While I fast, I’m giving a retreat to almost 300 people in Tagaytay (divided into 3 batches). Preaching and blessing these beautiful people here is my great joy. Sometimes, I want to pinch myself. Is this really my life? My job is the best in the world.
It’s the third day of my juice fast. When I’m not with the retreatants, I’m in my room studying, still preparing for my FEAST talk on Easter Sunday. (If you live in Metro Manila, don’t miss it! Click here for venue.) And if I’m not doing that, I’m taking quiet walks under the blue sky with God beside me.
Let me share with you my guiding principle for prayer: I do what works.
Like each morning, I always pray by writing on my journal—which is in my computer. Some may frown at that and say, “That’s not the way to pray! You should kneel down or stand up or sing…”
I tried all that. But I guess because I’m a writer, I feel that I’m able to connect with God’s presence by writing my thoughts on the computer. It just works. I’ve been doing this for years.
I also love taking quiet walks—which is my favorite way of praying when I take retreats. I feel close to God when I do that.
This afternoon, my wife and kids visited me in the retreat house.
My 7 year old and I took a walk around the retreat house compound, all the while chatting. Here’s a piece of our lovely conversation…
Bene: Daddy, how’s the retreat? (I love it when he asks me about my work!)
Bo: It’s going very well, son. People are blessed.
Bene: What did you talk about? (That question floored me. He’s really interested.)
Bo: About our image of God. Our picture of God. Sometimes, we have a wrong image of God. For example, some people see Him as always angry. Which isn’t true because He’s such a loving God. By the way Bene, what is your image of God?
Bene: I never thought of that before.
Bo: Well, what do you think of Him now? Is He big?
Bene: Of course. And serious.
Bo: Why?
Bene: That’s how the artists draw God. Serious.
Bo: I bet He laughs a lot.
Bene: Why?
Bo: Because that’s who God is. And I bet He likes to hug kids a lot too.
Bene: Let’s eat in Jollibee!
If you’re trying to figure out the connection between his last sentence and our topic of discussion, don’t try too hard. He just loves to eat there when he’s happy.
But those kinds of spontaneous, unplanned conversations are the stuff of great parent-child relationships. That’s why quality time isn’t enough. You also need quantity—because if you’re not around to grab those deep conversations, the opportunity to connect with him and shape his values will slip by... and be lost forever.
Soon, my wife and our two-year-old Francis joined us, and we prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. We sang a few off-key songs to God but I don’t think He minded. For dinner, I sneaked them out of the retreat house for a Chowking meal (Bene was overruled this time.) And during the entire meal, as everyone was munching their chicken, noodles, and halo-halo, all I could do was watch. And smell!
But I wasn’t tempted at all.
I realize that I no longer felt hungry. At all.
After swapping stories with my wife and kids, they brought me back to the retreat house and left me here.
Under the moonlight, I took another beautiful walk around the compound—just me and God chatting the night away—before entering my room and writing this piece for you.
I looked at the mirror and checked my thin face.
I probably lost 3 or 4 pounds already.
Tomorrow will be a challenging day: Another 4 Talks.
I’ll tell you all about it…
Abangan!
PS1. What juices am I taking? Here’s my favorite recipe... (5 carrots, ½ apple, ¼ inch of ginger) Just chuck these into the juicer and presto! Refreshing, delicious, nutrition in a glass.
PS2. Just in case you didn’t get my invitation to pray and fast with me for 7 days, click here and read about it.
PS3. My office staff just started mailing out my newest book, 8 Secrets Of The Truly Rich, to KerygmaFamily members. It’s my Big “Thank You” Gift to those who partner with me in my work for the Lord with at least P300 a month (local) or $20 (international) a month. If you’re NOT yet a member of the KerygmaFamily, you’re missing the mountain load of spiritual nourishment we give away to members for FREE! Monthly Kerygma magazine, daily video talks, daily Bible reflections, and so much more! Click here and join your new spiritual family and support system now!
PS4. More and more people are asking me about homeschooling. Yes, we teach our kids at home. And yes, I started Catholic Filipino Academy, a homeschool center that provides parents who wish to teach their kids at home the training, teacher’s manuals, textbooks, and DepED accreditation for their children. If you want to teach your kids at home, email catholicfilipinoacademy@gmail.com and ask for an article I wrote about homeschooling.
PS5. Do you want a part-time job where you can work from home? WANTED: We need budding school textbook writers. From Kindergarten to Grade 6 subjects. We pay a fixed amount per book project. If you’re interested, email tina@kerygmafamily.com and we’ll interview you to see if there’s a fit in the work to be done.
PS6. Do you have old children’s encyclopaedias, resource books, and story books that you are no longer using and are just collecting dust in your homes—and want to get rid of them? Let other kids read them. Please mail or ship them to CFA c/o Mayette Salvedia, at #60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City (For details, call up Mayette at Tel. (632) 7264709 or email her at catholicfilipinoacademy@gmail.com (Sorry, we have no means of picking them up.)
Hi Bro Bo,
ReplyDeleteRemember me Bro Jimmy of Singapore. As soon as I
received your email regarding fasting, I
immediately joined using the other email address. I
believed in the power of fasting and when I told my
wife that I won't eat my dinner this Holy Week, she
readily told me she would join us.I told her we will
do this so that the Word of God will continue to
reach many people using all mode of communications and
that God will outpour His annointing to all of us who
preach the Word of God. We are doing this also so
that God may provide us all the Abundant blessings
in order to help those in need.
Tuesday night, I and my wife thanked God for we have a
wonderful and good confession with the Spiritual
director of El Shaddai Singapore chapter.
Alam mo Bro Bo last Monday night, here is my
conversation with my daughter (2 years 10 months)...
Jimmy : Abigael, take your medicine now. You have
a cough
Abigael : Dont want
Jimmy : So how?
Abigael : Cough go away. Jesus heal me.
Yes we parents are blessed with our children. They
are God's Gifts to us so that our faith will grow more.
and our Mission will be our best job.
I claimed that God continue to bless us.
I have finished reading The 8 secrets of truly Rich
Thanks Bro Bo
Bro Jimmy
doesn't want. She told me Don't
Thanks Bro Bo for books Simplify series that I and
my wife read together
every night. I have finished reading the 8 Secrets
Ack Brother Bo. Hindi ko kinaya ang fasting. T^T I've been going to the gym almost daily until recently, when I had to stop due to my work (which kept me from going to the gym, kasi po panay overtime dahil may kailangang tapusin) and the stress involved so nanghihina talaga ako even if I slowly cut down my food intake. For now, I THINK I can fast on Friday, but I don't know if it'll be a full fast (only one meal for the day). I have been working my hardest to abstain though.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you po, and great job! Hopefully next year kayanin ko na 'yan.
Dear Bro. Bo,
ReplyDeleteI am definitely grateful to have read your invitation for fasting. I have tried
the "one meal" fast. (Just for lunchtime) On the first day, I have been so busy here in the ofc that that I did not feel the hunger. And that night I busy myself reading the word of G
God. And I pray a lot too. My second day was okey though I feel tired and hungry at th
at the end of the day. I have eaten some fruits for dinner. Maybe I need to pray
and meditate some more.
Today is the 3rd day and just like you, I feel wonderful. Thanks for inspiring
us. God bless.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI had read Kerygma magazines when I was in college. And haven't read a paper from you since then. Last week, One of my friends forwarded me an e-mail with inspiring stories like the gift, love rubber band and tuyo, tinapa at galungung. It made me think of researching your name in the net and and hoping I could read your write-ups again. Thank God i found you.
Hi Bro. Bo,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for inviting us to this special banquet. My husband and I are trying our best to do the one-meal-a-day fast and to pray more. So far so good! I also shared this invitation to some members of our community, the El Shaddai North Houston. We are so blessed and inspired by your talks and the way you live your life for God. You are a blessing to all of us. May God bless you and your family always.
Well,what can I say?
ReplyDeleteYou are a big big blessing to me!
With you, the world is a better place.
God bless you more!
dear bro bro,
ReplyDeletewe were in the batch of retreatants you mentioned above apr 2-3 in tagaytay. God has blest us so
much in these two days listening to you and bro obet, most of all, what i had wanted
to do for such a long time now we were able to do, such as confess, make the stations of the cross,
sing worship songs, and much more. we had to qeue till midnight to be able to confess
out in the cooold night with the full moon shining, sharing stories with new found friends.
the good and awesome father knew more about my sins than I did and he didnt care much about them ( just like God, I learned from Bro Bro)and he spent the longest time speaking of God's love and how I should pray more and read his writings to help me.the next day through God's grace and some help from Beckie and Tere, a retreatant was able to confess after 6 long years of being away
from the faith,thanks to Fr John's discerning words , loving words, it was such an amazing blessing
our cup was overflowing,after the retreat and we settled for lunch before checking
out.but a lady suddenly sort of collapsed, we had to bring her to the hospital
by God's grace a doctor retreatant came with us. seemed to me like the lady was "possessed"
cause her eyes were rolling, crossing, glazed, and dull at times and her hands and neck were s.so i kept saying in Jesus' name with my hand on her forehead. later she became limp, and coughed out like vomitting
the dr said it was a panic attack, but boy, it was a looong 30 min attack!her family
fetched her and by God's strange ways, they were able to confess with Fr John too. what a blessing! Awesome loving God we thank you!!!! thanks for your fasting which helped
release God s blessings to us .
while on the way.
retreatant came with us, several retreatants followed
dear bro bro,
ReplyDeletewe were in the batch of retreatants you mentioned above apr 2-3 in tagaytay. God has blest us so
much in these two days listening to you and bro obet, most of all, what i had wanted
to do for such a long time now we were able to do, such as confess, make the stations of the cross,
sing worship songs, and much more. we had to qeue till midnight to be able to confess
out in the cooold night with the full moon shining, sharing stories with new found friends.
the good and awesome father knew more about my sins than I did and he didnt care much about them ( just like God, I learned from Bro Bro)and he spent the longest time speaking of God's love and how I should pray more and read his writings to help me.the next day through God's grace and some help from Beckie and Tere, a retreatant was able to confess after 6 long years of being away
from the faith,thanks to Fr John's discerning words , loving words, it was such an amazing blessing
our cup was overflowing,after the retreat and we settled for lunch before checking
out.but a lady suddenly sort of collapsed, we had to bring her to the hospital
by God's grace a doctor retreatant came with us. seemed to me like the lady was "possessed"
cause her eyes were rolling, crossing, glazed, and dull at times and her hands and neck were s.so i kept saying in Jesus' name with my hand on her forehead. later she became limp, and coughed out like vomitting
the dr said it was a panic attack, but boy, it was a looong 30 min attack!her family
fetched her and by God's strange ways, they were able to confess with Fr John too. what a blessing! Awesome loving God we thank you!!!! thanks for your fasting which helped
release God s blessings to us .
dear bro bro,
ReplyDeletewe were in the batch of retreatants you mentioned above apr 2-3 in tagaytay. God has blest us so
much in these two days listening to you and bro obet, most of all, what i had wanted
to do for such a long time now we were able to do, such as confess, make the stations of the cross,
sing worship songs, and much more. we had to qeue till midnight to be able to confess
out in the cooold night with the full moon shining, sharing stories with new found friends.
the good and awesome father knew more about my sins than I did and he didnt care much about them ( just like God, I learned from Bro Bro)and he spent the longest time speaking of God's love and how I should pray more and read his writings to help me.the next day through God's grace and some help from Beckie and Tere, another retreatant was able to confess after 6 long years of being away
from the faith,thanks to Fr John's discerning words , loving words, it was such an amazing blessing
our cup was overflowing,after the retreat and we settled for lunch before checking
out.but a lady suddenly sort of collapsed, we had to bring her to the hospital
by God's grace a doctor retreatant came with us. seemed to me like the lady was "possessed"
cause her eyes were rolling, crossing, glazed, and dull at times and her hands and neck were s.so i kept saying in Jesus' name with my hand on her forehead. later she became limp, and coughed out like vomitting
the dr said it was a panic attack, but boy, it was a looong 30 min attack!her family
fetched her and by God's strange ways, they were able to confess with Fr John too. what a blessing! Awesome loving God we thank you!!!! thanks for your fasting which helped
release God s blessings to us .
There are several gps cellular phone on the ton
ReplyDeletefor willpower place trades. In herbal, cheat contrary gloves
to bond any exhibit that they improve.
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ReplyDelete