BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

His Legacy will Remain in our Hearts


Just this morning while I was waiting in my turn for my second job interview, I received a text from a friend saying that Ka Erdy had already passed away.. “pinagpahinga na ang Ka Erdy…” At first, I can’t believe it, I had asked it to several brethren in text. My mama replied saying “Aimee, oo.” My eyes suddenly got blurred, warning to drop a tear. But I manage to keep it from falling to become presentable in the interview. And I shall have positive thoughts. It’s God’s will. Just like mama said in text, “..magpakatatag ka, lahat ay dapat mangyari, malapit na talaga!” Malapit na ang wakas.

While I’m walking in the long way of Ortigas, in my mind the thought still insist in here. I shall continue the fight, the fight that Ka Felix, Ka Erdy, the INC admins and INC members is been fighting for: To spread His truth, to do His will, to bring His people to His Holy Land.

Isang malaking pagsubok sa Iglesia ang pagdadalamhati na ito. Dito muling masusubok ang katatagan ng bawat kapatid.

“Kahit Tagapamahala man ay pumanaw,

Sa piling natin Siya’y buhay,

pagkat ang Kaniyang kahalalan

Ay di mamamatay.

Hangad ng sugo at pamamahala ng Ama

Tayo’y muling magkita

Makasama sa bayan Niya

Walang maiiwan..”

When I reached home, I watched the live coverage in channel 7. I hate the way Mel Tiangco and Mike Enriquez address Ka Erdy as “Eranio”, “Manalo”. The reporters are more polite than them addressing Ka Erdy as “Ka Erdy” or “Bro. Eranio”, unlike the two impolite newscasters. What a shame! They never even send their condolence to the INC. Never! I’m not angry but I got irate. I feel pity for them. It wouldn’t do good for them.

After attending our panata this evening, and it’s the prayer in Ka Erdy’s death, for God to continually guide His administration and His people more today that the world is coming to it’s very near ending.

He had finished his race and he’s now in his long peaceful sleep, waiting for the day of our salvation. We will altogether see each other again when that day comes.

He’s now gone physically but still, like the song above, his legacy will forever be living in the heart of every Iglesia Ni Cristo members.

We shall strive harder and fight for God’s truth. As Bro. Erdy said in his texto that is also viewed in 95th Anniversary Special,

"Imisyon ninyo ang Iglesia, ke tanggapin nila, ke hindi,sabihin ninyo kung ano ang tunay na kaligtasan, sabihin ninyo kung ano talaga ang kaparaanan sa kaligtasan. Ang tunay na Iglesia Ni Cristo. Tanggapin nila't hindi, nakapagpatotoo kayo. Darating na si Cristo. "

These words strengthen my will to fight for God’s truth. I’ll tell my friends even they don’t believe. More important is I had told them the truth. The calling is from God. So I shall pray for them.

I’ll be finishing my race until the end.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Filipino Ako! Iglesia Ni Cristo Ako!

Sulyap sa nakaraan.

Noon, gusto kong maging American Citizen, I love their outer traits, blue eyes, tall, white complexion, blonde hair and I like clean look people. One of my super crush is clean-looking. I also love their language, that’s why my most favourite subject is English when I’m still studying. I always want to learn to speak fluently in English lalo na ngayon na kailangan kong magtrabaho sa call center. You heard it right, kailangan, hindi gusto. I have a self ambition to pursue another career but I can’t afford to study again. But why I am speaking English-Tagalog right now? Ok.


Sa pagdaan ng maraming araw ng aking buhay, napag-isip isip kong dapat pala ay itaas ko ang aking noo sapagkat ako’y isang Filipino. Tama, FILIPINO AKO!


Bakit dapat kong ipagmalaki na Filipino ako?


Una, dito sa bansang ito hinulaan ng Biblia na muling babangon ang Iglesia Ni Cristo na natalikod noong una.


Sa mga wakas ng lupa, sa malayong silangan.


Ayon na rin sa pagpatunay ng kasaysayan, ang Pilipinas ang tunay na kinatuparan ng hula sa Biblia na malayong silangan (far east), pulo ng dagat (archipelago). Sa mga bansang nasa malayong silangan, tanging Pilipinas lamang ang bansang Kristiano.


Pangalawa, dito isinilang ang sugo sa huling araw. Isa siyang Filipino at siya'y pinili ng Ama upang muling mabangon ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Pilipinas. Siya'y isinugo at kinasangkapan ng Ama upang muling matatag ang Iglesia na itinayo ng Panginoong Jesus noong una,sapagkat ang unang Iglesia ay natalikod, kaya hindi siya ang nagtatag ng Iglesia tulad ng inaakala ng sanlibutan, siya ay isinugo upang ito'y maitatag muli ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.


At noong ika-27 ng Hulyo, 1914, ay nairehistro ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Pilipinas. Natupad ang hula ng Biblia na muli itong lilitaw sa mga wakas ng lupa. Ang 'wakas ng lupa' na tinutukoy ay panahon at hindi lugar, ayon sa mga pagpapatunay ng Biblia. Noon pa mang nasa lupa pa ang Panginoong Jesus ay sinabi na Niya na mayroon pa siyang ibang mga tupa sa malayong lupain.


"Ang Iglesia ng una kalagayan nito'y hamak, inusig kinukutya ng kaaway. Gawain Mo'y nagpatuloy sugo'y itinaguyod, salita Mo, o Diyos ang siyang patnubay..." naaalala ko pa ang processional hymn na ito noong inaawit ko pa ito noon sa Pasalamat ng Kabataan. Kitang-kita naman ang katanyagan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ngayon sa kanyang ika-95 pagkatatag sa Pilipinas. Noong una'y abang-aba ang kalagayan, inuusig ng sanlibutan, ngunit ngayo'y dinadakila at kinikilala na sa lipunan dahil ito'y pangako ng Diyos sa Iglesia. Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ay hindi tumatanggap ng tulong sa politiko o sa ibang tao. Wala ring negosyo di tulad ng ibang relihiyon na lumaki dahil sa negosyo. Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo'y nagningning at patuloy sa kanyang tagumpay dahil sa tulong ng tunay na Diyos. Isang matibay na pagpapatunay na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo lamang ang may tunay na Diyos.


Akin ngang pinagtatakhan ang aking mga kaibigan, sa kabila ng aking pag-akay sa kanila sa loob ng Iglesia ay wala pa rin sa loob nila ang pag-anib dito. Ayaw ba nilang maging isa sa mga kinikilala ng sanlibutan, maging kabilang sa relihiyong niluluhuran ng mga politiko upang sila'y iboto sa halalan. At higit sa lahat, ayaw ba nilang magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa kanilang puso sa katiyakang sila ay maliligtas pagdating ng araw ng paghuhukom. Maaaring ang kanilang dahilan ay ayaw nila ng responsibilidad. Ang nakikita kasi nila ay responsibilidad. Sasamba ng Huebes at Linggo, kailangang regular upang huwag matanggal sa talaan. Bawal magsugal, bawal maglasing, bawal tumaya sa lotto, bawal magsama ng di kasal, bawal mag-asawa ng sanlibutan. Ito, ito marahil ang ayaw nila kaya ayaw nilang umanib sa Iglesia. Marami ang humahanga ngunit hindi nila magawang umanib dahil hindi nila kayang gawin ang kalooban ng Ama. Gusto nila ay yung magagaan lamang. Yun bang tipong sasamba sila kung kelan lang nila gusto. Makakapagsugal sila, makakapaglasing at gagawa ng iba't -ibang kalayawan hanggang naisin nang hindi sila tatanggalin sa relihiyong kinaaniban nila. Iyan ba ang gusto ng Ama?


Ayon sa Biblia, hindi nalulugod ang Ama sa mga gumagawa ng kabutihan ngunit patuloy naman sa paggawa ng kasalanan. Nasusulat, dapat ay maging malinis sa harap ng Ama, layuan ang kasalanan at magiging dapat sa Kanya, kaya kailangan ng laging pagbabagong-buhay.


Labis akong namamanglaw dahil sa marami pa akong minamahal sa buhay na wala pa sa tunay na Iglesia. Ngunit ayon ng sa leksiyon noong mga nakaraang Linggo, pinipili ng Ama ang papasok sa Kanyang bayan. Nagbubukod Siya. Kaya tunay tayong mapalad dahil tayo ang pinili Niya. Patuloy kong ipinapanalangin na sana ay tawagin din Niya ang minamahal kong mga kaibigan, at ang mga naligaw kong kamag-anak ay muli Niyang tawagin pabalik sa Kanya.

Naaalala ko habang ako'y nasa koro,araw ng pagsamba, habang nangangaral ang ministro ay namamasdan ko ang kapulungan. Nakikinita ng mata ko ang aking pangarap. Pangarap ko na sa mga hanay ng sumasamba at nakikinig ay mapabilang ang mga minamahal ko sa buhay na wala pa sa tunay na Iglesia. Ito ang pinakadakila kong mithiin sa buhay bago ko matapos ang aking takbuhin, sana, ang lahat ng mga minamahal ko sa buhay ay makasama ko sa Bayang Banal.

Purihin ang Diyos! Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ay patuloy sa kanyang kaluwalhatian.
Maligayang ika-95 taong kaarawan!
Sa Diyos ang kapurihan!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The world's Toughest Problem

My mind wants to break... no.. break free.. break free from the thoughts of this world. It made me sick, it makes me mad, it makes me crazy.. I have a mixed emotions as of now. My heart likes to break.

According to the Bible, the world will tear apart in the day that people are not aware. On the day people were too busy with their own life. On the day the sinners are doing their sins and on the day when the good doers are doing good things. The day of Judgment day. No one knows the exact date, but people of the God knew that it will come sooner.

Love. Love for loveones. That is my main reason why I build this blog and why I keep on writing what my feelings tell me. Recently I become a competitor in a worldwide contest which having the theme: "Solve the World's Toughest Problems." I joined the contest not for the sake of the world 'cause I truly know that no one can ever revert what was written in the Bible. That is, no one can ever solve any of the toughest problems of the world because it could never ever rise again, the world's problem will be worst in the near future. I joined there just for the sight-seeings and to visit the place where the first people of my Father became servant to the most powerful imperial that day. But I thought, it's not time to have that chance. There should be more important thing to do.

If I will be asked what's the toughest problem of the world is, it will be the people who are none-believers, people who are anti-Christ, people who never listen to the Truth. They are the evil-doers that destroy the world, because because of them, Father became angry and decided to end this world on the right day. So the lucky ones that will only be saved and inherit the Holy Land are the chosen ones.

People are doing their researches and continuing to do new things. Many are creating new things to improve life. Our life become easy and instant. The same as our vitality rate. The same as the growing world's problems.

If I were to be asked what thesis should I do. It should be how shall I save the life of my loveones from fire. It should be a long-term project and an impossible mission if the people will look upon me. Even my family wouldn't believe that I could do it. But with the help of my Father in Heaven, I know I can do it. I knew it will be possible. It might not be easy for me as it may took so much sacrifices.

What I only want in life is to finish my race. To do what Father wants me to do. To become His faithful servant until the end of my life.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

The Truth Speaks,we shall Listen

Possessed writer. I had given my writer friend an idea about this one. She had no idea what exactly I am talking about. She has an exceptional earthly knowledge. I mean, her knowledge is just effective in this world but if you'll ask her about the knowledge in heaven, she'll pass. She's afraid that she has a few knowledge about it. That's why I find it really hard to convince a friend like her. And that is why she had no idea that what I am talking about the story of a possessed writer is the Holy Spirit that is getting inside him everytime he write a thing. This writer might not be genius and doesn't possess great abilities like gifted writers and novelist, but one thing is for sure, when he writes, he was guided by the Holy Spirit to make sure that he wouldn't commit error and will make his writings more effective to the 'right' readers. 

Days had passed rapidly that I never felt any boredom. And I'm very thankful to Father that He never let me down in all the temptations and sadness that I've been bearing this days. No, not at all.. i feel so good today and been waiting for the glorious days..

There's so many things in this world that human couldn't explain. But I never wonder why they are so become idiot that they keep themselves believe that they could do something out of their boundaries. Just as I am watching Full Metal Alchemist. The Elric brothers suffered because they want to change the flow of the rule. They tried to revive a dead person eventhough they knew it was taboo or forbidden. One thing I don't like in the movie is that Ed have no faith in God although he knew that He exist. I haven't finish the movie so I should not judge thoroughly. 

My friend seems to like Bob Ong's book and idolize him as well. Well for me, I doesn't seem to like that person. I don't like none-believers. He might be a good person who educate the youth about justice and education, but he couldn't be the good person who can teach the right spiritual faith which is the most important to all. His idea about religion is worse. I could remember the thing he wrotes in one of his books that 'wala siyang pakialam kung mapunta siya sa impiyerno' -- isn't that an idiotic principle? 
Hey B.O., don't you know how worse it is when you go to hell? The Bible spoke that you will suffer in the fire in there, day and night, forever. Anyway, I wouldn't wonder why he is very innocent about the Truth. It's because he is not properly guided with the right teachings, because he is in the wrong religion. 

I never know any other great writers whom I idolize thoroughly, but Jose P. Rizal. He probably will inherit the Holy Land. He fight against Spain who conquer our land and he fight against their ill practices and Catholism is one of them. He turned his back against Catholic church because he discovered that its teachings are not in the Bible. What are the proof? Why do he and Josephine Bracken did not married inside the catholic church, instead they made a ceremony by themselves under the blessings of the true God? It's because he refused to go back to catholic church. He also criticize the rosaries and kalmen in his letter to the Women of Malolos :"Jose Rizal's admonition to the Women of Malolos in February 1889: "ang kabanalan ay hindi ang matagal na luhod, mahabang dasal, malalaking kuintas, libaging kalmen, kundi ang mabuting asal, malinis na loob at matuid na isip."" If you watched the movie "Jose Rizal", you could remember that Cesar Montano in there has a statue of a catholic saint in his room in a scene where he was fighting with his conscience Ibarra about the novel he wrote, and while he was in his way to execution, he was holding a rosary in his hand. Damn those directors. It's a big lie! Rizal never did those thing because he already turned his back against Catholism. They ruined Rizal's principle. Anyway to smart people who has principle like mine, they will never easily believe those lies.

This world is really full of lies and the only ones left is under Father's blessings.
As Detective Conan always says: "There is only one and only truth."

So people should be open-minded about their environment. 

The Truth continually speaks, thou shall listen.

May Father blesses the people and lightens their mind for them to see His truth, especially those who are dear to me... I don't like them to suffer.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

I'm Blessed because He's always with Me

These past few days I get busy with several things. I knew I am lucky and sort of, blessed, a good term. After graduation, I'm not sad and I never ever think that I could be bored this summer. Maybe you'll think that I'll be having good time somewhere out there, but no.. I wouldn't have. I had planned to have a vacation in the field somewhere in our province but I don't know if I could until I've finished several important things.

In the start of the vacation, I knew I am preparing for the "grand future". So this is it. This is the beginning of real life adventure. So why be bored?

Recently, I had received an email that congrats me for being one of the semi-finalists that is invited to advance to round 2 of the worldwide competition I had joined. This is a great achievement for me. After several prayers of thanks, I forward the good news to my friends and acquaintances, not to boast but to let them know that first and foremost, Father is answering my prayers and He is a great God that listens to all my prayers. He said that we should proclaim His greatness, so I did. And will always do. I also did that to show other people that I am working hard and diligently exerting effort to reach my goal and dream. Because others may think that I am not exerting effort on things. If I could pass this competition that I am going through, this might be the start of my career self-boosting. Win or lose, I've been praying to Father to help and guide all my ways, may He direct my path.

I have so many opportunities and choices as what Father had promised me. He wouldn't let me down. And so He is always by my side and He directed my paths. So, I have a big question, Is your God like my God? 

What do you do whenever you’re sad?

Me, I get inside my room, with or without tears in the eyes, I pray solemnly to Father to ease my pain, to help me out of this. To renew my broken heart and strengthen my spirit.. I may have weaknesses, emotional and physical but It could be my strength if Father is right by my side.

Other may answer this as: 

(1) I go to my best friend, mother, father, siblings or whoever closest person in my life and I will cry on their shoulder. I know they will understand me. And it will relieve the pain. 

-This might be good but, they could listen, but could they help you solve ALL your problems? They also have weaknesses because they were also human. So this is not the BEST thing to do.

(2) I'll go drink and eat with my friends to have a happy-happy time, by means of this, I can forget my problem for a moment.

-This one is wrong. You can forget your problem for just a little time. And the bitterness would be that you will be drunk and can't think well with your drunk mind on how you'll be solving the problem. You had abused your body and your mind as well and weakened your spirit to fight temptation. Even the Bible forbids it because it could destroy good relationships and homes.

Anyway, these are the major reactions of the people who don't know or even know, but they didn't treat God as their primary counselor or therapist, those people who don't believe that He could be the only one that can solve their problem. Some used drugs to ease their pain but what they do is just destroying their life.

Prayer is the best spiritual tool that could connect us with Father.

But not all people have the access to Father. Because some has no right to pray to Him. Their prayers were just in vain. The only people whose prayers could be heard is from His people, His true nation. So others should not wonder why their prayers can’t be heard by Father.

If you have a great plan for a great thing or event, how did you prepare for it? Is self-preparation of own skills, talents and strengths are enough?

Me, I've been praying for it by means of Panata. Just like what we do inside the church whenever a special event/occasion is ahead. It's usually a one week prayers of the same specific time.  By means of this, you're showing God that you are sincere to what you are asking for.

How do you fight temptation? Or do you really fight them or you just let yourself carried away?

In Pasugo God's Message February 2009 issue, the mailbox part had caught my eyes. The topic is about "Fighting Temptations". 

A reader said:

"I would like to hear your opinion about homosexuality. I know that having a sexual relationship with the same sex is forbidden by God. But my earthly instinct sometimes let me do this sin. I want to follow His will and I want to renew myself. Please help and advice me on what should I do."

 It's better if you could read the whole answer to this question.

But as a summary, the editor replied that acknowledging that a wrongdoing is wrong is the first step to renewing one's life. "Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin" (Lev. 18:22, Living Bible) Apostle Paul taught that "no temptation is irresistible." To prevail over temptations nonetheless, one must also completely trust in the God---he must allow God to transform him by willfully submitting himself to His will:

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God-- what is good and pleasing to Him and is perfect." (Rom. 12:2, Today's English Version

So it is only Him who could help us if we really want to renew ourselves, whatever temptation it is, because if we don't, we'll suffer the curse of the sin. Too many people can't resist the temptations. They don't know that it were challenges to face that if they won over to that thing, then they will receive their prize, their blessings, if not, they'll receive curse from their sins.

Having Father right by my side will make me standing still above all temptations, crisis, weakness and death. While He is with me, I will never be hopeless. So I couldn't afford to lose Him because He is my LIFE.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Only the 'Chosen One' have the real Wisdom

Hunger for honor. It’s been 8 years. I told myself I don’t care anymore. But everytime the month of March came, this March of agony syndrome attack my inner thoughts of the day when I’m still in the place who is achieving plenty of praises and honor from different people.  It might be very difficult to accept that after receiving plenty of awards, time will come that you are no longer receiving any.

Maybe, I had experienced the experiences of different kinds of students.

I had experienced to be praised.

I had experienced to be elevated when someone else is very proud because of me.

I had experienced to be the “talk of the town”.

I had experienced to be famous and be loved.

I had experienced to be calm when the report card is prepared.

I had experienced to become a respectful leader.

I had experienced not to let my classmates copy on my work.

I had experienced to teach others for the subject they don’t know.

I had experienced to earn honors and awards.

On the other side, I had experienced to be envied because of my honor.

I had experienced to be invited by someone in a brawl to lose my dignity.

I had experienced to be dumped.

I had experienced to be anxious when the report cards are ahead.

I had experienced to be disrespected as a leader.

I had experienced to copy to other’s paper during exam and had cursed myself from doing it.

I had experienced to ask my other classmate with simple question in a Math subject.

I had experienced to become stupid in front of geniuses.

I had experienced to earn nothing.

 

I had experienced them in my entire life as a student.  Some of them made me sick to realize that I got this changed. I could never been an inborn genius. I am only been lended by a little talent.  But one thing is for sure. This talent had never been removed from me like my belief before. My thinking got more matured as the years past by and probably this challenges and failures are ingredients to my true success. These experiences changed my life a lot and it made me realized that these experiences made me stronger than before.  My destiny is in my hands that’s why I should go on.

             Let me tell you. I am not wondering for years that my every close friend becomes either academic achiever, dean’s lister or cum laude. I may state a probability that I become a lucky charm to them. J  They earned it not only because they were intelligent but my Father let them to be. Blessings could be shared and it flows. I always have blessings even in simple ways of my life, it never become scarce to me; it is always abundant from the moment I wake up until I sleep at night. 24/7, I am always been blessed. So if ever I did not achieve my wants today after I graduated in college, I am sure Father will be giving me what I deserve and will give me the real triumph I am longing for.  

 And now I speak as a normal person, “I’ll be a great tensai someday.”  I may not have the intelligence of the earth but the wisdom of the Father is running through my veins and living in my heart and mind.

The Bible speak that the intelligence of man shall bring him to easier and progressive life, yet it will not bring him to salvation of his soul. Useless the intelligence is if we will not be having true wisdom. We could never be saved by intelligence and other earthly things.

                I tell you, true religion matters as they could be in your daily living, your principles and beliefs are the things that greatly affect how you live life. You can never know that you are doing the wrong thing until the day that you found out that you were cursing yourself from doing that thing and your remorse will no longer be accepted.

                The ‘chosen one’ in the Old Testament is the Israel nation or Bayang Israel that were freed from the slavery in Egypt, given to them was the Promised Land.  But in all the numerous miracles, outstanding kindness and greatest love that Father gave them, they still fight against Father and gone back to their old ways. What happened to them? They were cursed. That’s why Israel, until now, still have no peace. War is in every corner of that nation.

So is that the end of Father’s love? No. That’s why, as the prophecy in the Bible says, Father had called the Last messenger in the Far East or Malayong Silangan,  that is, the Philippines, to arise Iglesia Ni Cristo, to let  His sons and daughters from the Far east to praise His name. This is what most people outside the church cannot accept. They couldn’t accept that this religion is the true church, eventhough this is justified by many prophecies in the Bible.

 So why should we get envy to those people who has the greatest intelligence in the world if the wisdom of the Lord which is the most important of all is out of their mind. They were just a moron person in front of Father. If they don’t know the truth and they couldn’t accept it, then they are just foolish people who like salvation of soul but never want to work for Father’s wants.

 

Friday, March 20, 2009

March of Agony

March comes again..
Month of summer. Month that out goers are waiting for.
Month of fire prevention. Many homes and industries suffers from burn destruction.
Month of recognition & graduation day. Most honor and graduating students are waiting for.

March. How many March has come into my life? This year it is the 14th time I'll be hugging this month, whether I like it or not. For my first 6 March, I could say they were a big success for me eventhough my only merit is being a first honors student, aside from winning the 4th place feature writing contest that my adviser is one of the judges, nothing else. My elementary life never become that easy and maintaining my first honors become my priority. I never had planned it. I could still remember how my grade one teacher had asked me to call my mama only to tell her that I'm the first honor in the class. Grade one, it was my first time to get in school and since I never had enrolled in kinder or nursery, just my mama who had taught me how to read and write, I was placed in section B because section A is only for those who had finished kinder. I have no care for those things that time. I'm just happy being a gradeschool student with my first pad paper and thick black pencil that my mama got in her store for me. I'm with my daddy when I enrolled in grade one. Like my mama told me, I should be attentive and active in class. That's why in my first day of the class, I raised my hand when our teacher had asked a volunteer from us to introduce ourself. I did the first move that time. I wonder, I'm not usually like that today. After having myself introduced, a seatmate of mine had introduce herself to me, and she become one of my school "best friend".
For months, I become recognized in the school. That's why a section A teacher had asked me to enroll to her class next school year, which I did but she failed me just to save the youngest son of her co-teacher that is also a first honor and she don't want me to compete with him.
In grade three, the first honors of this student ended when i "beat" him up, as what my teacher says. After that, he never had continued his study as his father says he was still young for school. Grade four, another life in me begins when I met the honor students of other sections. Challenges become rigid and I'm doing all the possible and legal ways to achieve honor. I don't know how I find honors so tasty after I had tasted it in my first grade.
Years after years, I become first honors in my elementary life. Become a valedictorian is one of my dream that time. I saw the other valedictorians who were stepping up on the stage and being necklaced with different gold medals. Medals. I'm hunger for it. Honors. It makes me happy. I achieve it.
After elementary graduation, I'm still wondering. Do I really deserve this honor? Do I really deserve it? (Well,there's so many people who is achieving what they don't deserve.)
I could be one of the previous valedictorians who graduated in our school without giving the school a bunch of awards in different competitions, quiz bee, math competition, poster making contest, journalism, I lose them all. I never had won. I got ashame. Could I call myself a respectful valedictorian?
Whatever could be the reason Father gave me what I had prayed for and He thinks I deserve it. I'm not an inborn genius. Father had just lend me a little skill.
My high school life changed my world. It was a nightmare to belong in the class where your classmates are all valedictorian, salutatorian and honor students. Competition are tighter. We have all hunger for good grades. And this environment makes me insane. I always come home tired and sleepy. It's hard to study like this, i shouldn't want to get 85/100 or I'll be the dorkest student in the class. Minimum goal shall be 90/100.
I never achieve this. It was my greatest failure. I failed to be even in top ten percent. I'm 4th to the last in rank. My nightmares. I cried. I broke my scholarship just like my other classmates who had lose their's and find their own life in other school.
They were ended up.

I come to think: "How it should be if I didn't enrolled in that private school with good standard and study in public, could I still become honor student?"

Well, I'm a foolish one. Maybe it should really happen and it was my destiny. I should be thankful that I had studied in a good-standard school. I learned many things that other students didn't learned. And met people, teachers and friends who are memorable.

But I never can stop to think of comparing myself with others. One of my friend had lose and regain her scholarship again and reunite with section one because she become an academic achiever. I'm still on top 3 in my second year but sad to tell, I never had achieve the grade for an academic achiever.

I just continue my fight until I reach 4th year. I always longing to become an academic achiever. But in my sorrowful distress, my close friends achieve what I am longing to achieve. Maybe it's really not for me. I should be thankful for the moments when: 

My English teacher had asked me:"What happened to you?" When I got 85/100 in English. I feel like tearing the paper apart that time in my shame. That's because I'm the most active participants in English recitations in our class that time and I'm expected to be the highest in English.

My first&fourth year classmate had asked me: "Ba't ganyan grade mo?" When I got a low but not failing grade in our summative. Someone said "Yabang naman neto..". He said, "Hindi, kasi matalino siya.." He knows me, and I understand him. He just like me when we are first year always answering in recitation in a "trying-hard" manner. He's salutatorian and in my same fate.

I become sad at first when I hear things of expectation but then will feel happy to realize that they were expecting something from me. It means that I'm worthy. I shouldn't be sad but get striving harder.

Like what echoes in my ear, the teachings of my beloved 2nd year English teacher, "Don't compare yourself with others. You have different qualities from others."
Yes, I may not be an inborn genius. But I have the luckiest fate ever had. My Father must have the right to take away what He had lend me. I get down on my knees but He never leaves me. He always answer my prayers and just give me the things I need. I bow on His greatness. I may be down whenever I saw my close friend achieve things I want to have. A friend of mine in my grade 3 class in our public school is not an honor student but since she transferred in her 4th grade to the private school where I studied HS, she become academic achiever in 4th year. Yeah, all of my close friends, since high school until college, they got the academic achievements and I'm very happy for them. School quality really matters, also the inborn talents. 

Every March, i'm in my sorrowful distress. I cried in agony. I am longing for honor.

But then come to think. Do all honor students succeed? No. Do all genius become invulnerable? No. Do honors always make you reputable? No. Do earthly intelligence has a great thing to do with the riches in heaven? of course NO. To inherit the land of Father, you don't need to become intelligent in earthly things. You should have the wisdom of His words, that is, the Truth. You should know the truth of His words.... And I'm lucky, I possess it. We, Iglesia Ni Cristo possess that.
 
Now, another March had come, shall I live in agony again? 
Course, No. I'm Iglesia Ni Cristo and I'm one of the most very luckiest person in the world.


'Cause really, they were more special things that Father had prepared for me. Even in this world while the end is not yet coming. I know He prepared a very special gift. I am always praying to Father that may I have achieve the 'thing' for me in the right time.


In my next article, I'll be telling the world why I'm one of the most luckiest persons who is now living on earth. More intelligent than the most genius, richer than the richest, stronger than the most powerful. I'm one of those, "chosen one".




Wednesday, March 11, 2009

This world Isn't my Home

"Earth hour may basbas". This was the title of a column written by Dona Pazzibugan in an Inquirer newspaper Libre, issued Tuesday, March 10, 2009. The news said that Manila Archibishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales is asking all the Roman Catholic in the Philippines to cooperate to the "Earth Hour", a wordlwide campaign to stop global warming, by turning off all the lights in the night of March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30. In the last sentence of the article, we could read:

"Our only home is this planet," anang cardinal.

There are only two kinds of reaction for this sentence.

There are two kinds of people who will react.

One will say: "Yes, he's right. This is our only home so we should take good care of it."

And another person who knows the truth of Father in heaven will say: "Definitely not for me. This world isn't my home. I'm only in a journey. My true home is up there in heaven."

And that person is the highly-intellectual being in the eyes of the Lord. And the former will be the moron. Innocence will not fit it.

This is the truth that only those people who believes in Father's promises that are written in the Bible knows that this earth is not their home. This is what we Iglesia Ni Cristo holds on and the reason why we are standing still. We're not a citizen of this world. We're like foreigners. We're only in a journey. Our real home is God's Kingdom. To be there, we should obey His words and commands. To those who can finish his race, the Holy City and Eternal Life will be given to him.

Hindi ito ang aking bayan
Ako'y naglalakbay lamang
Sa bayan kong paroroonan
May bagong langit at lupa

I love this hymn. This is one of our congregation hymn that will fit this topic.

Back to the cardinal's quote, noticed that he says not only "home" but "only home". It seems that they really believe (and it's true, good they know.. haha) that for them this earth is their only home.

So how do you differentiate God's real people from the other people?
I hope you now knew it.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Help is Provided even Before you Asked for It

Help is always there before we asked, but we often find hard time in finding it. What could be the cause?

I was a fourth year BSIT student, 1st semester. It was my first time to take a removal exam to pass my programming subject, java. I am really not good in programming but I could learn if our teacher is good in teaching us the subject, even it is the hardest subject. But he's not good, he's not considerate and not just, and he's but an unfair instructor who just guessed our grades in Java. Whatever it is, I still studied and reviewed for the removal exam and of course more prayers I had made before the removal exam.
I maybe have been late for the removal exam. One hour before the end time of exam. I came in the room with several students like me is starting their exam. I saw also saw there Nosliw. I got surprised that he too is getting the removal in the fact that he was good in programming. So the instructor had asked me to go get computer for me to use. I chose one and sat on it. Then he gave me the test paper and I pray like I usually do before starting to do the machine exams. I knew some but I forgot most of the parts I had memorized and studied last night. Oh my!! I really don't know what to do.. I'm not really good in this field. This time, I'm so perplexed, of course, in this exam, I'll get either passed or failed. I know and I believe, Father is right by my side. But I just had said in the inner thoughts of my mind, "Father, where are you? You said you'll be helping me... (Ama, san ka na po? Sabi mo po, tutulungan mo po ako?) ". I almost cry that time that I couldn't pass the exam... I'm in a the state of sadness and perplexity, but still have the hope that my Father will be helping me.

Then... I just had realized, at the edge of the eclipse's browser side, I just saw a lately created project which I never had paid attention since I open the pc. And out of curiousity, I opened it, run it and yes! It was the same machine problem I am making. And they were all correct! And it's right there even before I had open the PC, I never had noticed but later on show onto me.

I never had cheated. I accidentaly found it right there. And I never known that the PC that I chose has a ready-made answers.

And most of all, Father gave it for me and I think ,I deserved it. He gave me the help even before I asked for it. I only haven't found it. Father is very kind, He never let me down, He always hear my prayers. He even gave me the "all-right answers for the exam to pass onto my unfair teacher who didn't consider the things we had done in his class. Another justification that the instructor is not considerate, is that he gave Nosliw a 2.5 in grade in the fact that it is supposed to be 3.0 because taking removal exam will give the student an either 3.00 (passed) or 5.00 (failed) grade. It is unfair that the student will be given 2.5 consideration just because they were scholar and their scholarship will be remove if they got 3.00. How about those non scholar student like me? Why I couldn't avail the same privilege? Is that how the education should run in this world? They're unfair!

But I should never been jealous. I have Father right me and they have not. They, people of injustice. Thanks that I have the God of justice. He's so kind that even I doubt a little He gave me what I asked for. And it served as a lesson:

"Help is provided even before you asked for it, but you will find it in the right time."

So, we shouldn't have even small doubt. We should have our full trust to the Lord that He will help us. We prayed, so we shouldn't doubt His power. Everything impossible is possible with my Father. I love Him so much. He never makes me fall. He grabs my hand and gave me full of hope.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

When Someone Fight Against Father's Truth

I was a grade 5 student then and I could never forget the time that my teacher had unwarily criticize Iglesia Ni Cristo in front of my face.

We are together in the room doing a classroom project that time. He told me: "Iglesia Ni Cristo's ministers and maytungkulin gain more money from its members.."

At my young age, I knew how to "fight" this mocking sentences.. I said, "No Sir, my mother is a treasurer, my father is diakono, my sister is secretary and I am a PNK choir member, but we didn't gain any money.. we are doing our obligations to Father without payment."
He said: "Oh, how kind...", with a mocking laugh.

"You said, one cannot attain salvation if he will not be baptized. How could the young children of yours will be saved if they aren't in for baptism, as you said you should be at least 18 to be baptized. ", he asked, trying me.
I answered, "That's why we have PNK or Pagsamba ng Kabataan (children's congregation)."
"And who is teaching in there?", he asked again.
"Guro or sometimes Manggagawa.",I answered.
"Manggagawa of what? Shoes? Let him repair this shoes of mine, it needed to be repaired..(Manggagawa ng ano? Sapatos? Pagawa mo nga itong sapatos ko, sira na.)"
I just smiled and said "No..(Hindi po.)"

I have told him many things about Iglesia NI Cristo but he's just unconvincingly smile like mockingly shake his head as he said "..bata ka pa talaga.." while putting a carboard on his shelf.

Later that afternoon, I gave him a Pasugo that I got from my Tita's house. I told him to read it. He get it, smiled and just put it in the same shelf he had put his cardboard.

About weeks later, there are three issues that surrounds and imprisoned this said teacher of mine. First one, he himself is telling us about the fraudulence that he had gained from his former students. It was when he was outside his room doing his lesson plan, he saw his former male student who is drunk and waving on the plants at the gate. He then went to that boy and scold him in destroying the plants. The boy went out and he then went back to his work. After a moment, he saw that this boy had some drunk boys with him, having stones at hand. He then get ready his metal tube inside his desk. But while the boys are getting closer, he started to take distance and after a while the boys threw stones at him, he run up to the gate that made his feet sore and he gets a cramp, until the time he is telling that to us..

Second bad fate..
He was accused by his former female student that he had touched her private part. But he justify to us that he didn't did that because he has a long distance from her when they met in an alley. His case is upon court hearing that time.

Third one, the worst one.
A female student of him spread the shameful news about his masturbation inside the room while his room's windows and door are closed. According to her student that served as the witness, "It was true!" with angered face when she was in the "hot seat" talking to them.

Then I just realized that time that they were just curses to what he did the last time he talked to me. It was only Father's way to prove that those who fight against His truth will suffer curse and disaster. Maybe it happened only to make him realize that he had done something wrong and that's it.

My former classmate also had suffered bad fate after he had criticize the teachings of our church about "Paghahandog" ,(Offerings), that we don't need expensive, magnificent temples to pray in." I told him that we did it because for the praise of Father so that He will be glad and it's in the Bible. I explain that, if the mayor or president will be having a beautiful house to dwell in, how much more for God. I know it was only what his parents are saying and it was just inculcated in his mind that's why he is blurting it out. But I thought that this event was the cause of his unluckily shortage in education budget. He work until now and haven't finish college.

That's why I never wants my friend to become one of these people who suffer misfortune because of their being "unbelievers" of the truth we are feeding in their mind. For they don't want to open their mind to see what the Bible wants them to see. I don't want them to suffer. This time I realized, it was a prayer to Father: "Please Father, don't get angry to these people, they never knew what they are doing and saying."

However.. may His will reign. He knows who to teach lessons. But this is what I remind to those people who are hard-headed in accepting the truth, beware, my Father is punishing those who "bump" His holy Church. But give blessings to those who glorify Him and believing in His truth.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Parable of the Lost Pin Button

Yesterday, in my joy of the IT workshop I had attended last Sunday, I put the company's pin button in my bag. Still in the house I come to think that it could lost because it's pin is not yet that gripping in the bag, I had thought to fastened it harder by means of sewing it. But I just left 'cause I have no lots of time left and I'll be late. I'm proud to show the world that I've been in that training. In addition, I saw again one of the teacher I dislike or no care for. He probably saw the pin. Hehe. 'Cause he's at my back and rushed ahead of me through the train station. I never mind greeting him.

In the jeepney, while we're on our way home, I stare upon the pin. It's beautiful. I'm proud I have it. We're on the bus ride and before I get off, something was fell from me I think but I'm not sure it was from me. I'm in the state of insanity that time 'cause I'm dizzy and tired, and I'm talking with my friends. She's the first one who noticed something's fell. I had looked at my bag, but I saw nothing is wrong so I just quickly decided to get off the bus or I'll passed by my ride to home.


Then while I'm walking and up to the bus, I know something's missing. And yes, I therefore realized, my pinbutton was missing. It was the 'thing' that fell. I quickly texted my friend to try to search for it if she is still there. But she replied and said, she just got off. And a follow up message of, "sana pala hinanap ko.."

I just said that it's okay eventhough I'm very sad. It's my significant remembrance. What could be my sourgrape would be, I could get there again, in that training. And maybe it really will happen. I realized that it was my last glare at that pin button. I want to get off the bus and search for it, but could I see the bus again?

I have so many realizations about the lost pin button.

First, there should be many chances again that I could acquire another like that. I have at home UPITTC and MSDN pin but I guess I couldn't get to that seminar again. Unlike this training, I could get there in the future, whenever I want. I just need money.

Second, in midst of "insanity" or "out-of-mind" state, I couldn't just lay my trust even in my closest friend to initiate looking for something that is missing from me.

Third, my Father wants me to get there again for my needed trainings to secure my goals. How should I get there without more money is it only Father who knows.

Fourth, the pin signifies a great friend. I have old friends (the UPITTC and MSDN pin) and I kept them in my heart. I found new great friend and I risk to display it because I'm proud of it. I had thought I could lost it but I didn't make ways to prevent losing it. I just leave it in "whatever will be.". Just like now that I feel I could lose someone, so I should do something about it in earlier times. But if really I can't prevent losing it, just like what happen yesterday because I'm a little bit insane, then it was about time. And Father said, I could find another and better than that one.

Fifth, I therefore realize that it was just a reminder to me that I should be writing inspirational thoughts in this blog even in the midst of business and uncertainties.

Thanks Father, He gave me realizations and never had let me down even in the midst of insanity. He always guides my thoughts and rule over me to straighten my path.

God Bless us all.


World go break but I won't go Freak

Monday morning again… So much lousy. Too tiring day. Thinking about the things I’ve been throughout today would be very tiring indeed. My mind is really in confusion and several things and easiness. Starting from standing up inside the bus the whole trip until we get into the long walk to MRT station. And when you get through that MRT first station, at the roadside before the entrance to it, you’ll regularly see hundreds of people merging on its way up the station. When you are really a weak person who can easily be dizzy and have a weak body, I told you, you’re not supposed to be there or else, you’ll be stamped by uncaring people that few only thinks that they should not hurt others. Four or five days a week, I have been losing air and power in mingling with different kind of people, forcing my way to the station. After surviving the near-death experience, I’m on my way to the train. It’s now time to run after time like I will be late but there’s nothing to worry about, I am not being paid as I am only an OJT and my boss will probably be late then. Then I will found myself waiting with others for the train to come. I learned not to mingle with man out there. Some of them are lascivious. I learned not to go in that side again so I prefer to be in with women. However, when the train come, it’s normal to see this woman dying to go inside the train, that’s why I having trouble with my bag left outside the train and luckily, after the pushing, and bumping and shouting, the train will suddenly be calm. Then the trip goes on.

Every morning, I eat my meal right and drink my vitamins, but most of the time, in order to save, I take vitamins every other day, just to keep my body healthy and ready to deal with the long stand, long walks, “sardines race”, morning shouts, long lines to fall in, and in summing it up all, everyday survival trip. This is how most of us are encountering every morning. And to think that I still have 3 weeks in doing these things, feels like I’m quitting. Thank God He never let me sick. And the conductor in the bus I rode this morning is none the other the conductor who is always giving me free ride. I got shy whenever I ride in their bus, I don’t want to be treat like that. But, maybe I could give a present to him, maybe a food or something as a sense of gratitude. Father let things happens for reasons.

As a human, so many things bug me. Just like... I went to a workshop-seminar in ACE IT Learning Solutions yesterday. It’s about 3-in-1 workshop in Adobe Fireworks, After Effects and Premiere. Before I get there, even though I was been there last Wednesday, I got lost because of riding a jeepney that will never go to where I should go. My goodness, another cause of my stupidity sometimes, I never ask question. But because of the caring of Father, a kind jeepney driver had let me get to my destination and refuse my fare. ACE was located in front of a security agency that is beside our church. I love the feeling whenever I look upon our churches. It feels that I am truly guided whenever I go. Father once again proves that He never let me lost my way and He is always guiding me wherever I am. I get to the seminar and enjoyed it so much except that I got headache in the closing and opening door of the room. But it is a really worthy seminar. Oh, what bugs me is I want to study these graphic tools but my pc can’t afford its requirements. I need a higher rig and but I don’t have money to buy it. I plan to assemble my dream rig but maybe, I could handle it when I got my job and earn just right. I hope Father will let me again. I thank Him very much, He always do my favor. Last Saturday, I had sold my laptop hard disk in a good price and it’s because Father had heard my prayer that I beg Him for me to have a good customer in the price I had made.

This morning, I met my friend again as usual in our office. Nothing special but one thing I realized today is that she was again in front of me, she, an innocent young lady who knows nothing about the real truth. Maybe she is not yet ready to see the most important truth. She is still looking at the worldly things in this world and she never believes me whatever I say about the truth I am talking about. I never had surrender; I am just looking for the right time. I know Father will be giving me a go signal if I needed to do something. Just like today, I never had known that I could lose my pin button remembrance in ACE in the Bus ride. .It’s very significant to me for attending that workshop for the first time. Maybe it was only His reminder to me that I needed to be doing something. And also, just to tell me that I could go back in there to get another. I knew, I really need to learn more about multimedia. It will be my tools in the near fight in the future and it was only Him who knows what is good for me. I knew a duty was laid on my shoulders. May Father bring me there to where He wants me to be. I have no doubts, wealth, health, foes, hungers, thirst, even death, will never hinder me if it was Christ and Father are here by my side. I knew they will never leave me. May I always follow Their will. May Father always bless me!