Author: Simeon Rosete

In my reading I came across an interesting study about how the state of the mind specifically as it relates to forgiveness or grudge holding can literally have its effect on body weight and the way a person is able to carry or lift himself up.

At the Erasmus University in the Netherlands, researchers asked people to write about a time when they either gave or withheld forgiveness. They were then asked to jump as high as they could, five times, without bending their knees. Those who had forgiven the ones who wronged them jumped an average of about 11.8 inches, while those who continued to hold grudges jumped 8.5 inches. The study showed that there was a huge difference in how high the two groups could jump and is a startling illustration of how forgiveness can actually unburden a person.

We sing songs about the burden of sin in our hearts being lifted at Calvary. We talk about being weighted down with the load of guilt. And how we feel so lighthearted and happy once we receive Gods forgiveness and offer the same to those who have offended us. Scientific evidence is corroborating this Biblical truth. It is no longer simply symbolical but is literally true.

Let us thank God for His forgiving grace and let us be ready to offer it those who need it from us. This brings joy to our hearts, spring in our footsteps and the load of hatred, resentment and bitterness off our souls.

Graduation time is here and all around an we can see trappings of success and results of hard work and steely determination through the years. Marching gowns and togas, diploma, medals and scholarship awards are all over Congratulations to all of our graduates this year. You are deserving of all the accolades. And we praise God for making it possible for you to achieve success in your school work.

Some of you will be proceeding to the work place and will start looking for jobs that will match your skills and training. The rest of you will want to reward yourselves with a carefree summer break while you prepare for a new term as you make your way to the top of the education ladder.

What all of you must remember is to make sure you have obtained or are obtaining an education that is true and that you are fulfilling the purpose and goal of this kind of education. This is not a school that we graduate tram. In fact it is something that we are enrolled in for as long as we live and while we are on this side of heaven.

The servant of the Lord says true education is that which trains youth and students for the life that now is and the life that is to come (Fundamentals of True Education, 327). She also has said that the object of education is “to restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created” (Education, 15-16).

If you feel that your education has trained you for life here on earth and prepared you for the life in the earth made new; and if in your soul the image of God is being restored and you are steadily and surely moving to the perfection in which man was created., then you arc experiencing real educational success. And this success is greater than any of the degrees, diplomas and awards you have earned or will ever achieve.

So again, congratulations. And wishing you more success in your educational pursuits.

The weekend is over and the meetings are done. As we look back we can praise God for the worship experience we have had and the wonderful fellowship we have enjoyed. I have listed down a few of what I believe came as a result of these meetings. They are the following:

• We have been reminded of how privileged we are as we look at ourselves and the blessings or have and enjoy here at Central Filipino Church through the eyes of our guests.
• It was an opportunity to spruce up our facility. We did clean-up work and put things in order in the way that everything is pleasing to the eyes, particularly in the sight of heaven.
• It gave us the privilege to work together, helping and supporting each other with the things that we need to do in hosting such a big event.
• Our eyes were opened to events that are happening in the social, economic, political and religious world that we are living in and awaken us to the realization that we are indeed living in the closing moments of this earth’s history.
• Much of what we heard are not new (last day events, principles of healthful living, medical missionary work, etc.) but they remind us of the fact that we know so much but practice so little. Let us live out the truth that we know and has been revealed to us and let the truth effect a revival and reformation in our lives as we get ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in latter rain power upon the church.

In the epistle of James (1:22-25), he says that we should be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Anyone who simply hears the Word and does not practice it is like the man who looks at himself in the mirror and goes on his way forgetting what he has seen about himself. But when we practice the truth and do what ace have heard, we are of all people most blessed.