I Will See You Again

It was dark on the way to the mountainside, but even darker are the hearts of whose feet that follow Him as Their master lays his final words, hours before his arrest. Light does shine the brightest in the darkest of places. In the midst of grief, a ounce of light, a promise from the One who matters, "I will see you again."

John 16:22, "I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you."

This promise echoes hope today in the darkest times in our life. "I will see you again." A postcard from the past that bursts with eager anticipation. It takes us higher to see that life does not end in defeat, even mediocre contentment, for the one who follows him devotedly. On that day, on that day, oh what a joy! Because at long last we have finished the great amazing race, we have kept the faith. I couldn't even picture that moment when we finally see him. There won't be a dry eye, tears shed only because of unspeakable joy. The Celebration then has just begun.

John 16:33, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world."

We are overcomers, conquerors, victors in Christ!


"There Will Come A Day" by Faith Hill

There's a better place where our Father waits
And every tear He'll wipe away
The darkness will be gone, the weak shall be strong
Hold on to your faith!

There will come a day
The song will ring out down those golden streets
The voices of earth with the angels singing
Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace in the glory of His amazing grace

There will come a day!

Starstruck

It was quite a very interesting and rare night for us tonight. Netty and I went to the premier of the evangelistic movie Rebound this evening at Victory Christian Fellowship in Robinsons Galleria. I was given complimentary tickets because I made the movie website (please check it out). Anyway, as we went down the basement parking, I had a hard time looking for one until I found a guy hurrying to his car, so I put my flashers on. And imagine our surprise when we recognized who it was... it was Piolo Pascual! Perhaps he was came from the evening service of VCF. Netty was like sayang we didn't get a chance to see him longer. And I was like, "I just took the place of Piolo's car..." (insert starstruck Anime eyes, hehe). After that episode, we went to the cinema, we found some friends who were already on the queue and took our seats. And then Gary Valenciano and family show up and took the seats in front of us. As in naistarstruck kame. I could literally just stretch out my hand and call his attention. They were there to support his son Gabriel because he's the lead of the movie. Ala lang, just wanted to share ... starstruck siguro. And praise God because these guys people of great influence in media have come to know Christ and more and more people from that field are getting to know Him.

The Gospel According to Jackie Chan

I was watching Late Night with Conan today and he had Jackie Chan on the show. I thought this was gonna be good. Conan introduces him and as he enters from the curtains and everyone just cheered on him. Conan comments that there’s something about Jackie Chan that his presence always lights up any room. And indeed I was smiling and laughing watching the interview because he’s fun-loving, animated and very positive person. He truly lights up every room. Positive—He’s happiness infectious, that every person that he connects with is charged up with that energy. I thought if only we could be more like that. That in every person we try to connect with we leave a trace of God’s radiance and goodness—because we are mere reflectors of His glory. Just as salt that influences the food it touches and a light that influences any room. We are agents to influence any dire, gloomy or apathetic situation. We reflect that Light. A Light that is more infectious than raw positive thinking and meditation, it’s His radiance, Him who came to bring people Life—a life that is full, happy and complete. Are we putting that Light to good use?

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. – Jesus, Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)

Day in the Life: Long Day

It's been a long day today. Today is my campus ministry day. Surprisingly woke up at 7AM by myself (snaps for me) and started preparing for my campus visit in CCM. Took a quick shower and tricycle my way to LRT.

I arrived at CCM around 10AM and our smallgroup is already waiting for me. It was a great first smallgroup meeting this semester. Had a great time catching up and sharing and encouraging one another. Netty followed around 11AM. By 12 noon we went to CEU to visit a youth of mine to catch up on each other's lives over lunch. I haven't seen her for quite a while so Netty and I were so happy to see her telling her that she was "blooming" which was not bola but true. Around 2PM, we were to meet Ate Merla in a student center in Morayta. I figured it should be in United Baptist Church, because they had a large youth center. I was glad to find out that the Doulos (Ship) Team was holding a booksale in the student center. And this time majority of the books were inspirational and cheaper. We met Ate Merla with her friends there. Turns out that that was not the student center they were using but the one over the FEU side. After buying some books, we headed there to spend sometime to catch up with friends. By 4PM, we went back to CCM with the intention to get to know new students and share faith with them which turned out pretty well.

After a long day's work (with all the sun and smoke, we look and smelled un-fresh already), we went to Glorietta to have dinner and catch a movie (One More Chance :). On the way there, Netty surprised me with a WordSearch book, that I wanted to buy when we were in Doulos (It was so sweeet of her). Arriving there we discovered that the queue to the move was so long since it was 1st day of showing so we figured to just have dinner and coffee. We were able to see Netty's friends (Christian, Daniel, Claire and Jen) and shared a dinner at World Chicken. They went off to see Beowulf and Netty and I went to Starbucks to have coffee. She's eagerly collecting this years Starbucks planner :) It was my first time this season to have a hot cup of Peppermint Mocha which was very exciting. Then we took the word search book and had a little competition on answering the most hidden words. It was a quality time moment :) After coffee I took her home and stayed a little longer watching PBB. Arrived home at 11:30PM blessed and thankful.

Blessed and Thankful that ...

1. I received a new project after a friend of the Rebound Movie staff saw the site. Thankful for the projects He's sending me.
2. I am able to connect with students and young people and being able to minister to them.
3. Thankful for the company of Netty. A real encourager and encouragement, equally passionate about young people and full of grace even after a whole day's work.

Please pray with us as we continue to minister to the students of CCM.

2nd Semester @ CCM

2nd semester is here again. Today Netty and I went to CCM to visit our Bible study group and do some evangelism survey. There aren't alot of students yet just a handful. We were able to know a few students from Computer Science college. And we were able to see our Bible study group. We're meeting again, this time Wednesdays at 10AM. We'll be there the whole day Wednesdays. Before we left, rain came pouring down really hard. We stayed at SM Manila for a while. Then proceed to accompany Netty to the FX station. It's like highschool all over again (Pahatid hatid sa sakayan, kasi bawal sa house hehe). I'm really blessed to have Netty in my life and it's an added reward that I could do ministry with her. Our bible study group of 4th years students from Political Science will soon enter the working world. Thankful that all of them passed their thesis and two pairs of thesis partners from our group got the top 2 highest thesis grades. Praying that this semester will be fruitful for all of us in CCM. :)

Day in the life: Glorietta After

• It's back to school for me here at ASCM. I'm enrolled to two subjects whose professors "hindi ko masakyan." One subject perhaps the better one is Counselling with Dr. Zonia Tappeiner, but she's still not in 'til next week. Mondays and Tuesdays are my school days.
• Finally I got to see Netty after 8 days. We saw Rendition. Good movie.
• Sad to discover that Jolibee's Amazing Aloha is phased out again. Do only few people really appreciate Amazing Aloha??
• Happy to see that finally Starbucks' Christmas Blends are back! (My favorite is peppermint mocha)
• It's my first time to visit Glorietta after the explosion that killed 11 people and injured scores. Glorietta 2 is still closed. The stalls on the hallway that goes through Landmark is closed on one side. Even though the mall is trying to pull in its patrons through sales and Christmas decors the shadow of that sad Friday afternoon looms. There were only few people around. Shops close earlier. And the security check-ups take longer. It's a gloomy feeling altogether, and it's Christmas season. "Lord, teach us to number our days aright" (Ps. 90:12).

Compassion Wanted

Jonah 4:11, "Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?"

This was God's answer to Jonah, after he proclaimed God's judgment to the wicked Assyrian capital city of Niniveh. But because the whole city repented, God relented its destruction. And this made Jonah really, really disappointed.

"Was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity." (Jonah 4:2)

Many times we let the comforts of religiosity make our faith stale and stagnant rather than letting it flow, expressed to ripple off. We forget the compassion rendered upon us by the Lord "while we were yet sinners". We readily label the supposed less closer to God to a point of disgusting self-righteousness. But our lack of compassion and genuine concern just reveals that we are no more enlightened and transformed than them. We fail to see that more than statistics they are victims in need of a Savior like we were once.

John 3:17, "For God did not send the Son to judge the world, but the world might be saved through Him."

Lord, may I reflect your compassion for the hurting, the blind, and the weary. Fan the flame of compassion and the burden for the lost, the students and the young people. Let it grow stronger. Search me and mold me.

Nasugbu Visit

Finally after a week's hustle and bustle, I'm nailed to the house. Finishing my message for tomorrow. This week's been surprisingly hectic. I thought finally I will have rest after last weeks nightly seminars at church. But projects have been queueing, thank God, on the downside I'm still adjusting to the abnormal sleeping habits of sleeping late. I feel the work stress has been affecting my body, I'm experiencing problems with my stomach and my eyes. I want to get myself checked up next week.

Tuesday was a break from work when I and Welfert went to Nasugbu to coordinate the cooking team for the camp. We figured it would be easier to get the help of a local church to do the cooking for us instead of bringing a team from Manila. But anyways, it was a rainy-cold trip to Nasugbu. And we're welcomed like VIPs. A taste of local Batangas hospitality. It was such a blessing and a breather for me to witness such dedicated and inspiring ministers of the Lord. Especially Ptra. Carumba who was our contact. She has already grandchildren, but her raw passion for the Lord is evident by her age. It was a blessing listening to her stories back in BBC and Manila Faith, also her ministry stories during Martial Law. It's like saying to me, ministry doesn't start and end with me, we're just all part of God's story in His effort to reconcile men to God through Jesus. Ministry wasn't born yesterday. God has been using people even before I was born and it wouldn't stop when I die (So it's like okay to get some break sometimes! :) Indeed it is not about us. We also met Ptr. Mike Anciado, a young Nth generation pastor of Nasugbu First AG. We visited their newly renovated church. They have this wall of old and new pictures showing the growth of the church. Indeed the trip was a slice of history lesson.

Yesterday's Crazy Schedule and Bombing

Satuday. We just concluded a 15 hour (5 nights) seminar on Carecells. A group of Singaporeans from Trinity Christian Center came down for ministry exposure. They were here last May through Chi Alpha and we also got to know them and build friendship with them. I wrote before the one word that I would describe them is DRIVEN, they are still now. They've never lost their passion, it was a LIFESTYLE. I have learned so much from them.

Looong day yesterday, slept at 3AM because of a project (Subpix posters). 10AM I was already in Robinsons Place Manila for cellgroup consultation with Ptr. Edwin & Ptr. Carmelo. At 12, went to Alva to print the posters I made. This wasn't supposed to be my job (to print my design for the client) but the client is so busy that he cannot do it, so he just paid me for the effort & the gas. While waiting to print, I was in KFC taking my lunch. Then I got a text that Glorietta 2 was bombed. At first I was skeptic, but another text came confirming the incident. And I was going to Makati. 3PM I picked up the posters and head for Makati. Turned on the AM Radio and listened as the tragedy unfold.

It's devastating what fear can do to you. If there's one thing I learned about the incident yesterday is that these people who did this sowed fear to the people. Fear immobilizes you. Nails you that you keep yourself from moving forward. It creates paranoia. Just listening to the reports as it came in, it gave a sense of fear for your safety. I heard someone say that fear is the number one weapon of the devil. He'll keep you frozen to move on. He'll sow thoughs of "what if's" so you won't pursue God's plan altogether. But God didn't give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of boldness, love and a sound mind. Love drives away fear. It's like light vs. darkness. Ptr. Edwin says that light NEVER wrestles with darkness, darkness just flees whenever light comes. That's what love does.

There's a point where you could choose to continue listening and continue to be fearful or just leave it. I mean I already got the facts, and the news just keeps on repeating. So at one point even if it was difficult to switch from the news, I turned on the CD player and played and listened to some God-songs. 4PM I delivered the posters in Makati Avenue. 5PM I picked up Ptr. Edwin and Ptr. Carmelo from Hospicio de San Jose (they visited an orphanage the whole afternoon) and when went to church. After the seminar, I treat them for a Chinese dinner in Ongpin (they've been treating me for a couple of nights). I dropped them in their hotel by 11PM and got home and talked to Netty by Netty tells me I am not Superman. True. Earlier Ptr. Edwin shared that Singaporeans are crazy planners, they do things by the second. I am also like that at times. And I'm trying to start working on my inhumane schedule. After a few hours finally I got a well-deserved sleep.

Day in the Life

Today I was able to finally able to get some good rest after last week's rush of work, ministry and in-betweens. I dozed by 9PM and woke up around 10AM--a gud 13 hours of sleep. But I still feel a bit weak (no energy) I figured this was because I stopped lifting weights. My tummy's getting bigger (again). So I need to get back on a regular routine exercise. Over the weekend I was able to finish a project. But there's more to do for this week. The Singaporeans from Trinity Christian Center are back again and this time they are doing trainings for five evenings (6-9PM) at our church that started tonight. Nice to see Ptr. Edwin and Ptr. Carmelo again. And tonight's seminar about Spiritual Parenting was very meaty and helpful. I need to get back on blogging. But for now, gotta sleep.

If you will not tell them, how will they know?

"If you listen you'll hear it
A call to the nations
to show forth your praises
to every tongue, tribe and nation
If you will not tell them
How will they know
That there's joy in my presence
Like they've never known
Bring them into My presence
Let them worship before My throne"

Woke up to this song by Don Moen entitled "This is My Holy Place" (it's a very old song). Does anyone else know this song?

Breakfast

Woke up today quite late already. Before last night, I only had 7 hours of sleep for two days. It's busy days at work. Today I woke up and mom prepared breakfast for me. I thank God for my mom. Like I said before, the family and my friends are manifestations of God's grace and love in my life.

Birthday Prayer

26 years. I may have come a long way, age-wise and some, but not to the point of contentment. In fact I consider myself yet far from the goal I've been pursuing, the goal of perfect peace and intimacy with my Father.

Lord, my prayer for my birthday is another 26 years of hot pursuit for You. Again, Lord, I want to follow hard after You. Forgive me if there are still lapses in my walk with You, I am alone at fault. In these unfaithful moments may Your precious grace abound. Lord preserve me, make me holy in the truest sense of Your Word.

Indeed Father You don't owe me anything, but in Your perfect love You chose to pursue me, even sometimes I think as if I deserve to be blessed. Who are you to think that your service outshine and outweigh His selfless outpouring of life and blood on the cross? Lord let Thou increase and I decrease. I am but a servant. Lord, give me opportunities to live out Your image one day at a time.

Thank You, Lord, for people who constantly love and care for me--one of Your truest and most practical manifestations of blessing and grace in my life. Remind me to always cherish them always and not to take them for granted. I ask Father that You preserve my family in Your grace and blessing and my future wife, preserve us both until that blessed day.

I Started A Joke ...

A very funny and interesting thing happened this afternoon during my Carecell. We ordered a large 18" yellow cab NY pizza cris-cut for Carecell. It was big and really good, it was done in less than an hour except for the last small piece. A partially "bald" slice with much of the surface is the edge of the crust.

It has been a way for us to refrain from eating the last piece of morsel on the table out of modesty. It's like when you eat the last piece the implications are a bit foolish but harsh. One would think he would be perceived by the people with him as a glutton and self-centered, by not giving way for others to have the last piece. So it becomes an endless finger-pointing telling the other person "you take the last piece."

So in order for this to end, I proposed a game that we would play kompyang or maalis-alis (black versus white). And the last one who remains finishes the slice. As we begin, it came into my mind that there was a donut that has been sitting on the fridge for over the week now from last week's worship team practice, also fell victim of the last-piece-curse. It was glazed with chocolate, frozen cold. I raised the bar of the game higher: The last two who will remain should play rock-paper-scissors and whoever wins gets to choose what the loser will eat between the last pizza and the cold donut.

So we began to play, with each turn the number of players got fewer until guess who were the last two to remain: Zarah Grace and me. The youth pastor and the youth president. And so there it was, me and Zarah Grace head to head for the power to choose who will eat what. And both of us knew that we don't wanna eat the cold donut. The game was race to three. Zarah got the first score, I got the next two, Zarah got the next. It was a tie. My rock lost to Zarah's paper. It was very funny, We were laughing our hearts out because my plan backfired. So I ended up eating the cold donut to the cheer of my members. I said to myself, "Humor talaga ni Lord o!" He knows I'm bad at losing games.

An Early Surprise

This afternoon my Friday Carecell group in City College of Manila gave me a surprise birthday celebration planned by Netty and Annie. I was really surprised because they hid it well, although I was kinda feeling 'something's not right'. Netty bought a Red Ribbon black forest cake, and Annie gave me a large collage of birthday wishes from their group. I was really, really blessed by the love received. I realize that ultimately it is God who is touching me through them. I remember my recent meditation on scripture saying not to give up in doing good even sometimes you lose heart and feel like giving up because in due time we will reap a reward. If my God could give me something like what we had this afternoon (more than the gifts and cakes), how much more when finaly I will be rewarded with His fellowship in His kingdom. "No eye has seen and no ear has heard what God has in store for those who love Him."

Not Giving Up Just Yet

"The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [So] let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:8-9)

Life is not in pursuit of the future without looking into the past. As we live our lives every day, every hour, every second, we sow the seeds of which in due time we will reap--they will catch up on us. And it's simple math. Sow to one's flesh and reap your own corruption. Sow to the Spirit--invest your life to Him, walk by Him (Gal 5:16)--and we will reap our long-fought-for reward. It's a lonesome waste giving up so soon for something we have fought for, bled for, got up again for (after the enemy's blow to keep us from pursuing deep in our hearts is the real deal.) The good that we do, no matter what the situation tells us at face value, will never return barren. The good we have sown will soon grow and flourish and benefit life. Never lose heart. It doesn't hurt to gather up one's strength and push some more, because it is worth fighting for. He awaits that day, when finally He welcomes us and say, "Son, you've finally made it through and I am well-pleased (or I am proud of you.)"

The Zeal of Phinehas

Last Sunday I preached about Phinehas, a rarely heard young character from the book of Numbers (25). I decided to preach about him when I felt that sometimes as Filipinos we avoid confrontations, even if the issue badly needs one such as sin. Confrontations are good, just like most things, when used properly. This personally happened to me when one of the faithful students in our campus bible study got entagled with some dead serious sin. And I felt that as her pastor, I failed to address the issue though I did something about it. I felt that I didn't do much about it. Being outrun by too much "kindness", sparing harsh discipline and "it already happened, what can we do now?"

The Zeal of Phinehas

Scripture:

Proverbs 8:13, "To fear the Lord is to hate evil."

Numbers 25:10-13, "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying “Phinehas … has turned My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.” Therefore I say, “Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.”

In Numbers 25, we find the Israelites crossing Moab and after Balak's failed attempt to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (ch 24), he took an alternative to destroy Israel by sending Moab's most beautiful and sexiest women of the land to entice Israel to engage in lust and idol worship (Rev. 2:14). God was furious that He asked Moses to execute all guilty parties among Israel. But there was one rebellious son of one of the tribe leader who in his defiant stance brought a Midianite woman into his tent in the sight of Moses and all Israel. Then the focus zooms to a young man named Phinehas. We read in Numbers 25:7-9:

"When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman, through the body. So the plague on the sons of Israel was checked. Those who died by the plague were 24,000." (Numbers 25:7-9)

God was very impressed with Phinehas action that He said to Moses,

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying “Phinehas … has turned My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.” Therefore I say, “Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.” (Numbers 25:10-13)

Phinehas had a lot of Z.E.A.L.:

Phinehas had ZERO-TOLERANCE for sin
He loved God so much that he despised sin in the same manner as God. God said Phinehas was "jealous for My jealousy." Phinehas didn't turn the blind-eye when he saw this upfront defiance against God's law. Proverbs 8:13 say, "to fear the Lord is to hate evil." Living in a fallen world always challenges our "fear of the Lord" when we compromise our stance against issues, turn the blind-eye against injustice and evil especially when we have a power to do something about it, and moreover when we are deceived by our own pet sins (Psalm 36:1-2, Proverbs 9:17-18). The true test for every believer is his displeasure towards sin and anything that is evil (1 John 2:15-17).

When we are tempted to take in temptations and nurse sin in our lives let us take God's prescription for Moses:

Numbers 25:4, "The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”

1. Take the leaders and execute them … stay away from/eliminate anyone or anything that causes or leads you to sin.
2. In broad daylight … expose it in broad daylight so "everyone" will see and learn. Be accountable to someone who will track your commitment to end that sin in your life.
3. Before the Lord … commit your decision to the Lord who gives you strength.

Phinehas EMERGED from the crowd
God was pleased with Phinehas because he took initiative by atoning (appeasing) for the sin in behalf of the sons of Israel. God said, “Behold, I give him My covenant ... because he ... made atonement for the sons of Israel” (Numbers 25:12-13). He didn't wait for someone to do it, he didn't ask someone to do it, nor he didn't wait for someone to tell him to do it. And because of his initiative to execute God's righteousness in the camp, the plagued finally ended, but 24,000 unnecessary casualties had already occured.

Jesus himself tells us that if a brother or a sister sins, we must go and show him his fault in private so that he will realize his fault. Sometimes the truth hurts, but like a bitter medicine it needs to be ingested. Paul adds to this when he warns us that we must speak the truth "in love."

Phinehas ACTED upon his convictions
It's interesting that throughout the story we didn't hear a single word uttered by Phinehas. We only saw him as he moved about and execute God's judgment on the defiant couple. Verse 7-8, "he saw ... he arose from the congregation ... he took a spear ... he ran after the man ... he pierced both of them ..." He was a man of action. While others were weeping (v. 6), he acted and became the solution. He was someone you can depend on when the going got tough. Sometimes when faced with stubborn sin among our family, friends and even ourselves, we sheepishly and silently protest, "weeping" and mourning, instead of acting upon what we know in God's Word. God is looking for men to stand in the gap (Ez 22:23-30) who will "stop the plague" of sin from spreading and destroying the lives of those who harbor it and the people around them.

Finally, Phinehas was LOYAL to his God
Phinehas was God's number one fan. The bottom line is Phinehas loved God so much that whatever God loves, he loves, whatever God hates, he hates, no questions whatsoever. God was pleased with Phinehas because he was "jealous for My jealousy." Now isn't jealousy such a negative attitude for a good God to have? But the Bible is quite clear about it, our God is a jealous God. Webster defines jealousy as "lacking permissive attitude towards rivalry or unfaithfulness". So what is God jealous about? Let us read what He said when He handed out the 10 commandments to Moses:

Deuteronomy 5:8-10, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

God is madly jealous for us when we set up idols. Now perhaps we already realize that idols are not just statues people pray to but objects or people who takes more priority in our life than God, whether it's money, fame, friends or boy/girlfriends. Do we have idols in our life that provoke our God to be madly jealous for You? The best way to keep ourselves from anything that takes us away from Him is to draw nearer and closer to God.

Phinehas was full of Z.E.A.L.:

• ZERO-TOLERANCE for sin
• EMERGE from the crowd
• ACT upon your convictions
• LOYAL to God

In the end, God made a covenant with Phinehas. Now when God makes a covenant, three things: it's unbreakable, it's true (He doesn't lie), and it's for eternity. Now who doesn't want that. And because Phinehas was pleasing in the sight of God by being "jealous for His jealousy", God made a "covenant of peace" with him (v. 12-13). Peace that passes all understanding, peace that breaks down walls of fear and doubt. And God promised that his sons and their sons after him will forever serve Him in his presence. We can have that peace when we truly and wholeheartedly surrender our lives to Him, and align faithfully with Him. My prayer for me and you is that we may grow that spirit of Phinehas that is passionately zealous for God and His kingdom, staying true to Him and His ways.

Jewish Filipino-Chinese

Finally after three mondays of class suspensions because of typhoon, holiday and school retreat, we've got to finally have class again in Hebrew. I missed the class. So this morning I went an hour early to school to do some review (although we usually have group study as early as 11AM). The difference what three cancelled meeting makes. It needed some effort to get back to speaking and understanding the language again. I remember this is the same effect it had on me after I graduated highschool. I almost forgot to speak, understand and write Chinese.

We usually don't speak Chinese at home, being a child of second-generation Filipino-Chinese. Sociologist say there are three orders of Filipino-Chinese in the Philippines: the nearly extinct First Generation (they are the one's who came from the mainland and marry a Filipino), second generation (the children of the first generation, who speaks Chinese at home, but speaks Filipino outside), and the third generation (who rarely speak Chinese anymore). They say 10 generations further, intermarriages among Filipinos and Chinese would've blend and neutralize each cultural uniqueness. That is why some elder Chinese try or force the younger to marry their own kind to preserve the culture and values, and even sometimes their economic status. And sadly this kind of mindset made its way in the church. A sad but true anecdote: A young Chinoy grows an interest with a Filipina, his mother is concerned. "We have different values," she tells me. Though I wouldn't approve also just because the girl goes to a "different" church. But the close-mindedness lies within the person themselves, situations vary, so I warn you not to stereotype people, because that's bad.

So let me end this day-in-a-life-turned-rant post by quoting Paul: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For [we] are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

Back to Work

What am I doing 4AM in the morning? I'm back at work. I'm doing US outsource projects again. It's been almost 2 years (Nov '05) since I left the company where I worked. Now I'm back. Why? Well, many things. I have been struggling and praying for a go these past few weeks if I revive my flash artist profession. Ministry has been very fruitful and the need is huge. But I gotta take care of some things especially my family. My funds are running out and I'm lagging with my contributions in the house bills. Something that really convinced me to return was just this week, my mom, dad and I went to the hospital to get checked up. I had recurring flu which was getting worse everyday. My dad had this lump on his back that after diagnosis, the doctor declared it was an early stage of tumor. Now the doctor reassured us that it is not a serious thing, as long as it's removed ASAP before it becomes infected, but hearing those words really shook me up. I mean that was my dad. Anyway, he's going under operation today for the lump to be removed. Praying that everything's gonna be okay. But you get the picture. I need to work for my family.

Also this week, two of my friends back in college got engaged. Ganito pala kapag mid-20s na. You hear friends getting married one after another. And of course, I also have my own wedding to attend to ... in the near future, hehe. But yeah, I need to prepare for that.

So far so good.

+

PSALM 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Life in A Nutshell: House-cleaning

Here are some highlights of my day:

• Last week was the bummest day. Life halt--thanks to typhoon Egay--no ministry, no class, just stayed at home and watch movie marathons. Made me also to rest and restore lost strength.
  
• Had a meeting this morning with friends in youth ministry. It was a great time spending time with them again after a long time not having seen and talk to each other because of our own ministries. Received and was assigned to quite a challenging task which I realized God somehow prepared me that something like this is coming. Nevertheless I am excited and can't wait conquer new territories and challenges ahead. More details later.
• My Carecell spent some bonding time this afternoon. Haven't gone out with them these past few months. So it was a welcome relaxation. No meetings, we had it the previous day, so we could just enjoy and relax today. Went to Trinoma, Riverbanks and Tiendesitas. My carecell, also our youth core group, is the greatest and I am really proud having them as part of the team. I've seen them grow after all these years. Some God has called to ministry, others to excel in their studies and workplace. I've committed myself to personally invest my life, experiences and knowledge to them.
  
• I'm doing some house-cleaning in my spiritual life and ministry these days. Finally, after sometime idling around I got the push to pick up where I left off. I realized today the greatness of His compassion and lordship, how He sees a polished diamond through a rough stone. I can only stand amazed and in awe of Him.

This verse really helped me get up from that mud pile and shamelessly follow Him again:

"If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul ... the Lord has been my stronghold and my God the rock of my refuge." ~ Psalm 94:17-19, 22