***Special Christian Joys***

        I'd like to end blogging of this first month of 2026 on a happy note. A Christian enjoy many special joys. Here are a few major ones: (1) discovering that Christ can truly transform you into a new creature, (2) experiencing total spiritual freedom, (3) becoming fearless of death and everything else, and (4) knowing that the very best is yet to come. God bless you all!

***Greatest Possible Return***

         Communion experience: By giving all of myself to Christ, I gain all of him!

**Smart Thinking 2*

        Today's Communion Antiphon based upon Mt 24: 46-47—Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen, I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property. So generally, we need to trust in the Lord to earn his trust, as the measure with which we measure will be measured out to us. While there's still time, the wise make sure that they'll be ready for anything.

**Smart Thinking*

         In heaven, we'll be completely abandoning ourselves to God. So why not start practicing it right now? Putting it off until your last moment on earth is taking a huge risk, for you don't know when and how you're going to die. Be fully prepared now so that your entry into heaven my go without a hitch. Being wise always pays off.

**Secret to Happiness**

        Today's Psalm 51 response: Create a clean heart in me, O Lord. Our heart is most dear to us. When it's clean, we feel new; when it's unclean, we lose our peace. So let the Lord take total care of your heart and you'll be happy always.

**Our Huge Flaw*

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus showed to his disciples that even wind and sea obey him by calming a storm at sea. We are really the only creatures on earth who can choose to disobey the Lord. Shame on us! If we did obey the Lord and do his will always, eternal happiness would be our just reward.

**What Gives?

        We readily believe in the many fake stories broadcast or posted online, yet we have trouble believing in the one greatest true story recored by the four Gospels. Could it be because the latter is really true?

**The Smart Christian**

         We are not smart when we just live everyday doing what we'd like to do for the day, not thinking much ahead. The smart one make each move as if he's playing chess. He thinks ahead, anticipating what might happen and planning his moves accordingly. The smart Christian simply secures his eternal life first—you can't think further ahead than that. In this case, what he anticipates is also something that will definitely come true.

**Humility Called For**

         We human beings think we are pretty smart. But let's realize that God is infinitely more intelligent than us. The Lord can create anything he wishes instantly, while we try hard and are only able to make something out of his created things for our benefit. To think that we are smart enough not to need the Lord God is sheer folly, tantamount to insulting him. 

**Caution Against Sinning**

        Today's Psalm 51 Response: Be merciful, O Lord. for we have sinned. When we sin, we hurt ourselves, and often others too. But ultimately, it comes down to hurting the Lord that matters the most, for he is the one who truly loves us and will have the final say in determining our final destination. I hope that being aware of this will give you second thoughts anytime you are tempted to commit a sin.

**To Be a Christian Extraordinaire**

        A Christian who remains static is at best a lukewarm one. To be a dynamic Christian, one must remain open to the Lord to learn to become more perfect unceasingly. Surrender yourself to him so that you may glorify him to the max. This is living the most fulfilling and rewarding life on earth.

***A Special Joy***

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus said to his disciples, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light." When you realize that the Lord can make you see the condition of your soul and make it clean and spotless, you feel a special joy that's heavenly!

**All Chrisians Are Prophets

         God has sent prophets to his people throughout the history of Judaism and Christianity. They basically serve as intermediaries between the Lord and us, relaying his guidance, warning us of danger and calling people to repentance. I see that we who follow Christ hold these same objectives, so basically we've all been called to be prophets except for predicting future events.

***Why We Reject God's Love Still**

         The God of Christ wants to save us from sin, for he truly loves us. Yet so many of us do not accept this greatest love. Here are the possible reasons I can think of: (1) They don't believe in God. (2) They don't feel the need to be saved. (3) God cannot save them. (4) They can save themselves. (5) They don't understand the whole thing. (6) They don't want to think about the whole thing. Well, I just can't think of any other "good" reason. My belief is that it's the same pride that made Adam and Eve fall at work here.

**Perfect Timely Request**

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord, it's the perfect time to ask him to transform me completely to his liking!

**Happy Realization**

         The Lord God is all-knowing. Compared to him, we practically know nothing, but he did give each of us the ability to learn. It should be clear that our proper attitude is to listen to him and learn everything from him. This is the way for us to become as wise as the Lord.

**What Makes a Good Prayer**

        Any prayer that comes genuinely from your heart is beautiful to God. It doesn't need to be wordy or said perfectly. When you moan or just think to him, he already understands everything. The Lord always makes everything easy and delightful for us! 

**Requisite for Salvation**

        This is basic and the first thing we must realize before we can be saved. It is that we are sinners and we must repent our sins to God for him to take them away from us. For some, this happens at a watershed moment; while for others, the awakening crystallizes over a period of time. Either way, it sets you on your happy journey to heaven.