FaithBook

Jasmine B. Suiza / August 23, 2019 There is more to Quiapo than cheap finds, DVDs and busy streets. Today, I had a deeper understanding of our Muslim brothers and sisters' faith, fashion and food! These are 10 things that I learned about Islam through the Quiapo Muslim Town and Culture Immersion Tour: 1. Muslims believe in one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah . 2. Islam is a religion of love, so hurting and killing others is definitely prohibited. 3. Islam follows some of the same principles as Christianity. Some Muslims say that Muslims and Christians are like cousins. They also believe in Adam and Eve, Abraham, Noah, Mary and Jesus. 4. There are five "Pillars of Islam" that Muslims follow. A practicing Muslim must do all these five. 5. Muslims do The Salah, or the daily prayer done five times a day, that starts as early as 4:00 AM. 6. Consumption of alcohol and pork is forbidden in Islamic tradition. 7. Muslims invented...

Jasmine B. Suiza / July 4, 2019 TO MY PRECIOUS CHILD, How are you? I've been wanting to share this journal that I made for you. I hope this changes the way you see things... CONCEPTION: I knew you even before you were conceived in your mother's womb. I know you'd be a beautiful child - because I created you out of love. Your eyes, your hands and your heart - they were all made in My image and likeness. I planted goodness in you. BIRTH: Your loved ones rejoice on your birth! Who would not be happy at the sight of a tiny little angel? Look at the tears that you caused Mama and Papa. You are precious to them, most especially to me. CHILDHOOD: You are growing up too fast, my child! You are now learning how to smile, stand and walk on your own! Don't worry, the scratches that you got from riding a bike will heal soon! How amazed I am to see you learn how to say your first prayer! Good job, my little one! ADOLESCENCE: I am listening to your ...

Jasmine B. Suiza / July 5, 2019 I quit my job. I was anxious and worried about what my future would be. With all the things that's happening to me, I planned to go soul searching. Being the traveler that I am - I wanted to plan vacations on my own. I want to go to Banaue, Sagada, Cagayan Valley, Hong Kong or Vietnam. These are the destinations in my mind. Days of planning and preparing for these trips did not do any good. I didn't feel satisfied. One day, my mom's friend suggested that I should go on a retreat. I was hesitant at first. A retreat in Antipolo? It's too near. I wanted to go somewhere far. Maybe I'll think about it. Until one conversation with a Muslim friend hit me. "We must serve the Father.", he said. Honestly, I felt guilty. Sinners as we all are, but my friend is doing his duty as a good believer. And here I am, reluctant to spend time with our God. That's when I decided to accept my mom's offer. I went to talk to...

Jasmine B. Suiza / July 3, 2019 When I've had enough for the day, 'You are loved', I heard you say. When things don't go my way, You remind me to wait and pray. When I'm lost and far away, You are still there to stay. Worries and fears keep me up all night, But You showered me with Your light. Bruised and wounded through this fight, But You affirmed me it will be alright. Sins of the past may blind my sight, But You've forgiven me to make things right. How beautiful and great is Your name, You freed me from my sins and shame. My life will never be the same, Since the day Your love came. 'I am a child of God' I will proclaim, Loving and serving You will be my aim.

Jasmine  B. Suiza /  Oct 14, 2018 Have you ever found yourself checking your cellphone for every notification sound from facebook, messenger and viber? A ko, oo. With every bell, honk or knock, we can reach out to our family, acquiantances - and even the world. Growing up with an OFW father, I remembered waiting for my Papa's voice tape, wherein he has to compress 8 months worth of stories and experiences... Not to mention the unending bilin like "Jasmine mag-aral kang mabuti." or "Magpakabait ka kay Mama." Fast forward to 2018, Papa and Mama can talk and see each other everyday through facebook messenger - all thanks to technology. With just a click, everything becomes faster and easier. Need to watch shows or movies? No need to rent VHS or betamax - there's youtube. Need to go somewhere? Book and buy your tickets online. You and I may be connected through the power of technology. But, are we still rooted...

Jasmine B. Suiza Naranasan mo na bang ma-reject? Ma-shutdown? Maiwan? Hindi ka normal kung palaging pabor sa'yo ang buhay. Life may sometimes be unfair. Yung ginawa mo naman ang best mo, pero tila palagi ka pa ring, gaya ng sabi ng kanta: "...Luhaan, sugatan, di mapakinabangan..." Masakit. Sa tuwing mararanasan ko ang rejection, nagbabalik ako sa pagtatanong. "Saan ba ako nagkamali?" "May ginawa nga ba akong tama?" "Lord, bakit?" There are facts of life that are far beyond our human hearts and minds to comprehend. Kahit paulit-ulit kong intindihin ay hindi ko makuha ang sagot. Whenever I start to dwell on painful events, I remind myself about the Lord's message through Romans 8:18: "The pain that you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming." For sure, God's plans are FAR BETTER than our plans. We just have to surrender our doubts, f...

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...