Closure

Two days ago I recieved an extremely moving text message from my best friend's (the late Omie Sola) widow, Gina. She offered to give me Omie's watch because in her words "Omie loved me very much and that she knew that I loved Omie with the same degree as well." I told her to just keep Omie's watch as I have more memories of Omie stored in my heart and in my mind to last me a lifetime. Yesterday morning I travelled to Kabankalan City along with my girls where Omie's body has been laid to rest at the City's Memorial Park. Upon seeing his gravesite I paused and tried to remember the good memories we both had together then I broke down and finally said goodbye. In retrospect I think the most memorable event in my friendship with Omie was the day he was baptized and when I saw his face as soon as he emerged from the water after I dipped him. It was the most joyous face of Omie's that I have seen in our entire friendship. Before I left the gravesite I realized that he is now at a far better place than where I am right now. Only because I obeyed God's call to share the love of Jesus to a friend who was at the time willing to surrender his life to God's will.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual hould restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:1-2

Crunch Time

One more day before travelling back to the Philippines and its crunch time. Almost everytime I travel, the pressure of packing things and making sure you have everything covered can be extremely overwhelming. But such is the nature of preparing for a trip, no matter how much I try to travel light I always end up bringing a tonne and a half. This reminds me of how Jesus before His ascencion to heaven while appearing to His disciples made it an imperative that they understood the importance of making sure everything was covered in so far as bringing the good news of the gospel to men and women around the world is concerned. His death alone covered a multitude of sins let alone the everlasting life that He is offering to anyone who opens the doors of their hearts when He comes knocking.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

Countdown Begins

Five more days to go and I will be flying back to the Island in the Philippines where I come from. There is so much for me to look forward to about this trip. A reunion with my father and the rest of my clan, seeing my only surviving aunt (on my father's side) who by the way is already going through her second childhood. She asked me to buy her a stuff doll for a present, then there's the opportunity to visit my best friend Omie's family and his burial place. The "Omie" part will be somewhat hard for me, last year when I first returned from the United States Omie would always make it a point to pick me up from my parents' house and bring me around. This year however I won't be having my best friend picking me up and hanging out with me. I look forward to seeing my church family down there and having sweet fellowship with them. But most of all I am curious as to what God's purpose is for my return this time around. It's exciting, it's bittersweet ... The Countdown Begins.

And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent from each other.

Genesis 31:49

If We Are The Body

But if we are the Body

Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the Body

Why aren't His feet going

Why aren't His love not showing them there is a way. There is a way.

Jesus paid much too high a price

For us to pick and choose who should come.

Chorus from the song "If We Are The Body" (Artists: Casting Crowns)

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

1 Corinthians 12:14

Sis

They both fight, play, joke around, talk and share secrets together. Sometimes I can't help but be reminded of the relationship between sisters Martha and Mary in the Bible whenever I am with them. Pajie and Jheyjette sisters forever!!!

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Severe Weather 2

Imagine with me for a moment...What if it was pitch dark and all of a sudden you see a lightning coupled with a tornado appear out of nowhere approaching your way, How would you react? ... You only get to live once... don't waste it!

As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying "Master, Master," we're going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" He asked His disciples.

Luke 8:23-25

Just as man is destined to die once and after that to face judgment.

Hebrews 9:27

Wing It...Not!

Sure, a lot of people believe in God or some kind of a "Supreme Being", "Intelligent Being who designed this world", It's hard for most of them however to commit to the "Biblical Truth" that Jesus suffered and gave His life for us all. Possibly because it requires a quid pro quo such as changing their lifestyle which they may not be comfortable to give up. So it is therefore a better choice to just believe that there is a God period... beyond that is relative. The great King Solomon once declared "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also VANITY, but FEAR GOD.(Ecclesiastes 5:7)." Have you ever gone BEYOND your BELIEF in a Supreme Being? Take a step of faith today... Recieve Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and enjoy a personal relationship with Him. Friend, don't just wing it... your eternal life is at stake (seriously!).

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with theri hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

Matthew 13:14-15