Zjiana Troy and Zjiana Tracy in Dancesport sa Sugbu 2013

As a proud stage mom, I have already posted a countless times of my dancesport kids' competitions, events and recognition.  I guess it'll never tire me to share to the whole world that I have children who are graced by God with their talent and charm.  I'm just proud at them for they have achieved so much already even at their age.  They have learned hard discipline in their own ways and together as brother and sister.  Oh they are not perfect.  Most of the time they even fight and argue and I guess it's because each of them has their own different ideas too and I let them be because by then they are able to express their own uniqueness.  But at the end of the day, my Troy and Tracy comes up with one idea and executes it in their dance.

Allow me to share their talent and ideas with this video from the recent Dancesport sa Sugbu held last Sept. 14, 2013 at the Waterfront Lahug Cebu City wherein they bagged 2 golds and 1 silver. :-)

Praising On Sundays: Forgiven

Gospel, Luke 7:36-50

³⁶ One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee's house and took his place at table,

³⁷ suddenly a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment.

³⁸ She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has.'

⁴⁰ Then Jesus took him up and said, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' He replied, 'Say on, Master.'

⁴¹ 'There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty.

⁴² They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more?'

⁴³ Simon answered, 'The one who was let off more, I suppose.' Jesus said, 'You are right.'

⁴⁴ Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'You see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair.

⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in.

⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

⁴⁷ For this reason I tell you that her sins, many as they are, have been forgiven her, because she has shown such great love. It is someone who is forgiven little who shows little love.'

⁴⁸ Then he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'

⁴⁹ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, 'Who is this man, that even forgives sins?'

⁵⁰ But he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'

Praising On Sundays: "I tell you, arise!"

Gospel: Lk 7:11-17

    A little later Jesus went to a town called Naim. He was accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. As he reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople.

   

 On seeing her, the Lord had pity on her and said, “Don’t cry.” Then he came up and touched the stretcher, and the men who carried it stopped. Jesus then said, “Young men, I say to you, wake up!” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. A holy fear came over them all, and they praised God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.” This news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding places.

Reflection:

Our ordinary life can bring us in touch with great goodness and spirituality in people. Or to a depth of prayer and care for the poor. Through many such people, God is very near and real in the world, and so our praise can be directed to God as we thank these men and women for what they do for us and for many.

The compassion which flowed from Jesus to bring life to a dead man can flow from us to enliven the lives of others. We can ‘grow’ this compassion in prayer. Our prayer with God if it is sincere will lead us into the mystery of being loved by God and called into love of others.

Happy Mothers Day!

It takes someone really brave to be a mother, someone strong to raise a child, and someone to love someone more than herself.  And that someone is a mother.  On this special day, I get to contemplate on how lucky and proud I am of myself for having done extraordinary things for my family.  I guess I deserve a pat in the back for a job well done.  Happy Mothers Day to my co-mommies out there! 

Praising On Sundays: The Question About Fasting

Gospel, Matthew 9:14-15

14 Then the followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, asking,
Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast at all?

15 Jesus answered, Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not! But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

REFLECTION:
In the olden days, many preachers gave more sermons about hell than about heaven. It was probably because it was easy to manipulate people through fear; and the mythology of hell left nothing to the imagination. Misery has some way of appearing more real than joy, and there are many, even today, who prefer to emphasize it; it makes their message sound more real, more urgent, more “hands-on.” There can even be a kind of ghoulish interest in it. But Christians have to proclaim not only the death but the resurrection of Jesus.

Love Is Patient. Love Is Kind

Personally, this is my favorite bible verse about love.  It is just but apt to share this on this special day of the hearts.  Let’s spread the love everyone.  Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Kung Hei Fat Choi

I’m not Chinese but I’d like to take part in the festivity of the Chinese New Year by sharing my horoscope for 2013 that I found from a page of a Chowking planner. 

Year of the Snake – 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

·            Chinese Snake people will be found to be very compatible with Chinese roosters and Ox people in 2013

·         According to Chinese Snake Forecasts 2013, these people will think to change their home or profession

·         These people will be appreciated for their hidden skills in Chinese Snake Year 2013

·         Chinese Snake Horoscopes 2013 predicts social recognition for these people in 2013

·         As per Chinese Snake astrology 2013, these people will take their family for a vacation in the last months of 2013

Yes, I was born in the Year of the Snake which makes it more exciting to have these predictions brought for me in this New Year.  I know that only God can predict what tomorrow will bring for us but I also believe that if we work hard for each day, then prosperity is a sure promise.

How about you? Under what animal sign were you born? J