General:
- Glory to God in the Highest (published: Tabor Voice, Nov-Dec 2002; Divine Light, Dec 2003)
- Living in the Will of God (published: Tabor Voice, Jan-Feb 2003)
- What we should do this Lent (published: The Examiner, March 2003)
- Lost your reputation? Rejoice! (published: Divine Light, July 2004)
- The Potter & His Clay - A Spiritual Analogy
- Death on an Easter Sunday
- How Jesus saved us from the fire next door
- God isn't deaf
- Get on a Barnabus trip
- A Year Older and a lot less Wise (Part 1 of the Birthday Trilogy)
- He sang to me (Part 2 of the Birthday Trilogy)
- The Value of Intercession (Part 3 of the Birthday Trilogy)
- Do you want a FREE GIFT that can never be taken from you?! (Dec 2003 / Jan 2004)
- Love is in the air... (February 2004)
- Was it worth it all? (March 2004)
- I Confess... (April 2004)
- The Beautiful Blessing of Christian Fellowship! (May 2004)
- Power Evangelize! (June 2004)
- 'Best Friends' till the end (July 2004)
- Family Matters (August 2004)
- Do you know WHY you believe? (September 2004)
- You're going to be let down (October 2004)
- Praying with the Holy Pope (November 2004)
- Hang in there (December 2004) (published: Divine Light, Jan 2005)
- Just like that. And you're gone (January 2005)
- The Divine Lover of My Soul (February 2005)
- Is it ever "too late" to do right? (March 2005)
- To Emmaus, or back again? The choice is yours! (April 2005) (published:Divine Truth, April 2007)
- Bear Much Fruit (May 2005) (published: Divine Light, July 2005)
- Holiness and the Heart of Love (June 2005)
- Spiritual Boot Camp (July 2005)
- Abundant Life! (August 2005)
- Unanswered Prayers? (September 2005)
- Trust in the Lord! (October 2005)
- Persevere! (December 2005)
- New Resolutions this New Year (January 2006)
- 'Having it All' = Having Jesus (February 2006)
- He Understands (April 2006)
- My Invisible Tattoo (September 2006)
- Cardinal Justin Rigali ~ "Glorify God in Your Body" (October 2006)
- A Fattened Calf for me (December 2006)
- How to come out of a Spiritual Downward Spiral - Part 1 (January 2007)
- Jesus is Alive. Need Proof? ( October 2007)
- Biblical Catholics (November 2007)
- Religion or Spirituality? (September 2008)
- Lessons from the strange race between the Tortoise and the Hare (October 2008)
- How to react when Spiritual Leaders fall / backslide: (November 2008)
August 2005
Abundant Life!
John 3:16 is perhaps one of the most easily identified passages in the Bible "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believe in Him may not perish, but have life, and life in abundance". Amen!
What does this "abundant" life mean however? Does it endorse the prosperity gospel - that we will have all the health, all the wealth, all the riches and materials we could ask for and more?
Does it mean that our lives will be filled with happiness of every kind, with people who'll only love us, never hurt us, shower us with kindnesses and attentions of every kind? Does it mean that we'll be successes in our work, in our careers, in the world?
And if not, what does it mean?
Before we understand the meaning of abundant life, let us first remember something. That we are all exiles on earth. Our sole purpose of living is to go back to God. For He created us to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him and to be with Him for all eternity.
Hence our life on earth is just a stop over on a journey destination heaven.
Since God loves us so much though, He desires even our stop over here on earth be as pleasant as possible.
Because He loves us, He does not take away our free will from us. So we still have the option to choose good or evil. Hence there is still rampant evil here on earth. And in the midst of this evil, even though we may choose good, there are times when we suffer.
Even when we love, there are times when we're hurt. Even when we work hard, when we pray, things always don't go the way we'd like them to.
So what's all this abundant life then?
Abundant life here on earth is the promise of a faithful God Who never leaves your side. Once we cast our burdens upon Him, He helps us get through any and every situation, because His yoke is light.
He doesn't assure us of storm-less weather. He assures us that He'll never leave us. And if Jesus is truly in our boats, then we needn't fear any storm.
After all, God is in perfect control of all things.
It is when we learn to surrender more and more of ourselves to God, especially all the things that weigh us down, when we start experiencing 'abundant' life.
Remember, the happiest people are not those who don't have problems - even they are plagued by worries of what could be - but those who despite all problems, can smile in all sincerity, knowing their almighty God loves them, takes care of them and works all things our for their good.
Try it today if you haven't already. Close your eyes just now, sincerely give Jesus your problem. And see the miraculous way He'll make you smile through the storm!
Here's to the abundant life!
August 2005
