The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. - 1Sa 16:7
You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. - 1Sa 17:45-47
The Mind of the Melancholeric Man: Musings on Life and Ministry by Patrick Tan
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. - Mark 10:14-15
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” - Mark 10:29-31
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” - Mark 10:29-31
Places I've been to
My Lakbayan grade is C+!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.
Bangkok!
Last April 5-12, Netty and I had a blessing to go to Bangkok, Thailand. We were invited to participate in APYL (pronounced "apple" Asia Pacific Youth Leaders Consultation) as coordinators of Chi Alpha Philippines. That was from 6th-8th. We extended our stay to go around the city and spend time with friends Ptr. Rodel, Ate Alice, Ptr. Abe, Ptr. Sur, Ptr. Chad, Ate Renz and Nav). Thank God for giving us an opportunity of visiting this beautiful city.
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| The Grand Palace compound. |
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| This is in Wat Arun ... entrance to the hall of Buddhas. |
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| This was during the consultation. We stayed in Bangkok Christian Center. |
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| This was in a mall featuring wax exhibit. |
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| This is the temple of Wat Arun. The tower was massive and very intricate. |
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| This is in Wat Pho that houses the massive golden lying Buddha. |
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| This was on Saturday when we visited Ancient Siam. It's a park that features replicas of famous sites all over Thailand. |
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| This is the king's palace in the Grand Palace compound. I took this shot. I love it. |
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| This is in Ancient Siam. There's a mini-zoo inside it. Took photo with their resident python. |
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| This was when we arrived in Bangkok, we were met by Ptr. Abe and Ptr. Chad. |
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| This was the last night of the consultation. We went to a dining compound that had cultural shows. These two girls were on their way to the performance. We stopped them for a quick snapshot. |
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| This is in Shakey's in NAIA 3 with Ptr. Rodel and his wife Ate Alice. Ptr. Rodel is the Southeast Asia regional coordinator for One Hope. |
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| This is in Ancient Siam. The background is a replica of the Pavilion of Englightenment. Very beautiful architecture. |
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| These are the delegates of the APYL consultation. 9 countries were represented here. |
It is finished!
My M. Div course that is. Last April 1 I graduated in Masters of Divinity after 6.5 years of taking it up. I wrote in my FB message:
On April 1, I will be graduating from Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries (www.ascm.net) Masters of Divinity (Oct 2004-Apr 2011). I entered ASCM after responding God's call in my life at the Asian Institute of Youth Studies May 2004 (after graduating in UST) in APTS Baguio City. This season has been a fulfilling and molding experiece. ASCM has equipped me to do what God has called me to do: to serve the next generation and to impact the nations for God. Through your support, encouragement and prayers you made this possible. Thank you for investing your life in me. To God be the glory for the things He has done!
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| With my family. |
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| Our friend Mutya attended the graduation. I'm the last of the remnants of this group. Most of them had already graduated or moved to other places already. |
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| My beloved adviser and professor Dr. Zonia Tappeiner. She and her husband Dr. T made an impact in my life. |
Help me overcome my unbelief
"' ... But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us' ... 'If you can'? said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for the one who believes.' ... 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" - Mark 9:22-24
" 'Why couldn't we drive it out?' ... 'This kind can come out only by prayer.' " - Mark 9:28-29
Many times we get used to the normal. Normal is getting by. Getting by what's there and existing. Getting used to our limps and crutches. We used to believe that God will take them away, but "I've been asking for awhile and the answer hasn't come yet.". So we take on a new notion that it's something that will be permanent, something that we should deal with from day to day. And our prayers become something like, "If you [God] can do anything ... help us." Two things are revealed from the father's prayer: First his lack of faith, seeing his son suffer this sickness "from childhood" made him believe that perhaps God can't do anything about it. One pastor says, "So small a prayer might be an insult to God." We must be reminded that God is sovereign--He know's what He is doing ... and God is all powerful--He is able to do anything. Yes, anything. Second observation is that this father lacked faith in themselves. He thought his family's circumstance is too small to be dealt with by an Almighty God. "If you can do anything ..." is like saying ... "Well, if you have spare time, but if I'm interrupting it's fine." How many times we pray prayers like that as if God had something better to do, more important to do. But God is more than willing to hear us and meet our need. Experiencing God tells us the beauty of serving our God. He is sovereign (He knows what he's doing), He is all-powerful (He can do anything) and He is Love ... God is Love. He does what's best for us and for His glory. Imagine that, a God who can do everything and He's on our side and He knows what He's doing.
"Everything is possible for one who believes." Everything is possible, that's the promise of Jesus himself. Impossible does not exist in God's vocabulary! Imagine what opportunities are open to a child of God. But this promise has a premise: "for one who believes." "One" can mean anyone. Jesus does not say "a child of God" or "the faithful". But it's an invitation for anyone to come and believe. Yes, even the worst of sinners and the unreligious. This invitation to believe the impossible is for everyone. The main ingredient is belief--or faith. Faith in what or to whom? Faith that God can and that He will. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." "Faith can move mountains."
What is the main ingredient of your prayers lately? Is it full of faith or a recitation or duty? God longs to share an intimate conversation with us. Like a parent longing to hear a young child's exploits after a day's work, God longs to hear our exploits, our victories and even our failures. When we ask, He won't say, "let's set an appointment for that," or "let me check my schedule." "Would a father give his son a snake when he asks for an egg? ..." His promise, "If fathers would know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."
Let it be the father's response be our response and prayer. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Let us return once again to this child-like faith and trust to God and say, "Yes, Lord, I believe." God help me overcome my lack of faith--Ultimately it is God who will draw us to himself to know Him and trust Him.
" 'Why couldn't we drive it out?' ... 'This kind can come out only by prayer.' " - Mark 9:28-29
Many times we get used to the normal. Normal is getting by. Getting by what's there and existing. Getting used to our limps and crutches. We used to believe that God will take them away, but "I've been asking for awhile and the answer hasn't come yet.". So we take on a new notion that it's something that will be permanent, something that we should deal with from day to day. And our prayers become something like, "If you [God] can do anything ... help us." Two things are revealed from the father's prayer: First his lack of faith, seeing his son suffer this sickness "from childhood" made him believe that perhaps God can't do anything about it. One pastor says, "So small a prayer might be an insult to God." We must be reminded that God is sovereign--He know's what He is doing ... and God is all powerful--He is able to do anything. Yes, anything. Second observation is that this father lacked faith in themselves. He thought his family's circumstance is too small to be dealt with by an Almighty God. "If you can do anything ..." is like saying ... "Well, if you have spare time, but if I'm interrupting it's fine." How many times we pray prayers like that as if God had something better to do, more important to do. But God is more than willing to hear us and meet our need. Experiencing God tells us the beauty of serving our God. He is sovereign (He knows what he's doing), He is all-powerful (He can do anything) and He is Love ... God is Love. He does what's best for us and for His glory. Imagine that, a God who can do everything and He's on our side and He knows what He's doing.
"Everything is possible for one who believes." Everything is possible, that's the promise of Jesus himself. Impossible does not exist in God's vocabulary! Imagine what opportunities are open to a child of God. But this promise has a premise: "for one who believes." "One" can mean anyone. Jesus does not say "a child of God" or "the faithful". But it's an invitation for anyone to come and believe. Yes, even the worst of sinners and the unreligious. This invitation to believe the impossible is for everyone. The main ingredient is belief--or faith. Faith in what or to whom? Faith that God can and that He will. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." "Faith can move mountains."
What is the main ingredient of your prayers lately? Is it full of faith or a recitation or duty? God longs to share an intimate conversation with us. Like a parent longing to hear a young child's exploits after a day's work, God longs to hear our exploits, our victories and even our failures. When we ask, He won't say, "let's set an appointment for that," or "let me check my schedule." "Would a father give his son a snake when he asks for an egg? ..." His promise, "If fathers would know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."
Let it be the father's response be our response and prayer. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Let us return once again to this child-like faith and trust to God and say, "Yes, Lord, I believe." God help me overcome my lack of faith--Ultimately it is God who will draw us to himself to know Him and trust Him.
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