Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was a world-famous literary giant who wrote "War and Peace." He was a self-confessed believer of Christ's Gospel. While reading about him, I can't help but notice his fervent religious musings and strides toward perfection. Yet he was deeply unhappy. His wife Sonya, who had 16 pregnancies by him, exposed the gap between his spiritual writings and the contradictions of his own life. Tolstoy, according to Sonya, never showed affection toward her and their children. Sonya wrote in her diary, "There is so little genuine warmth about him; his kindness does not come from his heart, but merely from his principles ... no one will ever know that he never gave his wife a rest and never -- in all these thirty-two years -- gave his child a drink of water or spent five minutes by his bedside to give me a chance to rest a little from all my labors... Where is his love? His Christianity?" One word: hypocrite. But a hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something he is not. In the case of Tolstoy, he admitted and knew very well that he's a hypocrite! He could not silence his conscience. I felt sad knowing this bit of the life of Tolstoy. Yet I felt somewhat grateful to him for showing me the extent of God's grace upon all of us.

I Live a Double Life

I first knew I write since grade school. I was weak in English and writing in school. Yet I'd still be writing. My childhood was not devoid of writer role model. My Dad was a lawyer whom I always see writing and reading. But it did not occur to me that I'd also love writing. I was busy playing with the other boys and surviving in school. Onwards, I was still writing; probably I got in me to be a writer. I simply can't stop.... Writing is like living a double life. Everything is experienced twice. Once, in reality. And the other, in the mirror that talks a lot to me.

What is God's Will In Your Life? (Part 3)

A third road sign in knowing God's will for our lives is the matter of our own "personal desires." It is possible that our desires may be an indicator pointing to what God wants us to do. It can be a valuable road sign to God's plan and direction.

We need, however, to be very careful in reading our "personal desires." I say this for we all seem to have a habit of equating God's will with what we want. But the truth is, we don't always know what is God's best for us. The Bible says that our heart can be "deceitfully wicked" and may at times not be trusted (Jeremiah 17:9).

For instance, you can long to go and bring your family to immigrate to another country (say, America). Unfortunately, it may just be God's second-best choice for you and not for your ultimate betterment. But still you push your way to get what you want even without God's approval. Yes, you may succeed to get what you want, but outside of God's blessing such achievement is shallow and less satisfying.

Interestingly, God may grant us what we ask for even if it's not His choice for our lives. The Bible is full of accounts of this. Divorce was not God's will and intention, yet He allowed His people to practice easy divorce (Matthew 19: 3-8). God wanted all His people to be priests but still allowed Israel to develop a complicated priesthood (Exodus 19). He also allowed His people to have an earthly king like the other pagan nations although He was really their King (1 Samuel 8: 4-9).

When we insist our personal desires without God's blessing and things turn sour, we can learn the lesson of discerning God's will and best for us. Fortunately, God does not condemn us for our bad choices. It's never the end. Repentance leads us to new beginnings and allows God to even bring good out of our mistakes.

The right key in reading our personal desires in relation to God's will is spiritual balance. Surely, as long as we live in our earthly bodies, our natural desires may do often conflict with those of God. However, the more we grow in His grace and wisdom, the more our personal desires will begin to line up with God's desires and will.

Piece in a Bottle Into the Ocean

Every piece that I write is like putting a message inside a bottle. And then throwing it into the ocean. You're not sure if it will reach any shores. Mostly, silence. And then, you see, sometimes it falls in the hands of a right person whose life has been touched or changed. That's enough bliss! The next best thing to do is to go and begin another piece. Not too bad an incarnation. Grace becomes a piece of writing.

Spiritual Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is ordinarily viewed as material. Doing business is basically done for the sake of gaining financial profit and satisfying human needs. Often, entrepreneurs and businessmen set the material and spiritual in opposition to each other. In doing so, they reduce themselves to mere economic sphere, while excluding spiritual values.

One then forgets that God calls us to do all things in life for Him. That includes entrepreneurship or doing one's own business. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23). One cannot therefore do business in a proper and lasting way by taking God out of the picture.

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend, Frank, and a doctor-friend, Vic. They are both "spiritual entrepreneurs." They're equally involved in promoting a breakthrough Filipino medical invention to the world that has already cured numerous diseases. But there is a difference. They hear not only their own or people's material, financial, or health demands, but hearken to the universal longing of the human soul for God.

A "spiritual entrepreneur," therefore, is committed to spiritual and not just material well being. He sees an economic or market need and seeks to fill it by injecting a free gift of divine grace and self. The "spiritual entrepreneur" is first and foremost in business for and with God. He goes to places where materialistically-driven "angels of the business world" fear to tread!

Today, we have marketplace ministries all over the world that connect Christian entrepreneurs and ministry. Some of the most helpful sites that can tell you more about these and real life testimonies include http://www.releasing-kings.com/; http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/ ; and http://www.opportunity.org/
Indeed, entrepreneurship and business are being reclaimed for God where they rightfully belong.

Friend, if you're a Christian entrepreneur or business person, you hold the key to balance the equation in the business world. What you do in your business is not just a job or a means of livelihood and gaining wealth. It's a true, God-assigned ministry.

Sir Jun's Surprise B-Day and Secret

The other night, I had a wonderful party evening in Mission Hills. The wife, Ma'am Margie, threw a surprise party and presentation on the eve of her husband Sir Jun's birthday. All the family members and employees of the family's group of companies were there.

After my opening the occasion with prayer, I witnessed how really this company is more like a family. Everyone enjoyed each other. Hugging, kissing, joking. Well, there's the karaoke, the favorite party centre point. And, of course, lots of food and drinks to gobble!

A significant part of the party time before the video production show, I sat and chatted with sir Jun. We talked about family life, and exchanged jokes too. It always "clicked:" this Filipino CEO multimillionaire has no airs. He is really, by nature, a quiet, unassuming, humble man.

That night also revealed a secret to me about Sir Jun. In the special video, countless people and families greeted and thanked Sir Jun for helping them. These included the "scholars," young people from poverty-stricken families whom sir Jun sent to school and college. I was also made to know of the people he encourages each day and week through nuggets of wisdom that he sends electronically!

Here's a secret I don't want you to miss about sir Jun: making an impact in people's lives is one best way to let something of lasting value emerge from our little, quickly passing life. How much is that? Priceless. Sir Jun has found a place to serve that he would be remembered by, which is also true of his wife Ma'am Margie.

I'm blessed by God to have known him and his example. May God increase his tribe on earth!

Truth or Consequence?

The other day, I was having coffee with my lawyer-friend, Marsel. We had a spirited discussion on truth and lies. His position is that it's ok to tell a "white lie." But is there such a thing as a "white lie?"

One defines a lie as "an intentional violation of the truth." Lies are clearly condemned in Scripture (John 8:44; 1 Tim. 1:9, 10; Rev. 21:27; 22:15). There's no such thing as a "white lie" (or "black lie") as far as God's Word is concerned. A lie is a lie.

Scriptures, however, mentioned examples of lies made by God's men, namely: Abraham (Gen. 12:12, 13; 20:2), Isaac (26:7), and Jacob (27:24); also by the Hebrew midwives (Ex. 1:15-19), by Michal (1 Sam. 19:14), and by David (1 Sam. 20:6).

It appears that there are some situations where lies are justified by circumstances, like in the biblical case of the Hebrew midwives in Exodus 1. Should they tell the truth, or lie to save Moses or the first-borns from sure death? Was the "white lie" told by the midwives the right thing to do?

Philosopher Immanuel Kant once reasoned that you certainly don't owe the murderer the truth, so it's right to lie to him. In the biblical case of the midwives, my opinion is that they did right in not blurting out the truth. One doesn't help murderers with information. Lives were saved when they lied. It appears then to be a very good opportunity to lie for a good cause.

However, it must be said that even if you don't owe the murderer the truth, you owe it to yourself to hear and speak the truth to your conscience. Though a "white lie" in the rarest of occasions seems justified, it may still do harm to the person telling the lie. Lies introduce falsehood and inconsistency into one's mental life. The more you lie, the easier it could develop into a lying or dishonesty habit.

The question now is, how well are you in relationship to God after you've told a "white lie?' And what will you do with your newfound knowledge and power after the lie? Will you continue telling the truth after that occasion of lying?

What is God's Will in Your Life? (Part 2)

Next to the Bible, God guides us through circumstances. We read Scripture because it contains His principles to direct our decisions. We also read His providence through circumstances which He sovereignly controls. By way of the circumstances He shows, God reveals His individual will to our lives.

"Open doors, closed doors" is one signpost for discerning God's guidance through circumstances. It's a common way for God to indicate "Yes, this is My will for you" or "No, this is not My will for you." If you apply for visa to the United States, and the embassy turned you down several times, you should probably see that God is saying "No" to you on the plan. It's possible He's the one closing the doors.

But God always works for the good of His children. When He closes doors, He always has something better behind another door. God also leads by opening doors for us. Paul's example reminds us of this when he regularly prayed for God to open doors for him (Colossians 4:3). At one time, he was directed to stay in Ephesus by an open door (1 Corinthians 16).

A call for spiritual discernment applies here though. Sometimes a door may "look closed" to you, but God may just be testing you. God may be ready to open the door sooner or later. However, He is using the closed door to prepare and strengthen your faith. In such a case, God is simply saying "Wait!" to you.

I am happiest when doors are open. For some periods of my life, however, doors are closed. Days, weeks, months pass. Then I begin to struggle. I forget that God is telling something to me. Is God saying "Yes," "No," or "Wait?" At times like this, uncertainty or fears must be fought with all the weapons of God's spiritual arsenal so I'd know what to do next.

In reading God's circumstantial guidance, believers are not left unaided. A Christian has the assurance that the Holy Spirit aids him in understanding Scripture. He is also assured that the Holy Spirit will aid him in understanding God's providence through circumstances. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is the believer's Guide (John 16:13).

Connecting

In order to connect to God or others, you often have to block out ego. Ego is the piece that's making it hard to reach the good or best. How are you doing, ego? Possibly, you're not all bad. But you're always a harsh, demanding inner critic, prone to illusion or delusion. Be still and know the true Voice that'll tell you what your'e supposed to be or do next.

LIFE PLAN: Faith, Fitness, Family, Friends

We all need to have a plan or direction in life.

The very latest resource I've discovered on Life Planning is found in author Lloyd Reeb's "From Success to Significance." I believe this can help a lot of us in having clear directions that includes all of the important areas of life, namely: faith, fitness, family, and friends. Here's an outline below; I encourage myself as well as you to prayerfully work through them if you wish to "win."

Step 1: Write down what makes you passionate.

List your top 2 areas of passion.

Examples: educating young people / helping people know God and be discipled

Step 2: Pinpoint your 2 greatest natural abilities.

Write your top 2 natural abilities.

Examples: managing / speaking / writing / teaching / painting

Step 3: Identify your spiritual gifts.

Write your top 2 spiritual gifts.

Examples: teaching / helps / administration

Step 4: Develop your personal mission statement.

Draft a personal mission statement.

Example: To be a thought leader in discipling young people for Christ, personal/spiritual development, and world missions.

Step 5: Define the position you best play on the team.

The best positions for me on the team are:
Examples: subject expert, people manager, process designer, marketer, board member

Step 6: Discover your spouse's goals and desires.

What is the single biggest area where your spouse's dreams overlap with your dreams or your areas of passion? Example: school travel tours / meeting and making friends

Step 7: Discover where your life needs better balance.

I am weakest in the area of: _________ Faith
_________ Fitness
_________ Family
_________ Friends

Example: fitness - I'm overweight I need exercise

Step 8: Plan your finances with an eternal perspective.

How much is enough? (relative to your present lifestyle):

How will our budget need to change?

Step 9: Set 5 goals.

What are your 5 top goals in life: ________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________

Step 10: How will you measure the results?

Write down 3 ways you will measure results in your own life?
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________

Examples: numeric - how many young people discipled? time spent doing exercise; controlling family expenses

As for myself, the general objective is to plan my life in terms of balance in all aspects -- faith, fitness, family, finances -- that frees up a maximum, sustainable part of my life time serving God and others.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart: I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " (Jeremiah 29: 11).

My Paul's Birthday

My boy Paul celebrates his birthday tomorrow. He's turning 10. Paul is my sweet, sunny, active-moving boy. He dances well, a la GaryV. I marvel where he got that talent, for his mother and I were never dancers! I'm treating him with gifts and birthday food. His hopes are up! I like and love my Paul.

When Success Brings Loss

Can success itself bring loss? For five years and even more, I worked feverishly on a degree and dissertation. Indeed, my final work, the dissertation, was examined and critiqued by no less than professors/Ph.Ds from University of the Philippines, Fuller Theological Seminary, University of Southern California etc. They approved it with flying colors and granted me the degree. I felt as if I had worked with all my heart and mind and soul and strength for that project. But, soon after, I felt bereft, insufficiently recognized by those I look up to. A case of human flaws, politics, or a combination of some things. God reminds me I cannot ask for recognition. It's not the Lord's servant place. All a servant of God can do is to work with all his or her heart, even though success itself may at times bring loss. I went away consoled. God opens new doors that hold a lot of promise. That made me recover a faithful self beyond the success.

What is God's Will in Your Life? (Part 1)

Decision making does not come easy for many of us. It takes correct information, perspective, and courage to walk the road. We do not always understand what's happening, especially those that affect our family, our job, our business, our lifestyle, our values, and beliefs.

Recently, my wife Imelda and I have been wrestling with this issue. Much of our life together have been invested serving God. We had to sacrifice our personal and family needs, had "left all to follow Jesus" (Mark 1:16-20). Was that enough? No, I say it was not! Jesus calls us to ongoing decision-making and change according to His directions and purposes in each specific season of our lives.

For the Christian, the first indispensable road sign to God's will is His Word. Not one's personal desires or circumstances. As Paul reminds the Galatians, "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3). When something contradicts a principle or moral will in Scripture, God's will is not to be found in that direction.

As an example, when choosing a mate, God's will is very clear in the Bible. The correct mate based on God's will is found among believers (2 Corinthians 6). So, to choose a mate who is an unbeliever is to decide outside of God's will in your life. If you miss this sign, you will not even be on the correct road to see the other further signs God has for you.

Proverbs 3: 5, 6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

The point? We need God's approval in all our decision-making. God's will cannot be discerned on the basis of one's own worldly or human understanding. We need to trust God and trust His wisdom. We need to acknowledge Him in each part of our life. By doing so, we reap a decision that is within His will and a life that is successful before His eyes.

Going back to my wife and I's struggle on what God's will is at this point in our life, we therefore go to Scripture first for guidance. We read it. We study it. We meditate upon it in order to find the direct commands or principles that relate to our specific areas of concern.

Remember, the first road sign: God Word.

(To be continued ... next road sign: circumstances)

Shooting Day!

Yesterday, when I went to my Bible study at URRDC's corporate office, I said "Ah!" Something's going on. Soon I found myself part of a shooting. Not with guns. But video taping and photography! All employees were being called to shoot video birthday greetings for a surprise party next week at Mission Hills. Fun. Have you guessed or located the real object? I hope not yet. It's surprise! These are all encouraging. Usually, the best thing employees do is go home after office. But then, there's nothing finer than the sense of family and belongingness one finds in this company. The longevity of this company's employees remains a continual surprise to those outside.

An Important Gift

There is one real deprivation. I decided it again this morning after Imelda went to the school to catch Christine. And, that is what? Not to be able to give the gift of one's life and His life to those one loves the most. I feel at times this gift would turn inward. Unable to be given. It becomes a heavy burden then. A kind of poison. It is as though the flow of life is stopping. Doing nothing to be better is making a mistake. I'm getting up again, deciding over and over that I ought to be different. It's always a dare.

The Promise of Youth

Nowadays, I got Robyn, Paulo, Estrel, and Angela as my active youth online. I see much promise in them. The advantage of their youth is they have internet! I often have only limited time on campus. But online they and I are able to connect with each other. Amazing. Didn't have that great thing in my much younger years.
"Rejoice, o young man, in your youth" (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Gratitude

I am filled with gratitude. I'm a man of the 21st century. One who can scrabble words into the screen of my computer. Practice my art. No time-consuming typewriter work or expensive paper and ink. Life is very short. And very uncertain too. I try to spend it as well as I can. And one way I do it is write in the intensities of daily life. I discover how it blends well with prayer and hearing God's gentle nudges. Leaves a legacy too to my family .... I also have something bigger than myself in my life. God. He answers the deep longings of my heart for significance and purpose for existence ... And also, my wife. I question the idea that I'll survive without her. I need her because I love her (not "love her because I need her" - there's a difference!). Of course, my children. To have them is a kind of life and not to have them is a kind of death. In every real sense, I'm thankful.

Good Feelings Not Required to Obey

When Imelda and I would ask our children Christine and Paul to do chores in the house, they often do not feel like doing them. They often refuse and try to find ways to avoid them! I sometimes fall into the same trap. I thought good feelings must precede my doing work. This lack of good feelings is at times a cause for me not to obey what God is saying to my heart to do. Hear what Jesus has to say about feelings and emotions in connection to doing. He said, "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them" (John 13:17). It's all backwards or opposite here now! When Jesus uttered those words, He just finished washing the disciples' feet. And the word "blessed" He used means "happy" in the original Bible language. Jesus points out that happiness or good feelings come by doing service, whether you feel like it or not. Good feelings are not required to obey and do service. The good feelings follow good works. If you're a Christian, God chooses you for good works. The service comes and then the emotional frame. "....you are happy if you do them!"

Where's the Lion?

I have a lion inside me. It frets with impatience. Hurries to and fro. Constantly, it needs to be tamed. When it roars, it eats me inside. That brings guilt, powered by pain. It's like Paul's "thorn in the flesh." Paul asked God several times to get rid of it. Yet it remained there. Why? Hear God's take, "My grace is sufficent for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). Lord, take the lion away from me! Maybe, the Lord will do it this time. It's a lion!

Half Time

And then there's midlife.

Bob Buford calls it "Halftime," the second half of one's lifetime. I don't know if you've heard of Thomas Jefferson. Maybe you've known him as once the president of the most powerful nation in the world today.

He reached halftime and this was what he wrote about it in Febraury 27, 1793: "The motion of my blood no longer keeps time with the tumult of the world. It leads me to seek for happiness in the lap and love of my family, in the society of my neighbors and my books, in the wholesome occupations of my farm and my affairs, in an interest or affection in every bud that opens, in every breath that flows around me."

He described the "firsthalf" of his life as follows: "worn down with labors from morning to night, and day to day, knowing them as fruitless to others as they are vexations to myself .... cut off from my family and friends, my affairs abandoned to chaos and derangement, in short giving everything I love in exchange for everything I hate."

Jefferson reached a decision on how he'd invest the second half of his life. He is American, but his heart journey is very similar to the one many middle-aged men and women travel today.

It's a universal longing.

Praised by God, Unpraised by Men

"No one stood with me, but all forsook me. . . . But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me." (2 Timothy 4:16-17) Have you ever experienced pouring your love and energy into something or someone and receiving no thanks? It happens all the time! It can also happen that you did your best but others received the credit for the work you've accomplished. Being human, it's just but natural to get hurt when we receive no appreciation for the good we have done for the other. Paul likewise went through times like that in his ministry when everyone abandoned him. Yet his focus was on the strength that God gave him “so that the message might be preached fully” through him (2 Timothy 4:16-17). Let's check our hearts when we give and serve. Our calling is simply to go on ministering, whether praised or unpraised by men. As Scripture also reminds us, "We serve God, not men."

Price of Life

One time, I was sitting. Trying to write something. Block. I was paralyzed by anxiety. It's something called pain. Praying. Trying to think of being relieved. Suddenly it dawned on me again. Pain is part of living. The alternative to pain is not happiness. It is death. So long as I choose to be alive, I would undergo various kinds of pain. That's the price of life. I choose pain. In that moment, I choose to move ahead despite the pain. The anxiety vanished.

Spiritual Vitamins A to Z

Faithwalk, a Christian Digest published a guide "Spiritual Vitamins A to Z". Here it is, good for all of us.

Anxious? Take Vitamin A (Rom 8:28)
Blue? Take Vitamin B (Ps 103: 1)
Crushed? Take Vitamin C (1 Pet 5:7)
Depressed? Take Vitamin D (James 4:8)
Empty? Take Vitamin E (Ps 100:4)
Fearful? Take Vitamin F (Is 41:10)
Greedy? Take Vitamin G (Luke 6:38)
Hesitant? Take Vitamin H (Is 52:7)
Insecure? Take Vitamin I (Phil 4:13)
Jittery? Take Vitamin J (Heb 3:8)
Know nothing? Take Viatmin K (Ps 100:3)
Lonely? Take Vitamin L (Matthew 28:20)
Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M (2 Cor 12:9)
Nervous? Take Vitamin N (Heb 13:5)
Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O (Rom 12:21)
Puzzled? Take Vitamin P (John 14:27)
Quitting? Take Vitamin Q (1 Cor 16:13)
Restless? Take Vitamin R (Ps 37: 7)
Scared? Take Vitamin S (1 Sam 22:23)
Tired? Take Viatmin T (Is 40:31)
Uncertain? Take Vitamin U (Is 43:10)
Vain? Take Vitamin V (Acts 5:16)
Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W (Micah 6:8)
eXhausted? Take Vitamin X (1 Tim 4:7)
Yearning for Hope? Take Vitamin Y (Ps 23:4)
Zapped? Take Vitamin Z (Titus 2:14)

Imagine the Apostle Paul Using Email, Chat Room, and Blog!

I wonder about what the Apostle Paul would think about the internet if he had it in his ministry. Instead of handwritten letters to the churches at Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi etc., I imagine him writing different emails. He'd get quick answers from the churches and need not wait for them till his next visits! I also imagine the Apostle Paul using the chat room to confer with Timothy, Barnabas, or other church leaders. Even though he may be so far away from them, he'll still be able to communicate to them instantly. And I also imagine the Apostle Paul constantly writing in his blog every day. He's a passionate, God-called writer and I suspect he'll love the blog very much. His blog will leave a legacy of encouragement and training to the early church's brethren. Imagine, the Apostle Paul, just one click away! Could the first century church had advanced faster then with the internet? Let's ask the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:31 Waiting Upon The Lord

I wait for the Lord for many things. Isaiah 40:31 gives me strength in my waiting: "Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." That tells it all. The word "wait" means "stretching in order to become strong." I'm reminded of hemp. Hemp gains far greater strength when you stretch it. That's what happens when I wait for the Lord, I stretch, gathering strength ... Look at the 3 Things Isaiah says will happen to those who wait for the Lord: 1. "they will mount up with wings like eagles" 2. "they will run and not get tired" 3. "they will walk and not become weary." I don't know about you, but for me, I want to fly, run, and walk freely like that!

Would you like to see and hear the Phil Anthem?

I want to share the following Philippine Anthem music video with you:



Click here to watch and hear it.

The Bible and Homosexuality

Yesterday, my wife and her friend Nitz went out together. A conversation transpired between them about a man who left his wife and five children to be with another man. Some mention was also made about homosexual behavior in the church (even among pastors!). While my wife was sharing about it to me this morning, we joked with each other and I seemed to enjoy it. But later, I realized we were making fun of something that God specifically condemns in His Word. I had to repent.

Homosexuality, simply defined, means sexual behavior with same sex. It can be applied to both male and female. The male homosexuals, we call "gay." Homosexuals who are females, we use the term "lesbian."

According to the Bible, God our Creator specifically condemns and forbids homosexual behavior.

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22; see also Leviticus 20:13)

"For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another..." (Romans 1:26-27)

The Bible describes homosexual behavior as animalistic rather than human. Thus, because such behavior is essentially animalistic, those who practice it are actually called "sodomites" and "dogs" in the Bible.

"There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination unto the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 23:17,18 KJV)

The Bible not only describes homosexuality as detestable and condemnable. It also calls for the divine punishment of those involved (Leviticus 20:13). The homosexual perversions of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gommorah caused God to rain fire and brimstone in their city in the days of Abraham. Their unrepentant attitude led to their destruction and judgment of God (Genesis 19:24-25).

God punished homosexual conduct in the past. So, it will also be punished by God today and in the future.

"...Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

For the Christian who believes the Bible, there can be no doubt that homosexuality is a grievious sin in the sight of God. Despite great pressure from society to tolerate or accept homosexual behavior, the Bible makes it so plain that it's really unnatural and animalistic wickedness. Those who fear God must reject it.

At the same time, we cannot forget the fact that Christ died for our sins. That includes the sin of homosexuality. "Hate the sin, but love the sinner" surely applies to homosexuals. Homosexuals need to be prayed for and "loved into the Kingdom," no matter how hard it may be.

Note the Apostle Paul's admonition about the very real possibility of such deliverance:

Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ...shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV)

On Monsters and Dragons in Online Games

It's not hard to see how many of today's youth are addicted to online fantasy role-playing games. The games gobble up a lot of these young people as they spend hours in internet cafes or private rooms, engrossed in their "game."

It's a time-eating monster! Nobody knows how many students are flunking in their subjects or out of school because they don't go to class or do their assignments. Many of these youth seem more committed to playing their game than keeping their commitments in school or family.

In the Christian school where my kids go, school officials have been monitoring and forbidding students from going to internet cafes nearby during class hours. They also took the initiative to petition the building administrations around to observe the policy they're enforcing. I'm glad my kids are in a relatively "safe" school.

The most popular online games, I also observe, often raise the level of possibility of contact with the satanic realm. Images that I see embedded in these games are often in the form of dungeons, dragons, monsters, and other black creatures. When teenagers or kids play magic, demonic, or occultic practices of power presented in a friendly way online, they are accepting the very things that God condemns. Our youth is in danger. They are made to buy a lie.

The resource megasite, Christian Answers, asks the following helpful questions when reviewing today's online games in the market. Their RATINGS range between 5 (good) to 1 (very bad) for... a.) Christian/Moral Perspective (Is the game anti-Christian and immoral in any way?) b.) Violence (Is it violent? Does it encourage violent behavior? Etc.) c.) Adult Content (Sexual encounters, nudity, or suggestive or sexually immoral material?) d.) Game play (Is the game fun to play? High quality? and other game play issues). Learn more about it here.

If the Bible is our guide, we must guard against types of electronic games that fantasize about evil things that God has forbidden. " ... so that we may walk worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects" (Colossians 1:10).

Introducing My Faith Shapers, Odd Fishes

I love, and am grateful to God for, the following people who helped shaped my Christian faith. It's an odd assortment of fish! Most are Christian writers and pastors. But I also included non-believers who also gave me insights about what it means to be a Christian. If you're looking for spiritual companionship or mentoring in your faith journey, I recommend that you look for these names that influenced me in different stages of my faith journey: Philip Yancey. Henri Nouwen. Charles Ringma. G. Lloyd Rediger. H.B. London. Neil Wiseman. Steve Murrell. Martin Luther King Jr. G.K. Chesterton. Paul Brand. Robert Coles. Leo Tolstoy. Fyodor Dostoevsky. Mahatma Gandhi. C. Everett Koop. John Donne. Anne Dillard. Frederick Buenchener. Shusaku Endo. Chuck Swindoll. John MacArthur. Rick Warren. Peter Tsukahira. Rice Broocks. Gary Collins. William Girao. Harold Sala. Joel Osteen.

Time Thoughts

Time is a most precious possession. When I was much younger, I felt old. Or, trying to be old. But soon, Christine, Paul, and Angel will be grown and I'll feel young. Or, try to be younger. Sharing with high school or college-level youth, it takes moments for me to reach a state of being young again. I sometimes linger reminiscing my past high school or college life! How time flies. Things can be a constant surprise. Every time I'm called to run to see what happens next. Psalm 31: 15 - "My times are in Your hands ...."

Why I Write This Weblog

This weblog is very personal. It's about inner emotions and thoughts I go through. Here, you read a soul. Sometimes troubled, sometimes exhilarated. So, in a sense, you're in dangerous ground. Wait. Today, I may be telling your story! You see it isn't only for me. As humans, we share pretty much the same passions and joys. Also, heartaches. Things like doubts, fear, or self-abuse. So, be careful. You might cry a lot. You might fight your self. But things must be told. And it goes on and on. My hope is that, in the end, you affirm yourself and thereby the meaning God has for our lives.

You have brains? It's not enough!

Society tells us that if you get good education, you'll be a decent person. The world will be a better place with your better education. But experience and the Bible show us something different. Over and over, we find examples of people with brains but who fall short in the area of moral judgment and good choices. The "brainiest" man who ever lived was not wise and filled with bad decisions. King Solomon, author of much of the book of Proverbs, wrote, “Keep your heart with all diligence” (4:23) and “Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding” (14:33). Despite knowing the connection between the heart and wisdom, the king disobeyed God by marrying foreign women who “turned his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:4). As a result, the Lord said, “I will surely tear the kingdom away from you” (v.11). Having real brains involves possessing wisdom that comes from a heart that is devoted to Him.

Babies in Heaven?

I was being asked and emailed by young people this question yesterday and last night: "Will babies go to heaven?" To tell you the truth, it's a difficult question for the Bible appears incomplete in addressing the matter. That's theology already. However, we can take a glimpse of the answer by hearing Jesus' words about children: "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14). Theirs is the Kingdom of God! Today, the general attitude of Christian theology is that babies will go to heaven. Faith in Christ presupposes knowledge, responsibility, and power to exercise it. Children dying in infancy do not possess these requirements yet. So, they are "innocent." Do you think a loving Father would prevent these "innocent" babies to enter heaven?

Facing Worries About the Future

At times, Christians worry like the unbelievers. When we think and behave like the world, we will worry like the world. When we crave for things like the world, we will worry like the world. This happens when our mind is not centered on God. Because of that, our mind will always find cause to worry.

The English word "worry" originates from an old German word meaning to "strangle, or choke." That is exactly what worry does to you and I. Worry leads to mental and emotional strangulation. This in turn causes more mental and physical sufferings than any other causes. Worry might be the sin that most people, including Christians, commit more often than any other.

God expects His children to be different from the world. I'm always reminded of what the Lord Jesus said about this matter: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 25-34)

I see Jesus giving us 3 reasons here why worrying is sin:

1.) Worrying is unfaithfulness to God.(v. 25)
It reveals no, little, or defective faith in God.

2.) Worrying is unnecessary.(vv.26-30)
It reveals that you do not fully trust our Father's promises.

3.) Worrying is unwise. (v. 34)
It reveals you're being mastered by circumstances or outside needs.

Does that mean that you don't do anything at all about your needs or future? Remember, there is a difference between "being concerned about the future" and "being worried about the future." "Being concerned about the future" means taking normal precautions and preparations for the future whereas "being worried about the future" involves obsessing and getting afraid about circumstances.

Instead of worrying about the future, there are healthy, constructive things that we can do. Jesus says, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"(Phil. 4:6-7).

If you believe that God can save you from sin, take you to heaven, and give you eternal life, then how can you not believe that God will take care of you the rest of your earthly days? Stop worrying now and place your complete trust in God and His promises!

Living By God's Values

"But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16)
I teach values to about 100 young people each week as part of their values education subject. That's a great opportunity. There emerges every good reason and opportunity to ask with the kids what kinds of values they need to learn. It's more likely they don't learn enough of God's values out there in the world. We have a culture that's filled with materialism and devalues life's purpose and meaning. As I teach them the Bible each week, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will make them open their hearts and minds to God's larger vision of life and live accordingly.

A New Place of Philippine Cultural Treasures

I found a new place to regularly visit to know more deeply about the Philippines. It's Tesoro's "Culture Bearers: The Filipino Living Treasures" collections in Manila. Here's a description of the place from its brochure: "The Philippines is not Manila alone. The Philippines is Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao -- a composite title for a group of 7,107 islands that adorn the Pacific seas. Every isle is a pearl of distinct loveliness to cherish; every ethnic group of Filipinos has a special story to tell. A visitor to the Philippines will find it difficult to really know our fair country during the short time alloted to his stay here. Because we are proud of our land and our people, we have gathered a rich and varied collection of our nation's products and built Tesoro's treasure house of things Philippine. Igorot masterpieces from the hinterlands, exquisite woodcarvings from the lowlands, native handbags from the Bicol Peninsula, magnificent hand-embroidery from the central regions, delicate pineapple and banana silk fibers from the sunny Visayas, exotic brass from the Muslim South -- a thousand and one items to delight the eyes of the beholder. The present day Filipino is a child of a commingling of diverse races. This is the secret of the admirable versatility of his talents. This is the reason why so many variant products have emanated from the workings of the nation's soul. The management of Tesoro's have endeavoured to bring under one roof a complete display of the many treasures of Philippine handicraft. It will therefore not be an exaggeration to say that "A VISIT TO TESORO'S IS A VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES IN MINIATURE."
.+

What Do You Confess?

"Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." (Mark 11: 23, 24).

Be careful about what you say or confess. WHAT YOU CONFESS, YOU POSSESS!

ENLI Day 4

Sonny gives an enriched and helpful - and may I add, simple - course to guide one's thinking about prayer. Time is brief, but you don't need long lectures on prayer. What you need is long, quality prayer practice times! Well, most of us know about the primary importance of prayer to build up our relationship with God. We need to do it more! Nothing outside ourselves - including Satan - is strong enough to cause us to sin if we nourish a healthy prayer life. Isn't that so simple to realize? Would you practice it?

Join this community and your life will change!

I miss you. So, I created this. Join it here.
CHEERS!

Bringing Faith to Work

There is something that I used to believe. I thought that total commitment to faith in Christ means becoming a "full time" pastor or worker in the church. Somehow, I got the idea that work done as a clergyman or inside the local church is "more holy" than that done in business, marketplace, or any profession.

This is Scripturally incorrect. Christ's own life and example is a key. Jesus Himself was a carpenter, not a known clergyman. And He called 12 working men to be His disciples. He could had chosen to be born in a family of priests/pastors and be one Himself, but He was not.

God calls every believer to be a "full time priest" whereever he or she is. This is the biblical concept of the "priesthood of all believers" where the forgiven church is called "a kingdom, priests to his God and Father" (Rev. 1:6; cf. 5:10; 20:6). In the New Testament, the church's priesthood is corporate. No individual leader is called "priest." Every Christian is called to be a priest, active in Christ.

So, whatever your job or work is, it involves the question such as: "Are you a Christian driver? a Christian doctor? a Christian businessman? a Christian office employee? a Christian writer? a Christian laundrywoman? a Christian professor? a Christian webmaster?" And so on and so forth. All of us who are faithful Christians need to recapture the vision that our primary job is to be a witness to the one next to us in our daily work.

There is a worldwide revolution going on. Jesus Christ Himself is our leader. When we serve Him, He wants us to view our jobs with the eyes of faith and not merely a means of earning a livelihood. Our present jobs, businesses, or employments are places where, as Christian revolutionaries, we contribute to achieve Christ's revolution in the hearts and lives of people anywhere.

Gospel Drama Skit, Song, and Dance at RGSMC

It didn't surprise me a bit. Christian Korean youth are a people of talent and excellence in music and creative arts. They always stood out from the crowd. They did it again at RGSMC with their dancing, singing, and drama presentation. When I took them there, I thought we'll have limited audience. But the students and staff just came and watched enthusiastically. Watchers clapped hands, shouting "More! More!" Great witness for the Gospel.

Rey Corpuz from Turkey Mission

Rey Corpuz, visiting from Victory Turkey mission. Good to see him again and his wife and son during worship today. Pastor Rey was first to shepherd us when we first came to Victory about 3 years ago and prior to their being sent to Turkey. When we see an ice berg, we see only a small part of it. I heard some nice comments about pastor Rey this morning, which was the "something deeper than the surface" of the iceberg about him ... The Book of James sermon passage on the tongue reminds me again of the power of this little muscle to give life or death. Speak carefully. Speak graciously. Speak truthfully. Time to repent and improve for once more! Edmund Burke puts it this way: "Applaud us when we run; console us when we fall; Cheer us when we recover." That's a positive, anointed tongue.

RGSMC Dialogue with Parents

I went to a parents' orientation in RGSMC this morning. Parents had a chance to dialogue with school officials and faculty. It's a challenging task God has given RGSMC (and every other school around). Schools deal with people's souls and lives. Somehow, during the dialogue, I got the impression that parents expect the school to do "everything." A false sense of priorities can envelope the thinking of parents, and in the process project their shortcomings to the school. Of course, RGSMC is sensitive to its own shortcomings and wants to improve for the best. I look forward to a continuing parent-school partnership and dialogue at RGSMC. It's healthy and life-giving to both sides.