Stamped Envelope

Stamp collecting is a worthwhile hobby that broadens one’s perspective of the world, fires up one’s enthusiasm for discovery and develops one to be precise and orderly. It’s been a long time since I’ve viewed my collection of my elementary days (until 1969); yet two experiences stick in my mind to this day.

The first one: I often used part of my daily allowance of 50 centavos to buy stamps at the Catholic Trade School just a few blocks away from Cebu Normal Laboratory School. One night I discovered that I had lost the entire set of stamps I had just bought. That night I prayed hard to God that I would be able to locate the used stamps. Early the next day (a Saturday), I retraced my steps and there in the middle of the grassy playground laid the envelope with its contents! I found my stamps – and
most importantly a stronger faith in God.

The second one: During summer vacations, I would climb up the ceiling (where electric wires were all over) in my grandparents’ house in Toledo City. Old correspondences were stored there and stamps from the 30s –50s were a-plenty. It was a gold mine and I would spend hours removing the delicate stamps from the envelopes. I got into trouble, though, when I climbed one time and broke the glass of the book cabinet that I used as stairs. I was severely punished, not for getting the stamps, but for the shattered glass. With joy comes pain.

When we are thoroughly engaged in an avocation or vocation, we find happiness in what we do because it gives meaning to our lives. We do everything possible to attain perfection in the task even if it involves danger. There are times too that we fail and stumble along the way – yet struggle hard we do to get back on track. Our greatest cheerleader – God – always carries us through. "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great" (Psalm 18:35) Life should be lived passionately; joyfully; fully; boldly – in faith, in love, in Christ. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Life in faith, in love, in Christ assures us of receiving a priceless stamped envelope dated on the Lord’s time containing that all important letter invitation: a heavenly experience of eternal joy. "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11)

by Mel Libre

New Beginning

US President Barack Obama delivered a potent inaugural speech on January 21, 2009 that kept the more than 1 million people at the National Mall in Washington DC silent and reflective.  America’s first black president warmed the hearts and minds of the rainbow of ethnicities present on a cold Tuesday as the United States struggles out of the pit of a pointless war, a tattered economy and  grappling foreign relations.   

“That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood," the 47-year old president said, "Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.”

He called on his constituents to choose "hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord" to overcome the enormous problems that they faced as he declared, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America."

As he reminded America of the old values that built the nation: hard work, honesty and fair play, tolerance, loyalty and patriotism, he made repeated references to God as he summoned his people to give their “all to a difficult task." Obama’s prayer within his speech acknowledging the Almighty and seeking help from Him who is above all is perfectly right. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10) As he did so at the end of his oath with the words: “So help me God”. For one who seeks God’s help shall find. "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you." (Jer. 29:13-14a).

To President Obama, I dedicate the song, New Beginning, that I recently composed: Refrain: Welcome to a new beginning/Life is truly worth living/The past is over and gone/Today, there’s much to be done//Verse 1 Now is the time/To do what we’re meant for/It may seem a long and difficult climb/But we can actually soar/With the Lord at our side/It’ll be a great and wonderful ride//Repeat Refrain

by Mel Libre

Moving On

"Oh, TawagAwit? They sounded awful during the Sinulog!" the woman told the other who asked the former to join the group. I was among the singers in the group that performed during the programme on the third Sunday of January 2008 in Auckland. We failed to nail it as the microphones malfunctioned and the group neither had a sound check or a dress rehearsal. It was also the first public performance of the group in a major religious-cultural event – the singers suffered from "freshman jitters". But we have moved on since then.


While we are meant to be perfect in the eyes of God – we are not, for as long as we are in this world. Our humanness builds in each one of us bits and pieces of flaws. "So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin." (Romans 7:14) If we are blotfree then we should be in heaven all at once.

Sainthood is not a birthright, rather, it is a process of tests, sufferings, sacrifices, enlightenment, wisdom and faith. St Paul went through such process as he morphed from adversary to advocate; from cold blade to shining light; from persecutor to evangelist. For it is in the acceptance of our imperfection and admission of our transgressions that we are set free and be elevated to fulfilling our faith mission. "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)


The past is better left off to the past. Today is what is of importance. As essential as your action is; so is your intent. For even if you fail in accomplishing the task at hand, it is what is in your heart that pleases God. "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16) The agonising cry of a penitent may seem disgusting to the human ear; but to God it is the most melodic, being the heart sound of repentance and of faith. "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)

by  Mel Libre

N.E.W. Y.E.A.R.

The entry of a New Year has different meaning to people of different backgrounds. Many celebrate it with pomp and festivities. Others take time out in solitude and ponder about the future. Some simply let the first day of the year slip by just like any other day. There are those who visit places of worship seeking divine guidance.

My take on the New Year comes in the form of breaking the code on the two words "New Year": N stands for New Stage; E for Emerge; W for Warrant; Y for Yearn; E for Enlighten; A for Act and R for Reflect.

New Stage
A new dawn; a new chapter; a new beginning; a New Year; a New You. The great thing about being a faith believer is that we can always be reborn. The past year had its share of good times and bad; victories and failures; joy and suffering – but we should be grateful that we are here and now. Today is the first day for the rest of our lives. Look around you -- see, smell, taste, hear, feel the beauty of the world, the wonder of life, the promise of the Lord.

Emerge
We carry with us the burden of sin in the year we left behind. If we do not repent and confess, the load of transgressions will remain with us everyday of our lives. Through Christ, we are given the opportunity to emerge from the murky waters of sinfulness to the sparking shores of hope. We can shine once more in the eyes of God.

Warrant
We should not abuse the kindness and love of God. He does forgive us of our sins, but if we do not change our evil ways, it may be too late for us to be saved. (For death is certain, it is the time that is uncertain.) He meant us to be perfect; and as such we should strive to be. We are guaranteed a place in His Kingdom; in return we must warrant our belief and our faith in Him, and profess our love for Him not just in our thoughts but most importantly through our deeds.

Yearn
What do we want with our lives? We not only need to learn about ourselves more, but thirst for the wisdom to know the purpose for which we were created to be. People take a lifetime to search for their life mission, yet it is right under our noses, it is in our hearts. Life’s meaning is imprinted in the soul, the tie that binds us to our Maker. Let that desire; that yearning burn strongly in the heart.

Enlighten
The path towards enlightenment is in God’s Word. He reveals His plan for each one of us in the Holy Bible. He speaks to us through the prophets, through the apostles, through Jesus Christ. By praying, and reading His Holy Word, we engage in a personal conversation with God. He leads us the way in calm moments, more so in troubling times. He reveals the gifts we each possess, all for the purpose of serving His people, of glorifying His name.

Act
The realisation of God’s will for us is by doing. His Word should be alive through our deeds. We ought to touch others people’s lives using the gifts bestowed upon us. It is our conduct at home, at school, at work where we become genuine ambassadors of Jesus Christ. It is in the ordinariness in circumstances and situations that the extraordinariness of God needs to be revealed through our actions.

Reflect
We have a tendency to easily forget our mistakes that make us bound to commit the same. It is ideal that we find time to reflect on what we have done with our day, with our life. In moments of stillness, count your blessings, relish the wonderful deeds and repent on sins and wrongdoings. Talk to the Lord that He will shield you from the devil and that He grants you another day to fulfil His will on earth, as it is in Heaven.

by Mel Libre