Words, words, words.

LordMyChef “TGIF” Quote, 19 October 2018:

“We live in a world where words are cheap. Words engulf us.  In advertisements, on billboards, and traffic signs, in pamphlets, booklets and books, on blackboards, overhead projectors, flip-charts, screens, and newsrunners.  Words move, flicker, turn around, grow bigger, brighter, and fatter.  They are presented to us in all sizes and colors – but finally we say, ‘Well, they are just words.’  Increased in number, words have decreased in value.”

Henri Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, page 52.

subwayphones

 

On Humility

LordMyChef “I-Like-Mondays” Quote, 15 October 2018

“When a person starts to think that all his success comes because he’s so good, he’s already off track.  I always remind myself that I’m here for a mission, and it keeps me grounded.”

Edgar “Injap” Sia with Kristine Fonacier, “Life Principles”, page 116.

Roots

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog, Sacred Heart Novitiate (Novaliches), July 2018.

Beware: Complaining Is Always Attractive!

LordMyChef “T-G-I-F” Quote, 12 October 2018

“There were no easy consolations.  It even seemed that he pierced their complaints with a truth they might have preferred not to know.  After all, continual complaining is more attractive than facing reality.  But the stranger was not the least bit afraid to break through their defenses and to call them far beyond their own narrowness of mind and heart.”

Henri Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, page 47.

DSCF0917

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, arched ceiling of the Our Father Church, Holy Land pilgrimage April 2017.

On Contentment

LordMyChef “I-Like-Mondays” Quote, 08 October 2018

“Dream big dreams, but learn to be content with less, so that you may reach contentment even before you achieve your big dream. 

Contentment translates to inner happiness; don’t confuse it or align it with your Big Dream, because you may find yourself disappointed.”

Edgar “Injap” Sia, “Life Principles” with Kristine Fonacier, page 130.

DeadSeaPalms

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, Dead Sea resort, April 2017.

When Despair and Hope Come Together

LordMyChef “T-G-I-F” Quote, 05 October 2018:

“No loss can be mourned without some intuition that we will find new life… That’s how we generally approach the Eucharist.  With a strange mixture of despair and hope.  As we listen carefully to the deeper voices in our heart we realize that beneath our skepticism and cynicism there is a yearning for love, unity and communion that doesn’t go  away even when there remain so many arguments to dismiss it as sentimental childhood memories.”

Henri Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, pp. 39-41.

DSCF0808

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, Chapel of St. Jerome, Bethlehem, 18 April 2017.

On Tenacity and Grit

LordMyChef “I-Like-Mondays” Quote, 01 October 2018:

“If 99 out of a hundred people give up when they’re faced with rejection, you can distinguish yourself by being the one who keeps at it.  Other people might get mad and walk away after being rejected.  But be different.  Be tenacious. 

After you learn tenacity, grit can come into play.  Grit is the stamina to sustain continuous sacrifice in the face of continuous difficulty.” 

Injap Sia, “Life Principles” with Kristine Fonacier, page 114.

RaffyBatanes13

Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA-7 News, Batanes a day before Typhoon Ompong, 14 September 2018.  Used with permission.

On Being Truly Sorry

LordMyChef “TGIF” Quote, 28 September 2018:

“A contrite heart is a heart that does not blame but acknowledges its own part in the sinfulness of the world and so has been made ready to receive God’s mercy.” – Henri Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, page 38.

RaffyBatanes8

*Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA-7 News, Batanes after typhoon Ompong, 17 September 2018.  Used with permission.

On Courage

LordMyChef “I-Like-Mondays” Quote, 24 September 2018:

“Courage is when you are able to make difficult decisions, and pursue those decisions even when they’re not initially perceived by other people as correct.”  Edgar “Injap” Sia in “Life Principles” page 125.  flowersDeadSea

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II of flowers abloom and abundant palm trees in the desert of Dead Sea area, April 2017.

Why Life Is Precious

LordMyChef “TGIF” Quote, 21 September 2018:

“The beauty and preciousness of life is intimately linked with its fragility and mortality.  We can experience that everyday — when we take a flower in our hands, when we see a butterfly dance in the air, when we caress a little baby.  Fragility and giftedness are both there, and our joy is connected with both.”  (Fr. Henri Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, page 34.)

bloom blooming blossom blur
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com