The Bible Journey Collection

 

The Bible Journey Collection

No One Loves You More than I do

(To read: Tap link above)

You'll come to know how great a love can be. You come to realize, no matter how much love you can receive from anyone in your life, "no one but no one" can ever be compared to how much love God can give. It's a wonderful feeling!

The Pain of Losing You

(To read: Tap link above)

We build up a relationship, a connection, a future with someone; but then, something did not fit, happened and we are heart broken, and we ask, "Why?"

The Help of Silence

(To read: Tap link above)

There it is. Whatever leads to the outside, started first from the inside. It starts from each one. Each soul. From within, from the mind to the heart where they are completed and ended in actions. Going outside. Starting from the Root.

The Book Road

(To read: Tap link above)

"What a cheat! Had I not seen this little secret, I would not dare to find out what this "Word" meant written in front of this black door.

The Paradise Walk

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I kept walking on an imaginable road. For below my feet, there was only darkness, and everywhere. As if I was in outer space. Though in outer space or the universe, I was taught to believe in the presence of stars, planets, galaxies, and more.

Blessings of the Simple

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He isn't a saint, nor a famous person nor a celebrity on a tabloid, but just a simple "He". 

The Finish Line

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For only the Winner celebrates by the "Out" door, for the Loser stays behind, defeated or won over, as its Knowledge, Strength and Faith have died on the field.

The Burning Fire

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A warrior; a swimmer; a forester; or a survivor that entered and came out; that started and ended; that fought and won; undoubtedly left an enemy; a competitor; an animal; a problem; behind. Behind.

The Coming of Christ

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"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

 

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The Bible Journey

 

 

 

@thepen20/bbayonito20

The Help of Silence

 

 

The Help of Silence

 

For many times, we must have searched, wished or prayed for silence. Yes, silence. The precious Silence, the help of silence in our lives.

Starting from our own minds, chaos and confusions can already be present. They can even be beyond our control unless we stop, take a deep breath and strive to obtain calmness from getting silence. So we can concentrate better on anything that really matters. For us not to waste time on useless thoughts in our minds, we need to be quiet, be silent. Needing the help of silence.

From childhood, I have learned its importance. Every child is expected to listen, follow and be obedient to their parents. Honor them. Even in God's commandments it is there. Honor thy father and thy mother.

Some children have parents that love to talk. Even nonsense. They call it parent's advice or teachings or guidance. Depending on how they really are for a child's perception of their talks, any child can give them another name. They can be intrusion, nonsense and even call it "a sermon". That was how we, my brothers and sisters, used to call it whenever our mother starts to burst out whatever she wanted to express or relay on an early morning like seven o'clock, on a Sunday, just to get us out of bed considering the time late for the soon coming Sunday mass. 

Our mother was raised as an early bird since childhood. Something she passed to all her children. For her, as she taught, "early birds get the first food," For life, we have appreciated that.

So on a sunday morning, she could threaten us to throw water, cold water, just to get us out of bed. Something that she never did anyway. If sermons and threats would not work, she would resort to putting on her favorite long play albums on the music stereo, put it on a loud volume that could be heard blocks away, and sit herself quietly on a chair to enjoy her doings, maybe to calm herself down. I even saw her once, smiling to herself on her last resort. And, of course, it always worked. We wanted at least a low volume or none at all.

In some families as I have come to find out through the years, noise is worse. Parents fighting verbally, and even leading to physical assault. Obviously, they are but concentrated on selfish aims. Those are moments they only care about themselves, how they feel, how to make their points across and to win the battle and feel themselves the right one to have the reason the other one must accept. 

While in the background, their children are trembling with fear as they listen and witness, wondering what's coming next between the parents in trouble then to themselves, their children, afterwards. For as children, most often, receive the consequences of the moment. 

There it is. Whatever leads to the outside, started first from the inside. It starts from each one. Each soul. From within, from the mind to the heart where they are completed and ended in actions. Going outside. Starting from the Root.

We sometimes say, "The Root of it All."

What is it then? What is the root of it all? Could we ever figure out? Of course we can. With self honesty, we can. But. But we have to reach "silence" first to reach it. To be calm. To serene ourselves. To think. THINK BETTER.

Some parents send their children to go out of their houses to play in the backyard or make it a point their children aren't around whenever they have issues to settle between themselves. Their children are lucky enough to have them, I shall say. But not all children.

As a child, even before my twelfth year of age, I have already realized that "adults" are more complicated between themselves than children are. Yet they claimed they know what they are thinking, saying and doing in their own lives and others.

"Only God knows if you're lying or not." That is what I used to say to myself. Then leave it there. Period.

Through my own and others experiences: like hearing from families, relatives, friends, classmates, teachers, well everyone and through movies, books, whatever, I have come to know that deep inside each human heart in their deepest desire , hopes and prayers, we all want peace. And before you can ever reach that status, you need Silence. Learn it what. Find out how.

At first, I thought that escaping from troubled situations, loud noises and conflicts was to go out and find a friend or someone to talk to, hang out with and enjoy companies no matter what that would make me feel better. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they just make you feel worse or lead you to regrets.

Then, I tried to dip into reading since it is one of the things I am passionate about. I used to stay in more time in libraries before or after school started just to get away. Sometimes when there is a "big sermon" going on in our house, I pack up my bag ang books and spend time in school libraries or somewhere else. If my mother asks, I would say, "I need to study in a quiet place", when room is not enough to provide it.

As I grew older, I came to know a better and the best refuge to escape the crazy world. Inside the church.

Inside ourselves is a church itself.

When we read or hear about the word "church", we quickly imagine the church or sanctuary building itself. Anyway, to find silence, where else is the best place to be?

Some find that the best place to get silence is in the parks, high top mountains, deep waters or sailing, in their own private place, private room. But all of them are just the environment, the backyard of the church.

The church itself is inside us.. We can only be inside our church if we are silent. The Help of Silence gives way to connect to our inner selves. And find peace. But it is not that easy. To find peace we have to know how. And to realize that the Only One that can give us peace in our heart and inner self so achingly search for and desire is no one but God himself alone. And how, through His Son, Jesus. For that is how He, God himself, wants it to.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

I did not say that, and no one ever has the right to say that and guarantee but Jesus himself. As it was written in the holy scriptures of John 14:27.

With the Help of Silence, let Peace come to us. May finding Jesus leads us all to settle ourselves in peace. Amen.

@thepen20/bbayonito20

The Pain of Losing You

 

The Pain of Losing You

 

Pain is always associated with separation from something we created. Yes. We created to connect ourselves with something, with someone, and with ourselves.

A project that did not succeed causes pain. A relationship with someone we have learned to love that did not work causes more pain. But, a self project that resulted to unacceptable results, oftentimes, even leads to suicide.

All of them are a creation.

We have a vision, a plan, an implementation of what we have created; but then, it did not work, it failed, something went wrong, and we ask, "Why?"

We build up a relationship, a connection, a future with someone; but then, something did not fit, happened and we are heart broken, and we ask, "Why?"

We studied, got involved completely, worked hard mentally, physically and even emotionally using all the possible and available tools, learnings and instruments; but then, we did not get our expected or hoped results. We failed to achieve personal goals, heart desires, and we ask, "Why?"

If we have ever felt any of these, could we even pause, stop, think a moment, how much more The Creator of Everything, our creator, God Himself, who is the reason of our existence and everything we are gifted, enjoyed yet taken for granted and destroyed, would feel, and asked us, "Why?" Do we have the answer?

Have we ever understood, "The Pain of Losing You?"

The disobedience of the first man ever created by God, Adam, must have caused the greatest pain. We should just imagine, receiving bad, very bad feedback from the most treasured creation among great creations that God himself has created.

God is perfect. His creations are perfect as Him; but...there's an enemy. And that enemy, from the time of Adam, has followed ALL God's creations with the aim to destroy and challenge. For the enemy is the Master of Envy. Don't we ever know that? Maybe. How far can we look away and how long even more can we deny it?

But then, Oh! but then...God is God With all He has done, given, and forgiven AGAIN and AGAIN; keep on blessing, renewing and even to the point of sacrificing His Only Son, "Why?" do we still keep on looking for, creating and worshipping "Other Gods?"

God is spirit. We must worship in spirit and in truth.

God is not a built in sculpture, not a highest ambition, not the passionate lust, not a glowful coin nor the bundle of papers. In a blink of an eye, ALL of them can be gone. Then what for us? Have we ever realized that? Or are we too afraid to even think about it? 

CLIMATE CHANGE is happening, maybe just AS A SIGN. Even just  the mere word, "climate" has another significance and meaning, not just referring to visible and invisible "nature" we call. What is happening to the sun, moon, stars, mountains, oceans, etc and etc that we referred to as "climate change" results of man's disturbances on them may  not be the "real issue".

How about what's going on BETWEEN US. Does the "CLIMATE" between people need not make any CHANGES? Do we really believe God cares more about the sun, the moon, the universe etc. more than us?

"NO ONE LOVES YOU MORE THAN I DO."

I believe those are the True Message of Climate Change.

Instead of understanding it, embracing it, we succumb ourselves to our God's enemy, and our enemy if we are on God's side. And, of course, it will continue as continuous destruction of everything aimed by the Destructor through the most loved creation of God, us. Do you believe it? Why? not?

THINK. We must have done it long time ago. While we have time, maybe it's TIME to think about it. Change the climate between us for the GOOD. 

 

 @thepen20/bbayonito20

Look Up!

 

 Look Up!

 

The woman with two children on both hands were walking on the mud that covers their feet. She was looking up the sky while the two young children were looking at the mud and all around them. The little boy's age is two years and his sister has ten.

The woman's face was bright. She was looking up as if talking to someone or seeing something good, despite of the cloudy and dark sky.

The two children's faces were full of worries and disgust. It was hard for them to lift up their feet to walk while their mother's walk with ease.

Then they raised up their heads and swayed them around. Their minds must be questioning what was going on. They saw the same thing on other people who have their heads bowed to earth. All of them just concentrated on what the earth can give them and what they can get from it and each other.

There were many grown up people walking alone with their eyes on the mud of the earth. They all seemed to be heavy laden. No one really happy but worried, irritated and troubled.

Some were like them. Children with someone holding their hands while walking. On one of them, they noticed a man with two boys on both hands. 

Out of nothing, wild animals were coming towards them. Seeing them, the man with the boys around twelve and twenty years, quickly lifted up their carried arms to fight and defend themselves.They fought hard and determined to win.

"We won the battle!"

They shouted after defeating the beasts. Everyone around them heard it and were looking at the winners, like the boy walking alone beside the three of them.

"Who are they?"

The two year old boy asked.

"They said they are the Warriors of Light."

The ten year old sister repeated it.

"The Warriors of Light?"

After responding to their question, the boy with shoulder length hair, dressed in tunic and with flat sandals of old times, went walking ahead of them. There was a yellow colored brightness in his silhoutte. Then he disappeared.

The two children turned their look at the man with two boys. They saw them on their knees and bowed heads as if praying silently on a clean, white pavement under a streak of light coming from the sky. They could see where the light was coming from. It was like a bright light coming from an open door. As they looked at it, they felt lightness inside of them that made both of them smiled at each other and giggled.

As they moved their heads to look again at the man and two boys, what they saw on the ground around them suddenly changed their feelings.

"Mother!"

Both hugged her out of fear from what they just saw.

The wild animals were dead. They turned into human bodies but with horns in their heads, claws on the nails of their hands and feet.

"Look Up!"

The woman, their mother, responded. She told them with authority but gentle voice. There was definite reassurance of relief as she said the words. She has been walking easily as she keep their hands in hers.

They obeyed the mother. They looked up to the sky. As they did so, what they feel have changed again. They saw, enjoy and felt the same thing their mother has been enjoying herself all through their life's journey on earth.

Since then, the three of them have never looked somewhere else anymore.

"Look up! Look up to Heaven, my children, look up!"

The Mother said as she put her hands together towards heaven and the children did the same.

"Hail Mary!"

The children said.

The boy who passed by them appeared again looking at them.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

As he turned around again to go on walking, he was transformed into a man but riding on a horse.

The man with two boys saw him and they went to follow him. The two boys were transformed into men and all were holding a sword. The same thing happened to those who were chosen to be with them.

From the sky, the following was heard:

"To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery - just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star." (Revelation 2:26-28) 

The Rider of the Horse turned around. But nothing could be seen but a splash of light like a morning star.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:29)

 

 

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Miracles of Our Lord of Pardon

The following is an excerpt from a prayer book with same title:

Miracles of Our Lord of Pardon

There was as woman who was living in the mountains and was leading an exemplary life. She, wishing to know how many were the wounds that Christ, Our Lord, had received on His Most Sacred Body requested the Lord, with devotion to reveal them to her. The Lord appeared to her and said: 

" You must know that the wounds I received on my body were five thousand four hundred fifty-five; and therefore, I tell you that all those who in memory of them would recite FIFTEEN OUR FATHER'S AND HAIL MARY'S during the year, shall take away from Purgatory fifteen souls and shall be relieved from the penance that should be done for so many mortal sins, and besides, shall obtain the grace and the confirmation of good works."

"Also, whoever recites, during one whole year these prayers, I will give him fifteen days beforehand, My Body to eat, and he will not be hungry and he will not be thirsty, and I will place before him the sign of the cross that will serve him as his guardian and defense; and I, together with My Most Holy Mother, shall attend to him in the hour of his death, and I will receive benignly his soul and will take it to the eternal pleasure, and once there, I will give him the drink of Divinity and whoever should have true sorrow and contrition or repentance for his sins, and comply with the prayers during one year, I will pardon all his sins from the day he was born until his death and I will save him from the power of the demon and from his temptations; and if he is wicked; he will become good and continually I will save his soul from the fires of hell: and that whatever he would ask from my Mother I will grant and give him the life that will entitle him to live in my Kingdom and inhabit with me eternally.

"Whoever takes with him this prayer, and gives it to somebody to read, or will show it to any person, will obtain in this life pleasure and reward. Wherever he may be, this prayer will keep him in peace and intact in the same manner that I kept the heavy waves of the sea. Any person, be it a man or a woman, who would have this prayer shall not die suddenly, shall not be persecuted by his or her enemies, nor shall they be conquered in battle, or imprisoned, or drowned in the sea, nor burned by fire or by lightnings; nor shall be deposed against by any false witness. Any woman who is about to deliver and should hang this prayer on her neck, will deliver easily without any danger."

This prayer was brought over by Don Juan Cardoso from Rome. It was found on the body of a man who was thrown into the sea with a big stone tied to his neck. This man remained floating in the sea without drowning. When he was rescued from the waves, the prayer was found in his possession. Any one carrying it, must carry it with a sincere faith, because God does not know how to fail in His promises. Every day, say the following:

PRAYER

" My Lord, Jesus Christ, remember that I am a sinner. Most Holy Virgin pray for me. You shall always be praised and blessed. Pray for this sinner to Your Beloved Son, Precious beauty of the Angels, the Prophets and patriarchs, Crown of the Martyrs, Apostles, and Confessors, Glory of the Seraphs, Crown of the Virgins, save me from the most fearful figure of the demon when my soul departs from my body. Oh Most Holy Fount of Piety and Beauty of Jesus Christ, Joy of the Heaven, Consolation of the Clergy, Remedy in our works: with You, VIRGIN MOST PRUDENT,  the Angels are happy. Recommend my soul and the soul of all devout Christians, pray for us to Your Blessed Son and take us to the Eternal Paradise where You reign and live forever and there we will venerate you eternally. Amen."

"Sovereign Virgin Mary, Mother of the Living God, because you have delivered Him, pray for all of us sinners so that He may pardon us, save us from the wicked enemy that is fighting us, and grant us the eternal glory. Blessed be forever the Sacred Passion and Death of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Note: The above refered to prayers are worthy of credit because they have been as approved by the Supreme Pontiffs.

 

Imprimatur: 

J. Bustamante

Prov y Vicario Gral

Feb. 25, 1937

 

Nihil obstat: 

E. Boylan S.J.

Imprimi protest:

D Mannix, Arch

Melb.

 

@thepen20/bbayonito20

 

 

The Main Gate

The Main Gate

 

Once there was a son who woke up his father.

"Father! Father, I was killed!"

Abruptly the beardy old man got up from his dreams.

"My son!"

His eyes were shocked and his heart beating fast.

It was already three in the afternoon. He realized his nap became like a whole night sleep. All he remembered, he was too tired he went to rest. He had been working in his garden. He has a big garden in front and around his enormous house, but he always prefer to attend to his plants, flowers, trees and animals as well. He loves them.

Then he remembered, he was reading his favorite series of The Pen.

The Writer Series 11 Called 3 (tap link to read)

Without realizing it, he fell asleep in his swinging bed. He was able to finish reading the story and then staring up to the sky, trying to imagine what the father could have done to the dead son.

He left the bed to sit in one of the chairs made of bamboo rattan like the other three more chairs with its square table making a garden set of furnitures.

A house servant approached him to ask if he wanted anything to drink or eat. He dismissed the offer kindly.

From where he was seated, he could see the front main gate of his property. He was looking straight ahead seeing nothing really, for his mind was occupied with something else.

He remembered his younger son's words to him just few hours ago, before going out again through that Main Gate to invite elected guests for the feast in the house.

"Forgive them father. They do not know what they're doing."

He thought for a while what the son has just said before he responded.

"Then go ahead, my son. I leave them unto your hands. Harvest what you can get from them and burn the rest. For they must understand that I have sent you for I am in you."

So the son left to do the will of the father.

He raised himself up from his chair and took a walk around his big garden. As he did, the past came back again to his mind.

He used to have someone, a man who was the caretaker of his garden. This man with whom he found someone, a woman, to help him in his task.

In the garden, there was a very special and meaningful tree for him. He would never tell anyone why, he will just say it means life to him.

The house and everything around it is owned by the father alone. Nobody understood why, neither anyone of the servants and others who know him have dared to ask.

The day came when his garden caretakers had a child, a first son. He was happy for them, treating the child like his own, just like his treatment to his parents.

As the child grew, he realized that he was disobedient to his parents. He felt sadness about it for he loved them all.

Time passed by and another son was born. It brought him another happiness. 

The younger son turned out to be the opposite in personality and character from his elder brother. He was good and obedient. In whatever that he was, he found favor before the eyes of the father.

As both of the two children grew up, their parents have taught them and imposed in their minds the importance of the mentioned tree by the father. They leave them instructions to give it the biggest, significant care for it was the most important to the father. It has been their teachings to their children till the day each one of them died.

The man caretaker died first then the woman. Their sons were already grown up teens when left by their parents. They were left to the father.

Since then, both sons lived the rest of their lives in the enormous house of the father. 

To live in the father's house, there was only one condition. Obey him. For all who lives in it, all servants obey the father's will and instructions.

Life went on for both sons until one day, the older one committed an unforgivable mistake.

He cut down the most important, untouchable tree in the garden, imagining it as the life of his younger brother, feeling strong jealousy towards him. He put all his anger in the dagger that cuts down the tree into pieces.

The father found out what he did, and the elder son was sent outside the Main Gate.

"If you can't obey me, go outside and do what you want. Just remember, you don't own anything. Neither here inside nor outside. For my eyes will be on you and everything that you do."

This father is the sole owner of everything inside and outside of the Main Gate. He has servants inside and outside that works for him.

Years gone by and both sons grew up. One with him and the other outside the Main Gate.

As those years passed by, the father's annointed men incharge of everything he owned outside the Main Gate had come to report to him about their assigned task and areas.

Through them, the father came to know what the other son had been doing. How he had been destroying and complicating the lives of all the people.

Knowing these, in the presence of the younger son, he sent him.

"Live with them, my son. Save my people."

And the son bowed and responded with agreement.

"Your will be done, for you are my Father."

Then the Main Gate opened as it was narrated by the invited guest of the gate's guard in his Paradise Walk.

The Paradise Walk (click to the link)

Finally, The Pen's writer finished writing and reading this story of "Once upon a time..." when there was a son whose blood claimed the Father for he was killed by his own brother.

End. 

 

@thepen20/bbayonito20 

 

Sacrifice Thank Offerings

 

Sacrifice Thanks Offerings

 

Nowadays, injustices is rampant in every corner of the world. No one is exempted.

After going through a couple of those recently, I have come to realize something, and in my own understanding, understand better the message of God.

The Verse of the Day, 10th of August 2023, of the Bible Gateway, an online religious website with the Bible available in it, says:

Psalm 46:1 (New International Version)

"For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

He is indeed!

Exactly what I was to be reminded of! So, I read more. From the Psalms 46 till 50. I believe to have understood better my own situation. Thus, I made my summary.

Whatever wrongs or injustices done to you, do not seek justice through your own hands. Revealing the truth is not seeking justice. The purpose of taking revenge is. You, as a victim, offers your non-vengeance response as a sacrifice offering to God. For God says, vengeance is his.

"For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay, and again, 'The Lord will judge his people'. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrew 10:30,31) 

Instead, be thankful that an opportunity exists for you to hold tight to your connection to God. Your oath to obey his law. Your promise to follow His Son, who leads you to Him. That through His Son, you get God, the Father's messages to you.

No matter how much the enemy, the devil's efforts, seeks ways for you to fall into traps to sin, you stay firm and strong in  your hold with God. To fulfill your vows of obedience to His law and precepts. So, be thankful instead. 

Be thankful that your soul does not suffer the tortures that comes from the causes of sins committed against God due to disobedience of his laws. For a creator would love his creation, and an enemy would hate enough to destroy such creation. Thus, to torture is but to destroy.

"Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather." (Matthew 24:28)

That though you suffer as "victim", as you believe you are, remember Jesus, the Son of God. Just like him, offering yourself as the sacrifice to God in thanksgiving. Thanksgiving for everything that God is to you, and for the eternal life that's coming from Him alone.

Below is Psalm 50:14, a call from the Son of God, with whom God himself is one:

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Honor the Son of God, for in due honors, God is honored, for God is in him.

And to the wicked sinners in particular, as call of message in the following: (Psalms 50:16 - 21)

16 "But to the wicked person, God says:

'What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?  

17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you join with him, you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

20 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother's son.

21 When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.

Though most oftern it seemed that God "is not doing something" or what we call, "is silent or sleeping"; for it seemed to us, "it seemed", that God has been permissive to wrong doings, all these have never been the case of his tolerance as said in the verse 21. We have to remember, God tolerates for the sake of his love for us. He is love himself. But, we must never forget that He is God. God is God.

So He says: (Psalms 50:22, 23)

22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation."

By God's mercy, we were able to open our eyes to the truth, for God has shown it to us.

By God's help, we were rescued. For he was there at the right moment, place and time.

By God's faithfulness, we were kept in his care. For he make us feel his presence through understanding.

By God's Son, we have light. For he has guided us how to obey God through Him as the Message itself.

And so many more ways by God. We realize, God is always present. Our God never ceases to love us. In His Son, we are accompanied to Him.

What a joy! Praise be to God!

Glory and Honor, Power and Understanding, Praises and Strength, be to our God forever and ever.

Amen.

 

 @thepen20/bbayonito20

 

God is

                                                                                            

God is

by The Pen

                                                      

God is like the clouds in the sky.

He forms himself into many ways.

Turn them to grey or white or black,

 depending on how He feels.

Sometimes sunny, pouring and other

 times thundering too.

But always all of them passes away,

 then He calms down again.

Thus, He gives rainbow in the sky

 in full colors.

God is like the wind in his spirit form.

He runs himself in all ways not 

 leaving a corner unreached.

He turns himself strong, mild or soft

 like a gentle bliss.

Sometimes so caressing, yet sometimes

 so overthrowing.

But always all of them passes away,

 then He calms down again.

Thus, He gives sunshine in its most

 warming embrace.

That is God, in his name and what he is.

He created everything, not a thing excepted.

May it be good or bad to human understanding.

For who will understand God when no human

 can even understand itself?

But all believes to know better than the

 Creator of all.

Blessed be God for he exists. Simply as that.

Most of all, for He is the Only One and Holy.

@thepen20/bbayonito20

The Good Brother

 

The Good Brother

 

 One day, I was walking by the beach with my favorite brother. He was holding a bamboo stick by the size of his long, slender arm.

"Brother, what does it take to go to heaven?"

I asked him as I looked up to him on my side. He stands twice my twelve year old girl height.

It was our early morning walk. Far across the sea is the sun shining and rising up on its half way to the clear blue sky. Indeed, a very beautiful day and precious moment, like many I have already spent with my good brother.

"Why do you want to go to heaven?"

He asked instead of responding to my question without looking at me. He was staring at the clear sand sparkling on our feet as we walked, as it was beautified by the golden color of the sun.

"You've always talked to me about the father. How good he is, kind, loving, rewarding and yet punishes. He wasn't there when I was born and I have never set my eyes on him. Yet you told me, he's always been around and he lives in heaven.

He stopped walking to face me. His white pijamas shone brightly with the sun at his back almost the top of his head.

I came out too with my pink pijamas. Our house is close to the seashore. It has been our habit to spend our early mornings, walking by the beach and him talking to me about our father. You see, there has always been him and I.

My brother is about thirty years old, yet never been engaged nor married. He spent his whole life loving and taking care of me.

I returned his smile so sweet that it always calmed me down everytime I am a bit disturbed and lost. For I am sure, he is paying attention.

First he helped me to sit down, then he himself sat beside me on the sand. We were then facing the calm blue sea in front of us with its little waves sounding like a soothing music to my ears.

Slowly, my brother placed his stick ahead of us on the sand and we were seated with both arms wrapped around our knees.

"Our father is like the wind. You don't know where it comes from or where it is going."

He started to say.

"Yes. You've told me he is a spirit."

I added to him.

"He is. So, if you love him, you're loving a spirit. And if you want to go to heaven, you must be a good spirit, for everything that goes to heaven is good. For the Father is good. No more, no less."

I felt my eyebrows crossed before asking him another question.

"So how do I become a spirit? Especially a good spirit."

I turned to him with big questioning eyes, aching to receive a quick answer to my rising anxiety.

The handsome face of my brother with a smile paired by his loving eyes calmed me down as he reached his arm, placing it on my shoulder to pull me closer to him.

A relieving breath left me and relaxed myself in his arms that wrapped me, while the wind blew lightly on my long hair, just as it touched my brother's shoulder length hair.

"When a human body dies, the breath left by the Father into the body to give it life, leaves the dead body for it will be turned into ashes. But that breath he gave is the spirit that comes out from the dead body."

He was explaining and as I reminished each word, I was reaching some understanding. So my head was nodding. But then, another thing intrigues my mind.

"And all spirits go to heaven."

I spurted out the words of assumptions.

A sad look replaced the smiling eyes of my brother. His smile left. Instead, he looked at the stick first then responded with a low word.

"No."

I heard his response, for he hugged me closer as he looked back at me.

"Why?"

I enquired with a heart breaking question, almost afraid what could be his answer.

"Because not all spirits given by the father to give life to humans are as clean and pure as they were given when they were born."

Saying those words, my brother took a deep breath afterward.

I was speechless. So he continued.

"You see, my dear, what comes down from heaven goes back to heaven. The father will claim back his own spirits. It was given clean, it must return clean. Otherwise, anything dirty is rubbish."

He looked back at me to see my expression, I thought.

"And whatever is garbage and rubbish must be thrown away to the fire to be burned."

The eyes of my brother did not flip flap in his look at me. Expecting more from me, I believed.

"Yeah. Just like the fallen leaves in our backyard that you'll have to sweep away later on."

I said laughingly at him. He laughed with me too.

"You are right. I was sent to clean."

Then we decided to get back on our feet and walk back to the house because he has to clean.

I looked at his stick.

"What is that stick for you're holding?"

I asked him for the last time.

He stared at his stick with a serious, deep look in his face.

"This is what I will use to measure and tap the dry leaves from the branches of the trees that seemed to be so stubborn to let go from damaging the other leaves with their insects and bugs."

He responded with a wink as he turned to me.

"Good, Brother!" 

I heartily laughed with him as we begun to set our race back to the house. 

 

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