Volume 16 / Issue 60 / 2019
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EDITORIAL
To Start a Relationship with Jesus Christ Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Romans 3:23 Believe that Jesus is the only Savior. “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Confess and leave your sin behind. Stop doing and thinking things that displease our Heavenly Father. “If we confess our sins ….” I John 1:9 Invite Jesus to be your Savior and the Lord of your life. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) To continue growing in your relationship with Christ, have fellowship with other believers, read the Bible and pray.
Top L-R: Johnson & Patrick | Bottom L-R: Kim & Evelyn
MOMS EDITORIAL STAFF Editor, MOMS Evelyn Damian Distribution Johnson Li Cover & Layout Patrick Tan Editorial Consultant Kimberly Snider
Thank you for your financial help! •
Eliseo See
•
Kasibu Christian Fellowship A/G
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Published quarterly by Asia Pacific Media Ministries. Unit 2608 Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Philippines. Telephone: 914-9767. E-mail: moms@apmedia.org. Reproduction of photos and articles is prohibited without permission. 2
MOMS MAGAZINE
LAST ISSUE
From My Heart
Dear Readers,
It’s a new year again and most of us have set our goals for the year. In the past, when I set goals at the New Year, they usually only last until the end of the first month! I tend to lose focus and get impatient. That is why I was so inspired by Lorena’s story, and how, despite having 7 children and being pregnant with her 8th child, she managed to break out of misery and trouble and pursue a better life. Read it and tell us what you think on our MOMS Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ momsmagazine.
Table of Contents EDITORIAL
Fron My Heart 3 CHIKA-CHIKA
Also in this issue are articles about predicting the future, and what we can expect when we live a purposeful life.
How to Predict the Future 4
I hope you will enjoy this issue. God bless you. Happy New Year!
WISE CHOICES
Evelyn Damian, editor
Living on Purpose 6 MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Grasya ni Lorena 8 FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING
Walking--The Perfect Exercise 12 Brown Rice Ilonggo Style 13 ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
I’m worried about what the fortune teller said 14 3
CHIKA-CHIKA
How to Predict Your Future by Katherine C. Banzon
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ho doesn’t love a good mystery? The greatest mystery is what our future holds. Every January fortune-tellers and astrologers have a heyday as people try to figure out if they will achieve wealth, health and love in the New Year. But are fortune-tellers accurate? And, can Christians consult these people and still follow the Bible? How does fortune-telling work? Fortune-tellers work in two ways: (1) a sound knowledge of how human beings think, (2) and divination. Fortune-tellers work with human psychology. Many times fortune-telling comprises a series of tricks that fortune-tellers play on us through skillful manipulation of our psychological impulses, and their own keen observations of human nature and behavior. These practices rely solely on human knowledge and manipulation. One ally of fortune-tellers is the psychological phenomenon called subjective validation, wherein people consider information they receive to be correct if it has any personal significance to them. For instance, people who are drawn to reading horoscopes are people who are predisposed to actually believing what they will read there. In addition to these humanistic practices, the Bible talks about “divination,” another word for “fortune-telling,”as the art of foretelling future events by interpreting omens or asking help from supernatural sources. Some of the tools used are the spirit board, crystal balls, tarot cards and consulting the dead. When using these tools, fortune-tellers allay our fears by assuring us that the information they present comes from “familiar spirits”--the spirits of our loved ones, and famous people. However the Bible says this is impossible. Hebrews 9:27 attests to this: “... people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” When people die, their spirits do not roam the earth, but face judgment and are sent to heaven or hell. The truth is that the spirits fortune-tellers use emanate
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from Satan. Additionally, the Bible says that Satan is a liar--so his spirits will not tell us the truth. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. The Book of John, chapter 8, and verse 44. How do people react to fortune-telling? Fortune-telling consultations increase during times of crisis, when people’s minds are filled with uncertainty, and they want to re-establish control by knowing and possibly altering their future. As a result, some people make minor adjustments to their everyday routine such as avoiding certain numbers and colors. Others dramatically redesign their whole house according to their fengshui master’s advice to “let the good luck in and keep the bad luck out.” Both types of people justify themselves by saying, “Para lang makasigurado.” or “Wala namang masama.” Can Christians consult fortune-tellers? The Bible makes it clear that fortune-telling (divination) is forbidden to everyone, but especially to believers in Jesus because it means putting faith in a power other than the One True God. In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 18 verses 10, 11, 12, it says: Let no one be found among you …who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. So what do we do instead? The book of Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5 and 6 reads: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. We must quit using fortune-telling. We must make Jesus our first and only option for guidance regarding our future. We must replace consulting fortune-tellers with consulting God constantly through prayer. We must shift from reading the horoscope to reading the Bible. 5
WISE CHOICES
Living on Purpose as told to Evelyn Damian
Myrna Tamares Camba had big dreams when she was young--get a degree--work in a multi-national company--earn lots of money. She would buy the things she wanted for herself and for her family, a big house, a car, and whatever her heart desired. After graduating from college and passing the Certified Public Accountant board exams, her dreams seemed close, but suddenly there was a change of heart…
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yrna was always a good girl; been a good daughter and a good student. She was involved in church ministries at a young age, and delighted in tagging along with her mother. She won in declamation and oratorical contests during her elementary and high school days. She was a “dean’s lister” in college, and after she passed the board, she instantly took a job auditing the sales of a big company. She recalls, “Sobrang daming trabaho dun. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nalampasan ‘yun but it was a job na tipong dun ka na natutulog, dun ka na naliligo, lalo na pag-peak season. It came to a point na nasabi ko, “Lord, ayoko na dito.” Eventually, Myrna resigned from that job and took several other jobs as auditor. She recalled a time when a client asked her to cheat on their report. She says, “Meron din akong mga naging client na naghahanap na gawan mo ‘yung account nila ng hocus focus. Sabi ko, “Lord, hindi ko kayang gawin ‘yun.” It seemed like the nearer she got to fulfilling her dreams, the heavier the weight of compromise was on her conscience. She knew deep inside that was not the life for her. Finally, she got an offer to work at ICI Ministries, a Christian organization, and she accepted the job. “Sa totoo lang, medyo nag-struggle pa talaga ako when I took the job because the salary was modest. I knew I could earn 5 times more in other companies at that time.” Myrna says. There was a tug of war going on in her mind as to whether this was the right decision or not, but she held on to her job. After a few years, Myrna was promoted and became the Finance and Administration head of ICI Ministries. She says, “My schedule at ICI enables me to work with
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MOMS MAGAZINE
my personal clients on Fridays, and be a part time professor teaching Accounting and Taxation to some 50 students on Saturdays. As a Certified Public Accountant, I am able to help various Christian organizations set up their Accounting system, advising them how to be good stewards of the Lord’s resources and be compliant to all government rules and regulations. When I started doing these things, I really felt this was my calling. Nagstrike talaga sa heart ko na ito ‘yung purpose ko sa buhay, that this was my part in the Body of Christ, to use my talent and profession on the administrative aspect of churches and Christian organizations.“ Throughout the 15 years that Myrna has been working at ICI, she has had many higher paying job offers that were more in line with her profession. They offered tempting 6-digit salaries and benefits, but Myrna continues to feel that for the time being this is where she should be. Myrna’s husband, who is also an accountant, and their 2 sons, Ralph, and Matt have benefited from this decision. Myrna says, “To be able to do your work without compromising your integrity and your peace of mind, and to still have time to spend with your husband and kids is non-negotiable. “I am holding on to God’s promise that He can sustain me where I am now, because he planned for me to be here.” Myrna said confidently.
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by Yhein Sayson with APMM Staff
Kung paulit-ulit kang binubugbog ng asawa mo tapos hindi ka pa minsan inuuwian dahil sa pagsusugal at pambababae, normal siguro na humiwalay ka na lang. Pero paano kung may pito kang anak, buntis sa pangwalo at walang trabaho, kaya mo bang humiwalay sa asawa mo? Ito ang kwento ng buhay ni Lorena Manao, a petite, charming woman in her late 40’s. Let’s read her story. 8
MOMS MAGAZINE
Lorena, I can’t believe how much you’ve been through. You look so peaceful and happy. Please tell us your story.
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a-meet ko ang naging husband ko when I went to Baguio City to enroll in college. That time naka-petition ako to go to the U.S. kaya bilin ng nanay ko huwag akong mag-aasawa. Actually, Christian na ako noon pero ginagawa ko pa rin ang gusto ko kaya when we fell in love, nagsama kami. Okay naman siya at mabait noong una pero nang dalawa na ang anak namin, nahuli ko siyang may babae. Dahil dun hiniwalayan ko siya. After a month, sinundo niya ako at nagsama kami ulit, nagka-anak kami ulit. Four years kaming nagsama bago kami nagpakasal kahit ayaw ng nanay ko. Akala ko maaayos na ang buhay namin after marriage but I was wrong. Naging miserable ang buhay ko. Nambababae siya, nagsusugal, at binubugbog niya kami ng mga bata. Tiniis ko lahat ‘yun hanggang dumating ang time na hindi ko na nakayanan ang ginawa niya. Buntis ako noon sa pangwalo naming anak tapos I found out na buntis din ‘yung babae niya. Halos mabaliw ako sa kakaisip sa nangyari. I decided to leave him. Actually, it was not an easy decision to make kasi product din ako ng broken family, and I didn’t want my children to experience what I had been through. Besides, I had no work and was 4 months pregnant with my youngest. But before ako nag-decide humiwalay, pinulot ko muna ‘yung conviction ko na kaya ko siyang hiwalayan and I had to do it hangga’t may respeto pa ako sa sarili ko.
When I left him, isinama ko lahat ng mga anak ko. Humingi ako ng tulong sa DSWD. Nag-offer silang ilagay sa housing ‘yung mga anak ko tapos kapag nagka-work ako, puede ko na silang kunin ulit. When my mom learned about this, hindi siya pumayag. She was working in the U.S. that time and she promised to help support my kids. So every month, meron kaming allowance from my mom, but it wasn’t enough. Kahit sinabi niya na humingi ako kung kulang, ayoko namang iasa na lang lahat sa kanya. Humingi ako ng tulong sa pastor ng isang church na malapit sa amin. When he learned about my situation, he offered to give me financial aid, pero sabi ko kung puede trabaho na lang ang ibigay niya sa akin kahit tagalinis lang. Binigyan naman niya ako ng work. So while pregnant, naglilinis ako ng house nila, naglalaba, namamalantsa, nag-aalaga ng bata, at iba pa. Natuwa naman ‘yung asawa niya kaya binibigyan nya ako more than a day’s salary, and bags of groceries. Noong time na manganganak na ako, I saw God’s favor sa situation ko kasi nagkataon na bumisita ang kapatid ko na nasa U.S. at siya ang sumagot sa mga gastusin ko sa panganganak. Ang kapatid ko na malapit sa amin nakatira at ang aking ibang anak ang nagtutulong-tulong sa pag-aalaga ng mga bata. Marami pa akong ginawa to survive, nagbenta ng kung anu-anong products, nag-aral mag-manicure at nagtrabaho sa salon. Nung maliliit pa ang mga anak ko, napagkakasya ko naman ang kinikita ko sa gastusin namin kasi konti pa lang ang needs nila, tapos nanay ko ang nagpapa-aral sa kanila, pero after many years Continued to next page
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE Grasya, continued
na ganun ng ganun ang buhay namin, dumating ‘yung araw na napagod na ‘ko, para akong mababaliw. Iniladlad ko ‘yung buhok kong mahaba, parang pahiwatig na ayoko na, malaya na ‘ko. Tapos hindi ako naliligo, hindi natutulog. Feeling ko wala na ‘kong purpose, ganun na lang talaga ‘yung life ko. Nawalan ako ng pag-asa. Siguro setback ‘yun ng mga pangyayari sa life ko kasi nakikita ko lumalaki na ‘yung mga bata, ‘yung gastos lumalaki na rin. Hindi ko na alam kung saan kukunin ‘yung kakainin nila. May mga days natutulog kaming gutom. Kung minsan din, sinisisi ako ng mga anak ko kung bakit daw kami umalis sa tatay nila. That was hard, paano ka naka- recover? My younger sister encouraged me to join a Bible study group sa isang church. That was in 2004. Nag-join naman ako. The first 3 weeks were the hardest. Hindi ko alam how to open up to my group. Parang they were all living a perfect family life, and I found myself comparing my life with them. ‘Yung iba pa sa group nakaka-intimidate. But when I finally found the courage to share what I had gone through, the group became a haven for me. Meron kaming required Bible reading na one chapter a day. Everytime babasahin ko ‘yung chapter for the day, parang kinakausap ako ni Lord at nasasagot agad ‘yung mga tanong ko. Natuto akong mag-journal, na-empower ako na humarap sa everyday challenges ng life ko. Naging clear sa akin ang purpose ko sa life. 10
Through that, the Lord made me realize that, “I was never an accident.” The parents I didn’t want, sila pa rin ang gusto ni Lord maging parents ko. Marami kasi akong sentiments sa kanila. Sinisisi ko sila sa mga nangyari sa akin. Pareho silang teacher at bata pa kami nang magpunta sila sa U.S. para magtrabaho. Akala ko babalik sila agad. I longed to see them. Umabot ng 11 years bago kami nagkita ulit. Pag-alis ng parents namin, I took care of my siblings. Mga two years pa bago nila kami napadalhan ng suporta dahil hindi pa maayos ang work nila. Para mapakain ko ang mga kapatid ko, nakiusap ako sa school na pinagturuan ng tatay ko to allow me to give guitar lessons to students to earn money at pumayag naman sila. Namasukan din akong katulong sa kamag-anak. Sa loob ng 11 years na wala ang mga magulang ko, ilang beses akong namolestiya. Wala akong masabihan, takot na takot ako. Nasa high school ako noon. I had sleepless nights and I would cry in the middle of the night. After nun nag-drugs ako, nanigarilyo, napariwara dahil naglo-long din ako sa attention at na-influence ng mga kabarkadang anak din ng mga OFWs. Nasira ang buhay ko and I was putting the blame on my father pero dahil sa pagbabasa ng Bible at sa small group discussions namin, nakita ko na may choices din pala ako at meron ding mga pagkakamali. Napatawad ko ang tatay ko at pati ang sarili ko. Napatawad ko ang mga nagmolestiya sa akin. I also forgave my husband. Nagtuloy-tuloy na ang pag-a-attend ko sa small group. Doon ko nakilala ang naging best friend ko na tumulong sa
MOMS MAGAZINE
Lorena with her family.
aking journey of faith. Nalaman ko na she was once a mistress pero victim lang siya. Because of her, naintindihan ko ang situation ng isang mistress at ‘yun ang reason kaya na-heal rin ‘yung hurts at bitterness ko sa mga naging mistress ng asawa ko. Unti-unti, I learned to release forgiveness towards them, tapos kapag naalala ko ulit ‘yung mga ginawa nila at nasaktan ako ulit, I forgave them again. Later on, I had the chance to meet three of these women at naging close pa kami nung isa. Mahirap gawin ‘yun pero I chose to forgive and be nice to them. Nag-commit na rin ako sa isang Christian church kung saan naging volunteer teacher ako sa Sunday school. Kabilang ang mga anak ko sa mga tinuturuan ko hanggang mag-high school sila. I taught them early to journal their thoughts and activities. Kapag nasa bahay kami at wala kaming kakainin, I would let them sit around the dining table tapos, I would ask them to draw their prayers para i-divert ‘yung attention nila from food. Hanggang ngayon naalala pa nila ‘yun. Sabi nila, “Di ba,
Mama, noon kapag wala tayong pagkain, magjo-journal tayo tapos matutulog lang tayo, paggising natin, meron na tayong pagkain?” Totoong nakakagulat na merong biglang nag-aabot ng food or pera sa amin. Eventually, I got my kids involved in the process of healing and restoration so sila din unti-unti, they were able to forgive their father and his mistresses. May communication na rin sila with their half brothers and sisters. Ngayon, malalaki na sila, ‘yung iba may trabaho na. Ako naman, may maayos na work din as a receptionist sa isang wellness lounge. Kapag day off ko, I lead a number of Bible studies. Paano naman ang iyong pangangailangan bilang asawa? Hindi ka ba naghanap ng makakasama ulit? May mga nanligaw who offered to help me move on and raise my kids pero ayoko na. Unang-una, kasal pa rin kami ng asawa ko kahit hiwalay kami. Pangalawa, hindi ko naging goal na Continued on page 13
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FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING
Walking–the Perfect Exercise
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n the Philippines, no one likes to walk—we don’t like the sun, we don’t like the dogs, we don’t like to be hot when we arrive at our destination. We don’t like the dirt and the pollution. Instead of our two legs, we use jeeps, buses, trikes, and sky trains. But walking is something that can help us maintain our health and our desired weight. What is it about walking that makes it more successful than other exercises? Part of it is the simplicity. Everyone can walk. It’s so easy, in fact, that some people are skeptical about whether you can really get in shape by just walking. But studies are confirming what I’ve suspected all along; walking is excellent exercise. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, walking just thirty minutes a day, three times a week, reduces the risk of death from all natural causes by 55 percent! Walking also keeps you in midrange of aerobic activity, where fat oxidation is most efficient. That’s right: you burn more fat through low intensity sports like walking than through intense activities that leave you gasping for breath, such as weightlifting or high-energy aerobics. Not only that, but you also continue to burn fat after walking. And once you’ve been walking for a few weeks, you’ll have raised your metabolic rate so that you burn more calories all the time, even when you’re sitting or sleeping! Then there are the things that don’t happen when you’re walking. You don’t crash. You don’t get injured. You don’t compete against someone else. You also don’t go broke. Too many people are hesitant to start exercising because they think it will be expensive and intimidating. Not a problem. Just lace up a decent pair of sneakers in your living room and you’re ready to walk. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He directs every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 (excerpted from Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone) reprinted with permission from http:// www.ampforlife.com/emails/newsletters/EX08S/index.htm Reprinted from Moms, building the best families, Vol. 5/Issue 17/2008
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MOMS MAGAZINE
Brown Rice Ilonggo Style by APMM Staff
Ingredients • ¼ kilo pork • 1 chicken breast • ¼ kilo shrimp (cleaned and shelled) • 1 chorizo de Bilbao, thinly sliced (optional) • 1 cube chicken or shrimp broth • 1 cup water (may need a little more) • 2 cups red or brown rice, half cooked* • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 green or red pepper, sliced into strips • 1 small can sweet peas, drained • 2 hard boiled eggs • 3 cloves garlic, chopped • 2 tablespoons oil • Salt and pepper to taste • Spring onions, chopped for garnishing Procedure
pork, chorizo and shrimp. Toss gently until they lose their colors. Add 1 cup water, bring to a boil and then add rice. Mix well. Add the remaining ingredients except for eggs and spring onions. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat until the meats and the rice are cooked. Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with spring onions and sliced eggs. Serve hot.
Cut chicken and pork into small pieces. Heat the oil in a pan. Saute the garlic and onions. Add chicken,
*Note: Brown or red rice must be presoaked for 30 minutes before cooking.
Grasya, continued
humanap ng lalaking magpapaligaya sa akin, at pangatlo, baka sila pa ang ikapahamak ng mga anak ko. Ang partner ko lang talaga sa pag-move on at pag-pursue ng better life was my Bible, hanggang ngayon. I read it every day. Kay Lord ako humuhugot ng strength to go on with life every day. 13
Just Asking with Peter Banzon
Q:
Hindi po ako naniniwala sa hula pero minsan po ay na-dare ako ng aking friends na sumama sa kanila magpahula. The fortune-teller said something na mukhang tama naman sa nae-experience ko but she also predicted a bad future for me. I couldn’t get this out of my mind. I’m beginning to feel na kahit anong gawin ko, it will result to bad fortune. What will I do para mabago ang aking kapalaran?
A:
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na sa lahat, let me tell you an established fact, only God holds our destiny in His hands, hindi tao at lalong hindi hula ng tao. The Bible says, “I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.” (Isaiah 46:9-10) Fortune-tellers may use psychological techniques to manipulate you but the spirit behind fortune-telling does not come from God but from the powers of darkness. Bakit ka nababalot sa takot? Kasi nga hindi galing sa Diyos ang narinig mo. Ninakaw ng kaaway ang peace of mind mo. Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) So let me recommend that you do the following: • Stop going to fortune-tellers, mediums and spirits. • Tanggapin mo ang iyong pagkakamali and ask God to forgive you. • Isuko mo ang life mo kay Jesus dahil Siya lang ang tanging nakakaalam, at may hawak ng kinabukasan mo. He can give you a powerful future. • Read the Bible. Ito ang real book about your future. The Bible says, “Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.” (Isaiah 8:19-20) 14
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