The Day of Rapture

        Personally, I don't know why other fellow believers do not believe in rapture. To those who don't know what rapture means, it is an event that the Son of God will take those who remained faithful to Him and worthy to be saved, and they will be taken to Heaven, but others will be left behind here on earth. It doesn't take to be a rocket scientist to figure out this 'strange' phenomenon. If you would open the bible and read Luke 17:20- 37, there you would realize that rapture is going to happen. As it says, “...On that night, I tell you, there will be two people sleeping in the same bed: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Two women will be grinding meal together: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind.” As you would notice, Jesus-the Son of God himself, is the one who is revealing this truth (so, there would be no doubt in your mind). Actually, there isn't any thing more to explain because it's pretty quite plain and simple. The only valid question that we should ask is how is this going to happen. Do people will just vanish into thin air? Or, people will fly like angels and go straight to heaven? The answer is also written on the next verse: “Where there is a dead body, the vultures will gather.” What does this mean? I believe that 'something' will cause those people to die for some reason and be taken away. As people from all nations knows about the global pandemic that could happen anytime, I believe 'may be' this is one way on how people will just suddenly die and be taken away. Now, that's a logical explanation to answer the not so secret rapture that is going to take place in the near future. The other important question is, “Are you ready?”

Lord Of War

Would you be proud if someone told you that you are the Lord of War? As he explains that cigarettes could kill more people than a gun on somebody’s hand. What is cigarettes and what is a gun? It does not have powers to kill, but to the one who uses it. Like what the news is telling that nature is not the one changing but people. As we have seen on action movies that even a ball-point pen could turn into a murder weapon; even a pillow could produce same results. So, do you think selling guns is wrong? As portrayed in the movie, Yuri is a man who wanted something better in his life; he wanted to be the best in what he does best and that is selling weapons. Like a drug, he began in small things like selling an uzi. Then later he began selling weapons that requires warehouses to store it in, and even attack helicopters and tanks. He became so successful that FBI agents knows his brand of underwear. What is good and bad about him is that he doesn’t take sides; he just sell to anyone, wherever or whoever they are. One unforgettable scene in the story is when his younger brother, who eventually became a drug addict, took some hand grenades and threw to their own merchandise, which led to his untimely death. The only thing that bugs me is this Yuri that after all of the tragic consequence in his life, he never flinched an eye! The truth is I never learned from him; he’s maybe good at solving things and making gazillion bucks and so courageous, but I never learned anything from him-good that is. Selling a weapon is not a crime. Selling a weapon to a criminal is what makes it.

Politics (Yeeech!)

Yesterday, my friend and I talked about politics (Yeeech!). I never thought we’ll end up talking about politics (Yeeech!), which is my favorite subject (In case you couldn’t tell, I’m being sarcastic. Duh!). You and I could talk about the weather, tragic news, mudslides, or even the end of the world for all I know, but BUT not politics. Politics have different personalities: office, home, bedroom, and of course the government, which we pretty much covered yesterday in our small bar debate. It’s anti-glo versus pro-glo. As much as possible I don’t take any sides that I know is wrong, but who is right anyway? He has a point, and of course I also do have some point. He’s talking about all of the mistakes and ‘grave’ sins she has committed as if she deserves to be burned at the stakes that everything is her fault. But in fairness to him, I learned that he participated at one of the major rallies that ousted the former president, and that is why he feels cheated by todays leaders. To be honest, there is a reason to be ashamed, for our country is plagued by chronic corruption, which is badly in need of some vaccine. I couldn’t figure out why those good officials are wondering why our country hasn’t lifted-off (Houston, we got a problem). And, if you could see the pattern that all poor countries are usually have corrupt officials. Yes, that is a factor as I can see. So, what is the solution? Bird-flu pandemic? (I hope not!)

“Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t”

“Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t” Maybe you have heard this phrase, and it was awhile back since those days when I still watched primetime cartoons. At that time, I am a Simpsons fanatic. Well of course the main reason why I watch it is because it make me laugh, and learn some lessons in the end, which they removed and wondered why since. Anyway, as far as I could remember, Bart first blurted out these words when he was asked a question about the meaning of paradox, and he has to give an example. Actually, it was funny (but serious), on why he came to that class of nerds anyway because he cheated on their exams by replacing his exams paper with a genius (Now, are we learning something?). Then, every nerds’ eyes were on him curious of what he would answer, and you guessed right; what came out from his mouth are the only words he knows-“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” So, let’s go to reality.

This is the same dilemma that my friend is facing nowadays. Whether to do legal actions against a firm that wronged him, or just let it be and forgive. He asked some people’s advice regarding this and different answers hounded him. As a Christian, we are taught to be loving, and forgiving because in the scriptures, it teaches us how to rely on God, and if we trust in Him, we believe He will decide justly. The important word here is “justly.” Even we are oppressed, even we are accused falsely, and tried immorally, we Christians should always be patient and enduring like Christ was when He was crucified on the cross for doing nothing wrong, in short, he was sinless, unblemished, and yet he faced the most cruel and painful death; he was mocked, thrown with every hurting words a man could take, even after doing what is good, and yet he said not even a word. Definitely, a lamb surrounded by pack of wolves waiting to be slaughtered!

What about the bible talking about doing what is just? Isn’t making a legal action against the people who mistreated you just? If you look at the meaning of the word just in the dictionary, it says, ‘reasonable,’ ‘morally or legally right,’ ‘correct or proper,’ ‘deserved.’ So, is doing that reasonable? Is it morally or legally right? Is it correct or proper? Is it deserving? If it is, then it is just. Doing what is just in human sense is different on what is just in God’s eyes. You might see that putting them in jail or putting their work out of business is just, then it is just only in your eyes. Yes, they must deserve it for the evil that they’ve done, but you don’t know what is really they deserve. We must remember that God does not forget all the things we have done evil or good, and God doesn’t just sleep on these things and take it so lightly. He is the God of Good and hates any kind of evil. Moreover, we are also guilty of sinning; no one is innocent. All sins are equal. You may have murdered someone or just told a lie, it is still sin and is punishable by death. You may say that this is not just, well are you God? It is God who makes the rules, not us, and we should submit to these rules like our lives depend on it. Therefore, my dear brethrens, we must learn to forgive and be patient like God is with us. Payback evil with good, and then we will learn the most valuable lessons of true love.

Shine Like Stars

I just read from the paper that my country is second most corrupt, and second in cable piracy. This saddens me greatly, for I always pray that my country will change and rise from chronic poverty. Not that I’m boasting, but I’m striving to do the right thing always as the Spirit guides me. I cannot claim that I am sinless, but I do my best to do the will of God and live in obedience to Him even when I am here in my country. Like what Paul said, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God’s perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer the message of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16)

The Good Die Better

“The Good die Better” What do you think about this phrase? Does it hold true? Do good people die peacefully and quietly? An example is King Josiah in the Old Testament (2Kings 22). Usually those days, Kings get killed in battles and wars that the heir to the throne become king in a very young age. King Josiah became king in the age of eight, yup that’s right, it is the age where you just flunked math in grade school, and coping with bullies in school. That’s why in the Bible, they mention the name of their mothers when a boy suddenly comes into power to rule a nation (do I hear some scolding?). Anyway, that’s how it was in those days and becoming a king is a very important position since you have all the right to impose higher taxes, build stone walls, send an army to their deaths, and so on. They are so important that the fate of the nation lies with them (well, not necessarily). Ok, King Josiah was a good man. He followed the footsteps of King David, faithful to God, obeyed His laws, and taught the people to rid of those disgusting idols, and liberate them from sin (Actually, there is a King in the New Testament who did this-hint, hint). Baaad kings after baaad kings that ruled Judah, King Josiah was the only exception. I’ve read his story and found no fault in him (well, at least not mentioned in the Bible). But, what is very interesting is that how he died. Yes, he ruled for thirty-one years as king of Judah, but his life came to an abrupt end when he died fighting the Egyptian army. I mean, Oh Lord, what happened to the scriptures saying, “You reap what you sow?” King Josiah sowed good seeds and yet died in a battle? I think he earned to die peacefully like his ancestor King David. Sadly my friends, we always expect for God to reward us in this lifetime that God will give us peace, and bountiful life in the end. However, the truth is, and what we should understand that we should never look at this life as the end, but only the beginning. God will reward us there with Him in His presence, when we meet face to face.

A Better Place

How will I recover those lost time? A feeling of dismay and resentment followed when I remember those days that I should have done something but couldn’t (or wouldn't). I feel helpless as if I was in limbo. Like that song of Kitchie Nadal, “Same Ground.” The MTV shows about a person trapped in a small island all by herself and can’t escape. What does this mean? I believe that nothing in life is ever useless. Like a wise, old man teaching his children some anecdotes how to live life in it’s fullness. I want to have that same kind of life where every moment is spent with joy and meaning. Somehow, God has a plan for us; we just need to be patient. Now, and only now, I’m beginning to understand what it means to live a life of purpose. I need to put my selfish motives aside and let me do the work that we are assigned by the Great Design, by giving help to those in need. I know this world we live in is not perfect, and I know now that the world is bleaker in reality, but I can’t take that reason overwhelm me, or discourage us and take on the fight we face everyday to a better, and brighter place.

Forever

Forever by Jun Cuevas (You can listen to this song at www.soundchemistry.com)

Open the lights; see me through
I cannot hide from You
Open the door of Your heart
Fill me all with Your love

  I cannot say
  All in Your Heart
  It is a test of your heart
  All love is due

Give me your heart
Show me your smile
Let the love come flowing down
See me through
Open your arms
I can’t tell what love is

   I cannot say
   All in your heart
   It is a test of your heart
   All love is due…

       Forever, and ever, and ever…

Don't Let him Win

Was there a time when something bad happened with no particular reason, and you ask yourself and God why this thing took place? This was the story of Job. Job was practically a good and honest man, living in obedience to God. He had everything: a house, a family, food to eat, and a good life ahead of him, until disaster strikes. He got robbed, his children and wife abandoned him, his so-called friends and followers spit on him, and children laugh at him because of his sorry state. Not only that he lost everything; he even contracted a skin disease so painful, he scrapes his sores with broken pottery.

I never thought this could happen to a Godly person like Job, and I never thought it is possible to happen to common folks like you and me. We acknowledge that in life there are ups and downs as we expected it to happen, but not like what Job experienced.

I couldn’t believe that Satan has the power to wreak destruction even to good people like Job, and what I also couldn’t understand why God allows it too. But in the end, we realize that in everything there is a higher purpose, purpose as high as the heaven that we couldn’t grasp. There is pain and suffering; there is joy and sadness. But what Job did and God proved that Satan was wrong, and could never win. Don’t let him win.

Acts

Today is something special. I woke up early, dressed-up with sporty shoes, went outside and ran around our subdivision for thirty minutes. I’ve always wanted to exercise to remain fit and healthy, and before, I always have an excuse. Well, not anymore. If I need to accomplish something, I have to start doing it, or else, nothing will happen by just staring at an apple on a tree, hoping it will fall on my head.

Early that morning, I learned about Acts (Isn’t that a coincidence?). But, there is something different between that person over there, and a person who believes in God. The person over there, do some acts which he thought is right, so he just take a dive and hope for the best. The other person who believes, acknowledges God first before delving in. Got the idea? In the book of Acts, Paul was a prisoner among the others on a sinking boat. They have all lost hope of surviving the storm and be drifted away on the sea and never see land again. But, Paul never lost hope. God has revealed to him that nobody will lose a single hair and be saved. Because of that, they believed, and remained on a seemingly helpless situation by not abandoning and ‘do’ something they thought was best. But we must all consider that what we thought is best for us is not really better, and God has another plan, a greater plan, a plan that will be best not only for ourselves, but also to others. God never abandons those who love Him.

We all know what happened to Paul and the others. Sometimes it’s easy to say things like these, but so much difficult to apply in life when we have always depended on ourselves. We just have to learn to open our eyes.