Pride And Joy

My eldest daughter showed me her award, she placed second for a movie poster she made for the Career and Technical Education Exibit. She also placed third in the District Wide Prose Competition (my eldest is part of her school's Debate Team). I was inside my car along with my friend and Pastor, Russel (not Crowe) when suddenly our daughters emerged from out of nowhere. Russel's daughter excitedly announced to us that my youngest daughter was chosen as her school's Seventh Grade Student Of The Month. This occasion brought much delight for me as a father to my girls for their accomplishments. Imagine for a moment when we face our Heavenly Father after our time comes and He sez' the words "Well Done My Good And Faithful Child Well Done."

His Master replied, well done my good and faithful servant! you have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's hapiness.

Matthew 25:21

United Body

Today in church I witnessed a body united in support of a member who is hurting and who is in need...Cohesiveness at its best!

If one part suffers every part suffers with it, if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1Corinthians 12:26-27

Home 3

It's not so much the beauty of the place where God has called you to settle down as it is the people He has chosen to sorround you and encourage you within the duration of your transition. It helps to be around people you know God has chosen to be around you when you begin to doubt if the place where you've been called to be is the same place where you don't really wanna be. But after everything is said and done ultimately you begin to realize that God's plan for you is always the one that works for His glory and not yours. I am happy where I am right now only because God has allowed me to go through what I went through from the time we moved to where we are now and appreciate in retrospect how I saw His divine hand moved in every step of the way. At the end of the day it will always be all about HIM and not about ME.

Many are the plans in a man's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Djembe 3...Audience Of One

One week ago my friend and worship team leader, David called me and asked if I could play the djembe for an unplugged worship for our church's Good Friday service along with 3 others playing the cello, accoustic guitar and the keyboards. To say that I was thrilled is an understatement, I was beyond thrilled. I was beyond excited but what I realized was that it was not all about me finding my djembe's music again but it was all about Him allowing me to enter His throneroom of praise once more within a corporated church worship. Worship is never about one's ability or talent to sing or play an instrument ... the focus should always be directed not to oneself while leading worship but to the Person who deserves all our praise and all our worship. Leading worship is all about playing or singing for an audience of one...Jesus!

"I have a problem in corporate worship with anything that draws attention to an individual; I believe the focus of worship is always the Lord...".
Chuck Smith
Senior Pastor and Founder
Calvary Chapel Movement

How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to accept the praise that comes from the only God.
John 5:44

Cereal

A few days ago after going through a battery of tests that yielded good but not completely satisfying results regarding my health, the doctor advised me to be watchful of my diet and have a regular excercise. Easier said than done, but this is imperative for me if I am to stay completely healthy. Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy I was informed is going to stay with me for the rest of my lifetime. The only way to keep this under control is to have an absolutely desciplined lifestyle especially within the areas of diet and excercise. My wife bought a box of cereal for me that claims to lower one's cholesterol level if eaten regularly. I cannot help but draw a parallel between the cereal and God's word. Continuos reading and understanding of God's word provides us with the spiritual nutrients that we need thus sifting and ridding us of all the bad elements within our system the same way the cereal gets rid of the unwanted cholesterol that flows through our blood going directly towards the arteries and valves of our heart therefore causing a blockage that can be fatal to our health. Excercise indeed is something that I would liken to obedience...obedience to God's word...putting action into what we have learned of course under the grace of God and the convictions of the Holy Spirit. Obedience like excercise pumps up the much needed oxygen into our spiritual blood that helps us to function properly in a spiritual and moral level much like what excercise does to us physcially. Gnarliest thing to do? start dieting and excercising spiritually and physcially and the results will blow your mind.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror. And after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

James 1:22-24

Valley Of Obscurity

It has always been a daily habit of mine to check the internet for news from the Philippines every morning without fail. Today I was saddened to find out that our former President, Cory Aquino, the widow of the late Senator Beningno Aquino Jr. who was assasinated at a turbulent time in the history of our country is fighting yet again another battle. She was a beacon of democracy post assasination of her husband, a David if you will standing up against a Goliath (The Dictatorship) that eventually led to a popular "People Power Revolution" that brought her into power. A few hours ago her daughter held a press conference announcing to the media that her mom was diagnosed of suffering from "Colon Cancer". I understand how her children, relatives and the others who are close to her must feel as she goes through this physical mallady. I went through the same for 3 weeks waiting and hoping for my best friend Omie to recover from his own illness that eventually led to his return to Jesus.

My pastor once told me in one of my discussions with him that a lot of people turn to others before turning to God for comfort and answers in times of sickness i.e. doctors or friends (not that there is anything wrong to consult with doctors) but the Author of Life always has the answers whether it's the one that we want to hear or not, however we will always find comfort and strenght knowing that in times where our loved ones' continued lifetime is obscured by a terminal illness there is a God who comforts, a God who gives strength and a God who brings salavation for as long as we seek and trust in Him first.

Let us remember our former President in our prayers but more importantly not just for her to survive or withstand this crisis but to find hope and salvation in Jesus Christ.

"How confident are you in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death?"

Pastor Russel "Butch" Diwa

Senior Pastor

Biblical Community Church

Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

God Alone!

"Trust is monotheistic not pluralistic"

Pastor Russel "Butch" Diwa
Senior Pastor
Biblical Community Church

As for the saints who are in the land they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows will increase who run after other gods. I will pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
Psalm 16: 3-4

He Has Risen

"Don't be alarmed", he said "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him"

Mark 16:6

True Servant

Jesus Christ was not a Holy Victim, He was a Victor. He was not a Martyr who died for a good cause but a Savior who died for bad people.

Pastor Robert Gutierez
Associate Pastor
Biblical Community Church

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45

Disruptions

Three Thursdays ago it began snowing in North Texas, I took this picture of snow flakes falling from the sky at three in the morning of March the 6th of this year. This does not normally happen in spring time and in March at that. But life can be unpredictable and disruptions in one's life can happen like for example a winter weather at springtime. Death of a loved one or an illness that you or a relative may be suffering from whichever the case may be, disruptions happen for a reason. Like the snowflakes falling on a cold spring morning one can either look at it as a discomfort (slick roads, traffic jams, accidents caused by icy roads and then some) or just appreciate the beauty of a winter wonderland that rarely happens at sprintime. For children bad wintery weather can even mean cancellations of schools...imagine the elation on their faces but for others it can be cancellations of travel plans... imagine the frustration on their faces as they wait in airports for news about their cancelled flights. God allows disruptions in our lives to mold our character and for us to grow in our relationship with Him through our faith and trust in the One who controls everything in life. In the end whatever the results are, it will always be for our own benefit.

To everything there is a season. A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence and a time to speak; A time to love and a time to hate; A time of war and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-8

Djembe 2

Silenced for two months...One day it will find its music again...all for God's glory!!!

They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jersalem, and they served in their office according to their order.

1Chronicles 6:32

Overcome Fear

Yesterday morning I was almost thrown off my bed as I woke up to my daughter screaming as she hopped from one corner to another to avoid the pest that she is most grossed out with in her entire human excistence...The Cockroach. I rushed from my bedroom to where she was and made sure that she was protected from said pest and for her to know that I had her back and that I took care of the problem. It brought so much comfort to her.

A few hours after the incident I got myself ready to pick up my Pastor who was very kind to provide me with support and the same comfort I gave my daughter. My Pastor accompanied me to my Doctor's clinic because I was really petrified. But my fear was not related to a certain pest but an illness that has long been within my system. I suffer from Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy and I was scheduled for check up yesterday as there was something within my blood test that did not seem to be normal. After a thorough check up, the doctor allayed my fears and indulged me in a conversation that convinced me that everything was gonna be alright and that the results of my bloodtest is nothing to be concerned about.

As soon as I was done with my check up my Pastor and I entered a prayer room inside the hospital where my doctor's clinic is situated. We both prayed to thank the Lord for giving me a good prognosis. As soon as we were done we both noticed a lady who was alone a few aisles from where we were sitting. She was crying while praying, my Pastor approached her and introduced himself and asked if we could pray for her...her predicament was unbeknownst to us. She agreed, long story short we did pray for her and she thanked us for the random act of kindness.

The comfort that I gave to my daughter for her fear of "roaches", the support that my Pastor gave me by being there with me during the tensed filled moments of my check up, the same comfort and love we gave to a complete stranger who was crying inside a prayer room are the kind of qualities that has been inherent in us because of our devotion to the Author Of Life. Our God is a Father who comforts, love and assures His kids through His Word and through His people. No matter what our fears may be He will always be watching our backs so let us always be thankful even through our toughest moments.

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Four Hours

Can you imagine how four hours of pleasure can ruin a lifetime? There is always a choice to make. We should always be wise enough to pray to God to make the right one.

So if you think you are STANDING FIRM be careful that you DON'T FALL! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Lake Of Fire

If anyone's name was not found in the book of life he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelations 20:15

Paradise

I make no apologies about the fact that I am a beach bum, I may not be a good swimmer but I have always been attracted to the ocean especially the pristine white sand beach kind. I was in a beach resort a few years back and I was staring at the beach while wading through the waters towards the shore after swimming in the ocean with my brother in law and I kid you not I was so dumbfounded at the beauty of the place. How awesome it is to know that our God can be so prolific in the way that He comes up with His creations. If the picture on top screams the word "PARADISE" wait til you reach HEAVEN...I am sure it is beyond Paradise!



Something about the Ocean

Makes me rise up and praise

Something about the heavens

Makes me stand in awe again

Something about the sunrise

Reminds me of your faithfulness

Something about the ocean

And I'm lost in love again



From the chorus of the song "Ocean" by the Christian Band Ten Shekel Shirt.



He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life which is in the PARADISE of GOD

Revelations 2:7

SPAM

SPAM- SILLY PATHETIC ANNOYING MESSAGE

Almost everyday I recieve a tonne of garbage mail more popularly known to the on-line community as SPAM. The Apostle Paul during the first century encountered a lot of these garbage well messages and not electronic mail through the teachings and philosophies of men that he had to constantly dispute and disprove based on the Full Counsel Of Scriptures. For example the Lord used Paul to make a case against the ungodly philosophies and beliefs espoused by people belonging to the Epicurean and Stoic persuasions. These people invited Paul to the Council called the Areopagus that met in Mars Hill in the city of Athens to share with them this rather "new idea" that he was preaching about except that it was not a new idea at all but rather the "truth" excisting since the day the world was made by God (Acts 17:16-34). Now what these people do half the time is to sit down and converse about the latest ideas much like what postmodern individuals do over a cup of cofee nowadays.

But because Paul made such a strong case about the gospel, the good news of Jesus without compromising the scriptures, a few men became followers and believed. Dionysius for example was a member of the council who eventually became a convert (Acts 17:34). In the second book of Timothy, Paul warns his protege of a time when people will gather together for themselves teachers that may converse with them and bring up new ideas perhaps even mixing evangelical beliefs with other forms of worldly ideas that may very well suit their tastes.

I feel in my heart that the church today is under such a threat, where the gospel message has been distorted a little to pursue people of the current culture at the expense of the the message of the Full Counsel of Scriptures. May we all remain vigilant.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3

Display

I have always wanted to get a hold of a poster of the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It has always been my desire to own one. Four months ago I finally got my wish, I was able to purchase the poster on sale on line. Ten days after the purchase it was delivered to my home adress. A few more days later after having it framed I found a spot for it on our wall where it is now beautifully displayed. It reminds me of how God treats us as special as the way I sought after my poster. Once we give our lives to Jesus He will find a special place for our names to be displayed in the Lamb's Book Of Life. The thought of this is much more fascinating than owning a movie poster.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book Of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelations 3:5

Poigniant

This morning I recieved an e-mail from a friend whom and I grew up with his name is Raffy Salvador, Raffy until very recently started attending the same local church that both Omie and I were attending. Raffy along with Omie was among one of what I would consider my best friends whom God has used me to minister to with the help of Chaz (my Pastor) and of course the Lord God Almighty. His e-mail letter is as follows:

Hello again. Just wanted to share to you the newsletter of Horizon Christian Fellowship. The service was held at the Business Inn temporarily as there's no place yet for a permanent transfer. Gina (Omie's wife) came and cried when she read the newsletter. She was the one who took the picture at Omie's farm.

Raffy