Amazing Grace!

HIS Grace in October: Bringing it to God

2011-11-12T16:12:00.001+08:00

Oct 11, 2011

My nephew is admitted in EastAvenue Hospital and stays there until Oct 20. During his stay, he changes, heis now weaker and he cannot recognize his surroundings. He is standing andgrabbing something, walking, jumping - in other words he just can't bear thepain that he is experiencing. Maybe because, all of his strength is focusing onfighting the pain, he doesn't have the consciousness to eat and so the doctorsdecided to feed him thru needles (feeding him in his blood veins).

He went on CT Angiogram and the result showsthat the ruptured vein in his brain is deep and only an Endovascular Surgeoncan do the procedure, meaning it is a critical operation that a specializedsurgeon is needed. The challenge is that there are only 2 EndoSurgeons in thePhilippines and there is a small chance that my nephew can have the availabilityof these two surgeons. Our estimate is that my nephew will wait for a minimumof 1 month to be operated, and if that is so, not only that my nephew will keepon bearing the pain for a month or so but also the hospital cost will rise.

The other challenge is the expensive surgeon feeand the cost of the operation which is estimated to be around P600,000. Estimatedoverall cost will be around P700,000 including hospital stay, medicines andother charges. The money is needed as soon as possible. My brother is only a labourerand earning a minimum wage, how could he produce this kind of money? We, hisimmediate family are not that rich either and our resources to help him arealso limited. The situation is not to our own now, we need to look up and continue asking theOne who controls it all. Our family needs to continually look to God and bring it to Him in prayer.

In our prayer we hold to this…

Philippians4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but ineverything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests toGod.

1Kings 8:28

Yet give attention to your servant's prayerand his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that yourservant is praying in your presence this day.

And you know what God did? I will share it withyou next time…

HIS Grace in October: Calling The Name of The Lord

2011-11-05T08:44:00.001+08:00

Oct 5, 2011 - the date when I got a call from my mother telling me the news that my nephew has a severe headache of his life. My elder brother who was very worried on that time managed to bring his son to a nearby hospital. My nephew didn't know what to do while experiencing an excruciating pain in his lifetime - felt helpless...and just shouted - "Help me Lord!"

Romans 10:11-13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”^[a] ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. ¹³ For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”^[b

In that very instant, when my nephew called the name of the Lord, I strongly believe that he is sincere in his heart, even though he doesn't have a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ yet. At that very moment, when he called the name of the Lord, God provided HIS compassion, mercy and grace to my nephew and triggers the goodness that happened afterwards (which I will write in the next series about this topic). Why do I say in that very instant? Well, because the Lord promises that HE will reveal himself and never put to shame those who call HIS name. God will also make sure that the one who called HIS name will come into the decision point of accepting HIS Son. That HE will convict that he is a sinner and he needs Jesus Christ as his God and Savior.

Do you have that inkling to know God? God is revealed through Jesus. Jesus is the exact representation of God. Do you want a life changing decision?
Go to this link: http://www.navigators.org/us/resources/illustrations/items/bridge

...till next time.

San Miguel Corp and Benham Rise – are these God’s answer to our prayers?

2011-09-17T16:18:00.003+08:00

Seems like God is starting to move HIS mighty hand, would it be that these events are HIS answers to our prayers?

Observation #1: San Miguel Corporation bought Petron, ExxonMobil and the potential undersea plateau Benham rise which is rich in natural gas and even oil. Would it be that God is providing enough resources, capital and experience to San Miguel Corporation in terms of energy management and exploration so that HE can use the conglomerate to mine the Benham rise? Imagine the future; San Miguel Corporation will be the same with Shell, BP, Caltex and the other bigger players in the industry. Imagine a 100% (I might not correct on this, it might be 90% or lower than that, please comment to correct me) Filipino brand as one of the biggest energy exporter.

Observation #2: We are now feeling the shift of economy. The economy is shifting from North to South and from West to East. China is now awake and their presence in the world economically is now felt. The good thing about this is that they are investing in our country. Sooner or later, there are more Asian companies that will rise. Because of Asian interconnected economies, there are more Filipino companies that will rise too and invest to nearby countries. Isn’t it that this is God’s hand working in this part of the globe to our advantage?

Observation #3: Our President, PNoy is serious and determined to clean the Philippines from corruption. PNoy is starting to expose corrupt practices in the government. Would it be that God’s hand is also on this? Although our country will attract investments and generate more jobs, if a big percentage of our tax will go to someone else’s pocket and will not cycle back to the improvement of our infrastructures, education, health and other key areas in the government – still – our progress is slow or the same. Isn’t it that this is God’s hand working on our government?

The three above are observations and I don’t know if they will happen. God is the only one Almighty and All-knowing. Though, there is one sure thing that I do know – God answers prayers.

Matthew 7:9-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

So my brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s continue praying incessantly. Let’s go to the throne of God and pray that HE will heal and bless the Philippines. Only God can change our country.

2 Chronicles 7:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Still curious? Visit Joel Rosenberg’s blog – he is analyzing current events based in Scriptures.

You are really curious? How about knowing the bridge of life?

…till next time.

Sin Sensitivity

2011-08-20T20:09:00.000+08:00

John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her"

Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged"

I am not saying all but we (yes, that’s includes me!) have this tendency in criticizing both believers of Christ and non-believers about their major visible sins. And we forgot to check ourselves for “cute” sins. I will use cute because sometimes we rationalize that those minimal sins or non-visible sins on our lives are cute that we don’t confront them but instead tolerate them.

The book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges explains the sins that we tolerate. This is a good reading for an individual and a good material for group study. In this book, Jerry Bridges wrote:

The motivation for this book stems from a growing conviction that those of us whom I call conservative evangelicals may have become preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more “refined” or subtle sins.

While seeking to address these “respectable” sins, however, I also want this to be a book of hope. We are never to wallow hopelessly in our sins. Rather, we are to believe the gospel through which God has dealt with both the guilt of our sin and its dominion over us.

The gospel, though, is only for sinners, for those who recognize their need of it. Many Christians think of the gospel as only for unbelievers. Once we trust in Christ, so the thinking goes, we no longer need the gospel. But, as I seek to bring our in this book, the gospel is a vital gift from God not only for our salvation but also to enable us to deal with the ongoing activity of sin in our lives. So we still need the gospel every day.

Respectable Sins cover the most common sins that we tolerate such as:

· Ungodliness
· Anxiety and Frustration
· Discontentment
· Unthankfulness
· Pride
· Selfishness
· Lack of Self-Control
· Impatience and Irritability
· Anger
· The weeds of Anger
· Judmentalism
· Envy, Jealousy, and Related Sins
· Sins of the Tongue
· Worldliness

Daddy!

2011-03-03T07:42:00.001+08:00

³⁶ And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

(Mark 14:36, New King James Version)

Jumping high with my children

"Abba", an endearing term, intimate in Aramaic term that is equivalent to the English word "Daddy". Jesus called His Father "Abba", crying out, reaching out to God the Father intimately. Jesus shows us what we should do when talking to God in prayer; we will call-out to God "Abba". Let us also be intimate and dependent to God.

This is also how we encourage our children to come to us. Are you the father who is passive? Gadgets, hobbies and career are much more important that your children? God modelled to us how to be "listeners". Open your space to be intimate with your children and guide them to their adulthood that they will depend on you for source of godly counsel.

How many times your children call you daddy today? I suggest take that call of your children seriously. Don't ignore it, pay attention to it.

Affirmations

2011-01-30T01:56:00.002+08:00

When was the last time you gave affirmation to your children? Affirming our children is a Biblical method of parenting. It will boost our children's confidence and if rooted in Christ it will surely boost their dependence on God. Not only their dependency on God but on how they view themselves and reverence God as their Father. Make affirmation your tool to encourage your children to do the right things for God. Here are some advise:

1.) Put terms of endearment in your family. Like for me, I call my son, "The Apple of My Eye" and my daughter as "Darling". Terms of endearment touches the heart of our children, it goes to their very soul. Besides, God calls us also in many terms of endearment.
¹ But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
      And He who formed you, O Israel:

      “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
      I have called you by your name;
      You are Mine.        (Isaiah 43:1, New King James Version)

⁸ For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (Zechariah 2:8, New King James Version)

⁶ “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6, New King James Version

2.) Initiate the terms of endearment. God initiated by calling us encouraging names where HIS love for us is sealed. Do this also to your children. Better yet, start it immediately if you haven't

¹⁷ And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, New King James Version)

3.) Let them know that whatever they will do, your love for them will not tarnish. They will not be condemned if they made mistakes. Besides, God never condemned us and we shouldn't be condemning our children when they make mistakes.
¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1, New King James Version)

Me with "The Apple of My Eye" and my "Darling"

Boost Your Immune System

2011-01-16T00:38:00.006+08:00

⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:7, New King James Version)
¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10, New King James Version)
³ Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3, New King James Version)

It has been said that affections improve health and I do believe this because this is Biblical. I also witness how affections improve or even boost my wife, me and my children's immune system. I remember when me and my wife are working at the same time and Ben was 2 years old – most of the time Ben usually gets sick.

We saw the changes in his health especially his immune system getting better and stronger when my wife stopped working and focus solely on him. I will talk about our experiences and the benefits to the family when the wife stays home in my future blogs. For the meantime, let's talk about affections J

I know you will agree with me, especially to fathers that we have headaches, I mean literal headaches. We have headaches regularly. This kind of physical headache has another name which is migraine. I usually have migraine when I do have stressful work, but I thank God for the affections of my family that whenever it happens, all I have to do is to hug and kiss my wife and my kids then gradually the pain will go away. I don't know the reason behind this, what I only know is that being affectionate is Biblical.

I remember one day that I decided to nap because of migraine, and my nap is disturbed by someone. She disturbed me by kissing me too many times in the cheek. Still sleepy, I opened my eyes happily to see who this person is. Getting back on my consciousness, the hazy smiling little face became clearer and clearer and lo and behold - it was my daughter. The affectionate kiss and the warm smile of my dearest daughter boost my immune system and made my migraine gradually flew away.

I encourage you to make your home affection rich. Some of my advise to boost your family immune systems are:

My daughter playfully hiding under the pillows.

Hug and kiss your spouse regularly in front of your children

Kiss your children regularly and kiss them hard on the cheek. Kiss them on the cheek, like there is no tomorrow. Do this while they are still young.

Wrestle with them, play with them. Play with their favourite plays like: hide and seek, piggy backing, rolling on the floor, jumping (with extra care). Play the customized game that they will invent. I assure you; you will enjoy it and will boost your immune system. As for me, the customized game that I play with my children is kung-fu J

…till next time.

Will you let your children play video games?

2011-01-02T23:36:00.005+08:00

You may thought that letting your child spends 4 or more hours a day in playing video game is normal. Well, read this. I hope this will be an eye opener.

I am not saying that I am totally against video games. There are video games there which are educational, the point to emphasize here is regulating your children's time in digital media. My suggestion is don't give them the gadgets nor even buy for them video game system at the early age.

"Those who develop patterns of natural play rather than virtual play are more likely to become well-rounded, happy adolescents" - Focus on the Family.
My children with their cousin playing "in the box" and not "outside the box".

(taken from Focus on the Family, read full article here)

Mistake No. 1: Starting young. The earlier a child begins playing electronic games, the sooner he or she is exposed to the patterns that lead to addiction. Children who become accustomed to junk food lose their appetite for healthy eating. Similarly, kids also acquire a "taste" for certain kinds of recreation. Those who develop patterns of natural play rather than virtual play are more likely to become well-rounded, happy adolescents. Those who are introduced to the dopamine-inducing high of prolonged video-game play often become bored with any other recreation.
Mistake No. 2: Creating easy access. Four out of five children over 8 years old own a video-game system. The risk of video-game addiction increases dramatically when your child owns a system, because then it is much harder to control the amount of time spent playing. As with any other behavioral addiction, easy access to the object of obsession makes it difficult to avoid pitfalls.
Mistake No. 3: Using video games as a reward. While the benefit of motivating kids to complete school assignments and other tasks may seem like a positive aspect to video-game obsession, the long-term consequences far outweigh any short-term gain. Using video games to motivate kids reinforces the notion that working, reading and learning are necessary evils rather than rewards in themselves. Other motivational rewards — such as an ice-cream date with Dad or an outing with Mom — are more effective and avoid feeding video-game obsession.
Mistake No. 4: Allowing "just one more level." When asked to shut off the video-game system, most children rarely obey without first trying to prolong their play. Invariably they respond with a plea for just one more level or more time to defeat the current villain. As a result, many parents end up allowing their child to spend much more time playing video games than they intended. As one recovering video-game addict said, "If you say you intend to restrict the amount of time a child spends, you better ask yourself whether you can really do it. Kids are very good at pushing for more time."
Mistake No. 5: Ignoring your gut. Many parents have a bad feeling about the amount of time their child spends playing and talking about video games. They have a nagging sense that allowing so much video-game time may have long-term consequences. But they second-guess the feeling, writing it off as old-fashioned or too strict. Besides, they would rather avoid the inevitable conflict that comes from restricting or removing the game system. You know your child better than anyone else; trust your gut and intervene to help your child live a fulfilling life.

...till next time

Legacy of a Father

2010-12-27T10:53:00.001+08:00

A Father's influence to his children is I believe given by God. A father is accountable to God on how he influences his children. Is his influence for glorifying God or glorifying himself?

The influence of John Ashcroft's father to him is profound and founded in Christ. In his book "On My Honor" he says

The unique aspects of Christ's experience in the cross was that it was the sacrifice with meaning for every man, woman and child who had ever lived or who would ever born in the years to come. It mean so much that we literally break history by the birth of Christ, counting all the years before HIS coming as one epoch, and every year after as yet another.

These lessons came together when, as a twenty-three-year-old on that round-the-world trip, I watched my father closely, seeing how his eyes danced with the good reports given by his former students. I drank in the deep, soul-felt laughter that comes when genuine relationships are renewed after many years. I followed the footsteps of a man who clearly knew the fulfilment of a noble, eternal mission. And I wanted to be like that man.

It is clearly illustrated in his book that his father's first priority is to lead him to Christ. His father models it to him.

…till next time.

Toys

2010-12-18T08:28:00.000+08:00

This Christmas time, toys are one of the most given gifts and the most bought gifts. More so, parents should be wary for the toys that they've given to their children, either directly from them or given by others (close relatives, close friends, friend of friends, etc.). Some toys encourage things that you don't desire but subtly influencing your children. Things such as lust, violence, aggressiveness and even blasphemy.

Choose toys that encourage learning, creativity, masculinity for boys, femininely for girls and serving others. Be on your guard that the toys you provide to your children aligned what the Bible teaches. Ask God for discernment on what to give to your children.

Let me share with 3 criteria:

Ben and Ella as KungFu Panda's with Wolverine.
NOTE: They don't have X-men toys it is not yet time for them :)

Play and inspect the toy by yourself first-hand to see what it suggests. Take seriously the sounds, the shapes, the color and the texts in the toy. Some sounds attracts unclean spirits especially those sounds that you don't understand. There are many bargain toys out there in the market with sounds that you don't understand. I bought one for my daughter for only 50 pesos, but when my wife inspects it, she is worried about the sounds (thanks to my wife!). But I warn you not to be legalist, there might be an instance that you will throw the toy because it doesn't pass the criteria. I suggest – try to make ways to remove only the unwanted part. As an example, going back to the toy that I bought for 50 pesos. The text, shapes passed my criteria and I just disabled the sound on that toy.

Check if the toy will not hurt others. Some swords, guns, arrow and bows and even cars with sharp edges can hurt your children and others. Regulate and minimize giving these toys to your children

Always asks, does the toy encourage learning? Some toys are built purposely so that your child will learn and enhance their creativity and resourcefulness. Maximize in giving these toys to your children.

Homeschooling, theatre style!

2010-12-13T07:33:00.004+08:00

It sure has been an exhausting preparation for my wife. Staying with my son during practices and during the dress rehearsal, thinking about how to personify the cow costume are some of the activities my wife enduredJ. Nevertheless, I saw her full of enthusiasm and full of energy because of her love for my son Ben and of course because of the sustaining power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ben and Ella with Abby in PETA theater

At last, the moment came – Dec 11, 2010, Saturday, TMA Homeschool's recital entitled "A Christmas Tale," at the PETA theater. The program started with the theater arts kids' performance of "A Christmas Carol", followed by a series of musical performances by TMA Homeschool's music and arts students. In this musical performance where my son played his violin for an enjoyable 1 minute. Music has been instrumental for me and my wife in forming the character of our son and eventually one of the avenues of teaching how to express the goodness of God. Just like David in his Psalms.

Kuya Ben's #1 fan

⁷ My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise. (Psalm 57:7, New King James Version)

Death

2010-11-20T22:23:00.001+08:00

Somewhere in our lifetime we will be meeting our death. Rich, poor, powerful, famous, not famous, healthy, not healthy, all of us will meet death. It is universal. Death is the great equalizer. The question is where will our soul would be after that. The Bible says that there are two deaths: physical and spiritual. Jesus warns us that we have to be afraid of God who can kill both body and soul. God declared that ALL mankind souls are destined to never-ending punishment. And because of HIS grace, mercy and love for us, HE sent HIS Son to be our substitute for that punishment. All the sins of this world is poured out to Jesus 2000 years ago.

God also declared that to be exempted in HIS punishment - all you have to do is believe that Jesus is your substitute. Once you truly believe, God will exempt you from HIS never-ending punishment. Some won't believe this simplicity but it is clearly written in the Bible that - yes, all you have to do is to BELIEVE and nothing else.

BELIEVE and do these three simple steps.

Close your eyes and say a prayer today and talk to Jesus. If you feel like you don't know how to pray, what you can do is to imagine that you are talking to a closest friend. Thank HIM for receiving the punishment of God for you. Tell HIM about anything, bad and good things that you have done, happiness, disappointments, sorrows or success in your life. Tell HIM anything that you can think of. If you feel like you want to cry it out to HIM. Go ahead, and cry it out.
If you have a Bible with you, open it and read some verses. You can start with a one liner verse if this suits you for now. Continue to do this everyday.
Learn more about Jesus by searching the internet and join a group that study about HIM.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28, New King James Version)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, New King James Version)

Secured Love

2010-11-13T11:35:00.007+08:00

"squeeze-cheeking" with my chidlren

Nov 7, 2010 - this is the second time that I see my son's tears of joy.

Fresh from attending my small group and it is still fresh in my mind the lesson I got there which is the principle of obedience, I immediately initiated to talk about it to my children. While calling them to go to bed, I reminded them to obey and shared to them that obedience is without challenge, without excuse and without delay. Upon the urge of my wife, I expounded the meaning of "challenge", "excuse" and "delay". What I am expecting is resistance from my children, resistance that they will treat my talk to them as boring, but I found myself wrong because they asked too many questions. They asked examples of "without challenge", "without excuse" and "without delay". Until that discussion leads to the love of Christ, leads to the story that God sent HIS Son to die in the cross as our substitute. We deserve to be punished, destined to be tormented forever but God choose to reunite us through HIS Son. Every time my son hears us explaining the grace of God, the tears flow in his eyes and will always say "these are tears of joy Mommy, Daddy"

Leading our children to Christ and letting them feel the grace of God starts with us. Children are most receptive in believing Christ if they feel that there is no condemnation from their parents. They are most receptive when they feel and see that they are loved. I would like to share with you four things that you can do to make your love known to your children.

Spend time with them. Make an effort to free up quantity time for your children

Show them that they are not condemned when they've done wrong by forgetting about those mistakes made in past. Don't bring it up again when they make the same mistakes, rather, point them always that what they done offended God. Point to them that mistakes that offended God start from their heart

Verbalize your love to them. Say things like "You know son, I like building the bird house with you", "Son, I like gardening with you", "Son do you know that I love you?" Make your home language rich, rich in expressing love through words

And most importantly, always let your children know the secured love of Christ. As the famous line says "there is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less"

   The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
      “ Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
      Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
       (Jeremiah 31:3, New King James Version)

Love Triangle

2010-10-30T21:09:00.001+08:00

Your impression probably about love triangle is that it is: problematic, painful, full of jealousy and full of sacrifice. Yes, indeed, those are the characteristics.

The love triangle that I am referring to is similar although it is not problematic and painful. Yes, it is full of jealousy and full of sacrifice. It is also exciting, secure and everlasting.

This love triangle is between God, husband and wife. God at the top and husband and wife are in the bottom.

This love triangle is:

Exciting, because you don't know what God will do next, the couple is always depending on HIM and always revering HIS name. Trusting God all along because God knows best
Secured, because God promised that HE will never forsake nor never leave those who are in HIM
Everlasting, because HIS love is everlasting. God will love the couple no matter who they are.
Full of jealousy, because God is jealous and He will never share the couple with the devil, Satan. HE has this promised to us that Satan can't touch us, he can only influence us but cannot touch us. HE is full of jealousy that HE will protect and provide for the couple. HE will take care of running the family that will call HIS name
Full of sacrifice, because HE sent HIS Son to be a substitute of the couple in the punishment that will soon come. Human beings fell with Adam and nobody on earth can meet the high standard that God declared. Only a God that became a sinless human being can do that. And so HE sent HIS son as a substitute of all human beings on earth and poured HIS wrath on Jesus. Jesus bears all of that judgement on HIM. And now, it is a matter of a decision whether you believe that story or not. And those who believe will be exempted and be with God in the new heaven and new earth when HE destroyed this earth by fire. Do you know Jesus already? Do you want to know about HIS sacrifice, you can read more here.

When husband and wife are fully submitting to the authority of Jesus, making their relationship centered in Jesus, their marriage will be harmonious. Yes, there would be "bumps" or "down" moment but since the couple is fixing their relationship to Jesus, they will be back on track soon. Jesus is the sustainer of all. The more the couple get close to Jesus the more they will get close to each other.

Is your marriage in limbo right now? Try this - know who Jesus is. Submit your life to HIM and let HIM run your marriage.

Love and Forgiveness

2010-10-19T23:50:00.001+08:00

At early age, it is wise that we teach our children about this topic – love and forgiveness. Basing from experience, I would like to share with you two ways:

Model them. Husbands and wives who fight in front of their children are not modelling this. I don't disregard the fact that fight between couples cannot happen. As a matter of fact, my wife and I fight and I don't deny that. Fight between couples cannot be avoided but can be controlled. To those who know Christ – God gave us the power to control ourselves. If fight cannot be avoided, it is better to go to the room where your children cannot see you. In this case, although they sensed that there is "something" which is not right, once you go out, if they see you loving each other again, they can also sensed that things are now okay. This is a typical example on how we model love and forgiveness to our children. They sensed that you fight and after that they also sensed that you love and forgive each other.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, New King James Version)

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32, New King James Version)
Forgive your children. We, parents sometimes have the tendency in not forgiving our children. We sometime become expert in "history", that when our children made mistakes we excavate the past and verbalize it to our children. Brethren, this is not forgiveness. Let's go back on how God forgave us - remember that when God forgive you, HE will remember no more all of your sins (past, present and future). This is the true forgiveness, remembering no more. Please don't get me wrong here; I am not saying that you will not discipline your children if it merits it. Discipline should be part of parenting life. What I am saying here is opening your arms readily to accept them, nourish them and build them again. There shouldn't be any condemnation.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1, New King James Version)

We parents are the first window of love and forgiveness to our children and we must heed that responsibility. How can they resist in doing this also to their siblings and to their friends, if they see their parents doing it? How can they resist you teaching love and forgiveness if they see you love and forgive your spouse? How can they resist loving and forgiving, if they know that they are not condemned? How can they resist the love of Christ and the forgiveness that Christ offered if they see it in their parent's life?

…till next time.

Records Erased

2010-10-16T19:36:00.003+08:00

God never keep a record of our offenses to HIM. HE chooses to forget about it. That's how gracious HE is. Our offenses to God will be gone forever the moment Christ is in us, and it is clearly written in Micah 7:19 that God will hurl our record of offenses done to HIM into the depth of the sea and will be gone forever.

   He will again have compassion on us,
      And will subdue our iniquities.
   You will cast all our sins
      Into the depths of the sea.
       ( Micah 7:19, New King James Version)
Jerry Bridges talk about this verse in his book Transforming Grace: So it is with our sins. God has hurled them into the depths of the sea to be lost forever, never to be recovered, never to be held against us. Again, just as God said HE put our sins behind HIS back, so here HE says HE will hurl them into the depths of the sea. They will not "fall overboard"; God will hurl them into the depths. HE wants them to be lost forever, because HE has fully dealt with them in HIS Son, Jesus Christ.

Then, Jerry Bridges goes further in Isaiah 43:25
“ I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
      And I will not remember your sins.
       (Isaiah 43:25, New King James Version)
Here God uses two expressions: HE blots out our transgressions – that is, HE removes them from the record – and HE remembers them no more.

Once the grace of God becomes clear to you, in that instant, you will realize that you are not deserving to be forgiven but still HE choose to forgave you through Jesus.

When was the last time that you forgive? If you still have grudges with others and it is hard for you to forgive that person – just go back to what Christ did for you. Just go back to where you started. Go back to where you realized the grace, mercy and love of God through HIS Son.

First Ministry

2010-10-13T01:11:00.002+08:00

The family is the nucleus of the society. Civilizations exist because of family. If you are a father who have children, I fully believe that your first ministry is your family. God said:

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, New King James Version)

Our "Jerusalem" is our family. The main focus of evangelism is our children. But how can you evangelize and disciple your children if your time is focusing on other things. Those other things might be another ministry, career or hobby or even ambitions and aspirations. Don't be exhausted by putting all of your time and energy to these other things, that in the end, you have no more to give to your children. Coming home, you just wanted to rest and sleep and the only word that you might say is 'ZZZZzzzzzz'. Brethren, God will not contradict HIS design of family. Yes, God says that you put HIM in all things but HE doesn't mean that you ignore your responsibilities to your family.

Watch out for these symptoms if you are failing to evangelize and disciple your children

Your children are happy that you are not home
Your children prefer to watch TV, surf the internet, and play their favourite toys instead of being with you.
They are not excited in knowing that you are coming home
They are not sharing their life with you. What they did during the day, what they want to do in the next day
They are not sharing their dreams or aspirations with you
Before, they eagerly want your attention, that they do all kinds of trick (crying, laughing hard, sitting beside you looking at you, pretending to be sick, tickling you in your tummy or in your armpit), and now, when they see you they just look at you and walk away.
And the most saddening of all – they don't want to talk about God, they are not interested of you talking about Jesus

Brethren, it is not yet too late. Do not let the enemy successful in attacking the core of civilization. Ask God to give you the focus. The focus that your family needs.

…till next time.

Follow the Leader

2010-10-02T11:12:00.002+08:00

My son Ben took this in UP and its a good picture for people following.

We've seen high profile leaders change its course. From a good and godly beginning then, and when the church is in its pinnacle, where members are growing, suddenly, we witness that the leader is "off-track". There are many occasions – the leader claimed that he is now the Messiah, the leader admitted that he is involved in sexual immorality, the leader involved in a lavish lifestyle and used the funds inappropriately and so many more. Albeit, most of the news came from United States, it is obvious that we have it also in the Philippines. And believe me it will continue to happen, why? Because Satan attacks the visible leader, because he knows when the leader falls it will have an impact to the faith. But worry not, Jesus is higher than him, as Jesus said

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4, New King James Version)

But why still the leader falls if Jesus is in him? It is because the leader let his old sinful nature rule him, a subtle but deadly course. In John 15

⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:4-6, New King James Version)

Jesus said that staying apart from HIM will weaken you and eventually lead you to fall. This is so Jesus warns us to always draw close to HIM with these disciplines: through prayer, reading the Bible and fellowship with other believers. The more you go up to the ladder of church organization, the more you should dwell on these disciplines, why? Same answer – Satan attacks those who are visible.

Now you might generalize, since some of the church leaders fell, you might judge in general. Let me tell you that not all are like that, let me remind you that Jesus is sovereign and HE will not let Satan succeed, remember that the Bible already told us that Satan is a failed foe and destined to hell. Remember that Jesus sustains those leaders who are in HIM. And with this, you may ask another important question – how would you know if the leader you are following is "off-track"? Chuck Swindoll (http://www.insight.org/) have good insights. Here it is:

Authoritarianism. Take care when a leader begins repressing your freedom. If there is the lack of a servant's heart, of a teachable spirit, pride is in control. Be especially wary of one who seems to have all the answers.

Exclusiveness. Watch out for the "we alone are right" and the "us four and no more" attitudes. They reveal themselves in an encouragement to break commitments with your mate, family members, and long-standing friends.

Greed. Moneygrubbing is another telltale sign. Especially if funds wind up in the leader's pocket and become "nobody's business."

Sensuality. Moral purity is a must if the leader claims God's hand is on his life. A holy life is never optional.

Unaccountability. Leaders who refuse to be accountable to anyone forfeit the right to be trusted and followed. Every leader needs counsel and occasional confrontation.

Rationalization. When wrong is justified with a defensive spirit, when inappropriate actions are quickly glossed over, when scriptural truth is twisted to fit a sinful lifestyle, when gray-black facts are whitewashed, stop your support.

'till next time...

Homeschooling – Level up!

2010-09-29T08:48:00.004+08:00

We are grateful. GOD IS FAITHFUL!
I took this in the venue. Ben making funny faces while his little sister is doing "cute-posing" :)

September 10, 2010 – my son graduated from prep. By the grace of God he is now grade 1. My son is leveling up! Thanks to my wife for her patience to guide and mold my son and so determined to continue in doing so.

It was a wonderful feeling seeing my son marching towards the stage to receive his certificate. When the marching song played then seeing my son walking the isle, I almost cried (yes, Fathers cried also J not only mothers!)

I am excited about his graduation that I prepared my message to my son immediately when my wife told me that I need to prepare a message to be read to Ben as part of the program. And I would like to share it to you. Here it is….
Dear Ben,

I thank God that HE gave you to me. I remember the first time I saw you, fresh from your mommy’s womb, your big black eyes staring at me. You wiggled when you heard my voice.

When you were 6 months old, you would get excited hearing my voice, upon entering the door of our house which means you were eagerly waiting for me. Until now, you are like that, when you hear the gate, you will say “Dad? Is that you?” It makes my heart glad son. It gives me energy and refreshes me because of your anticipation and excitement to see me.

At 1 year old, you started to look for me every night to read aloud to you. Your favorite books were Dr. Seuss books like One fish Two Fish, Cat in the Hat, There’s a Wocket in My Pocket, Marvin K. Mooney and Fox in Socks, the tongue twister book that I avoid showing you because it’s hard for me to read. You love reading so much that even if I am too sleepy to read you would still insist on me doing it. I remember, one time because I was too sleepy to read, I closed my eyes while reading your book and when you saw that my eyes are closed you said “Daddy, open your eyes please.” You really enjoy spending time with your Dad and I love that and I treasure that.

When you started speaking in sentences and started conversing, you were very expressive with your love. And I love hearing you say you love me every single day.

At 5 years old, you started teaching me to say “I love you too son”, every time you say “I love you Dad.” I believe mommy taught you well the traits of thoughtfulness and appreciation. You would always appreciate your mom, telling her “You look beautiful Mom” or “Do you know you’re the best mom ever?”

…and now you are graduating my son, graduating from prep. How proud I am of you. How proud I am that you learn a lot. Congratulations my son. Please do remember that all your capabilities are given from above, given by God. Remember to love the Lord with all your heart. I would like to close this letter with these verses my son. Please remember these.

Matthew 22:37 ”Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the man
       who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
       or stand in the way of sinners
       or sit in the seat of mockers.

² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
       which yields its fruit in season
       and whose leaf does not wither.
       Whatever he does prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

I love you my son and I will always love you…

You Dad,

Bern

Exciting Things about Homeschooling

2010-09-13T00:01:00.002+08:00

As promised here is the part 2 of my homeschooling story.

If you thought that only our children learn in homeschooling, I would like to let you know that, that thought is not complete. Also, us parent-teacher learn a lot. And these learning and experiences excite me.

Here are some of those:

It makes me know more about my children, since I interact with them all the time.
It makes me closer to my children since teaching time is bonding time. I spent a lot of time with them since the home is our school (plus the grocery store, the traffic jam and many more – as TMA Homeschool says "the world is our classroom")
My children love me more and more. Since we are together all the time, the children appreciate the time I spent with them and love me more for that. Our children need our affection and presence more than the material things that we gave to them.
I learn history, science, math, grammar and geography. Why? The books that they read, the materials that they use, those books and materials I don't have it when I went to regular school. This is because my wife have the liberty to look for books that will jive with my kids learning style (and also to my learning style J)
Most importantly, I can share to my children intimately about God. That they should love the Lord our God, with all their heart, soul and mind.

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37, New King James Version)

For now, these are the exciting things about homeschooling and there are more than that as we go along the journey.
'till next time.

Racing with the Birds

2010-08-09T08:00:00.004+08:00

In our yard we have four chilies, two in front and two in the back. I didn't plant these chilies it's just sprouted. When these chilies started to bear spicy fruits I started to take notice of it and started to observe it. During the night I always in the look-out for soon-to-be red chilies that are ready to be pick up in the morning. That only when I wake-up frustrated because the birds eat it already.

At first I am disappointed with these birds and thought that these birds are teasing me because they only eat the half of the red chilies. I told to myself, if they want to eat then eat it whole and not leaving the half of it. It seems to me that they are doing it in purpose to annoy me.

And one day, I thought of a perfect plan to be always ahead of them and this is to harvest the chilies when it is still green! Perfect plan is it? And so I did.

But then…God reminded me a verse in the Bible which is Luke 12:12"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?"…and then the realization came to me that:

God is the one who planted the chilies not me and
God is the one who is feeding the birds.

HE uses the chilies in the backyard to feed HIS beautiful created birds as well as showing me HIS sovereignty on all things. That HE owns the earth and all the things in it, including me. HE also uses these birds to remind me that HE is the one supplying our needs and we need not to worry for the things that we need.
Let me ask you. Are you still living to survive? Do you still worry for tomorrow? Worrying what to eat, drink and to wear? I suggest change your mindset, be glad and grateful – Jesus freed us from those.

Jesus Christ said:
²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34, New King James Version)

…'till next time.

Myths of Homeschooling

2010-07-29T23:14:00.005+08:00

If you are curious about homeschooling this section of my blog will give you some insights on what it is all about. First, let's talk about its myths.
I have the same hesitations with others regarding homeschooling before. This is because of the myths that I heard.
Myth #1 – Homeschooling your children will make them anti socials – I agree with you, this is my main concern the first time I heard about homeschooling and this is the main reason of me being skeptics about it. However, upon researching, asking advises from friends and relatives, witnessing the success stories of others and seeing the eagerness of my wife to homeschool my children – I tried it out. And I never regret my decision. It opens my eyes to the profound benefits of homeschooling.
Myth #2 – Homeschooling is expensive. Some considers homeschooling cheaper than regular school and some considers that it is more expensive. In reality, since you have the flexibility of tailoring it according to the learning styles of your children – you can customize your lesson according to your budget. I suggest explore more answers to this myth. Ask your friends who are homeschooling or homeschooled their children. As for me, homeschooling fits our budget.
Myth #3 – Homeschooling is not accredited by DepEd – there are homeschool organizations which are accredited by DepEd. One of these is http://www.tmahomeschool.org/ in which my son is enrolled.
Myth #4 – Homeschooling will make my children blinded with the reality of this world – main concern that I received is the question "If my children are homeschooled, what will happen to them in college? How will they cope-up with the harshness of this world, like what if there are bullies?" Part of homeschooling is molding your children's character. And those good characters that are embedded in them will be their defense. Some people call these characters "life-skills". This is the beauty of homeschooling, since the parent is the teacher, you can teach and mold your children in Biblical character first-hand. Your influence to your children is foundational for them to cope-up with the harshness of this world.
Next time, I will talk about my own positive experiences and what are the things that I learned.

Tracking the President – Inaugural Address

2010-07-07T00:13:00.000+08:00

Noynoy's climb to the Presidency is remarkable. Although some say that the only reason he got the Presidency is because of his association to his mother (Cory) and his father (Ninoy). But still, no matter what others say it is his destiny. God says in Psalm…

⁶ For exaltation comes neither from the east
         Nor from the west nor from the south.
⁷ But God is the Judge:
         He puts down one,
         And exalts another.
(Psalm 75:6-7, New King James Version)

God says that HE is the one who raise up and put down kings or leaders. And so Noynoy's presidency is not according to his surname but it is more on God's sovereignty.

Another remarkable thing is his message in his inaugural address that the Filipino people are his boss. Yes, we are his boss because the government's main priority is the welfare of the country and its people. But Noynoy cannot do it alone, he needs our help. He needs our cooperativeness and our contribution to propel the country into righteousness and prosperity.

And most especially Noynoy needs our prayer because God promise that if we change ourselves and bow on our knees HE will hear us and heal the land of the Philippines.

¹⁴ 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14-15, New King James Version)

I will close this blog by borrowing the story that our Pastor told us (I've made some modifications to emphasize the point)
There was a man who wants to change the nation
And so he tried to change the whole country but he is not successful and so he thought to change it in a smaller way.
He tried to change the city, but he is not successful either and so he tried it in a smaller way….
He tried to change the barangay, but he is not successful and so he thought how about changing it in a much smaller way…
And so he tried to change his family but he is also not successful.
Until, he look into himself and thought, how about changing myself first, maybe by changing myself it will ripple outwardly.
And so he started it on himself and he is successful.
What is the point here? The point is, sometimes we forgot to look what individually we can do to change things, we often look what the others are doing rather than what we are doing.

The change should start from you. Changing yourself will help our President to change this nation.

My son wants my toothbrush - A Father's Day Story

2010-06-30T23:04:00.007+08:00

It was May 23, 2009 when the whole family went to the grocery store.

Going along the isle, my wife picks up those essentials things that we planned to buy like diapers, milk, spring chicken, pork chops and cookies. The children enjoy the grocery trip because they like riding the grocery cart. My daughter is sitting in the handle while my son is standing riding the cart. Cheerfully following my wife when suddenly my son said “stop!” and so just like the car in a sudden break, the tiny wheels of the cart made a teeny tiny “screeeetch” sound. I asked my son what is it and he said he wants the toothbrush. And so I guided him down from the cart and let him pick the toothbrush he wants. He saw one and he immediately grabs it and never let it go. Seeing that the toothbrush my son chose is not Disney nor Cars nor Buzz Lightyear, I persuaded him to pick the kiddie toothbrush with design on it instead of the simple one. But he keeps on insisting the toothbrush that he is holding, I am wondering why he likes it. It is not fancy, no design, no animated character and no extravagant curves - it is just a plain straight old style toothbrush.
Okay, okay, it’s not a big deal, I thought that it is usual thing as children does.

When we are at home, immediately my son again insists that it is toothbrush time and he wants to use his plain and simple toothbrush. I wondered, kids are really wonderful. The usual is that I am the one who push him to brush his teeth but at this moment, it is my son who initiated that he wants to brush his teeth earlier than the usual time. He even insisted that I brush my teeth with him. Okay, okay, again it is a usual thing that children does.

And so, I took my toothbrush and then when I am about to put the toothpaste, he suddenly said – “look daddy we have the same toothbrush! Yours is orange mine is blue!”.

Instantly, realizing the moment, I am filled with joy! I am a father who is not attentive to details (by the way, this is my area of improvement J) and here is my son who are very attentive to details. It’s wonderful to know that the reason he grabbed the toothbrush and never let it go is that it is the same with mine and the only difference is the color.

This is also the same with our Father in Heaven, HE is pleased when we want what HE wants. By obeying and following HIS will HE will bless us generously. HE will definitely do that, being generous is in HIS character.

Jesus said
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, New King James Version)

² Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4, New King James Version)

...that our faith should be the same with children. Total dependence on God, total admiration of HIS glory and abundance. Total submission to HIS will. This story is like that, I am a father who is pleased because my son wants what I have and wants what I want.

And also, it is in God's character to be gracious, merciful and loving. This is the reason HE sent Jesus. Click on the link below to know about how gracious is our God!
http://berntagos.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-recent-flood-can-teach-us-or-warn.html

...till next time.

DOH: Sex education in Grade School and even to Kindergarten - Is this right?

2010-06-04T09:30:00.000+08:00

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/june/3/news1.isx&d=2010/june/3

I have to comment on this latest announcement of DOH to give the Biblical parallel regarding sex.
First and foremost - anything that is outside Biblical principle will definitely give us negative consequences even if the intention is good.

This announcement of DOH has good intentions actually. The good intention of solving the root problem of rampant teenage and unwanted pregnancies. But teaching sex education is not the answer and not Biblical. The Bible doesn't mentioned details of sex. The Bible is always careful, often plain and poetic in dealing with sex. The Bible never give a hint of lewdness and arouse lustful thoughts. The message of the Holy Bible regarding sex is simple and consistent: sex is pure and to be enjoyed inside marriage. The Bible never give a how-to instructions on how to avoid being pregnant, how to avoid getting diseases that are associated with sex. And why God doesn't give us that? Because God wants us to know that sex should be approach in a way that it is pure and should be enjoyed within the context of marriage.

Teaching sex education to children is not the answer to the problem of teenage and unwanted pregnancies - I strongly believe that the answer is to teach them consistently and patiently BIBLICAL VALUES. Yes they will be tempted during the teenage years, yes, they might make mistakes. But those who have strong foundation in Biblical values will have power to overcome. Because God promise that to those who call HIS name.
²⁵ Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25-27, New King James Version)

Tracking the President - Smoking

2010-05-27T22:46:00.002+08:00

Noynoy has been encourage to quit smoking lately. Senators, health secretaries, medias and even our former president encourage him to stop smoking. Noynoy's response is that there will be an appropriate time for that.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259106/2-senators-concerned-over-noynoy-s-smoking
Aquino, in an interview with reporters at the Senate last Monday, called for understanding, saying he is not yet ready to stop smoking but will do so “at the appropriate time.”

Changing a habit is hard especially if it does you good in a short term, but if a habit will give you no good in the long term, changing it is the most wise.

Our body and spirit are weak to overcome habits that enslaves us. We are weak and totally helpless to change - we are dead in transgression. Dead means, changing cannot be done by our own effort. We are sinners and will be sinners without Christ. We try to do good and want to change for the better but still we go back to being fools
¹¹ As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.
(Proverbs 26:11, New King James Version

This nature of ours as a sinner has been clearly written by Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.
¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:16-25, New King James Version)

Anything that we do, even good things are not accepted by God. We cannot meet the standard that HE set because of our sinful nature. God is Holy and he requires man's holiness as one of the criteria to be accepted as HIS son.
²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23, New King James Version)

..and because of this we are destined to hell. And because the all-knowing God knows that we cannot do it on our own, HE sent HIS Son to meet HIS criteria and whoever believes HIS Son will be exempted from HIS incoming judgment and will be with HIM in paradise (heaven).
²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23, New King James Version)

⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, New King James Version)

⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9-11, New King James Version)
Once you've accepted the Lord Jesus, HIS Holy Spirit will dwell in you and make you into a beautiful being, into perfection, into holiness that God requires. You are already exempted from God's judgment because God sees Jesus Christ Righteousness and Holiness in you the moment you confess and believe.

And the Holy Spirit that dwells in you will be the one to change you inside-out. Those habits, attitudes, thoughts that are not good in you will be changed by God. You are not helpless anymore because it is God who will empower you to change. You will transform into a different being, just like a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly. What an amazing grace of God!

Tracking the President - Peacemaker

2010-05-18T08:50:00.000+08:00

“I am not interested in fomenting conflicts. I am interested in solving the problems of the country. At the end of the day, if they conform to what we want, we will listen to them. For example, if they are in business, do they pay taxes correctly? Do they pay duties correctly? Do they help us succeed in growing the economy?”
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=575541&publicationSubCategoryId=90

The above is an interview with Noynoy on May 16th. The Bible says that a leader have to be peacemakers. And there are blessings in pursuing peace. However there are times that a leader should stand and defend some of the issues such as morality, integrity and values. I am hoping that the soon-to-be President will always be a peacmeaker, a leader that always listen in love and in kindness while never compromising integrity or values. There might be occassions that the President will go out and have a word-war but only for defense or to defend others who beleaguering the integrity of the office which is one of the many responsibilities of the government.

Let's keep on praying that God will give our soon-to-be President wisdom to govern our country and also to deeply know about God's Son - Jesus Christ.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
       (Matthew 5:9, New King James Version)

¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
         Seek peace and pursue it.
          (Psalm 34:14, New King James Version)

¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the earth,
         And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
          (Psalm 37:11, New King James Version)

Tracking the President - A new segment of my blog

2010-05-13T23:55:00.002+08:00

I find it important to track the soon to be President of the Philippines Noynoy Aquino. Not to criticize but to build, encourage and provide the Biblical parallel of his executive decision or answers to interviews and in the future - handling controversies.

Let's kick-off this segment with Noynoy's answer on how to handle government fund.
“I am daunted by the problem we have inherited but most problems have simple solutions. You just have to do it. We don’t have to generate new funds, let us just use what we already have,” said Aquino.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100513-269691/No-jet-setting-no-splurges-for-Noynoy
A good start, I am hoping the soon-to-be President will put this in action. Borrowing more is not good to us. Checking what we have is much wiser. Looking at the items that can be greatly reduced and determine what needs to kept and cut is much wiser. The Bible says that the borrower is a servant to the lender who lends them and so we must avoid as much as possible borrowing more money just because government funds are not enough.
⁷ The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
(Proverbs 22:7, New King James Version)

Why I believe in spanking our children - how to spank

2009-12-08T22:22:00.006+08:00

As promised here is part 2 of spanking our children.

Where to spank you children?
I will start with Proverbs 10:13
      Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
      But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.
       (Proverbs 10:13, New King James Version)
This is one of the verse in the Bible that tells us where to spank our children, what specific part of the body should you swat powerfully your child so that they will learn their lesson without damaging their body. You spank them no other than in the butt, and nowhere else. The butt is designed to brace the impact of your swat, it is composed of fat and muscle that cushion your child but provide enough pain to remember the consequences of their actions.

Who will do the spanking?
The one that should spank the child should be the parents. Why? Because it is the parent who comforts the child when he is sick, sad and disappointed. It is the parent who provide playful companion of his favorite activities. The ideal is that it should be the parent so that your children will connect that you only spank him for his own good, he will connect that he need spanking because you love him.
This is also why spending time with your children is an essential for rearing them, because in the quantity of time,it is where you can teach them values that they need in life and where you can let them feel your tender loving care. If those activities are not in existent the tendency of the child is to rebel because he only sees the negative side. And so being a parent you need to spend time with you children as much as possible no matter how busy you are to complement with love the discipline you provide.

How to spank?
And here is the step by step procedure in spanking:

Bring your child to a private place where no one is around except the both of you, this is to avoid your child feel humiliated. If at home, firmly ask your child to go to a private room. If in the mall or on any public place in which there is no private place to go and your child deserves the spanking needed – choose a place where few people are around and face your child where he cannot see those few people.
Choose any neutral thing that is flat enough for the butt. You can use your belt as an option. Another option is a flat sturdy cardboard or plywood. As much as possible use anything that is flat and not spiky. Some Christian bookstores sell paddle which is butt friendly, I strongly encourage you to buy one. *Don’t use your hand to spank. Your hand should be use in comforting, hugging your children and playing with your children. Let them associate your hand on this way.
Before spanking, ask your child what is your instruction that violated and make sure your child understood why he needs correction
Ask your child what he did that you need to discipline him. This is to instill responsibility for your child’s action
Explain to your child that you are doing it because of your love and it is your responsibility before God. Tell your child that you want him to learn and do it right the next time
Give the painful swats. It should be painful enough that he remembers the correction.
It is expected that your child will cry, give your child 30 seconds to 1 minute to cry it out and then hug him and kiss him. This is to let your child knows that you are not rejecting him and letting your child knows that you love him.

Why I believe in spanking our children

2009-11-15T12:38:00.006+08:00

Nowadays, spanking our children has been ignored and been criticized. I don't blame the others; this habit of rearing our children has been forgotten and ignored because of some parents who abuse this responsibility.

Moreover, those abuses doesn't mean we need to stop spanking our children. I am convinced that it is still the most effective way of disciplining our children. Here are my two convictions:

1. The instruction came from God.

God made us and HE knows us and HE knows our children, if HE instructed us to spank our children then we should be.

(Proverbs 13:24, New King James Version)

He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

God also knows that our children are foolish when they were born and spanking will gradually remove the foolishness from them.

(Proverbs 22:15, New King James Version)

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Spanking is one of our tools for teaching our children about Jesus and it is the parents responsibility to lead them into salvation.

(Proverbs 23:13-14, New King James Version)

Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

Spanking gives wisdom and withholding it from our children will send them into foolishness.

(Proverbs 29:15, New King James Version)

The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

2. It is the quickest and cleanest method of discipline.

I believe it is better to spank our children rather than letting them stare at the wall for 10 to 30 mins or letting them stay in the room for hours. My experienced shows me that it is an agonizing and cruel way of punishment compared to spanking.

I will give you an example: my son always testing my authority (you know boys they are competitive than girls. Girls just love you, but boys compete with you!) And when my son defies authority spanking will follow. During the spanking, my son is fearful and remorseful then after I gave the powerful swat on his butt, he back playing again joyfully and cheerfully and learned the lesson. And the procedure takes only 5-10 mins. How quick and effective it is!

NEXT, I will talk about the procedure me and my wife do when spanking.Our procedure is based in grace and mercy. Based on the mercy and grace available always to us when we come to Jesus for forgiveness of our wrongdoings.

What the recent flood can teach us (or warn us!)

2009-09-28T02:54:00.009+08:00

Occasionally we have flooded streets or area from time to time during rainy season, we also have flood calamities like this but usually it is outside the metropolitan and outside the adjacent municipalities such as Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan, but the recent flood on Sept 2009 is not usual as expected because it hit the most populous and the most progressive area of the Philippines which is Metro Manila.

We, the residence of Metro Manila has been complacent from the start that a little rain like this will not be such a calamity, but we are proven wrong. It is subtle in nature and brought disastrous effect. Until we see the results, until we see the outcome that we realized that our material belongings we love so dearly can be easily washed away by flood. Our infrastructures, our technology and sophisticated systems and even our wisdom are no matched to the fury of the rain.

What you can learn about this recent calamity? You should be taking into account that we are in the mercy of God everyday and should realize that career, money, possessions (building, land, condo etc.), position and power can be snatch in an instant, gone in a whip of a flashing flood. And if you are not anchored in God, the agony of such event will crush you.

Another important lesson here is SIN; we can compare the flood to the subtleness of sin. You thought that a little compromise just like a little rain is not terrible, but sin is sin and sin has devastating effects if we keep on committing it and ignoring it. The sin of the few is sufficient enough to contaminate the many. I believe the recent flood is a warning for us that we cannot ignore God for so long; that HIS long-patience will come to an end and it is too late for you – that the flood of his wrath will come and sweep you to the proclaimed judgment which is eternal hell.

However, my Beloved with God's abounding love, mercy and grace – HE sent his Son to be the substitute of that judgment and all you have to do is to come to His Son and believe.

Here's how you can escape the decreed judgment
(taken from Holy Spirit book by Billy Graham)

1. Realize that you are a sinner in God's eyes

¹⁰ As it is written:
“ There is none righteous, no, not one;
(Romans 3:10, New King James Version)

2. Realize that God loves you and sent His Son to be the substitute for you in the judgment to come.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh
but made alive by the Spirit,
(1 Peter 3:18, New King James Version)

3. Repent of your sins. Repentance means you admit that you are a sinner and turn your back on your sins and have a changed mind.

³ I tell you, no;
but unless you repent
you will all likewise perish.
(Luke 13:3, New King James Version)

4. Come by faith alone and trust to Christ, because exemption from eternal hell is a free gift from God.

²³ For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23, New King James Version)

My son love N.O.A.H

2009-09-09T00:06:00.000+08:00

On Sept 2, 2009 @ 9pm we meet NOAH. This is not a personal meet-up with Noah in the Bible but rather a personal experience of the musical play entitled No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat (N.O.A.H).

My son didn’t take a nap in the afternoon and it was 8pm and so I’ve expected that he will sleep during the show but the reverse happened – his eyes were wide open and he was in the edge of the seat! During the intermission of 15 minutes, we went out and he want to go back immediately because he doesn’t want to miss any segment. He was awestruck by the Ark props and the water props and even asked why the dove is flying with wood under it. He was all ears on the animals singing. He laughed on the humorous scene of Noah’s family and admired the scene of Noah’s conversation with God. And, by the way, his uncle was with us watching and He too is all ears and all eyes.

N.O.A.H is a musical play that will enthrall children. Children will also learn how God honors those who trust him and obey Him and how God punish those who rebel against Him.

I encourage you to bring your kids to the show. Click the link below for prices and schedules.

http://www.breadcom.org/noah%20announcement/noah_page1.html

God will supply your needs.

2009-09-03T01:42:00.000+08:00

The global meltdown has been affected all nations of the world and we are already feeling the heat here in the Far East. News of cost-cutting, freeze in hiring, pay cuts, pay freeze, retrenchment and the worst of all closing down manufacturing plants or offices that left workers unemployed.

The money that you are expecting to help you pay your ballooning debts is gone, the money that you are expecting to support your siblings or children’s education expenses is gone and so many things that you depend your life with money.

Once money is gone, you are now questioning why this happened to you? What went wrong? To console yourself, you seek your best friend, your mom, your dad or any other member of the family that is close to you and worst, if you don’t have people to run to -you go to drinking, gambling (even you don’t have money anymore!), drugs and forbidden sex.

Beloved, when was the last time you thought about God instead of money? Have you ever cried-out to Him first before anything else? Have you ever seek Him, have you ever spent time reading His Word in the Bible?

Beloved, God is always waiting for you to know Him. His grace and mercy is always available to you. God is always willing to comfort you and bless you.

When you repent and believe that Jesus died for you - you are now at peace with God and He is now claiming you as His son or daughter. As His children you are now have direct access to God, to Him who willing to bless you.

My son always asks me if he can use my desktop computer in my bedroom. Knowing that he is my son he knows that it is readily available to him anytime he wants to, all he have to do is to ask me. I cannot let my desktop computer use by anyone beside my son or any other members of the family. Beloved this is the same with our Father in heaven, although my example is more on wants – how even more on our needs. Our Father in heaven knows our needs. Whatever it is, either guidance, emotional, food, clothing, housing, transportation or anything we need to live. God knows about that and all we have to do is to come to Him and cry out to Him. His abounding blessing is readily available to His children!

God takes care of his children and will supply his children needs .

¹¹ The LORD will guide you continually,
      And satisfy your soul in drought,
      And strengthen your bones;
      You shall be like a watered garden,
      And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
       (Isaiah 58:11, New King James Version)

This is the promise that will not be broken. Beloved, God created the universe and all things in it. He is sovereign, powerful, gracious, merciful, ready to forgive, slow to anger and generous – who would not want to be his children?

For those who don’t know Jesus - come to Jesus and join me us God’s children!

For those who are believers – cry out to God and seek Him immediately, it is time you go back to Him.

In the midst of your sufferings and disappointments

2009-08-28T01:18:00.000+08:00

Have you been laid-off lately by your company? Your performance has been rated mediocre or even lower than that? You are expecting salary increase but it was announced that there is none? Or have you lost a loved one? Lost your house? Lost your property? Wronged by your most trusted friend?

All of these sufferings and disappointments happening in the world have common questions – why God allows it? It might be the question that you ask to yourself or to a friend who grieved.

Beloved, when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden the whole human race fell with it. The effect of sin rippled to every area of every living things here on earth (Gen 3:14-19). These sufferings and disappointments are one of the consequences of sin. However, God is gracious that He initiated the plan to redeem us – the plan is He sent His Son (John 1:14-18). Jesus Christ became a man and died in the cross to exempt us from God’s impending judgment. There will come a time that the wrath of God is going to be poured on earth and only those who believe in His son will be exempted (Revelation 19:11-21). God is gracious and merciful that his grace is readily available to those who needs it. Once you’ve received His grace (Rom 3:10, Rom 6:23, Rom 4:5-8), He will sustain you here on earth until His return to rule in bodily form.

Beloved if you haven’t believed that Jesus is the only way out from the wrath of God, please do it now while there is still opportunity!

Those sufferings and disappointments don’t come from God but from the enemy the devil. Everything comes from God are good. Goodness is His character that will never change. He allows it mainly because of the following reasons –

A wickedness needed to be exposed (Daniel 6)
A test that will build character (Psa 66:10)
A discipline that will build character (Job 5:17)
A consequential judgment because of sin (Isa 2:6-3:26) – this is for those believers who keep on ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Get out while there is still opportunity!

God told us to seek the righteousness of the Holy God and His righteousness before anything else (Matt 6:33). He commanded this because He created this world and He knows that if we are so focused on the temporary things, it will hurt us deeply once gone. Your career is temporary, your earthly family is temporary, your possessions are temporary - everything here on earth is temporary.

I’m not saying that while here on earth, we will not strive for excellence. Nope, that is laziness and will not bring glory to God! If we put God first, if we focus on Him, if our goal everyday is that everything we do is to please Him and obey Him and to give glory to His name – even things are not well, we will still be joyful.

I encourage you to read your Bible to know more of His character and His will. Read the Bible to know His command and obey it immediately because obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings discipline. I encourage you to read the book of John to know about the Lord’s love for you.

Beloved, He wants us to set our eyes on Him and He wants us to make Him first on our life because He alone can satisfy, He alone is perfect.

His mercy and grace is so abounding that He is ready to forgive you and restore you.

Return to HIM who graciously waiting for you, which is open-handed to hug you and ready to restore you.

Bernardo meet his Savior

2009-08-27T00:51:00.000+08:00

The Lord seeks me. The gospel has been shared to me too many times; it was shared to me at my first job, on my second job and on my third job. I always shrugged it off because my main priority is to be rich. My top priority is to be affluent when I reached the age of 40.

Unfortunately I didn’t meet my goal to be affluent, however I have enough money to start my own business and so I became a small enterprise entrepreneur. All of my small business never took off, the longest and most visible is superpedro.com but it never became profitable. And so I went to a phase that all my money are gone. I am the type of person that is optimistic and positive in thinking and this failure never hinders my determination to at least start again even if I will borrow the capital to finance it.

And then the Lord still seeks me. The gospel again is shared to me in the seminar before I will marry my wife and although it is on the bottom of my priority, I attended it because it is a must for my marriage. I even recited the sinner’s prayer, but I recited it superficially without inquiring its meaning. It is just a front for me just to get over the seminar; it is just plain verbal and never touches my soul.

Truly, one of the evidence of being saved is the hunger of HIS Word.

And then the Lord carry me, protects me, love me, disciplined me, consecrate me by the Holy Spirit and His Word. I don’t know what is inside me that makes me always read the Bible, at the start only 2 verses and then went to 5 verses and then a whole chapter and from then on I read the Bible chapter by chapter. I cannot even go to work without first reading the Bible! There is a voice that keeps on convicting me in repenting whenever I sinned and asked for the Lord’s forgiveness. It is a constant progression. I sinned, then repented and then asked for His forgiveness. Years past I found myself being sensitive to those sins that I eventually hungry for His Word more and more and committing sin less and less.

I know I will still sin while I am here on earth since everything falls short in the glory of God. I know I cannot give credit on my own for being with Him in His kingdom, it is purely through faith, meaning, believing that He died for all of my sins - past, present and future sins. He was forsaken so that I will be forgiven. He stooped down to my level so that I can be with Him in His kingdom. He is the perfect sacrifice that only He (God) can fulfill. He loves me even though I am insignificant. He beared the beatings, He accepted humiliation and died on the cross – for me.

As He keeps in sanctifying me through His Word by the enablement of the Holy Spirit; now my goal is to please Him always, although I have still an appetite to be rich and to be successful in life – those appetite goes to the lowest priority and to please Him is the first and foremost.

And recently I have this burden to let you know of these things – the wrath of God will come in the least you expected and the only way out is through His Son Jesus Christ.

He also seeks you… He also died for you…He also longing for you to be with Him in His kingdom…He loves you so much that He also wants you to know the only way out...He keeps knocking on your door.

Do you want to know more about Jesus?