The Good News Blog

by Anah Galathea

It was an event that’s meant to break the normal humdrum of our quiet nights. The air was teeming with excitement as production crew and performers alike run to and fro before the show started.

Gents and ladies wore casual get ups consisting of jeans, shirts, and since it was Bahrain winter, some of them wore shiny boots, scarves, and jackets. People piled up from seat to seat until finally, the lights went off, and the stage was set for a very unforgettable night…

A series of performers from different groups showcased their songs with live band accompaniment. The praise and worship line ups were indeed heart-warming and drew us closer to the Lord.

A little later, the curtains opened for a fresh surge of hot talent when the Worshipers in the Desert team hit the stage; kicking off with James Parmis’ rendition of “Hellsong.” (Hellsong is a Christian novelty

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”  -1 Samuel 16:7, NIV

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

When the Lord looks at your heart, what does He see? Every one of us has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that the people around us see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. Only you and God know what’s going on inside of you.

Too many people go around today pretending—acting one way, yet on the inside they’re thinking something totally different. Their heart and their actions don’t line up. But we have to understand that God is looking on the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can’t fool God. He would rather us be open and honest than

TODAY´S SCRIPTURE

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6, NKJ)

TODAY´S WORD from Joel and Victoria

As a believer in Jesus, did you know that goodness and mercy are following you? God´s grace and favor are chasing you down! But if you live with a cloud of condemnation over you, if you surround yourself with negativity, then you are putting a barrier between yourself and the blessings of God.

So many believers today miss out on what God has in store for them because they live like they´ve got a dark cloud over their heads. They´re always talking doom and gloom, living in condemnation. But when you open your heart to receive what God has for you,

by Bo Sanchez

One day, I attended Mass and the priest was in a hurry.

He either was very tired. Or had diarrhea.

Because he was going through the motions and doing it quickly.

So very different from my friend Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

          For years, I’ve admired how the good bishop celebrates Mass. He does it with so much passion. Like he speaks every word with fire. And he acts every gesture with love.

Two weeks ago, I had lunch with this great man.

I asked him why he does his Masses this way.

He said something so profound, I’ll never forget it.

He said, “I always imagine every Mass to be my first Mass and my last Mass.”

For me, the key word is imagine.

He added, “What if I died in my sleep tonight? I really don’t know, do I?”

Today, I

-Author Unknown-

Ever since I was diagnosed with having a possible heart enlargement, I have followed a strict regimen of physical exercises. I jog during week days and take a long ride biking to the mountains every Sunday.

But this Sunday turned out to be a special Sunday for me. While I was on my way to the mountains of Busay (Cebu) hoping to strengthen my heart by this exercise, I personally encountered a heart-breaking scene that changed me.

I had already passed by the Marco Polo Plaza (formerly Cebu Plaza Hotel) when I decided to stop to buy bananas at a small carinderia located along the road. I haven’t taken any solid food that morning so I wanted some fruits to have the needed energy to get to my destination – the mountain top.

I was almost done eating