Today I went to check out a synagogue (Jewish place of worship) as a field trip on our Old Testament 1 class with our beloved professor Marcia Anderson. The experience was amazing. The synagogue was located in Salcedo Village in Makati and is the only synagogue in the Philippines.
We were introduced to a rabbi which I forgot to pronounce his name, something like Eliya-. He was a Hispanic Jewish rabbi originally from Puerto Rico and his wife is from Colombia. Both lived in Israel for a long time. He brought us to their sanctuary and explained the Judaist religion and answered our question about Judaism. He even allowed us to see their sacred Torah (Pentateuch) which is their Bible.
I am impressed of this young rabbi's charisma and passion for his faith. But sadly, Judaism doesn't accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah. He strongly explained to us that Jews are still waiting for the Messiah to come to bring back and unite Israel.
After almost 3 hours in the synagogue I went to the Liberal Party office to do a new project with them. After the meeting, I learned that I left the car keys locked inside the car. This was the second time that it has happened. So I went back to Manila to meet my dad who has the spare key and returned to the car. Then I went home feeling tired and stupid.
Today was my brother's 19th birthday. We celebrated at home.
The Mind of the Melancholeric Man: Musings on Life and Ministry by Patrick Tan
I Used to Be A God
I was too modest to admit it publicly
But I knew I was God.
What I wanted was right
And I knew those who were righteous
Or unrighteous
By whether or not they did what I wanted.
The good people praised me
Honored me
Believed whatever I spoke
The evil ones did not.
I intended to make my world happy
If those in my world were obedient to my desires
I rewarded them
If they dissented
I made them miserable.
The only problem I had when I was God
Was my competition
Not from my fellow gods
Who clamored and campaigned to assert their own deity
But from the one who said
"I AM THAT I AM."
He claimed to be the Creator
And Sustainer of the universe
He claimed that though men might kill
He had the power to raise from the dead
At first I decided
His claims were irrelevant
Life is NOW
Death is…?
Like all claimants to godhood
I lived with the fear that people
Might discover that I was a phony
After all, none of US created the universe!
And as for rising from the dead
I had to admit
That I was afraid to be caught dead!
I had to resign from being God
I was forced by my conscience
To renounce my claims of righteousness
I had to turn to that One who proved He was the Creator
By rising from the grave.
Now that I am no longer God
I can't give commandments
But I do have some advice
For those who might still think they are God.
DON'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WITHOUT JESUS!
Only He has the power over death.
If you can't take my word for it
Take His—
1 Corinthians, Chapter 15.
— Moishe Rosen, Jews for Jesus
But I knew I was God.
What I wanted was right
And I knew those who were righteous
Or unrighteous
By whether or not they did what I wanted.
The good people praised me
Honored me
Believed whatever I spoke
The evil ones did not.
I intended to make my world happy
If those in my world were obedient to my desires
I rewarded them
If they dissented
I made them miserable.
The only problem I had when I was God
Was my competition
Not from my fellow gods
Who clamored and campaigned to assert their own deity
But from the one who said
"I AM THAT I AM."
He claimed to be the Creator
And Sustainer of the universe
He claimed that though men might kill
He had the power to raise from the dead
At first I decided
His claims were irrelevant
Life is NOW
Death is…?
Like all claimants to godhood
I lived with the fear that people
Might discover that I was a phony
After all, none of US created the universe!
And as for rising from the dead
I had to admit
That I was afraid to be caught dead!
I had to resign from being God
I was forced by my conscience
To renounce my claims of righteousness
I had to turn to that One who proved He was the Creator
By rising from the grave.
Now that I am no longer God
I can't give commandments
But I do have some advice
For those who might still think they are God.
DON'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WITHOUT JESUS!
Only He has the power over death.
If you can't take my word for it
Take His—
1 Corinthians, Chapter 15.
— Moishe Rosen, Jews for Jesus
Sad news, after the Greek airliner crash. Now a Colombian airliner crashes in Venezuela killing 152 people. http://www.airdisaster.com/
It's a weird night last night...
Last night there had a freak cockroach attack in the house. Coming out of the shower. My brother ran to our room because there were suicidal flying cockroaches in the living room - 4 of them! And they were on the wall preparing to fly. He already killed 2. I killed the other two. Then from the screen window we saw more trying to get inside. My father woke up because of the commotion. Outside, the neighbors were also round and about killing cockroaches. We killed a few more cockroaches around 10 casualties.
Old people say that weird animal behavior in a large scale like this is a warning of some calamity coming like earthquake. But nothing happened.
I hate cockroaches. Specially the flying ones. They walk up the wall and fly straight at you! Have they thought flying straight at a person seals their death?
Woke up quite tired. I had the longest dream in months. It was a series of different events. I saw my highschool supervisor, my Stress & Conflict professor and the Music teacher at school. It's the weirdest thing.
Last night there had a freak cockroach attack in the house. Coming out of the shower. My brother ran to our room because there were suicidal flying cockroaches in the living room - 4 of them! And they were on the wall preparing to fly. He already killed 2. I killed the other two. Then from the screen window we saw more trying to get inside. My father woke up because of the commotion. Outside, the neighbors were also round and about killing cockroaches. We killed a few more cockroaches around 10 casualties.
Old people say that weird animal behavior in a large scale like this is a warning of some calamity coming like earthquake. But nothing happened.
I hate cockroaches. Specially the flying ones. They walk up the wall and fly straight at you! Have they thought flying straight at a person seals their death?
Woke up quite tired. I had the longest dream in months. It was a series of different events. I saw my highschool supervisor, my Stress & Conflict professor and the Music teacher at school. It's the weirdest thing.
Still awake. I don't want to sleep yet. Listening to worship songs on my iPod. Swimming-swimming in my alone time with God...
My back is so slouched right now it hurts. Day 4 of my suffering from swollen hands. Itching is gone. But roughness and blisters still there.
Today I went to meet a group of nursing students from Metropolitan Hospital College of Nursing to have a quick lunch at McDonalds. They were respondents from our Hopefest last July and now are going to our weekly Saturday bible study at church. While in McDonalds I also met Sis. Girlie while she waits for her child to finish class. After that I went to school for class at 5PM.
Stayed at the library to work on book reading and assignments. During class Ma'am Marcia gave out the results of our midterm exams and i got a 96% score - 2nd highest in my class. So cool. Then received a 73% from my bible study report on Deuteronomy (because I didn't follow instructions).
During my aimless wanderings at school, a girl approached me whom I know only by face. I don't think she knows me, but I assumed she knows I am a classmate of her friend. She began to ask me about her friend, where she is. I stuttered to blurt out an answer, "She's on the 6th floor." End of conversation. After that, I thought about the significance and product of the encounter and I had no idea. But I have noticed the girl since last sem at school. Hope to have a chance to get to know her more...
I hope the girl I would end up with is already just around the corner. After watching a film-showing last Friday about "Finding the Right Partner" during Student Fellowship; an overnight phone conversation about relationship with a friend; a discussion about Joshua Harris' "Kissed Dating Goodbye," it all points out to one thing: if you decide to have a relationship, find someone who you'd choose as a wife.
Who doesn't want to have a girlfriend? It's ironic and frustrating and loser-like that a person like me would end up penniless when it comes to love. I guess you can't have all the slices of the pie. But I'm longing to find someone whom I can care for, provide for and love second to my God. Someone who will love me as I am. Someone who will share my burden for missions and ministry.
God, I know you know what's best for me. Help me to trust in You on this matter. I'm so broken right now. If you could thrust a dagger into a soul's heart, that's what I feel now God..
My back is so slouched right now it hurts. Day 4 of my suffering from swollen hands. Itching is gone. But roughness and blisters still there.
Today I went to meet a group of nursing students from Metropolitan Hospital College of Nursing to have a quick lunch at McDonalds. They were respondents from our Hopefest last July and now are going to our weekly Saturday bible study at church. While in McDonalds I also met Sis. Girlie while she waits for her child to finish class. After that I went to school for class at 5PM.
Stayed at the library to work on book reading and assignments. During class Ma'am Marcia gave out the results of our midterm exams and i got a 96% score - 2nd highest in my class. So cool. Then received a 73% from my bible study report on Deuteronomy (because I didn't follow instructions).
During my aimless wanderings at school, a girl approached me whom I know only by face. I don't think she knows me, but I assumed she knows I am a classmate of her friend. She began to ask me about her friend, where she is. I stuttered to blurt out an answer, "She's on the 6th floor." End of conversation. After that, I thought about the significance and product of the encounter and I had no idea. But I have noticed the girl since last sem at school. Hope to have a chance to get to know her more...
I hope the girl I would end up with is already just around the corner. After watching a film-showing last Friday about "Finding the Right Partner" during Student Fellowship; an overnight phone conversation about relationship with a friend; a discussion about Joshua Harris' "Kissed Dating Goodbye," it all points out to one thing: if you decide to have a relationship, find someone who you'd choose as a wife.
Who doesn't want to have a girlfriend? It's ironic and frustrating and loser-like that a person like me would end up penniless when it comes to love. I guess you can't have all the slices of the pie. But I'm longing to find someone whom I can care for, provide for and love second to my God. Someone who will love me as I am. Someone who will share my burden for missions and ministry.
God, I know you know what's best for me. Help me to trust in You on this matter. I'm so broken right now. If you could thrust a dagger into a soul's heart, that's what I feel now God..
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
- Sons of Korah (Psalm 84:10-12)
Entering Promise Land
I am learining just these past few weeks that some of my youth who graduate or are close to graduating are thinking of doing full-time ministry / going to bible school. That's great. Somehow it confirms the influence I had in them. Excited for the group of pastors that will be serving in the future. Few guidelines:
- Pray, pray and pray some more.
- Finish your bachelor degree first.
- Work at least for one year. Evaluate after, if God is still calling you, then go for it.
- Know how you will support yourself, just like Paul.
- No turning back!
"10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength."An illogical God for a logical man. No matter how we make sense of it, God has His mighty ways of taking You through the wilderness. An illogical God who is not a respector of persons. An illogical God who splits oceans, rains bread from heaven, turns water to wine. What a mighty God we serve.
- Paul (Philippians 4:10-13)
Been waking up and dozing in many successions today. I had to take medicine for the swelling hands, take a phone call, be told that my parents are leaving (cause they're taking Precious to the airport), woke up to a meowing cat because he's locked in our room! It was a good sleep though, I was on bed until lunch time. I slept early last night also around 10PM.
My hands are still swolen. I'm going to the doctor this afternoon, after my drum sessions with Daryl. For now I'm putting petroleum jelly on my hands to ease the flaming and itching because I don't want to scratch it, though dunno if it helps.
My hands are still swolen. I'm going to the doctor this afternoon, after my drum sessions with Daryl. For now I'm putting petroleum jelly on my hands to ease the flaming and itching because I don't want to scratch it, though dunno if it helps.
Yesterday I woke up to swelling hands. It was enflamed and itchy. I didn't know if it was allergy or something. My mom said it was a symptom of high blood pressure. Incidentally I dined Friday night with my friends to crispy pata & sisig. So today after service I went to Metropolitan Hospital with my mom to have a check-up. Our doctor wasn't around so we we're directed to the Emergency Room. I got needle shots and after a while the swelling went away. But I felt very weak. I can still feel the needle that went through my arm. Ouch. The doc said it was an allergy. From what I don't know. My parents think it was from the cats. But we've had these cats for a year now. Tomorrow I'll visit the doctor again.
Hanggang Kailan
by Orange and Lemons
I heard this last night from my brother. I like they're 70's like style and vocal sounds like Rey Valera...
+ Labis na naiinip | Nayayamot sa bawat saglit | Kapag naalala ka | Wala naman akong magawa
+ Umuwi ka na baby | Di na ako sanay nang wala ka | Mahirap ang mag-isa | At sa gabi hinahanap hanap kita| Hanggang kailan ako | Maghihintay na makasama ka muli | Sa buhay kong puno ng paghihirap | At tanging ikaw lang ang pumapawi | Sa mga luha at naglalagay ng ngiti sa mga labi
+ Di mapigilang mag-isip | Na baka sa tagal mahulog ng loob mo sa iba | Nakakabalisa, nakaluhod, 'wag naman sana
On a similar note, Ramon Bautista, director and actor, I like, is hosting Game Plan in Studio 23 every Sunday, 1:30PM. He's so funny. Appeared on Radioactive Sago Project's Astro MTV.
I heard this last night from my brother. I like they're 70's like style and vocal sounds like Rey Valera...
+ Labis na naiinip | Nayayamot sa bawat saglit | Kapag naalala ka | Wala naman akong magawa
+ Umuwi ka na baby | Di na ako sanay nang wala ka | Mahirap ang mag-isa | At sa gabi hinahanap hanap kita| Hanggang kailan ako | Maghihintay na makasama ka muli | Sa buhay kong puno ng paghihirap | At tanging ikaw lang ang pumapawi | Sa mga luha at naglalagay ng ngiti sa mga labi
+ Di mapigilang mag-isip | Na baka sa tagal mahulog ng loob mo sa iba | Nakakabalisa, nakaluhod, 'wag naman sana
On a similar note, Ramon Bautista, director and actor, I like, is hosting Game Plan in Studio 23 every Sunday, 1:30PM. He's so funny. Appeared on Radioactive Sago Project's Astro MTV.
I'm at the library right now. One of my hiding places. Doing some work. Blogging. I made it to my research class today. But I think they started earlier than 1PM so when I arrived they are already discussing lesson. We were dismissed early. It was great.
After which I went to the music department to reserve the band room. One of the chapel bands which I am a part of wants to jam tomorrow after chapel service. Not knowing how to register, I approached a kind-hearted guy from the staff band (didn't get his name though, he's the keyboardist). He directed me to another lady at the office. She was not too happy to see me I think. I'm good at subtle hints of irritation. It bothers me now, why she was like that. She directed me to another lady which assisted me.
Now I think I shouldn't have taken the leadership role in my band. Since I'm not from the music course. Because I think being skilled is one thing, but being able to be in harmony with the music community at school was another thing to be accepted. Well, that's not what I see right now. Since my audition, I should have been familiar music people. But when I meet them in school, as if I feel I have the obligation to say hi to them to be friendly, but instead, I have a blank and serious countenance that is typically me. I'm worried they would think I am suplado and unfriendly. I do not understand myself.
Last week I felt the frustration of my bandmates, me not wanting to step up into leading the group into progress. I have this thinking of not being to firm (or in other words bossy and pushy) in leading the group because it was not my turf in terms of my course.
I am thinking of quitting my band leader role and being absorbed by other bands...
Talk about serious sick paranoia...
After which I went to the music department to reserve the band room. One of the chapel bands which I am a part of wants to jam tomorrow after chapel service. Not knowing how to register, I approached a kind-hearted guy from the staff band (didn't get his name though, he's the keyboardist). He directed me to another lady at the office. She was not too happy to see me I think. I'm good at subtle hints of irritation. It bothers me now, why she was like that. She directed me to another lady which assisted me.
Now I think I shouldn't have taken the leadership role in my band. Since I'm not from the music course. Because I think being skilled is one thing, but being able to be in harmony with the music community at school was another thing to be accepted. Well, that's not what I see right now. Since my audition, I should have been familiar music people. But when I meet them in school, as if I feel I have the obligation to say hi to them to be friendly, but instead, I have a blank and serious countenance that is typically me. I'm worried they would think I am suplado and unfriendly. I do not understand myself.
Last week I felt the frustration of my bandmates, me not wanting to step up into leading the group into progress. I have this thinking of not being to firm (or in other words bossy and pushy) in leading the group because it was not my turf in terms of my course.
I am thinking of quitting my band leader role and being absorbed by other bands...
Talk about serious sick paranoia...
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