When You Have Done Everything to Change But Nothing Changed

I know people who sincerely want to change for the better and in fact tried everything to make it happen. Even spent lots of money, to no avail. I also know people who really think they've changed a lot but don't see how all the old stuff in them is just covered with a thin vinyl or "wall" paper that easily bursts during unguarded moments. 

Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash.

Change is hard and isn't possible at all unless initiated by our Maker. Artificial change (change wrought by us or people) does not last and only allows the old, nasty self to grow bigger and stronger quietly in us, waiting for the right moment to erupt. It happens more with churchy people who believe they have become spiritual because of their self-imposed discipline. Or their religion or church. They wear an effective mask that fools people about their supposed change and spirituality. 

But actually, nothing's changed in them. 

Unless the LORD does the change, everything is skin-deep, wolf in sheep's clothing. Wolves of this kind are nice persons, as if always ready to help, as if sincere and caring, soft spoken, but later shed off the fake wool when their egos are touched. And egos are often invisible to the naked eyes when the ego-centered become experts at disguising it. I've met those who have mastered the art of disguising. 

But you know what exposes them? Their lecturing tendencies---when they can't stand those who are not of the same mind as they are, whose opinions differ from theirs. Their egos won't let you get away with your opposing convictions, so they argue with you (which they disguise as "healthy discussion"), lecturing about what you should do or believe, with the aim of making you look stupid for believing what you believe. 

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You Cannot Tame Your Ego

The ego, unless genuinely changed directly by the LORD, will never be tamed or changed for the better. And I mean, it should be the LORD Himself doing his personal molding on you. Counseling, therapy and even bible studies or listening to church sermons WILL NOT do it. They may effect artificial changes but they never last. Walang forever sa artificial. And sadly, almost everything in church today (regardless of the denomination) is merely artificial. 

Only Jesus' Blood can cleanse and purify, and only His resurrection power can quicken us from a dead spiritual life. This is why real change (transformation) is possible only with a personal encounter with Jesus, not just once, but everyday, even each moment of the day while we face everyday life in this world. His transforming Presence alone can do it. Good news is, that presence is available anywhere, any time, and in any mood you're in. In fact, I say it is more accessble when you're not in church, the church that men invented and run using the Babylon system, not the church Jesus builds. 

How to be in His Presence

First and foremost, you need to be soaked in God's spoken Word and led by the Holy Spirit. Without the Word that comes out of the mouth of God and without the Holy Spirit, everything is garbage. Remaining in His Word means remaining in His presence 24/7, and this is only possible if you're Spirit led 24/7. When you're soaked in the presence like this, you transform, genuinely. It's God Himself doing the mighty work in you. You don't struggle or exert any effort. 

How is this possible? Aside from asking the Holy Spirit to "reveal" truth to you supernaturally (not through man's theology, bible study tools or lessons or hermeneutics or whatnot), you remain in the presence by always chatting with the LORD, telling or discussing things with Him, or simply quietly relaxing in His presence, always "aware" of being near Him and in Him. You talk, laugh, or joke with other people, you may even be stressed by work at the office or in your business, stressed by traffic or problems (hurt, frustrated, disappointed or anxious about things), but these things change nothing about your spiritual composure inside because you remain in His Presence. 

And this genuinely changes---even transforms---you to be better. 

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Avoiding Someone For Peace of Mind Versus Hatred

I send you out as sheep among wolves. 

So, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

 - Matthew 10.16 

I read somewhere on FB that as you age you learn to value zero contact with insufferable folks to keep your peace. Well, I've learned that from adolescence. I value peace and quiet and alone moments, trying to balance that with limited contacts from people who let me alone with my preferences as I let them with theirs. De gustibus non disputandum est. Walang basagan ng trip. But I also sometimes balance that with tolerating the company of smart Alecks. 

Photo by Hobi industri on Unsplash.

Avoiding toxic individuals or those whose character you strongly oppose is a practice many adopt for the sake of their peace of mind and emotional well-being. However, the reasons behind this avoidance shape the nature of the action and its consequences. On one hand, avoiding such people to maintain inner peace and prevent unnecessary conflict is a strategic and self-preserving choice. On the other, avoiding them out of sheer hatred fosters negativity and may affect one's personal growth and emotional stability. 

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Avoidance for Peace and Well-Being

Distancing oneself from individuals whose behaviors or values are toxic is self-care. You're smart enough to see that certain interactions drain energy, trigger anxiety, or disrupt emotional balance. Individuals who consistently engage in manipulative, aggressive, or dishonest behavior can create an environment that is mentally exhausting. By stepping away from such interactions, you safeguard your emotional and psychological health.

Avoiding confrontation is also a practical reason for disengagement. Some individuals are prone to unnecessary arguments or thrive on conflict, making it difficult to have constructive conversations. They enjoy proving to all that they're smarter than anyone and they use you for this. Rather than engaging in repeated disputes that yield no resolution, steering clear of such exchanges allows for a more tranquil life. In this case, avoidance is a form of emotional maturity, recognizing that not all battles need to be fought.

This kind of avoidance does not necessarily involve resentment or hostility toward the person in question. It often stems from an understanding that differences in character or values can make relationships unworkable. There may even be a sense of neutrality or a lack of judgment, as the focus is more on self-preservation than punishment or disdain.

Avoidance Due to Hatred

On the other side of the spectrum is avoiding people out of hate. While hatred is a strong emotion that can feel justified in certain situations—especially when someone has caused harm—the act of avoiding them because of this sentiment has deeper psychological implications. Holding onto hate fosters resentment, which can negatively impact emotional well-being. Rather than offering peace of mind, it often keeps the negative emotions active, replaying thoughts of anger and indignation.

Moreover, hatred itself can be corrosive, affecting your ability to cultivate empathy, understanding, and growth. When avoidance is driven by hatred rather than the need for inner peace, it may signal an unresolved emotional burden rather than a thoughtful boundary. In some cases, such avoidance can also be reactionary rather than intentional, stemming from emotions that have not been fully processed.

The Key Difference

The fundamental distinction between the two forms of avoidance lies in intent and effect. Avoiding toxic people for peace is a self-protective measure aimed at fostering a healthier emotional state. It is rooted in a desire to improve well-being and maintain a positive outlook on life. On the other hand, avoiding people due to hatred is emotionally charged and often keeps negativity alive, preventing emotional growth. 

Ultimately, distancing oneself from unhealthy interactions is beneficial, but it is most effective when done with clarity and self-awareness rather than being driven by destructive emotions.

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Human Touch Still Beats AI

When the public was made aware of AI, lots of people panicked. They worried about an AI invasion, something like what they saw in Terminator movies and I Robot which starred Will Smith. It reminded me of the Y2K virus scare when they worried about all computers and systems reverting back to 1900 if these systems get confused about the turn of the previous century to the 2000s.

But nothing happened. 

Someone said that about 98 percent of our fears never happen. The same with the AI scare, I believe. But what I really wonder about is so many jobs being turned over from humans to AI, not just due to higher AI efficiency, but split-second productivity. Can you imagine producing a 500-page book in just a few seconds, complete with accurate and prolific details? One non-writer "book author" was proud that he could "author" a book within a few minutes even if his grammar was the pits.

And a lot of non-writer "authors" have popped up lately like mushrooms, producing books and e-books that sell like hotcakes and make a killing. Simply give an AI app the book outline and topic you want and presto! You have a book and you're an "author" in the flick of a finger. And they are well written and researched, not by the "author" who doesn't know the difference between "they're" and "their," but by the AI. 

So what happens now to real writers?

But a few days back I have been browsing the Net for virtual assistance (VA) info to beef up some articles I was writing and hit an insight---multiple companies here and abroad are looking for virtual what-have-you----virtual assistants, virtual artists, virtual editors, virtual administrators, virtual this and that. Why? Because everything highly techie still needs the human touch. Clients and customers still want human interaction and are not comfortable talking to bots and programs and AI stuff. 

How to beat AI in securing a career! 

The same thing with book writing. Nothing beats human touch when it comes to book writing, both fiction and non-fiction. AI cannot share their "personal experience" of things. They can include other authors' personal testimonies or stories in their writeups, but that still isn't what human touch or human interest is all about. It's about the author's own personal life experience of a subject matter. 

AI can write a thousand things about parenting, but it cannot share its own personal experiences of raising up kids. It can tell you the best ways to cook hamburgers and spaghetti but it cannot share an experience of cooking them for one's kids and grandkids. It can write about how to have a relationship with God but it can never tell you how it met God personally and became a new creation in Christ. And you'd know how to easily beat AI authored books if you always write in the first person as many authors do. 

I use AI a lot for research but I carefully review everything, weeding out information and other stuff that I don't think should go in my ebook, and writing styles that do not reflect my person. I edit and re-word if need be. That's how I personalize my AI aided ebooks. And yes, you really need to always personalize your writings, blog or ebooks. Don't ust join what an AI app is doing for you. You're a non-joiner, remember?

KNOW WHAT'S RIGHTFULLY YOURS: Some Folks Don't Want You to Have Them

The first thing that comes to mind when you read something like the title above is probably your rights as a citizen or as an employee. Or, your rights as an heir. Maybe. Because you miss a lot if you don't know what's rightfully yours. Better brush up on your rights, as well as obligations. They go together. 

Image by Public Co from Pixabay

But there's something more important. Your privacy. Enjoyment of rights can secure privacy, but not always. Privacy is vital for peace and quiet which translates to relaxation and eventually, good health. But rights do not always ensure privacy. You may be exercising all your rights and yet miss special time for yourself. And you don't know what you're missing when that happens.

Your Own Personal Space

To me, there's no real enjoyment of rights without real privacy. If people can just invade your personal space anytime they want, rights are null and void. Sometimes, people who staunchly believe in rights will do that to you. What's right to freedom, for instance, if a "freedom-loving" friend can just call you anytime (especially in your free time) because he wants to chat, believing he has the right to do so? Or, if someone can call you at night in the middle of your sleep (except during emergencies, of course) to ask you for some favors?

What's freedom of speech if you let some smart Aleck question everything you say or do or practice. Or catechize you on things you post on your own FB wall, requiring you to explain or defend them, or answer their questions and pass their tests--for each and every idea you express? 

Privacy includes enjoying free expression of your thoughts and beliefs within your own space (and not being questioned for them) or even expressing them with friends in public, like sharing them on your FB wall, without any eavesdropping and intruding smart Aleck cross-examining you about them. Not because you can't explain or defend them, but because you hate wasting time with fools. 

It's like a painting artwork. If I want to paint the grass yellow, I will paint the grass yellow. That's it. I don't care if you think my painting or color is wrong. I have my own grass in mind and I just feel sorry if you can't enjoy the same and not realize that most things visible in this world are lies. You can always build your own world if you want to. Don't mess with mine. Only non-joiners can understand what I'm saying here. Free, undisturbed self-expression is yours, but some "gods" out there don't want you to have it. 

Quiet Time

Being a church pastor, I often note how pastors miss real privacy. Yes, they enjoy freedom of religion in this country, but not to the extent that God intends that freedom to be. They devote 100 percent of their time to ministry--looking after other people's needs in particular---and just "entrust" their families need of them to the Lord. 

Thus, the many cases of broken marriages and families among ministers today. Or pastors' kids going wild. When this happens, there's no real freedom of religion, or any freedom at all. Neither real spiritual freedom. Quiet times with GOD and self are vital and you miss tons of spiritual benefits if you forfeit yourself of them.

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. [Luke 5]

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places. The word "often" tells us it had been a habit with Jesus. He considered it important, even if he was tasked with saving souls from hell and touching people's lives. It's indispensable. Once you lose your real, genuine quiet time with God, with yourself and family, you lose freedom. How can you help others be set free?

And you don't know what other important things you're losing because you thought ministry was about being busy with people. Nope, ministry is about clearly getting God's will as HE speaks it to you, and obeying it accurately---to the letter. It's not about people's wants or needs and you satisfying them. That results to slavery to people, not freedom to serve God. Ministry is about doing what God wants you to do, and often it's not about people's needs. 

One time, some folks asked Jesus for a favor about what they wanted. The mother needed to be assured of her sons' promotion in Jesus' kingdom. But Jesus put the request aside and told them that he was after the Father's will alone, not their wants or needs.

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” [Matthew 20]

In short, it's not about what we need or want or desire to do for God. It's about the Father's will alone being done. 

Jesus knew what to do and wasn't swayed by men's desires or persuasions because he ranked his Father's will first and last in his ministry. And this as a result of his privacy with the Father. No one could take that away from him. 

When we are misled to prioritize ministry that focuses on people's needs and not on God's will, we lose intimacy with God and have no idea how much we've been losing spiritually. Yes, we may win people's favor and probably look successful and make lots of money (and have a mega ministry), but we lose real and eternal benefits. Some smart-Aleck people don't want us to know what's ours.

The people's voice is often not God's--because his thoughts are higher than ours. 

Other Benefits

Good health is yours. Prosperity is yours, whether material or spiritual. Healing is yours. Peace and relaxation are yours. All these plus more are available for claiming if you genuinely believe Jesus and his promises. Problem is, we were taught how we can't have them all. And ironically, it's in church, of all places, we're taught that limiting ourselves and not daring to get what God has given us are sound doctrines to believe in. You miss everything God has for you when you don't know what's yours and merely believe what tepid, apathetic preachers and theologians tell you.

The Word says, in Christ:

All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, [1 Corinthians 3]

If you ask anything in my Name, I will do it. [John 14.14]

To me it's crystal clear that we can have everything. I don't believe in a "no" answer to prayer. As long as you're a non-joiner in Christ (not joining the world), you can have everything. But years and even decades of being told in church that God sometimes answers "no." Or that life on earth cannot be perfect. Or that you can't have everything you want. Or that you can't have all your prayers answered yes. These misinformation made us seriously doubt the effectiveness of God's promises. The doubt became the norm, the sound doctrine, and radical belief was seen as rash and uniformed.

...sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. [2 Corinthians 6.10]

Yes, we believe God's Word and promises in our heads but we don't believe in our hearts the promises can actually happen to us right on the spot--before our eyes--right now, if we claim them. Doing so is cultic, out of context, or plain idiocy, says our theology--the theology that man's church shoves down our throats. Thus, we'd rather believe medical procedures and meds--or pray that God will use them (a theology we invented in place of Jesus' radical miracles)--than actually and seriously take Jesus' word for it. 

So, Why Don't I Have Everything?

People look at me and ask how come I don't look like I have everything? Yup, I don't...yet. As I've said, years and decades of being taught in church about everything anti-radical have made it difficult for believers--me included--to seriously and radically take Jesus' word for it. Even after years (I began in 1998) of trying to delete what man's church has taught me and have Jesus' faith particularly on miracles and signs and wonders, I still suffer some side effects. 

But I'm pressing on. I know one day soon I will have what God has willed to be mine in Christ. 

Saying "I Don't Mind" and "So What?"

When we care not what happens or what the result would be, we say, "I don't mind." It can be a strong response against bashing or criticism or a weak one that allows opportunists entry into your privacy, even your very life. So think twice (even 10 times if you have the time) before you say it. Or, opt for its better alternatives.

Photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash.

Nod

I prefer saying "okay" with a slightly vague, emotionless facial expression than saying "I don't mind."  Or simply a nod, or a quick raise of the eyebrows which in Manila may mean, "Okay for now but not always." Ambiguity is a stance that keeps people off balance when dealing with you. They're not sure where they stand, something like you neither confirm nor deny. When they're kept guessing like that, you always have the upper hand.

I give definite responses only to folks I really trust, like Jesus. And my wife and kids. But to the rest, I give something like what Jesus often says: "Those who have ears to hear, let them hear." Let them think and wonder, not the other way around, you wondering about what they say. That state of being lost for words or indecision causes them delay and loses head start. 

This is far as protecting yourself from carpetbaggers or opportunists, or when someone tries to trick you or wants to be a smart Aleck to you. Avoid saying "I don't mind" to them. They're going to eat you whole. However, it can be a powerful counter against folks who try to belittle you. Better yet, instead of "I don't mind," I'd say, "So what?"

Or simply, "So?"

So What?

We all have bashers, or are bound to. Even Jesus had them, and they crucified him. I guess no one's exempt. What's the best response? "So what?" It's the best and most apt. Second is, "I don't mind," which sounds kinder, tamer and diplomatic. But I don't want to be kinder, tamer or diplomatic with bashers or detractors. I want a direct show of bold nonchalance and disinterest. 

When Pilate mockingly asked Jesus if he was king, Jesus simply said, "Your words, not mine." Something like, you said it, it must be true, I don't have to answer because you're saying so yourself. It makes you feel stupid. Smart for mock. To me it's another version of "So what?" and it's the same thing if you asked me. Yeah, there was the respect for Pilate, being the governor, but it sounded pretty much like, "So?" 

Something like:

Q: Are you the king of the Jews?
A: So what If I am?

The big IF there is saving you from sounding conceited or too assuming. You're not saying you are king, but you're playing with the idea that, so what if you are? Then you thrown him back the question: "You want to be king, too? Suit yourself. No need to be envious."

The big difference between "So what?" and "I don't mind," is the defiant and uncompromising tone that the former has. It even hints of, "Mind your own business" and "What are you going to do about it?" It's what bashers and detractors fully deserve so you can be protected against them, while you're neither being offensive nor defensive.

"I don't mind," on the other hand, is too accommodating. If said to the wrong person, you've just trapped yourself and possibly opened a Pandora's box. It's close to putting up security for a stranger, or vouching for a total stranger on how reliable or trustworthy he is, which Proverbs say is a definite no-no. It's a sure trap.

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe. [11.15]

Refusing "to shake hands in pledge" is like saying, "So what?" to conceited, bigheaded critics who aim to put you down or disparage you for their vainglory. Yup, there are lots out there, smart Alecks who display their imagined genius and use you to do it. There are sincere critics, mind you, but there are cocky ones--those who give their unsolicited and stupid negative comments to show their supposed wit. 

Quiet

The best thing about the "So what?" response is its expressive, eloquent, unequivocal and defiant nature even if you don't say it at all. Its message is loud and clear even with its quiet gesture. When the Pharisees accused Jesus of a lot of lies, he kept mum, didn't say a word. But it actually spoke volumes that made the religious leaders feel agitated, insulted and more insecure. It was nothing short of defiance without actually being so--or saying so. His silence loudly said, "So what?" 

Reaching Out with Clear Boundaries

Though a non-joiner, I need to reach out to other people, especially other non-joiners who aren't familiar with the territory yet. I try to reach out even to smart Alecks who avidly believe in their smartness and makes them so repulsive to people and avoided. They're NOT non-joiners--they love to join and belong--but they're rejected given their narcissistic disposition. 

But I always approach people with extreme caution--sometimes with extreme prejudice when I lose my guard. But then I realize it and revert to extreme caution 😄. My base nature is a loner, but the Lord showed me I cannot be thus 24/7. He assigned me a task to reach out. Why? Suffice it to say, people's ultimate need is the Lord but they think it's something or someone else. The Lord wants me to share with them that Jesus is who they really need.

But the Lord allows me to be myself sometimes, a loner and a non-joiner. He knows I need it.

But in reaching out, I need to protect myself because so many people think bashing, mocking or arguing is smart. Anything about Jesus to them is stupid, so they see you as an idiot. And they crave taking control of you, dictating what is right and wrong. They love lecturing to you, challenging everything you say. So I myself take care that sharing Jesus with people does not involve control, lecture or dictation. 

This is why non-joiners need to be like Jesus--approachable and empathic to the weak but impish and even offensive to smart Alecks. Sometimes, I'm even crafty and harsh. 

To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
26 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the devious (or deceitful) you show yourself shrewd.
27 You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty (smart Alecks).

[Psalm 18. 25-27]

Avoid Ebbing Old Age for Better Social Life

Having coffee with my dad one morning, he told me about senior years. This was his take: 

Aged wine rings a nice bell to us who appreciate wines. "Do you drink?" my dad asked. (Before I could say anything, he went on). I still do, on special occasions and after heavy meat dinners. Aids digestion. I love red wine and other fruit wines. I recommend mangosteen and strawberry. Oh and yeah, some sips of cold beer, too.

Photo by Laura Margarita Cedeño Peralta on Unsplash.

(I remember my friend and college batchmate, Jun, recommends a small measure of rhum in coffee. Does wonders, he says. Haven't tried it yet. Tomorrow, probably).

(Dad went on). Anyway, human aging is supposed to be like aging wine--getting better as the years pass. I call it graceful aging. It's by God's grace, mind you. You get wiser and smarter (they say wise is better than smart. I say they go hand in hand as you age), more disciplined and patient, quieter, more broadminded, happier, simpler and obviously more contented. Humbler, most importantly. All the positives in their comparative degree. Life is supposed to have taught you well. In Tagalog, "merong pinagka-tandaan."

But there's the complete opposite, which I call ebbing old age. Your character traits are also in the comparative degree but all negative. Crankier, grumpier, more impatient, more unruly, incredibly more narrow-minded, more toxic, nosier, more miserable, more complicated, harder to please, demanding more attention, and becoming more arrogant, especially. Sometimes, more sexually malicious even (dad frowned as he said that). A difficult person to the nth degree. 

In Tagalog, it's "tumatanda ng pa-urong," or "pasaway. Old people who've gained a lot of head knowledge, seen a lot, and yet learned nothing. "It's not senility, dementia, or anything like that," dad emphasized. It's character and moral decline. Old folks having second childhood experience are better off than they are, dad opined. You may have dementia and yet be the sweetest person on earth. On the flip side, you may be free from memory loss and yet accumulate nothing mentally but negative vibes. 

"Walang pinagka-tandaan," dad added after sipping his coffee.

"How do you stay out of it?" I asked. 

He said this:

Nothing beats the bible when it comes to character and attitude molding. Personality development. Live by the good life patterns you see in the bible. I'm not saying be more religious or churchy. Religion and church often are the culprits. You'd find the worst hypocrisy there. Not all of them, though, mind you. The thing is to study the bible and ask God to guide you. He will. He's the Author of graceful aging, so you'd be sure to get his kind response and help. Nothing arrogant or pompous about him. He longs to help. 

Now, don't get me wrong. Just because you read the bible, doesn't mean you age gracefully. It depends on how you take God's Word. Is the bible mere history to you? Just stories? Records? Philosophy? Something you can critique, appraise, find fault with, deprecate, or judge the way you do other books? Then, like ebbing old age, all you get is head knowledge and yet learn nothing.

But if you see it as God's own Word, believe and confess it with your heart, and apply, then you're sure to age gracefully. In a gist, you become quieter, simpler, humbler and happier. 

Thankful That You're Not Like Those Who Suffer? Examining a Social Mindset

Others are in the hospital. Others are hungry. Others never got to wake up this morning. 
You're much better off so just be thankful.

I see FB posters saying we should be thankful we're not among those who suffer. Like, be thankful because other people are so sick and we're not. Or, others are starving and we have enough. Others are jobless and we're salaried. I stopped and asked myself, "Just be thankful?" 

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash.

Well, we should be thankful. Agreed. But I don't think we're spared from suffering just to be thankful about it. Since I was a kid I never felt comfy seeing others suffering and I wasn't. There was this tingling pain inside and a nagging question in my head. "Why?" It only made things worse that I couldn't do anything about it. And why wasn't God doing anything, either?

Much later in life, I saw this mystery about how God actually felt the pain more than we can imagine and had actually sent help. Problem was, the couriers didn't deliver. They spent it on themselves and thanked God for the "blessing." Yeah, we should be thankful, but something's terribly amiss somewhere. And it needs thorough clarification.

The Blessing Isn't Yours

I learned it much later in life. I thought God blessed us to supply our needs, keep us amply provided and live happily ever after. Later I saw that we're all mere couriers. Delivery people. Sad that even in church this truth remains in the shelf gathering dust and cobwebs, sometimes deliberately kept there. We opt not to look at the delivery address and just claim things and thank God for them. We love sharing how blessed we are but don't see how clinging to the blessings cause others to suffer lack.

The blessing isn't yours. Clear enough? So we look carefully at the delivery address. We're fond of the cliché, "be a channel of blessings," but seldom understand what it means. We channel blessings only with our favorite recipients--ourselves, our church, our families, friends, and those who love us and give us attention. Such recipients ensure to return the favor. But Jesus warned:

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. [Luke 6]

God Supplying All Our Needs

We love quoting Philippians 4.19 about God supplying all our needs. We love to be blessed. But few see how it all ties up with the Philippians giving Paul what God intended for him. The Philippians received God's blessings but didn't claim it all for themselves. They knew that God intended a big part of the packaged delivered by them to Paul. They were just couriers. 

Other churches thought otherwise. They kept all the blessings to themselves, and I can imagine them proudly sharing their testimonies about how blessed they were. So Paul revealed everything to them, lest they take everything the wrong way. Here's the story:

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Suffer with Those Suffering

God blesses us so we can suffer with those who suffer. We suffer when we share a lot more than we can, and in that we find joy and contentment. Thus, when we see how we're not like those who suffer, we bring their plight to the Throne and petition God like we're also suffering their predicament. 

And we don't just petition empathically. We give sacrificially, too. God blesses you to ease the suffering of another, particularly, another person who's the least in your list, the guy you're unlikely to help, people unattractive to our biases and preferences. A lot of folks are "helpful" and "generous" but only to their preferences. To those who pass their standards. 

But often, the delivery address belongs "to the least of these my brethren," says Jesus--people rejected by society.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

[Matthew 25]

Like Your Own Son or Daughter

Whenever we see how we're better off than others, we should petition God for those others, bring them to the Throne and cry for their needs like we're praying for the very lives of our own sons and daughters. God looks for that quality and intensity in our prayers--as intense as mourning for our only child. Don't stop until they get what God has for them. 

They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. [Zechariah 12]

How God wants Blessings Shared

I saw a glimpse of how God wants his blessings shared with others. It's a 10 to 90 ratio, more or less; 10 parts yours and 90 parts shared with others. You allot an amount enough for your basic expenses and savings (your family is part of God's work) and then share whatever is left of it. Here's how the apostle Paul put it:

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

[2 Corinthians 9]

You first secure "all that you need." Your basic needs and expenses. I believe this includes a little bit of savings, too, just enough to get ready for the next need. And then you can give the rest so you can "abound in every good work." The word "abound" hints at the size of the amount we ought to share (definitely not a mere pittance), and the words "every good work" hint how often. In the verse that follows, Paul states so clearly why God blesses us. The blessing is not for us. It's for God's work:

"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion," [verse 11]

The blessings are all for God's use, intent and purpose. We're mere couriers. The package is not ours. If we all start thinking this way, no church, pastor, brethren, or people around us would be in lack. So much suffering would be taken away. 

Why the Poverty?

So, you see, poverty is there not just due to inflation, unemployment, overpopulation or corruption in government. First and foremost, it's there because people appropriate every blessing that passes their hands to themselves. The 5,000 would never have been fed and "satisfied" with the broken pieces of bread and fish if the disciples had bagged the blessing for themselves or their families. 

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. [Matthew 14]

The lesson should be applied by believers first--the church. What's the less likely people the church would bless? Here's a list, but I'm sure there's a lot more:

1. Folks who are unlikely to join their church or entertain the idea.
2. Where their cams are not available for videoing the distribution of blessings and therefore no chance of promoting it on social media. Church should start getting used to giving away blessings anonymously.
3. People from other denominations or other churches or religions.

I'd like to see well off denominations financially helping other denominations that are poor, or moneyed local churches financially helping out poor local churches belonging to another denomination. I want to hear about local churches shouldering the electric or water bill of poor local churches of other denominations. Being thankful your church is blessed while others suffer--and leaving it at that--is a garbage mindset.

What a Successful Life Looks Like

To many people, life is still a mystery. Well, some parts of it are, but the bigger picture is not. It's been obvious since the beginning, but we just look the other way and prefer to see mystery than fact. Often, we still wonder why we get so sick or so broke or so frustrated when the answer has been there all the time, staring us in the face. In James' words: 

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash.

Here's real life. It has 6 main aspects: 

1. Spiritual
2. Physical
3. Mental
4. Emotional
5. Social 
6. and financial or material. 

The thing is to be mindful about them all. Getting them in proportions God assigned to each of us is what SUCCESS is all about. God has prepared full provisions for all 6 and he wants us to seek after them. Yup, seek after all 6 of them. The whole package. Abundant provisions have already been made ready even before we were born and it's up to us to start the adventure to seek them all, or not. To become prosperous or stay poor.

How do we seek them all? Here's the key: If we seek God first, we find them all. That's how we seek for them. Nope, we don't seek God to get the blessings. We just seek God, period. Blessings or otherwise. But one thing for sure--we will grow into HIM. That's true success. That's one of the highest blessings.

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Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior. [Habakkuk 3.17]

I believe in prosperity Gospel and the above is my idea of prosperity.

Pride Rejects Some Package Items

The problem is, most people choose only one or two aspects and ignore the rest of the package. They seek God but do not believe everything he has for them. That's half-hearted seeking which God disapproves because it's pride. God opposes the proud, remember? Some avowed God-seekers want only the spiritual and reject money, specifically anything on making money, thinking any activity about money is worldly. Others, on the other hand, think they can seek material things with their own smartness and effort, without seeking God--or at least have some religion to assuage guilt.

But God wants all of us to get the whole package. "I came that you may have life and abundantly at that," Jesus said. Abundant life is not just the spiritual. It's everything God has for us and which we need--the whole package, the 6 aspects. If we seek God first, "all these things will be added" to us. When God says all, he means ALL. Not just the spiritual. And the context in Matthew 6.33 where the passage comes from is about material things, what pagans run after. 

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Apostle Paul adds that:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

[1 Corinthians 8.9]

"So you might become rich." The word might is used here because it depends on whether we'd believe the Word about riches or not. And in the context, Paul was talking about material or financial matters. It's God's will to prosper us materially so we can give more to HIS work. And just to have this happen, Jesus became "poor." This means he left his place in heaven where he had all the riches and royalty, emptied himself, and took the form of a servant--a "poor" and lowly servant at that. That's how serious God is with making us rich, even materially.

Prosperity Gospel

And many of us choose to simply ignore God's financial blessings because we think doing so is spiritual. Instead, Church today chooses to "beg" money through solicitation letters, begging for money to build their church buildings or finance their ministries, soliciting for donations from churches abroad. In rejecting God's promise of prosperity, they get mixed up about todays "Prosperity Gospel" which unscrupulous ministers use to enrich themselves. Some church people misread God's promise about material prosperity for advancing the Gospel, thinking it nothing but business to enrich the minister or church. 

It's the same with health. A lot of folks, (bible believers among them) are very sick and take maintenance meds, thinking that to be normal with old age. So they go on eating without discipline, letting their tummies bulge and having zero physical exercise. They pay no attention to a healthy lifestyle and instead pray that God would miraculously make them healthy despite their careless lifestyle or take out bad cholesterol from their food (or take away free radical damage despite their needless overstress). Some pastors boast about being sick or dying because of ministry stress. They have no hint what abundant life is about.

The Gospel

The Gospel of Jesus Christ declares LIFE. It's not meant to make you a millionaire (although there's nothing wrong about it and God can easily make you one if he wants to). It's designed to avoid lack, and not just financial lack, but lack in the other aspects of life as well. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want or lack. Jesus was made to look poor, but he never had any money issues. He was never in lack. His female followers willingly supported him well, and most needs were supernaturally provided for. These are among the blessings of the Gospel, not just eternal life. Jesus demonstrated with his life what abundant life was about.

Abundant life in Jesus is designed to eliminate lack, and not just financial lack, but lack in the other aspects of life as well. It's what having God as your peace means. Problems still come but not lack.

If you're a serious Jesus seeker, you must believe all blessings in 6 aspects and expect to get them in this life. It's part of having faith in Jesus. And like Jesus, we must demonstrate what abundant life in Christ is through our lives. Because we are HIS followers. We cannot do this if we're sickly or broke or suffering lack or having problems with social relationships (worse, marital relations), mental acuity or emotional quotient. You must discover and explore your God-given potentials and enjoy them.

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If You Suddenly Lose Your Job

A Nonjoiner way of making and managing money. Remember, part of being a nonjoiner is being free from other people's control. That means financial freedom where you decide how you make money, how much and what for. 

Thank GOD there's no pandemic on the Net, no lockdowns and neither is there any economic crisis there. Last year (or in 2020 to 2021) while so many brick and mortar companies were closing down, a lot of businesses online were enjoying unprecedented success and making a killing. I believe God provided Cyberspace for this, among other things, to get us past the severest Covid period and the concomitant lockdowns. Or, if you suddenly lose your job and are shocked to be jobless just like that.

 Photo above by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash.

And I'm not talking about small traditional businesses selling their merchandise on Facebook, or the no selling no income stuff. I'm taking about the kind that can run on full automation online, and fully legit at that, too. Online businesses that sell by themselves 24/7 while their owners are on vacation or relaxing at home and a bit lazy to do business but want to make money nonetheless (or locked indoors during pandemics, emergencies or simply out of money for transportation fares). And believe it or not, you can be in this business, too, in case you lost your job or about to lose it--or your pension has weakened buying power. Now you can end all those financial woes and be in charge of your profitability--and your life.

All you need is a desktop, laptop or smart phone and wifi connection. And yes, a healthy FB account.

Traditional Businesses Online

A lot of traditional businesses ventured online and made it. Like those selling goods by posting items on their FB walls and urging friends to PM them for details (what I call FB Wall Sari-Sari Store or FB SSS). That's still pretty much traditional because you still sell to people by displaying products and talking to buyers yourself, replying to their queries, delivering the items and collecting the money. Everything is still done manually by you. But it's good because you sell not just to your immediate locale but to the whole country, even the whole world via e-Commerce and dropshipping. And you use COD door-to-door delivery services. This setup is great if you're suddenly jobless.

Another is selling while going live on FB (what I call FB Live Selling). This became a hit, with some of its proprietors making big money by the hundred thousands. But it's a lot of hard work. You do a lot of live sales talks and demos (as against merely posting on your wall with FB Sari-Sari Store), listing the orders, collecting payment and delivering the goods. 

The big disadvantage with both Sari-Sari and Live Selling is, no work no income. You have to do this daily. Auto-replies and many-chat features help a lot to ease selling, but eventually it's the same old story. You have to personally attend to a lot of queries at the end of the day and do some things manually. Customers can easily go to another seller once they become unsatisfied with your presentation and it's like losing a job again.

FB Account Deleted!

Worst scenario is if FB suddenly decides to suspend your  FB account or deletes it altogether, which has happened a lot of times to many FB sellers. Business was doing great but one morning when they woke up, their account was no longer there. They tried to appeal to FB, to no avail. All those patrons and "suki" from FB gone, just like that. Then they're back to square one, starting again from scratch. You see how painful that is?

Less-Work Online Businesses

There's also the less-work business or, Simplified Online Business. If you're a nonjoiner, you'll opt for this. They're on semi or almost auto-responder, like selling digital products (selling webinars, coaching, e-books, e-reports, the like). You let the selling system do its work, from targeting your audience, presenting the product, selling per se and following up, to delivery and collection. And all you do is check how much money has been added to your Paypal or bank account. See? Less work.

With coaching or webinars, some people prefer to have everything video recorded. Some prefer doing it themselves live. Whatever you choose, there's less (or near zero) work involved. How much money do you need to start this business? It depends. A digital business can start with P3,000 (though you can start with P500), which is relatively cheap because you produce your own digital products for free and create your own (free or paid) websites. Some started with P10k. 

No-Brainer Online Businesses

If digital products sound too complicated to you, there's another one. I call it Membership E-Marketing. Marketing products is through the membership, something like a cooperative, or a system like what SNR, Landers and the like are doing, but everything is online via a website platform. Sounds complicated but it's really easy. The marketing system does almost everything for you. You are also trained how to use FB marketing tools to get people's attention and make them pursue you for inquiries about the business, rather than you going after prospects and pestering them with hard-selling. Imagine hundreds of people messaging you, eager to know about your business!

I believe the key to any online business is the FB ad. If you create ads for your business on Facebook, you're business success is 90 percent done. But be careful not to violate FB advertising policies. Check them out.

Reported Number of Covid Cases: Fact or Hoax?

As of this writing, the reported number of cases has skyrocketed to 7,990 on March 20, 2021, with a 7-day average of 5,635, according to the JHU CSSE COVID-19 data. There was even a time reported when cases were said to have reached 8K plus in a day. Photo above by Bruno Kelzer on Unsplash.

Now some folks don't believe this. They say it's blown out of proportion. They say reports are exaggerated to scare people to:

1. Make them take the vaccine pronto.
2. Enable some sectors to get more Covid funds than they need (election time is near).
3. Force people to stay home.

Such stories are unfounded and unconfirmed, how the number of cases is supposed to be manipulated and all that. But I don't discard them easily. I listen and try to weigh things. But in the end I opt for confirmed news reports than humors. Sometimes I try to come up with my own conclusions after an analysis of facts and stories, and keep it to myself.

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Stories like first-hand experiences of friends of friends. My sister, for instance, had a college classmate who died of Covid recently. It was so fast that it seemed the classmate died just after a day or two of contracting the illness. Her symptoms were a bit different--LBM, severe back aches, flu-like weakness, fever and breathing difficulty--but her sense of smell and appetite remained intact.

My sister was still texting her one evening and she was still responding, though precariously in short replies--like she was really having a hard time. But come early morning, no replies came in. My sister learned that her classmate went to the hospital but was not admitted because the hospital was filled to capacity. So she was given oxygen at the reception area. Hours later she died.

And then after just a short while, my sister started receiving several other urgent prayer requests for the same thing--friends and their families having the same symptoms. I saw the same things on my FB wall--friends and their families suddenly catching Covid and they couldn't figure out why or how.

I mean, all of a sudden, a lot of people around me were catching it. They pop up one after another on my wall. It was not like this last year. The virus is hitting closer to home so I had to meet my clan on Zoom for re-orientation on health protocols and prayer. It's become so alarming. 

It's silly to insist at this point that there's no pandemic, that it's fake news, that the statistics are designed to scare people and get more funds, that's it's just a panic tactic or some other reasons some smart-Alecks try to come up with. I'm not also saying that we believe everything. 

What I'm saying is that Covid is real and it's a deadly killer. This much is clear. I don't care if some unscrupulous people are trying to get rich out of the pandemic or using it for strategic positioning in the coming election. Or if the media is blowing things out of proportion to keep a high rating. The true-to-life stories of real people around me are enough to see that this thing is for real and we must all be doubly careful at all cost not to catch the virus.

Vaccine or Immunity Boost?

Ideally, we should get both the anti-Covid vaccine and immunity boost. But right now, I think the vaccines being peddled around are all manufactured prematurely. I've read lots of medical write-ups how vaccines take 3 to 6 years to develop before they could be safely administered to the public. I believe it pays to wait a little bit longer. Photo above by CDC on Unsplash.

Here's how Vaccines.Gov in the US puts it:

"Every licensed and recommended vaccine goes through years of safety testing...Before a vaccine is ever recommended for use, it’s tested in labs. This process can take several years. FDA uses the information from these tests to decide whether to test the vaccine with people."

The highlighted emphases are mine. I want to stress on how it takes years before a vaccine is safely made available in the market. Years of lab tests. As for me, I won't take any anti-Covid vaccine for now until they are proven safe. I'm not saying the vaccine is unnecessary. It is. But not this early. Anyway, I'm not a virus or pandemic or vaccine expert. So, don't take my word for it. Find out for yourself.

In the meantime, I believe what's needed is immune boost. Exercise daily, eat healthy, sleep and rest well and take natural health supplements, especially those that boost the immune system, like Vitamin C and zinc. Antioxidants also boost your body immunity so take health products rich in them, like MX3. A medical scientist I know recommends his Immuregen, which is an immune system supplement.

The idea is, beef up your immune system for now while the vaccines are still under observation. And most of all, connect with GOD closely to get under his protective covering each moment.

Here's What Would Really Make You Susceptible

You know what really, really weakens your immune system? OVERSTRESS. I highly suspect that even with the vaccine in you, you'd remain susceptible to Covid if you don't give up your lifestyle of overstressing yourself with everything you do in life. Some people are so addicted to getting overstressed that they couldn't imagine life without it. They desperately look for it.

This is why diseases of all types have popped up in this century. It's the century of busyness.

The good news is, God has long been providing a solution for it. REST. Jesus invited tired people to rest in him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

And it's quite clear from what he said that HE is that REST. It's not things about him but HE himself. So my wild idea is that Jesus is the best anti-Covid "vaccine," that there is, as it were. It means we avail of the rest that God offers us--and it's God's own rest.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. [Hebrews 4] 

Often, it's just a silly figment in our minds that what we do is so important. Even our ministry--I mean, we church ministers. We think that without our ministries God would be at a loss what to do. We think we have to be everywhere. Save yourself that trouble because GOD is everywhere. Only he can do that. And he has churches everywhere--and you are part of those churches, too, regardless of their affiliation--as long as they're HIS. Their victory is your victory, Their efforts are your efforts, too. Their reward is your reward. Because we're one body. 

So just be faithful where you are and with what you're given and relax. This is all designed for our REST in God.

And those not in ministry. You don't have to tire and stress yourself out. Overstress is the Mother of all diseases, did you know that? Adam and Eve sinned in Eden so among their punishments was to sweat out a living. To toil. But in Jesus, we rest. So give your life to Jesus and he will give you rest. Imagine resting and relaxing even as you do your job or beat deadlines. The idea is to turn sorrow into joy, mourning into dancing.

When we learn and adapt to the rested life of God in Christ, it's our most powerful "vaccine" against viruses and diseases. The promise is that if we rest or hide in God's Presence...

You will not fear... the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. [Psalm 91]

It will not come near you.

But this does not mean we forsake all the safety protocols. We observe social distancing, wear face masks and shields properly, and stay home as much as possible. Submitting to the governing authorities makes us humble, protects us from spiritual pride. Non-joiners have no problems with this because they easily understand the times, like the sons of Issachar [1 Chronicles 12.32]

Vaccine or immune boost? We need both. And spiritually, we get both in Jesus Christ.

Aren't They ALL SCAMS?

You watch a TV program but you see more commercials than the program itself. Literally, sometimes its 10 percent show and 90 percent commercials. The water agency says water supply would be back at a certain hour but it doesn't. It comes back a week after. The fruit juicer advertised on FB is supposed to squeeze out all the juice from fruits but it doesn't. The fruits squeeze out all the juicer's spare parts. Photo above by Emma Simpson on Unsplash.

What really pissed me off was a WiFi company that promoted a speed of 5 Mbps but all I got was 2 or 3 Mbps when I subscribed. Sometimes, even 0.20 Mbps. Imagine that? So I called them up to ask why. They said they could give as much as 5 Mbps but not always, and it looked like our location was out of their reach.

"What?" I said. "Then why did you call me and offer me your Wifi service if my location was out of your reach?" The call agent just laughed lightly and apologized. That's all you get.

Aren't they all scams?

Oh yeah, there's also the staycation resorts that turn out to be haunted. How can you relax with white ladies walking around the place at midnight? It's a scam.

I hate to think what would happen if the vaccines all prove to be scams. I read somewhere that vaccines take 3 to 6 years to develop safe reliability. Anti-Covid vaccines today are haphazardly done and it's more like a race to get bigger slices of the market than a concern for the spread of Covid. It's all about profitability. 

I hope I'm wrong, but 2021 could turn out to be the year of scams.

Once we tried to order some items online and got a joke when the items were finally delivered to us. At another time, I ordered a pack of health juice from a company within QC but got it three months after. I asked why. "What planet does this juice product come from?" I asked. The company said not enough delivery people were available. It's another scam.

I tried some networking businesses this summer to make money during the lockdown but they all proved to be scams. They put out all the beautiful things in their FB ads but hid all the negatives of the business. After you've joined in, SURPRISE! They tell you about the downsides. Now they're talking. 

Finally, they invite you to church and put up a good show during the worship service. The special numbers were great, the choir was angelic, the praise and worship was intense, and the preaching was a marvel. They oversell their membership benefits and exaggerate the merits of joining their church. So you sign up for the membership. But then after, you find out the real problems of the church, and when you ask why, they finally tell you the truth--they say there's no perfect church.

Then you go, "Huh?" And all along they've been singing "Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle." What happened to all that? But that's all you can ever do--ask. They have no answers. Because if you say much more, they'd say you are judgmental and you don't know what they're going through. Sounds like the scam you hear from TV soaps or showbiz folks.

Only God's Kingdom remains scam-free. Well, a lot of people see it and the bible as scams and promote what man can do more than what God can. Worse, a lot of folks who claim to believe in Jesus do their best to make the bible look like a scam. And some of God's promises in it look like they don't work anymore so more people in church dismiss them and resort to what medical science can do--or how their theologies explain things. 

The promises look like "scam" to them, especially if they believe they have the "wisdom" to declare them so--just because these smart Alecks have the titles and degrees (and advanced seminary studies) to critic God's Word in the bible. Unknowingly, they promote the number one scam the bible prophesies would rise up in these last days.

Why We Don't Need More Water Dams

The irony of it all is that we've been surrounded by water since God created the Philippine islands thousands of years ago. Yet to this day water supply has been our perennial problem. Worse is, up to now we still rely on the rain. [Photo by Karl Paul Baldacchino on Unsplash].

Our water managers still blame the dry season for the drought and I've been hearing that excuse since I was in grade 3--and I now have a grandson. And they still think water dams are the answer. So they stubbornly build them, borrow big money from other countries, displace lots of mountain people in the process, lose money from corruption (big projects always come with it) and then wait for the rains to come.

Now when the rains don't come, water supply still becomes a problem even with the existing water dams. So there's a crisis, especially every summer time. EVERY SUMMER TIME. Sometimes the crisis carries on till even the wet season, like last year, 2019. It was the middle of the wet season and yet a lot of people in the Metro were suffering from severe lack of water.

No less than President Duterte had to threaten the water managers to release water, or else.

Again, what solution do they have in mind? Build dams.

I don't think they realize the real problem. Our problem, really, is rain. Every year, we do not have enough rains to fill the dams. Even if we have one billion dams, if there is not enough rain, we still have severe water lack. Even if we seed all the clouds in the sky everyday and create artificial clouds. The problem with cloud seeding is, it seldom hits the dams. Clouds move.

WHAT WE NEED IS TO TURN SEAWATER INTO POTABLE WATER. That's the answer God has been providing but we simply refuse to see it. Dry or wet season--even during drought--seawater is there, plenty of it. What we need to invest in is desalination, not more dams. Yeah it's too costly, but so are dams--especially when people living in the proposed dam sites are displaced.

Last I heard, they're trying to use Laguna Lake for this--and it's a good start--but they should look beyond. There's the Pacific Ocean on the east and Philippine Sea on the west. What we should be building are water channels from the sea to desalination stations and then to city water systems. This and the dams that rely on the rain will end the water crisis.

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Very few people genuinely respect your stand or opinion. They all want you to agree with them or join them. They want you to like their posts but never like yours. Well, I've decided long ago to be a NonJoiner.