Day 111: Reflecting on God's Amazing Love

Today is Maundy Thursday and it's an opportune time to ponder on God's immense love for us. He sent His only son Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin. From the very beginning, Jesus knew that He was going to give up His life for us - for our redemption.

God has given us the chance to spend eternal life with Him. The only thing He's asking from us is repentance and belief in His word.

We only need to think about Jesus' passion and pain to realize how much God loves us.

May the spirit of the Lenten Season fill our lives with the true meaning of love and sacrifice.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

Day 359: A Roden Family Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to remember the birth of a very special baby...the Messiah, our Savior Jesus Christ, who was sent by our heavenly Father to redeem us from our sins. In years past, I've been engulfed by the commercial value of the season, only looking at the lovely decors, lights and presents and never truly understanding the real reason for celebration. 


In recent years, I've been gradually stripping off the material girl in me and trying to live sufficiently on the most basic of necessities. I find that I can be happy as long as I can make my family happy - by simply being wifey and Mommy. I find joy in preparing gastronomic delights for them, seriously looking forward to their verdict ala "Iron Chef". "You're a good 'cooker', Mom!" is always music to my ears. 

This year, there is no tree, no decorations, lanterns nor garlands...in fact, you won't find wrapped presents anywhere. Even the kids were conscious about prevailing economics and did not ask what they were going to receive but focused on what they could give.  On Christmas day, the most they got were loot bags of candies and small party favors. Their Titos gifted them with shirts that they were obviously very thankful for.  And yet, their joy was not any less compared to Christmases past. If, at all, they seem to have more fun this year, being surrounded by family.



It is all about family...love and togetherness...the very reason of Christ's humble birth. May your own Christmas holidays be filled with Christ's love, joy and peace.


From our family to yours....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Day 342: Immaculate Conception

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  - LUKE 1:30-31

Today we lovingly remember the obedience of a young woman who was to become the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In all humility, she accepted God's will despite the risk of destroying her reputation during times when pregnancy without the benefit of marriage was considered taboo. 

In many occasions, the Lord would throw challenges along my way and more often, I would doubt and question whatever is happening in my life.  It is never easy to say "Yes, Lord, Your will be done."  It is the human frailty in me that makes it very difficult to submit to God's will.  Every single day is a struggle and yet also becomes an opportunity to continue trying to be open to God's plan in my life.  My prayer is that I continue to transform my life and be able to live as an obedient Christian every day. 

Day 226: Sis. Ched's Journey

"Each person has his/her own story to tell."  This is what I've come to realize and appreciate during our joint breakfast meetings at BCBP.  At the end of two full weeks, I revel in the fact that I will get spiritual and emotional renewal by listening to the life stories of our featured sharers. Each individual/couple has their own journeys to share, crosses and burdens to reveal, and inspirational messages to impart. By sharing a part of themselves, I get humbled by the enormous pains, sacrifices and burdens they talk about that have shaped their lives. I come to realize that my own little struggles are nothing compared to theirs and I become thankful for all the blessings I have in my life. 

And it was such a revelation to me when Sis. Ched made her life sharing today...she is one of the ladies who made such an impression on me the first time I met her. Definitely an extrovert, she's a cheerful and chatty person much like my own Mom (this is the trait I definitely inherited from her). Sis. Ched is the type of person who lights up the room upon her entrance. I also remember how she helped me implore the power of the Holy Spirit for the gift of tongues during our baptism last July 3. 

For someone so bubbly and lighthearted, I didn't quite expect to hear the enormity of the hardships she had to endure most of her life. I know that she is living proof of God's grace and goodness as she was able to endure and overcome all trials and is now living a life of service to the Lord and the community. I learned that by giving your full trust to the Lord and surrendering your life to Him, He guarantees life everlasting with Him in heaven. Sis. Ched's sharing touched me in a very powerful way, at times driving me to tears and I know that it was God himself who was touching my life through her words.

Day 212: Our First AGM

Having graduated recently from BCLP Batch 12, we became the newest Action Group (#6) of BCBP - Butuan Chapter. Being neophytes, we were oriented into the role of an Action Group and what goes on during regular meetings. With the guidance and support of our AGL's (Action Group Leaders) and Course Leaders, we enter into the BCBP AG life. Our regular meetings will serve as the anchor of our continuing struggle to follow Christ in this mad temporary world. With a supportive group like this, carrying the Cross will definitely be a shared sacrifice. 

Day 207: Golden Glory

This is how the new altar of the St. Joseph Cathedral in Butuan City looks like now. For the past several months, heavy construction and renovation has been going on to produce the marvelous golden glory that is seen in the picture. 

The kids couldn't keep mum their amazement and awe at the beauty in front of them as we took our places on the front pew during Sunday mass. Quickly, questions shot at me one after another: "Mom, who's that one on top?", "Which angel is that?", "Who are those people on either side of the altar?". Fortunately, there was still enough time to answer all their questions before the mass started.

I found it a good exercise too that the children got exposed to the different characters in Jesus' life. At least now, it'll be easier for Kuya Jarred to understand the scriptures when he's reading them for family Rosary time.

Day 199: Graduates of BCLP 12

For the past 8 Saturdays since May 29, hubby and I have been attending the BCBP's Brotherhood Christian Life Program or BCLP. Yesterday, we graduated as part of batch 12 together with 9 other participants. With the Lord's guidance, the support of our BCBP community and the unity of fellow BCLP 12 participants, we are all now associate members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals - Butuan Chapter. It is but the beginning of our long journey into full Christian life and we are so excited to experience everything else that is in store for us in the community. 

Surely, the regular Saturday talks and meet ups with our batchmates will be be missed but we now have our AGM's (Action Group Meetings) to look forward to plus the remaining programs and talks we need to attend to complete our full-pledge membership into BCBP. 

The changes, the peace, the joy and the new life we're enjoying now was made possible through the grace and power of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We now lift everything for His greater glory and praise! Alleluia!!!

Day 196: Fellowship

Several brothers and sisters from our BCBP community gathered together at the lovely home of couple members Bro. Nonoy and Sis. Belen Rosales to celebrate the eve of their town fiesta (Carmen, Agusan del Norte). Surrounded by a great view, enclosed in a wonderful abode, we shared the company of great friends over chit-chat, food and drink. It was indeed a wonderful way to bond and get to know each other better.  I'm looking forward to more bonding moments like this in the community.

Day 195: The Family that Prays Together...

As a child and young adult, my parents exposed my siblings and I to prayer especially the Holy Rosary. I remember that we'd pray it daily in front of the altar during the month of October which is the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Somehow the busy teenage life turned to the busy career life and sadly, the prayer habit took a back seat.

Ever since joining the BCBP community, I've been reunited with the power and essence of prayer. Understanding more about why we need to pray and how to do it properly has really rekindled the passion of prayer and praise in my heart.

Today, the entire family started the daily Holy Rosary habit at six o'clock in the evening. Kuya Jarred has been assigned the role of prayer leader and scripture reader. At first, he showed signs of restlessness but as he continued learning the Rosary, the prayers and the story of Jesus' life in the scripture readings, it sparked a curiosity and interest in him. 

With God's grace and guidance, I'm hoping we can sustain this wonderful habit in our family...and I end with the slogan that the late Fr. Patrick Peyton (the Rosary priest) has made famous, "The family that prays together, stays together."

Day 163: Brothers and Sisters in Christ

It has been several months since hubby and I attended our very first BCBP Breakfast through the invitation of a former colleague, Bro. Jensen Jimenez. It was indeed through God's plan that we have been brought to this wonderful community.  

Our journey in knowing God and Jesus Christ and letting them work in our lives has been a rich and fulfilling experience so far. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Him and our neighbors through continuous prayer, worship, brotherhood and service.

Day 149: BCLP 12

After attending BCBP Breakfasts since late last year, hubby and I are now eligible to undergo the Brotherhood Christian Life Program (BCLP). It is a 9-day journey consisting of 11 talks to reacquaint ourselves with our Christian life and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP).

So for the next 8 Saturdays, we will be attending 3-hour sessions together with our BCBP brothers and sisters. It will be a wonderful journey for both of us.

Day 122: In Prayer

I only have to look at the image of our Lord Jesus Christ here to be reminded of His own hardship and sacrifice to save all of mankind.

An inspiring teacher...a loving son...a strong leader - Jesus Christ is the model on how to live our earthly lives. Many times I forget this fact and end up erring big time. Well a huge part of Jesus' legacy is not just showing us how to live but also how to pick up ourselves after a fall. When we acknowledge our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, we are reunited with Him and with God, the Father.

As Filipinos all over the world face a great challenge next  week in choosing the country's next leader, may each one of us look up to Christ for guidance, enlightenment and inspiration.