Thrown Scabbard

GOD is Still THE... (Meditations Over a Missing Netbook)

2012-01-24T23:36:00.000+08:00

This time last year, 2011, I loaned about fifteen thousandpesos from the university's multi-purpose cooperative. This amount, combinedwith half of my thirteenth month pay, I used to purchase an Asus 1015PEM. Itwas so beautiful. I see much beauty in it that I find paying for the loan ano-sweat compared to its great worth. After a year of usage, I still find it solovable and have no plan to replace it in the next couple of years perhaps. Ithas served me so well in almost everything but most especially in my ministry.It is my organist, organizer, and sermon archiver. If only it has a soul, itwill definitely hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

However, before early afternoon today, my ministry-partneris nowhere to be found on my desk. Initially, I thought I was a subject of apractical joke. But I was not met by a practical joker but by the head ofsecurity. It was indeed stolen. I couldn't explain what I felt. I wasperspiring. My heart pumped so fast and I was nauseating. But I remember thatmy life and my death are for the sole purpose of exalting CHRIST (Phil. 1:20).

So, I ask, "How do you magnify GOD amidst theft?"And I think that the best way to do so is to make plain to others that GODstays for who He is even amidst "bad" unwanted events in my life.When my netbook was taken from me...

GOD is still THE King

The Bible is filled with references that pertain to thesovereignty of GOD. Jeremiah 32:17 for instance says "Ah, Sovereign LORD,you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretchedarm." GOD is King. Nothing happens outside of His will and purpose. It isextremely comforting to remember that the sole and supreme Ruler is infinitelywise, massively powerful, and loving to the utmost. That means that the absenceof my netbook now is an outcome of GOD's wise, powerful, loving, and sovereignrule. I was surprised when it was gone but GOD already knew it would be goneeven before the foundation of the world... yet HE allowed it to be gone. It mayperhaps not be my business now to know why. Where was GOD when my netbook wastaken? He was there in that same place when I purchased my Asus, sitting on Histhrone and sovereignly ruling over the entire universe, over things visible andinvisible.

GOD is still THE Writer

Romans 8:28 is a Christian darling -- "And we know thatin all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have beencalled according to His purpose." It is not promised that all things AREGOOD. Things may be bad. But all things will work together for good. I don'tknow how but the thieving of my property will work with other events of my lifefor my good. If we go on further with the verse at hand, to verses 29 to 30,all these things that are happening are woven together by the Almighty toconclude our glorification. It seems, therefore, to mean that the very netbookthat I love is hindering me from the surety of my glory. GOD in His GODnessknows. I thank GOD that even with all the billions and billions and billions ofconcerns that He has, He still managed to mind me and my netbook... that Hewrites so meticulously for my own good.

GOD is still THETeacher

What I love when GOD states His intention to teach us is theassurance of learning. Let us consider John 14:26 for example, "But the Advocate,the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you allthings and will remind you of everything I have said to you. " or Ezekiel11:19, "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them;I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart offlesh." He says, "I will teach... I will remind... I willgive..." and not "I will try to teach... I will try to remind... Iwill try to give..." When GOD really wants to teach us, He will never failin doing so. We will surely learn. And GOD, in His creativity, will certainlyutilize different events in our life just to teach us. And I must say, I learntoday.

GOD is still THEJudge

Justice presupposes that all sins and transgressions shouldbe accounted for. "For God will bring every deed into judgment, includingevery hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Eccles. 12:14)." And sinceall have sinned (Rom.3:23), all will face judgment for doing evil and beingevil. If the one who have taken my netbook is an unbeliever [which is mostprobably], he will pay for eternity for this transgression that he hascommitted (Matt. 10:28). But when the grace of GOD finds its way to the heartof the thief, his sins in general and this sin of stealing in particular would beincluded in the penalty that Christ has paid (2 Cor. 5:21). In short, I did notreally lose anything because GOD will bring justice. He is still the righteousJudge.

GOD is still THEGrace-Giver

I deserve nothing but the fiery wrath of GOD. He wants me tobe perfect as He is (Matt. 5:48). But I have a problem; GOD is infinitely holyand infinitely perfect. I will never ever meet His demands. So, even theslightest of my disobediences reserves for me a space in hell. That is where Itruly and rightfully belong. But because of Christ paying the penalty due tome, I will not face such terror... a very abundant mercy. And not only that, Hehas given me life -- I owe to His grace. I have a beautiful family -- I owe toHis grace. I have a lot of things that I enjoy now that I don't really deserve-- I owe to His grace. So when my netbook was gone, I am still standing on aspace that is a product of GOD's mercy and grace... so distant from the hellthat I deserve.

GOD is still THETreasure

GOD is enough. He is more than enough. When my heartdespairs for my lost netbook, it reveals that GOD is not enough for me butactually needs some other accessories. Psalm 73:25 is my youth fellowship'sfavorite, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desirebesides you." I or we strive to have a heart like the Apostle Paul toconsider everything, that is all things, as loss compared to the surpassingvalue of knowing Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:8). Whether it be my netbook, mycellphone, my other toys, my foods, my clothes, my books [ouch], my profession,my friends, my family, my future, my Anna, or everything, may I be able todisplay that I value all of these as nothings when compared to the surpassingvalue of knowing CHRIST.

"I value all things only by the price they shall gain ineternity." ~ John Wesley

When Bad Things Happen: Thoughtful Answers to Hard Questions (Smith, William P.)

Sovereignty of God (Pink, A. W.)

A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God (Piper, John)

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People (Tinker, Melvin)

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Imitating William Carey... and Exalting Christ

2011-12-31T21:29:00.001+08:00

I owe this post to the United Methodist Youth Fellowship ofPangasinan Central District so it is just proper from me to thank and tocommend them for exerting much physical, financial, and intellectual resourcesjust to ensure a GOD-glorifying, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled,Scripture-saturated, grace-dependent, and faith-sustained Christmas Institute.I salute you.

This is the second CI wherein there is an integration of threeChristian biographies in the activities. I was honored to handle last year’sstudy on Martin Luther (the other two were John Wesley and George Whitefield).This year, I was again asked to exalt Christ in the life of William Carey, thefather of modern day missions.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word ofGod. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Heb.13:7)

If I will remember William Carey, consider the outcome ofhis way of life, and imitate his faith, I will most especially reflect on eightobservable attributes which I will represent using the letters of MISSIONS.

Majesty of Christ

Just like Isaiah (in Isaiah 6:1-8), Carey had a deep senseof the majesty of Christ, seeing Him as altogether lovely and worthy to beserved.

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things forGod.” Great things are only expected from the great. And great things are onlyrendered for the great. “Expect great things from [the great] God; attemptgreat things for [the great] God.”

In the last visit ofAlexander Duff to the missionaries before William Carey died, he talked a lotof Carey’s works. He received a gracious rebuke: “Dr. Carey this.. Dr. Careythat.. Dr. Duff! You have been speaking about Dr. Carey; when I am gone, saynothing about Dr. Carey — speak about Dr. Carey's Savior.”

Insufficiency of Man

Just like the great Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:15), WilliamCarey seriously considers his sinfulness.

“I see more and more of my own insufficiency for the greatwork I am called to. The truths of GOD are amazingly profound, the souls of meninfinitely precious, my own ignorance very great and all that I do is for GOD.”

“Nothing of any importance except to my shame, a prevalenceof carnality, negligence, and spiritual deadness; no heart for private duties,indeed everything seems to be going to decay in my soul, and I almost despairof being of any use to the heathen at all.”

Scriptures’ Worth

Carey has an extraordinary love for languages and he alsohas an extraordinary gift to learn new ones. He mastered the Latin grammar insix weeks. An old French book gave him the ability in three weeks to readFrench with ease. In an incredibly short space of time he had acquired aknowledge of Greek and Hebrew. At 21 years of age Carey had mastered Latin,Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Dutch and French.

When Carey died at 73, he had seen the Scriptures translatedand printed into forty languages, some he translated by himself while others hesupervised. He used his supernatural capability in trying to remove thelanguage barrier in reading the Bible.

Salvation of Souls

“I care not where or how I lived, or what hardships I wentthrough, so that I could but gain souls for Christ. While I was asleep Idreamed of these things and when I awoke the first thing I thought of was thisgreat work. All my desire was for the conversion of the heathen, and all myhope was in GOD.”

Intense Humility

“A wretched, poor, and helpless worm, on thy kind arms Ifall.”

“When I compare myself with my work, I sink into a point, amere despicable nothing.”

The worm lived 41 of his 73 years of living as a missionary toIndia who did not return home.

Occupation in the Highest

Before he became a missionary, Carey was a shoemaker. Hedrew a world map on brown paper, hang it on his wall, wrote notes on everynation. He had a thoughtful consideration of this calling, of this work.

“I would not abandon the Mission for all the fellowships andfinest spheres in England. My greatest calamity would be separation from thisservice. May I be useful in laying the foundations of Christ’s Church in India;I desire no greater reward, nor can conceive higher honor.”

Nearing Reward

The Bible is filled with promised rewards. It is not a sinto desire these rewards. However, for Carey, seeing heaven filled with saintsas fruits of missionaries’ works is a reward in itself.

“What a heaven will it be to see many myriads of poorheathens... Who by their [missionaries’] labor have been brought to theknowledge of GOD. Surely a ‘crown of rejoicing’ like this is worth aspiring.”

Sufferings’ Purpose

In his 41 years of missionary work, he...:

first seven years with no converts;
plunged into depths of depressions;
buried 2 wives, one went insane;
buried 3 kids: 2 daughters and a son;
almost died due to malaria and dysentery.

Suffering is not a hindrance in glorifying Christ. Instead,it is an agent in glorifying Christ. The Bible says in Romans 8:17, “…we sufferwith him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” When we keep onserving Christ amidst pain, the world will be astonished and be pointed to theSavior who is infinitely worthy of all our sacrifices.

Download: Lecture Powerpoint Presentation

Watch: Lost (Amazing Grace with John Piper), Hands and Feet

Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions (John Piper)

William Carey and the Missionary Vision (Daniel Webber)

Salvation to the Ends of the Earth: A Biblical Theology of Mission (Andreas Kostenberger)

Christian Mission in the Modern World (John Stott)

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Books that "Confused" Timothy Keller

2011-11-30T10:32:00.001+08:00

When you search Amazon’s best-selling Christian books, oneof the authors who hit the list is Timothy Keller, senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York andfounder of Redeemer Church Planting Center. But this post is not intended tohover on his influential books but instead on the books that influenced him.

In the Reform and Resurge Conference of 2006, Kellerpreached on “DoingJustice” wherein he nailed my ear to his introduction:

“When you listen and read one thinker, you become a clone.If you really spend a lot of time listening and reading two thinkers, youbecome confused. If you really spend a lot of time in reading and listening toabout ten thinkers, you'll start to develop your own voice. And you listen andread two or three hundred thinkers, you become wise and develop your voice.However, the first couple that confused you... always stay with you.”

I became curious of the books that perhaps “confused”Keller so I contacted www.timothykeller.comasking for a list of Keller’s recommended books. I received the followingentries from Tim Cox, Digital Engagement Manager of Redeemer City to City:

College Years

Seminary Years

Good Basic Reading I've Found Since Then

Turning Points (M. Noll)
The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (M. Noll)
Putting the Amazing Back into Grace (M. Horton)
The Journey (P. Kreeft)
Idols of the Heart and Vanity Fair (D. Powlison)
Urban Ministry (H. Conn, Ortiz)
Showing the Spirit (D. Carson)
Selections (A. Wall)
Charity and Its Fruits (J. Edwards)
Selected Sermons (J. Edwards)
Awakening (J. Edwards)
On True Virtue (Marsden)

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The Reason for God (Keller, Timothy)

The Meaning of Marriage (Keller, Timothy)

The Prodigal God (Keller, Timothy)

King's Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus (Keller, Timothy)

The Love that Wants You Dead

2011-11-19T22:34:00.001+08:00

Self-centeredness and loving others had always beenoppositions to me. I always thought that you can’t truly love others when you deeplythink about your own personal image. However, GOD is really weird. Heharmoniously maintains His passion for His personal glory and His passion forour personal gain. I will try to illustrate this using a very familiar story.

¹Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany,the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²It was Mary who anointedthe Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazaruswas ill. ³So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom youlove is ill." ⁴But when Jesus heard it he said, "Thisillness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son ofGod may be glorified through it." ⁵Now Jesus loved Martha andher sister and Lazarus. ⁶So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, hestayed two days longer in the place where he was. (John 11:1-6)

The Sandwich

Lazarus and her two sisters are very close to the heart ofthe Lord. Christ’s love for them is in verse 3 and Christ’s love for them is inverse 5. And there is a sandwich: Christ’s love in verses 3 and 5 sandwiches theglory of GOD in verse 4.

The So-Dilemma

Verse 6 will give a dilemma for the critical reader. Most literal Bible translations initiate verse 6 with a “so” or with a “therefore.”“So” implies a transition from reason to outcome.

I studied hard so I passed.
I was soaking wet yesterday so I am sicktoday.
Anna loves pink so she wears pink almostdaily.

Verse 5 is then most likely the reason for the outcome inverse 6. I, therefore, paraphrase, “Christ intensely loves the three SO, whenLazarus was dying, He made sure that he would die (He stayed two more days).”If you think I am implying that it was Christ’s very love for them that wantedLazarus dead, then you got my point. Jesus loved Lazarus much SO He wanted himdead.

The Love that Wanted Lazarus Dead

This was a problem to me and I believe it still is a problemto some. The problem arises primarily because of our poor definition of love. Formost people, to love is to desire no harm for the loved. But true love is muchmore than just desiring no harm – it is desiring the highest possible good forthe loved. And there is no higher possible good than GOD Himself. Jesus, in Hislove, wanted Lazarus dead because He wanted them to see the glory of GOD (verse4). I strongly believe that these three whom Jesus loved never had a weakerfaith after seeing this display of GOD’s glory. They had received a giftinfinitely more valuable than life from the One who loves them much.

GOD desires to show us His glory. And His glory most of thetime shines the brightest when our pits are the deepest. He Himself digs thesepits and He Himself puts us in the deepest. And when He finally decides to showHis glory, He will shine the brightest. He loves to show His glory because Heloves you and wants to attract you to Himself. He loves you much and mayperhaps want you dead.

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Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts (Jerry Bridges)

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (John Piper & Justin Taylor)

When God Weeps (Joni Erickson Tada)

How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil (D. A. Carson)

Launching of Monthly "Choose Your Free Book" Giveaway

2011-11-01T14:00:00.001+08:00

Starting this November, Thrown Scabbard will be giving awaya quality Christian book every month. What makes this free book give away moreinteresting is that you can have the book of your very own choice! Moreover,you can have more than one chance of winning. Click here for details...

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LIFTing Christ By Separating Him

2011-10-21T23:39:00.000+08:00

¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for whatis good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake,you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ butin your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make adefense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet doit with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, sothat, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ maybe put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, ifthat should be God's will, than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17)

To honor Christ the Lord as holy(15a) is to literally separate Him. It is not the kind of separation that youdo when you separate boys from girls, lanzones from rambutan, or freshmen fromseniors. It is the kind of separation that you do to a gold bar when you haveone. You don’t see diamonds rolling around streets. You separate them. You putthese into vaults because they are extremely precious. Peter, therefore,exhorts us to magnify and LIFT Christ’s name and consider Him extremelyprecious in at least four practical ways.

Labor Goodness (13-14a,16-17). Good behavior and good conscience flood these five versesexplicitly in 4 verses and implicitly in one. Christians should abound in gooddeeds. The most loving, most forgiving, most kind, most patient, most gentle,most peaceable among men should be the Christians. There should be anobservable excellence in us in all of the highest virtues and works. The worldshould be puzzled and ask how we do it and why can’t they outrun us in doinggood. GOD will then be lifted up when the common ground by which all thegood-doers stand shines: Christ.

Imply Fearlessness(14b). Verse 15 starts with a “but.” We use “but” to connect opposingpoints. We don’t say, “I am sick but I am weak,” but instead, “I am sick but Iam strong.” The “fearing” in verse 14 is in contrast to the “honoring” in verse15. The more we fear things, the less we glorify Christ. We fear becausesomething that is so dear to us is threatened. We fear for our life. We fearfor our family. We fear for our properties. We fear for our businesses. Butwhen we start considering Christ to be so valuable, all our other valuablesstart to fade. The fading of these minor loves is also the fading of the fearfor these loves. When a zealot points a gun to your head and threatens you,your family, and all that belongs to you because of your Christ but you standfearless, Christ is lifted up.

Forge Readiness(15b). The world should not just be puzzled but answered about the puzzle.We are asked to forge readiness in address anything that pertains to our hope. Whena Christian finds difficulty in answering questions, it is tempting to blame itto his head. However, I come to believe that inability to provide sufficientanswers is more of a heart-issue than a head-issue, more of a passion-matter thanan intellect-matter. We learn the most in subjects we love the most. Moreover,we defend most violently on matters we value most passionately. To be alwaysready to answer about Christ is to lift Christ because it shows how we valueChrist.

Tender Meekness(15c). No one who will faithfully search the Scriptures will miss twoessential points: (1) the greatness of GOD; and (2) the feebleness of man. Andthe more we meditate, the greater the expanse becomes between GOD and man whenit comes to magnificence. Meekness and humility are unpreventable fruits ofknowing GOD. Therefore, when GOD equips a saint the ability to answer, Hegraces him with humility. A Christian who answers with arrogance forgets thedistance between him and the One whom he represents. Christ is lifted high whenwe answer in a way that acknowledges that our ambassadorship is an undeservedgrace.

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A One-On-One Interview with John Wesley on True and False Preachers

2011-10-01T11:37:00.000+08:00

Thrown Scabbard: The great ApostlePeter has warned in the second chapter of his second epistle that falseteachers will try to attack the church from within with what he calls damnableheresies. I take this to mean that even United Methodist pulpits and councilswill be occupied by wolves. Will you give us some marks of "wolves in sheep’s'clothing" who may preach as Methodist ministers?

John Wesley:The first and great mark of one who corrupts the word of God, is, introducinginto it human mixtures; either the errors of others, or the fancies of his ownbrain.

TS: Mixing the Bible with humaninventions will require a lot of Scripture-twisting, will it not? How will afraud preacher manage this?

JW: Whenthe imposture was too bare-faced, and the text cited for it appeared tooplainly either to make against it, or to be nothing to the purpose, thenrecourse has usually been had to a second method of corrupting it, by mixing itwith false interpretations. And this is done, sometimes by repeating the wordswrong; and sometimes by repeating them right, but putting a wrong sense uponthem.

TS: Putting a wrong sense. That is-- giving a wrong interpretation to the verses. What is a sure mark of an interpretation with a wrong sense?

JW: [Itis] one that is either strained and unnatural, or foreign to the writer'sintention in the place from whence they are taken; perhaps contrary either tohis intention in that very place, or to what he says in some other part of hiswritings.

TS: A wrong interpretation does notfit in the surrounding verses, doesn't it?

JW:[Yes.] Any passage is easily perverted, by being recited singly, without any ofthe preceding or following verses. By this means it may often seem to have onesense, when it will be plain, by observing what goes before and what followsafter, that it really has the direct contrary.

TS: Aside from taking verses out ofcontext, what else do false teachers tend to do with the Word?

JW:[Another] sort of those who corrupt the Word of God are those who do so, not byadding to it, but taking from it; who take either of the spirit or substance ofit away, while they study to prophesy only smooth things, and thereforepalliate and colour what they preach, to reconcile it to the taste of thehearers.

TS: Oh, eliminating hard-to-swallowverses such as...

JW: Notone word must be said of the tribulation and anguish denounced against sinnersin general; much less of the unquenchable fire.

TS: I have often heard it said thatthis is love. They just don't want their hearers to be terrorized or hurt. Isthis love?

JW:[No.] They purpose to do good by the gospel of Christ; but it is to themselves,not to others. These are the methods of those corrupters of the word, who actin the sight of men, not of God.

TS: So, who then are the true lovingand faithful ministers?

JW:[They know that] it is not their own word they preach, but the word of Him thatsent them. They preach it genuine and unmixed. As they do not only profess, butreally believe, that, "if any man add unto the word of God, He will addunto him all the plagues that are written in it."

TS: Purity of the Word with noadditions! What else?

JW: Inthe next place, they are as cautious of taking from, as of adding to, the wordthey preach. They must publish, as proper occasions offer, all that iscontained in the oracles of God; whether smooth or otherwise, it mattersnothing, since it is unquestionably true, and useful too.

TS: Purity of the Word with nosubtractions!

JW: [Andalso] They speak with plainness and boldness, and are not concerned to palliatetheir doctrine, to reconcile it to the tastes of men. They endeavour to set italways in a true light, whether it be a pleasing one or not. They will not,they dare not, soften a threatening, so as to prejudice its strength, neitherrepresent sin in such mild colours as to impair its native blackness.

TS: A marriage of truth and passion,light and heat, logic on fire! We need more preachers of this frame in the 21stcentury, Sir Wesley. We praise Jesus for raising you as one in your owncentury.

Reference: On Corrupting the Word of God
Recommended Resources: Wesley and Men Who Followed, Preaching and Preachers.

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Nasa Iyong Disenyo ang Usigin (1 Pedro 2:18-25, 18 Sep 2011)

2011-09-22T22:05:00.000+08:00

I am new to Soundcloud.com and I am testing its proficienciesby uploading a 40-minute sermon. This is the latest from our pulpit atDorongan-Punta United Methodist Church. Since our congregationis half-Ilocano-and-half-Pangasinan tounged, we preach in Filipino (although therewere few Pangasinan throws here.) This was on 1 Peter 2:18-25:

¹⁸ Mga alipin, magpasakop kayo sa mganagmamay-ari sa inyo at igalang ninyo sila, hindi lamang ang mababait kundipati ang malulupit, ¹⁹ sapagkat kapuri-puri ang nagtitiis ng parusakahit walang kasalanan, bilang pagsang-ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos. ²⁰Maipagmamalaki ba ang magtiis ng parusa kung ito ay dahil sa paggawa ng masama?Hindi! Ngunit kung magtiis kayo ng hirap sa kabila ng paggawa ninyo ng mabuti,pagpapalain kayo ng Diyos. ²¹ Ang pagtitiis ng hirap ay bahagi ngpagkatawag sa inyo ng Diyos, sapagkat nang si Cristo ay magtiis para sa inyo,binigyan niya kayo ng isang halimbawang dapat tularan. ²² Hindi siyagumawa ng anumang kasalanan, o nagsinungaling kailanman. ²³ Nangsiya'y insultuhin, hindi siya gumanti. Nang siya'y pahirapan, hindi siyanagbanta; sa halip, ipinaubaya niya ang lahat sa Diyos na makatarungan kunghumatol. ²⁴ Sa kanyang pagkamatay sa krus, pinasan niya ang bigat ngating mga kasalanan upang tayo'y mamatay na sa kasalanan at mamuhay ayon sakalooban ng Diyos. Kayo'y pinagaling na sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga sugat. ²⁵Sapagkat kayo ay tulad ng mga tupang naliligaw, ngunit ngayon kayo'y nanumbalikna upang sumunod sa Pastol at Tagapangalaga ng inyong mga kaluluwa.

If this has ministered to you, please let me know. Thanks..

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Free Christian MP3s

2011-09-17T19:00:00.002+08:00

I havecompiled some of the most recent Christian MP3s that I have downloaded(legally). All were (and still are) given away at Worship Matters, home of worshipleading resources by Bob Kauflin. If you want to download the MP3s, just look for the downward arrow found at the right of each player.

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Lead on, OKing Eternal

(Ernest W.Shurtleff and Ryan Foglesong)

Lead on, OKing Eternal, the day of march has come;

Henceforthin fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home

Through daysif preparation Thy grace has made us strong;

And now, OKing Eternal, we lift our battle song

So lead on,lead on, King of Heaven my light and my salvation

Yourfaithfulness endures

O lead on,lead us to Your Kingdom. Through joy or tribulation

We followYou, we follow You alone.

Lead on, OKing Eternal, 'til sin's fierce war shall cease

And holinessshall whisper The sweet amen of peace.

For not withswords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums

With deedsof loving mercy the heavenly Kingdom comes.

Lead on, OKing Eternal, we follow, not with fears,

For gladnessbreaks the morning where 'er Thy face appears

Thy cross islifted o'er us, we journey in its light;

The crownawaits the conquest; Lead on, O God of might!

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Grace is NotEarned

(KateSimmonds)

Grace is notearned, nor deserved,

It is a giftfrom God.

Saved byYour mercy alone,

Rescued byYour great love.

Grace is theheart of the Father,

Grace is thegift of the Son,

Grace is thework of the Spirit,

Revealingthe wonder of an amazing God.

You know howoften I fail

And all thatI can't undo,

Stains I'veno means to erase,

How can Istand before You?

Christ takesthe cross on His shoulders,

Steadfast toCalvary's hill,

Leaving mysin in the grave

He rises,the conquering Son,

Such amazinglove!

Raised byYour life, now in Christ,

Chosen anddearly loved,

I am nowseen through Your eyes:

Righteousthrough Jesus' blood!

Ransomed,restored and forgiven,

My sins areremembered no more!

Though stillI'll stumble, You'll keep me.

By grace,I'll continue on in unending love!

Oh themercy, oh the mercy of our God, of our God. (repeat)

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CompletelyDone

(JonathanBaird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock)

What reasonhave I to doubt

Why would Idwell in fear

When all Ihave known is grace

My future inChrist is clear

My sins havebeen paid in full

There's nocondemnation here

I live inthe good of this

My Fatherhas brought me near

I'm leavingmy fears behind me now

The old isgone, the new has come

What Youcomplete is completely done

We're heirswith Christ, the victory won

What Youcomplete is completely done

I don't knowwhat lies ahead

What if Ifail again

You are myconfidence

You'll keepme to the end

I'm leavingmy fears behind me now

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We Belong tothe Day

(MichaelMorrow)

We belong tothe day

To the daythat is to come

When thenight falls away

And ourSaviour will return

For theglory of the King is in our hearts

On that daywe will be seen for what we are

We belong tothe day

Let usjourney in the light

Put onfaith, put on love

As ourarmour for the fight

And thepromise of salvation in our eyes

On that daythe proud will fall, the faithful rise

CH: Strongas a mighty rock

Our refugein the coming wrath

The heart ofthe bride belongs to Jesus, Jesus

The earth inits turning stops

To marvel atthe Son of God

And all ofthat day belongs to Jesus, Jesus

We belong tothe day

We werebought with Jesus' blood

Soon hecomes as the judge

In the powerof his word

We must tellof his salvation while we wait

For the daywhen Jesus comes will be too late

BR: Oh, iften thousand years go by we will wait

Let us tellof his great love, he will come

For hispatience means salvation!

==================================================

Praise theLord

(Doug Plankand Bob Kauflin)

Praise theLord, Oh praise His name

From theheights of heav'n He reigns

Seated inthe highest place

Surroundedby unending praise

Praise Himfor His mighty deeds

Awesome inHis majesty

Praise Himnow with trumpet sound

Lift yourvoice and dance around

Everythingthat has breath, praise the Lord

Everythingthat's in us, praise Him

Everythingthat has breath, praise the Lord

Praise theLord with instruments

Praise Himfor His excellence

Look at whatHe's done for us

Bore oursins upon the cross

Praise theLord with all you are

Mind andsoul and will and heart

From Hishand comes everything

He alone isGod and King

==================================================

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Free Book: Refuting Evolution 2

2011-09-09T06:30:00.001+08:00

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and agood conscience and a sincere faith.
~ 1 Timothy 1:5

“Why Do You Believe What You Believe?” is the theme for thesecond council meeting of the young people here at our district. It is enthusingto learn that United Methodist youths are recapturing interests for Christianapologetics. It is, therefore, timely to give away an apologetic book. Jonathan Sarfati “adroitlymakes light of the inaccuracies and fallacies of evolutionary theory, andoffers sound creationist interpretation of the facts” in his RefutingEvolution 2.

Take a look at its table of contents:

Unit 1. Claim: Evolution is Science

Evolutionists insist that evolutionarytheory is science, and claim that creationism is religion.

Chapter 1: Argument: Creationism is religion, not science

Chapter 2: Argument: Evolution is compatible with Christian religion

Chapter 3: Argument: Evolution is true science, not ‘just a theory’

Unit 2. Claim: Evolution is wellsupported by the evidence

Evolutionists claim that they have foundabundant, observable evidence of evolution.

Chapter 4: Argument: Natural selectionleads to speciation

Chapter 5: Argument: Some mutations arebeneficial

Chapter 6: Argument: Common designpoints to common ancestry

Chapter 7: Argument: ‘Bad design’ isevidence of leftovers from evolution

Chapter 8: Argument: The fossil recordsupports evolution

Unit 3. Claim: ‘Problems’ withevolution are illusory

Evolutionists argue that there arereasonable theories for even the biggest ‘surprises’ of evolution.

Chapter 9: Argument: Probability ofevolution

Chapter 10: Argument: ‘Irreduciblecomplexity’

Chapter 11: Argument: Evolution of sex

Chapter 12: Argument: Evolution ofmankind

Appendix 1: Common arguments forevolution that have been rejected

Appendix 2:Common arguments for creation that should not be used

(In case you don’t win, you may read the book onlineat the website of Creation MinistriesInternational.)

To enter the draw, just answer a simple question: What is the common word found in thetitles of the following books?

Book 1 [clickhere]
Book 2 [clickhere]
Book 3 [click here]
Book 4 [clickhere]
Book 5 [clickhere]
Book 6 [clickhere]

DOUBLE your chance of winning! Like our Facebook page and you automatically get your draw entry doubled. (If you have already liked our page, your entry is automatically doubled.)

You ought to enter the draw with the right answer only once. The game closes by September 24 midnight and the winner will be announced on September 25. ^_^

The "No-Spank" Act (HB4455) Still SPANKs

2011-08-27T21:59:00.000+08:00

I highly honor and greatly love my parents. I cannotreally imagine who would I be if they were not my parents. I could have beenuneducated, or perhaps someone who had sold properties for gambling, or may hadnot even reach twenties after dying in a frat war. We were eight in the family(I am the eighth) and we can describe our ever lovable parents in hundreds ofwords. However, I and my siblings will agree that their being"DISCIPLINARIANS" will make it to the top 10... or even higher. Weare products of rods and we are incalculably thankful for it. I would spankthem if they had not spanked me. I would not be me without those rods.

Therefore, I find lots of mess and nonsense with thethoughts of representatives Susan Yap, Bernadette Herrera-Dy, and those wholined on their ranks. The former two principally authored House Bill No.4455 or“An Act Promoting Positive and Non-violent Discipline of Children.” Althoughthe Act aims for the best of children - to protect them against abuse, itrestricts parents and guardians to utilize corporal punishment, any punishmentin which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain ordiscomfort, however light. In short, this bill will jail my parents if only weare in the 80s.

With Bible on my hand, I will show that this"no-spank" house bill still SPANKs.

Scorns GOD's Attributes

"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, andchastises every son whom he receives... For the moment all discipline seemspainful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit ofrighteousness to those who have been trained by it (Heb. 12:6,11)."

GOD is infinitely loving, infinitely holy, infinitelywise. If the premise of this 4455 that corporal punishment does no good butrather has negative effects to kids is truthful, then GOD is the most foolishof all parents. GOD is not worthy of imitation in parenting. And GOD is evencausing unwanted effects to His kids. Or is He? That's an insult to my holyGOD's parenting methodologies.

Perverts Church Discipline

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to thechurch. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as aGentile and a tax collector (Matt. 18:17)."

"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in thepresence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear (1 Tim. 5:20)."

The church is designed by the Lord to be an assembly ofbelievers helping each other to grow in Christlikeness. It is a family ofsiblings guiding each other to be like sheep worthy of the Great Shepherd. TheShepherd, with a rod on His hand (Psa. 23:4), disciplines those in the flock(through the church) who act as goats. Church discipline is so much importantthat confessions (the Belgic Confession for example) consider it as anessential mark of the true church. If families won't witness discipline intheir homes, church discipline becomes blurry or worse, unacceptable.

Abducts Parental Respect

"We have had earthly fathers who disciplined us andwe respected them (Heb. 12:9)."

The Bible is clear in saying that respect is what parentsget when they give discipline. Our experience will testify to this with athousand Amens. It is then safe to say that the worst thing that hardens thehearts of children towards their parents, that robs them of their kids'respect, is restricting them in practicing discipline.

Neglects Human Nature

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but therod of discipline drives it far from him (Prov. 22:15)."

Jeremiah 17:9 refers to the heart of man as desperatelywicked, untrustworthy! We are sinners not because we do bad things. We do badthings because we are sinners. After Adam's fall, the nature of man iscorrupted that it bends towards wickedness. This depravity manifests as earlyas infancy and grows more and more conspicuous as someone progresses throughchildhood. This further implies parents are not just facing simple naughtinessbut so much more than that. Parents, as they deal with their kids, are facingman's corrupted and sinful nature. They are at war with the very reasons that nailedChrist on the cross, the very reasons that caused GOD the Son. GOD disclosed asecret tool -- the rod of discipline.

Knocks Divine Commands

"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he wholoves him is diligent to discipline him (Prov. 13:24)."

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if youstrike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, youwill save his soul from Sheol (Prov. 23:13-14)."

The crux of disagreements on this matter is actuallywhether to have faith in GOD who inspired the Scriptures or not, whether tolisten to psychologists who lived a few years or to take heed on the words ofGOD who breathed the stars, whether to believe that the Bible is infallible andis the sufficient guide to shepherding kids or not. The Bible has lots to sayabout discipline. It is just a matter of admitting that you can never be wiserthan GOD.

Curiosity is creeping in, "Did these congress people receive corporalpunishments themselves?" If not, then who are they to talk with authority onthis matter? If yes, then aren't they proud of what they have become? I amaware that there are lots of kids also who are battered on the guise ofdiscipline. They should really be saved and protected. However it is alwaysunwise to throw the baby out with the bath water.

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9 Unusual Ways of Saying "GOD Bless You"

2011-08-16T18:22:00.003+08:00

1) May you fully admit your emptiness and helplessness.

2) May your knowledge about your unworthiness drawyou to cry out and mourn.

3) May all of your fleshly confidence and pride befully smashed that you may trust no one but GOD.

4) May you be fully convinced that your aredisgustingly sinful and crave for genuine righteousness that comes from Christalone.

5) May you realize that you ought to show mercybecause you have received mercy too.

6) May you not be satisfied on outward acts ofholiness only but have genuine purity of heart.

7) May you be an agent of peace and reconciliationbetween men and between man and GOD.

8) May you face tons of persecutions from those whocan't stand with your display of Christlikeness.

9) May others revile you and persecute you andutter all kinds of evil against you falsely because of Christ.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11)

1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs isthe kingdom of heaven.

2) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall becomforted.

3) Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit theearth.

4) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst forrighteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

5) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receivemercy.

6) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shallsee God.

7) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall becalled sons of God.

8) Blessed are those who are persecuted forrighteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

9) Blessed are you when others revile you andpersecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

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Ten Books Rid of My Teen Crooks (and Free Book Give-Away)

2011-07-25T13:21:00.008+08:00

Deadlines are flocking on my schedules leaving me with so scarce time to blog. I must admit that my book giveaway is past my self-imposed deadline. But I hope a set of two books is worth the wait for those who are already asking. The winner will be taking home a copy each of The Radical Cross by A. W. Tozer and I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.

We ought to acknowledge that books are essential to our spirituality. The Apostle Paul himself was still asking for his books even in the concluding days of his life (2 Tim. 4:13). And as I ponder upon this importance, I have just realized that the books that I read in the earliest seasons of my Christian life (at about my teens) have incalculable effects on what I am now. If you are a new believer, let me exhort you to choose very sensibly the materials that you read. These may shape you, your ministry, and your fellowship with the Godhead more than you can imagine. Let me introduce you to 10 books that I read when I was much younger.

10	[Click for more Info]	As a student, I depended on freebies over the internet to sustain my desire for books. I received a couple of books from Moody Radio. One of which taught me about Bema Judgment and about bringing my money to heaven. Eversince reading Your Eternal Reward by Erwin Lutzer, my view on the Judgment Day and the selflessness of desiring rewards have just slightly changed.
9	[Click for more Info]	Another gracious giver of free materials was Insight for Living, a ministry of Charles Swindoll. Swindoll is a very gifted teacher for young Christian minds. Christlikeness is so vividly presented in this Christmas gift that I received in 2000 from friends, Anna and Dol. For sanctification in new believers, The Quest for Character will be a recommendation.
8	[Click for more Info]	The first reference material that I bought with my own money. Though already a local church youth president, I still had taken a lot of Scriptures out of context. My most persistent critic then, my pastor, had frequently emphasized my poor hermeneutics. How could I improve my hermeneutics if I didn’t even know what “hermeneutics” mean? Thank God for Kaiser and Silva’s An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. I did not just learn the meaning of hermeneutics; I also learned better biblical interpretation.
7	[Click for more Info]	Church discipline is a very unpopular theme in churches nowadays, unlike in the time of the Belgic Confession when it was still considered a mark of the true church. Jay Adams’ The Handbook of Church Discipline made me love Matthew 18 and other parts of Scripture that a lot find contradicting with love. Even excommunication can be the most loving act to a sheep acting like a goat. No other book made me a disciplinarian than this.
6	[Click for more Info]	Argentina found My Utmost for His Highest in a Oneness Pentecostal bookstore. It appeared that someone already owned and used it but perhaps re-sold it because it was Trinitarian. So I received it on my birthday. I did not straightaway realize that it was 100x harder to understand than my previous daily reading. But Oswald Chambers’ thoughts were so brilliant that I made my perusing so slow in order to dig gold from day to day. Up to now, after 12 years, I still esteem this book to the highest among devotionals.
5	[Click for more Info]	The Forgotten Spurgeon shaped the ambitious idealistic reformist zealot in me. It presented to me the hero I would be admiring ‘til my grave, to a man of whom this earth is not worthy. From his crash against the Hyper-Calvinists to his downgrade controversy, the prince of preachers is someone to whom I can wish to lose all knowledge that I have just to get a pinch of his pastoral skills.
4	[Click for more Info]	I should warn that Knowing God is not an easy reading… but it is neither hard. Though J. I. Packer designed it for the scholarly, God perhaps marginally tweaked his writing style so that younger ones could also devour theology studies with more ease. For more than two decades, this book has already blessed millions of the exciting and rewarding joy of knowing God. I am glad that I am one of these multitudes.
3	[Click for more Info]	I am surprised that I would even place I Kissed Dating Goodbye above J. I. Packer on influencing my Christian behaviour. Joshua Harris was such a popular name when we were teenagers because mainly of this book. It was not an understatement that new attitudes on love and courtship developed not just in individuals but also in youth organizations. If God will grant me a teenage child, I will definitely require him to read this book at least more than once.
2	[Click for more Info]	Nothing shaped my view pertaining to the pulpit more than John Piper’s The Supremacy of God in Preaching, my first Piper title. Its Trinitarian formula (goal, ground, and gift) for preaching and the expository preaching examples of Jonathan Edwards and Charles Spurgeon had stuck on my mind and heart and became very handy now that I already am a preacher. If I would institute a pre-requisite to not wasting the pulpit, surely reading this small book would be one.
1	[Click for more Info]	Honestly, God’s providence used my foolishness to make this book my first buy. As a youth leader, I was looking for a book that would help me to deal with the young people’s materialistic living. I thought Ashamed of the Gospel’s subtitle “When the Church Becomes Like The World” was the cue for my battle against materialism. Thank God because John MacArthur did not just offer a solution to an itty-bitty youth problem. He called me to faithful ministry, faithful to God and to His Word. It contains the first of my favorites from Spurgeon, “Look you, sirs, there are ages to come. If the Lord does not speedily appear, there will come another generation, and another, and all these generations will be tainted and injured if we are not faithful to God and to his truth today.”

DOUBLE your chance of winning! Like our Facebook page and you automatically get your draw entry doubled. (If you have already liked our page, your entry is automatically doubled.)

You ought to enter the draw with the right answer only once. The game closes by July 30 midnight and the winner will be announced on July 31. ^_^

DeLong’s Trial Team: Another Four Things that Shocked Me

2011-07-07T22:42:00.002+08:00

I have previously blogged on my takes for the Amy DeLong Trial. I did not expect that an unpopular pastor from the east would get a comment from a member of DeLong’s trial team. The following is the unedited comment from Wesley White:

Blessings from a member of Rev. Amy's Trial Team. We know there are many who are upset about the decision of the trial court to respond in what they understood to be an attempt to move the church from threatened division through a restorative justice form of consequence. Your sisters and brothers in Christ who were put in a most difficult place and had to wrestle with two different part of the Book of Discipline and what it means to uphold a document that changes every four years (and in non-USA locations does not need to be followed and isn't everywhere).
One part of the Discipline speaks of providing ministry with all people, it says, "Do Ministry, no matter what!" Another part of the Discipline speaks of consequences, "Don't do that, no matter what!" The letter of the law regarding trial procedures was strictly followed.
Was the Discipline upheld? I believe it was upheld in its processes even if there are people on both side who look on without having seen and heard the evidence and claim the penalty was too strong or too weak to match the letter of the law they most associate with - "Do" or "Don't".
Thank you for continuing to wrestle with the difficult discernment of whether to cut a baby in two, to do more than weep with Rachel as her children who were denied/killed, or the reminder that Mercy is desired, not Sacrifice. I wish you well in ministering in your context as Rev. Amy ministered in hers.

With this letter, I realized that not only on sexuality issues do we differ but also on at least four more areas.

Differing View on Unity

It is narrated in the comment that the trial court attempted to heal for unity “through a restorative justice form of consequence.” Is unity attained in this way? Jesus, in His High-Priestly prayer, disclosed the key element of unity. John 17:23 says, “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one…” Perfect biblical unity only comes through our union with Christ by faith and repentance. It, therefore, requires observance of biblical truth because Christ is Truth personified. As long as a party remains more committed to political agenda or to extra-biblical “expansive love of GOD” than to the revealed truth of the Bible, unity is unattainable.

Differing View on the Book of Discipline

It seems that the “most difficult place” for an adherent of this liberation movement is to wrestle with two seemingly opposing different parts of the Book of Discipline, when he is supposed to choose between "Do Ministry, no matter what!" and "Don't do that, no matter what!" I just can’t understand why portions of the BOD are forced to crash while these are supposed to be parallel. Some may argue that statements 2 and 4 imply that the least common multiple is 4. While on the other hand, some may say that statements 3 and 6 are suggesting for 6. But actually, statements 2, 3, 4, and 6 agree that 12 is the answer. When the BOD says “Don’t!” it is because not doing is the best way to “Do!”

Differing View on Ministry

There are at least two views on ministry: (1) Need-based, man-centered, culturally-defined ministry; and, (2) Redemption-based, GOD-centered, Scripture-defined ministry. Wesley White wrote, “I wish you well in ministering in your context as Rev. Amy ministered in hers.” With this concluding comment, the trial team member reveals his adherence to the first view. Through an article in Christianity Today titled “Toxic Pluralism,” United Methodist James V.Heidinger II already exhorted us in 1993 to flee from these types of ministries;

Evangelical pastors and theologians can learn from the mainline experience of placing relevance above truth. We must avoid the lure of novelty and soft sell, which, we are told, will make it easier for moderns to believe. Methods may change, but never the message… We are called to be faithful stewards of a great and reliable theological heritage. We have truths to affirm and errors to avoid. We must not try to make these truths more appealing or user friendly by watering them down. We must guard against a trendy "theological bungee-jumping" that merely entertains the watching crowd.

In the end, GOD will not evaluate us on whether our ministry is traditional or contextualized. But He will surely inquire whether our service is Scriptural or unbiblical.

Differing View on Mercy

White calls it mercy to unite in marriage lesbian couples, to let an elder clergy be engaged in a homosexual relationship for 16 years, to call these valid expressions of love, and to see these as acceptable in the eyes of (a) god. He calls this mercy. I never thought that a doctor who refrained from disclosing about his patient’s cancer could ever be merciful. Mercy is telling everybody to flee from the wrath to come not denying the existence of that wrath. Mercy will re-echo 1 Cor. 6:9-10, “Do not be deceived; neither homosexuals will inherit the kingdom of God.”

We are on the contrasting sides not just because we have opposing views on sexuality. We are on the contrasting sides because we have opposing views on GOD, Christ, the church, ministries, the Word, love, justice, John Wesley, nature, math, and a lot more.

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The Amy DeLong Trial: Four Things that Should Shock Filipinos

2011-06-30T14:30:00.004+08:00

The trial of Amy DeLong, a lesbian elder who performed a same-sex union in Wisconsin, went along almost unnoticed here in the Philippines. It is perhaps because of the current crisis that pushes us Filipinos to the brink of division on this eastern part of United Methodism.

A church trial was convened from June 21 to 23 because of two charges pressed against DeLong: (1) for officiating a union for a lesbian couple on September of 2009; and, (2) for supposedly being a self-avowed practicing homosexual. The jury unanimously declared her guilty of violating the church ban on celebrating same-sex unions. But she was acquitted, 12-1, on the second charge. You may read more on this here.

Though United Methodism is generally liberal in the West, there are still lands where she grabs a foothold that are lesser “progressive” in theology and practice. When news like this hits our shores, there are some entities that should shock us.

Twenty-Day Suspension

Last March 12, a certain TV show headed by Willie Revillame became an object of disagreement for having an episode that featured a dancing boy which was, according to the regulatory board, “unfit for public viewing.” A one-month suspension was issued against the show. That is a 30-day suspension. Now, I can’t help but use this for comparison. Though DeLong was unanimously found guilty of violating church law, she only received a 20-day suspension. Moreover, the suspension given to her is not really a penalty but is to be used for spiritual discernment. So shocking to know that here, we give 30-day suspensions for dancing boys while in the west, they reward 20-day retreats to those who openly insult church law and GOD’s Word.

Rule for Practicing

For the second charge against the lesbian elder, she was found innocent. She was not proven to be a “self-avowed practicing homosexual.” This is behind the fact that DeLong had a 16-year homosexual relationship with a certain Val Zellmer. The shocking comes from how the Judicial Council defines a “self-avowed practicing homosexual.”

In response, in Decision 920, in exercising its responsibility to render declaratory decisions on the meaning, application and effect of specific disciplinary provisions (¶ 2610), the Judicial Council unanimously held that such a statement was sufficient to subject such person’s membership in her ministerial office to review under ¶ 359.1 of the Discipline. If in the course of such review, such person affirmed that the person was engaged in genital sexual activity with a person of the same gender, such person would have openly acknowledged that the person is a self-avowed practicing homosexual.

This is absurd. This virtually establishes nothing. As long as the respondents shut their mouths on things about their sexual activities (like DeLong), lock the door, and cover themselves in thick blankets, they are still not considered as self-avowed practicing homosexuals… even if they become registered committed partners.

Lot in Trouble

When the chair of Wisconsin Annual Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry, Richard Strait, occupied the witness stand, he confessed that if performing same-sex unions "were a heinous crime, there would be a whole lot of us in deep trouble." This again sounds so shocking. “A lot of us” from the chairman of the Board of Ordained Ministry? His statement implies at least three things: (1) that violating the church law in their annual conference is rampant, it is normal; (2) that church leaders and ministers are fully aware of these violations; and, (3) that for them violating the church law is not a violation at all, it is not a heinous crime.

Juror’s “No Harm”

Although the members of the jury that handled DeLong’s trial are generally silent, there is one name that participates actively in news articles and blog posts. He is juror Bill McBride, a pastor and a blogger. The following are glimpses of his comments.

“The word ‘penalty phase’ really has no place in a church that should always have its mind and eye toward restoration and reconciliation.”

“… the goal of the ‘trial court’ was to rebuild covenant, seek to 'Do no harm' as Wesley stated.”

There is perhaps a misunderstanding of Wesley’s “Do no harm” rule. McBride seems not to realize that his version of doing no harm also collides against Wesley himself when the latter wrote, “After diligent inquiry made, I removed all those from the congregation of the faithful whose behaviour or spirit was not agreeable to the gospel of Christ; openly declaring the objections I had to each, that others might fear and cry to God for them.” And again, “I met the classes, but found no increase in the society. No wonder, for discipline had been quite neglected, and without this, little good can be done among the Methodists.” It is known that Methodism in the west is decreasing rapidly. If McBride would ask Wesley why, he would receive an answer that would shatter his own “Do no harm.”

Both camps that debate on the issue of sexuality are bracing themselves as the General Conference 2012 is less than a year away. However, the battle is not just on keeping the words printed intact in the Book of Discipline. The battle is also in securing the Discipline of its power. For, though the words are staying intact, the power behind the words is obviously shrinking.

(A member of DeLong's Trial Team had posted a comment which you can read here.)

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Free Book Give-Away and the Mystery Prize Game

2011-06-17T10:28:00.000+08:00

GOD has again been so faithful to me that I have now purchased another book to give away on this blog. However, let us make this time’s giveaway different by making the free book mysterious. The aim of our current game is to know the mystery book prize among the following six books by considering the five clues below.

Here are the choices:

Book 1: [click here]
Book 2: [click here]
Book 3: [click here]
Book 4: [click here]
Book 5: [click here]
Book 6: [click here]

And here are the clues. The Mystery Book (and the Mystery Prize):

does not have a number in its title.
is not published by Baker Book House.
has only one author.
has a paperback binding.
is worth more than $15 in its list price.

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&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

This game closes by Saturday (July 2) noon and the winner will be announced on Sunday (July 3). Enjoy the game.. ^_^

The Good Thing You Won’t Do in Heaven

2011-06-07T22:46:00.002+08:00

The fellowship we have here on earth cannot match our perfect fellowship in heaven. The joy that earthly worship causes us here on earth cannot equal the perfect joy of perfect worship that we will do in heaven. Even our knowing of GOD will be perfected in heaven (though I believe that knowledge of the infinite GOD is perfect yet progressive in heaven). Evangelism and missions. How noble, spiritual, and rewarding these may be, inhabitants of heaven won’t be doing them anymore. There will be neither unbelievers nor unreached peoples in the heavenly realms. So Matthew 28:19-20 ceases when the foreknown are glorified. Heaven marks the finish line of the Great Commission.

But, its being temporal does not make it a non-essential. On the contrary, its significance and urgency are even intensified by its temporariness. When something beautiful is on the brink of discontinuity, its beauty becomes more worthy of appreciation. Just imagine what will happen for the next seven days when a week from now, e-mailing and texting will be banned for life. The same applies to evangelism and missions. The Great Commission is satisfyingly beautiful, but it is temporary.

The R-E-A-C-H of Reaching Out

While hovering over Matthew 28:16-20, John MacArthur has helped me know five important elements of the Great Commission.

Readiness (Matt. 28:16). Jesus promised to meet the disciples in Galilee before He was crucified (Matt. 26:32). Therefore, they expectantly travelled to this place although it would take them almost a week-long journey from Jerusalem. And this travelling happened at least twice. When Jesus appeared to Thomas, they were in Jerusalem. When Jesus ate with them and asked Peter about his love for Him three times, they were in Galilee. When Jesus ascended to heaven, they were at the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. Here, in the commissioning, they were at Galilee. For forty days (from Jesus’ resurrection to ascension), the disciples were most of the time travelling, from Jerusalem to Galilee and back and forth again. The first recipients of the Great Commission possessed unfailing readiness without which, even the greatest skills and talents are useless.

Exaltation (Matt. 28:17). After a week-long travel, the disciples were no doubt exhausted and perhaps even hungry and thirsty. Personally, put my body in exhaustion and hunger, you will hear nothing from me but complaints UNLESS what I come to see is very much precious to me. And “precious” is an infinite understatement about Christ. The disciples, in the midst of physical fatigue, saw Christ and they were satisfied. They worshipped Him. Goers and senders for the Great Commission ought to be seeing Christ as infinitely valuable and seeing their sacrifices so little. Worshipful hearts make them so passionate for His glory. Like Isaiah, a missionary cannot but utter, “Here am I. Send me,” after seeing the glory of GOD.

Authority (Matt. 28:18). Jesus asserts his overall dominion over heaven and earth, his sovereign lordship over all things seen and unseen. First, he did not deny the worship and secondly, he declared his supremacy. He cannot be lesser than GOD. There are at least three purposes of this authority pronouncement: (1) to give affirmation to those who doubt (v.17); (2) to give legitimacy to the command that follows; and, (3) to give courage to the hesitant. John Stott rightly did say, "His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations. His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success. And His presence with us leaves us no other choice."

Command (Matt. 28:19-20a). Contrary to the prevailing view on the Great Commission, the main verb is not “Go” but “Make disciples.” Disciples are abiding followers who commit their lives in continuous learning and obedience. Disciple-making is aiming for Christlikeness, Christ-imitation. Others seem to have mistaken verse 19 as, “Go and make converts.” If the Great Commission is to be a house, conversion is just the door. The command of disciple-making is three-fold: (1) Going; (2) Baptizing; and, (3) Teaching. Going implies displacement, and this displacement is not of the unreached but of the reacher. The Bible did not just say, “Invite and make disciples” but instead, “Go.” Baptism means being identified with the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Comforter. It is death to self and life in GOD, in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). And lastly, teaching is for mind-renewal. Obviously, for a believer to live in constant obedience to GOD, he needs to be instructed of what GOD wants to be obeyed.

Help (Matt. 28:20b). Jesus is not sending us empty-handed. He promised His very presence to us. This presence is all we need. This is the presence of the storm-quieting, disease-terminating, hunger-sustaining, wrath-absorbing, death-conquering Lord of the universe. A similar promise is found in Matthew 10:19-20. I find these promises to be about an utmost intimacy of missionaries and their GOD. An utmost closeness and fellowship with GOD is promised to those who go. This perhaps is the reason why a lot of us Christians feel so much distant from GOD and do not feel His presence. It is because we don’t go and suffer for the salvation of others.

"Never pity missionaries; envy them. They are where the real action is - where life and death, sin and grace, Heaven and Hell converge." (Robert Shannon) Let us go to where the real action is. It is not yet too late. It is not yet heaven.

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John Piper - Rick Warren Interview Video, Audio, and Transcript Download

2011-05-27T23:52:00.006+08:00

Although I have doubted Rick Warren for so long [and still have some reservations ‘til now], I never have thought that we can be closer in theology when he just talks straight. [All the following are Warren's.]

“I think any apparent contradiction in scripture is my limited capacity. Me trying to understand God is like an ant trying to understand the Internet. I don’t have the brain capacity.”

“Absolutely. I believe in the five solas. One hundred percent believe in the five solas. And I am—to those of you who know about this— I’m a monergist [someone that believes in the doctrine that says spiritual renewal is exclusively the activity of the Holy Spirit].

“I wish that those who believe in the doctrines of grace would be more gracious. That’s all I’d say… I’m an evangelical. I believe the doctrines of grace.”

“… obviously there have been historically many different theories of the atonement and I think each of them has a part. But I think fundamentally it is the substitutionary understanding that God—Jesus took our payment and you can’t understand.”

“Even the faith. And, ‘That not of yourselves.’”

“I am motivated by the fact that in the next 365 days, 136,000 Californians will die and most of them will go into an eternity without Christ. In the next 365 days, 2.4 million Americans will die; most of them will go into eternity without Christ. In the next 365 days, 74 million people in the world will go into eternity without Christ and without hope. I can’t live with that.”

“So when you say who does Christ die for? He died for the church, okay. I don’t think God’s death on the cross through Christ was a failure, if you are saying that. I do not believe that anybody he intended to die for is failing in that area.”

“I don’t believe my interpretation’s inerrant. I don’t believe anybody else’s interpretation is inerrant, but I do believe the scripture is inerrant. I believe in the plenary, verbal plenary inspiration of scripture, without a doubt.”

DOWNLOAD :: FULL LENGTH VIDEO (.mov) || FULL LENGTH AUDIO (.mp3) || TRANSCRIPT (.pdf)

3:29 The glory of God.

7:16 David Wells and the weight of God’s reality.

9:00 Would you write the book the same today?

12:00 The sovereignty of God.

18:47 How do you speak of God’s sovereignty in the presence of tragedy?

22:01 How do all things work for bad for those who reject Christ?

24:14 Do you hedge on Larry King?

27:00 Unconditional election.

30:18 The importance of eternity.

34:42 How do you conceive of eternity: in heaven, on earth?

38:53 What is the Gospel?

42:00 What did Jesus achieve on the cross?

43:40 Repentance.

50:50 Why don’t you call yourself a Calvinist?

53:09 Propitiation.

54:39 Prevenient grace.

60:01 Total depravity.

61:03 Hell.

69:10 Eternal destiny of those who never heard.

72:40 The extent of the atonement.

77:00 Do unbelievers always do the devil’s bidding?

78:40 Your view of the Bible.

82:40 Expository preaching and doctrinal depth.

88:10 Rick Warren’s sacred trust.

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College of Bishops Releases Statement About UMC Split in the Philippines

2011-05-21T17:59:00.001+08:00

I have found the following document on Facebook. It appears to be genuine. Filipino Methodists, let us pray for our beloved church.

=========================================================================

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Philippines Central Conference

College of Bishops

UMC Headquarters, 900 U.N. Avenue

Ermita, Manila, 1000 Philippines

A Pastoral Statement

To : The UMC Community in the Philippines

From : The College of Bishops

Date : May 16, 2011

There are some recent developments in our church about which we want to inform you and to suggest to you how we might regard and handle them.

First, on May 7, 2011, some members and pastors of our church have decided to withdraw officially their membership in The United Methodist Church and organize themselves into a separate church which they name “The Philippines Methodist Church”. This was done in Carmen United Methodist Church in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija and was attended by some 200 people – lay and pastors and Bishop Lito Tangonan.

This is a sad event in the history of our church. This is the third time that there is schism in the Methodist community in the Philippines. We deeply wish that it should never have happened.

However, for whatever reasons these people are formally breaking membership relation with us, we must acknowledge that they have the right to do so. Membership in our church is voluntary, and withdrawal of that membership is equally voluntary. Such a choice is an expression of the right to religious freedom.

Should they wish to restore their membership with us later on, we must welcome them.

Second, it appears that these people have proclaimed officially that the first bishop of their schismatically organized group is Bishop Lito Tangonan. By all indications in terms of his participation in the preparation of the Carmen event, the proclamation of the schismatic group, and the structuring of the schismatic church, Bishop Tangonan appears to have accepted this offer. Given his active participation in establishing the schismatic group, he could not deny the offer, and he did not. The only reasonable conclusion is that he now heads the schismatic church. This means that Bishop Tangonan has renounced his membership in the United Methodist Church, has vacated the office of Bishop of the United Methodist Church, and terminated his membership in both the College of Bishops of the Philippines Central Conference and the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church.

This is also a very sad event in the history of our church. We regret it very deeply.

However, Bishop Tangonan has the right to make this choice. We must respect both the right and the choice in which it was exercised.

It is only proper that in our respect of his right and of his choice, we shall no longer, from hereon, regard Bishop Tangonan as a bonafide member of our church and a bishop in our church.

Thirdly, The pastors and district superintendents who have joined in organizing the “Philippines Methodist Church” in exercise of their right and by the choice they have made are to be treated officially as having formally terminated their membership and ministry in The United Methodist Church.

The restoration of their membership and ministry – while welcome – may, however, depend on some conditions being met in accordance with the Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

Fourthly, the organizing of the Philippines Methodist Church as a schismatic group may entail questions of claims to properties. These questions may become legal issues that may entail court litigation and action. We shall do our best in protecting the interests and properties of The United Methodist Church.

Fifthly, we have no information that whole local churches or congregations are withdrawing from being a part of The United Methodist Church connection.

It may be that only members of local churches are seceding, not whole local churches. If this is the case, then the local church from which some of its members are withdrawing their membership remains and continues to be a local church of the entire UMC connection. Moreover, local churches are parts of annual conferences which are legally incorporated. And so their legal status is unimpaired by some of their members terminating their membership. If a whole local church and its entire membership decide to terminate their connectional and incorporate status, this may require an action of approval by the annual conference of which it is a member.

Finally, if a local church or some local churches decide to terminate their connectional and corporate status and the annual conference agrees, that does not impair the connectional and corporate status of the annual conference concerned. It retains legal authority over its properties, since properties of local churches are held in trust of The United Methodist Church – and are therefore connectionally held – and at the same time held corporately by the annual conference.

In conclusion, schism in the church is always a sad and troublesome affair. They have immediate and long-term consequences. In view of this, let us not make the situation become any worse than it is. Let us refrain from hurting words and harmful deeds. Let us act in good faith always speaking the truth in love. And with every opportunity that comes, let us together work toward preserving and promoting the unity of the church.

God bless you all!

(Sgd.) Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan (Sgd.) Bishop Leo A. Soriano

(Sgd.) Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil (Sgd.) Bishop Jose A. Gamboa, Jr.

(Sgd.) Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr. (Sgd.) Bishop Benjamin A. Justo

=========================================================================

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Free Book Give-Away and the Similarity Game

2011-05-10T23:26:00.001+08:00

I have learned from my Kuya Manny (who blogs here) that Philippine Christian Bookstore in Dagupan is offering discounts on all OMF titles. So I dropped by and paid a visit looking for something that I could thanked Thrown Scabbard readers with.

I picked a book on hermeneutics (the science of [Bible] interpretation). How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart is a very good resource selling more than half a million copies for its usefulness, simplicity, and clarity. You can read more about the book here.

Similarity Game

To enter the draw, just visit the following books and answer a very simple question: What do these books share in common? If it appears to be a challenge to you, then you just need to get a little lesser serious. Trust me, you don't have to be a Sherlock Holmes to find the answer. Here are the books:

Doctrine of God (click here for book details)
Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power (click here for book details)
The Cross of Christ (click here for book details)
Safe in the Arms of God (click here for book details)
This Momentary Marriage (click here for book details)
John :: Crossway Classic Commentaries (click here for book details)

DOUBLE your chance of winning!

Like our Facebook page and you automatically get your draw entry doubled. (If you have already liked our page, your entry is automatically doubled.)

You can take as much time as you want as long as you submit your answer before the game closes on May 21 noon. The winner will be announced on May 22. Enjoy the game.. ^_^

Nanay Eliang

2011-05-08T13:47:00.003+08:00

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagbubuntis, ang pamilya'y nasunugan

Ang iniligtas ay hindi pera o damit o maging kagamitan

Hawak-hawak ay listahan ng pautang sa aming tindahan

Iniisip ang kinabukasan ng mga anak at sinapupunan

Magtali ng sintas at tumingin ng oras

Magkwenta ng sukli at manghuli ng tutubi

Malaking letra sa una, ngalan ko man o kanya

Mag-ingat sa kalsada, tinuro lahat sa pilyong bata

Kasama sa enrolment mula kinder hanggang haiskul

Nagpumilit magpuyat para sa kolehiyo niyang bukol

Nagkabit ng ribbon, pumalakpak sa aking balagtas

Sulit daw ang hirap niya dahil lang sa gradong mataas

Ang pag-ibig ng aking ina ay hindi maipapaliwanag

Kahit nasasaktan, ngiti pa rin ang naaaninag

Ito'y walang katapusan at hindi makasarili

Sapagkat walang makakasira at hindi maikukubli

Matiisin at nagpapatawad kahit ang iba na'y nagsawa

Ipinagyayabang ang bunso kahit 'di naman kahanga-hanga

Hindi nagkukulang kahit puso'y halos mawasak pa

Patuloy sa paniniwala kahit ang lahat ay wala nang tiwala

Lampas langit, singlalim ng dagat, malawak, 'di masukat

Karaming himala, misteryo'y daig pa ang "Believe it or not"

Mauubos ang puno kung sa papel ay isusulat ang lahat

At hindi naman nagmana sa kanya, wala akong kasingtamad

Marami sa mga gawa niya, ngayon ay hindi na niya naaalala

Dahil sa stroke, siya'y nakahiga na lang sa kanyang kama

Maiiksing kwentuhan at pautal-utal niyang pananalita

Kasiyahang wagas ko na ang pagtawa niya nang bahagya

Kung babalikan ko ang mapaghimalang puso ng aking ina

Palagi kong makikita na ang Dios natin ay dakila

Pinili Niya si Nanay Eliang para tiyak ang paglaki ng tama

Nawa sa langit makapagpasalamat sa harapan nilang dalawa

The Best in Marvin Sapp is Worse Than the Worst in Cockroaches

2011-04-28T09:05:00.006+08:00

The 42nd Dove Awards was held last week, April 20, in Atlanta, Georgia. And I admit that I am disturbed with the winning piece for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, Marvin Sapp’s The Best in Me. You may read the lyrics here or hear the song here.

Although the song runs for almost six minutes, it contains nothing but repetitive disregarding of the fallen-ness of man and the necessity of the cross. I hate to say that the Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of 2011 is devoid of the Gospel. Let me explore three areas that are necessary for the Gospel but are squashed in the song.

The Total Wickedness of Man

Nothing good with eternal significance can ever come out of man. No good gospel tract will ever remove this point. No faithful evangelism will ever leave this unsaid. Romans 3:23 and Isaiah 64:6 are favorites in illustrating this. But the song starts and greatly lingers upon the thought that,

He saw the best in me
When everyone else around
Could only see the worst in me

When GOD sees man and He finds the “best” in him acceptable, then this drags His infinite holiness and demand for perfection. Just the chorus of the song insults GOD’s infinite perfection. GOD is perfectly holy and demands nothing but perfect holiness, something that only Christ can satisfy.

The Severe Sacrifice of Christ

When GOD sees man, He sees nothing but objects of His righteous wrath (Romans 1:18). A pinch of wickedness against the infinitely holy GOD demands an infinitely severe penalty. But it seems that Marvin Sapp believes otherwise,

See He’s mine, and I am His
It doesn’t matter what I did
He only sees me, for who I am
Does anybody know that today?

What you did DOES matter a lot. GOD hates all who do wrong (Psalm 5:5). And in the cross, let us feel how our deeds matter a lot in the eyes of GOD. Because of what we did and what Marvin Sapp did, the only begotten and most precious Son was compelled to take a form of a servant (Phil. 2:6-8), became sin (2 Cor. 5:21), and absorbed the full fury of GOD’s wrath for us (1 Pet. 3:18). To say that what we did does not matter is to disregard what Christ has severely suffered.

The Awful Deviation of Sin

In the creation, GOD had indeed made man so privileged that He created Him in His own image (Gen. 1:26). At first, man was like GOD: he was made to be rational and mirrored some of GOD’s attributes such holiness, purity, and sinlessness. But Genesis 3 has massively destroyed this mirroring. Man became so tainted that his “holiness” has deviated with a great distance that no one can measure from the holiness of GOD. “The Best in Me” seems to neglect the fact that the image of GOD in man is so blurred by sin,

And the reason He sees me for who I am
Because He created me in His image and His likeness

Why did GOD predestine us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29)? Why is Paul exhorting us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2)? Because sin has caused man an infinite gap from the privilege of reflecting GOD’s purity.

The Best in Man and the Worst in Cockroaches

Christ died for men. Did He die for cockroaches? No. It is not because we are better than these pests. It is actually the perfect opposite. Christ died for us because we are worse than cockroaches. These flying creations did not offend the holy GOD. They don’t need a Savior because they are not as bad as we are.

The hypocrite has his mind pleased and delighted, in the first place, with his own privilege, and the happiness which he supposes he has attained to, or shall attain to. True saints have their minds, in the first place, inexpressibly pleased and delighted with the sweet ideas of the glorious and amiable nature of the things of God.
~ Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

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Free Books and the Mystery Number Game

2011-04-26T01:12:00.004+08:00

First, let me thank you all who played the Mystery Word Game and let us congratulate Shanie Ley Repato for winning. For all those who were not fortunate to bring home the two John Piper books (that means everybody except Shanie), you have a chance to win a consolation prize of another two books.

Prize

The first of the books is Christian Manifesto by Francis Schaeffer. I got the copy of the book again from Nepo Booksale. Just like the Don’t Waste Your Life book, it is slightly used but in a good condition. You can learn more of the book here.

The second book is A Faith Worth Believing, Living, and Commending by Dennis Ngien. Dennis Ngien is so gracious that he sends multiple copies of this book to us. The one we are giving away is a spare copy. It better be handed to others so that it can be used rather than to collect dusts. By the way, it is signed by Ngien himself. You can read more about the book here.

The Mystery Number Game

Everybody is eligible to join this game except for Shanie (Sorry, Sha.. ^_^). To enter the draw, you need a little of research and math. I am looking for a mystery number. THIS NUMBER IS SO DEAR TO ME.

Let X be equal to the number of pages of this book [click here].
Let Y be equal to the number of pages of this book [click here].
Let Z be equal to the number of pages of this book [click here].
Let U be the year when this book [click here] was published.
Let V be the only number mentioned in the title of this book [click here].
Let W be the last three digits of the ISBN of this book [click here].
MYSTERY NUMBER = (W x V) + U + X + Y + Z

DOUBLE your chance of winning!

Like our Facebook page and you automatically get your draw entry doubled. (If you have already liked our page, your entry is automatically doubled.)

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

This game closes by Saturday (April 30) noon and the winner will be announced on Sunday. Enjoy the game.. ^_^

24 Costly Hours and 24 Dirty Feet

2011-04-21T23:15:00.004+08:00

Puff Daddy opens a trash song with these words: “I want you to ask yourself one question; If you had 24 hours to live what would you do?” Though the song is very very bad and very very poor, his question is valid. If you are to create a wish list in the last 24 hours of your life, what will surely stick to your roll? With whom will you want to spend these? What are your deepest desires that you will express? Whatever your answers are, there is one thing I am certain of. You will never think of washing 24 dirty feet. Actually, you will never think of doing it even in your last 24 weeks, or your last 24 months, or perhaps even in your last 24 years.

That makes Jesus incredibly amazing. In His last 24 costly hours, He deeply considered the 24 dirty feet of his disciples. Only a steadfastly loving and amazingly humble Person can do this. Let us revisit John 13:1-14.

Steadfast Love Stated (John. 13:1)

The story starts with Jesus' omniscience; He “knew that his hour had come.” He washed the disciples’ feet not because he did not know that He was about to die. He did the washing with His full knowledge that He was about to “depart out of this world to the Father.” And I don’t think He did this ALTHOUGH He knew He was leaving. I believe He did this BECAUSE He knew He was leaving. Why? Because of His steadfast love; He “loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

Steadfast Love Spurned (John. 13:2)

The divine love stated in verse 1 is an infinitely undeserved love that the eternal Lord dishes out freely. Only fools would reject this love. That’s why Judas acted to be so unreasonable. Verse 2 is seemingly so illogical. It is sandwiched between verses of the Lord’s steadfast love but it contained Judas’ rejection of this unparalleled love. What a contrast! And the Holy Spirit invites us to see the immense contrast of Jesus’ love and Judas’ hatred. Wasn’t Judas so foolish when he rejected such an intense love? If you answered yes, then a certain author Krumacher will argue that you have been as foolish as Judas in a thousand ways. He asks,

“… would that the traitor’s kiss that Judas gave was the only one, but in a spiritual sense Jesus still has to endure it a thousand fold to this hour, for hypocritically to confess Jesus with your mouth while your conduct belies Him, … to sing enthusiastic hymns to Him while trampling His gospel by word and deed, what is that but a Judas kiss by which men pollute the face of Jesus Christ?”

Steadfast Love Showed (John. 13:3-11)

In the times of Jesus and the apostles, almost everybody travels by foot in vast distances that modern day travellers can’t imagine. And since Israel is like all other Middle East countries, people walk through inch-deep dirt or mud. Just imagine the disciples’ feet! Therefore, it was common in Jewish houses to have big water containers for washing (just like in the wedding at Cana). When visitors come, the host may ask the lowest among his slaves to wash the feet of the guests.

Jesus and the Disciples. When they entered the upper room, Jesus and His disciples were left alone. There was no host. There was no slave. There was no one to wash their feet. No one among the disciples thought of serving his colleagues by washing their feet. Instead, everybody was greatly interested of who would be the greatest in GOD’s kingdom (Luke 22:24). For them, it was better to eat with dirty feet and endanger the food with dirt than wash the others’ feet. Jesus, having the greatest power and the highest position (see verse 3), stood and dressed like a slave and served as a slave. He rebuked them by showing them His steadfast love. If I was there and I was bragging about being the greatest (I am sure I would), and saw what Jesus started to do, I would be agonizing with regret and resentment. I think the next time the disciples gathered, they contested for the water.

Jesus and Peter. Here comes Peter’s feet. There were 3 exchanges of sentences between him and Jesus. In each exchange, Jesus wanted Peter to hover over some truths.

In verses 6 to 7, Jesus wanted Peter to see His picture of steadfast love portrayed in humility. And perhaps, He was even telling Peter that he would fully understand this simplier display of humility when he would already see the ultimate display of humility at the cross.

In verse 8, Jesus was implying to Peter that He was the only way for acceptable cleansing; that there is no other way to be fully acceptable to GOD but only through the only potent cleansing power of His blood.

In verse 9 and 10, Jesus was teaching Peter that when someone trusts the Lord, he becomes bathed clean – totally clean. And no more total cleansing like this will ever be needed again. But as he lives his still imperfect life here on earth, he may be gathering the earth’s dust. And although, these little dusts of the sinful world do not have condemning power anymore, it still has indwelling power. It still needs to be washed.

Jesus and Judas. Verse 11 displays another aspect of Christ’s unconditional love. The traitor, Judas, was there; he who would betray Jesus with a kiss; he who sold 3 years of ministry, fellowship, and friendship for 30 pieces of silver. He was there sitting with his dirty feet. Jesus washed his feet too.

Steadfast Love Shared (John 13:12-14)

In his last 24 costly hours, Jesus washed 24 dirty feet to show to the 12 disciples and share to them that, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” Christ’s disciples (that now includes you and me) are instructed to practice untiring love displayed in humility even in your last 24 hours.

(Note: For this post, I am greatly indebted to John F. MacArthur.)

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Free Book Give-Away and the Mystery Word Game

2011-04-11T07:59:00.016+08:00

Weeks ago, when I visited Nepo Mall’s Booksale, I bought a used (but in a very good condition) copy of John Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life.” But since I already have a copy of this book, I decided to give it away here in a draw.

To enter the draw, you shall complete a LATIN 6-LETTER WORD using the hints below:

LETTER 1 is also the first letter of the second word of this book's title (click here).
LETTER 2 is also the third letter of the first word of this book's title (click here).
LETTER 3 is also the fourth letter of the fifth word of this book's title (click here).
LETTER 4 is also the first letter of the first word of this book's title (click here).
LETTER 5 is also the fifth letter of the last name of this book's author (click here).
LETTER 6 is also the second letter of the last name of this book's author (click here).

You should then post your NAME, E-MAIL, and YOUR ANSWER in a comment below. You should only enter the draw once. (Remember that your comment will be hidden so others may not see.)

DOUBLE your chance of winning!

Like our Facebook page and you automatically get your draw entry doubled.

In this case, you should include your FACEBOOK USERNAME in your comment below.

This giveaway game closes by Good Friday noon and the winner will be announced on Easter Sunday. Enjoy the game. ^_^

Update for April 12
Aside from the book, the winner will also receive a 124-page Don't Waste Your Life Study Guide which is worth $9.99.

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Farewell Kevin Max

2011-04-05T09:04:00.003+08:00

Farewell Rob Bell. Three words from John Piper (followed by Justin Taylor’s post, Rob Bell: Universalist?) that had made the internet vastly busy. And when the blogosphere was so dense because of Rob Bell, his new book Love Wins, and this promotional video, I thought it was already unnecessary for me to blog about it. I knew that I can’t contribute any weight to the responses of the names that I respect in the evangelical world (see this Reader’s Digest).

But I felt compelled to write when I woke up this morning and saw a post by Kevin Max (one of the trio that I love the most when I was in college, dc Talk).

Around the same time, he had this tweet:

Kevin Max has publicly announced his support of Bell and to those “that asks questions about the great mysteries that surround us.” He even adds that those who “have a problem with that” are out of the bounds of the Unicornian Church, an internet-based (according to him) church that he created.

I also love questions as long as it guides us to the objective truth. I can still remember the chorus of dc Talk’s most loved song Jesus Freak:

What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak?
What will people do when they find that it's true?
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth.

I’m so sad that Max is so blind to see that Rob Bell has disguised the truth.

Jesus Freak’s second verse was dedicated to a man “With skins on his back and hair on his face; They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate; The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak; Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak.” The man is John the Baptist who shouts in the wilderness, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7)” This Jesus-freak John the Baptist did not disguise the truth about the wrath that we need to flee from. This is the very same wrath that Rob Bell blurs again and again.

Perhaps, my concluding words for Kevin Max will be best served by the chorus of another dc Talk song:

We know exactly where you are, and you're gone (my friend)
Don't know exactly where you're coming from
You've gone away (so long) my friend.

By the way, I wonder if Max knows that, in the Bible, the first question mark is raised in Genesis 3:1… by the serpent?

Farewell Kevin Max.

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Three Johns, Three Points, Three Subjects

2011-03-27T23:15:00.003+08:00

John Wesley's Three Rules on Harmonious Living

(1) Do no harm
(2) Do good
(3) Stay in love with God

John Calvin's Three-fold Use of the Law

     (1) The Pedagogical Use. The Law is a teacher showing us GOD's righteousness and condemning us for falling short of GOD's glory.
     (2) The Judicial Use. The Law threatens with punishments against trespasses exhorting us to sin less.
     (3) The Didactic Use. The Law serves as a normative guide to holiness and love, both for GOD and for others.

(ref: Institutes of Christian Religion)

John Owen's Three Choices on Atonement

God imposed His wrath due unto, and the Son underwent the pains of hell for, either:

     (1) All the sins of all men.
     (2) All the sins of some men, or
     (3) Some sins of all men.

In which case it may be said:

If the last, some sins of all men, then have all men some sins to answer for, and so shall no man be saved.

If the second, that is it which we affirm, that Christ in their stead and room suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the world.

But if the first be true, why are not all men free from the punishment due unto their sins?

You answer, "Because of their unbelief."

I ask, "Is this unbelief a sin, or is it not? If it is, then Christ suffered the punishment due unto it, or He did not. If He did, why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which He died? If He did not, He did not die for all their sins!"

(from: The Death of Death in the Death of Christ)

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10 Things that will Make a Believer's Graduation Shameful

2011-03-25T19:08:00.004+08:00

For teachers like me, March is the most stressful month of the year. Students flood faculty members' offices for a vast variety of concerns: completion exams, unmet requirements, missing grades, picture takings, crying parents, etc. All for a single reason, "Sir, I am graduating."

So I think it is timely to reflect on how Christians should let their light shine on the basis of graduating. You, as a believer, have a unique opportunity to show to the world that you are different.

You waste your Graduation...

When you are more concerned on how your name marks your diploma than how words mark your Bible. Because Psalm 119:103 is very far from saying, "How sweet is my name to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
When you are more excited in attending baccalaureate activities than going to church. Because Psalm 84:10 is very far from saying, "For a day in Stadia is better than a thousand elsewhere."
When you are more worried in preparing for graduation pictures than evaluating the frame of your heart. Because 1 Cor. 10:12 is very far from saying, "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he looks good take heed lest he fall."
When you are reflecting more of being freed from school works than being freed from sins' works. Because Romans 6:6,7 are very far from saying, "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the works of school might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to school. For one who has graduated has been set free from school.
When you have already mastered your song on graduation day but are still unsure what to sing when Christ returns a day before. Because Rev. 15:3 is very far from saying, "And they sang the song of Nikki, saying, 'I'm glowing, glowing inside with your love shining through. Thank you for everything you do. I'm glowing inside because of you."
When you find more comfort in contemplating about your academic achievement than Christ's atoning achievements. Because 2 Cor. 1:5 is very far from saying, "For as we share abundantly in examination results, so through our transcript we share abundantly in comfort too."
When you tell others more of your graduation than of the Christ's crucifixion. Because 1 Cor. 11:26 is very far from saying, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim that you are now a degree-holder."
When you have a louder celebration over your graduation than over a sinner's salvation. Because Luke 15:7 is very far from saying, "I [Jesus] tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one student who graduates than over ninety-nine learned persons who need no study."
When you cannot exchange a thousand diplomas for the salvation of your classmates. Because Romans 9:3 is far greater than saying, "For I could wish that I myself were undone and cut off from my diploma for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."
When you forget that graduation is given to you to make it obvious to the world that graduation is not your treasure, Christ is. Because Matthew 13:44 is very far from saying, "The academic degree is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

I know of a man who studied at the best school in the country. He stayed in it longer than everybody but a few. He had dozens of reasons to celebrate on his graduation day. But he did not come nor did he ask his parents for a party. Instead, he prioritized glorifying Christ in Vacation Church School for grade-schoolers... something that may boggle a natural mind.

DON'T WASTE YOUR GRADUATION.

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A Note IN Authentic Beauty

2011-03-09T20:00:00.005+08:00

As early as the 7th National Bible Quiz last January, my bestfriend Anna Manelle is dying to buy Leslie Ludy's "Authentic Beauty" but has always been challenged with her resources. As she celebrates her birthday today, I hand over a copy of the book to her. Inside she found the following note. May you enjoy reading.

===================================================

March 9, Year 29, Reason 9

Farcical was I by the age of fourteen

When proposal I made to a girl from Palaming

I know the shame being under that chico tree

Don't laugh when now, to you, it's through poetry

My antecedents here are generally childish

Like a boy losing against Yuri's Skirmish

But please endure and persevere to the end

I am just setting the stage for my message to send

First, you know that we both are already tired

Of students and friends asking if we're tied

Instead of stepping through miles of NOT

At least it will already suffice with a nod

Besides, Finals is near and fast approaching

I need someone who will assist in the checking

I don't want Mel, Anj, and Stan making a grin

When my class records to them appear clean

Allow me to state that I need a potential refuge

From a skinny guy who maybe needs the dude Freud

Don't want him to think of an imaginary reason

That her beloved Jean Grey is my obsession

For this next item, I fear to be misunderstood

For I envy those whose kids are so good

Christine Joy already has two nice Añonuevos

While our bellies to pageants will surely lose

I am perplexed how they change their status much

Considering mine is the same since Game and Watch

I am curious and to this river I want a sip

And see in my Facebook, "...in a relationship"

"Why on my birthday?" is a question you may raise

But it's known that dates on my head can't place

For one brain cubicle, March 9 will save me

Less I forget and make you upset or even angry

Moreover, March 9 is a perfect pocket asylum

For anniversaries' expenses not being premium

It will be nine days after we receive our last pay

And we need to be thrifty until the sixth day

I guess you now find it hard to follow through

That reason eight states my pity for you

Because today, you are just a step down 30

Drawing nearer to the words of Carolyn McCulley

Your bestfriend you know even before second grade

You know there is no grim in these rhymes I made

Enough of making these tiring stanzas silly

For my mood changes, now I am drafting sincerely

The Lord taught me how to see Authentic Beauty

Eventhough, not like you, I don't read Ludy

I fully rest on the Bible's infallibility

Exciting me to see your charm even at fifty

In you, united are orthodoxy and domesticity

And even apologetics and catholicity

I can't help but appreciate you to be pretty

For the GOD of glory defines you as lovely

You may doubt, as an abstract noun, it's not superb

But I promise my love will be an active verb

Times will be testing but there is a GOD of grace

So won't you affirm and to courtship with me say Yes?

flamenard, 9 Mar 2011

===================================================

She said yes. ^_^

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Bishop Arichea (Pre-)Responds

2011-02-20T20:25:00.003+08:00

Three minutes after 6PM was the time registered to a message electronically mailed from Bishop Daniel Arichea in response to the email that I sent to him last night, February 19.

===================================================

My dear Pastor Rosario,

Thanks for your email. I am sorry I have no time right now to send you a reply. But I will do so in due time. Rest assured that I respect your position. Also rest assured that I do abide by the Book of Discipline even though I may not be in agreement with what it says.

There are times when this happens, and when you make a distinction between the provisions of law and your personal convictions. It is a very difficult position to be in, I assure you.

While I cannot give you an extended answer right now, let me just say that I have believed all along that sexual orientation should not be used as a way of evaluating people even in ministry. Also, I have studied the issue of homosexuality both scientifically and biblically, and my position has come from serious grappling of the biblical and theological issues connected with the problem of sexual orientation. And finally, I have met so many people who I believe have genuine calls to the ministry and who cannot serve in the UMC because of our rules, and so have to find the fulfilment of their ministry elsewhere. There are others who have to deny who they are in order to be faithful to their call to ministry.

I will give you a more substantial answer when I have more time.

Thanks again for your desire to engage in this kind of dialogue.

God bless you richly in your ministry.

Bishop Arichea

===================================================

Though I would love if he, instead, bombarded me with his scientific, biblical, and theological serious grappling about sexual orientation, I was still grateful that he (pre-)responded. All we can do for now is to further wait and pray that bishop honors his word. My reply:

Thanks for responding to a nobody. I do understand how scarce time is for you. However, may those who wait with eagerness for your painstaking response not be disappointed. Also, I, personally, would love to hear my ten inquiries addressed.

Pastor Bernard

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Scabbards are Thrown with Tears (An Open Letter to Daniel Arichea)

2011-02-19T23:39:00.009+08:00

The following is a message that I sent to UMC Retired Bishop Daniel Arichea through email pertaining to his signing of a document counseling the Church through its leaders to abandon its long stance against homosexuality in the ordained ministry. The colored texts are direct quotations from the signed document.

===================================================

Greetings, Bishop!

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

First of all, I am a nobody for such a giant like you. I am just an ordinary inexperienced part-time pastor of a small local church here in Pangasinan with no formal education. I have an intense respect for you. Actually, just a pinch of your profile here floods me. I strongly believe that no one, or only a few at best, can ever rank along with you considering your accomplishments until Christ returns.

However, I am writing this letter to you because of an awful distress that I am feeling because of this news from the UMNS Report. You are one of the three most recent signers of A Statement of Counsel to the Church — 2011, which believes that “The United Methodist Church should remove the following statement from The Book of Discipline (2008):

‘…The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.’ ¶304.3”

To state my purpose clearly, I want to let you know that a few clergy men and lay people from your Philippines are massively discouraged and dismayed with what you have done.

But before I totally throw my scabbard against you and consider you an enemy of Evangelicalism, please allow me to enumerate some surface questions after a shallow reading of the Statement.

With this statement of conviction and counsel we seek:

· To affirm that the historic tests of “gifts and evidence of God’s grace” for ordained ministry override any past or present temporal restrictions such as race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

(1) Do you truly believe that homosexuality as a “sexual orientation” is a “temporal restriction” for the ordained ministry? Does that imply that 1 Cor. 6:9-10 speak of a temporal kingdom?

· To declare our conviction that the current disciplinary position of The United Methodist Church, a part of our historical development, need not, and should not, be embraced as the faithful position for the future.

(2) To whom or to what is the object of the “faithful position for the future”? Faithful to whom?

With increasing frequency we observe and experience the following disturbing realities and know them to be detrimental to the mission of a Church of Jesus Christ:

· Laity and clergy, gay and straight, withdrawing membership or absenting themselves from the support of congregational and denominational Church life in order to maintain personal integrity.

(3) Won’t it be also a disturbing reality and detrimental to the mission of the Church when laity and clergy withdraw membership from the UMC for the belief that it is drown into apostasy?

· Young adults, especially, embarrassed to invite friends and expressing dismay at the unwillingness of our United Methodist Church to alter its 39-year exclusionary stance.

(4) Won’t it be also a disturbing reality and detrimental to the mission of the Church when young people, especially, are embarrassed to invite friends and are dismayed with the willingness of the United Methodist Church to embrace an error which It fought against for decades?

· Closeted pastors, currently called and ordained in our church, living divided lives while offering effective appreciated ministry.

(5) Who defines ministry effectivity? Who defines an appreciated ministry?

· Bishops being drained of energy by upholding Church Discipline while regarding it as contrary to their convictions.

(6) Won’t it be also a disturbing reality and detrimental to the mission of the Church when Bishops are being drained of energy by upholding Church Discipline while regarding it as contrary to their convictions (Assuming that your sought change happens)?

· Bishops caught between care for the Church by reappointing an effective gay or lesbian pastor and care for the Discipline by charging them under current legislation.

(7) Again may I know who defines ministry effectivity?

· Seminary leaders desiring greater flexibility and openness from the church in order to advance their mission of identifying, recruiting, enrolling, educating and spiritually forming Christian leaders.

(8) How poor are the skills of these seminary leaders whose ability on nurturing spiritual formation lies dependent on flexibility and openness rather than on objective truth?

· Christian gay men and women understanding themselves called of God to seek ministry opportunities within their United Methodist family Church home, but having to decide between:

o leaving to go to accepting denominations, or

o staying and praying for change, or

o challenging Church law and accepting punitive actions.

(9)How about a fourth choice?

o being encouraged by the sufficient and infallible Word found in 1 Cor. 6:11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

“…(A) The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. (B) Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.” ¶304.3

(10) The paragraph in question has two sentences which I marked as (A) and (B) above. Both are requested to be removed while the contents of your statement of counsel only deal with the second. This makes me curious of what you think will be the most fitting paragraph if this be changed.

a. …The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. However, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are allowed to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.

b. …The practice of homosexuality is compatible with Christian teaching. Yet, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.

c. …The practice of homosexuality is compatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are allowed to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.

Perhaps the crux of my disgust with your position is our differing view of whether homosexuality is detestable in the sight of the glorious Almighty or not. And perhaps, you may also hold the perennial justification of making a distinction between a homosexual and a practicing homosexual. That 1 Cor. 6 only abhors those who practice homosexuality only (not mentioning that ¶304.3 includes the words “practice of homosexuality”).

In Matthew 5,

He who practices murder and he who is a murderer at heart are equally guilty.

He who practices adultery and he who is an adulterer at heart are equally guilty.

How about him who practices homosexuality and him who is a homosexual at heart?

I will be very glad if I can post your response to my blog where I am posting this as an open letter.

Tearful but fearless,

Ptr. Bernard A. Rosario

PPAC, Philippines

===================================================

Read Bishop Arichea's (pre-)response here.

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A Confession on Thrown Scabbard’s Birthday, “Yes, I’m In Love”

2011-02-14T18:03:00.009+08:00

It was February 2001 when my bestfriend, Anna, introduced me to my Beloved. At first, she appeared boring, unattractive, and traditional. I decided just to date her for three months. I never thought she would be so lovable that after three months, I was officially engaged to her, not mentioning that we only got to acquaint every Sunday. Months turned to years, and years turned to a decade. And I can say that I love her more today than yesterday. Yes, I’m in love for ten years now.

10) She is rare. She keeps a journal containing all instructions that governs her life and ministry. She keeps a record of her rich biography. She also preserves a list of her beliefs and why she believes them. Every four years, she does meticulous reviews and does amendments if necessary. At first, I thought this was unwise yet when I learned that nothing in her journal hates my Calvinism but, instead, gives hints of acceptance, I try to request for a copy of her journal from time to time.

9) Who can’t fall in love for one who knows your gifts well and encourages you to exercise them in any way? It was her who saw a shepherd’s heart within me. She saw it first even before I did. Yet, she still did a bunch of tests of confirmation if this was really what the Sovereign had gifted me with. Now I thank her and GOD for Dorongan Punta UMC, my first pastoral appointment.

8) I value my Bible much. It is another reason why I thank GOD for letting me meet her. She loves the Bible too. In fact, in 1998, she gathered a cluster of young people from all over the country, wherein Anna was one, whom she encouraged to grow in the knowledge of their Creator through their Bibles. It then became a biennial activity which we now label as National Bible Quiz. I am blessed to witness 4 out of the 7 quizzes. I have witnessed how multiple young men and women became more committed Christians because of this.

7) Another thing, I can say that there is something delightful with me being with her. Eversince we’ve been together, I find it easier to request for books from Christian authors. One of the reasons, I suppose, is that because they find my engagement with her odd, puzzling, but interesting because I am a Calvinist. No one else loves John Wesley more than her while I consider John Calvin as my influence. These two, as others often see, are generally at odds with each other. However, as what I am getting used to say, “Because the heart-warming experience is an irresistible gift of providence.” The two Johns can shake hands.

6) I can still remember the multiple instances when I felt that she was being threatened, when I was always ready to throw all my scabbards for her sake. But, again, thanks be to GOD for all the mighty warriors who loved her much too. My fight for her became their fight. And their fight became mine as well. We met regularly before every Wednesday pleading to GOD that may she be helped. I miss those times with Manang Annie and Manang Bayen with their husbands Uncle Imon and Kuya Ed, respectively.

5) But amidst those trials, we still found time to share interests with each other. Few are like her who have a bunch of considered spiritual heroes. The funny thing is her spiritual hero, John Wesley, is my spiritual hero’s spiritual hero. Charles Spurgeon stated in his autobiography, “If there were wanted two apostles to be added to the number of the twelve, I do not believe that there could be found two men more fit to be so added than George Whitfield and John Wesley.” From the Wesleys, I learned about Luther and other reformers, and from then learned about the Puritans. My Beloved then encouraged me to share this little knowledge that I acquired in Lay Institute for Christian Advancement. My three years as the History of Protestant Reformation teacher in LIfCA is a great privilege.

4) I am not a good singer but everytime I am with her, songs overflow for our Lord. She really is the one who taught me to sing. She has a lot of wonderful songs filling her wonderful songbooks. Besides, her songs are not like others’ songs. Every line is magnificently crafted. Some are decades, and even centuries, old yet their messages are always fresh. Nowadays, it is already a challenging task to find one whose eyes still glow for Bible-saturated, God-glorifying, Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Church-edifying, passion-filled songs like her songs. Her chosen tracks are the best, just next to the Psalms I believe. These really make her appear so attractive and lovable.

3) For the past ten years that we were together, we never did miss a Christmas spent with each other. We yearly consume five days in a camp, from the 26^th to the 30^th of December. These days for us are very special that we look forward to it even as early as June. But of course, we don’t want to waste it so we spend the most of these times with other young people from all over Central Pangasinan. We leave our comfy beds and rest, instead, in tents cushioned with hays but almost nothing can parallel with the memories. Film showings, group dynamics, Bible studies, games, presentations, and tons of laughters and joys all for the glory of GOD.

2) As my list flights to the top, the growth that my Beloved had caused to me (and to others) is also incalculably soaring high. Her smile was incredibly beautiful when we started our New Testament Survey with the Book of Romans. And in 6 longs years, she was there making sure that every New Testament branch was shook and the ripest fruits were gathered. GOD had used her again and again to kindle and rekindle our passion for His supremacy in Christ Jesus. In fact, it was in her very own house where the utmost expression of our single passion, GOD, was displayed on October 30, 2009.

1) Here now comes the greatest reason that I love her much. She introduced to me a fellowship of youngsters which I can call my second family. These are the grandest channels of strength, courage, and inspiration from the Lord for me. I am extremely grateful to GOD and to her for the ever virtuous Anna, my humble pride Met, the most learned Joy, the joyful May Ann, the artist-theologian Bona, the poetic thinker MJ, the sweetest Amy, and also for Jerome, Grace, Ludith, Ninoy, and for the younger ones especially for the most lovable Mai-Mai. My heart will always be a treasure chest of all our Bible studies, Bibliolympics, luncheons, outings, picnics, VCS classes, Com-Coms (Communicating my Communion), and everything spent with them. Breathing amidst trials and rough roads are no problem when their walk with the truth is observed.

I count all of these as graces from the Holy Sovereign God through my beloved. These are the top reasons why I love her much.

Now, my beloved is much endangered and threatened. Some are trying to supplement her manual which may result to unfaithfulness to the Lord. She has become a victim of politics, immorality, and worldliness. Her used to be influential family has downgraded to a dying sect. She is becoming lesser beautiful and lesser gorgeous. So sad, because I want my future children to fall in love with her too. Please pray for the United Methodist Church, my beloved.

TEN GRACES FOR TEN YEARS IN UMC

10) Book of Discipline

9) Pastoral Ministry

8) National Bible Quizzes

7) Books from Authors

6) Wednesday Group

5) Church History / LIfCA

4) Hymnal, Hymns, Choir

3) Christmas Institute

2) New Testament Survey / single passion: GOD

1) SCC-UMYF

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Do You Give the Right Exam?

2011-01-17T23:11:00.002+08:00

I spent seven years (actually 15 semesters and 4 summer terms) in college to graduate a four-year computer science course. My program curriculum changed three times in my stay. I have much to tell about teachers, classmates, projects, reading assignments, quizzes, exams, and armchairs. And I can relate stories of sleepless nights, exhausted brain cells, and caffeinated bladder all went to waste just because of outside-of-lesson exams. Perhaps, you also have a mastered-chapters-3-4-and-5-while-exam-is-from-chapter-11 similar story (Never mind calculus for I couldn’t tell whether the exam was faithful to lesson or not).

Now, that I am an instructor, I already know well that giving the wrong exams will result to poor evaluation: letting the passing fail and letting the failing pass. A reliable assessment demands correct assessment measures.

Consciously or not, we are giving examinations to professing Christian leaders. We measure pastors, deacons, deaconesses, and church workers based on a certain scale of criteria. We sometimes gauge their genuineness or falsity based on their knowledge, or whether they are funny preachers, or if they are good musicians, or are they sociable or not. But do we give the right exams?

1 John 4:1-6 outlines a how-to on conducting evaluations on professing (Christian) teachers and their professed (Christian) teaching.

A. Command for Examination (v. 1a). The opening verse implies that there is a spirit behind every teaching. Every teaching may come from the Spirit of truth or from the spirit of error (v. 6). So GOD, through John, charges us not to believe every spirit but also to test every spirit.

B. Cause of Examination (v. 1b). There is a very heavy yet straightforward reason of the exam. It is because you may have a false teacher beside you ready to lead you astray. It is because there are false teachers on the television, over the radio, in your school, in your workplace, or even at you doorsteps.

C. Channel of Examination (vv. 2-6). There are at least four types of tests that make up the right examination.

1. Admitted Lord (vv. 2-3). True GOD-sent laborers have a right Christology (view of Christ). False teachers will more probably than not trip over the Person and works of the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout this book, John has given us meadows of truth concerning Christ. Let me mention four here

a. 1 John 1:1 implies Jesus’ divinity and humanity.

b. 1 John 2:1-2 involve Jesus’ being the only righteous Substitute for the perfection that GOD demands from us sinners.

c. 1 John 2:22-23 demand oneness of essence and equality of Jesus and the Father.

d. 1 John 5:20 states that Jesus is truly God.

2. Altered Life (v. 4). Genuine believers are overcomers. There is a mark of true Christianity that cannot be counterfeited: victory over the world. If a professing minister is a fraud, the stains of the world will sooner or later be observable in his person. Greed and the love of money, lusts and immoralities, pride and self-exaltation. These are unconquerable apart from the Spirit of life. When one ministers without this Spirit of truth, his attraction to the world reveals his stains.

3. Attracted Listeners (v. 5). If I am an avid preacher of prosperity gospel, my circle will be crowded with lovers of material wealth. When I become enthusiastic in preaching on the worth of man and the power God has given him, my circle will be crowded by the proud who hunger for authority. But when I preach faithfully GOD’s Word pertaining to His holiness and perfections, and His amazing grace for saving vile sinners, then I will have a congregation of grace-filled GOD lovers. The types of people who listen to you tell a lot of your message.

4. Acknowledged Law (v. 6). The laborer’s genuineness can also be tested by how much he adheres to the voice of GOD. Since a fake has the spirit of error and lie behind him, he can’t stick well with the words of GOD. GOD has spoken to us most clearly in the Scriptures. False teachers and heretics will point you to psychology or other authorities outside the Bible, or they will insist about the “inadequacies,” “inconsistencies,” or “errors” in the Bible, or at least, they will try their best to let verses mean what they don’t supposedly mean. True shepherds, on the other hand, aim to saturate their ministries with the truths of GOD as revealed in the Holy Scriptures because they have a high view of It.

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An Inexperienced Shepherd's Resolutions

2011-01-01T00:33:00.001+08:00

On the year’s first day,

Oh, dear Lord, three things I resolve:

To feed the sheep more sufficiently;

To starve the goats more unbearably; and,

To shoot the wolves more vigilantly.

With sheep, I mean the individuals who had truly experience the inward calling of the Holy Spirit, the members of the invisible Church, and those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). These are those whom GOD has appointed me to eagerly exercise my oversight to (1 Peter 5:2).

With to feed, I mean lovingly teaching them the precious doctrines of the Gospel, catering them to the excellencies of Christ, leading them towards Christlikeness, and guiding them towards discovering the glorious attributes of the Triune GOD by a cautious, faithful, and humble exposition of the Word.

With more sufficiently, I mean a pastoral ministry with greater sensitivity to the needs of the flock. To intensify the preaching and teaching on the essential doctrines without downplaying on the non-essentials. I also mean to provide strong meat to the mature, soft food for the weak and feeble, and milk to the newborn babes.

With goats, I mean those who profess Jesus as their Lord yet exemplify a life without transformation. These are those whose characters are not different from the world and there are no obvious acts of love and compassion (Matthew 25:31-46). They are unwilling to put to death the earthly pleasures and evil desires within them (Colossians 3:5).

With to starve, I mean creating an environment saturated with heavenly things. It is choking those who are earthly from sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. It is confronting all forms of materialism and greed and self-exaltation. It is taking away from the flesh anything that hints to its desires.

With more unbearably, I mean a fellowship greatly rejoicing on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, on things with excellence, and on things that are worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8) that when someone wants stuffs other than the cross of Christ, he will be forced to leave.

With wolves, I mean those who assume church offices especially teaching positions while propagating doctrines contrary to the gospel of Christ and contrary to the Holy Scriptures (Matthew 7:15). They come from within the church and with great fierce and less shame cause destructions on the flock of GOD (Acts 20:29-30).

With to shoot, I mean to expose their bad fruits (Matthew 7:15-20), to strip them from all their authoritative offices, and to faithfully administer church discipline against them. I will burden myself to warn the sheep to keep a considerable distance or even to run desperately from these false teachers.

With more vigilantly, I mean to utilize all that I have to ensure the safety of the flock under my care. I resolve to use technology, what I believe to be my best tool, to remove these joy-destroying church leaders. I will make sure that voice recorders, pens, and notepads are always close when these wolves are around. I will mention names of those I see to be false teachers to my congregation if needed to ensure they know whom they ought to flee from.

As a young shepherd with the grace of the Master Shepherd, may the Sovereign help me.

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Christmas – Fertilizers to Non-Farmers?

2010-12-25T10:52:00.002+08:00

Before telenovelas flooded our TV screens, there was a variation of primetime viewing: movies for Mondays, drama for Tuesdays, cartoons on Fridays (which I really loved). Sitcoms were included in the menu. Instead of tears rolling down your cheek, your laugh lines are being carved.

One of these sitcoms was “1 for 3”, a story of a house won by three singles (portrayed by Vic Sotto, Charlene Gonzales, and Rosanna Roces). Rosanna’s character was an attractive yet no-brainer woman. One time, she brought home two large sacks of fertilizers. They asked her if she would do gardening or farming where she negatively answered. They asked her further, “O, bakit ka bumili niyan (Then why did you buy those)?” Her joyful response, “Buy one – take one eh!”

What makes this hilarious was she celebrates for something she does not need. She needs not to rejoice over fertilizers when she has no plants to nurture. Considering this, aren’t a lot of people funny then? The world is full of individuals celebrating Christmas but denying the need of a Savior. These do not need Christmas.

Jesus is His Name

Matthew 1:21 says that He was born and named Jesus “for he will save his people from their sins.” There is a great need to address. Christmas is needed because there is a great need to counter the enormous gripping and condemning power of sin. The power of sin and our need of a Savior from this sin is the plant for the fertilizer Christmas.

You Do Not Need Christmas if You Deny that...

I) You are disgustingly and massively sinful. People who think that they are doing just fine and sees not enough filth in themselves, therefore, do not need Christmas. They do not need the Savior for they can manage their own sins. They may view themselves as not good enough but not that bad also. I don’t care how good they may feel about themselves. The Bible says that to the unbelieving “nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15).” And again in Isaiah 64:6, “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

II) GOD demands perfect righteousness from you. When I say “perfect” I mean just as it means with “perfect scores” in exams. 99 over 100 is not perfect. Perfection leaves no room for the slightest forms of mistakes. GOD demands His own perfection from us (Matthew 5:48). He leaves no room for our least transgression: there is no room for a single breath of pride, none for a millisecond glance of covetousness, none for a single lying letter in a truthful novel. People who deny this demand do not need the Christmas Babe because they are not in a hopeless situation.

III) Your failure to meet GOD’s perfection arouses His intense wrath against you. A lot of the world sees GOD as an unreliable grandfather who raises up spoiled grandchildren. Experience and reason will confirm that this type of granddads do not deserve our utmost respect. Blessed be the GOD of Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” When individuals deny this wrath, then Christmas has no good to offer for them because GOD can consider them acceptable even in their uncleanness.

IV) There is an appointed time of serious judgment against you. In ethics, there are certain circumstances that aggravate our guilt when committing acts. I deserve greater punishment when I kick the president than when I kick a beggar. The president’s excellency will dictate that. I will gain lesser condemnation when I box a criminal than when I box a new born baby. The baby’s innocence will demand that. Then how great is the judgment of us who sin against an infinitely majestic and infinitely holy GOD! Every person will give an accounting infront of the Judge who will pronounce judgment according to every deed we have done (Revelation 20:11-15). If people think that they can run away from all their transgressions then they don’t need Christmas.

V) Your only hope is the Baby from the manger to the cross. The virgin’s boy is not just celebrated as being a boy. He grew, taught, healed, preached, was despised, died, and resurrected. He carried all my disgusting sins, bore every drop of GOD’s wrath for you and me. The infinite pain to be inflicted upon me for an infinite time, something that I deserve, was all directed exhaustively upon Him for just a few hours so that I may gain His perfect righteousness. Now, I become acceptable to GOD because of the great Substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21). His Name is Jesus indeed!

I am a disgusting sinner who is unable to meet GOD’s perfect standards, therefore, I am only good to swallow GOD’s fiery wrath in His righteous judgment. Yet, blessed be GOD who provided the salvation that I need in Christ. I need a Savior. I need Christmas. Do you?

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Death Treat -- To Die is Jackpot

2010-11-19T20:45:00.002+08:00

Last Wednesday, the Grand Lotto jackpot towered an almost half a billion pesos (Php495,597,376.80 to be exact). It is the largest in Philippine lottery history. It is grand indeed that someone who hits it will be able to afford 285 Toyota Fortuners, or maybe more than 4000 Intel Core i7 MacBooks, or how about 30 condominiums in Makati, or even 1.65 square kilometers of commercial lot, enough to cover a baranggay-wide business area. But for me, I can just measure it with my salary for 4130 years (yes, years not months and in case you’re drowned, please don’t forget that we are living in 2010AD). So the next time you see a long line of lotto ticket buyers, or you hear that your Sunday School teacher has consulted a numerologist, or you notice that your pastor has changed the TV channel on Saturday night, this may perhaps explain why.

I wonder why people cluster on ticket stations and church attendance can rarely be a crowd when my Bible says in Matthew 13:44,

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells his 285 Toyota Fortuners and his 4000 Intel Core i7 MacBooks just to buy that field.

And again, Jesus commands in Mark 10:21,

You lack one thing: go, sell all your 30 condominiums in Makati and your baranggay-wide commercial lot and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.

For Christians, the true jackpot is death. For Paul, to live is Christ and to die is jackpot (Phil. 1:21). To die is worth more than my salary for 4130 years multiplied by a thousand more. It is gain because it is the beginning of an unending joy-filled and pleasure-filled fellowship with the most enjoyable Being, GOD, the Author of all joys and pleasures, and with fellow GOD-treasurers.

An Unbounded Me. It takes faith by His grace for us to see death as the true jackpot. It is only by grace can we be so truly excited of heaven where we will wear our glorified bodies capable of everything except to displease GOD. No more pain, no more sufferings, no more disappointments, no more sin! We will never see GOD’s face frown but He will always be smiling for me. Oh! May His grace uphold my sanity when I see a millimeter of His smile.

An Undivided Society. We can also be so enthusiastic of heaven for it will be a community of GOD-lovers. Perfect peace, perfect harmony, perfect unity, perfect fellowship. There, we will see John Calvin and John Wesley shake hands in front of Apostle Paul. Even Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists will agree on baptism. Worship songs will be shared by the hymn writers, the gospel rockers, and the reformed rappers. I won’t worry for our things being stolen neither for our secrets being broadcasted.

An Unveiled Glory. But the pinnacle of everything is the removal of curtains that veil the glory of GOD. GOD has suppressed His breath when He gave life to Adam. He has limited His mighty hands when He held the divided sea. He repressed His voice when He thundered Mount Sinai. He submerged the fullness of His holiness when He appointed Isaiah. He concealed His true glory in human body when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. All the things that amaze us because of tremendous displays of His power and might are just glimpses of His true glory. But after His appointed time of our death, we will behold the perfections of His attributes unveiled. The display will be so exciting that we will never get bored of it even after a trillion of trillion years.

What a gain! Death is jackpot.

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From 95 Theses to Psalm 95 and Back

2010-10-31T23:50:00.005+08:00

Today marks the 493^rd anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses which sparked the Protestant Reformation. As a Methodist, when it comes to Protestantism, I can’t trace my roots without tracking through the English Reformation. The Reformation in England is somehow unique because it is a government-imposed Reformation. It happened when King Henry VIII convinced the Parliament to enact a series of statutes denying the pope any power or jurisdiction over the Church of England.

The Bible Reading Programs. The government of England had designed a program for the English people to meet twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, for Bible reading. These reading program “forced” the people to finish reading the whole Old Testament once a year and the whole New Testament twice a year. Moreover, the whole Book of Psalms was also pressed down to fit a 30-day reading plan. Therefore, an Englishman would read the Old Testament once, the New Testament twice, and the Psalms twelve times a year. But what tops all of them is the reading of a particular psalm before the daily morning reading fellowship: the reading of Psalm 95. That makes 365 Psalm 95s a year. What is with this specific psalm that makes it the everyday psalm?

I) The Daily Invitation

Half of the psalm (vv. 95:1-7a) shouts a call of invitation. The invitation is at v.1, “Come, let us...” and resounds at v.2, “Let us come...” and also at v.6, “Come, let us...”

A) Invitation to Cheer. The first two verses of the psalm are filled with calls to rejoice. The church is often portrayed as a placed where the boring personas cluster. Christians are pictured as peoples who walk into a narrow series of don’ts. But Christians are the only and truly rejoicing GOD-treasuring worshippers.

Three Reasons to Cheer. The psalmist David has provided at least three grounds of our celebration. (1) We should rejoice because GOD is the rock of our salvation at v.1 Who ensures our protection. (2) Verse 3 states our second reason to rejoice: that our GOD is a great God and a great King. He, therefore, assures us that everything is under his great sovereign authoritative power. (3) Thirdly, we should be joyful because our GOD has got the whole world in His hands which certifies us of His providence as illustrated by verses 4 and 5.

B) Invitation to Kneel. After the joyful attitude of the first five verses comes the call for humility. The psalmist seem to want to convey that having God’s protection, power, and providence on our side is not a warrant for pride. Instead, “let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD (v. 6).”

The Reason to Kneel. The basis of our humility is plain: He is our Maker and our Shepherd (6b-7a). We did not form Him with our hands neither is He a fruit of our imaginations. He is our Creator. Beholding the greatness and power and wisdom and glory of this GOD should make us tremble, our knees shake, and our lips acknowledge, “Woe is me for I am ruined” as did Isaiah.

II) The Daily Caution

The second half of the psalm starting from 7b is a warning. And the warning is very urgent. The psalmist states that the call is “Today, when you hear His voice.” Hearing GOD’s Word is daily. You should hear it today and not tomorrow. It is a daily appetite that needs to be satisfied. TODAY!

The Cautionary Statuses. David, the author of the psalm, recollects the wilderness experience of his forefathers and, therefore, provides the dangerous states of those who don’t take heed to the Words of GOD. (1) He warns us of hardened hearts in verse 8. When we don’t have a daily meditation on GOD’s Words, lies keep on creeping into our hearts thus hardening our hearts to sin. We will then tend to justify our sins, make compromises, and embrace disgraceful acts that GOD hates. (2) The second warning pertains to testing GOD as in verse 9. To test GOD, like what the Israelites did, is to distrust GOD. It is to doubt what His admirable attributes can do. It is to trample on His promises and to tell Him that He appears to be not able.

The Frightful Threat. Having a hardened heart that puts GOD on the test is being threatened by a horrible fate, “They shall not enter my rest.” The rest here is not the temporal Canaan rest. When David wrote this psalm, they are already occupying the Promised Land. The rest here instead is the eternal rest being with the most enjoyable Being. However, those who insult the weightiness of the Word of GOD will be excluded from this rest. A sure mark of a genuine Christian is loving the words of GOD.

Conclusion

This is the everyday psalm. It should reflect the attitude of every Protestant. Its call to cheer and kneel is a call for a joyous behaviour towards Bible study, meditation, and memorization. And its warnings should exhort us to approach the Scriptures with trembling obedience. To cheer and to fear should be the heart that fuels the mind of Sola Scriptura.

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Free Books on Christmas Institute 2010

2010-10-28T07:26:00.003+08:00

This morning, I have an e-mail waiting for me.

=====================================

Dear Bernard,

...

As for your Christmas Institute request, I have good news - we will donate 130 copies of "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" and have them transported to the Manila area by our volunteer courier, Terry Plath, on December 1 or 2. We will arrange for the two of you to connect with each other directly on how you can obtain the books. He will be there at Makati City in Metro Manila on assignment for his employer, so he will not have much freedom to travel. Before I share his email address, please let me know if it will be possible to meet him in the Manila area to obtain your CI books.

For now, I will wait for your reply and then we can keep working things out.

Many Blessings,

JIM HARRISON
International Outreach
Desiring God

=====================================

The United Methodist young people of Pangasinan Central District is so blessed to have this gift. Please join me in praying, not just for the success of the pick-up, but more importantly for the books not to be wasted. May our sovereign GOD be pleased to use these books to create hearts that treasure Christ among United Methodists and, therefore, bring renewal. Let us also pray to GOD to continually bless Ptr. John Piper, Desiring God, and Mr. Jim Harrison. This may be our only way to truly thank them.

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Wesley on Predestination, Whitefield on Free Grace, Murray on Catholicity

2010-09-21T16:37:00.001+08:00

I am grateful for the two-day event, Palarong UPang, at our university for I was able to find extra time to take care of this blog. I had decided to invest it in reviewing the difference between John Wesley and George Whitefield on the issue of predestination that caused an immense gulf between them. I ended up with these three surveys.

Part 1 - Wesley on Predestination
Part 2 - Whitefield on Free Grace
Part 3 - Murray on Catholicity

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Murray on Catholicity

2010-09-21T16:18:00.003+08:00

This post is a survey of Iain Murray's article on the historical background of Whitefield's letter and is intended to be the third in a 3-part study:
Part 1 - Wesley on Predestination
Part 2 - Whitefield on Free Grace
Part 3 - Murray on Catholicity

Whitefield's life and practice teach us several points on handling opposition within the Body of Christ:

I) Acknowledging the essential doctrines that bind the Church.

"Whitefield [though Anglican] linked the Evangelical movement to Puritanism; Wesley linked it to Laud, for Laud was one of the founders of the Arminian movement." (Dr. H. B. Workman, as a footnote of Murray)

No wonder, therefore, that in a letter you sent me not long since, you should tell me that no Baptist or Presbyterian writer whom you have read knew anything of the liberties of Christ. What? Neither Bunyan, Henry, Flavel, Halyburton, nor any of the New England and Scots divines? See, dear Sir, what narrow-spiritedness and want of charity arise from your principles, and then do not cry out against election any more on account of its being "destructive of meekness and love." (Whitefield to Wesley)

II) Getting rid of entanglement into unnecessary debates over secondary issues.

It is interesting to note that although Wesley's sermon was published in August 1739, Whitefield's reply is dated December 24, 1740, and was not published till early 1741.

One of the reasons, according to Murray, was

Whitefield longed to avoid an open breach and still hoped that his friend might be brought to a clearer understanding of the truth. Such sentences as the following are typical of Whitefield's attitude: "How would the cause of our common Master suffer by our raising disputes about particular points of doctrines!"

III) Confronting controversies especially when the Body is disturbed.

As the year 1740 advanced, the reports that he received from his friends like [John] Cennick and Howell Harris made it increasingly obvious that harm and divisions were being wrought by the Wesleys' insistence on their Arminian views. Wesley's pamphlet "set the nation disputing." As Harris wrote to Wesley: "You grieve God's people by your opposition to electing love; and many poor souls believe your doctrine simply because you hold it." A situation had developed in which it was imperative that Whitefield should declare his mind and do something to arrest the drift from evangelical orthodoxy.

IV) Considering GOD's glory and the Church's edification in addressing opposition.

Doctrinal differences between believers should never lead to personal antagonism. Error must be opposed even when held by fellow members of Christ, but if that opposition cannot co-exist with a true love for all saints and a longing for their spiritual prosperity then it does not glorify God nor promote the edification of the Church.

The attitude that I badly need: "But when his time is come, God will do what man cannot, namely, make us both of one mind." - Wesley to Whitefield

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Whitefield on Free Grace

2010-09-21T16:11:00.001+08:00

This post is a survey of A Letter from George Whitefield to the Rev. Mr. John Wesley and is intended to be the second in a 3-part study:
Part 1 - Wesley on Predestination
Part 2 - Whitefield on Free Grace
Part 3 - Murray on Catholicity

Whitefield's Definition of Free Grace

[Hopefully] You will caution believers against striving to work a perfection out of their own hearts, and print another sermon the reverse of this, and entitle it "Free Grace Indeed." Free, not because free to all; but free, because God may withhold or give it to whom and when he pleases.

Even before tackling the main sermon points of Wesley, Whitefield had already pointed out three errors of Wesley: (1) tempting God by casting a lot to determine whether he should preach and print against election or not; (2) choosing a text against predestination from Romans 9, "where this doctrine is so plainly asserted;" and, (3) providing poorly definitions for "free" and "grace."

Whitefield's Seven Antitheses
I) Answer to Wesley's First Point

Hath not God, who hath appointed salvation for a certain number, appointed also the preaching of the Word as a means to bring them to it? ... And if so, how is preaching needless to them that are elected, when the gospel is designated by God himself to be the power of God unto their eternal salvation?

II) Answer to Wesley's Second Point

Were you ever sick in your life? If so, did not the bare probability or possibility of your recovering, though you knew it was unalterably fixed that you must live or die, encourage you to take physic? For how did you know but that very physic might be the means God intended to recover you by?

Just thus it is as to the doctrine of election. I know that it is unalterably fixed (one may say) that I must be damned or saved; but since I know not which for a certainty, why should I not strive, though at present in a state of nature, since I know not but this striving may be the means God has intended to bless, in order to bring me into a state of grace?

III) Answer to Wesley's Third Point

I believe they who have experienced it will agree with our 17th article (of the 39 Articles of the Church of England), that "the godly consideration of predestination, and election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing their minds to high and heavenly things, as well because it does greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God."

It [doctrine of election] has a natural tendency to rouse the soul out of its carnal security. And therefore many carnal men cry out against it. Whereas universal redemption is a notion sadly adapted to keep the soul in its lethargic sleepy condition, and therefore so many natural men admire and applaud it.

IV) Answer to Wesley's Fourth Point

Do not the elect know that the more good works they do, the greater will be their reward? And is not that encouragement enough to set them upon, and cause them to persevere in working for Jesus Christ? "Chosen . . . through sanctification of the Spirit?" (2 Thess. 2:13). Nay, is not holiness made a mark of our election by all that preach it? And how then can the doctrine of election destroy holiness?

V) Answer to Wesley's Fifth Point

It is only by the Christian revelation that we are acquainted with God's design of saving his church by the death of his Son. Yea, it is settled in the everlasting covenant that this salvation shall be applied to the elect through the knowledge and faith of him.

[Who ever thought] that the unchangeable purpose of God, that harvest should not fail, rendered the heat of the sun, or the influence of the heavenly bodies unnecessary to produce it? No more does God's absolute purpose of saving his chosen preclude the necessity of the gospel revelation.

VI) Answer to Wesley's Sixth Point

For God is no respecter of persons, upon the account of any outward condition or circumstance in life whatever; nor does the doctrine of election in the least suppose him to be so. But as the sovereign Lord of all, who is debtor to none, he has a right to do what he will with his own, and to dispense his favours to what objects he sees fit, merely at his pleasure.

For if foreknowledge signifies approbation, as it does in several parts of Scripture, then we confess that predestination and election do depend on God's foreknowledge. But if by God's foreknowledge you understand God's fore-seeing some good works done by his creatures as the foundation or reason of choosing them and therefore electing them, then we say that in this sense predestination does not any way depend on God's foreknowledge.

It may not be amiss to take notice, that if those texts, 2 Pet. 3:9 and Ezek. 33:11 — and such like — be taken in their strictest sense, then no one will be damned.

God taketh no pleasure in the death of sinners, so as to delight simply in their death; but he delights to magnify his justice, by inflicting the punishment which their iniquities have deserved.

VII) Answer to Wesley's Seventh Point

Consider whether it be not rather blasphemy to say as you do, "Christ not only died for those that are saved, but also for those that perish."

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Wesley on Predestination

2010-09-21T16:02:00.002+08:00

This post is a survey of Free Grace and is intended to be the first in a 3-part study:
Part 1 - Wesley on Predestination
Part 2 - Whitefield on Free Grace
Part 3 - Murray on Catholicity

Wesley's Definition of Predestination

...by virtue of an eternal, unchangeable, irresistible decree of God, one part of mankind are infallibly saved, and the rest infallibly damned; it being impossible that any of the former should be damned or that any of the latter should be saved.

Wesley's Seven Theses

I) It is free in all to whom it is given.

It [preaching] is needless to them that are elected; for they, whether with preaching or without, will infallibly be saved. Therefore, the end of preaching -- to save should -- is void with regard to them; and it is useless to them that are not elected, for they cannot possibly be saved.

II) The doctrine of predestination is not a doctrine of God.

... if a sick man knows that he must unavoidably die, or unavoidably recover, though he knows not which, it is unreasonable for him to take any physic at all. He might justly say, (and so I have heard some speak, both in bodily sickness and in spiritual) "If I am ordained to life, I shall live; if to death, I shall live; so I need not trouble myself about it."

III. Predestination destroys the comfort of religion, the happiness of Christianity.

Full assurance of faith is the true ground of a Christian's happiness. And it does indeed imply a full assurance that all your past sins are forgiven, and that you are now a child of God. But it does not necessarily imply a full assurance of our future perseverance.

How uncomfortable a thought is this, that thousands and millions of men, without any preceding offense or fault of theirs, were unchangeably doomed to everlasting burnings!

IV. This uncomfortable doctrine also destroys our zeal for good works.

It cuts off one of the strongest motives to all acts of bodily mercy... It is needless to them that are elected; for they will infallibly be saved without it. It is useless to them that are not elected; for with or without it they will infallibly be damned; therefore you cannot consistently with your principles take any pains about their salvation. Consequently, those principles directly tend to destroy your zeal for good works; for all good works; but particularly for the greatest of all, the saving of souls from death.

V. Furthermore, the doctrine of predestination has a direct and manifest tendency to overthrow the whole Christian Revelation.

"If it be not necessary, it is not true," Now, this fundamental point you give up. For supposing that eternal, unchangeable decree, one part of mankind must be saved, though the Christian Revelation were not in being, and the other part of mankind must be damned, notwithstanding that Revelation. And what would an infidel desire more? You allow him all he asks. In making the gospel thus unnecessary to all sorts of men, you give up the whole Christian cause.

VI. And at the same time, makes that Revelation contradict itself.
Wesley used 1 Jn. 4:16 against Rom. 9:13; Psa. 114:9 against Rom. 9:15; Acts 10:34 and Rom. 2:11 against Rom. 9:16; 1 Pet. 1:2 and Rom. 8:29 against Rom. 9:11-12 (Personal Note: Wesley used very strong Calvinistic verses [erroneously?]); Rom. 10:12 against Eph. 1:4. He used Rom. 14:15, Jn. 4:42, Jn. 1:29, 1 Jn. 2:2, 1 Tim. 2:6, and Heb. 2:9 to support universal redemption. And he used Ezek. 18:3, 32, 2 Pet. 3:9, Jn. 5:40, and Matt. 23:37 against reprobation.

VII. Predestination is a doctrine full of blasphemy.

This premised, let it be observed, that this doctrine represents our blessed Lord, "Jesus Christ the righteous," "the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth," as an hypocrite, a deceiver of the people, a man void of common sincerity.

It overturns both his justice, mercy, and truth; yea, it represents the most holy God as worse than the devil, as both more false, more cruel, and more unjust.

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Ten Giants When They Were 28... Like Me

2010-09-03T11:16:00.004+08:00

Now, I have just turned 28. I have resolved to do a research on the fruitfulness of some of the giants who I admire when they were about 28 years old as I am.

Jonathan Edwards
When Jonathan Edwards was about 28 years old, his first published sermon was printed, the famous "God Glorified in Man's Dependence" where he encourages,

Let us be exhorted to exalt God alone, and ascribe to him all the glory of redemption. Let us endeavour to obtain, and increase in, a sensibleness of our great dependence on God, to have our eye to him alone, to mortify a self-dependent and self-righteous disposition. Man is naturally exceeding prone to exalt himself, and depend on his own power or goodness; as though from himself he must expect happiness. He is prone to have respect to enjoyments alien from God and his Spirit, as those in which happiness is to be found.-- But this doctrine should teach us to exalt God alone; as by trust and reliance, so by praise.

Charles Spurgeon
When Charles Spurgeon was about 28 years old, he was already working on the eight volume of his soon to be 63-volume published sermons. Volume 8 contains sermon numbers 427 to 486. Found in this volume is one of my favorite Spurgeon sermons, sermon 442, "God's Will and Man's Will" based on Romans 9:16 and Revelation 22:17.

If you were dying of thirst, you would just put your lips down and drink. Soul, do that now. Believe that Jesus Christ is able to save thee now. Trust thy soul in his hands now. No preparation is wanted. Whosoever will let him come; let him come at once and take the water of life freely. To take that water is simply to trust Christ; to repose on him; to take him to be your all in all. Oh that thou wouldest do it now! Thou are willing; God has made thee willing.

Adoniram Judson
When Adoniram Judson was about 28 years old, when he was on his third year as a missionary in Burma, he has already completed "Grammatical Notices of the Burman Language." He has also completed a Burman translation of the Gospel of Matthew and began to compile a Burman dictionary.

William Wilberforce
When William Wilberforce was about 28 years old, he met for the very first time Thomas Clarkson to whom he had a collaboration for almost fifty years. Clarkson has secured a commitment from Wilberforce to bring forward the case for abolition of slave trade in the House of Commons. He had written as a journal entry "God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners (moral values)." His involvement in the abolition movement was motivated by a desire to put his Christian principles into action and to serve God in public life.

John Owen
When John Owen was about 28 years old, he published his work "The Duty of Pastors and People Distinguished" where he comments on Romans 15:16,

Ministers preaching the gospel to the conversion of souls are said to kill men’s lusts, and offer them up unto God as the fruit of their calling, as Abel brought unto him an acceptable sacrifice of the fruit of his flock; and so also in respect of divers other acts of their duty, which they perform in the name of their congregations.

John Bunyan
When John Bunyan was about 28 years old, he published his first work "Some Gospel-Truths Opened" where he writes,

There is none but he that is the true God can satisfy the justice of the true God for the breach of his holy law: but if you compare Isaiah 51:6 with Matthew 3:17, you shall find that Jesus the Son of Mary did give God a full and complete satisfaction for the breach of his holy law; therefore Jesus the Son of Mary must needs be the great and the true God.

John Calvin
When John Calvin was about 28 years old, he was already done with the first edition of his most famous work "Institutes of Christian Religion." He was already leading the Protestant city of Geneva as a professor and pastor with William Farel. Then, after a few months, they were banished from Geneva by the city council and invited back.

David Brainerd
When David Brainerd was about 28 years old, he had just one year more to finish his work GOD has entrusted him to do. GOD was already causing a great success on his missionary work to the native American Indians. Then he became very ill and stayed at Jonathan Edwards home until his death. At this age, he was so fruitful in his entries on his journal which has inspired a lot of missionaries and workers including John Wesley and the Methodist movement.

John Wesley
When John Wesley was about 28 years old, he decided to limit his expenses so that he could give more to the poor. It was recorded that when his income was 30 pounds, he only spent 28 and gave 2 to the poor. Then his income doubled so he spent 28 pounds still and gave 32 to the poor. This continued throughout his life until his income climbed over 1400 and still spent 30 pounds and gave the rest to the poor. He said that he never had over 100 pounds in his pocket in one time.

George Whitefield
When George Whitefield was about 28 years old, he was already practicing outdoor preaching for 3 years. He has already taken a preaching tour throughout New England where tens of thousands gather to hear and weep in his preaching. And for five months, he ministered in Scotland and he has helped to form the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Association.

Personal Reflection
I can never be a pinch of any of these guys. I just thank my GOD for raising such men who, though I can't be like them, can continue on inspiring me (and humiliating me at the same time). I may not be an eye or a nose or a hand like them but at least I am still part of the same Body with them in Christ.

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Have You Loved an Earthworm so Much?

2010-08-18T17:27:00.001+08:00

I strongly believe that you have already seen one. A slimy, elongated, cylindrically shaped, segmented body with a generally uniform color ranging from dull pink to pale red to brown. They are usually found living in moist soil with organic materials. They burrow in soil swallowing a considerable mass of soil and digest vegetative materials while disposing the remains of the swallowed dirt.

I know how disgusting they may appear and I also know how foolish my questions may sound. However, allow me to ask these still.

Have you loved a worm so much that you desired to be lower than human and closer to them?
Have you loved a worm so much that you were willing to learn their language and lifestyle so that you may help them and instruct them of what to do?
Have you loved a worm so much that you were longing to truncate your arms and legs, to remove your skeletal system, and have an elastic, slippery anatomy?
Have you loved a worm so much that you were even absolutely cooperative to donate your heart for these creatures?

I knew no one who had. If there had been one, he should have been insane. Yet, I know someone who did worse and who is not insane.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)

Here, Paul was urging the Philippians to be truly united by being truly humble. And the ultimate example of utmost humility is Christ Himself who took at least seven scandalous quantum leaps in the incarnation and crucifixion.

The Initial Position
though he was in the form of God,

First Leap Down
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Second Leap Down
but made himself nothing,

Third Leap Down
taking the form of a servant,

Fourth Leap Down
being born in the likeness of men.

Fifth Leap Down
And being found in human form, he humbled himself

Sixth Leap Down
by becoming obedient to the point of death,

Seventh Leap Down
even death on a cross.

This is a scandal. We should realize this scandal. This is worse than the scandal of a man desiring to be a worm. The distance between GOD and man is infinitely farther than the distance between man and worms. In the world of purity and holiness, GOD is infinitely more glorious than man and man is infinitely more disgusting than worms. Yet, GOD became a man.

I believe I can communicate the scandal I am referring to by this tale. May the readers believe me when I say that I am writing this with all reverence and trembling. I do. I do. I have decided to create a picture of a Pauline worm writing to a bunch of worms about their man-worm hero. And he writes,

"Have this attitude among yourselves, which you have seen in the man-worm hero, who, though he was in the form of man, did not count equality with men a thing to be grasped, but made himself bare of human privileges, taking the form of a servant of worms, being born in the likeness of worms. And being found in worm form, he became a humble worm completely different from other worms by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death of the worst criminal among worms."

If no one have loved a worm that much, then GOD's love must be beyond any human's understanding.

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Tribute to My Parents on Their Golden Wedding Anniversary

2010-07-26T22:20:00.004+08:00

Ben - Eliang

Parody of Nonoy Zuñiga's Doon Lang

Kung magbalot listo ang Cynthia'ng panganay

Itong Aida'y may tayong walong dangkal

Dahil mataray si Gie, magdaing ka na lang

Kapag maasim ang samyo, kay Arnel iyan

Langka man ang ilaban kay Trelly ay wala

Kakisigang kulang tiyak Manny ang una

At tanging Brenda ang may ilong na nadapa

Sana ay easy lang kayo ako ang gumawa

Noon ay kaya kong inumin ang lahat ng softdrinks

Noon ay kaya ko ni relos pilit kalasin

Noon ay kaya kong ipagsakmal lubos na ulam

Sinong 'di nakakita bagsik ni ama't ina?

Bunsoy lang

Ngunit dahil sa biyaya ay sa Diyos ko na

Ipagdarasal na maging isa ang pamilya

Ang naisin: kay Kristo lahat magkasama

May pagsasalong wagas 'pag sasamba

Doon ay 'di na iisipin mga pananim

Doon kahit 'di igapos baka at kambing

Doon ay kaya ninyong pagmasdan kaapu-apuhan

Sana manampalataya aking ama't ina

Ben - Eliang

Doon ang nanay ko'y tatakbong ubod nang tulin

Doon ang tatay kong naghakot 'di hihingalin

Doon ang dulot ng Maykapal kaligayahan

Sana manampalataya aking ama't ina

Ben - Eliang

Sana kay Kristo sumamba aking ama't ina

Ben - Eliang

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Money - The Great Spiritual Health Evaluator

2010-07-19T06:55:00.007+08:00

Last Friday, July 17, I was invited by the youth fellowship of San Carlos City - United Methodist Church (to which I used to belong before accepting to pastor Dorongan-Punta UMC) to give a short talk in one of their activities which they call Com-Com (Communicating to the Saints My Communion with God).Their theme was "My Need of Poverty" which aims to confront a materialistic lifestyle and promote a simplicity of living. It is based on Proverbs 30:7-9:

I ask you, God, to let me have two things before I die: keep me from lying, and let me be neither rich nor poor. So give me only as much food as I need.
If I have more, I might say that I do not need you. But if I am poor, I might steal and bring disgrace on my God.

Randy Alcorn, in his book The Treasure Principle, reveals that the number of Bible verses committed to money and possessions (2,350 verses) is larger than the verses on prayer and faith combined, larger than the number of verses about heaven and hell. Most probably, this is because there is an intimate connection between our attitude towards money and our true spiritual condition. Therefore, my message was "Money as a Great Spiritual Health Evaluator" and the following were my main points:

Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are wise or foolish (Luke 12:16-21).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are confident or uncertain of our message (Heb. 13:5-6).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are thankful or not (Ecc. 5:10)
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are truly repentant or not (Luke 3:11-14).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are having lasting or shallow joy (Phil. 4:10-14).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are saved or not (Luke 19:8-10).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are obedient or disobedient (Matt. 19:16-23).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are serious or not on godliness (1 Tim. 6:6-10).
Our attitude towards money and earthly treasures reflects whether we are maintaining GOD as our single passion or not (Matt. 6:19-21).

John Piper has also written an interesting chapter, Money: The Currency of Christian Hedonism, in his book Desiring God.

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The Unpopular Phinehasic Covenant

2010-07-10T09:41:00.003+08:00

When it comes to covenants, our tongues speedily speak of the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants. But allow me to talk about a lesser known covenant. It is really unpopular for I am not aware whether it has a name. Let me label it for now as the Phinehasic covenant and it is found in Numbers 25:11-13. GOD speaking,

Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.'

Perhaps, one of the reasons of the unpopularity of this story is the uneasiness of retelling it (Read Num. 25 here). The Israelites were protected from being cursed by Balaam but they willingly embraced what Balaam's cursing could not do - being enemies of the Most High GOD. A great number of them, including its leaders, had a dive into a disgusting mixture of immorality, idolatry, and blasphemy resulting to GOD's furious anger exhibited in a plague. And while the unparticipating were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting, a Simeonite prince came and brought a Midianite princess with their sexual immoralities and blasphemies (for it is linked to Baal-Peor worship) in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation. "When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them" (vv.7,8).

There at least three features of Phinehas that the church of today needs:

His Zeal for GOD
The blessing of perpetual peace and perpetual priesthood that was bestowed upon Phinehas was centrally "because he was jealous for his God." He feels the jealousy that his very precious GOD feels. It was this zeal for GOD that urged him to do more than just weep (while everybody else, including Moses, was left immobile). It was this zeal for GOD that pushed him to arise and grab a spear from someone else's hand. It was this zeal for GOD that drove him to thrust and single-mindedly perform the judgment. It was his zeal for GOD.

His Compassion for the Congregation
I believe that his zeal for GOD was intertwined with his compassion for the congregation. He "made atonement for the people of Israel." He was aware of the damage being caused by the whoredoms of Israel. He had seen how thousands were being plagued (v.9). He was hearing the mournings of the people. He knew that carrying out the discipline was the most loving act he could do for the assembly. How great is the need of the church to see the compassion behind discipline!

His Impartiality for Judgment
Verses 14 and 15 reveal how renowned are the slain pair. They were not just unbranded individuals. They were prince and princess, a pair of future leaders. However, their being prominent did not move Phinehas from performing his divine task of disciplining. On the contrary, Phinehas could have even realized the greater damage that their offense could cause because of their prominence. Impartiality was needed. Phinehas was needed.

May the LORD be pleased to fashion more Phinehas hearts in the church today.

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The Birthday Cake I Won't Give to Rizal

2010-06-19T14:04:00.002+08:00

Today, June 19, is known to Filipinos to be the day when Jose Rizal was born. I also thank the sovereign GOD for using such a genius for me to enjoy His graces as a free man. However, fewer Filipinos know that on this same day, another hero was born: Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

I did a quick comparative study on the lives of Spurgeon and Rizal and here are some interesting facts:

When Rizal was born in 1861, Spurgeon was already preaching to the largest indoor crowd with 23,654 at Crystal Palace, London and the Metropolitan Tabernacle (with seating for approximately 5,600) was opened. Spurgeon then was about my age, 27 years old. Wow!
When Rizal was 15 years old, he received his Bachelor of Arts with the highest honors from Ateneo de Manila. By the same age, Spurgeon won in a writing contest for his first book, the 295-page Popery Unmasked.
By the age when Rizal joined the poetical competition for Indians and Mestizos and wrote the poem To the Philippine Youth, Spurgeon was converted to Christ and joined a Baptist church in Cambridge.
Jose Rizal was 31 years old when he organized a mutual aid economic society: La Liga Filipina. Charles Spurgeon was 31 years old when he organized a monthly magazine: The Sword and the Trowel.
The two were of the same age (35 years old) when Rizal wrote the poem My Last Farewell and Spurgeon released the first volume of The Treasury of David.
When Spurgeon's The Treasury of David was completed in 1885, Rizal received his degree of Licentiate in Medicine with honors from Central University of Madrid.
By the time that Rizal's Noli Me Tangere was finished in Berlin, Spurgeon's crash with the Downgrade Controversy has just begun in 1887.
Jose Rizal was editing Morga’s 1609 Philippine History as he was studying in the British museum in London when Spurgeon was voted to censure by the Baptist Union in 1888. (I wonder if Rizal somehow heard about Spurgeon.)
In 1892, Rizal was deported to Dapitan while Spurgeon's body was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.

Now, let me give at least three points why I am giving a larger birthday cake to Spurgeon over against our national hero.

I) Life's Combat: Perpetual Death Over Temporal Injustice
Rizal has indeed offered his life for a noble cause, for a fight against the injustices of Spain. However, Spurgeon saw beyond temporal injustices: the need of man to flee from God's justice in His wrath against wicked men and flee towards God's justice in His love by offering His Son for men's sins. Quoting Spurgeon,

If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.

II) Life's Conclusion: "Come into the Holiest of All" Over "Mi Ultimo Adios"
In his last poem, Rizal bids farewell from the objects of all his labors.

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

While in the closing statements of his Autobiography, Spurgeon states his excitement of falling into the embrace of the Object of all his labors,

The vista of a praiseful life will never close, but continue throughout eternity. From psalm to psalm, from hallelujah to hallelujah, we will ascend the hill of the Lord, until we come into the Holiest of all, where, with veiled faces, we will bow before the Divine Majesty in the bliss of endless adoration. Throughout this year may the Lord be with you! Amen.

III) Life's Cause: Eternity Over Momentary
The main differences between the two, perhaps, was that Spurgeon understood better what the apostle Paul had talked about in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18,

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

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Sovereign Grace and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral

2010-05-30T06:57:00.002+08:00

By "sovereign grace" I mean that GOD is in perfect control over all things including things that pertain to salvation. This implies that if a man is saved, it is solely because GOD sovereignly predetermined that he would receive a special grace, the saving grace. And by "Wesleyan Quadrilateral" I refer to the belief of Wesley as recorded in the United Methodist Book of Discipline that "the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason." In this post, therefore, I aim to derive my theological affirmation on sovereign grace using the Quadrilateral.

Sovereign Grace and Scripture

I have refrained to give an exhaustive list of Scripture references dealing on sovereign grace (which may already be found somewhere else) but instead decided to use verses that I have been using for some time now.

... for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." (Rom 9:11-12)

For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. (Rom. 9:15-16)

So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. (Rom. 9:18)

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)

... just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. (Eph. 1:4,5)

Sovereign Grace and Tradition

The Book of Discipline states that "Wesley drew on Christian tradition, in particular the Patristic writings, the ecumenical creeds, the teachings of the Reformers..." It will be best, then, for me to also draw from these.

"Therefore, to be drawn to Christ by the Father, and to hear and learn of the Father in order to come to Christ, is nothing else than to receive from the Father the gift by which to believe in Christ." - Augustine, On the Predestination of the Saints

"Predestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby, before the foundations of the world were laid, He hath constantly decreed by His counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom He hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour... " Article XVII, Of Predestination and Election, Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England

(I have chosen the Thirty-Nine Articles though it is not an "ecumenical creed" for the reason that the Book of Discipline teaches "Wesley put forth no summary of biblical revelation for the British Methodists because the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England were already available.")

"How can they merit that which is already theirs and is prepared for them before they are born? ... It is settled then that merit is not proved from reward, at any rate in the Scriptures; and also that free choice is not proved from merit." Martin Luther commenting on Matt. 25:34

Sovereign Grace and Experience

I believe that all of us always acknowledge God's sovereignty over salvation. Our personal experiences on evangelism and prayer for lost souls will testify to this. No one will ever pray, "Lord, grant them repentance and the knowledge of the truth that they may escape from the snare of the devil" (2 Tim. 2:25-26) unless he confesses that it is GOD who sovereignly saves. John Piper writes,

"The warrant for prayer is that God may break in and change things - including the human heart. He can turn the will around. 'Hallowed be thy name' means: cause people to hallow your name. 'May your word run and be glorified' means: cause hearts to be opened to the gospel."

Even John Wesley had included hymns in his "A Collection of Hymns" which also speak of this experience. One is titled "LORD, I Despair Myself to Heal"

LORD, I despair myself to heal:
I see my sin, but cannot feel;
I cannot, till thy Spirit blow,
And bid the obedient waters flow.

Sovereign Grace and Reason

Have you ever wondered how many were born on the same day that you were born? If the statistics are right, there are more than 350,000 who were born on September 3, 1982 (me included). Do you also know how many belong to the unevangelized, unreached people? If the statistics are again right, there are still 40.7% of the world population which belongs to the unreached groups.

Why do I ask these? Because these numbers imply that when I was born, I was placed in a gospel-open family with believing siblings owning multiple Bibles singing Christian songs in a community with a number of churches and pastors very much available to teach me about GOD, Christ, and my need of salvation. WHILE around 143,000 who were born on the very same day were placed in a community where they will spend 75 years or so of their lives without hearing about Christ.

All I can do is to thank and glorify GOD in His sovereignty for placing me where His sovereign grace operates.

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GOD is the Most Self-Centered Being

2010-05-01T08:46:00.001+08:00

Yes, I know that it is somewhat harsh. By the title, I mean that GOD is the greatest GOD-worshipper and the most GOD-centered Being that we will ever know. And that His GOD-centeredness is His ultimate and highest expression of His unconditional selfless love for us.

GOD's Glory is the Center of the Creation

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:36)

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Col. 1:16)

I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made. (Isa. 43:6,7)

GOD's Glory is the Center of the Incarnation

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Lk. 2:12-14)

GOD's Glory is the Center of the Cross

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed. (Rom. 3:23-25)

So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night. Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him." (Jn. 13:30,31)

"I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." (Jn 17:4,5)

GOD's Glory is the Center of the Second Coming

When He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed--for our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thes. 1:10)

GOD is passionate for His own glory. GOD is greatly GOD-centered. If He is not, then He is idolatrous. May it never be!

Besides, when Someone who is full of beauty, full of power, full of perfections, full of grace, full of goodness, and full of righteousness refrains from displaying His glory to me - it means that He doesn't like me nor love me. Therefore, GOD revealing Himself in His glory, His being God-centered, is the ultimate expression of His selfless love for us. GOD is the only Being who is not sinning by being Self-centered, but rather He is exhibiting the highest good in being so.

"True saints have their minds, in the first place, inexpressibly pleased and delighted with the sweet ideas of the glorious and amiable nature of the things of God. And this is the spring of all their delights, and the cream of all their pleasures." - Jonathan Edwards

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