36. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. He is the Lord Jesus' brother.

4 October 2020

Years back, Kuwaiti friend called me Brother. I told him Brother in Filipino is "Pare", so he called me Pare.

Mark 3

35 “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 

32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!”

As I think about the top verse for this blog, I was brought to mind a brother as I would regard that particular friend now, he is in some difficult predicament.

If you happen to think of a friend of yours, whom you would also consider a brother, as you read along, then I ask you to emphatize with him in whatever difficulty he is facing now.

Here, I will refer to dear friends and brothers, two I would keep anonymous while I will acknowledge others by name or specific reference.

1. Anonymous #1. He is in some emotional pain I would consider serious. He is of senior age like me. I have reached out to him and I as got to know his situation, I told him I will talk with a common close friend to try anything we can do to help him, and I ended up uttering to him, basta wala tayong iwanan. I ask the Lord to bring comfort and strength to this brother.

2. Anonymous #2. He is a benefactor of mine, years back when I was out of work and suffering depression, he would give money to my two daughters attending university, he would come because his own children were attending high school there. He is now a stroke patient, and when I see him, I try to give him some encouragement, like telling him that years back when he was a stock market executive, his children saw him in business suit that I say even now his children are proud of him. In some small way, I try to pay back his generosity. In maybe three years all his children will be finished college.

Please pray with me for these two men who in their prime had in their mind the welfare of their respective family. Lord, give them good health and strength for their family's sake.

Matthew 25

40 “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.’

3. Kuya Nanie Perez aka Ret Lt Gen Hernanie Perez AFP. He was my benefactor in Christ. He passed away just last month due to illness.  I salute him, a modern day centurion with great faith and great compassion for the sake of others, for which I am foremost. I pray for comfort and strength for his wife Ate Becks Perez and the family.

4. Pastor Dan Guzman. The man of God who introduced me to God's word, painstakingly giving me one-on-one Bible study when I was suffering depression. At age 44, I put my faith in the Lord Jesus through his guidance and I had water baptism with him later. I pray for him to be protected as he continues to dedicate his life in labor for God.

Proverbs 17

17 A friend loves at all times,

    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

5. Pastor Clem Guillermo. Our Senior Pastor at Proclaim His Name Christian Fellowship until about two years ago when he passed away due to illness. He was an internationally renowned family and marriage counsellor, he officiated for me and my wife Marlou our silver wedding anniversary, and the wedding respectively for our three children. I got to know this man of God up close and personal as I was a member of the church board, and we were golfing buddies. I pray for comfort and strength for his wife Ate Merlyn and the family.

6. My oldest brother Boy aka Avegon. He was a varsity basketball player, coached some youth when I was in high school, tagging me along even if I was barely five feet, and he would draw a play at the opening tip for me to drive for an easy lay up. He passed away years ago, and we siblings together look after his children; his eldest daughter in Canada supports her mother and her siblings. I pray for God's provision and guidance for the whole family.

7. My older and only remaining brother. He was a varsity volleyball player. He is now a widower, had angioplasty few years ago; I praise God his career in merchant marine is back on track. I pray for him, I shared my faith with him, and I also pray for his children including his married children.

8. Romie Mativo. My college batchmate and some kind of confidant because I was introvert back then. He was my secondary sponsor during my wedding. I thank the Lord, I got reconnected with Romie just months ago, he resides in Niagara, Canada. We exchange words of wisdom, he was around during the online celebration of my 60th birthday this September.

9. Bader Alsaleh. He is Kuwaiti, I got to know him while working on a KOC Project. He would ask me to help him with his English, and he called me Brother. I told him Brother in Filipino is "Pare". We exchanged emails until the one I sent in 2015 for which I got no reply. I sent an email two days ago but still no reply. In whatever situation he maybe, my prayer is for his safety and that of his family.

Kuwaiti friend sent me off at the airport as I go for home leave.

There are others whom I consider brothers, and not mentioning them here does not make them not important to me. The Lord knows them by name and He is aware of their individual situation, I have same prayer intention for each of them as they come to my mind.

In some days later, my children's children will say wala ka sa Lolo ko, he is the Lord Jesus' brother; he does the will of God.

Dear Onliner, I encourage you to utter or whisper in prayer your emphathy for a friend you know is in dire need at this very moment.

Also, I request you to share this message to people you believe will be blessed.

God Bless Everyone.

Maraming salamat po.