Dead in the Water

     From the moment I posted my previous blog about salvation, these thoughts have hounded me ever since. I am in a dilemma because I try to equate salvation like mathematics: salvation=faith + actions, which is true and biblically sound, but what God is trying to tell me since yesterday was about sin.
     In the Bible, sin is something we acquired from Adam and Eve. Because of the Fall of Man, all people has been slaves to sin, and it is our nature to sin. Just look at ourselves and be honest that if you compare the things you have done, what would be the least, or greatest? We sin more than not; we are just not aware often. Lying, stealing, or desiring other people’s belongings (10 Commandments), or accusing anyone falsely, all of these we are guilty even if we haven’t kill anyone (we might have in our minds). Even if you taught a child from the beginning nothing but good deeds, as a child grows up, that child would eventually commit a sin; therefore, it is our nature to be sinful. Now, because of this ‘original’ sin, man cannot have a relationship with God since God is a Holy God (never sins) , and the ONLY way to restore that relationship is by sincere repentance. We must confess our sins to God by prayer, and be cleansed of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, which means by Jesus Christ death on the Cross and resurrection. For Jesus has overcome death (spiritual death) by raising on the third day; He has accomplished a new covenant between man and God that whoever believes in Him(Jesus), may not perish but have eternal life. For whoever believes in Jesus, will not be judged. So, Jesus has solved the sin problem of man, and restored our relationship with God that sin will never have power over us. That’s why it is important that we apply true repentance by telling ourselves not to commit sin anymore, and leaving our old self dead in the water through our baptism. Don’t worry, trust in the Lord and He will help you live a sinless, and upright life. God bless!

Jesus and Nicodemus

     “I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again,” Jesus answered. “How can a grown man be born again?” Nicodemus asked. “He certainly cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time!” “I am telling you the truth,” replied Jesus, “that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit. Do not be surprised because I tell you must all be born again. The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
     
First of all, I would like to clear things up that what is Jesus saying that you must be ‘born again’ to enter heaven is not a name of a religious group or sect. Does it mean when I join the ‘born again’ Christians, I would be saved? None sense! As Jesus was saying is that we must be born of water and Spirit. Many have debated and argued that the meaning of being born of water is not water baptism but repentance. To give light to this question, we must turn ourselves to the Bible for direction. At that time when Jesus was spending time with his disciples and baptizing, the following chapter tells about John the Baptist doing  also his part: baptizing with water. It is clear what Jesus was saying to Nicodemus about baptism of water, is simply water baptism. Water baptism in the Bible is performed by immersing the person in water and raising the person up again. This also has some deeper meaning. The reason why a person is immersed in water, it signifies that we are baptized into union with Christ’s death. By our baptism, then, we are buried with him (Jesus) and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.

For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was. And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on his cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin. For when we die, we are set free from the power of sin. Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that Christ has been raised from the death and will never die again-death will never rule over him. And so, because he died, sin has no power over him; and now he lives his life in fellowship with God. In the same way you are to think of yourselves as dead, so far as sin is concerned, but living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:3-11)

Then what about being born by the Spirit? The Spirit that Jesus was talking about is the Holy Spirit that God sends to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. It is a gift, which means nothing is paid in return to God. (Please read Acts 11:1-17) This also means that doing good works cannot buy yourself eternal life, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. “…For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.” So, we just have to believe, and presto, we are saved? No, in believing there must also have action, which is doing good works as I’ve said in my previous blogs. (Read James 2:14-26)

Therefore, in order to be saved, we must be baptized by water in the name of Jesus Christ, believe in our hearts that Jesus will save us, (God will give you the ‘gift’ of Holy Spirit after this), AND live a life in obedience to God to ‘prove’ your faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Just Do It!

     Aren’t you tired of listening to Sunday sermons, knowing that some or many people won’t even do what they are told to? And, I’m not even sure that even those who preach practice it. Maybe that they are just very good at persuading people to what they say is better, or is it? I’ve been a Christian almost in my entire life, and I admit that only 10% of the sermons I receive every Sunday, I applied in my life. Now, we all know that Christianity is a personal relationship with God, and God is telling me something: It’s time to just do it! (like that commercial) I’m beginning to understand the true meaning of Christian life, and it involves good works, not just faith, but doing good works. Because I believe that many of our brothers in Christ are deceived into believing that faith is enough to save you from hell, but the truth is faith without good works is dead as it was written in the book of James. How will you prove your faith in God if you stay at home watching TV all day? Could that save you? Yes, the answer we all know is obvious, but what are you going to do about it?

Weather Disturbance

Then the hurricane Katrina and now hurricane Rita, which is moving towards Texas in intensity. This is the first time that both hurricanes with this kind of intensity has struck the U.S. almost simultaneously, it said on the internet. My first reaction is, “I’m glad I’m not in their situation,” but almost suddenly grief and a question why is this happening? Man has found cure for diseases, and even beaten the brain by super computers, but man is on bended knees with regards to the weather. Yes, we could track it down, and even predict its moves, but we could never control the elements that devastated countries, cities, states, homes, and millions of lives, rich and poor, old and young. We have limitations, and to meet our limitations, we need to seek a higher being; the one who created the world with one breath. God is a good god, and so He opposes evil. It is our fault from the beginning. It is we who opposes Him; it is we who hardened our own hearts, proud and unrepentant. Because of this sin, we reap what we sow. Lately, I just learned from the news that strippers came back to New Orleans to bring back their night life.

This is Our True Story

     Forget about the news for awhile, and let’s talk about boxing. I’ve been waiting for this movie for so long, and after hearing some positive reviews, my eagerness grows in anticipation. Frankly my dear, boxing for me is a very dangerous sport (I don’t even believe it’s a sport). I’ve studied martial arts and I know that a contact sport like this may result to physical damage permanently in your old age. Just like Mohammad Ali, who is suffering from some sort of a brain disease. But one of the most interesting lessons in life is that there are no black or white; almost everything that we face in today’s world is the gray area, and that what makes life very unique. In the movie Cinderella Man, boxing became a one man’s savior to an utter cruel reality of poverty. At the time of the Great Depression, it’s hard to cling on to one’s belief and ideals when everything in what we hoped for has failed. Jim Braddock has faced the most brutal opponent in his life: life itself. He has experienced hunger, pain, and even cried in hopelessness. The once mighty, champion of the world, has lost his own pride in exchange for a small change in his pocket, and food for his children. But even in these hard times, he and his wife held on to their faith that although powerless in the sight of their enemies, they placed their hands with one another, loved through sickness and in health may death do us part.
     Sometimes in life, we do not understand the things that is happening, and we start to question the authority from above. After putting up a fight; after doing everything in His command; after clinging to what is good even though everyone is against you, you stop and think why does it has to be like this? Is this how He would repay us after the good that we’ve done? Jim Braddock can’t understand why he has to work in a docking yard with his right hand injured. He even could not understand why he has to go on hungry every morning. After you’ve watched the movie, a sense of enlightenment and honest understanding will fill your way, and believe that in everything in life there is a higher purpose. This is our true story.

A Shorter Smile

Monday, it’s my sister’s birthday. She is three years older than me, but it seems that she’s catching up in terms of looks (hehe). Two days ago, I was thinking what to give her for her birthday present. Since my business is in slow mode, I’m learning to think of ways to be creative and give her something special despite my financial inadequacies. Luckily, like a falling manna from heaven, my older sister relinquished her old mobile phone to me, and told me to replace my old one. That Saturday, I was thinking if I do really need the newer model and give the older one to the birthday celebrant. Of course, we all wanted the newer gadgets, the latest in tech and stuff, but in making a decision, it all boils down to necessity rather than want. That day, I finally decided to keep my obsolete phone and gave the newer model. Feeling a bit generous, I even gave him a prepaid card to complement her newly acquired handset, and we were both glad (even when my smile is shorter than hers) Haha!

No Exemptions

There are no exemptions; everyone will undergo trials in our lifetimes, and that is what brings out the best or the worst in us. We are all familiar with the Psalm 23 of David, which is, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want…” But what is interesting is the Psalm before that chapter, Psalm 22. This Psalm describes the lowest point in the life of David. He was surrounded by his enemies like pack of dogs ready to pounce on him. He was physically exhausted, tired and weary that made him cry in anguish and pain to his Lord. He compared himself to a worm, despised and scorned by everyone! “You relied on the Lord,” they say. “Why doesn’t He save you? If the Lord likes you, why doesn’t He help you?” Sounds familiar? What strikes me most is the part when he said, “They gamble for my clothes and divide them among themselves.” This verse is exactly the same when our Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross. Same as he was, it was the lowest point in his life when everyone mocked him, his God, and his existence, but this is never the end. As you read the last part of the chapter, David solemnly promised our Lord to honor God after this situation in his life, and he knew that God will raise him up from the ground; He will never ignore the pleas of the people and answer them when they needed help. God is a just and loving God; He wants the best for you. Just like what our pastors always say that God is concerned on improving our character rather than our bank account. Lastly, David mentioned in the end that future generations will serve Him, they will speak of the Lord in the coming generation. People not yet born will be told: “The Lord saved his people.”

Finishing Great!

What is better, starting or finishing great? Like watching movies, I always wanted for the end to finish satisfied rather a good start but lousy ending. Yes, it’s true that having a great start and end is better than anything else, except that, it’s not realistic in a sense that it doesn’t happen always in life, but I may be wrong.

King David is a loyal follower of God even when he was still young. As you know, he wasn’t king yet; he didn’t acquire kingship by inheritance or succession, rather he became king because God wanted to. Back in his ‘wonder’ years, he was just an ordinary shepherd boy, but extra ordinary in some cases when he defeated wild, ferocious animals that threaten his flock just by using a slingshot and with bare hands. From that, we could tell David was fearless and would give even his dear life to protect and please God. Not only that, he was also a musician. He loves to sing and with a voice that soothes the ears of king Saul, and he also composed some of the Psalms in the bible.

On the other hand, King David’s son, Solomon, also came out very obedient at first that his kingdom was far more greater than any other kingdom at that time if not all time. He built palaces made out of strong cedar and pure gold. The deal was, King David thought of building God a temple in Israel to worship Him since God’s presence is always housed in a small and humble tent. But, God did not allow David to build the temple. God’s reason was David has fought many wars and killed many people, and the Lord was not pleased with it (This suggest that God’s law of, ‘thou shall not kill’ still applies even for a just cause). Instead, God told David that his son, Solomon, was to build the temple for Him as a dedication. And so, after King David’s death, Solomon became king and built the temple. Solomon was known to be the wisest king who ever lived since this was his request from God and God granted it. But later in his life, Solomon became disobedient and worshipped idols (because his foreign wives urged him). Solomon loved his wives more than God. Therefore, God got angry and divided the kingdom after Solomon’s reign.

This story is a classic example of finishing poor. He started well but in the end failed miserably. As I pondered, do people who have a similar story go to heaven? Are they saved? What do you think?

Acting The Preach

Tell me if I’m wrong, but I wonder why pastors don’t have to work? I mean, preparing for a sermon only takes 2-3 days at most and they still have so much time to spare, so what do they do for the rest of the week? Even the Apostle Paul in the bible had another job than preaching because he stressed that Christian Leaders MUST lead an example for others to follow. As Paul said in his letter to Thessalonica, “Surely you remember, our friends, how we worked and toiled! We worked day and night so that we would not be any trouble to you as we preached to you the Good News from God.” Pastors do not need flattering talk to be effective in preaching because Christians know that it is the Lord who works in us not them. Even by just reading the scriptures aloud is enough to convince others, for the Word of God is alive, and as we listen to His Word, brings healing and peace. Sometimes it is true that actions speak louder than words. Why don’t they give the collections they receive to the poor and needy? After all, that is what they’re trying to preach, isn’t it? Why is it more important to renovate the church building rather than be kind and give it to the members for payment of their hospital bills? And I don’t understand why they always preach about giving when they themselves do not give? How ironic.

Idolatry and True Worship

People of Israel, listen to the message that the Lord has for you. He says, “Do not follow the ways of other nations; do not be disturbed by unusual sights in the sky, even though other nations are terrified. The religion of these people is worthless. A tree cut down in the forest; it is carved by the tools of the woodworker and decorated with silver and gold. It is fastened down with nails to keep it from falling over. Such idols are like scarecrows in a field of melons; they cannot speak; they have to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them; they can cause you no harm, and they do you no good.”

Lord, there is no one like you; you are mighty, and your name is great and powerful. Who would not honor you, the king of all nations? You deserve to be honored. There is no one like you among all the wise men of the nations or among any of their kings. All of them are stupid and foolish. What can they learn from wooden idols? Their idols are covered with silver from Spain and with gold from Uphaz, all the work of artists; they are dressed in violet and purple cloth woven by skilled weavers. But you, Lord are the true God, you are the living God and eternal king. When you are angry, the world trembles; the nations cannot endure your anger. Jeremiah 10:1-10

Homosexuals Have No Place in the Kingdom of God

What am I hearing lately about same sex marriage, and the church is allowing it? Truly, my friends that this society is coming of age and getting worse by the minute! What the prophets were saying is coming true that we are going to the age of rebellion. Although this news is not new, for at the time of Abraham in the bible, people were already this immoral. In Genesis, when the angels of the Lord came to Sodom to see if the accusations about the people were true, Lot, nephew of Abraham, saw these two angels and urged them to spend the night in his home, for Lot knew that it wasn’t safe for these two male angels to spend the night at the city square. In Genesis 19:4 it says, “Before the guests (the angels) went to bed, the men of Sodom surrounded the house. All the men of the city, both young and old, were there. They called out Lot and asked, “Where are the men who came to stay with you tonight? Bring them out to us!” The men of Sodom wanted to have sex with them.” As the story continues, Lot even pleaded to the men of Sodom not to do this and even tried to persuade them to have his two virgin daughters instead of his guests. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of this perversion of human values. God created man not to act as woman or he will be lying to himself, but to be as he was created for. I will not be surprised when the law of men will even break the law of God. The age of rebellion is coming.

God Condemns Idolatry

Some of the leaders of the Israelites came to consult me the Lord’s will. Then the Lord spoke to me. “Mortal man,” he said, “these men have given their hearts to idols and are letting idols lead them into sin. Do they think I will give them an answer?

“Now speak to them and tell them what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them: Each of you Israelites who have given your heart to idols and let them lead you into sin and who then come to consult a prophet, will get an answer from me- then answer that many of you deserve! All those idols have turned the Israelites away from me, but by my answer I hope to win back their loyalty.

“Now then, tell the Israelites what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying: Turn back and leave your disgusting idols.

“Whenever one of you Israelites or one of you foreigners who live in the Israelites community turn away from me and worship idols, and then go to consult a prophet, I, the Lord, will give you an answer! I will oppose you. I will make an example of you. I will remove you from the community of my people, so that all of you will know that I am the Lord.

“If any prophets are deceived into giving false answer, it is because I, the Lord have deceive them. I will remove them from the people of Israel. “Both prophets and anyone who consult them will get the same punishment. I will do this to keep the Israelites from deserting me and defiling themselves by their sins. They are to be my people, and I will be their God.” The Sovereign Lord have spoken.
Ezekiel 14:1-11. (TEV)

Idol: image of a god.
Idolatry: worshiper of idols. From Webster’s Dictionary

MojoFly Now-Concert

Saturday, September 03, 2005


It was the day before yesterday, and I was thinking whether to go or not to go to the concert. It was years since I saw a gig outside of my studio. My expectations were high since I know that this lady has already been in my studio once and knows she sings well, but a major concert like this, let’s see.

No one bought the invite I was trying to sell; a P250 worth of discount just for a hundred. Quite a bargain I thought. But, alas, none replied, and so I am moved to decide to go since that was the deal.

The venue was in Greenhills Shopping Center, specifically at the Music Museum, and that is a long way off north. It’s like pilgrimage of sorts. I’m not really familiar with the place, although I’ve been there before, but taking the car is a lot more hassle and our good government urges us folks to save fuel. So, commute.

When I somehow got there, I learned that I was the first fan to arrive. And yes, I’m the first person to get a ticket. Even got to mingle with the staff there, and joked around wondering if I could get a freebie or another discount. Of course as salespeople, they have to sell the most expensive seat first, so they offered me the best seat in town. Although I opt for a seat ON stage, but they will charge extra and might cut off my leg for that, therefore I settled somewhere at the lower right.

After waiting at the lounge for an hour, I went in and took some pictures of the lighting effects going on, on the stage. It’s 8:30, and I thought the show is about to start. Then I waited another 30 minutes, but still it’s still dark. At 9:10, people started to arrive at last. Always late again.

At 9:15, the announcer started saying, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn off your cellphones…” After 5 minutes or so, the lights dimmed and the people quieted, and the announcer said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, PLEASE turn off your cellphone…” Only here in this country.

As I noticed, the stage is not roomy and where’s the drum set anyway? At 9:20, the machines spewed some smoke, the drum rolled and whalla, the supposed fixed wall opened and the platform slid out with the whole band playing “Turn” or is it “Thank you?” Anyway, they got out with a loud bang! The lights are getting crazy and the crowd was just filled with positive energy and astonishment that this band can really perform well.

I don’t know about the crowd, but there were some instances that Lougee, the lead vocalist and composer, spewed some funny comments trying to make the show more fun. For example, Ricci, the bassist, told the audience that the sound people must have given Ardie, the lead guitarist, a mic so he could speak, and Lougee blurted out, “Kanina may mic stand dyan eh!” Another instance when she asked, “Sino meron nang album namin?” Some people raised their hands. Then she continued, “Ah, kaya kayo nandito kasi may free album sa ticket!” (hehe).

Ricci, you could tell, is more experienced, and the veteran among the group. Also, a composer, he sang a new material, and it’s good music. He is quite a performer, for he has face expression and moves that can really rock!

Ali, on the other hand, is a year old. New to the music scene, but can pack a punch or two. They even arranged one song where he can do some drum rolling solo. Only that at one point the drums overshadowed the cello and violins upstairs.

Overall, the show was great (and Lougee too! And the dress). Not really perfection, but great. We even saw the world premiere of their latest music video “Tumatakbo.” The video was fabulous! Just see it; I don’t want to spoil the fun.

If you want to see some pictures of the concert, just go to www.soundchemistry.com and click on the The Fireplace link.