11 results for tag: Bermie Dizon

The Power of Surrender – by Bermie Dizon

Perhaps you've heard this story before, but it’s worth sharing again because of the powerful lesson it teaches us about surrender. A group of friends went swimming in a river during the spring when glacier runoff made the water quite dangerous. Despite warnings, one of the friends jumped in, got caught in the current, and was swept away toward the dangerous rapids. One of the friends on shore was a trained lifeguard. As everyone else panicked, they turned to the lifeguard, urging him to act. But to their shock, he stood still, just watching his struggling friend. The group grew frantic, shouting, “Go save him!” Yet, the lifeguard ...

The Joy Set Before Us – by Bermie Dizon

When we celebrate Christmas, we tend to focus on the joy of a newborn baby, the hope of new life, and the excitement of gifts. But one of the first gifts given to Jesus was myrrh—an embalming spice. It’s a strange gift for a baby, isn’t it? It reminds us of the bigger picture: Jesus was born to die, but not just any death—He came to die for us. From the very beginning, Jesus' life had a purpose beyond what we could imagine. As soon as sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, humanity needed a Savior. Jesus came to fulfill that role, to take our place in death so that we could have life. In Hebrews 12:2, we are told, “For the ...

Better Than a Map – by Bermie Dizon

As my brother and I embarked on our journey to El Nido, Palawan, the Philippines, I felt a surge of excitement. Consulting Google for insights, I eagerly studied the city map, discovering that our hotel was conveniently located near colorful stores, tantalizing restaurants, and just a stone's throw away from the breathtaking beach! On our second day, at around 7 pm when the sky was dark, we decided to immerse ourselves fully in the experience of being tourists. The bustling streets welcomed us with a multitude of visitors from mostly European nations.As we strolled along the main thoroughfare, a radiant glow caught my eye on a side street to ...

Nothing Too Small – by Bermie Dizon

I recently had a conversation with someone who was feeling a little discouraged because he thought that God didn’t really care about him. He believed that God only works with great people on great projects. He felt like he could never attain the faith of Abraham, David, or the apostle Paul. In his mind, God seemed so far away. But that is not the God of the Bible. Scripture tells us that God doesn’t just do the big and amazing things—He also works in the small, everyday moments that might not seem exciting or gain much attention. Some of the coolest things He does happen on regular days, in ordinary places, and through regular people ...

Embracing Grief – by Bermie Dizon

We have all experienced the pain of losing someone we love. When my dad passed away years ago in the Philippines, I decided to bring my mom to the USA so we could take care of her in her old age. She was 83 at the time. God blessed us with six wonderful years of her living with us. During that time, I had the chance to truly bond with my mom and get to know her better. We shared many meals, countless conversations, and even did some traveling together. It was also a blessing for my four children to connect with their “roots” through their time with their grandmother.      When she passed away at the age of 89, I grieved ...

When God is Silent – by Bermie Dizon

Not very many people know that there was a time in my life when I lost my voice for almost three months. No matter how hard I tried, no sound came out of my mouth. This happened in January 1989. As a pastor, you can imagine how crucial my voice was to my ministry. Through preaching, teaching, mentoring, and comforting, I served. During the first month of having no voice, I struggled deeply. People would ask me questions, and I had to write my responses on a pad of paper—there was no texting back then! It tested my patience and became a profound journey of learning what it means to wait on the Lord. What made it even worse was when a ...

Meandering in Our Journey by Bermie Dizon

There’s a common perception that a straight path is the only way forward, that if we aren’t moving directly toward our goals, we must be lost. But life doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes, we find ourselves meandering—taking detours, exploring new paths, and pausing along the way. In these moments, it’s easy to feel like we’re off course, like we’ve lost our way. But what if these meanderings are not signs of being lost, but rather opportunities to listen, meditate, and enjoy God’s creation? Now that I’m retired, I’ve found more time to take walks. When I walk, I intentionally decide not to have a fixed ...

God, in Every Step – A Book Review – by Laura Urista

Every journey begins with a single step, and God, In Every Step by retired Pastor Bermie Dizon leads readers on an inspiring, step-by-step journey of what it looks like to follow the Jesus Way. Through his warm, compassionate and engaging story-telling, Pastor Bermie shares lessons he has learned during his lifetime of adventures and experiences. At times humorous and at other times suspenseful, each chapter is its own self-contained story—perfect for individual or group study. With prayers and sample questions after each chapter, this book is a blessing to all who read it. Thank you, Pastor Bermie, for following Jesus and for sharing your ...

Seeing Jesus in Others – by Bermie Dizon

She was the daughter of an Albanian grocer, and at age 18, she made a decision that would change not only her life but the lives of countless others. She moved to the slums of Calcutta, where she picked up children from garbage dumps—children riddled with disease, poverty, and despair. That young woman was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, now known as Mother Teresa. When asked what inspired her to do such sacrificial work, she replied with a simplicity that pierced through all human excuses: “I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene…I serve ...

Liminal Spaces – by Bermie Dizon

My wife and I have a friend who is moving out of their home and relocating to another state. Our friend shared how challenging this process has been, and I can completely relate. Most of us have faced the stress of moving, and dealing with unexpected challenges that feel like curve-balls. Recently, I came across a word that perfectly captures this experience—liminal. Having come from the Philippines and learning English in school, liminal is a new word for me. Liminal spaces refer to those in-between moments—the threshold between where we've been and where we're going. It's that time when one door has closed, but the next one hasn't yet ...

Remember When… ? by Bermie Dizon

Growing up, I had the mistaken idea that real men don’t cry. Well, I’m afraid I don't agree with that anymore. There are times in my life when I find myself crying in the middle of the night. Most of these moments happen when I’m talking to God after midnight. I think God and I have a standing appointment around 3:30 in the morning (smile). Somehow, I wake up at that time. Most of the time, however, that feeling of despair turns to joy in having a talk with God. I learned from a pastor mentor / friend years ago that whenever he wakes up at night, he considers it God waking him up and wanting to talk. As I’ve gotten to know several ...