He is thinking of You and Me

After the arrest in the middle of the night, Jesus was next brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiphus, the High Priest; it is here that the first physical trauma was inflicted. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiphus. The palace guards then blind-folded Him and mockingly taunted Him to identify them as they each passed by, spat upon Him, and struck Him in the face.

Yet, Jesus didn't say anything because He was thinking of you and me.

The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum (or flagellum) in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back, and legs. At first the thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.  The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows. Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped.

Again, Jesus didn't do anything, because He was thinking of you and me.

The half-fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood. The Roman soldiers see a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be king. They throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still need a crown to make their travesty complete. Flexible branches covered with long thorns (commonly used in bundles for firewood) are plaited into the shape of a crown and this is pressed into His scalp.  After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. Already having adhered to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, its removal causes excruciating pain just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, and almost as though He were again being whipped the wounds once more begin to bleed.

And yet again, Jesus didn't do  or say anything, because He was thinking of you and me.

He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance.

Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh. He refuses to drink.  Simon is ordered to place the patibulum on the ground and Jesus quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood.  Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum is then lifted in place at the top of the stripes and the titulus reading ,"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" is nailed in place.

Even at this point, Jesus is thinking of you and me.

The left foot is now pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists excruciating pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain -- the nails in the writs are putting pressure on the median nerves.  As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.

Jesus cries out in agony, but he is thinking about us still: you and me.

A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine which is the staple drink of the Roman legionaries, is lifted to His lips. He apparently doesn't take any of the liquid. The body of Jesus is now in extremes, and He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brings out His sixth words, possibly little more than a tortured whisper, "It is finished."

Even at His last breath, He was thinking of you and me.

His mission of atonement has completed. Finally He can allow his body to die.

Thus we have had our glimpse -- including the medical evidence -- of that epitome of evil which man has exhibited toward Man and toward God. It has been a terrible sight, and more than enough to leave us despondent and depressed. How grateful we can be that we have the great sequel in the infinite mercy of God toward man -- at once the miracle of the atonement and the expectation of the triumphant Easter morning.

He rose up from death, because all the while, He was thinking of you and me.

       

What's that in your hands?

The past week had been a real testing ground of faith for me and my family. After the incident with my dearly loved eldest brother of ours come other forms of “mountain-trial experiences” to tackle: the huge hospital bill, my brother's recuperation, and so forth.  Yet and again, God had shown Himself mighty and sovereign.  He provided for every need!  Praise Him!  

It came to me that God can take ‘anything’ what we are keeping for ourselves. This may be:   A habit or lifestyle (smoking, drugs, alcohol), a prized possession, a position in office, your job, or even your spouse or partner, your children?  What about your hopes, fears, broken relationships, ambitions?  Oftentimes, when there is a cry for help, we’re so quick to say, "Hey, not me what could I possibly do? I can’t do it. I am not ready.  I simply can’t quit now.  Call the pastor, or others can do a better job than me!”  Then we find ourselves saying, “It will only complicate things…this is a stumbling block—my life is doing so good now, I can manage…. I’m over this… but not yet.  I don’t have enough, there’s nothing of me to give.”

Actually you have something to give.  Let me tell you, God can take them away from you!  He takes our limited abilities, our weaknesses, our  resources, our comforts in life, our dreams and use them for whatever way He chooses for kingdom building and for great purposes. 

The key to the “miraculous” is first of all seeing the need. Then the tough part – the letting go. Once released, God uses what you are keeping for yourself  to tap into His grace and power.  That’s when miracles happen!  They come as we grow in faith and learn to look to God for His grace - and not to our own abilities.

The big question here is this, “Are you humble enough to let go what it is you have in your hands?”  I’ll leave that up to you.

“Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” Moses replied.

The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Ex 2:2-3

Color:  Seashell

Nikon D40 Macro lens

Song:  Alvin Slaughter:  What’s that you have in your hand?

Please listen to the song.  You’ll be blessed.  I dedicate this song to my siblings.  The greatest MIRACLE I have is you.  I love you all! 

Nothing is Wasted

The news of our dearly loved eldest brother Jojo having a heart attack shook us all.  It was a family crisis, more so for those of us siblings living abroad.  But thank God for a successful operation.  My brother went through a two-vessel stent Angioplasty resolving two left and right blocked arteries.  Prayers were stormed in the heavenlies lifing up my brother for healing and restoration.

The ordeal my brother went through emerged a life-changing, life-transformation experience for him, thus, a MIRACLE!

There's nothing that escapes the notice of God. Everything matters to Him. Not only does it matter, but if you are His child, He promises that every part of your life will be used for your good and His glory.
 
Let it be our prayer that we trust God with every circumstance and moment of our life and for Him to let us see glimpses of how He is making our life beautiful.  Our creator do not waste anything, instead, HE uses everything!  Amen!

"Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted" John 6:12b NIV.

Color:  Seed
Nikon D40
This was an avocado seed taking root planted on a pot of good soil where an old-dried plant had taken homage.  I dedicate the song below to my brother, Jojo Salvador.  I love you Manong.  Your life is more than precious to us!

You are my Hiding Place

"My God is my refuge and strength;

A very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

At around 1:00pm today, Bim and I were alerted  about a bushfire going on nearby.   I received a text warning in my phone about having to seek shelter and actively defend.  Bim had to leave for work but I stayed at home,  vigilant.  Then, I decided to  quickly  pick up the girls from school.  The wind was going fast the westerly direction towards the bush belt along the hills which covers our area.   I wasn’t scared then, not until two young policemen came knocking on my door advising me to evacuate the area within 10 minutes as the fire is now being fanned by easterly winds with gusts up to 50km an hour and spot fires are starting up to 200m ahead of the fire.   

THREAT: A Helitac water bomber fighting the fire near The Vines

I was in a panic.  I have never had this experience before.  I picked up 3 baskets of newly folded  laundered clothes and dropped them in the van.  I couldn’t think well but I was quick to pray.

I turned on all the retic (water sprinklers) around the house and left my home with the girls.  I met up with Jed, my second born at our local library; texted Bim who was at work and CJ who was at Uni.  I called up a Filipino neighbor who didn’t know anything about the fire as she was attending in her classes.  I texted my Perth family that if worst happens, we might be squatting in their homes for shelter.  Then, me and the kids prayed again for protection and guidance.  I told the kids that no matter what happens, God still  reigns sovereign. 

At around 4:30 today, I received a text message again, while on monitor with the local news on the radio, advising us that  the fire has been contained.  A bushfire emergency warning was downgraded to a "watch and act" alert for people in the surrounding suburbs including our own.  Thank God no one was hurt, no homes were consumed by the fire.

We are home now.  I am so grateful we are safe.  I only see these things on television.  But a few hours before really struck me with the harsh reality that my family could lose a home;  It could happen to me and my family!  It was a scary thought.  

Disasters like this are inevitable.  Right now, as I am writing this,  tropical Cyclone Rusty has intensified to a category four and is set to move south across the WA coast near Port Hedland.  Massive flooding from heavy rains is rising in the area  south of Brisbane, and probably more others around the globe:  political unrest, hunger strikes, war, or a burglary right in your neighborhood,  etc.

Can we really say, we are safe?  

Wherever you are, and just when you think you live at the safest place in the world, you can never ascertain your safety.  Only in God’s arms can we truly say, He is our hiding place.  Thank you Lord for YOU are our greatest protector, always!

"My dear Lord, thank you that I can ran to you. 
You are my refuge and strength.  

Thank you that You are my hiding place.  

You are my rock and fortress that shields me from all danger.  

Indeed, You, my God, the great Protector is our

 ever present help in trouble!  Amen."

The  bushfire seen from just a few kilometers 

down the road where new housing developments are being done.

.

To my "Fantastic Four"

Looking at this picture, gives Oh so much delight in my life
It brings deep joy, my heart can’t express much, words are not enough 
The day each of you were born, I knew my world will forever change
I still recall the endurance I have to take, for each labor and pain.

Each of you taught me so much, about unconditional love and such
Your lives showed me life’s meaning, to live for everyday.
You brought me so much more than I can ever dare to dream
Pop and I are so proud of you in each and every way.

CJ, our firstborn, so ambitious, determined, strong and focused
You’ve led a good example to your siblings, one for being courageous.
Jed, fun- loving, creative, hardworking and persevering
You are becoming the man of great honor, what great joy you bring!

Our Daisy, sensitive, pure, as delicate as the lovely flower
You’re amazingly beautiful inside, you bring forth great power.
The lovely Caila, demure, so serving, keen and mature
Your words bring healing, the tightest hugs makes everyone secure.

More often you fight, you disagree, and the unending whine
But  you forgive with words and you forget with a tight embrace.
You are siblings, don’t ever forget, you were knitted in my womb
You’re one, same blood one vine, you're Pop’s and mine, our very own.

Your personalities are so different yet, at times you are the same,
You all love Jesus, hearts are quiet, actions are confident, tongues are tamed,
The one thing I know for sure that will keep you upright and true
You will love each other so and treasure the godly values we taught you.

You hold such strong kinship that transcends the ties of blood
Honor it, nourish it, protect it, keep it alive, keep it always new
Watch out, support each other always, remember you are one
God will bind and bless you through each life journey as you go.


You have grown so fast, we wish your youth had remained
Your parents’ love so profound and deep, so difficult to explain
Someday you’ll be gone, maybe far away, you’ll have families too
Our precious ones, simply know we’re just here, and that we love you so.  

 

Thank God, I am a Filipino

I may be swearing in as an Australian citizen but there’s not a doubt that my heart is and will always be a Filipino. My country, The Philippines, the land of the morning, the land of the free, is composed of 7,107 beautiful islands, the largest known archipelago in the world- is the center of my affections. It is my true home. I do feel desperate, frustrated, and much so sad that my home country is suffering.

But I thank God for suffering! No nation or individual in the entire course of human history has become great without suffering. Thank God for the pollution, the crime, the poverty, the squalor and the misery. Thank God for all the people who moan and complain, thank God for all the people who get down on their knees to pray, and weep and proclaim: “Something has to change!”

So to rubbish with what the world, the media, the millions of cynics may say! Because “yes, the Filipino can” and soon the Filipino will! I refuse to lose hope in the Filipino, because I refuse to lose hope in my family and friends, I refuse to lose hope in myself. Thank God, the Filipinos can change. Thank God, we, Filipinos can work, inspire, lead, act and care!

Whatever else the future brings, thank God, THANK GOD I am still, and forever will be a Filipino!

I am attaching herewith a moving video of a poor Filipino boy who finds a paper Philippine flag in the dirt, dusts it off and climbs up an abandoned flagpole with it. It shows the true heart of every Filipino; resilient, committed, love of country, dedicated and strong to the end. The song in the background is the "Lupang Hinirang", our national anthem, simply delivered by a choir of innocent voices. It made me cry. Everything I love about my Philippines is represented in that boy. When he reaches the top of the pole, he raises and waves the Philippine flag. He is like the eagle, with wings spread out shining, strong, young and free!

God bless the Philippines!

Mabuhay ka Pilipinas!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

No, I Did Not Forget

The Lord said to Abram:  

"Leave your country, your family, and your relatives 

and go to the land that I will show you.  

I will bless you and make 

your descendants into a great nation.  

You will become famous and be a blessing to others.  

I will bless anyone who blesses you, 

but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you.  

Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you”.

(first sunset in Perth, 3rd January, 2009.  Scarborough Beach)

Flight SQ 112, aboard Singapore Airlines.  

I will never forget the eve of the New Year, 2009.  I was on the plane enroute to Perth, Western Australia.  Eyes all damp and puffed up;   my heart was aching....crying, missing my family back home in Bacolod. Clutching on to my bag, I had great anticipation for a new life journey ahead. I was ready.  God has brought me thus far.  There was no turning back.

It’s been four years and 29 days since I set foot in the land down under, the land where I was promised to go, the land which brought about the realization of an impossible dream, the land of inheritance.

(a shot from the plane, Singapore Airlines, Jan. 1, 2009)

It’s been a blessed journey, a walk in faith never traveled alone. In His Goodness, His  amazing grace was abundant and His hand never short by showing me my "lot"  through these lovely people.  They were there tirelessly, walking with me the extra mile, whether silently or with words or with actions; the ones who never left my side.  To all of you, my heart says a humble “Thank You”.

To my Salvador-Medina Family --- my Mama, whose dreams for me never waivered.  I miss you.  I know you and Papa are looking at me now from heaven.  I know you are proud of me.  I know you are smiling big.  I love you Pa and Ma.  You have been my inspiration.  My siblings and their families starting from our eldest, Manong Jojo, Manong Jiji, Manong Jules, Manong John, Jeffrey and Janice --- thank you!  No, I did not forget your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for believing in me.  I love you all, my siblings!

To my Locsin- Gomez family – From Papa Ed, Tita Alice, Tita Nena, Ray and H, Gerro and Gina, Jang, Meg, Tita Pynky, Aisch, Heiner.   No, I did not forget your loving support and encouragement while going through nursing school.  With you backing me up, I have earned my bachelors degree in Nursing.

My church family -  the backbone of my Exodus, who prayed for me earnestly: Pastor Joe and WOP family, FFI family, Ikthus staff and supporters particularly from the 10AM service and the Operation Care Ministry team.  I wouldn’t have “crossed the Jordan River” without you cheering for me to finish the race! No, I did not forget you.

My Jonathan sisters, Ione and Jessa.  And my sister, Mayang…..Words are not enough…thank you’s are not enough…. Hugs are not enough!  No, I did not forget the love and the prayers.  Thank you for “walking” with me.

I did not forget the very first “family”  I have here in Perth. Jing.  You probably didn’t know how blessed I am to have you as I was starting here in Perth!  Thanks for picking me up at the airport and for helping  me get a new accommodation.  The little things you did for me are a “huge” blessing!  You made my first journey steps lighter.

(Jing brought me straight to Dome from the airport for a large breakfast!)

My very lovely, and one and only landlady, Fleur!  Thanks for making me feel at home.  Thanks for showing me “things” aussie style!  You and Stef were angels and will always be.

(Stef and Fleur, at my new apartment, April 2009)

Then, there’s Faith.  My first barkada, almost half my age!  Now who would ever imagine that God will put us together here in one place?  A small congregation of people from Ikthus?  Then comes Tara and Jenny, then Ysa, and then Tracy and Estee.  How can I forget?  You were my first family in a foreign land!  Our trips to the beach, our cuppa’s, laughter and adventures together just so that we wouldn’t be lost and alone!  Look at us now!  We are a growing family of lovely, beautiful people! I praise God for all of you!

(Faith, Tara, Jing and Fleur - they helped me move in my new apartment, April 2009)

Mitzi, my Mitzi!  Four years of trusty service until now.  I will never forget our "firsts" - first flat tire, first overheat, first change of radiator, first school (bridging course), first job interview! You've seen my successes and my failures, my worst and my finest! Nothing is hidden from you! You were my constant, loyal companion from the very beginning!   How can I ever part from you?  You are a keeper!

(Very first car in Perth, Mitsubishi Starwagon, people mover.  I named her Mitzi--- a very reliable one!)

My precious jewels, CJ, Jed, Daisy and Caila…. You gave me strength to go on at the crucial times when I was about to give up.  All the hard work and sacrifice are a breeze   because you are all worth it!

(CJ, Jed, me, Caila and Daisy--- at Scarborough Beach - their first Perth adventure)

And my Bim --- my ever supportive partner and the love of my life.  Can’t imagine life without you.

(In joy and in sadness, in sickness and in health, together forever and for eternity.
  April 2009 at Scarborough beach)

No, I didn’t forget,   I will NEVER forget!

What about you, my friend?  Do you remember the people who helped you where you are now?  I hope you didn't forget.