Pass On The Faith

Last week was a very stressful one for me. My 5 children in one way or another were sick (either with cough or colds or a terrible flu). However, 2 of them, Emmuel and Kristel, were really sick. For 4 to 6 days, they had a fever as high as 41C. They were so demanding and irritable and difficult to feed. Thus they lost so much weight.

Thank God, they are better now. I also thank God because my youngest daughter, Angeline, who is just almost 6 months old, hung tough. Though she had some runny nose and coughing, she seemed not so much affected by the sickness of her brothers and sisters. This may be due to the fact that she is a breastfed baby.

I remember reading somewhere that even if the mother fell sick (which I was starting to feel in my sinus as well), she can continue breastfeeding her baby. This is because the antibodies being produced in the mother's body will be passed on to the sucking baby through the breast milk. I guess, that is one factor which made Angeline resistant to the sickness around.

There is also one thing that we can pass on to our children that they will treasure forever - our FAITH. Paul wrote to Timothy "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5).

Because 2 generations, that of Lois and Eunice, exemplify the faith, Timothy lived the faith. If we, as parents, are faithful and sincere in living out our faith, our children who are closely watching by will be positively influenced to believe what we believe. Moreover, they will find the faith that leads to salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe this with all my heart, no matter what.

So, "Pass On the Faith!"

Sibbling Fights 2: Whos's to Blame?

Whenever I confront my kids who are fighting, they always tell me "Siya kasi" meaning "It's his fault." It's always never their fault. And I, being the referee, have to make the wise call to know who's to blame. Guess what! Most of the time, both parties are at fault.

Why do they put the blame on somebody else when in fact they're at fault. Why are they so good at pointing their finger to somebody else instead of admitting their own mistake?

Do you remember that long ago the first "it's not my fault" scene took place in the Garden of Eden? When confronted by God after eating the forbidden fruit, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Who's to blame? As we can read from the account, all of them were at fault and each suffered the consequences. Read from Genesis chapter 3.

How about us? What is our attitude when we are in the middle of a dispute? Are we so quick to point our fingers at somebody else to excuse ourselves from blame? Or do we look into ourselves, first of all, and see in what way we have been wrong?

No one likes to admit doing wrong. But when we do, we are in a sense admitting that we are not perfect and need God's grace in our lives. Moreover, we get to receive the sweet "I forgive you" from God and from those we have hurt or offended.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

What is a Man?

A real man is kind.
A real man is caring.
A real man walks away from silly macho fights.
A real man helps his wife.
A real man helps his kids when they are sick.
A real man doesn't run from his problems.
A real man sticks to his word and keeps his promises.
A real man is honest.
A real man is not in trouble with the law.
~ Stu Weber, Tender Warrior (Sisters, Ore: Multnomah, 1993), 97 ~

This was written by a 16-year old high school sophomore whose parents divorced when he was eight years old. His father left and never returned. His stepfather was tyrannical. It so reflects his vision and longing of a loving father as he never really had a father.

Thank God for all the fathers who exert their best effort and spend time, not just resources, in lovingly fathering their children. I personally thank God and my husband for fathering our children.

To those who have the longing of a father, remember God is our heavenly Father who loves you and cares for you.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Sibbling Fights: Who Do You Love More?

Children fight over so many things especially toys and candies. Why is it that they fight over 1 toy when there are so many toys around? And why is it that they don't want to share? or to wait for their turn?

According to Dr. Miriam Stoppard's Complete Baby and Child Care book, young children are naturally selfish, thus they have to be taught to share. It's very difficult, but with patience, she will successfully acquire this skill.

For my older kids, I try to talk some sense into them when they still don't want to share something with their younger brother or sister. I tell them "Which do you love more, your __ or your brother/sister? Which is more important?" Thank God, most of the time they choose to love their little brother or sister.

How about you? Who do you love more? "Jesus said 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-38)

Do you love the Lord more than anything else? Or do you exchange your love for God with the pleasures and worries of this world? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? Or you don't mind saying or doing hurtful things to those around you?

Remember, what we do and what we say reflects who do we love more!

Beware of MRSA

I watched one Oprah episode last week which featured MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and related cases of deaths or near-death incidents. Her guest, Dr. Oz explained that S. aureus are bacteria which are present everywhere, commonly on the skin and nose of healthy people. They are often the cause of acne or pimples.

What makes MRSA frightening is when it causes surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. Once inside, it starts destroying cells, tissues and organs. Unless given the proper antibiotics, it is deadly. An 11-year old girl died in 10 days because of inappropriate medical care.

To prevent contacting this disease, Dr. Oz strongly recommends proper washing of hands, covering of wounds, seeking proper medical attention when suspicious of MRSA infection and avoidance of sharing personal things.

There's also a type of MRSA which can creep into our lives and kill our soul. I'm talking about all kinds of temptations to sin. They are present everywhere - at home, at school, in the office, in the mall, even in churches.

Most of the time, temptations are so subtle thus deceiving us to give in and sin. Once, sin is in our lives, it starts to slowly destroy our relationship with God and our fellowmen. That's why it is so important to keep ourselves washed by the blood of Jesus and to seek His Word daily that we may not sin against Him.

Colossians 3:5-10
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."