Lenten Series: King of kings, Lord of lords (Palm Sunday)

 

Greetings! Happy Palm Sunday and Happy British Summer times! Wew! That was a wrap! 

Today I woke up literally so late! OMG! My smart watch did not sync to my phone! I woke up from my colleagues phone calls! That was so embarrassing! Also a big mistake. I should have set up my wake up call from my phone, not on my watch! Hahaha! So funny! So today, the British time goes back 1 hour. And my watch clock did not sync! Wow! Hahaha! I literally threw my watch. Useless! Hahaha. Good thing, I booked a taxi so quick. I arrived 27 minutes late. Hahaha! And when Hani, my colleague told me everyone came in late today. That was hilarious. 

Today is Palm Sunday. We have this beautiful verse from Luke. This verse features the crowd’s joyful acclamation during Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem. They were all shouting, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”, affirming Jesus’ divine authorization and recognizing him as the promised King from PSALM 118:26.

The phrase, “Peace is the heaven and glory in the highest” echoes the angelic announcement at Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:14, signaling that Jesus’ arrival brings a reconciliation between God and humanity. 

This verse is so powerful and humbling, because it’s like a battlecry. A cry emphasizing the Jesus is the only one and true king. Our messiah. Our saviour. A cry telling everyone that no one will ever hurt us because He will protect us from all enemies. A cry telling everyone that He is the only begotten son that whoever believes Him will not perish but have everlasting life. A cry telling that we only proclaim Him as one true God. 

Also, this Palm Sunday reminds us that we are like the crowd. The same crowd that shouts glory to the highest, but at the same time the same crowd who shouted “CRUCIFY HIM!”. We are like the crowd who denied him. We were one of those crowd that rejected him, and abandoned him. 

It’s the beginning of holy week. This Sunday is the start. Acknowledging him and accepting him is one way how to follow him. Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. Let us try to do our best to follow his ways. 

Some people take this time to book holidays and do enjoyment to themselves. Time is changing now. Well, I can’t blame them that’s why here in the UK, it’s called Easter break. But who are we to judge. But back in the Philippines, people especially average families, attend church activities. I remember we did processions during Good Friday, and do easter vigils. I literally miss home because of this activities. Now, I am trying to fast and not to eat meat this week. Avoiding desserts, sweets, social media, online shopping even intimate moment. These are my ways to honour and glorify the Lord. Because Holy week for me is so special, I exercise it properly because this is my devotion. Jesus is my Lord and my companion.

Have a blessed Palm Sunday to all! And have a meaningful holy week to everyone! 

Lenten Series: God's shield and defense

 

Greetings! Hello weekend! I'm back to work now, morning shift! ugh! Yes I hate it sometimes but thinking about finishing early is the best reason I love early shifts.

We have this special colleague, special in a way that everyone hates her. I will not mention her name but she's working in the kitchen most of the time doing breakfast and dinners. Some say she's grumpy most of the time. I mean yes, she doesn't smile more often but she's kind. I remember I gave her a little token last Christmas day and a hand cream when she went home last month to Bulgaria, she gave me a hand cream as well and I loved it becuase it's made from Bulgarian rose. I also found out that she had divorce a few years ago but she only had one son and I already met him. He was lovely and I can see that he loves his mum so much. She also finished her degree in Business? Not really sure what is it. But she did complete her while working on the same hotel we are working now. I was extremely proud of her because she told me she had no time to finish her course when she was younger and now is the perfect time for her to finish it since her son is already old enough to sustain himself and it's the best time to look for herself and accomplish things she did not do when she was raising her child alone. She is genuinely hardworking I can say. Very independent and persevere. She cleans the kitchen every breakfast, she took her time to clean it until 2pm the latest I can remember. God! She is a hard worker! I can’t complain. You wouldn’t just see her smile more often. She easily panic during busy breakfast and tends to very grumpy and almost breaks plates which you don’t differ from being busy, proactive or just angry. She has moods but she is definitely not complaisant. There were times I hate working early shifts because she’s doing breakfast shifts all the time. And I always ask God to give me a lot. Tons of patience. Because you wouldn’t just know if she likes me, she got irritated. She needs help or just want to be alone. Really? I really don’t know what she likes. Or maybe all of us were youngsters and she can’t complain? I really don’t know. On April 9th, we’re going to have a team meeting, maybe that time we can all raise all our opinions, questions and complaints. Just to make everything direct and end all the whos and whats. And that’s right. We need to have a unified agreement in all the standards and procedures. Because if anyone decides to do it her/his way, we may not all agree. Overall, I love her. She’s just a little too difficult to understand sometimes. She has moods and her gestures are not appropriate. I mean she’s challenging and rigorous but she still have a soft spot.

This Saturday morning I was so reluctant to catch the train or just take a taxi going to work. I struggled to wake up this morning. Maybe because 3 days of holiday was over. I literally stayed 15 more minutes to bed before I decided to catch the train. It was so breezy and cold but the sun shines earlier now than before since spring is starting and British summer time is beginning tomorrow meaning an hour back to the normal hours to save day light. When I was walking going to work, I love how little flowers starting to grow whether from trees and grass. It’s really beautiful. There is one in Alma road, it’s a pink flower and petals just fall down because of the breeze.

      They are called Camellia Japonica.

 

They are so beautiful, the leaves looked so golden because of the sunrise and the petals looked almost fake because of the colour and texture.     

Now, we have this beautiful verse from the book of Psalms from David while fleeing from his Son Absalom. It highlights God’s protective, validating, and encouraging nature during times of crisis and immense pressure. “Shield around me”, represents God’s total protection. Unlike a hand-held shield, this implies a 360-degree shield that protects from all sides. “My glory”, suggests that true honour and reputation come from God, not from earthly status or success. “Lifter up of my head”, implies lifting someone out of despair, restoring confidence, and alleviating shame of hopelessness. 

This verse marks a shift in the Psalm from describing the threats(v.1-2) to declaring confidence in God’s protection and restoration. 

My personal view in this verse is that God is always the source of my strength. He is also my weak spot. For every battle I face, God is my shield, my fortress and my refuge. He calms the storm. He will always be your guide. I remember when I was still in my old job, I had a difficult coworker. And I felt like I had the worst job ever being a CRO(Client Relations Officer). I was not allowed to sit, I should always be in my heels when assisting clients and I need to do credit card forms before going home amidst not having my own desktop. Life was tough. Challenges always come and go. Every branch I went was always a disaster. There are obstacles. There is no perfect branch. But I held up high. I humbled myself always. And took a deep breath, praised the Lord for all His goodness. Because He is my strength.

Now, almost the same. New job, new environment. New colleagues. New challenges. But there is no battle I’ve won without God. He always walks beside me, before me and behind me. I have come far now, there is no room to quit. 

For the Glory!

God bless us all! 

Lenten Series: The source of unity

 

 

Greetings! This is the last day of my holiday before I go back to work tomorrow. Three days has gone so fast. Anyway, I am looking forward to my next holiday on Tuesday, that’s the last holidays I can avail before going to the next annual year for holidays on April. Today was gloomy. I decided not to go out for a run. It was rainy, cold and breezy. I did an activity that will make me feel active and that is house cleaning!!!! 

I woke up with a shocking news this morning that my mum decided to go home unexpectedly to Cebu to attend her sister’s burial tomorrow. It was so sudden that it was supposed to be yesterday or two days prior. It was a last minute decision she made. Me, my dad and my sister were so worried. She’ll be traveling on her own. I rang her this morning and felt at peace that she’s on the bus going to Clark Airport. Her flight is at 5.45am, she’ll be arriving between 7-8am in Cebu just before her sister’s burial. My dad was flabbergasted and I could hear his words coming from our group chat. He sounds so angry and grumpy. But at the same time, I totally understand my mum. I mean that’s her sister. I phoned her this morning and I totally understand her. She was giving back the gratitude her sister gave us when she was still living. And I would also be devastated when I did not do my best before it’s too late. I think my dad only thinks about the transportation money, he was not understanding my mum’s feelings. She just wants to say her last goodbye. That’s her whole exact point. The moment I heard my mum’s shaking voice a while ago, I totally knew she’s not in her normal state of mind. She’s not calm, she’s so worried and anxious. She wants to see her sister for the very last time. And I totally understand that. She was so upset she could have been there on her last dying moment. And that’s what love is. That’s her sister. Her own kin. Her own blood.

Brothers and sisters, we have another beautiful verse from PAUL to the Romans. He wrote a prayer for believers to live in harmony and Christlike love. It asks “the God of endurance and encouragement” to grant believers the same attitude toward each other that Christ Jesus had, enabling them to coexist peacefully despite differences. 

Paul highlights that true, lasting harmony comes from God, not just human effort. Christians are encouraged to treat each other with the same self-sacrificial love and patience that Jesus showed. 

Just like what my aunt showed her concern, love and understanding to my mum. That is sister love. Whatever conflicts that they have done was over now. She’s gone. Sister’s rivalry is not forever. Sisters should always there for each other. We are just human, we’re not perfect. There are no perfect family. But what is the most important lesson they taught us as mums. They taught us to pray, have faith. They were not a perfect parents. But they taught us to surrender everything. To give up everything to the Lord. To submit ourselves to our husbands and be a good woman of God. That is true sisters’ unity. Unity to pray, to love and to submit.

Tomorrow is my aunt’s burial. I wish and pray God guides her and deliver her from purgatory. And may perpetual light shine upon her. And may her soul rest in peace. Again, Tita Denz, you will be missed. 

You’re forever in our hearts.