It Is Well With My Soul

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16

It Is Well With My Soul

Horatio G. Spafford

1820-1888

I

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

II

Though Satan should buffet, tho trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

III

My sin-oh, the bliss of this glorious tho't:

My sin not in part, but the whole

Is nail'd to the cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

IV

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be roll'd back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

"Even so," it is well with my soul.

Chorus:

It is well with my soul, It is well,

It is well with my soul

Horatio G. Spafford, a lawyer and a businessman from Chicago, wrote this beloved hymn. He was born in North Troy New York, on October 20, 1828. Along with his financial success, he always maintained active relationship in Christian activities. He was noted as a man of unusual intelligence and refinement, deeply spiritual, and a devoted student of the Scripture.

Some months prior to Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in real estate in the shores of Lake Michigan, and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in November of 1873. Due to unexpected last minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days. On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later, the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, "Saved alone." Shortly afterward Spafford left by ship to join her bereaved wife. It is thought that on the sea near the area where his four daughters had drowned, Spafford penned this text whose words so significantly describe his own personal grief - "When sorrows like sea billows roll."

It is notewothy however, that Spafford's hymn does not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows and trials but focuses attention in the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ and in the fourth stanza anticipates his glorious Second Coming. Humanly speaking, it is amazing that one could experience such personal tragedies and sorrows as Horatio did and still be able to say with such convincing clarity "It is well with my soul."

Phillip P. Bliss, in 1876, impressed with Spafford's experience and expression of text short wrote the music for it. In 1881, Spafford left Chicagowith their two daughters and settled in Holy Land of Jerusalem. Horatio died at the age of sixty. (Text taken from Kenneth W. Osbeck's 101 Hymn Stories p.126).

Today this hymn is already a church song widely sang by many churches all over the world for many years. Sometimes I cry every time this song is being played in our Church. It reminds me of my griefs, my sadness too..like Horatio's . But thanks to God...thanks to Horatio. The song soothes my soul...yes... it is well with my soul.

Amigos Para Siempre-(JERANJIM)

"To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose..a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh...a time to love and a time to hate". Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

What is the meaning of "JERANJIM". This acronym stands for J-Jesse James Escribano De Villa, ER-Eric Gamol Batoy, AN-Andrew Moral Famero, my self, and JIM-Jimmel Faina Fabra. Sounds corny but they were my bestfriends during my High School Days in Romblon State College in the year 1986 to 1990. Where and how are they now? First, I will tell you the story of Jesse James.

Jesse James, alias "Hamis" as I fondly call him, died in the year 1997 from a gunshot wound he sustained from a hold-upper while on his way from Mindanao Development Bank somewhere in Tondo, Manila going to United Coconut Planters Bank to deposit their Bank's Cash and Check Collections. Regularly, every day, Jesse James is being escorted by their Bank's Guard armed with Shotgun. But during that unfortunate day he declined to be escorted by a guard because he will only deposit checks and he will carry no cash. Instead, he requested their utility man to escort him. But he was wrong. According to some relatives I've talked with, he should have not done it because the robbers were already "watching" her routine or "pattern" and that somebody gave information that he will be depositing "without guard" . According to the witnesses on the crime scene, the holdupper simply approached him and his companion-utility. Without saying a word the criminal shoot first the utility and died too. Sensing that he will be shoot too, he started right away to run as fast as he could bending his back. But bullet pierced her bent back hitting the heart while he was aiming to run. His father who was Policeman at that time narrated to me that probably James should have not died if he just simply run and did not bend her back. If the bullet just simply hit on the back while Jesse James was running straight, the bullet might have passed outside the body either through and through horizontally, sparing the heart perhaps but hitting only some minor organs and tissues . I was sad upon knowing this. I talked to nobody..to my self...bargaining..."Why him"? Like her family and relatives, I belong to those who were in grief as a "close friend...a bestfriend". In fact every time we had a mananita during high school days, he slept in our house. He was my tutor in math,my joker, and my guidance counsellor because I am naughty more than him. During college days our boarding house and our school are very near with each other. Once a month i visited him in Sta.Teresita,Sampaloc, Manila inviting him to watch movie and stroll around the city. He was a graduate of Accountancy in Philippine School of Business Administration, a prestigious Business College where mostly honor students from highnschool usually survive and pass Accounting Examinations. Jesse James is an intelligent friend and I know who is his crush during high school. "Hamis" wherever you are I will miss you.

Second, Jimmel . I dont know how I "fall in love with this guy" (wrong choice of word) how "love fall in this guy" but I treated him very special and very close. His being kind made him special to me. I admire his being religious, intelligent, funny, sporty (avid fun of "sipa" to the max), "valentino", genius, fighter, honest, trustworthy, humble, friendly, etc.and corny sometimes! A lot of adjectives describes this "supercalifragilisticaxpialidocious earthling". Good that Jimmel is an earthling and I'm a "Marsling". Any way in the course of our life in high school, Jim is really an academician. That's why he topped our Class. I know a little of Jimmel's life. He shared with me his life. He spent some of his years in elementary here in Odiongan and Navotas in Governor Pascual Street. During our High School days from First Year to Second Year, he did well in all his subjects but unfortunately when we reached our Third year he begun to "dislike" the school and the personnel for some reasons. He transferred to Manila and graduated there. After a year, in 1990 when I decided to study in Manila for a Nursing Course, he visited me in my boarding house . I dont know how to go to different places in Manila. Surprisingly he showed up and invited me for a gallivanting around the city. I can still remeber we went to the PBA stadium in Ultra Pasig to watch a BasketBall Game. It was my first time to watch a basketball "live". In the Province we watch it only in "Black and White" and blurred TV. After that year, we had no more communication. We concentrated on our studies. Some time 1995, he wrote me a letter. He is teaching Thailand English subjects. After 5 years he pursued his Nursing career and worked in California USA. Today he is married with two kids. Our bond grew stronger. Last February 2010 he visited me and my family in our house together with his lovely daughter Jeyelle and his number one fan-his Father. It was a together again meeting of "Old Friends" for almost 20 years. We stroll around the town and did get together with our classmates at Maela Yap's house. It was a happy visit. Today, Jimmel still communicates with me. If I don't communicate with him, he does the first move.

Third and last my friend Eric . The last time I saw him was 1990 during our Graduation. The last time I talked with him was 2 months ago. He is now married with 5 kids!Eric is also kind that's why he is my friend too. He also ranked high in our class. He was known for being a Mathematician. Every fiesta, we go to their place in Barangay Tuguis Este. Today he works in Mitzumi in Cebu as an Electronics Engineer. I'm hoping still that someday I will meet him.

Most of us the JERANJIM are blessed. I'm proud to say. I consider them as my remaining special friends here and Hamis in our Father's House in heaven. I thank God for giving such wonderful friends. I hope and pray we will always be FRIENDS FOR LIFE ("AMIGOS PARA SIEMPRE").

Our Church

"And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter , and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". Matthew 16:18

Our Church's name is Odiongan Baptist Church. It is a Centennial Church. It was founded and built by early Baptist Missionaries . It is located in Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines. Presently, our church is a newly-built one. It was rebuilt 6 years ago due to the fire. Thanks God our Church was erected again by our faithful and generous members here and abroad. Today, its "futuristic" design stood majestically at the heart of the town, and I'm proud to say our church is one of the most beautiful and tallest Church in the province of Romblon. Our Church Pastor is my father-in-law, Rev. Teofilito Arevalo Rufon. He has been in the church ministry for more than 30 years. Our church was designed by Architect Ferdinand Reyes and our Civil Engineer is Jason Fetalsana Rufon, my brother-in-law.

The Mayflower

" But I will establish a covenant with you, and you will enter the ark, you and your sons and wife's sons with you." (Genesis 6:18)

Some time in the year 2002, when I visited my brother Bar in Manila, he told me he has a new hobby. He knows how to "weave" a cross-stitch. He showed me the design of "The Mayflower." It was a beautiful cross-stitch template. I asked it right away from him and humbly requested my wife to to do the job. Unknown to my brother, my wife who was pregnant at that time with my second daughter Miel, was also addicted to this. In fact our house was full of finished framed cross-stitch. "The Bride" was one of the "Obra-Maestras" my wife and her mom did which took them several weeks to finish "without toilet privilege." My mother in law has all the materials: needles and pins and threads of all kinds, colors and sizes in this kind of hobby during those years. It was a craze at that time. Even in schools, it was required as project to the pupils and students to get high grades in Home Economics subject.

Every day, I waited patiently what the Mayflower would look like. There were lots of challenges: the cross-stitch has a lot of back-stitches and half-stitches. My wife suffered stiff-necks and double vision that made it more difficult to finish. What a patience in my wife's part. Until finally it was finished. An alive cross-stitch of "The Mayflower".

What is the Mayflower anyway? What made me like it? According to one of our close family friends and church member, it was the ship which the Pilgrims took to sail from Plymouth England going to New England (now America) on September 16, 1620. Aboard the ship were 102 men, women, and children running away from religious persecutions in England. On November 21, the Mayflower dropped anchor in Provincetown, Massachussetts. The Pilgrims drew up THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT. All adult male passengers on the ship were required to sign it. Under this covenant, "government will be based on the consent of the governed" (majority rule), thus an important precedent in the birth of democracy in America and the whole world.

Today our Mayflower is alive...unfaded...hanged on the walls in the sala in our house portraying its waves hammering the ship . Thanks to my wife and my brother bar.

N.A.R.S. Mission: Sibale Island

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:1-2

My Brother, Prince John and his companion of three boys and one girl, total of 5 fresh Registered Nurses accepted the Labor and Health Department's challenge of bringing Primary Health Care to the "Island of Sibale" in the Municipality of Concepcion, Romblon through the program aptly called Nuurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS). For almost 3 and a half months (January to April 2010), the young nurses will deliver health care service to the community . At first, most of them were hesitant to go to the island because it is very far away. Transportation and communication facilities are jurassic. It will take courage and a firm stomach to finish the very rough sea travel. It would take long hours of "roller coaster ride"sea travel due to waves bigger than the motorboat itself.

But they were all wrong because when they set foot in the island, it was a great "adventure" for them. The island is "Beautiful". For them it was a "Paradise" because of its captivating beaches and shorelines and serene peaceful bluish sea waters. If asked again to return, they would say yes.

The people really need health services because they are far from the Provincial Hospital located in Odiongan, Romblon in Tablas Island. One who is in emergency situation might be unfortunate because there is no hospital in the area. The solution is to cross the sea either bound for Tablas or Mindoro if the sea is not rough. The Municipality is a 5th Class Income Classification LGU that is why many are living in poverty.

Currently the Concepcion Health Center has no physician. The last time it had a doctor was 2008 under the DOH's "Doctors-to-the-Barrio" program. It lasted for only two years . Only a nurse is taking good care of the community's health. Purely Primary Health Care. Secondary and Tertiary Levels of care are being done in neighboring islands Tablas and Mindoro and in the capital city of Manila. The good thing in Concepcion, is the people are hospitable and peace loving. You can see in their faces the smiles where one would be touched. I say this because I've been to this place some time 2004. Prince and his companions enjoyed the place. Before they left the Rural Health Unit, a "Last Night Party" was conducted. It was a happy night of dancing and drinking and eating in the Town Plaza offered by the officials and the people. To the young nurses..it was a mission accomplished.

I salute you all guys. Arrivederci!

My Family

"We, for our part, love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "My love is fixed on God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. One who has no love for the brother he has seen cannot love the god he has not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4, 19-21).

I am married to Ms. Melody Fetalsana Rufon. We have two kids: Andrea, 8 years old and Miel Ann, 5 years old. We are currently living in Brgy. Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon. I am working in PhilHealth. Melody works as Teacher in OBCKC (Odiongan Baptist Church Kindergarten Center). Andrea is studying in OSCES (Odiongan South Central Elementary School). She will be entering the Grade 3 level this coming June 2010. Miel is a Kinder pupil in OBCKC.

My family is a loving family. They are Special Gifts from God. That's why "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Our Class Reunion-Some Lessons Learned

"For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7.

Last April 5,6 and 7, 2010, our Class, Romblon State College High School Class 1990 located in Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines, conducted a 3-day Alumni Homecoming and Reunion. Our class unanimously "appointed" me to be the Chairman of the Reunion. I took the challenge because I know God will help me. We did Thanksgiving, Parade around the Town, Dental Mission and Gift Giving in Barangay Tuguis, Family Day and Alumni Night. Praise God. It was a success! Here are the lessons I have learned from this activity and my " CLASSMATES":

1. PROMISING CLASSMATES. There are classmates who will promise to help you but they will not. They may even commit to handle or support an activity, but in the end they will tell you..I'm busy. They will not show up anymore. They are those who said I will attend but they did not.

2. TRUE-TO-HIS-WORDS CLASSMATES. They are those who are true to their promises or classmates with "Word of Honor". They are very supportive. Most of them are very honest.

3. PASSIVE CLASSMATES. They are those who just want to "receive and not give." They are those who just "wait and see". They are those who "do not seek and do not knock". They are not supportive.

4. ACTIVE CLASSMATES. They are those who are very helpful and industrious. They are very cooperative. They are often dynamic and has healthy lifestyle. They have concerns to others.

5. PESSIMISTIC CLASSMATES. Negativistic ones. They are those who always criticize. They are those who say to others it was a no good activity when in fact they were not even present to see what are those things they're criticizing of. They discourage others.

6. OPTIMISTIC CLASSMATES. They are those who are not so much learned but boasts your morale to overcome difficulties. They tend to cheer you up and make you smile. They are the classmates with positive mental attitude.

7. CORRUPT CLASSMATES. They take advantage in to gain personal aggrandizement: money,work,business, relationships,etc.

8. INCORRUPT CLASSMATES. Generous classmates. Willing to share even to lose his personal wealth. They are trustworthy, sincere and good workers in the government, private , business etc.

There are still a lot of lessons to be learned from this reunion. Lessons "universal" to all and experienced in our daily life. Lessons I know some of my classmates knew too and these are "reminders". But these are only some. In general and to be fair, most of my classmates are kind and did well during the reunion. Perhaps we just need to talk more. Only some still continue to make foolishness. I pray that our Class will strive to work well. Asking God's guidance every day. Each of us will live equipped with "Lessons in Life" that will serve as an inspiration and a blessing to all.

In the end I have many classmates and people to be thanked of. Deep in my heart though positive or negative, I still thank God for everything for I have learned a lot from them. Putting into life practice good ones and setting aside bad ones. After all, all of us will attend our final alumni homecoming...Reunion with the Lord. God is showing us of a concrete example of good and evil reunion in this world. It's up for us to choose.

I take this opportunity to thank all my classmates who have helped me during the 3-day reunion, foremost of whom is our Class President Marichelle F. Aldaya who worked in our reunion "in absentia" status. I used to call her "Mach" and is until today. Although working in Dubai, Mach responsibly and continuously dispensed her job as our President and unceasingly thought of better ideas for our classmates always every now and then. She coordinated with our classmates here and abroad. In fact, in this reunion, Mach did the greatest part. Although I am working as Chairman, Mach was actually the one who propelled the reunion to success. Using her creativity and styles she worked in our reunion very well. Thank you Mach.

And to Carlito Faina, Ireen Villamin-Famero, Maela Alvar-Yap, Ana Liza Felia-Ebreu, Ally Falcunitin-Ikehara, Pastor Jhonmark Rufon, Freddierick Federico, Dr. Annabelle Fallesgon and Dr. Alice Mendoza-Ayordo, Emalyn Fabiala-Fortunato to all special friends here and abroad..Raymund, Chris and Marla, Clint, Ida, Jimmel Fabra my bestfriend, Dr. Johnah and to her Mom, Madam Amparo Galicia who was our Guest Speaker. Thank you very much.

To those whom I have not mentioned, I know what you have done. God will repay you hundred-fold! See you on our 25th Silver Jubilee Reunion 2015.

What's in my "Double-edged Sword?"

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of then thoughts and intents of the heart". Hebrews 4:12

My blogspot, Double-edged Sword is the Word of God itself which is " sharper" than any double-edged sword! Prepare your shield! You might be slashed by the content of this blogspot.

This site tackles the current events that affect our lives: family , work, friends, politics, religion, health, science, technology, education, sports etc. which uses the Bible as a tool to understand all aspects of life for us to become better individuals and God-fearing warriors ready to fight the ever deceiving devil that destroys our well-being. So onward fellow christian soldiers...put on the Armor of God. March on! fight! and carry the sharpest "Double-edged Sword!"