Empty Only To Be Filled

It's been over a year and two thanksgiving ago when we moved to the United States. I spoke to a friend yesterday who was in need of comfort and prayer over the phone apparently he was going through a trial so intricate that it obscures his focus on his walk with the Lord. I spoke to him about how I went through almost the same situation when I had just moved, I looked at life living here the first seven months incredulously. I battled depression upon depression to the point to where my marriage and family life became very shaky. My friend obviously was down on the dumps and kept asking God the question Why, What???? I told him it's time to shift to asking Who Is In Control? you see my friend is a "take charge" fellow suffice it to say sometimes he is full of himself but not in a boastful kind of way (I don't know if that makes any sense?), however one night he found himself crying and surrendering everything to the Lord. I told him "you know that is exactly the kind of state where God wants you to be in order for you to experience His power made perfect at this time of weakness." That was how i went through and survived my seven month ordeal of transitioning myself when I moved. God wants us to be broken and emptied that way He can fill us with His love and presence in our lives. Are you going through a big funk in your life to where you think you can resolve it on your own even if it is remotely possible? ... It's time to move to the passenger's seat and let Jesus take the wheel (as Carrie Underwood would sing). Let Him drive and enjoy the ride!

I used to end my radio talkshow back in the Philippines by saying these words..."Jesus is just a prayer away". I never thought it would create such a huge impact in the lives of my listeners. I would recieve text messages and people telling me how much these words meant to them and how it made a difference in their lives. This motivated me to start (with God's help) the first Christian Bible Based Radio Talk Show on a Commercial Station in the city where I used to live. To this day that show still continues to excist with my Pastor/Friend Chaz Yandall on the helm and my dear friend and former Radio Station Boss who recieved Jesus a few years after I joined the Radio Industry, Phillip Rodriguez assisting him. The title of the show?..."DEEPER"

1 C0r. 10: 12-13

2 Cor. 12

A Smile Worth Millions

Friday, November the 23rd was a very busy day in our store it was the "After Thanksgiving Day Sale" and so was Saturday the 24th. I was asked by my boss to come and report on a Friday and Saturday daytime shift to help them out for the big two day sale. I was assigned by my boss on the 3rd floor of the store as a CPU (Customer Pick Up), what the CPU does is to assist the customers with their purchases if they bought more than one item that becomes a handful for them to carry. Most customers were very nice but about a few were ridiculously impossible to deal with. That being said, on the afternoon of the 24th I was asked to assist a lady who had just purchased a tall Christmas Tree and she needed help to bring the tree to her car parked at the 2nd level parking of the store. Long story short, I brought the tree (tiny as I am) all the way from the 3rd floor to the 2nd level parking area with much agony as there were no more carts available to transport the tree (I had to do it manually). As soon as we reached the the area where her car was parked we tried to squeeze the tree inside of her backseat and I had to come up with some adjustments in order for the tree to fit inside the car. When we finally succeeded in our rather interesting endeavor the lady customer gave me a heartfelt "Thank You!" and a "smile" that I would never forget up to this day. You see with all the pain and soreness of carrying the tree she purchased ... that smile was more than enough to make my day, it was worth beyond millions to me. Several blogs ago I mentioned that the job that I have right now is something that I am not used to doing and this has never been my background but now I realized that the opportunity in this workplace is endless if only to become a beacon of light.

The greatest among you all will be your servant.

Matthew 23:11

...for he who is the least among you all is the greatest

Luke 9:48

Philippians 2

Bring Out The Turkey

And there won't be snow in Africa, this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is Life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or river flows
Do they know it's Christmas time at all.

From the chorus of the song "Do They Know It's Christmas" recorded in 1984 by the group Band-Aid consisting of popular British and Irish musicians. This was to raise awareness and money for the famine in the African Country of Ethiopia at that time.

Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God about what you need and Thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6

Before you bring out the turkey today remember the many who could not even so much as to have a piece of bread to eat. Count your blessings...the greatest of which is the gift of salvation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bruised But Not Broken

Almost a year ago I recieved an e-mail from the wife of one of my missionary friends who was once assigned in the city where I used to live in the Philippines. It was a very disturbing letter to say the least, you see they are now living in India in an area very close to the border of Nepal. My friend's wife wrote about how her husband was conducting a bible study in one of the villages within the area where they are based when minutes after a mob of extremists attacked the village and disrupted their bible study. They clobbered almost everyone including my friend, after beating him up they confiscated his laptop computer containing all of the datas on their mission itineraries as well as very important documents such as his passport. In the midst of all of the flurry he and his companion were able to escape without getting caught and managed to return to their families alive. My friend continues to live in that area hoping to win more souls for Jesus in spite of what he had gone through.

"The church has an unconditional obligation to the victims of any ordering of society. There are things for which an uncompromising stand is worthwhile".

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Hung in Germany for resisting the Nazis
1945

1 Thessalonians 3

An Opus For A King

I was asked by a friend of my impressions whenever I witnessed an individual performing as a way to evangelize through a song and hits the wrong notes. I don't pretend to have a significant amount of cognizance when it comes to such performances. However it is important to note that one does not simply perform for the sake of performing. One performs for an audience of One ...Jesus! which brings us to the question, if I was asked to play my Djembe drum in front of the President of our country would I give it my best? You bet I would! let alone performing for the King of Kings but here's the kicker, preparing an opus before God's people should take a lot of heart and a lot less pride. Egos the size of Texas have no place in the Kingdom. One has to draw the line between a performer and a worshiper. Better to have the right heart and hit the wrong notes than to hit the right notes but have the wrong heart. Of course practice makes perfect especially when preparing an Opus for the King who died for your sins.

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as Pleasing Men but God who Tests our Hearts".
1 Thessalonians 2:4

"Pride comes before destruction"
Proverbs 16:18

1 Thessalonians 2

Direct Line

Remember back in the 60s and 70s when one couldn't make a Long Distance call without going through an operator? By the early and late 80s the Direct Dialing was made available to phone consumers so that it became more convenient and easy to make Long Distance calls around the world. Then came the era of cellular phones and the information superhighway or the internet, now the webcam and the i-phone. All these technology is making the world smaller and more accessible.

We can therefore deduce that we have a direct line to our Heavenly Father...we don't need an operator to place our call.

If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 1:9

Ezra 10

The Tale Of The Bale

Two days ago I was working at the docks of a department store in Dallas and I was assigned to work on the "bale". For those of you in Blogland who don't already know it, the bale is a machine where empty boxes are being thrown so it could be recycled. I was taught about twice already by my supervisor how to empty the machine if it becomes full. But that one particular day I didn't do it right not just once but twice. The first time I did it I sought the assistance of a guy named Arthur and he gave me a disdained look and it didn't take an "Einstien" to figure out that he wasn't pleased with what I had done. But to give him credit he did try to help but gave up in the end, in contrast my supervisor and manager, Al and Terrie were very gracious in the way that they assisted me. They told me that even though I was briefed about how to handle the machine it would take some time before I could really familiarize myself on how it should be operated properly. Al and Terrie's demeanor reminded me of how God treats His kids, yes there is grace but there is also the expectation of performing profeciently at work. We will fall and make mistakes and just like the "tale of the bale" we ought not to remain oblivious on how to operate the machine the right way ergo the same thought process should follow in our walk with God.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me.

So I find this law at work; When I want to do good, evil is right there with me for my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! who will rescue me will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through JESUS CHRIST our LORD!

Paul, The Apostle
In his letter to the church in Rome
Romans 7:14-23

Ezra 9

On Line

The year was 1990 my father was flown to the capital city of Manila in the Philippines for an undetermined kind of illness. I was left in our hometown of Bacolod to oversee our business operations while everyone else were with my father at one of his most trying moments. Out of desperation my siblings resorted to the occult hoping it would heal my father's illness. I flew to Manila five days later and found out all about this as our family driver related all the information to me as I was en route from the airport to the hospital where my father was admitted. I was told of the eerie methods used by the "witch doctor" my siblings hired and the condescending behavior she possesed. As I entered my father's hospital room at around nine in the evening I felt so disturbed, I spoke to my dad and asked how he felt and consulted with my cousin about what has been happening. I left the hospital late at night to retreat at our family's residence, I prayed so hard before I slept and when I woke up I prayed some more for wisdom and for God to show me step by step what to do as I had planned to confront the issue. I first talked to one of my sisters then showed her scriptures disputing the claims of the "witch doctor" and to prove to her that witchcraft and the occult are things which God has strongly condemed. Then she called everyone in the family and asked me to explain to all of them what I had just told her. That very day the family decided to stop soliciting the service of this "witch doctor" and instead they followed my advice to have my Pastor friend based in Manila pray over my dad. A few days later my dad recovered from his illness and now at 95 years old he is still in tip top form (praise God!) he still visits the farm every week travelling for about an hour from the city of Bacolod to the city of Cadiz where the farm is situated.

"It is always wise to seek the Lord, to fast and to pray and to wait for His step by step instructions".

Chuck Smith
Founder
Calvary Chapel Movement

"Being on-line with God can help you to be in line with His will and His word".

Deeper

So we fasted and entreated to God for this and He answered our prayer
Ezra 8:33


Ezra 8

Just Do It!

We hear of those that say well I attend this church or that church and yet do not live consistently with what the Word Of God is saying. They may feel that there is a modicum of assurance that church attendance or membership for that matter can give them salvation. There is a whale of a difference between conversion and church attendance. Membership is important as there is accountability, however conversion is defined as an act of change. In the same light, hearing the Word Of God is different from Obeying The Precepts Of The Bible.

Paul said that having the law of God doesn't justify anybody. It is the keeping of the law that justifies a man (Rom. 2:12-13)

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it". (Ezra 7:10)

Ezra 7

God vs. Man

Man invented the sattelite
God created the sun
Man invented the television
God created the trees
Man invented the computer
God created the air

The sattelite has fallen down from space
But the sun still shines brightly everyday
The television broke down
The trees still stand
The computer is obsolete
The breeze of the air can still be strongly felt

...God!

Based from one of the comedy materials of Bill Cosby

Ezra 6

Restoration

I was asked by a friend a few days ago a question that went like this..."what if you were witnessing to a sinner that he may recieve salvation and a meteor was about to hit the earth and you only have seconds to go, what would you do?" I figured this question was a catch 22 but nevertheless I thought deeply and analyzed the situation then it hit me, I wouldn't be able to know this person's state of heart not unless after a quick explanation of repentance, forgiveness redemption and the need for a Savior, I asked the person to pray a sinner's prayer all on his own without him following every word I say like what is commonly done when the sinner's prayer is said. That way this becomes personal for the fellow i am witnessing to and then I would know the true state of his heart. I was asked another question that went..."Now if the meteor fell and obliterated everyone including yourself and the gatekeeper in heaven asked you why he should let you in what would be your response?" I answered I do not deserve heaven I came here not of my own works but by the grace and mercy and suffering of my Lord Jesus Christ. Last question my friend asked me was that if I was interested in joining a Christian Band what would I offer them and my answer was...MY HEART!

FALLEN YET REDEEMED!!!

Ezra 5

Opposed!

I tell you this so you won't be ashamed by my death. if you love me, you will rejoice that God has called me to this honor, which is greater than any earthly honor I could ever attain. Who wouldn't be happy to die for this cause? I trust in my Lord God, who put His mind, will, and affection in my heart, and choose to lose all my worldly substance, and my life, too, rather than deny His known truth. he will comfort me, aid me, and strengthen me forever, even to the yeilding of my spirit and soul into His hands.

BISHOP NICHOLAS RIDLEY
Burned at the stake
Oxford, England
1555

Enemies of the work of God will always try to conjure up ways to deter His people from pursuing and finishing the work.

DEEPER

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

PAUL, The Apostle 2 Cor. 4:17

Ezra 4

A Daughter's Short Story

Leonore finally arrived . She did look gorgeous in her wedding gown; simple yet elegant. Everyone was ready...Well, except me. I was really tensed. Lenore grabbed hold of my arm.

"Relax, Daddy", she chuckled.

I blinked. My daughter was telling me to relax on her wedding day?
The doors suddenly opened. the sun's unpleasant glare stung my eyes, but I quickly regained my composure and with that, Lenore and I began our long walk down the aisle. The garden was beautiful. It was adorned with pink and white roses. Delicate rose petals were sprinkled neatly on the aisle.

We passed many smiling faces. I glanced over at Lenore, her walk was graceful. There isn't a hint of nervousness on her face. Her smile is even lovelier today. I can see how sure and determined she is. She knows what she's doing; what she's getting herself into. She's ready to be with the man she loves; the only man brave enough to ask her out; the man who made her happy and never broke her heart. I knew right off that it was time to let her go.

We finally made it to the altar and right before I was going to take my place next to Cagalli, Lenore said something that made tears fall down my eyes. Those words have not been said in a very long time... they were just four simple words yet they meant so much...

"I love you, Daddy"

Excerpts from the short story written for me by my daughter Pajie for my birthday entitled "Walking Down The Aisle." She posted this story on the internet...

Posted beneath the short novel were these words she took out from the Bible...
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, For this is right. Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy life on earth."

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord".

Ephesians 6: 1-4

In Memory...

Christopher Lacson was a friend and classmate from elementary to high school. My fondest memory of him was going biking around the area close to my home, going to parties and being a part of a platoon in which he was my commanding officer for Citizen's Army Training. We fondly call him "Topoy" coz' that was his nickname. Two days ago I recieved a call from a friend in California informing me that Topoy had passed away of a heart attack. Last night I recieved a text message from another friend from New York that went..."Topoy Lacson passed away, Life is short". It is not so much a question of Life being long or short as it is a question of whether one is prepared for the eventuality of death which may happen anytime in a person's life.

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, we believe and know that you are the Holy One of God".

John 6:68-69

Off The Plane Ministry

Before Pat and I left the Philippines to move to the United States our friends and fellow church members gave us two seperate farewell parties. It was during these parties that friends who had moved from a different country or city to the city of Bacolod would tell us of their appreciation of the fact that they have been recepients of the Off The Plane Ministry of Pat and Phenjie. What it means basically is that we had helped each of them get settled in and helped them familiarize themselves with the way of life in our city. Some of the recipients of this ministry were American Missionaries. When we moved to Dallas, my wife Pat and I found ourselves this time around to be recipients of the Off The Plane Ministry of men and women of God such as Tino and Esmer Yado who gave us our first car in the United States, John and Benggay Salas who helped us get our driver's license and assisted us in more ways than none, Pastor Butch and Manel Diwa who discipled us and taught us about how we should live our lives in a North American setting, David Talaguit who showed us around and helped me and my wife find our music, Jofy and Louella Gocco who helped us with moving from Dallas to Garland and assisted us in getting ourselves settled in at Garland...and then some. I remember the first time I met Jofy who was then a total stranger to me the first words I heard him tell me was "welcome to the family" four words that i needed to hear at that time. Such selfless acts of people who truly love God, truth be told it has been such a blessing to be on the other side...to experience being a recipient of the Off The Plane Ministry of Dallas.

Acts 18:24-28

Salon Rock!

When Horizon Christian Fellowship Church Bacolod was just starting we all met at a beauty salon every Sunday evening for service at exactly seven. Each week we would set up chairs within the aisles seperating both sides of the salon. The praise and worship team would have itself set up at an area facing eastword enough for the whole church to see us. We were all crammed in this tiny salon that wasn't realy conducive enough for any fellowship meetings let alone a church service but it was the best place we could get at that time at we were using it for free. In spite of this little irregularity, church members were very assiduos in all aspects. I should know i was part of the praise and worship team playing the bonggos and cajun (beat box) along with the church's Pastor. Pastor Chaz played the lead accoustic guitar along with two other guitar players and Lina one of his daughters who played the bass. Every now and then i would take a glance at the congregation from where i was positioned and i would see that they did not allow the size of place affect them what mattered to them was that they all came to worship their God and listen to His message. And boy, did we ROCK THE SALON DOWN! Everyone, young or old worshiped their hearts out for Jesus often times i would find myself crying while playing i cried because of how God can make such a simple thing such as meeting in a crammed beauty salon every Sunday nights so beautiful. Two months later we moved to a larger venue at a function room of one of the local hotels and two weeks after the move we decided to change the time of service from seven in the evening to nine in the morning. Months after i moved to the United States i was informed that the church had been favored by God to rent a center right smack at the University Belt Area of our city big enough for a congregation to meet for midweek service, bible studies and yes ... Sunday Morning Service. In spite of how the church developed into what it is now, it is always cool to look back at how we started.

Ezra 3