KeepiNDFaith!

1. Change My Heart Oh God. Every day I continue to be unpure. Anger, anxiety, fear and sorrow envelops my heart. Change my heart Lord, I sing to thee. Change me, mold me, take me back to Your loving arms.
2. The Heart Of Worship. Give me a heart that trusts you. Give me a heart that worships nobody else but you. Give me a heart that loves you. Give me a heart that's true.
3. Shout To the North. I will shout to the north of your goodness. I will shout to the south of your love. I will shout to the east of your might and glory. I will shout to the west of your free salvation. You are Lord of Heaven and Earth.
4. God's Grace. By God's grace I am alive. By God's grace I have everything I need. By his graces I continue to live and seek his goodness in the eyes of my friends. He will set me free. His graces abound. He is love.
5. How Do You Love That Way? I feel so weak, I feel so battered. Everytime I love it hurts so much. Please teach me how do you love that way? How do you love in spite of the pain? How do you keep your faith oh Lord? How do you treat all those who despise you with so much love and forgiveness. Please teach me how do you love that way?

• Did you know that when you envy someone, it's because you really like that person?
• Did you know that those who appear to be very strong in heart, are real weaklings and most susceptible?
• Did you know that those who spend their time protecting others are the ones that really need some one to protect them?
• Did you know that the three most difficult things to say are : I love you,Sorry and help me The people who say these are those that actually need them or really feel them, and they are the ones you really need to treasure, because they have said them.
• Did you know that people who occupy themselves by keeping others company or helping others are the ones that actually need your company and help?
• Did you know that those who dress in red are more confident in themselves?
• Did you know that those who dress in yellow are those that enjoy their beauty?
• Did you know that those who dress in black, are those who want to be unnoticed and need your help and understanding?
• Did you know that when you help someone, the help is returned in two folds?
• Did you know that those who need more of you are those that did not mention it to you?
• Did you know that it's easier to say what you feel in writing than saying it to someone in the face?But did you know that it has more value when you say it in the face?
• Did you know that what is most difficult for you to say or do is much more valuable than anything that is valuable that you can buy with money?
• Did you know that if you ask for something in faith, your wishes are granted?
• Did you know that you can make your dreams come true, like falling in love, becoming rich, staying healthy, if you ask for it by faith, and if you really knew, you'd be surprised by what you could do.

I am one of those Rio Diaz had ever touched. We don't know each other but her stories of struggle and success against her personal battle with cancer has touched me deeply. It has made me so guilty about my petty whinings, and has made me so ashamed of myself that with little burdens the Lord is trying on me, I easily give up. Rio Diaz for me is one of the living testimonies and perfect role model for us who are still blessed with lungs to breathe, brains to think, and hearts to love. I hope to be a little braver and a little more faithful.

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MANILA, October 4, 2004 (STAR) FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo - "I am now at home in heaven; All’s happy, all so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief are over, Every restless tossing past; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in heaven at last. Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the Valley of the Shade? Oh! but Jesus’ love illumined Every dark and fearful glade. And He came Himself to meet me In that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus’ arm to lean on, Could I have one doubt or dread? They you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth’s shadows, Pray to trust our Father’s Will. There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idle stand; Do your work while life remaineth – You shall rest in Jesus’ land. When the work is all completed, He will gently call you home; Oh, the rapture of the meeting! Oh, the joy to see you come! "

That’s the poem called Safely Home (I don’t know by whom) sent to me not so long ago by Rio Diaz who is now "safely home" after a long-drawn six-year battle with the Big C.

Yes, she lost the battle but she won the war. She was a brave warrior until the very end, with, to quote another poet, "head bloody but unbowed." (See related story on her last moments on Page 1.)

I visited Rio at the Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, last Aug. 3, two months before she went "safely home" last Sunday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. at the Seton Hospital, also in California, where she was moved a month ago after spending several days at home.

During that one-minute visit, Rio was all smiles even if I knew that she was in pain, covered from the neck down with a white blanket, shedding quiet tears as she expressed regrets that she couldn’t show me around the big mall nearby. That was very Rio, eager to entertain even when she was suffering.

She was surrounded by her loved ones – husband Charlie Cojuangco (Negros Occidental Representative), their children Jaime and Claudia who were curled up on the sofa beside their mama’s bed, and three of Rio’s sisters (Aurora, Georgie and Ruby).

"In 1998," said sister Gloria, who had been paying Rio regular visits, "she was given three months to live. It’s a miracle that she lived for six years."

Anyway, I will let Rio herself retell her oft-told story of faith, hope and charity in the testimony (published in this corner last year) she delivered on Aug. 17 last year, three days after her birthday, during the 19th anniversary of the Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) at the Old ULTRA. Here it is, in Rio’s own words:

"Six months ago, my family was preparing for my funeral, but I stand here before you today by God’s grace because He still has a purpose for my life. Let me share with you my story.

In April, 1991, I began to host Eat, Bulaga!, a noontime show that brought me fame beyond my wildest dreams. I earned good money while I made people laugh. What a blessing!

October of 1993, I met Charlie. Single and good-looking, this guy has a terrific sense of humor, a man with a big heart. Kung sa beauty contestant, "beauty and brains." At a certain point in our relationship, we both knew God brought us to be together . . . for life.

In August, 1994, we were married. After four wonderful years of marriage, God blessed us with two children, Claudia and Jaime. Thirteen years earlier, I was blessed with a son, Ali, from a previous relationship.

May of 1998, Charlie became Congressman and I became Vice Mayor of Pontevedra (Negros Occidental). November of the same year, during a routine check-up, they discovered some abnormalities in my stomach area which, the doctors said, could be solved by a minor procedure.

A few days later, my supposedly one-hour surgery turned out to be a six-hour-and-a-half surgery. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Cancer? No one had cancer in the family. My life flashed before me. My world suddenly caved in. The doctors were quite frank. They told us that I had only a couple of months to live. Stage 4 cancer is like a death sentence.

As my doctor was speaking, I didn’t understand a word he said because all I could think of was Charlie, my children, my family, my in-laws. I would whisper, "Lord, help me . . . help them, Lord!"

They’re all suffering. I don’t know how to comfort them.

The day before my first chemotherapy, I said, "Lord, just tell me you’re in control. Tell me that no one made a mistake and I’ll be fine no matter what, Lord." Somebody gave me a devotional book entitled Streams in the Desert which I read at 3 o’clock in the morning. It said, "This is my doing. Your weakness needs my strength and your safety lies in letting me fight for you. You did not come to this place by accident. You are exactly where I meant you to be. You were so busy that I could not get your attention and I wanted to teach you some of my greatest truths. The pain will leave you as soon as you learn to see me in all things."

These words became the pillow on which I rested my weary head.

I surrendered to God all my fears, all my burdens and my family as I began my journey of trials. I focused on His promises as Jesus said, "Surely I am with you always."

By God’s gracious mercy and beyond all medical explanations, after six months of chemotherapy I went on remission. Eight months later, the cancer was back. More surgery, more chemo. And then again, God allowed healing for me. The best lesson I am learning from this is how God allows us to enjoy life and His "moment by moment," grace.

My third bout with cancer entailed three different chemotherapies infused at the same time. The Lord allowed me to learn to Never Give Up, Never Give Up . . . Put Your Hope in God.

Three times, I was at the threshold of death. Medicines and state-of-the-art treatments were not working anymore. Not all the money in the world nor the best doctors on earth can make us live if God doesn’t want us to.

During those times, God comforted my heart with these verses: "Why are you downcast o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him my Savior and my Lord."

But let me tell you about my latest brush with death. After spending Christmas with my family here in Manila, I left for San Francisco in January of 2003 for my check-up. I knew there was something terribly wrong with my body. I had sleepless nights; I was steadily losing weight; I couldn’t eat anything.

By the time I had completed all my tests, I was only 96 pounds. My doctor said, "The cancer has spread. You need to be confined in the hospital. Your food passage is completely blocked by the cancer. I don’t know how much time you have. Not much. Maybe a month. But I promise you will not feel the pain."

I hugged Dr. Fisher and thanked him. I told him, "Don’t be sad. I know God is in full control of my life."

I went home that night to make some arrangements and my daughter was fast asleep. I knelt down by her bedside and I cried, "Mama loves you so much that it hurts. Lord, you know how much I love my Ali, my Claudia and my Jaime. You gave them to Charlie and me and I thank You. I know in my heart that Charlie will love them and watch over them. Lord, take care of my husband because I love him very much. But much more than this, it comforts me to know that I could never love them as much as You love them. I thank You, Father God."

Charlie remained by my bedside day and night, caressing me, talking to me. It pains me to think how much our husbands or wives suffer the fear of losing us.

How blessed I am to know how much my family and friends love me.

The Lord allowed me to experience deep, deep, sleep. I have never ever felt that kind of peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Dr. Fisher explained to Charlie that my nourishment would come from a bag of liquid attached to me, which has to be administered on a daily basis for life. I would never be able to eat or drink again.

Surgery was ruled out, so was radiation. As a last recourse, it was suggested that I do the mildest chemo but if I so much as cough, he would remove it and just keep me comfortable.

I was in awe when I was told how many people were praying for me.

By God’s sovereign mercy, I never coughed. One month later, my cancer level went down by half. I am now only a few points away from being on remission. And as if this weren’t enough, God’s incredible bonus is that I am back to my full diet. I can eat and drink anything now! Once again, the doctors were amazed. Yes, isn’t our God amazing? God spared my life when Stanford doctors had given up on me.

In my heart, I knew why. God allowed this miracle in my life to show us how gracious He is and what a powerful weapon prayer can be. And that God can perform miracles in our lives, if you let Him.

I will never fully understand God’s ways but I do know that God has a purpose for each of us. When God calls you to live for Him, He will invite you to be a part of something much bigger than yourself, something that requires the very best of you, something that may outline you. When God calls us to a powerful vision, it may transcend safety and it may transcend common sense because it is all about Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, we will not make it!

Do we know, do you know, what God wants you to do with your life? If you are uncertain of God’s will for your life, surrender all your plans to Jesus because God’s plans for us are perfect.
The cancer in my body, I did not choose. But in God’s sovereignty, He allowed this affliction in my life. But I ask you, what is the cancer in your life?

Is it the cancer of unforgiveness, jealousy, lust, anger or bitterness that you are holding on to? What are the wrong choices you continue to make because they give you temporary pleasure but can permanently destroy your family – your husband or your wife or your children, your circle of influence?

If you are going through a time of terrifying darkness and despair, or are plagued by doubts that are slowly eroding your hope that things can get better, I urge you to surrender it all to God; give Him full control of your life. It is the only way to live.

Lord, forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, come into my heart; be my Lord and my Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen".
* * * E-mail reactions at: rickylo@philstar.net.ph

Read:John 16:16-33
A merry heart does good, like medicine. —Proverbs 17:22

One of the best things we can do in our lives is this:
Begin again.

Begin to see yourself as you were
When you were the happiest and strongest you've ever been.
Begin to remember what worked for you(and what worked against you),
And try to capture the magic again.
Begin to remember how natural it was when you were a child
--To live a lifetime each day.
Begin to forget the baggage you have carried with you
For years:The problems that don't matter anymore,
The tears that cried themselves away,
And the worries that are going to wash away
On the shore of tomorrow's new beginnings.
Tomorrow tells us it will be here every new day of our lives;
And if we will be wise,
We will turn away from the problems of the past
And give the future -- and ourselves -- a chance
To become the best of friends.
Sometimes all it takes is a wish in the heart to let yourself ..Begin again.

by Collin McCarty

The Associated Press
Updated: 7:41 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2005

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - — For 20 years, Sarah Scantlin has been mostly oblivious to the world around her — the victim of a drunken driver who struck her down as she walked to her car. Today, after a remarkable recovery, she can talk again.

Scantlin’s father knows she will never fully recover, but her newfound ability to speak and her returning memories have given him his daughter back. For years, she could only blink her eyes — one blink for “no,” two blinks for “yes” — to respond to questions that no one knew for sure she understood.

“I am astonished how primal communication is. It is a key element of humanity,” Jim Scantlin said, blinking back tears.

Life nearly cut short
Sarah Scantlin was an 18-year-old college freshman on Sept. 22, 1984, when she was hit by a drunk driver as she walked to her car after celebrating with friends at a teen club. That week, she had been hired at an upscale clothing store and won a spot on the drill team at Hutchinson Community College.

After two decades of silence, she began talking last month.

On Saturday, Scantlin’s parents hosted an open house at her nursing home to introduce her to friends, family members and reporters.

Dressed in a blue warm-up suit, she seemed at times overwhelmed by the attention. She spoke little, mostly answering questions in a single word.

Is she happy she can talk? “Yeah,” she replied.

What does she tell her parents when they leave? “I love you,” she said.

Scantlin still suffers constantly from the effects of the accident. She habitually crosses her arms across her chest, her fists clenched under her chin. Her legs constantly spasm and thrash. Her right foot is so twisted it is almost reversed. Her neck muscles are so constricted she cannot swallow to eat.

A week ago, her parents got a call from Jennifer Trammell, a licensed nurse at the Golden Plains Health Care Center. She asked Betsy Scantlin if she was sitting down, told her someone wanted to talk to her and switched the phone to speaker mode:

“Hi, Mom.”

“Sarah, is that you?” her mother asked.

“Yes,” came the throaty reply.

“How are you doing?”

“Fine.”

“Do you need anything,” her mother asked her later.

“More makeup.”

“Did she just say more makeup?” the mother asked the nurse.

A special valentine
Scantlin started talking in mid-January but asked staff members not to tell her parents until Valentine’s Day to surprise them, Trammell said. But last week she could not wait any longer to talk to them.

“I didn’t think it would ever happen, it had been so long,” Betsy Scantlin said.

Scantlin’s doctor, Bradley Scheel, said physicians are not sure why she suddenly began talking but believe critical pathways in the brain may have regenerated.

“It is extremely unusual to see something like this happen,” Scheel said.

The breakthrough came when the nursing home’s activity director, Pat Rincon, was working with Scantlin and a small group of other patients, trying to get them to speak.

Rincon had her back to Scantlin while she worked with another resident. She had just gotten that resident to reply “OK,” when she suddenly heard Sarah behind her also repeat the words: “OK. OK.”

Staff members brought in a speech therapist and intensified their work with Sarah. They did not want to get her parents’ hopes up until they were sure Sarah would not relapse, Trammell said.

Altered perception of time
Family members say Scantlin’s understanding of the outside world comes mostly from news and soap operas that played on the television in her room.

On Saturday, her brother asked whether she knew what a CD was. Sarah said she did, and she knew it had music on it.

But when he asked her how old she was, Sarah guessed she was 22. When her brother gently told her she was 38 years old now, she just stared silently back at him. The nurses say she thinks it is still the 1980s.

Her father, Jim Scantlin, understands that Sarah will probably never leave the health care center, but he is grateful for her improvement.

“This place is her home ... They have given me my daughter back,” he said.

© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read:
1 Peter 5:6-11


May the God of all grace, . . . after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. —1 Peter 5:10


Bible In One Year: Leviticus 24-27

Author George MacDonald wrote, "God has come to wipe away our tears. He is doing it; He will have it done as soon as He can; and until He can He would have them flow without bitterness; to which end He tells us it is a blessed thing to mourn because of the comfort that is on its way."

While we wait for that comfort, we can be assured that God will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to bear the trial. Every difficult circumstance is timed with exact precision. Every hard situation is screened through His perfect love. We will not suffer one moment more, nor will we suffer more intensely than is necessary. "To a close-shorn sheep God gives wind by measure" goes an old Basque saying. In other words, God will not allow those most vulnerable to life's difficulties to be overtaken by them.

There may be deep waters through which you must wade; there may be fires through which the ore of your character must pass. But in the midst of them God promises to be your partner, companion, and faithful friend. He will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" (1 Peter 5:10).

And then, when He has finished His work, He will take you home to heaven and wipe away all your tears—forever (Revelation 21:4). —David Roper


He knows our burdens and our crosses,
Those things that hurt, our trials and losses;
He cares for every soul that cries—
God wipes the tears from weeping eyes. —Brandt

Tears are often the telescope by which we can see into heaven.