Niabot Ka Sa Panahon Nga AKo Wala Nagpa-abot

Niabot Ka sa Panahon nga AKo Wala Nagpa-abot

-Balak ni Frances Carmille Alpuerto-

Kinsa man ang nagdahum

Nga ikaw akong ika-kita

Nga ikaw akong mahigala

Nga ikaw akong mahigugma

Tinuod ba gayud diay ang ilang gina-ingon

Nga ang kalibutan pirte rang gamaya?

Buot ko nga ikaw masayod,

Dako ako ug pasalamat sa Labaw sa Tanan

Nga sa kadaghang tawo niining kalibutan,

Ikaw ug ako nagkahimamat,

Ikaw ug ako nagkahigugmaay.

Karun, kung ako mag-inusara

Dili ko gayud malikayan

Nga mo-dalikyat ug pahiyom ug

Napamatud-an ko na gayud

Nga ang kalibutan pirte rajung gamaya.

Ang Dalan sa Kahayag

Ang Dalan sa Kahayag

-Balak ni Frances Carmille Alpuerto-

Sa paglakaw nato niining panaw sa kinabuhi,

Daghan tang mga dalan na maagian.

Mga nagka lain-laing tawo aton ika-saksi,

Mga nagka lain-laing panghitabo atong masulayan.

Usahay sa atong paglakaw,

Kita mahidagma.

Usahay sa atong paglahutay,

Kita mawad-an sa paglaum.

Usahay sa atong pagpanginabuhi,

Kita mo dili sa mga pagsulay sa kinabuhi.

Huna-hunaa O, higala ko

Sa atong dagan sa kinabuhi,

Lumalabay ra kitang tanan.

Busa buhata ang tanang maayo

Para ikaw dili magmahay sa uwahi

Ug subay sa kanunay sa dalan sa kahayag,

Ang dalan na magtudlo natu sa kalampusan.

Ikaw Gayud

Ikaw Gayud

-Balak ni Frances Carmille Alpuerto-

Sa panahon ako nahidagma,

Wala gayud nimu ako pasagdi.

Sa panahon nga ako nag-inusara,

Wala gayud nimu ako biyae.

Sa panahon nga ako nagkinahanglan sa imong presensya,

Wala gayud nimu ako pakyasa.

Sa panahon nga ako nahikalimot kanimo, 

Wala gayud nimu ako kalimti. 

O, Ginoo ko!

Nganung na ingon ani man ako?

Ikaw ra gayud unta ang bugtong mahalon,

Ikaw ra gayud unta ang hilabihan sa tanan nakung panahon,

Ikaw ang labing pasalamatan,

O, Ginoo ko!

Ikaw lamang gayud.

Thanksgiving Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

-Frances Carmille Alpuerto-

Lord, on this day, grant us the humility to recognize all the gifts you have given to us and to acknowledge all the reasons we have to be grateful in our lives. It is so easy to let daily trials and tribulations convince us that we have little for which to give thanks but nothing could be farther than the truth. 2011 was indeed a year of a perfect combination of trials, test of faith, unending blessings and miracles.

Almighty God, thank you for the gift of life. Often, we take our existence for granted and don’t see it for the miracle it is. As millions of Filipinos face poverty and our nation seems to be more selfish, thank you for those who care in our lives and for the generosity of strangers towards those in need. 

Oh Comforter, we know it is difficult to be thankful with tragedy and economic storms battering our country, but we refuse to give in, to become callous and to lose faith. With the knowledge, we know that we can make this a more bountiful land again. Also Loving Father, we thank you for the presence of one another. May 2012 be a year for us of more blessings, new relationships and stronger faith in You. All of these we ask and give thanks in Jesus name. AMEN.

Obeying God Despite the Odds

Obeying God Despite the Odds

Frances Carmille Alpuerto

One of the most important ideas found in St. Matthew’s gospel is that God expects us, His people to obey Him. In these pressing times of confusion, clash between what is right and wrong and people being led to the wrong way, we must continue to seek God so that we will have the time to discern what God really wants us to do for in Matthew 3:15, “We must do all that God wants us to do.” God’s message for us is very clear and that He only wants us to just obey Him because we are a part of a Church bounded with the love of Jesus the Christ.

 To obey God is really a tough thing. It sounds so effortless yet when we are put in the actual situation; we have the tendency to back out or decide that our own desire will be followed instead of His will. We sometimes have the attitude of insisting our wants and at times, we neglect God’s better plans for us because we think that our desires will make us blissful and complete. Because we are all human beings, we must be constantly reminded of what is truly important and what will make sense in our existence. Life is the most precious gift we have received from God but it doesn’t mean that we have all the freedom to run our lives the way we want it. The source of everything is still the boss, the boss who only desires what is the best for us.

How can we truly follow God if the world you are living right now is filled with darkness and if we are just thinking of ourselves? Here are my three simple tips that might help you in this struggle.

1.      Be discerning.

Always reflect the daily happenings in your life and ask yourself, “Have I done something good today that will glorify God’s name?” or “Did I obey what are God’s plans for me today?”

For Catholics, in my spiritual family The Light of Jesus, we have the Didache which is a day by day reflection of God’s Gospel. If you want to be more discerning, then this book will surely help you and in return, it will also enrich your knowledge about God and on how you can face the challenges in your everyday life.

Matthew 7:13 “But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it.”  (CEV)

2.      Be humble.

You cannot follow what God wants you to do if you cannot humble yourself. Remember that God’s plans for you are always greater than your own.

Though humbling yourself is a tough job, you must always put in mind that those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled. The only way to reach the top and have your dreams?  It all starts by being humble. By being humble, you acknowledge that your efforts will pave through someday because there is that big God above who will lift you up.

Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those people who depend only on Him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.”  (CEV)

3.      Be trustful.

Trust in God that He only wants what is the best for you and always wait for His time because His time is and will always be the best time.

How can you dream big and follow His will if you are filled with unfounded fears in your heart? It is our lack of trust in God that hinders in doing what is right. Know that by always following the path of light, there is God will back you up no matter what happens.

Matthew 6:34 “Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.” (CEV)

Indeed, you can never be called His follower if you cannot obey Him! Life is all about journeying with God in accordance to His will. Enjoy and celebrate life with God! J