Earth-Caring

God smiles to treeplanters

a beautiful feeling can always reward a treeplanter, you share in caring for God's creation, you know somewhere, God smiles at what you do.

thank you to my co-tree planters

my grandson Seth asked me one day where do all the people who plant trees with me come from. truth is i don't know. they have been coming from different towns, provinces and far away countries. i'm sad i never got to talk to all of them personally, but deep in my heart is a wellspring of gratitude.

The Habitat

A habitat is a natural dwelling of flora and fauna and aves. I started creating MY HABITAT to bring back wildlife (trees, plants, small animals, insects and birdlife in Tublay, Benguet, Philippines since 25 years ago. Today, I train my environmentalists here.

https://web.facebook.com/ipsum.novus/media_set?set=a.1710620425646805.1073742456.100000965926072&type=3&pnref=story

Facing Each Day with Courage

Facing Each Day with Courage

Everyday at 3 am, I wake up, do stretching, face the forest with the cool wind on my face and inhale-exhale, savoring the sweet fresh oxygen to replace spent one used in my body. Under the terrace lights and flickering wings of moths, I read the Bible, reflecting on the words of the Lord.

After which, I have the courage to face the world. The courage, unreserved for any day but for today, to face disappointments in life. Disappointment is a robber of reason and faith, and even dignity.

A little common, everyday courage can give a life so much more to live for and to find contentment in the knowledge that today I did not give in to the smaller self. And I can draw on the strength from One who bore personal suffering with supreme courage.

A comforting adage is that it is always darkest just before the dawn. The darkness of fear and worry and misunderstanding can last only so long, and then the light of dawn breaks through to show everything in its true perspective.

To all Filipino Echoing Green Fellowship Applicants

To all Filipino Echoing Green Fellowship Applicants
If you need help in your online application, email me on Monday, Oct. 23 only ,at pinetreephillatgmail.com. It is my desire and prayer that other Filipinos, successfully pass and qualify to the rigid and challenging Echoing Green Foundation Fellowship.
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http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/michael-bengwayan

Rest if you must but continue moving

Rest if you must but continue moving

Jerome Cadaweng, a high schoolmate and kumpare dropped by yesterday. i have not seen him for 18 years as he opted to work tirelessly in South Africa and battle-scarred Angola. "What should we be doing by now?', he asked. Anything, i said, anything as long as it inspires others.

As age starts to weigh us, we often think of slowing down as well. i spent time contemplating on this. But like attracts like. If we give up, so will others. If we cry, so will they. But if we decide this is a new beginning, others will take courage. We influence other people. Our attitudes send out ripples of feeling - like the scent of flowers that floats on air currents.

What we think and say sets the stage for what is to happen. We can change our minds, our words, our attitudes, and we stop crying. We act like our prayers are already answered and take steps to show we believe it. When the early morning sun breaks through the far side of the woods, the dark places are lighted and much healing takes place. And so it is with us. We can rest. But we can't stop..

Teach me

Lord, how are You our Father? I humbly come to You again. I come because I am not complete without You. Every single morning, even in the midst of chaos, You lead me to faith.. You give me, the desire and ability to see You. Hear You. Talk to You -- amid all the noise in this world. While many are deprived, You put shelter over our heads, gave us warm, dry beds to rest on, shirts on our backs, and three meals a day. You gave us sight so we can see, tongues so we can speak, ears so we can hear and hearts and minds so we can use all these for good and for others. Teach me to see the needs of the unfortunate and difficult people I meet in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that is pleasing to Your eyes. Amen