FaithBook

by Kerygma Books *This excerpt is taken from  You Can Be Happy Again  by  Edwin S. Soriano . Gratitude does not change circumstances. It changes the person. Two people can find themselves in the same situation. One can complain about the traffic, the heat, the time lost, the hunger, etc. The other can be grateful for his transportation, for good weather, for time to read a good book, for having friends to commute with, and a family to share dinner with. They are going through the same situation but having a different experience of it. The difference? Gratitude. Science shows that gratitude affects your brain at the biological level. Some antidepressants boost the neurotransmitter dopamine. But so does gratitude and it has no side effects. Gratitude towards people increases activity in social dopamine circuits, which makes social interactions more enjoyable. Just thinking of things you are grateful for also increases serotonin production. Gra...

Jasmine B. Suiza As I welcome the new year, I find time to sit down, reflect and write my thoughts about the past year. This way, I am reminded of all the moments - may they be good or bad - and how Jesus helped me through it all. The year 2017 was full of unexpected plot twists, answered prayers and new beginnings. With this, friends, I would like to share with you My Top 17 Greatest Blessings of 2017 as a way of spreading optimism, faith and hope :) 1. Regular confession As a Catholic, I am aware of the gift called the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but I must admit that I sometimes find it hard to confess my sins and repent from my wrongdoings. I sometimes have this mentality that "I sin every day, why confess?" or "Our God is merciful, He will love me even if I am a sinner." . This thinking led me to more venial sins, and somehow blinded my perception of this sacrament. My misconception was changed during one of the formation talks that I heard ...

Jasmine B. Suiza / December 12, 2017 I was shocked to hear Mama's news. One of her good friends just passed away. Twenty-two years old, with a 4-year old son. Nakakabigla. Hindi inaasahan. Malakas at masaya pa namin siyang kakuwentuhan noong nakaraang buwan. This made me reflect. Life is really short -  and indeed very unpredictable. I can remember a movie wherein the plot revolves around time as a currency. The citizens live until twenty-five years old, and after this, they have to work to "buy" time. Each person has a time counter where their "remaining life" is reflected. The rich enjoy the luxuries of having so much time, while the poor struggle every day to survive. Those who fail to work, beg or steal time will die. What if you can see your "remaining life" in your own time counter? What if today will be your last? Will people remember your good deeds in the past? For sure, neither you, nor I, or anyone can answer t...

Jasmine B. Suiza "Engaged na si Zane at Mike!" "Wow, si Mich galing na naman sa business trip o!" "Si Marianne, doctor na!" “Bakit si Sharmaine hindi tumataba kahit malakas kumain?” Ito ang mga tumakbo sa isip ko habang nakikita ko sa Facebook ang mga wall posts ng mga kaibigan ko. Natutuwa? Oo. Natutuwa ako sa mga accomplishments at narating nila sa buhay. Naiinggit? Hindi ko idedeny. Ang mga bagay na nangyayari sa kanila ay mga mismong bagay na pangarap kong mangyari rin sa akin. Most of my life, I am comparing myself to others. Parang nakasalalay sa ibang tao ang self-worth ko. Because of this, I have the tendency to be always competitive. Sa grades, sa trabaho, sa mga kaibigan ko, sa sports, sa service – gusto kong laging gawin ang best ko. Hindi naman mali ang maging competitive, lalo na kung maganda ang dahilan, pero minsan, I find myself being tempted by Satan. Because he knows my weaknesses, he attacks me b...

Lagi kong naririnig sa mga kakilala ko na, "blooming daw ako". Owsss? Really? Blooming (adj.) glowing as with youthful vigor and freshness. Wow. Big word. Ngayon, gusto mo bang malaman ang dahilan kung bakit "daw" ako blooming? Blush on? Maybe. New hair color? Posible. After-workout glow? Pwede. Antioxidant supplements? My diet is all natural. Pero, the reason is not something you need to spend money on. Hindi ANO - pero SINO.  Ang sagot - Si Jesus! Wondering why and how? Let's take Moses as an example. The Radiant Face of Moses "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." - Exodus 34: 29 (NIV) See? Pati si Moses naging blooming "because he had spoken with the Lord". If in Old Testament can talk directly to God, how can we do it in our day? It's simple. Spend time with Jesus. Imagine the privilege o...