The Day of Disaster

I grew up in a Christian community. However, part of growing up I was able to acquire my family's traditions and beliefs, which I believed it was also passed to them by their ancestors.
At first, tradition and beliefs are seems okay as long as I'm not hurting myself or anyone. As I grow old, I started to asked question about it.

I can't remember if I already said this in my previous blogs, but when I became Born Again I told myself that I will not practice things I have been taught which is not written in the Bible. Then, when I got married and became a father, I declared to my mother, "Starting from my lineage, no more traditions and beliefs that are not written in the Bible".

I know somehow deep inside of my mother, she was hurt, but on the brighter side she is happy because she knows that I'm on the right path. It me, breaking the bondage of my family traditions  and beliefs.

I was reading Jeremiah 16, it was truly the day of disaster when the people behave more wickedly than their ancestor:

12 But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me. 13 So I will throw you out of this land into a land neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’ - Jeremiah 16:12-13

It was around 4AM three days ago when I checked my Facebook page when one of the news feed caught my attention. The news was about "Refrocking" of a "UMC pastor who officiated son's gay wedding". I read the article and I find it disturbing for me.

Please read Article 1.
Please read Article 2.

I almost live my entire Christian life with Methodist community. I've known Christ and I become Christian because of them. Although, I'm not attending my Sunday worship with them anymore but I still consider myself part of their family. However, the content and image of the article, is not what I've been taught inside the church and was not the content of what I'm teaching during my time with them.

In the article, I believed that the pastor maybe acting by his heart as a father but not in his conscience. He is compromising his faith to his personal feelings as a father. The pastor chosed to sacrifice his faith instead of implementing what he was called to do. He could/would influence the people around him. This could/would be a day of disaster to his family, friends and to his church.

I'm also a father and this could be the toughest situation that I could experience. However, I know that by God's grace I can get through it and using the Bible as my basis.

What if he prayed to God with pure heart and (it may take sometime but) never give up to his son to do what is right based on the Bible. Then one day, in God's perfect time and by His grace, the pastor was able to convinced his son to go back to the way of Christ and not to follow the way of the world. Its more than a happy ending, a win (God) - win  (pastor) - win (son) situation for everyone. It was like a parable of the prodigal son. It was just my opinion.

I believed that there is always a blessing when you're obeying the right thing.

Abraham was also a father, he also love his only son Isaac, however, he never let his personal feelings get to him as a loving father to disobey God. When God saw Abraham's heart that he is true to his obedience, He bless him. (Genesis 22:15-18)

Obedience is better than sacrifice, it was said in 1 Samuel 15:22.

It is sad to say that gaining more knowledge and lack of wisdom, the world is redefining and redesigning what was originally and perfectly designed by our Creator.  There is only right or wrong, white or black and no gray area. When confusion arise, ask God for wisdom.

Lastly, the best thing we can do to the next generation is to train them the way they should go; even when they are old they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow..

To God Be The Glory.

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

My Rest and Reflection

We had an activity in our church called Men's Crossroad Weekend 2014.

A life transforming, encouraging and enlightening event that every man should attend to. That's how I exactly experienced it.

Men's Crossroad Weekend is a three-day activity, gathering men (regardless if married or not and church members or not) to have  rest from the stress of the world, reflect from each session message and enjoy each fun-activity prepared.

The theme this yeas was "Choose Life" taken from Deut.30:19-20.

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Why I came to attend?

As I know, we've been attending  church service in GCF South Metro when the first Men's Crossroad Weekend was announced. The first time it was announced, I remember my heart was pounding, seems like there was something pushing me to go and  attend, but I wasn't able to attend. However, God's time is the perfect; I patiently waited when God finally decided and allowed me to go. He chooses the third Men's Crossroad Weekend for me, He also used my wife as instrument to pay my registration fee. Praise God!

Curiously, I asked around about this activity, to get some information and background about the previous Men Crossroad Weekend. Upon payment and received my receipt, I suddenly became  hesitant. The information I got was kind of vague and most that I got was that there will be a basketball and of course Bible study and sharing. As I grew-up in a Christian community, this is things are common for me, thus, I expect more. What else?  That question I asked myself since I don't have a clear idea on what will happen.

My excitement was lessened and I think it was part of God's plan.  On the other hand, the holy spirit spoke and reminded me that this is it, the moment you've been waiting for. The hunger and thirst, your cup will be filled and overflow once again.  No doubt! I put my trust to God and claimed this event will do something best for me.

When I received my crossroad booklet and saw the program schedule, the first thing I noticed was the activity called "Rest and Reflection". It stuck me as "Wow!" it was like I'm lying slowly, feeling the softness and comfort of my bed from a 12hrs of overtime. Thank you, Lord.

So, I did attend for Rest and Reflection.

Men's Crossroad Weekend 2014

The Rest

It was really a total rest for me, physically, emotionally, mentally, everything. I feel like; I was recharged 100% full.

Location is very essential to this event. It really helped and contributed to each participant's rest and reflection. 

Men's Crossroad Weekend 2014 was held in Center for Community Transformation (CCT), Tagaytay - A retreat and training center - couple of hours drive away from the city. It serves urban and rural poor communities throughout the Philippines, in pursuit of its desire to see changed lives, strong families, and transformed communities centered on the Lordship of Jesus Christ. For me, it is the perfect place for this kind of gathering. Nature ambiance, the weather is perfect and peacefully quiet place.

I intentionally requested my wife not to call or text me (unless very important) rather I'll call or text her. Maybe I took the rest and reflection seriously that I want to be disconnected for a while and focus to this event. Although, I miss my family during the day, but, I talk to them before I went to sleep.

The Reflection

Since I was disconnected, my mind is clear and focus. 

I got to bond with my group and to the other participants. I was able to share my experiences as well as learned from theirs. I was able to listen diligently to the message of each speaker. I was able to reflect in everything, and most important part is I was able to Choose Life.

The daily devotional readings in the booklet also helped me prepared for this event.

Below are some of my personal reflection:

Time to make a choice: Like any other men, I want everything in my life simple without complications. It is easy to say but in reality, of making decision; it is the hardest and complicated one; For I have to accept one and reject the other.  Complication starts I want to be in a safe condition/state, wherein there is a compromise between chosen and rejected.

However, I've realized that in making decision, I need to seek God's provision of wisdom and by His grace, I can move forward without compromising my decision.

Choose Life vs Choose Life: Choosing between physical and spiritual life. What's happening in our world is very alarming, particularly in the middle east. It seems that ending one's life is like a common thing already. They are forcing people to join their faith, if not, they will be executed. Truly, end of times are very much visible everywhere. As Christian, I stand firm on my faith, I choose life after death.

The Path of Life:  Noted from the booklet, God has already prepared a straightway path for us to choose. To go the other way is simply the end of our existence.

By Love And For Love:  It was like a two street; a give and accept relationship between God and me. By His love, I'm saved, since I'm saved, I'm alive for Him. For His love, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,  I'm able to tell my offspring how good God was, is and will be; for they would be able to choose life also and enjoy all the perks walking with the Lord.

Teach Your Children Well:  Like father like son.

Basically, my son look up to me, if I didn't start it right for him at the very young age, there's no one to be blame but me. It's because I'm the head of the family and one day, he will be too. As his role model, I should be teaching my son to follow Christ and make sure he sees it to me. 

Finally...

It was a very overwhelming experience when I saw men of faith think differently with one common goal. To be transformed by choosing life with Christ.

As I intentionally pursue my journey of choosing life with Christ, I pray that God will continue to grant me the strength to fulfill my commitment and overcome temptations, wisdom to choose wisely in making decisions and discernment to know His will.

I praise and thank God for this event; to the core group, staff's and crew's for letting yourselves to be used as an instrument for me/us to be blessed. 

I would like share to you one of the praise and worship songs that touched my heart and made me surrender everything to God.




"I Lift My Hands"
     Chris Tomlin
Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak



Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me.

Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow..

To God Be The Glory.

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

To Know Christ And Make Him Known

I have attending different Christian churches same God but offers different discipline and method of worship.

Since I became married and moved to our new apartment, it was really hard me to attend my Sunday service to my home church. So I decided to look for another church which is more convenient for me and my family.

So there, I found a church just 10 minutes drive from our apartment. The first time I attended to this church  was over three months ago. But before that, we were attending our Sunday service at Word for the World Christian Fellowship at Makati.

However, that particular Sunday, (for me a blessing in disguise) that we missed the first service (the service that we usually attend).  I remember that time I was so disappointed that there is a hunger for me to go to church. Around 4PM, the hunger of going to church is still there that I was craving for food for my soul and it make me so uncomfortable. So, I told my wife that I was going out to attend the 4:30PM service of GCF South Metro (the church just 10 minutes drive from our apartment). 

When I went to the church and as I enter their worship hall, the first thing I noticed was their Mission, it was the same as mine: "To Know Christ And Make Him Known"

The ambiance is so nice that you can't do anything but to listen.

It was also the first time I heard the song "Blessing - Laura Story," the message of the song is so powerful and very timely for me, I can't help but have a teary eyed. I even shared the song to my boss, I felt that she needed that.


[UPDATE July 30, 2014]  
Now, GCF (Greenhills Christian Fellowship) South Metro is our home church (the church just 10 minutes drive from our apartment). We have completed our membership class and we (especially my fife) have publicly professed our faith thru baptism (water submersion). Praise God!


To God be the glory..

Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow ...

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

P.U.S.H. Philippines

I love my country, and I'm proud to be one of its citizens.
In Christian faith, Philippines is known in the world as the only Christian country in South-East Asia. 
Most Filipinos are still Christian by religion, regardless if they're practicing of not.

Ever since my eyes were opened to reality, on how our world is becoming worse than better.
I became anxious on what's happening to my beloved country.

Politics are becoming more show business rather than doing what they should be doing.
An action-drama story wherein the ending is suspense.
Filipinos are betting who will be the protagonist and the antagonist in the story.
I'm getting tired of it. It was like history is kept repeating itself every six years or less. We're just changing the main characters (our leaders).

As King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, there's nothing new in this world.

 "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done,
 and there is nothing new under the sun". - Ecclesiastes 1:9

Observing all of these tragedy, unsolved crimes, rampant corruption, etc. happening in my country; I can't help sometimes but to blame our government.

Just a test, I did a quick survey to some of my friends just know their thoughts on our current government and justice system.
Rating from 1 to 10 and 10 is the highest.
It was good to know that at least one of them gave 5.
Some of them even said that if they have a chance, they'll migrate with their family to other countries.

Who can blame them? Who can blame us?

Despite these things, God gave us the opportunity to know the reasons behind the problem with our justice system.

When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. - Ecclesiastes 8:11-13

By the Bible, we learn; we change; we gain wisdom, and we have salvation through Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we always have hope and it is never too late.

As for me, I call out to you who are reading this, if you believe in Christ, and you know you are His people, TOGETHER WE CAN ME A DIFFERENCE (in Philippines and beyond).
Let's put our hope to Jesus Christ and turn from our wicked ways.

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

 Surely, God will heal our land.

To God Be The Glory.


Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow ...

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

Hi Daddy!

I just came back from a three-day church activity called Men's Crossroad Weekend.  It was like a retreat, but by experience it was more than that.

It was a "Crossroad" event, from the name itself. However, that would be in a separate post.

My son Kiel is now turning three years old, he's very creative by expressing his own version of what Dragon and Zigzag look like; Not only in his drawing paper but also in the floor and walls of our house. I could just imagine my wife's face when she first saw them.

I got my crossroad booklet days before the event. Booklets had been distributed in advance because there are daily devotional references to be read about in preparation for the event.

Through this booklet, I was able have my devotion again. I have read the daily devotionals and it helped me prepare my physical and spiritual to focus on the event.

Event day came and it was Friday, the first day of the three days session of Men's Crossroad Weekend.

When the first session started and the speaker already sharing the message of our theme "Choose Life" taken from the book of Deut. 30:19-20; 

 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Without any reason, I just opened my booklet starting from the back page then I was surprised seeing my son's creative expression. It was like he intentionally drew it there for me to be reminded of him whenever I go. As I translate it, Kiel is simply saying, "Hi Daddy, don't forget to choose life...". I got teary eyed instantly upon seeing that. I praise God for speaking to me and discern my purpose attending this life transforming event.. 

I love my son so much, and I will give him everything that God wants him to be.

To God Be The Glory...

Read your Bible and pray everyday and  grow, grow, grow...

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless. 

Don't be anxious about anything. God is with us.

Four days ago, I had an interesting offer from one of my bike shorts dealer. If I'm not mistaken, it was only our second or third meeting since I offered him to sell my product (it was more than a year ago).

I just came from a mountain biking when I went to his shop to inquire something.
He was about to leave when he saw me. He waited for me until finally I arrived.
I was surprise when he recognized me even with my sunglasses and helmet are on;
We had long talk just outside his shop and took the opportunity to discuss my concerns as well as how we could improve our partnership.

When the time came that he need to go; he asked me about my mountain-bike brand and setup, he paused for awhile then he offered one of his high-end bikes at a very budget suitable costs with terms of payment that I can't say no for an answer.


Since then I was thinking about his offer, I know that the product and offer are the best deal that I can get.

I've already consulted some of my friends and they agreed that it really was the best deal I can get but still, I'm little bit anxious.

Yesterday, I sent him an SMS to confirm that I'm still interested about his offer. He replied that the offer is exclusively for me. I was so thankful.  

I already prayed about this and today God gave the go signal. Praise God! =)

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

To God Be The Glory.


Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow ...

 ~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~

Thank You and God bless.