Welcome To My World!

Are You Afraid of Change?

Change, no matter how you cut it, can certainly be adaunting task. There are so many ways to change; yourimage, attitude, environment, perceptions, addictions, andhow you treat others.

However, let's explore the reasons for change. Firstly,aspects in your life that negatively affect self progression,whether put upon yourself or not, scream loudest to bechanged.

Many times the guarded vaults inside ourselves mask this need for change, due to false pride, or the mere misperception of how change can improve our quality oflife. As a result, a vicious cycle of negativity will hover if these changes fail to be made.

So then, how do we know when to prioritize a needfulchange so that it can be properly made?

No matter how blind one can get, signs from friends and family, or negative reactions to your conduct by others can definitely be the most telling, and that's where you wouldstart.

This recognition is a crucial beginning point, because if you can't recognize and then admit, then you will always be in denial of your infractions.

For example: If you are a drug addict or any type of addictfor that matter, the only way you are going to get clean ofthat chemical is not by force from the state or your family,but from within.

This introspection, though through a haze of chemicals ordenial is tough, cannot be overstated in its importance. Although, when done with logic and perspective, it can be utterly empowering.

How does someone muster up enough will to make a critical change?

Despite what everyone else will think, whether bad orgood; knowing yourself through introspection is indeed the best route with which to take, and will nullify all those external forces.

This, in part, is where your power to make that change willbe generated. Instead of worrying how others will perceiveyou in your plights, simply put, ...don't!

Trusting yourself above everything else is fundamentally how change can start to be implemented. In addition, whena change for the better has been made, subsequent changes can and will be made more smoothly with less internal conflict.

Understanding the power of your own mind and how it can heal itself when given a chance is what I hope people cantake from this article.

You do not have to be afraid of change!

Positive changes in life should always be sought out, and dispelling your fears through self trust can arguably become your best ally in making your next change.

Baguio City - Summer Capital Of The Philippines

Brief Description
Baguio is the gateway to the wonders of Northern Luzon: the calm beaches of La Union; the fabled Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao; the ancient churches, Spanish influenced houses, historical and cultural relics of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, the Kabayan of the tribes of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra.

Geography
Baguio City, approximately 250 kilometers north of Manila, is situated in the heart of the Province of Benguet. The area of the city is 49 square kilometers enclosed in a perimeter of 30.6 kilometers. The developed portion of the city is a plateau that rises to an elevation of 1,400 meters. Most of it lies on the northern half of the city.

About half the area of the city has a slope of 25% or more.

Political Subdivision
A popularly elected Mayor heads the city government of Baguio. He is assisted by the Vice-Mayor and a 12-man legislative council called the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

Climate
Baguio is 8 degrees cooler on any month on the average than any place in the lowlands. The temperature seldom exceeds 26° centigrade at its warmest, and the lowest reading was 6.3° centigrade, recorded in January 18, 1961.

Baguio is very wet during the rainy season which is from June to October. The recorded heaviest volume of rainfall measured 9,038.3mm.

Population
The population of the city as of 1995 was 226,883. The youth constitute nearly half of the population. During the peak of the annual tourist influx, particularly during the Lenten period, transients triple the population.

Language / Dialect
English is widely spoken and understood. It is the medium of instruction in all public and private schools. The national language, Filipino, is spoken by everyone. Ilocano is also spoken by almost everybody.

Major Industries
The three dominant industries in the city are tourism, education, and integrated circuits. Texas Instruments initiated the Export Processing Zone. Today, they export six hundred million dollars of products annually.

Manila City - Cosmopolitan Capital Of The Philippines

Description
Fascination is an understatement of the feeling that one gets by visiting Manila, a lively metropolis commanding a magnificent view of the world-famous Manila Bay and its golden sunset. Historic, bustling, awe-inspiring, the “Philippine Cosmopolitan Capital” is a blend of cultures and flavors that offers an endless serving of places to see, sights to behold, and experiences to never forget.

Right in the heart of Manila is found the “Walled City” – Intramuros. Constructed in 1571, during the period of Spain’s colonization of the Philippines, it comprised of European buildings and churches that have been replicated in different parts of the archipelago. It had been one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities. Here, dungeons and old churches share space with art galleries, theaters, a nature park.

At the center of Intramuros is the grand Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Then there is San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in Metro Manila and one of the four Philippine Baroque Churches inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip is Fort Santiago, one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros. Built in nearly 150 years through Filipino forced labor, it now houses a lush park with flowering trees, homing pigeons, and rides aboard horse-drawn carriages.

Manila is home to Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the highest chief executive of the country and one of the most historic structures in the Philippines, and the National Museum of the Philippines, the official repository and guardian of the Philippine cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Along the northern bank of the historic Pasig river is Chinatown, a symbol of the long history of Chinese presence in the Philippines long antedating the arrival of the Spaniards. Today it is an important trade and business center, and a primary bargain shopping destination.

Five-star hotels and restaurants, some of them housed in historic buildings, make the perfect party place in the city. The nightlife offers everything from dazzling cultural shows to futuristic discotheques, lively casinos, sensational entertainment lounges, and fashionable cafes. The popular districts of Malate and Ermita showcase a wild variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, cafes, art and antique shops – truly, the ultimate cosmopolitan paradise.

Manila is geographically advantaged. It is an hour or two away from full-day excursions to Cavite and Corregidor Island, Batangas, and Laguna, replete with exceptionally beautiful beaches, stunning views, and local color. The city is over 17 hours away by air from Los Angeles, less than five hours from Tokyo, and seven and a half hours from Sydney. Wherever you are, you are less than a day away from one of Asia’s greatest cities – Manila.

Geography
The city of Manila is located on the west coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon and surrounded by fertile plains. The city straddles at the delta of the Pasig river, a short navigable stream that connects the fresh water lake of Laguna de Bay with Manila Bay and the South China Sea. It occupies a total land area of 38.3 square kilometers.

Population
The total population was 1,654,761 as of the 1995 census.

Political Subdivision
The city is composed of 897 Barangays, which are subdivided into six Congressional Districts. It has been classified as a Highly Urbanized City.

JULY 23
ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN

Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303. From the time she was a child, she was greatly devoted to the passion of Jesus. When she was only ten, she seemed to see Jesus on the cross and hear him say, "Look at me, my daughter." "Who has treated you like this?" cried little Bridget. "They who despise me and refuse my love for them," answered Jesus. From then on, Bridget tried to stop people from offending Jesus.

When she was fourteen, she married eighteen-year-old Ulf. Like Bridget, Ulf had set his heart on serving God. They had eight children, of whom one was St. Catherine of Sweden. Bridget and Ulf served the Swedish court. Bridget was the queen's personal maid. Bridget tried to help King Magnus and Queen Blanche lead better lives. For the most part, they did not listen to her.

All her life, Bridget had marvelous visions and received special messages from God. In obedience to them, she visited many rulers and important people in the Church. She explained humbly what God expected of them. After her husband died, Bridget put away her rich clothes. She lived as a poor nun. Later, she started the order of the Most Holy Savior, also known as Bridgettines. She still kept up her own busy life, traveling about doing good everywhere. And through all this activity, Jesus continued to reveal many secrets to her. These she received without the least bit of pride.

Shortly before she died, the saint went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. At the shrines there, she had visions of what Jesus had said and done in that place. All St. Bridget's revelations on the sufferings of Jesus were published after her death. St. Bridget died in Rome on July 23, 1373.

She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Boniface IX in 1391.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Sunday (7/23): "Jesus had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd"

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Meditation: What does the image of a shepherd tell us about God’s care for us? Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel, even before farming, since the Chosen People had traveled from place to place, living in tents, and driving their flocks from one pasture to another. Looking after sheep was no easy calling. It required great skill and courage. Herds were often quite large, thousands or even ten thousands of sheep. The flocks spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since hyenas, jackals, wolves, and even bear were common and fed on sheep, the shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts. A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep. Shepherds took turns watching the sheep at night to ward off any attackers. The sheep and their shepherds continually lived together. Their life was so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.

The Old Testament often spoke of God as shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus told his disciples that he was the Good Shepherd who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4, John 10). When he saw the multitude of people in need of protection and care, he was moved to respond with compassionate concern. His love was a personal love for each and every person who came to him in need. Peter the apostle called Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace and security of a life freely submitted to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? In the person of the Lord Jesus we see the unceasing vigilance and patience of God's love. In our battle against sin and evil, Jesus is ever ready to give us help, strength, and refuge. Do you trust in his grace and help at all times?

Keeping Your Attitude Up When Circumstances Are Down

Everyone knows that a positive attitude is key to the successful life. But what happens when things go wrong? What happens when circumstances deal us a blow? We have a tendency to let our attitudes take the dive along with our state of affairs. Life deals us setbacks, both minor and major, on a regular basis, but if we are going to be successful, we need to know how to deal with them and keep our attitudes intact! We need practical tools to help us understand how we can go about keeping our attitude up, when the circumstances are down. Here are some thoughts to help us do so:

Take some time-out. I'm sure you are aware of what happens. You are going about your day and everything seems to be going well, when out of nowhere disaster strikes. All of your best-laid plans begin to tumble. Sometimes circumstances surprise us and we react. Unfortunately, this often compounds the problem because by reacting we tend to operate out of our weaknesses instead of our strengths. We make decisions that are not well thought out. We function with a bad attitude that says, "I can't believe this is happening!"

The next time circumstances turn against you, take some time to just step back from the problem and think. This will enable you to deal with the issue at hand rationally, instead of emotionally. It will allow you to put your state of mind back into its proper place. It gives you the opportunity to choose your attitude as you face the circumstances at hand. Remember that we don't have to do something right now. Go grab a cup of coffee and relax little bit. By doing this you function with you being in control and not the circumstances.

Keep your eye on the goal. A second step in keeping our attitude in the proper place is to make sure we keep the important things important. One of the biggest problems with trouble is that it gets your focus off of where it should be. When I experience difficult circumstances and people ask me how it is going, I tell them, "I am just keeping my eye on the goal." It has always been fascinating to me that when racecar drivers get into trouble, they keep their eyes straight ahead and do not move them away. There is just too much chance of wrecking that way. Instead, their eyes are on the goal, and this keeps them out of trouble. If you find yourself getting down about circumstances, sit down and write out what the goal is. Give some thought to how you can achieve that goal, or others you may have.

A man was asked how he was doing and he responded, "Pretty well, under the circumstances." The other man asked, "What are you doing under the circumstances?" Good question. We shouldn't be under the circumstances, we should be focused on the goal and moving forward.

Focus on solutions, not problems. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, the old saying goes. Negative circumstances don't sit idly by. They scream for our attention. When we face difficult circumstances, we tend to dwell on them. We talk about them, fret about them, and give them way too much attention. Instead of talking about problems, talk about solutions. Instead of spending your time thinking about how bad things are, think about how good they will be! Don't have family or staff meetings about the problems and how big they are. Have meetings on the solutions and how you will implement them. Don't let yourself or other team members complain. Encourage them to solve, with an emphasis on the positive results that will come from doing so. Then take some time to put these solutions down on paper, so you can monitor your progress.

Get some positive input. The mind tends to build on itself, so when we begin to go in one direction, i.e. worry, it can be a slippery slope. One thing we must do is get our thoughts back on track with positive ideas. When circumstances have got you against the emotional wall, get with a good friend who can encourage you. Listen to a tape by Zig Zigler or another motivational speaker. Pick up a good book and give it a read. Whatever external influence you can get to put your attitude back on the positive side of the tracks - do it! It must be one of our first goals to start plugging good things into our minds to fuel our attitudes.

Tell yourself the good. One of the greatest internal powers we have is the power to control our thoughts. Spend time dwelling on the good things about your life or job instead of the problems. Think about positive things, things you enjoy and give you a sense of happiness and peace. There is an old childhood song that says, "Count your blessings, name them one by one." That is great advice! Let your positive attitude develop from within as well as from without. This makes all the difference!

Remember that circumstances are not forever. Sometimes it seems like we are going to be up to our eyeballs in the situation forever, when in reality, this too shall pass. There will be a time in the future when circumstances will change and you will be on the mountain instead of the valley. This will give you a sense of hope as you live and work that will change your attitude, make you feel better and put you on the fast track for growth!

Some questions as we close:

Q. Do you have a habit of reflection before responding?

Q. Do you have a habit of keeping your eye on the goal?

Q. Do you focus on solutions or problems?

Q. Do you give yourself positive outside influence?

Q. Do you have a habit of telling yourself the good?

Q. Do you remind yourself that nothing is forever?

Persistency - Element In Reality

One of the keys to being successful in anything you do is persistence. Lets clarify the word 'persistence' :- It is ability to be persist on instances. And one of key element in this instances is your main Objective in life.

Persistence is success formula made up form the grouping of: confidence+ sustainability +Will power + endurance + self-esteem +patience & optimism.

Take an instance of building a muscle. If you have never exercised before, the first time you go to a gym, chances are you will not be able to bench press 100 lbs. However, if you are persistent, and you consistently go back to the gym, you will find yourself getting stronger and closer to your goal / objective with each and every visit.

It signifies that once you have realized & determined exactly what it is you want to achieve, you must take Significant & considerate action using good plan on a consistent, persistent basis in direction to succeed.

And on success path, Obstacles are the natural roadblocks, our job is to be persistent and work through those obstacles. If you find little or no obstacles along the way, chances are you are not really challenging yourself coz person realizes his potential when he is on peak of his performance & ability.

If you see any successful person, you will learn that the vast majority of them have had more 'failures' than they have had 'successes'. This is because successful people are persistent; the more they stumble and fall, the more they get right back up and get going again. For example, India got freedom because of the persistence & patience of great revolutionaries on their objective to make India free.

Just spend some time to learn persistency form others experiences, OBSERVE ANTS, funny isn't it; factual it is. They are much smaller than us, and teaches us Unity ? Discipline ? Team work -Hard work ? Persistency & killer instinct to achieve their goal.

Keep in mind that you must constantly reevaluate your circumstances and the approach you are using to reach your goal. There is no sense in being persistent at something that you are doing incorrectly, its self-deceit! At times you have to modify, multiply & magnify your approach along the way. Every time you do something you learn from it, and therefore find a better way to do it.

Things That Keep You From Success

A lot of people want to be successful. Yet, only a few people are willing to pay the price. There is a price to success as there is a price to failure. Here are 5 reasons that keep people from accomplishing their dreams.

Lack of Motivation:
Success comes from loving what you do. Is your current job your passion? When your study highly successful people, you understand that they have at least 1 thing in common: they love what they do and they do what they love. Is this the case for you? If the answer is no, you can start by identifying your passion. This is the best way to get motivated.

Lack of Faith:
Faith is a firm belief in yourself, God or others that you can do it. Build up a strong vision of what you want to accomplish. In developing a vision, the law of attraction is going to work for you. You are going to attract people, opportunities and money that will allow you to develop an unstoppable confidence.

Fear of Failure:
The fear of failure doesn't exist. Neither does the fear of success. Fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Micheal Jordan said himself that "Fear is an illusion". It is hard to overcome fears. One simple way to overcome the fear of failure is to read inspirational stories and quotes of people that achieved their dreams. Read one every morning. That will give you strength and hope.

Wrong Strategies:
When you want to build a business, to achieve something really big, you need to have mentors. You can't allow yourself to loose time, money and energy. Mentors are people that will give you the right strategies; they will provide the right information and will inspire you. They will coach you through the process. Choose correctly your experts, your models. Work with them and adopt the same thinking patterns, the same strategies, the same beliefs. If he did it, you can do it too.

Limiting beliefs:
Often times we have limiting beliefs about what we want to achieve. For example, you can really want to achieve a goal but at the same time something tells you: "It's not for you, you don't deserve that" or "You can't do it, remember". These thoughts pollute our minds and darken our life. A quick way to stop these damaging thoughts is to use the power to say no! First, represent in your mind the "limiting belief" and say NO! To it. Now, represent in your mind what you want in its place and say a big YES! You will be amazed how your attitude suddenly changed about the old belief. Can you remember it?

Quezon City - City Of New Horizons

Description
That Quezon City has been dubbed as the “City of New Horizons” holds truth when it comes to culture and lifestyle – the experience is fresh and not quite what would be expected of the usual urban setting.

Fast becoming a famous landmark in the metropolis is the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, an experience of nature within the city. Conveniently located at the heart of Quezon City, the area was developed to simulate a natural forest setting and serve as a breather from high-rise and concrete. Found here are about 38 species of trees and shrubs, which are represented by 2,443 trees commonly found in Philippine forests. Nature tripping tastes all the sweeter as there is a grove, lagoon, rock garden, mini-zoo, craft village, and fishing village, among others.

Diliman in Quezon City is home to the University of the Philippines, the country’s foremost institute of higher learning and considered the finest in the Far East. UP was established in June 1908, and is sprawled over an area of 450 hectares. The state-owned university has produced many of the country’s best leaders, artists, writers, and professionals. The city is likewise the home of Camps Crame and Aguinaldo, two of the most important military headquarters where the famous four-day peaceful rebellion called People Power or EDSA Revolution of 1986 had started.

Holding court as the Cubao district’s focal point is Araneta Coliseum, the world’s largest covered dome during the 1960s. Towering 220 feet and with a seating capacity of 32,000, it captured the Philippines’ first post-war world boxing title by the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Araneta Coliseum has since staged world-famous shows, from the classic “Fight of a Lifetime” between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frasier in 1976 to beauty pageants, basketball tournaments, musical concerts, athletic events.

Geography
Quezon City is 10 km. north of Manila. To the city's east are San Mateo, Rizal and Marikina City; to the west are San Juan and the city of Manila; to the north are Caloocan City and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; and to the south are the cities of Pasig and Mandaluyong. Quezon City is five times bigger than Manila, and in area, it is second to the country's biggest city, Davao City.

Rolling hills spread over a large portion of Quezon City. Its lowest altitude is 25 feet above sea level while its highest is 55. The city occupies a total land area of 166.2 square kilometers

Population
The total population was 1,989,419 as of the 1995 census.

Political Subdivision
Quezon City consists of 140 Barangays, which are subdivided into fours Congressional districts. It has been classified as a Highly Urbanized City.

Caloocan City - Home Of Heroes

Description
No other city in the Philippines is quite like Caloocan. From humble beginnings had risen a city now in the face of relentless and continuing progress.

Before Caloocan emerged into a city, it had modest beginnings – first, as a wilderness, then as an uninhabited hill, then as a hilltop village. Few know the full story of how the city began. Even fewer remember the very interesting details that make up its birth and growth. Today Caloocan continues progressing to be the great yet humble city that is the radiant vision of its residents and the current leadership.

The main landmark of Caloocan City is the Bonifacio Monument, located at the intersection of Rizal Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA. The monument commemorates the most proletarian of all Filipino heroes, Andres Bonifacio. It likewise marks the first encounter between Andres Bonifacio and his revolutionary group called Katipunan with the Spanish soldiers on August 3, 1896. The monument was immortalized by the great Filipino nationalist Guillermo Tolentino.

Geography
Caloocan City is located at the northern part of Metropolitan Manila. The city is divided into two parts: the urban portion, which is bounded on the north by Malabon, on the east by Quezon City, on the south by Manila and Navotas, and on the west by Manila Bay; and the rural portion, bounded on the north by San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, on the east and south by Quezon City, and on the west by Valenzuela. It occupies a total land area of 55.8 square kilometers.

Political Subdivision
Caloocan City is composed of 188 Barangays, which are subdivided into two Congressional Districts. It has been classified as a Highly Urbanized City.

Population
The total population was 1,023,159 as of the 1995 census.

JULY 22
ST. MARY MAGDALENE

Mary Magdalene was from Magdala near the Sea of Galilee. Some people identify her as a well-known sinner when she first saw Our Lord. It seems that she was very beautiful and very proud. But after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at his feet. Then, with her long, beautiful hair, she wiped his feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch him. Our Lord knew why. He could see into Mary's heart. He said, "Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much." Then to Mary he said kindly, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and his apostles. When Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the foot of his cross. She stayed with the Blessed Mother and St. John, unafraid for herself. All she could think about was that her Lord was suffering. No wonder Jesus said of her: "She has loved much." After Jesus' body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. She was shocked when she saw that the tomb was empty. Not finding the sacred body, she began to weep. Suddenly she saw someone she thought was the gardener. She asked him if he knew where the body of her beloved Master had been taken. Then the man spoke in a voice she knew so well: "Mary!" It was Jesus, standing right there in front of her. He was risen from the dead. And he had chosen to reveal himself first to her. The Gospels show Mary as being sent by the Lord himself to announce the Good News of the resurrection to Peter and the apostles. In the early centuries of the Church, Mary Magdalene's feast was celebrated with the Mass of an apostle.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Saturday (7/22): "I have seen the Lord!"

Scripture: John 20:1-2, 11-18

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14 Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 18 Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Meditation: How easy it is to miss the Lord when our focus is on ourselves! Mary Magdalene did not at first recognize the Lord because her focus was on the empty tomb and on her own grief. It took only one word from the Master, when he called her by name, for Mary to recognize him. Mary's message to the disciples, I have seen the Lord, is the very essence of Christianity. It is not enough that a Christian know about the Lord, but that we know him personally. It is not enough to argue about him, but to meet him. In the resurrection we encounter the living Lord who loves us personally and shares his glory with us. The Lord gives us "eyes of faith" to see the truth of his resurrection and victory over sin and death (Ephes. 1:18). The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope -- the hope that we will see God face to face and share in his everlasting glory and joy. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9). Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you, in his word, in the "breaking of the bread", and in his church, the body of Christ?