view, heheh.

A Day of Sun and Thanksgiving

Thank you. What a sunny day it is today (after a couple of days of rains and flooded streets).

And so why would I not be joyful and thankful? Life is great. God is good. Just take a look at that wonderful photo taken with my ever-reliable camera.

The sun is up and hot, just what I need to get these bed pillows and sofa throw pillows disinfected (bilad) and the doormat brushed, cleaned and dried to be used again in a while.

Bathing of the dogs? Done (there are two, both took their daily baths).

Laundry? Done. My old washing machine conked out last year, but had a recent replacement, oooh, after many months of a combination of manual washing and expensive automat laundry service, my own washing machine is truly a blessing.

One more task to be done before I cook . . . wash the car, hmmmmm.

Feast

Eating is more than the food. It is a real treat if, on top of good eats, you get to enjoy a feast for your tummy and your eyes as well. Who wouldn't appreciate great food, a cool place and pleasant food presentations?

So there goes my eyes scanning the venue, and there goes my cam as well for memory photos.

Finally, all goes into my blog posts, heheh.

Trip To Quezon

This is what my son has to say for our trip to Quezon last month . . .

It was a special Sunday, though we have very tight schedules this summer, we managed to keep this one Sunday sacred by going on a mini-pilgrimage to Quezon, where we visited Kamay ni Hesus Church, as well as eat delicious food at Palaisdaan Restaurant.

You just have to try Palaisdaan, a short drive from Kamay ni Hesus. Trust me, you'll be treated to a very satisfying meal.

The first viand I'm presenting is actually not on the Palaisdaan menu. My Ninong Mike brought with him some of his neighbor's famous Igado. Igado is a popular Ilocano dish made from pork tenderloin and pig's innards such as liver, kidney, heart. This version is really good, and I apologize now, since alam kong iniinggit ko lang kayo, considering if ever you guys do get to the Palaisdaan, you wouldn't even be able to try it. Oh well, maybe I can study the recipe and cook for you!

Now, on to the meals served here in Palaisdaan. They have various soups, inihaw (grilled) meats, veggies and of course, fish. The first thing we ordered, a big bowl of rice, of course.

My favorite ulam was the Bulalo. The meat was tender, the broth was absolutely delicious. Words cannot even describe the happiness. I'm such a soup whore!

Then, my dad wanted to try the Ginataang Native Chicken. This one has a really good sauce that has hints of curry infused with coconut milk. The sauce was really good, but the native chicken was a bit tough. Maybe that's the nature of native chicken!

And we definitely had to order some kind of fish while we were here (despite initial scare of doubledead fishkill!) But we tried their tuna belly, and we weren't regretful at all. Either pair it with the sweet sauce that comes with the meal, or make your own soy sauce and calamansi combo, it just works with the tuna belly!

I'm not a fan of the ampalaya with shrimp. Probably because I'm not a fan of bitter foods. Bitter na nga pagkatao ko, di ko na kailangan pa nyan.

Also, we tried the ensaladang paco, which is fern sprouts with some salted egg, tomatoes and onions. It can be paired with sardines, but I prefer it on its own. The sweetness of this dish is great, and it has a clean taste that helps cleanse the palate, preparing one to consume even more food after!

One regret of mine today was that I wasn't able to try the grilled spare ribs. I was so busy chomping on the other viands that I overlooked to nibble on these. And by the time I noticed it, I was already to full. So next time, grilled spare ribs, I will try you first!

A great and satisfying meal that was good for six very hungry people, and for a very affordable price! Quezon never tasted this good!

Offshore Stint Without Mom, Good?

My kid got to join a student group that went to Korea. Cool!

I am thrilled that he has this opportunity to go elsewhere, out there, a whole new world, a different country.

Now, he'll know how it is to live without "Mama this and Mama that."

On second thought, he might even enjoy not having me around for a change, hmmm.

Life Plans, Reviewed

Yoohoo!

What is it in August that makes me review my life plans? Hahah. Possibly it's because it's a month before my birthday, heheh.

Anyway, about three and a half years ago, I started writing down my dreams, my 10 gigantic dreams.

Today, I reviewed them. I crossed-out those I have achieved, some with sweet success, a few with bitter memories but still dreams I pursued and which accounted to my personal growth.

Me in Europe, me walking where Jesus walked. . . me playing the guitar, me thrilled doing zip line on a high mountain over vast water and bungee jumping up, up there . . .

I restructured my set of 10 dear dreams.

Now, all I have to do is read them daily and pray that God bless them as I pursue them.

An Awesome Dream

If you would live a dream, what would it be?

This popped up in my head just now.

Hmmmm. If it would be just that one dream, hmmmm.

I really am not sure, out of my xx number of dreams, I do not know what to pick. This is not good. I have to specify with clarity what I want for me to have it.

Okay then, I would be asking that our Lord grant us a wonderful Marian pilgrimage in Europe in autumn, with my family, including my mother, my sisters, my brother, together with their family.

As icing to the cake, I also wish that we will be able to join a Marian procession during the trip.

Now, that would be awesome. Cool!

And My Heart is Full of Joy

How can my heart not be overflowing with so much joy when I just read this blogpost from my eldest son. Whew! Please click the link "Just in Time" and read on . . .

Just in Time

All glory and thanksgiving to our Lord to whom all good gifts come from.

Consider It Pure Joy

Just got home from the hospital after my son was confined. Both of us have little sleep. It's good to be home and good that he has started to recover from his illness.

Before going to bed, I caught a glimpse of his blog and whoa . . . he posted a photo of the two of us. I am truly overwhelmed.

My son's blog

Thanks son, all my "zero-sleep" nights as a result of caring (or just thinking and worrying) for you (since you were born) are nothing compared to the joy in my heart having you.

I love the photo: mother and son (Mary and Jesus at the back and us in front, heheh).

Showing Our Appreciation

A simple post of sincere gratitude to a special uncle . . .

Tito Itong, we want to thank you. Di ka rin nakakalimot kay Mamu. And of course we will always cherish the fact that you took care of us when we were literally "cry babies". Thanks for each and every "rock-and-roll Elvis song", hahah.

CHEERS!!!

Happy Day

Nothing beats reunions, especially family reunions. What a way to spend a weekend but with relatives whom you have built cherished memories.

My cousin Meo came to my mother's home when he arrived from Munich, Germany. He dropped by with his kind wife, pretty daughter and our niece (Rachel's daughter).

Suddenly, childhood days just rushed in our minds. We exchanged stories and life updates. It was a day of joy for us. Thanks for these moments to rejoice.

"Thanks (cousin) insan Meo for visiting Mamu. She appreciates your visits so much."

Manny Pacquio's Message to the Defeated Philippine Azkals

Tulad n'yo, nakaranas na rin ako ng pagkabigo.
Kaya hindi porki't natalo kayo ay hindi na kayo magaling.
Ang mahalaga ngayon ay ang muli ninyong pagbangon.
Dahil bukas, may bagong kalaban.
Bukas, may bagong pagkakataon para manalo.
Kaya't tuloy ang pagpupursige ninyo, tuloy ang pag-iinsayo,
tuloy ang pagbibigay ng buong galing
at huwag matakot umaray,
laban kung laban.
Panalo man o matalo, proud ako at sambayanang Pilipinas sa inyo.
The message of Manny is so inspiring because we know the guy is a fighter in the real sense. He is a person who fought a lot of hardships and now he is a current success, "Bayani ng Bayan".

Maria Goretti's Feast Day

Maria Goretti (October 16, 1890 – July 6, 1902) is an Italian virgin-martyr of the Roman Catholic Church, and is one of its youngest canonized saints. She died from multiple stab wounds inflicted by her attempted rapist after she refused him because of love of Jesus and her loyalty to the Ten Commandments.


Maria Goretti's feast day, celebrated on July 6, was inserted in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints for the first time when it was revised in 1969. Maria is the patron saint of chastity, rape victims, youth, teenage girls, poverty, purity and forgiveness.

Source Wikipedia

Green Lantern

In brightest day... in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight! Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power -- Green Lantern's light!

You can't foresee all the consequences of your actions -- But that's no excuse to do nothing.

Anything I see in my mind, I can create…

No matter how bad things get, something good is out there, just over the horizon…

With the ring, thought becomes reality.

Father's Day Blogpost

From my son's blog (Just In Time) . . .

Yesterday, we celebrated Father's Day with the family! My dad wanted to go to Viking's again, so we went to the Mall of Asia area, only to be greeted by swarms of guests all wanting to eat at Viking's. So what we did was eat somewhere else in MoA. My dad remembered the restaurant where we brought my lola, a few months ago, so we decided to go back there: Cafe Adriatico.

This time, we tried a variety of food, and we were so hungry that every time an order came, we almost finished it within minutes. (It was really funny)

As part of family tradition, we always need to order some sort of Caesar salad as a starter, so we tried Cafe Adriatico's Caesar salad. It was good, my dad liked it, which is something difficult to do considering his high standards for Caesar salad. It wasn't Gumbo-level, but it was good enough.

The next was the appetizer, Calamari.

For drinks, my brother ordered Chocolate Ah! which is some sort of hot cocoa that was thick and rich.

We also got a free Dayap Soda (which is just lemon soda pala) as a Father's Day promo. I tried it, and liked it, save for the carbonation, but of course it's soda, what can you expect.

Then, my mom ordered Callos for us, which was served with some Garlic bread. The various meats in the Callos were super tender. The sauce just made it all the more good.

My brother had the fish and chips with pimiento sauce and pea puree. He was so excited to try the pea dip considering the hype it had on Top Chef last season, but we were met with disappointment as it tasted nothing like it. Actually, it tasted like nothing. period. Well, that might be too harsh, but it was really such a bland dip. Good thing the fish was good and cooked perfectly.

And the highlight of the night was the Lengua Estofado. And that was just perfection. It is true that tongue meat is the tenderest most scrumptious meat when cooked right. And this one was cooked right on!

We also had dessert, a Mango Jubilee. Too bad it wasn't flambed on the spot.

All in all, a great Father's Day celebration. Thank you papa, for everything! I hope you feel how much we appreciate you everyday. And I hope you enjoy the new Ateneo shirt I gave as a gift for today! Thanks again for everything!

PS: I hope you like the Sansrival we got for you!

Fearing Failure

It is always better to fail in doing something than to excel in doing nothing. A flawed diamond is more valuable than a perfect brick. People who have no failures also have few victories.
John Mason


Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!

The Minor Basilica of Saint Michael

From my son's blog (Just In Time) . . .

The next site in our family trip to Quezon is this Church in Tayabas, which is the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael.

Featured in the photo above, from right to left, are my Ninong Mike, Manang Freda, my dad, my mom and my brother, Jelo. Every year, we spend a bit of time going to Quezon, to visit the farm at Candelaria, or the Kamay ni Hesus. However, it's our first time to visit this interesting Church.

If you need more information about this Church, just check out this highly informational plaque right outside.

(Well that saved me a lot of typing time!)

The interior of the Church is kinda shabby (trust me, this is probably the best angle in the Church, considering how worn out the other areas of the Church are). But the paint work done all throughout is stunning, especially in the altar area. It seems this was the portion of the Church that was well-maintained.

Especially pretty is the paintwork done on the dome above the Church. Just look at those shades. Very intense.

And the Church was not immune to the Badion family's love for jump shots. My brother and I were actually more occupied taking jump shots in various locations outside the Church (meron pa naman yata kaming right sense not to do jump shots IN church). This one is of me.

And another one, this time of my brother.

Well, eventually, everyone got into the spirit of jump shots and did one together.

Now that's family energy right there!