THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES
by Father James Reuter, S.J.
By her own admission, GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) rightfully assessed that over the last decades; our republic has become one of the weakest, steadily left behind by its more progressive neighbors.' Forty years ago, we were only second to Japan in economic stature, and way ahead of Singapore , Hong Kong , Malaysia , and Thailand . Today, at our present growth rate, it will take us 30 years to get to where Thailand is.
1.. A population of 160 Million;
2. Of those, 70 to 90 million (equivalent to our current population) will live below the poverty line;
3. Our national debt is estimated to be at US$200B (compared to US$28B when Marcos fled, and US$53B today);
4. We will be competing, not against Thailand or even Vietnam , but against Bangladesh ;
5. We will be the most corrupt nation in Asia , if not in the world (we're already ranked 11th most corrupt nation by Transparency International) ...
The signs are clear. Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort. We've seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups & people's organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often times against insurmountable odds.
But not even two people's revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend. At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward.
We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster. It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm.. It's time to claim GOD's promise of healing of the land for His people. It's time to gather GOD's people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation.
Is prayer really the answer? Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I'd like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history.
England 's ascendancy to world power was preceded by the Reformation, a spiritual revival fueled by intense prayers.
The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most powerful nation today - a strong faith in GOD and a disciplined prayer life. Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movement swept across the land.
In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and in the process producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering.
Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For here there is genuine humbling & seeking of GOD through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. YES, we believe prayer can make a difference. It's our only hope.
Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for 5 minutes of your time in a day, to fwd this email to your close friends and relatives.
This is the kind of unity which can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center.
We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it's time to try prayer power. GOD never fails. Is there hope? YES! We can rely on God's promise, but we have to do our part. If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, GOD will heal our land. By GOD's grace, we may yet see a better future for our children.
'If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.'(2 Chronicles 7:14).
If you care for your children and grandchildren, PLEASE pass this on. .. ...
Let's not just abandon the Philippines
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Saturday, 5 September 2009
i'm pregnant!
Im on my 6 weeks now and its pretty exciting, although morning sickness is really not that good, and knowing my olle is not here to support me....missing him much^^
Friday, 14 August 2009
For my Olle
I love the way you look at me,
Your eyes so bright and blue.
I love the way you kiss me,
Your lips so soft and smooth.
I love the way you make me so happy,
And the ways you show you care.
I love the way you say, "I Love You,"
And the way you're always there.
I love the way you touch me,
Always sending chills down my spine.
I love that you are with me,
And glad that you are min
Your eyes so bright and blue.
I love the way you kiss me,
Your lips so soft and smooth.
I love the way you make me so happy,
And the ways you show you care.
I love the way you say, "I Love You,"
And the way you're always there.
I love the way you touch me,
Always sending chills down my spine.
I love that you are with me,
And glad that you are min
Simple Ways To Keep the Romance Alive
Touch Daily
Don’t have time for cuddling? Simple, everyday touches can keep you even more connected. Touch the small of your wife’s back as you pass her in the laundry room. Button your husband’s shirt as he dresses for work. Simple touches throughout the day can help you stay connected for a lifetime.
Get Hooked on a Series
Finding a TV show that the two of you can enjoy together can give you a reason to look forward to Wednesday afternoons. Lost has become a cult phenomenon for many married couples, giving them plenty of chatting time between episodes to swap theories . . . or discuss why Benjamin Linus gives them the hebby-ma-jebbies.
Leave One Sentence Love Notes
No time for Shakespeare quotes and hand crafted poetry? Make love note jotting simple by placing a stack of Post-It notes and a pen in the bathroom drawer. It only takes ten seconds of your time to jot down short but sweet gems such as “I love you” or “Good morning, beautiful” and place them on the bathroom mirror. It’s a great way to do something spectacularly romantic on a spectacularly tight schedule.
Get Dirty Together
Sorry, guys, we aren’t talking about the bedroom. Take to the yard with your sweetie and get knee high in yard work. Create a garden together. Plant a few seeds along the back porch and watch them grow. Planting a small row of flowers or veggies only takes about five to ten minutes and leaves you with a lifetime of beautiful memories. Caring for your garden daily is also a great do-together project that has great viewing benefits for a fragrant Sunday cuddle on the porch swing.
Pray Together
As the old saying goes, the family who prays together stays together. Counting your blessings aloud before bed each night is a wonderful way to remind your spouse how thankful you are for their love. Another perk of praying as a couple? Science has proven that prayer and meditation lowers your blood pressure thus not only reminding you of your blessings but making it possible for you to share them for many years to come.
Get Physical
Yes, men, now you can clap. No matter how busy life is, physical intimacy is a very important part of a lasting, healthy relationship. When you have children, finding the time to make love can be a difficult task but it can be done. Have little ones who are up when the rooster crows? Set the alarm clock a little before “cock-a-doodle-do” and have a before work romp in the hay. Got sneaky little someones in your house? Get creative . . . They’ll never find you in the garage!
Play Together
You know what they say about all work and no play! From a fast game of cards to a quick Guitar Hero jam out session on his XBOX 360, playing together brings you together. Playtime encourages flirtatious lingo, inside jokes to share over dinner and feelings of oneness that last all week long.
Children with parents who are playful with one another tend to be happier, more well rounded adults as they go out into the world. Seeing positive, healthy play between the two of you ensures that their own marriage will be twice as likely to stand the test of time.
When all else fails never underestimate the power of play.
While life may be rushed and hectic, we should always take time out to spend with our life partners, to count our blessings and strive daily to keep the magic in “I do.” So, when it comes to love and life this is our wish for you . . . may you enjoy the simple things everyday.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Saturday, 1 August 2009
RIP Former President Cory Aquino
Former Philippine leader and democracy icon Corazon Aquino died Saturday following a cardiac arrest after battling colon cancer for more than a year, her son announced. She was 76.
"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 am, August 1, 2009 of cardio-respiratory arrest," Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, said in a statement outside the Makati Medical Centre in Manila, where his mother had been hospitalised.
"She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and the continuous love and support," he said.
"It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for the country," Aquino said.
A close family friend, Boy Abunda, said funeral arrangements would be announced later in the day. He said Aquino had been surrounded by members of her immediate family when she died.
Friends and foes offered their condolences to the family, while the politically influential Roman Catholic church held special requiem masses.
Presidential spokesman Cerge Remonde said the government was declaring a "period of national mourning" as arrangements for a state funeral for Aquino were being made.
Oscar Cruz, a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said Aquino was "God's greatest gift to us (Filipinos)."
"She symbolised freedom, justice and what is right," Cruz said. "Now that she has died, she is much bigger in memory. Let us thank God for giving us Tita (Aunt) Cory," he said, referring to the nickname by which the public fondly referred to Aquino.
Corazon Aquino was thrust into the whirlwind of high-stakes Philippine politics in 1983 when her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., flew back to his homeland from self-exile in the United States only to be shot dead as he stepped off his plane at Manila airport.
His murder triggered massive ‘People Power’ street protests that culminated three years later in the toppling of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had ruled the Philippines for 20 years with an iron hand.
Mrs Aquino was installed as president shortly after Marcos and his wife Imelda fled to Hawaii.
Best known as ‘Cory’, she was regarded as a symbol of the country's return to democracy, although her six-year term was marked by several bloody coup attempts.
Mrs Aquino was also a moral crusader -- after her presidential term ended in 1992, she kepot up her fight for reform, particularly against corruption.
In 2001 she also helped mobilize street protests against then President Joseph Estrada, an action movie hero self-confessed former womanizer and heavy drinker, who was ousted and charged with plundering a fortune through graft.
She reconciled with Estrada last year, and both of them joined street protests against current President Gloria Arroyo, whose family has also been accused of massive corruption.
"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 am, August 1, 2009 of cardio-respiratory arrest," Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, said in a statement outside the Makati Medical Centre in Manila, where his mother had been hospitalised.
"She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and the continuous love and support," he said.
"It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for the country," Aquino said.
A close family friend, Boy Abunda, said funeral arrangements would be announced later in the day. He said Aquino had been surrounded by members of her immediate family when she died.
Friends and foes offered their condolences to the family, while the politically influential Roman Catholic church held special requiem masses.
Presidential spokesman Cerge Remonde said the government was declaring a "period of national mourning" as arrangements for a state funeral for Aquino were being made.
Oscar Cruz, a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said Aquino was "God's greatest gift to us (Filipinos)."
"She symbolised freedom, justice and what is right," Cruz said. "Now that she has died, she is much bigger in memory. Let us thank God for giving us Tita (Aunt) Cory," he said, referring to the nickname by which the public fondly referred to Aquino.
Corazon Aquino was thrust into the whirlwind of high-stakes Philippine politics in 1983 when her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., flew back to his homeland from self-exile in the United States only to be shot dead as he stepped off his plane at Manila airport.
His murder triggered massive ‘People Power’ street protests that culminated three years later in the toppling of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had ruled the Philippines for 20 years with an iron hand.
Mrs Aquino was installed as president shortly after Marcos and his wife Imelda fled to Hawaii.
Best known as ‘Cory’, she was regarded as a symbol of the country's return to democracy, although her six-year term was marked by several bloody coup attempts.
Mrs Aquino was also a moral crusader -- after her presidential term ended in 1992, she kepot up her fight for reform, particularly against corruption.
In 2001 she also helped mobilize street protests against then President Joseph Estrada, an action movie hero self-confessed former womanizer and heavy drinker, who was ousted and charged with plundering a fortune through graft.
She reconciled with Estrada last year, and both of them joined street protests against current President Gloria Arroyo, whose family has also been accused of massive corruption.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
July is a month we called....WORKING MONTH
A lot of things to do here in Åsele.. going crazy..im with 270 thai people and 270 times i have to say im not thai....lol
I'm Brown but it doesn't mean I'm Thai!
I'm Brown but it doesn't mean I'm Thai!
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