The Battle Belongs To The Lord

Visions of horror
Visions of hope
Trudging through terror
Sliding down a slimy slope
Reeling from the sorrows
Heads buried beneath the burrows
Preparing to wave the white flag
But alas, a sliver through the dark clouds
A revelation
What was intended to break me
God purposed for good
So it's time to fly
No wings to flap & glide
Just faith, yes faith
In the One who can catch my arms
And hold my hand as tightly as He can
As I was swinging w/Him  through the blue skies
In the midst of the howling winds & bumpy air pockets
Did I hear Him whisper the words
Don't be afraid child be strong & courageous
For the battle belongs to the Lord
Wait and be strong it's my fight
My war, my victory, my glory
Yes child the battle belongs to the Lord
You need only to wait & be not afraid!

Acts 4:13-20

 Peter and John were forced to defend themselves before the Sandhedrin (which is the Supreme Council or Court presided by the High Priest) after healing a lame man. In verse 8 of this passage, Luke (the author of the Book of Acts) describes Peter as being filled with the Holy Spirit as he boldly presents his defense before the council. This was the same Peter we see in the gospels that strikes me as a goofball, a man who was the epitome of the word "glitch", however after the resurrection of Jesus and the miracle that occurred in the upper room I began to see a different kind of Peter. Another thing that caught my attention was how the council in their perplexed state of mind perceived Peter and John (v. 13) as uneducated and untrained men... Uneducated and Untrained? And yet the council leaders became so impressed at how astutely John and Peter defended the gospel (consistent to what Paul mentions in the book of 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 which reads "God chooses the foolish to shame the wise"). What these ever so highly respected men of the council realized in the end was that John and Peter had been with Jesus ergo this explains the boldness and eloquence of speech. Their courageous defense of the Full Counsel Of God's Word was extremely impeccable as a result of time spent with Jesus. Folks we don't nee a PHD or a Doctorate to present or defend the Inerrant Word of God in order for us to share the gospel to a relative, a friend, a co-worker, a schoolmate or a random stranger. We need only to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who guided Peter and John in their defense of the gospel before the Sanhedrin. Communing daily with Jesus through the study of His word, immersing ourselves in His presence regularly allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit therefore giving us the boldness and wisdom to say what needs to be said when God opens the doors for us to witness. The reaction of the recipient of the good news that you will be sharing to will be one of two things... Either the person repents or demonstrates hostility towards you and rejects the gospel. Whatever the result may be the seed has been planted. My Evangelical Hero, Chuck Smith once said "The same sun that melts the wax is the same sun that hardens the mud." In conclusion in verses 18-19 of Acts 4, the Apostle Luke narrates how the council commanded and threatened Peter and John, warning them to no longer preach in the name of Jesus or face dire consequences... I love the way they responded to the council's threat with much chutzpah. The Evangelical Dynamic Duo's response is as follows (and I'm paraphrasing it a little bit lol) "Which is right in God's eyes? To listen to you (mere men) or to Him (God) go figure! As for us (Peter and John) we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Wow this right here shows us obedience at its best. When we obey God, He takes care of everything else. With that after giving two or more empty threats the council released them.

HERO

During the Second World War he led a Resistance Movement Unit in the Philippines called the "Signal Corps". Their goal was to provide vital information to the United States Military of the activities as well as the movements of the Japanese Imperial Forces occupying the country of the Philippines. The Battle Of The Philippine Sea for example was won partly because of the gallant efforts of the "Signal Corps" led by a certain Lieutenant Jose "Seque" Villacin in informing the United States Navy of an Armada of Japanese Ships setting out to ambush a U.S. Naval Fleet within the islands of Palau. The tide was turned because Lt. Villacin and his men were quick to pass on the information to the United States Forces In The Pacific and the United States Navy eventually won the battle that led to the return of General Douglas McArthur to the Philippines. Along with his troops, Mc Arthur led the battle for the liberation of the country of the Philippines from its invaders that eventually led to the surrender of the nation of Japan to the Allied Forces in the Pacific.

I am a proud son of a Hero, who served both the countries of the United States of America and the Philippines with so much courage, his life was always at stake as he held the most important responsibility of handling the extremely sensitive task of "Military Communications". He served for the cause of Freedom and Peace and he was a warrior until he caught his last breath as he engaged himself into the final battle of his life against cancer.

The most courageous part of his battle was acknowledging the need of a Savior and the humility to repent of his sins. He knew that this was the only way to attain a glorious victory by bringing back the glory to Jesus. He was a WARIOR til the end...and he fought gallantly and like Job never blamed God for the his adversities yet humbled himself to pray to God everyday...I know this coz' I was there beside him all the time and in fact would in many occasions be the one to lead him in prayer as he lay in silence and suffering intensely from the pain that the cancer had brought him yet he was very much in agreement with the words that came out of my mouth while we were both praying.

As the bugler played the "Taps" and the Soldiers gave him the "Twenty One Gun Salute" I could not help but break down in tears. I was saddened to have lost him but happy that he is now a Citizen of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN of which Jesus is the King.

Where an Army Of Angels has given him a warm Heavenly Welcome as he walked the Streets Of Gold approaching the presence of a King waiting to accept and embrace him with open arms saying the words "Well Done My Good And Faithful Servant...Well Done!"

I Love You Papa...It pains me to realize that you left on the same month of my birthday. But I know your are now in good hands...free from pain and able to fly like an eagle.

OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE...THEY MOVE TO A BETTER PLACE, WHERE THE STREETS ARE MADE OF GOLD AND WHERE THEY CAN ENJOY LIFE ETERNAL!

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in Trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91:16

Shirley, Marty and Christmas

I was watching Fox news on Christmas Day and their featured guests were Shirley Jones and Marty Ingalls. I remembered watching Shirley when I was only neigh high playing the matriarch Shirley Partridge on the Partridge Family back in the day. But it was a different Shirley Jones I was watching on T.V. this time around, she along with her husband Marty were sharing to the news anchor how they crashed a Hollywood Parade holding a big sign that went "You Can't Stop Christmas". They were both riled up over how some people have robbed us of the true essence of Christmas while substituting it with "Happy Holidays" thus taking the God Factor away from the most joyous season of the year. Some of us have taken Christmas to mean getting new presents and looking forward to after Christmas and Thanksgiving sale that way we can get the best bargain.

For most of us the idea of celebrating the birth of a baby that made history as the One who has redeemed mankind of all its filth is no longer that relevant. Immersing in the commercial aspect of the season is far more substantial than pondering on the nature and purpose of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. And some sectors of society and even the church would rather remain in a state of apathy over how Christmas has been railroaded by the liberal media, Agnostics and yes even some of our politicians. I cannot for the life of me figure out for example how in the State Capitol of Washington where a Nativity Scene was displayed, a billboard was later on set up that defines the inner thoughts of what Atheists think of Christmas and how the Governor of the State would walk by the same area everyday and not do anything about it just because it falls under the constitutional clause of "Freedom of Speech". It saddens me that it has all come down to this. Christmas has been bush whacked and bamboozled, this should no longer be tolerated by those who claim to be believers in Jesus.

...Let us not be in remiss of why we are celebrating the Christmas Season...Jesus Christ is still and will continue to be the reason for the season.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, For you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the son of the highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Luke 1:30-33

MEN IN MOTION

Men In Motion Reunited! during the time God called me to step up and lead this group of Men from different theological persuasions I have witnessed six righteous and very courageous men decide to publicly declare themselves to be followers of Jesus through water baptism. My best friend Omie was one of them he has passed away and is now in the presence of his beloved Savior Jesus Christ. Phillip has gone on ahead to step up to the calling of being the Associate Pastor of his church. Alain continues to teach in his ministry and is one who has remained a true servant of the Living God. Glenn remains a committed church member and has led people to Christ. Jess is now living in Australia and has been for a long time, Nonoy continues to immerse himself in God's truth. Joey (who was my logistics guy) has moved to Saudi Arabia where he continues to remain faithful to the work of his Savior and supports a persecuted Christian Church in that part of the world (please pray for him and his safety). The rest of the members live in the city of Bacolod, the Philippines where they have remained staunch followers of Jesus and continue to adhere to the Word Of God. God used me just to plant the seed it was all up to Him to let the plant grow...

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

1Corinthians 3:6

DECISION 2008

Today, (November 4, 2008) will be a historic moment for the country of the United States of America. Citizens will get the chance to have their voices heard by casting their ballots. It is imperative for each voter to ask for God's wisdom(James 1:5-8) before making the decision in choosing who to lead this country over the next four years. We all need to understand that whoever will win... ultimately God will still remain... Sovereign!

...My God Continue To Richly Bless The United States Of America

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities for there is no authority governing authority except that which God has established.


Romans 13:1

Mama Emma

Just a few minutes ago I got a call from my cousin, Karen from San Francisco. She had informed me that my only remaining aunt from my Father side has just passed away. She was 94 years old. The last time I saw her was during the summer when I returned to the Philippines, I made it a point for me and my girls to visit her. Surprisingly she still recognized me when I walked inside her room. She spoke in spanish and sometimes in english and then switched to the vernacular. But it was such a joy to see her again, I remember how appreciative she looked when I gave her the present which she has asked me to bring to her from the States when she found out that I was returning to the Philippines...It was a doll...and her eyes lit up as I handed it over to her.

Mama Emma (as we fondly call her) lived a wonderful life of 94 years, we engaged ourselves every now and then in a discussion on religion and faith and she had such profound ideas on how religion should be defined. She was a wonderful lady, aunt, grandmother, daughter, sister and businesswoman. She loved living in the farm and taking care of her plants. She was full of life and proud to be part of our clan. Now she is gone...I believe she is now enjoying in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and has finally found her rest.

Would you please join me in praying for the Lord to comfort my family at this time of grief. Please pray for my Father (Mama Emma was the only living sibling that he had left) he is going through a hard time dealing with the thought of loosing his sister (he is two years older than her) let alone finding out about her passing. He has been feeling depressed these past few days...He still has not found out about the death of his sister and my family is looking for a way on how to break the news to him.

In a span of a year and a half since I moved to the United States, I lost four very important people in my life. My Father In Law (Vic), My Best Friend (Omie), My Uncle (Paul) and now my Aunt (Emma). May God continue to give me the strength as I deal with this difficulty.

EMMA VILLACIN CORUNA
1914-2008

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11