Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from my family to yours (pictured in front of the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton an hour ago) It's 2014. I wish everyone a wonderful year ahead. I'm optimistic about this new year although I feel terrible right now due to intermittent abdominal pain. 

I may not know yet the cause of this, but I choose to believe God has a plan for my life so I can't be too downcast. Bloated but unbowed--and still doing touristy things--that's me! OUCH though. ;)

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PNoy's SONA...

I watched this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA) and I feel a sense of pride that I voted for the guy. I admit I only did in honor of what his late parents did for the Philippines, but from what I heard, this administration is turning out better than anyone expected.

I have not paid attention to PNoy's speeches the past two years but I like what I'm seeing. I see more roads under construction in my travels around the country so going by that, this president is doing his job.

There are still a lot of challenges of course, but I think we are in a better position than we were three years ago. Now if only the DOTC would get off their butts and quickly approve vital projects like connector roads, MRT & LRT lines etc. then PNoy's legacy will be cemented (pun intended).

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Sunday Reflections: Psalm 46:1-2, Romans 8:15

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

~Psalm 46:1-2

With all the things that has been happening lately, it makes me wonder how long we have left until we totally destroy each other. People surely are trying their darndest to help bring that about. Here in the Philippines, in the wake of the worst mass murder in recent memory, we found out that the alleged perpetrators were being supplied with arms from our own police and military. Martial Law has been declared in Maguindanao which strikes me as a terrible overreaction--like getting a frontal lobotomy when stitches will do just as well.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

~Romans 8:15

Thank God we have scripture to guide us in these times. Giving in to fear is a temptation we should eschew. Fear is the enemy of faith. It could paralyze us to a point that our hope in our redemption could be compromised. I admit that it is not easy to be consistently hopeful when I see these reprehensible acts torment my country. But as a Christian, I know I should not fear because the fight is the Lord's. He would not give us up so easily. Not now, not ever.

*** thanks to Emmanuel for the pic

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