My Philippine Visit: After 20 Years

Almost four weeks have passed since I came back from the Philippines and I am still digesting my experiences – what I saw, heard and encountered.

Touchdown: Manila

“You may leave your birthplace, but your birthplace will always be with you”. Personally, I find this to be true. When I left, I thought I burned all bridges behind. I’ll be honest, I resolved then that I would never go back for a number of reasons which I would neither divulge nor discuss here, but it is now obvious that I broke that determination of mine.

When Delta Airlines touched down on NAIA runway, there was no denying that I was on Philippine soil. The neon lights, the “Mabuhay” signs, the excited conversations in Philippine dialects, the air, and everything visible, all formed a convoluted “Welcome Back” directed at me. Emotional guy that I am, I ‘m sure I shed a tear or two.

Dealing with pandemonium and chaotic exit from the airport is a story in itself. I’ll leave that for later though, if ever I write about it at all. Suffice it to say that after four hours, my wife and I, and four other couples made it to where we stayed while in Manila.

Manila, Oh Manila, if only you could do something about your traffic problem. The situation has gotten worse! Is there any relief in sight? The traffic horizon looks as bleak as ever. I remember when I would only do a day trip to this city because of the suffocating smog I had had to deal with. Staying longer meant getting ill, for me anyway.

A “balikbayan” (a Pilipino word for “returnee”) would easily notice the mega-malls that have mushroomed. They’re all over and densely populated with people. Who would say the Philippines is in dire economic state?

Iloilo, my childhood hometown

The province of Iloilo on Panay Island is where my hometown is. That’s where I spent my childhood before I stowed away for the “good life” in Luzon (LOL). The last time I was there was in 1987, so you can just imagine how overwhelmed I was when I finally reunited with my relatives. Albeit brief, it was wonderful to see all my siblings and some of my cousins, nephews and nieces. The highlight of the visit was sharing the goodness of the Lord to them.

Our flights to and from the City of Iloilo were comfortable and on time. I am noting this with delight and pride because we had been previously warned that delays were the norm wherever you go in the Philippines even in this day and age . Kudos to the airport personnel and PAL employees.

Would Baguio City beg me to stay?

As our tourist bus negotiated the narrow and scary highway leading to this city, I had mixed emotions trying to answer my self-posed questions – Would I smell pine-scented air upon my arrival reminiscent of my first ascent to the city in 1972? Would Session Road still be a pleasant street to lazily stroll on? Would I still have an unobstructed view of Baguio Cathedral? Would I…..and the questions went on and on.

I had lived in Baguio City long enough to see how it had metamorphosed over the years into what it was 20 years ago, but I was not prepared for what I witnessed recently. The imposing structure of SM Baguio dominates the city’s skylines and dwarfs the once lofty Baguio Cathedral. Once, I overheard a friend quipped, “You have not seen Baguio unless you have seen the Cathedral.” Well, not anymore. From where I stood, the cardinal of edifice (or is it edifices?), that is Baguio Cathedral, could no longer be viewed in all its stately form and glory. It is now partially hidden by newer buildings which made it look like a timid lady embarrassed to be seen in full view.

“Is this Session Road?” I could not believe the sea of humanity I saw! I felt lost and disoriented as I tried to pan the area for familiar landmarks. Dusk was of no help. Ah, there it is! Tea House. CID Educational Supply. Puso Ng Baguio. They have aged but still recognizable. Where is Dainty Restaurant? All of a sudden I felt a real craving for chop suey.

People, People everywhere! Then I realized Second Semester is just starting. In my crude estimation, Baguio’s population seemed to have increased 10-fold! “Sam, please,” I reasoned with myself. “What could you expect after 20 years, C’mon.” Yea, but does it have the infrastructure to support the growth? Perhaps, I’d never know. I just wanted to win the argument with myself.

My musings were interrupted by my wife telling me it was time to catch a taxi for my brother-in-law’s residence. About an hour later (but that seemed interminable), we finally caught a taxi but only after we pleaded with the driver to take the six of us.

We wiggled ourselves inside the taxi as my sister-in-law gave directions to where we’re going. I recollected my thoughts from where my musings left off. Earlier, we walked through Burnham Park and that brought back a lot of memories.

The park seemed vibrant and alive but has also been affected by migration. Gone were the days when an early morning stroll or jog would be greeted by birds as they chirped in synched with every stride you made. Now, you have peddlers competing for your attention as they try to sell you their fancy wares.

A visit to the city is not complete unless you include PMA and John Hay in your itinerary. Our schedule did not allow us to visit the latter, which, perhaps was unfortunate but we had captured beautiful images of the Philippine’s premier military school that would find a place in our photo albums.

Next stop: Burgos, Isabela

A tiring 8-hour trip from Baguio City, Burgos is home to one of the couples travelling with us. It is where a thriving church being supported by our congregation is located. That’s where we’re headed for to do an evangelistic concert before returning back to Manila. I will devote one future installment of this chronicle for the ministry efforts that turned out to be the more significant part of our Philippine journey.

The winding road from mountainous Baguio City to lowland Aritao is long. Honestly, we thought it would never end as we got tired of zigzagging and the deafening wailing of the bus engine. Finally, four hours later, flat road was in sight and the ride was smoother and faster. Needless to say, I heard a few sighs of relief.

It was early evening when we finally reached our destination. I could not remember if I had dinner but after meeting with the folks there and exchanged pleasantries, we headed for the only hotel in town.

Days before our arrival, Burgos was heavily hit by a devastating typhoon. Its aftermath was still evident all around, and in the hotel? That meant no power and no hot water for a few hours.

Boracay and its beaconing beauty

Even before I left the Philippines I had heard about this tourist haven. I had not been fortunate enough to visit the place or perhaps I was not just motivated to make it there as a domestic tourist, but boy oh boy, to say that I had missed a lot is an understatement. If beaches make you tick (Boracay beaches are world class), this destination is definitely not to be missed whether you’re a local or an international traveler. You just have to spend a few days there and you’d have some of the best times of your life, believe me.

Food selection is great with buffets abounding to your heart’s delight. Of course, the usual precaution when you are in unfamiliar places still applies. Drinking bottled water only is a must. It may be prudent for some to stay away from raw sea foods such as oysters.

For shopaholics, Boracay has a lot to offer – “Da Mall” is the place to go and be lost in the midst of souvenir stores and collectible merchandise – a little pricey but to be expected. Tourists have the money, haven’t they?

Accommodations of varying rates are aplenty, so whether you are on budget or have fat wallets, you’ll find what suits you. We found ours almost at the outskirt of town but it was luxurious and comfortable.

Would I go back to Boracay? I found it irresistible, so, yes! Would I recommend it to anyone? Again, a resounding yes.

THE TWIST

I should now note that my wife and I, and five other couples were part of this trip I have been narrating about. We had planned this homeland visit for close to 2 years. Our original intention was merely to have a vacation, visit relatives, and do some sight-seeing. In the course of planning though, a bright idea popped up. Why not include ministry in the trip? Kinda shooting two birds with one stone? What a wonderful concept. Thus, VWAM (vacation with a mission) was born.

This idea of mission-oriented trip introduced a significant twist in our planning. We knew that this trip would be expensive so we devised a way to minimize the impact of the financial load. We regularly contributed to a Philippine Trip fund. In addition, we set aside money for “balikbayan boxes” of items to be distributed to the needy in two places we planned to visit namely Burgos, Isabela and Boracay. These boxes were shipped ahead of time to make sure they got delivered before our arrival.

Many of you know that we collectively call ourselves The Living Sounds. We are not a professional singing group (we have regular 8-hour day jobs, thank God ) but for many years now we have been engaged in singing ministry on a regular basis whether in our church events or other Christian activities such as couples’ getaways, mission conventions, church anniversaries and special celebrations, seniors and retirement homes, concerts, etc. We are grateful to the Lord for opening these doors of opportunity for us. The Philippine visit was just another ministry door swung open for us to declare His Lordship and proclaim Him as the only Saviour.

THE CONCERTS

Before we departed, we had lined up four concerts for our VWAM to be conducted in Manila, Baguio, Isabela, and Boracay. It was Pastor Alex Pacis who coordinated the one held in Manila at KBCF church in Quezon City; Pastor Benny Nillo in Burgos, Isabela; Virgie Chumalan in Baguio City; and, Pastor Angelo Panganiban in Boracay.

We thanked the Lord for the many who responded to the challenge of commitment to Christ. At KBCF, a dozen or two raised their hands in response to Bishop Tendero’s invitation to give their life to Jesus. Pastor Morales reported to us that 77 souls surrendered their life to the Saviour in Burgos, Isabela. Several joined me in prayer of commitment in Bagiuo City, while a number of attendees in Boracay raised their hands when presented with a challenge to receive the Son of God who died for them.

Of course, only heaven knows the exact number of genuine responses but even if there was only one, all the efforts put into this trip would have been worth it for the kingdom of God. One thing we know for sure, the banner of God’s love and salvation had been flown and waved high for the spectators to see whether through songs, personal testimonies, or messages from the Word.

FINALLY….

From the bottom of our hearts we are grateful to:

Lord Jesus Christ, who provided the impetus and sustaining grace, without which this VWAM would not have been possible. Indeed, as the theme of the concert unequivocally declared, “All Glory Belongs to Jesus”;

Pastor Alex Pacis, who together with the World Team mission house staff, made us feel at home during our stay in Manila;

Virgie Chumalan, who had been instrumental in gathering our friends from years back for a brief reunion. Virgie, thank you also for coordinating the concert at YWAM;

Jun and Doris Javier, my Baguio relatives in whose home we did a mini-concert as a warm up for the ministry at YWAM. Oh yes, thank you very much for your hospitality. The “pinapa-itan” was yummy;

Silva Tsuchiya, for offering her home as venue for our get-together after the concert;

Pastor Benny Nillo, for preparing our meals while we were in Burgos, Isabela. Thank you also for making all the necessary preparation for the concert;

Pastor Angelo Panganiban, for coordinating one of the two concerts in Boracay;

Jubi Camba, for introducing me to Pastor Panganiban;

Joven and Anita Antolin, for showing us the “other face” of Boracay. That was life-changing. Thank you too for inviting us to do a concert there.

Rick and Louis, for inspiring us to labour in His vineyard no matter the age; and,


a special appreciation to my college buddy and “kumpadre” Ding Farnacio

for the palatable native delicacies you prepared for us. It was great to see you and your wife.

Let Go...Let God

Lately I went camping with friends. Inclement weather aside, everything went well as the fun, food and fellowship abound interspersed with meditation and study of God’s Word I was tasked to facilitate.




The theme, “Let Go…Let God” rang right into our hearts as we realized that in line with God’s will which is for us to be transformed into the image of His Son Jesus, we must do the yielding otherwise, He cannot do the changing. We must crack through the comfort of our cocoon and see the infinite possibilities of what we can become in Christ. “If I cling to what I am, I will never ascend to what I might be.” We must let go and let God.



Perhaps, we have allowed opportunity after opportunity to pass and thereby missed the chance of fully apprehending what the Potter has intended for us. Thankfully, He is patient, kind, and gentle in His dealings with us even in times when we stubbornly resist His persuasion to yield our will to His.



The encounter between Jesus and the young ruler brought home the concept. How willing and prepared are we to let go of our attachment to the temporal to achieve what He intends for us? When confronted with an issue that deals with what matters most, are we going to turn away too just like the young ruler did because we are not willing to count the cost and let go? Would we rather choose to embed ourselves in our possessions and miss the privilege of basking in His presence?

Praying With Confidence

Praying With Confidence

The Apostle John is both clear and straightforward. He says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14 NIV). That's the basis of our confident expectancy that we shall receive what we ask from Him.

God's will is revealed in the Scriptures. The Bible tells us that it is His desire that:

    -the Gospel be preached to everyone (Mark 16:15)

-all men shall be saved (1 Tim. 2:4,6)

    -we pray in Jesus' name (John 14:13,14)

    -we give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18)

    -we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)

    -we be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16)

    -we keep His commandments (John 14:15)

We can of course extend the list but you get the point. If we want to know what pleases God, we go to His Holy Word. This explains why Paul in his epistle to the Colossians says that he had not stopped praying for God to fill them with the knowledge of His will…in order that they may live a life worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, the Lord responded by giving them a framework in which to approach God. This is what we commonly call, The Lord's Prayer. He started by telling them to address God as their Father who is in heaven and whose name is to be hallowed.

A realization that God is our Father is indeed confidence-building. That means that we can be very personal and intimate in our dealings with Him. Further, His Fatherhood should make us trust Him in all respects of our life. As a Father, He takes upon Himself the responsibility of caring and doing what is best for us, His children. The greatest manifestation of God's personhood is His Fatherhood.

"In heaven" is a phrase that should speak volumes to us. It definitively states that God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. What do these attributes mean to you and me as they relate to His Fatherhood? It means that He has all the knowledge necessary to counsel what is the wisest and best for us; all the power needed to make it happen; and, regardless of where we are, He can be there to deliver it. Isn't that wonderful? Jesus said all this in one sentence! Amazing, isn't He? This is God's worth that He wanted His disciples to comprehend that should become the foundation of their prayer life, and ours too.

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven", Jesus proceeded. Sure, God is our Father but He is also King. He is Sovereign and His ways are higher than our ways. We therefore, approach His throne with a humble realization and child-like faith that we will not always get what we want because most often we ask what neither is best for us nor bring the greatest honour and glory to His name. So in that instance we say "not my will but thine be done".

Recapping, we now see that praying with confidence is praying according to God's will; consistent with God's word as revealed in the Holy Book; grounded in God's worth (who He is); and, with humble attitude to commit it to God's way.

 

    -

The JOURNEY, The STEPS, and The TOP

“The Climb to the Top may not be Worth Its Steps”

Goal...Target...Aspiration...Ambition.

Call it what you want but everyone has it in one form or another. That’s what you aim for – the Top – and how you get there are the Steps. The Top can be as numerous as individuals; the Steps, on the other hand, are few but more or less common to everyone.

What are some of these Steps? Let me cite a couple:

1. Deprivation
Are you forgoing something of value for the sake of getting that which you desired to achieve? If your answer is affirmative, then you are making sacrifices.

2. Discipline
Are you submitting yourself to a system of rules and training? If you are, then it is apparent that you consider it essential in your pursuit of reaching the Top.

Some may consider it essential to engage in office politics, be a team player, or make themselves indispensable as significant steps toward what they aspire for. These are harmless in themselves and may even be seen as commendable when done ethically and with proper attitude. An employee who intends to climb up the corporate ladder for instance, may find that being a team player is critical and providing added value to the firm is a solid step moving up.

When then is the climb to the Top not worth its Steps? From a purely professional perspective, when our journey towards our goal leads us to disregard uncompromising work ethics, or when the Top becomes an obsession to the detriment of camaraderie.

From the vantage point of a Christian, the Steps, the Journey, and the Top, as a whole is seen through the lens of God’s Will. The Top must be God-ordained and for His glory; the Journey embarked by faith and obedience; and , the Steps Spirit-led and consistent with Christian virtues and graces as revealed in God’s word .

GOD IS A UNITY

We think of God as a God of Love, Grace, Wisdom, Infinite Power, Mercy, Justice, Righteousness, Holiness, etc. These attributes which He has revealed in His Word are not to be thought of as separate and independent of one another. These are better understood when viewed as acting in unity just like the members of the Godhead.

This is what I mean. When He exercises any of His attributes, it is always consistent with the rest. Take His infinite power for example. Just because this attribute enables God to do whatever He wishes to do does not mean that He exercises it capriciously. He uses His might in love within the perimeter (or is it parameter?) of wisdom, grace, justice, and righteousness.

Every act of God is an act of love, always. Each move He makes is wise, just, holy, and righteous, always. There is never a conflict among His attributes. This is because God never changes and cannot deny Himself.
God is also a God of mercy. To many, mercy is in tension with justice. Why? Because mercy is getting what we don’t deserve, while justice is getting what we deserve. There is a perceived “pull” from opposite directions, but is there really. Ah, not when you bring in love as the arbiter between the two. Love negotiates for a higher end – mercy when it can be dispensed wisely; justice when it becomes a necessity.

I therefore see a beautiful interactivity of these divine qualities. It builds confidence in Him as we see the wonderful imagery painted for us by the intertwining of His attributes.

Let us bear this in mind when we study the Scriptures. Oh, may we know God for Who He is!

Gem from my Inbox - Part 10

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go higher than you think."
----Benjamin Disraeli----

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he (NKJV)

How To Know What Is True or False

Basic Criteria to use in determining what to believe as true or false:

1. Who said it?
Identifying the source of information is very critical. Is he/she an expert on the subject? Is he/she known to be a person of integrity? Has the person proven to be trustworthy? Our focus here is on the character and qualification of the source.

It is true that even an expert can misrepresent the information intentionally or not. Furthermore, he may not be in a position to render judgment because his expertise does not include what is purported to be. We know so well that disagreements exist even among experts themselves.

When judging the sources based on integrity, we should look at their track record and discern their motives. It is a known fact that so called authoritative advocates sometimes manipulate data to achieve their selfish interest. We need to be aware and vigilant so that we are not duped into believing it is true when in reality, the endorsement is only self-serving.

2. Is the information verifiable?
There should be a way to objectively confirm the veracity of information being propounded. If it cannot be independently verified, then we should not commit ourselves to any conclusion whether or not it is true. We should be leery of it.

When the Apostle Paul preached to the Berean believers, they searched the Scriptures to see if what was being said was true even though “they received the message with great eagerness”.

Often times we readily accept without further analysis what we hear, read or listen to because, after all, it comes from someone we respect, trust, and acknowledge as authority. We fail to “test everything and hold on to the good”(1 Thess. 5:21).

Happy Father’s Day, Abba Father God!

Father’s Day! Whoever came up with the idea is to be commended for indeed fathers are to be honoured, not just today but throughout the year. God ordained them to become channels of life for us. We would not be alive without them and that is why in recognition of this fact, respect for parents spans all cultures. Showing disrespect is taboo and utterly disdained.

Personally, I had not appreciated my father to the extent that I should have had until I became a father myself. If he was alive today, I would not hesitate to express my deepest gratitude to him for being my father. Oh yes, he was far from perfect (no father is) but looking back, I am fully convinced that he did what he believed was best for his family. He worked really hard to provide for them and meet their needs. He tried his very best to communicate his love and care for us however verbally scant it had been, for he was a man of few words but lavish in action.

I hope that you had a chance to convey your appreciation to your father today. Let me encourage you to do it regularly and as often as you are able.

Today in church, the guest speaker expounded on the familiar story of The Prodigal Son. Unlike messages I heard in the past based on this parable of Jesus, the speaker focused more on the father – how he handled the request (or was it a demand?) of the son to get his portion of inheritance; how he perhaps periodically looked out the window hoping to see him coming back; how he ran to meet him when he eventually showed up; how he embraced him and kissed him profusely not minding the stench and his dishevelled appearance; and, how he celebrated with friends the return of his prodigal son. In all these, the father broke a number of what were considered “politically correct” in the culture of the day, but notwithstanding, he unreservedly showed his love.

This is a wonderful picture of the Father heart of God . We are all undeserving of salvation but because of His grace, He welcomes us back to His kingdom with open arms. He is our Father and He deserves all the accolades that we can offer Him today, and always.

Happy Father’s Day, Abba Father God!

OMG! Did I hear it right?

I usually listen to Christian broadcasts while driving to work. It is part of my daily routine to connect with God. Today is no different. What made it unusual is what I heard from a bible teacher which sent shockwaves through my spine. Literally! Here’s what he said: Your sin is God’s gift to you when you know it.

What?? Did I hear this gentleman right? I wanted to make sure that I did, so much so, that I visited his website and listened to his message again. I heard him correctly alright. Now, what was he saying? Was he trying to diminish the awfulness of sin? I’m sorry but I just can’t figure out how sin is God’s gift to me.

How can it be God’s gift when the Bible plainly and clearly states that “the wages of sin is death?” Just think of what it cost God to provide salvation for us because our sins had separated us from Him – death on the cross of his one and only Son. The truth of the matter is that sin breaks the heart of God. His gift to us is eternal life, not sin. I wanted to yell this to the gentleman if only he could hear me. There is no benefit at all, not even an iota to be derived from sin. Let us bear in mind that God’s will for us is to be holy as He is holy.

An Accolade

One of few rare breed of employees for whom I would not hesitate to give an unqualified endorsement or recommendation.

That’s an excerpt from an extemporaneous speech I made today in recognition of an employee in my department who will be leaving the company to become a full-time mom to her two lovely girls. Having worked with her for the last fifteen years, she will indeed be missed as she leaves a void that’s tough to fill.

Perhaps more that she realizes, I have learned a lot from her over the years. Her work ethic is beyond compare, her efficiency is consistent, and her meticulousness is unmatchable. To me, she is more than the ideal employee. Any firm would be fortunate to have her as part of its workforce.

So long Shamela.

When Culture and Conviction Collide

This has been on and off my radar screen for quite sometime now and it’s getting more intense as the days go by. Perhaps discussion on this should really be in the “Stand Out or Blend In” topic posted earlier but I figure it deserves a space of its own.

Culture in this discussion refers to the secular as opposed to Christian. I will refer to Christian culture as Conviction so that the separation is clear.

2 Corinthians 5:15-17 states, “and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

As new creatures in Christ, we adopt a value and belief system that’s not patterned after the world. We should view things through the filters of God’s Word. Our lives are not to be dictated and shaped by the standards of the world system and its culture, but by the teachings of our Lord and the Holy Scriptures. After all, we are now citizens of heaven, aren’t we? Our allegiance is first and foremost to the King and our commitment is to kingdom living.

What do we do when secular culture and Christian conviction collide? We can either compromise or count the cost if veering collision is not an option, but compromise is cowardice and opting for it puts a big question mark on our commitment to Christ. That leaves counting the cost as the viable choice, and to most, that’s easier said than done. Counting the cost of what? The cost of firmly making a stand for your conviction which is Christ-honoring; hoisting high the banner of truth amid threats, intimidation and even persecution; and, choosing to be principled rather than popular.

Worship-Driven or Workman-Driven

I negotiated through unbearable rush hour traffic lately to hear Ravi Zacharias speak. Ravi is one of those speakers I will not miss to listen to if ever possible. The first time I heard him speak was during my early years as a Christian. His message had such an impact in my life that 31 years later, it is still very vivid in my mind. In his message, he presented Jesus as the “Pearl of Great Price” contrasting it with man’s selfishness and his propensity to “watch out for number one”.

Ravi has over the years gained a lot of following and popularity. It is evident that God is using him to spread the Gospel and to contribute to the building up of Christ’s body. He continues to be an inspiration to me. If you know Ravi, please include him in your prayers. If he happens to be in your area, don’t miss the opportunity to hear him speak.

What has Ravi got to do with my main subject? To underscore the point that a “workman” as well-known as Ravi does influence us. How many times do we say, “Let’s go see So and So” or, “Let’s hear this or that” just because they’re popular and considered celebrities? We even would not mind waiting and standing in line for hours just so we can catch a glimpse of these people. Televangelists, TV and Radio teachers, the latest and hottest Christian singers, have to issue tickets (free or not) ahead of time prior to their appearance to manage the crowd. There is nothing wrong with the fact that what drives or prods us to attend a Christian gathering is the presence of personalities. Many of these individuals are indeed being used by God for His glory.

Let’s take a case that is closer to home. What motivates us to go to church – worship or workman (pastor)? Why is this question important? When we attend church because of the pastor, we may be disappointed when he does not meet our expectations. This can lead to criticism and unfair comparison. “He is not as good as ….”, “He is not as funny as….” If he meets our expectations, then we become ecstatic and start developing our loyalty around a personality instead of Jesus and His Body. This approach to church attendance is divisive instead of cohesive and contributes to spiritual weakness that is so prevalent in church circles today. Tell me of any divided fellowship and I will tell you of a group whose main focus is anything other than the Lord.

In contrast, worship-driven church attendance is Christ-exalting as it should be. “We are gathering together unto Him” as a song goes. He is the focus, the reason. When our motive is to worship, we offer praise and honor to the One who’s deserving – Lord Jesus.
We are disinclined to look around to find fault; we look up, to lift Him up and to behold His beauty. Let us echo what the psalmist said. “I was glad when they said unto me – Let us go to the house of the Lord”.

Let every act, be an act of worship. Essentially, that’s what Paul is exhorting us about in Romans 12. The next time we attend church or any Christian gathering, let us go to worship Christ and focus all our energy for His glory.

IMPOSSIBLE IMPASSIBLE GOD

The first time I heard and read about “Impassibility” as supposedly God’s attribute, it boggled my mind that someone would even come up with such an idea. The Westminster Confession of Faith states that God is “without body, parts, or passions, immutable.”

God does not have passion or emotion? The Bible is replete with passages that describe God showing passion or emotion. They’re aplenty that you will not miss running into them even by reading the Good Book cursorily.

One reason given for thinking that God is impassible is the thought that He is immutable, meaning He cannot change. If He feels emotions, then He changes. If He changes, then He is neither immutable nor impassible. If He is neither, he is not perfect.

It is amazing to me that men erect a Box and try to fit God into it forcibly. This Box is made up of what they conjure up God to be and make those their unbending parameters in telling us what God must be like. Scriptural passages are then explained away to fit their definition.

Do you see the flaw here? Man comes up with what he thinks God should be, then, interpret the Scriptures based on it, instead of the other way around. The Scriptures should shape our concept of God. It is through the Holy Book that He had chosen to reveal Himself to man. Any view not consistent with what the Holy Writ reveals should be cast aside.

So what do the Scriptures say? (As a side note, this question should be asked every time a view is presented to us. Somewhere here, I talk about the Berean Christian mindset.) Accounts of God grieving, relenting/repenting, rejoicing, getting angry, sorrowing, loving, etc. abound.

“Ahh! You are referring to anthropomorphisms,” they’ll quickly say. “You don’t believe that God has arms, wings, and feathers, do you,” their rejoinder further continues.
I admit there are figures of speech in the Bible, but they are there to convey truths about God such as:

Strong arm of the Lord = God is mighty and able to bring about deliverance
Under His wings = God’s protection and provision of security and comfort
God is Rock = He provides security and stability

Now tell me. If grieving, rejoicing, relenting, sorrowing, and loving (these are better referred to as anthropopathism) are not what they are literally, what are we to understand of these ascriptions to God?

If we remove God’s ability to express attributes of personality we run into greater problems. We ended up with an impersonal God unable to relate to us and a static being unable to interact with us, why? because expressions of personality and interactivity are violations of Impassibility and Immutability the way these attributes are presented to us by their proponents.

Do I believe in Immutability? If you mean that God never changes in terms of His love, wisdom, justice, and mercy, and how these attributes intertwine in their operations to achieve God’s noblest goals, I say YES. But to say that God is devoid of passion, and He is beyond the reach of our sufferings and hardships, NO. I reject such notions about God for it appears that the God of the Bible reveals Himself differently.

Let me introduce You to Yourself

"Hi I'm......,"

Would you be pleased to meet "Yourself" face to face?

Among other points that stood out to me personally during the overnight men’s breakaway sponsored by our church recently, was knowing the real “You”. Is the visible “You” the real you? Who are you really?

You have erected a façade to give others a good impression of you; become adept at acceptable public behaviour; earned for yourself a reputation based on your interaction with others and their perception of who you are, but is that the real “You?”

Think of yourself in situations and places where you were alone and nobody knew you. Honestly now, what were you like? Did you think and/or engage in activities which you would never do if others are around? THAT WAS THE REAL YOU.

Integrity is living in line with the Scriptures in uncompromising way. It is being upright in our conduct even when no one is around to notice it because we know it pleases the Lord. It is being on guard of our thought-life to make sure that we resist any notion or idea inconsistent with Philippians 4:8(NLT) Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Someone wisely said that adversity does not build character, it reveals it. Your responses to, and ways of dealing with whatever comes your way –good or bad – are indicative of the REAL YOU.

Gem from my Inbox - Part 9

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next; Virtue is doing it."
-David Starr Jordan-



"He who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life."
-- Johann K. Lavater

A Concept Collapses - 2nd Installment

Concept: Eternal Life cannot be lost once possessed because if it can, it is not eternal.

The quality of life as eternal does not depend upon its possession. It remains as such whether or not one accepts it. Does a diamond jewelry lose its characteristics just because you happen to misplace it? Absolutely not! It still retains its attributes - cut, color, clarity, and carat. Similarly, eternal life remains eternal regardless of whether or not it is possessed. In fact, it was eternal even before it was given to us. “But isn’t this reasoning at odds with Romans 8: 38, 39 and John 10:28?” you may ask.

Alright, let’s look up these passages of the Scriptures...

Romans 8:38, 39 reads,”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). Note that these verses declare that nothing will be able to separate us from the love (not life) of God. The preceding verses further shed light on this. Paul is referring to the persecutions, hardships, and constant exposures to danger that faithful followers of Christ experience. None of these Paul says can separate us from the love of Christ because in Him we are more than conquerors.

Another way of looking at this passage is from God’s perspective. He loves everyone and will continue to do so. Nothing in this world will cause Him to stop loving us. Clearly then, no one is separated from the love of God but the wicked are separated from the life of God (Eph. 4:8 Isaiah 59:2).

John 10:28 says, ``I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.`` In this verse Jesus is referring to His sheep. His sheep hear his voice and they follow Him (John 10:27). What Jesus is saying here is this: For as long as they are hearing His voice and following Him, they shall never perish and no one can snatch them out of His hand. The conditions are therefore clear. This promise cannot be claimed by anyone who lives in sin and rebellion to God.

This Concept then crumbles in the light of logic and Scriptures.

ROAD RAGE IS RAMPANT

If you’re like me you find yourself on the road regularly whether doing the driving yourself or someone else. You have witnessed road rage, reckless driving, and plain discourtesy. It’s getting worse by the day. It will not be an exaggeration to say that most road accidents may be traceable to these dangerous conducts.

On my way home from work a few days ago, a female driver nearly hit me when she tried to change lanes even though there was no way in the world she’d make it, let alone doing it safely. I had to get her attention twice by pressing my horn for which I got a dirty look. I confess I was a little upset. This is a kind of stupid behavior that results in unpleasant consequence most of the time.

I know of people who are the most kind and amiable when you deal with them in person but behind the wheel they are totally the opposite. Why is that? Is there something about driving that causes life-threatening behavior? What can we do about it?

Let me propose some “mitigating measures” – something you and I can do. First, as someone wisely said if you want change, look at yourself. We should identify factors contributory to road accidents mentioned above. Distracting acts such as - putting on make-ups, reaching for stuff beside or behind you that takes your eyes off the road, holding gadgets such as telephones which leaves you with one hand to maneuver – must be avoided. This is plain common sense. Honestly, we may be as guilty as the next guy driving by. Let us resolve to amend our ways and become more responsible commuters.

Second, courtesy will go a long way making travel safe if not totally enjoyable. Yielding to our fellow drivers when necessary will contribute to a smooth and accident-free ride going home. Often, we will also be rewarded with a gesture of gratitude which we should readily reciprocate when we find ourselves in the receiving end. Moreover, we will be happy to note that we affirm a positive driving behavior.

Third, be mindful of the recommended speed. Speeding is costly not just in terms of money but irreversible consequences and even death. Remember, the life we save may be our own.

Happy driving everyone!

THANK YOU, CANADA!

Exactly 20 years ago today, I set foot on Canadian soil as an immigrant hopeful of a better life. Trite as it may sound, but it seems only yesterday when that happened. That’s how fast time flies for me. Originating from a third world country where time seemed to stand still and melt in heat and humidity, Canadian Life is many times fast-paced in comparison.

Twenty years, eh? So, has life been better for me and my family? Well YES, in countless ways. Professionally, it has been fulfilling. As a CPA back in my country of origin, transitioning into my present field of occupation has been smooth albeit challenging. Spiritually, my involvement has been broader and more faith-building. We are grateful to belong to a church family that fosters growth, sense of community, and above all love for God. Family life has been rewarding in terms of our being together, unlike before when my spouse was occupationally based thousands of miles away. The "Canadian Dream" is still a mirage in the horizon but hope is high and fortitude solid that it will become a reality someday, somehow.

My family and I are proud to be Canadians. We are happy to note that over the years we have been able to contribute to the society in a productive manner. CANADA IS OUR HOME.

Looking back I believe as I did then that the Lord directed our steps to relocate here. He answered the desire of our hearts. We embarked on uncertain, but fresh and new direction for our life holding on to His promise that He would not leave us to our own device. He would be there to sustain and uphold us. He has been FAITHFUL.

Remembering Mrs. J

Mrs. J,
June 1 is a special day for you. Here's a simple poem I wrote to honestly convey my gratitude for what I can never repay you.

A SPECIAL ANGEL

She was an angel no doubt to bless
Coming my way when expected less
She knew the goal I set to achieve,
Insurmountable hurdles unwilling to give.

It was a dream I did not mind
Such we are, not much to grind
Mind is free, to roam; to fly;
Unnoticed times of days gone by.

The hand she offered I could not resist
Extended freely she must insist
“Reach out and grasp” I heard her say
“Waste no time now while it is day”.

“Look to the sun and see it shine
There’s hope for you no need to whine
The night will come but face it boldly
Your soul’s equipped, your heart beats fully”.

Doubtful, I did her advice heed
I set to reach the sun ahead
The mountain’s high; the valleys low;
The rays of hope must I to follow.

The ball of fire I now adorn
My heart and soul without forlorn
As Angel beaconed my life assured
Goal achieved though hurdles cured.

Gem from my Inbox - Part 8

“The Word of God is shallow enough for a child to wade in, deep enough for a theologian to drown in” –Anonymous-

Meaning and Application

Is there a difference between “meaning” and “application”? Can a passage of the Scriptures have multiple meanings? Can the same passage have multiple applications?

There are those who say that a verse or passage of the Scriptures has only one meaning – the one intended by the writer. Others maintain that whatever the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart in a given moment is the intended meaning. Many cautiously assert “it depends”. Under which of these three camps do you find yourself?

Let us consider John 3:16 as an example. It reads, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”(NIV). It is clear that this verse states that God, prompted by His love, offers eternal life to those who believe in His Son. That is the meaning I see and understand that John, the writer, wanted to convey. Do you see differently? How about its application? Is it universal in the sense that it is offered to all or do you think it is only limited in its effective application? Personally, I believe it is universal because of the words “world” and “whoever”. I just don’t see them interpreted differently than its native meaning. So, to me John 3:16 has one meaning and one application.

Philippians 4:13 is another example worthy of citation. The New International Version renders it, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” The context of this statement by Paul will give us a clear meaning. He talked about the fact that he knew what it was to be in need or to have plenty. He went on to say that he learned the secret of being content in any and every situation – well-fed, hungry, living in abundance or want. Then he proceeded by saying he could do all things through Him who gave him strength. Meaning, Paul was able to maintain a contented life pleasing to God through them all because God gave him strength. The immediate application of being able to “do everything” is to be content whether in abundance or dire need. Now is that the only application we can glean from this verse? I think the truth of this verse can be claimed in situations where we need God’s strength in order for us to accomplish what He wills for us to do. The same can be said when we find ourselves traversing life’s ups and downs, and, like Paul when we go through aplenty, stringency, sickness and good health. We can live through these and emerge triumphant because He supplies the power and energy.

What have we learned from these examples? Meaning never change but application does. Meaning is the principle of truth which can have various applications in different situation.

COMMENTS here

Pinnacle of Pride

I just read an article which recounts a comment allegedly made by a professing atheist in a debate that he is better than God. Assuming the statement was actually made, can you think of a more arrogant claim than that? No sensible mind would believe that of course, but on second thought, perhaps he’s got a point. An atheist does not believe that God exists, right? So when he made that assertion, he was unwittingly comparing himself to a non-existent being, therefore, he is better than Nothing.

Going back to the atheist’s comment, it reminds me of what the Good Book says, “The fool says in his heart: There is no God”. Why is a denier of God a fool? The Hebrew word for “fool” connotes moral deficiency. In fact the succeeding passage of Psalm 14 states that his ways are corrupt and his deeds vile. When a person refuses to face up to his moral obligation and responsibility, the only option left for him is to deny the Ultimate Being to Whom he innately knows he is accountable. Such act of denial is unwise, foolish.

In my correspondence to Cara (see previous posts), I said that it is my belief that every man knows within him that there exists a Supreme Being. In addition, he is surrounded by overwhelming evidences that point to this Being. He does not need to be taught of this. This is the testimony of the Scriptures.

Therefore, it is the pinnacle of pride when anyone claims there is no God or worse, he is better than God. The Bible has one word of description for him – FOOL.

A Concept Collapses - 1st Installment

Concept: Christians have been forgiven of their sins past, present and future

At first glance it sounds true and seems to make sense, but does it? Let’s see. Sin as defined in the Scriptures is essentially an act. In one of his letters, John states that it is the “transgression (violation, breaking) of the law” (1 John 3:4KJV). In fact, identify any sin in the Scriptures and almost always you will see that it involves a choice whether it is a thought or deed.

Therefore if sin is a choice or an act and for it to be forgiven, it must be confessed and repented of, how then is it possible that a Christian’s future sinful act has already been forgiven? How can I feel remorse and conviction for something I have not done? How can I ask forgiveness for something I know nothing about? Confession of sin is a condition of forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Do you see the point?

A retort may be given that because God knows my future actions (including those deemed sinful), He could and has already forgiven me of my unrighteous acts. I find this reasoning lacking in Scriptural backing.

Let us grant for a moment that this Concept is true. Logically, it follows that any professing Christian can do any heinous act and should feel no guilt, shame or remorse, and need of forgiveness anymore. Repentance? Unnecessary! Why? Because the sinful act has already been forgiven. He can live like the devil (God forbid!) and according to the proponents of this Concept, he is still bound for heaven. What an awful thought! In effect this is giving license to ungodly lifestyle. Can you see the danger of this Idea which is being propagated daily?

Jesus, in His discourse clearly stated that the Father’s forgiveness depends on us extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us (Matthew 6:12, 14-15). John said that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Read Matthew 18:23 -35 and weep.

(R)eceive, (E)xamine, (D)ecide

The R.E.D. Approach to knowing the truth.

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11NIV).


As we gain progress in our spiritual journey, there may come a time when we pause and reflect on concepts we heard or shared to us even by people whom we trust and respect. Moreover, we might have accepted these as truth without second thought. After all, these are part of the mainstream or prevailing view in our Christian community.

Like the Berean believers of old, it would be wise for us to take a step back or two and examine the Scriptures to determine whether THESE ARE TRUE. The Holy Book is our ultimate authority. We should not hesitate to ask legitimate questions like,

“Is the idea being propounded consistent with what is already revealed in God’s Word?”

“Is it in agreement with the will and character of God?”

“Does it discourage unrighteous living and encourage holiness and righteousness?”

“Does it make me love and appreciate God more for who He really is?”

Bear in mind that we are not questioning, we are asking questions. What do we mean by this? Well, “questioning” has a negative connotation, while “asking question” means to desire to be enlightened. The former may be construed as a personal attack while the latter a genuine intent to learn and obtain clarity on the issue at hand.

In my succeeding posts we will highlight some of these ideas or concepts, put them to the test (1 Thessalonians 5:21), we’ll ask questions, and decide if they are true or not.

Are you with me? Let’s start.

Concept #1: Christians have already been forgiven of their sins past, present and future.
(see next post for discussion - STAY TUNED)

Victoria Day, eh?

Having been living in Canada the past 20 years, I know what Victoria Day is all about right? Well, no. “Shame on you”, you’d perhaps say and I would not argue. I SHOULD KNOW, so I “researched”. A few clicks after, this is what I’ve gathered:

*Victoria Day is a celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday, May 24.

*It is always on a Monday.

*Canada, as member of Commonwealth of Nations of which Queen Victoria is head, observes Victoria Day as a statutory holiday.

*It always falls on the weekend before the U.S. Memorial Day holiday.

*Canadians generally spend the long weekend on a three-day getaway, lazing at cottages, gardening, raiding outlets south of the border, populating nearby parks with all sorts of ethnic dishes and delicacies, and viewing fireworks in designated venues to cap the holiday.

Some opt to stay at home to relax and “take it easy”. It is a welcome respite from hectic daily schedules – a perfect time to recharge.

True to Canadian tradition, my wife and I, together with some friends came back late last night from a two-day “raid and hunt” junket for bargains – something the wife loves to do. Such trips do not always result in “shop ‘til you drop” events, but turn out to be full of fun and camaraderie. This last one is no exception.

Today, May 24, is a beautiful sunny day. My wife is gardening while I am composing this blog. Tomorrow will be another day. I’ll deal with it as it comes.

Stand Out or Blend In

Something stands out when it possesses attributes that are different from others – colour, shape, pattern, texture, etc. The key word is “different”. It is unlike the rest, it is unique. It sooner or later catches your attention because, yes, it stands out.

Something blends in when it becomes a part of a unit or a whole losing its uniqueness or individuality in the process. It is neither easily detected nor strongly pulls attraction to it. It’s just like the rest. Its qualities are commonplace.

I am now led to this question: Does a Christian stand out or blend in?

By virtue of who he is in Christ, he should stand out. Jesus said that he is a light of the world. He is the exact opposite of darkness. He loves truth, justice, righteousness, and holiness. He abhors falsehood, injustice, unrighteousness, and ungodliness. He seeks only what brings honor and glory to God.

Cursory Conversation on Commandments

Further to my post yesterday......

Person A: God has given us laws and commandments that are impossible to keep.

Person B: Would that not make Him unjust for demanding punishment on those who break His laws?

Person A: No, because God is a God of love and justice.

Person B: But if He demands observance of His commandments that are impossible for you and me to keep and then condemn us to everlasting punishment, nothing can be more unjust and unloving, don’t you think? Even imperfect parents do not require obedience from their kids to a rule they know their kids will not be able to keep, how much more God if He is indeed loving and just?

Person A: Ah, it’s because of Jesus. You see He died as a sacrifice for our sins. He paid the penalty. God knew all along that we would not be able to keep the commandments demanded by His holiness, that’s why even before we were born He planned that Jesus will die on our behalf, if we want to be brought back to His fold.

Person B: Wow! Let me get this straight. Are you saying, and am I understanding you correctly that:

A God of love and justice authored these commandments that man cannot keep;
Man is consequently punished for breaking these laws;
God provided a way for man to escape punishment by sending Jesus to calvary to pay the price of breaking the laws that are impossible for him to keep in the first place;
He must accept what Christ has done by faith to be reconciled back to God?

Person A: You’re getting it.

Person B: If you’re right, then God planned His own misery and man had the perfect excuse for his sin.

The testimony of the Scriptures though, appears to show the exact opposite: God gave us good laws – laws that are not burdensome; laws that are product of His love and wisdom; laws that were intended to provide guidance and direction in our relationship to Him and our fellowmen. Sadly, man who was created in God’s image and possessed freedom to choose, chose to break those laws. The God of boundless mercy provided a way in the person of Jesus Christ who was the only One who fit the bill to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin once and for all.

Does love demand the impossible?

I personally find that when I try to understand a dogma, concept or belief and judge it to be true or false, I must evaluate it through the lenses of Scriptures and God's revealed character. The authority I must appeal to is the Inspired Word and not someone's point of view.

Jesus said, "I am the Truth" (John 14:6). That means that who He is and what He says consist my measuring stick, my standard. Anything less is falsehood.

To demand an impossibility is less than loving. Further, it is unjust. Any civilized society - christian or not - will agree to that, and yet, it is not uncommon to hear people make assertions that put God's character in question. Statements like:
God gave us good laws but impossible to keep.
God decreed that some are going to heaven while others to hell.
Now put those two statements to the test in the light of what Scriptures say. With your concordance look up verses that contain these words: laws, commandments, statutes, precepts. Notice their descriptions? You will come across adjectives such as, good, perfect, to be desired more than gold, not burdensome... See what I mean? There is nothing in God's word that says His commandments cannot be kept.
God gave us His laws for our good. That's consistent with His character.

Testing the second statement above is equally easy. Look up verses and passages that talk about salvation. You will see that it is offered to all. Not everyone will end up in heaven because not everyone has responded to the invitation to be reconciled to God. "Whosoever believes", "Whosoever will", "He desires all men to be saved".

Therefore, it is false to say, "God gave us laws that are impossible to keep" and "God decreed that some are going to heaven while others to hell".

The Berean Forum

In Acts 17:11, we read: And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. (The New Living Translation)
This verse tells us four attributes essential to our spiritual growth – open mindedness; eagerness in listening to the word taught and preached; regularity in in-depth study of Scriptures; and, verification that what is taught is truth. I call this the Berean Mindset. This is the foundation of The Berean Forum – a semi-monthly assembly of eager believers to be exposed to a unique way of learning and studying the Scriptures.

Why call it “The Berean Forum”? I think for a very good reason and appropriate one. Our aim is to cultivate the Berean Mindset in a setting where one can freely participate in the discussion and interaction, hence, a Forum. This initiative is held every second and fourth Wednesday alternating with Prayer Meeting from 7:30PM to 9:00PM.

Although diverse topics are presented, they may be grouped under the following categories:

You and the World

God's Existence

World Religions

Truth and Relativism

You and the Church

Church Doctrines

Cults

Evangelism

You and Your Life
Sanctification

Holiness
Marriage/Home Life

We believe that learning is enhanced when various views on a given topic are encouraged to be expressed and afforded sufficient time for analysis, examination and clarification. The goal is to allow the truth of the Scriptures to emerge and not just someone’s point of view. It is hoped that this will further generate interest in a deeper study of God’s word, strengthen our faith, and provide elucidation on our widely-held beliefs that we take for granted.

The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to be one who “…correctly handles the word of truth” (2
Tim. 2:15 NLT). The Apostle Peter exhorted in one of his letters to “always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT). We believe that these instruction and exhortation are for us as well.
We invite you to join The Berean Forum. It will be a Wednesday evening well-spent.

Venue: 16 Falconer Drive, Mississauga, ON.