He Loved Us First
Osama Bin Laden's Death: Should we rejoice?
It was when I was chatting with a friend that made me rethink things.
This friend asked, why would we as Christians rejoice for somebody's death?
And he's right.
Because even if how sinful a man can be, he's still a man God loves unconditionally, a man whom Jesus died for just like you and me.We can all say, well his SINS are greater compared to our petty ones. But the truth of the matter is, it's still sin and God detests it. Small or Big.
So the question is, should we rejoice or should we be sad?
Thank God, I found the answer from my favorite author's blog, Joshua Harris:
Justin Taylor helpfully states that "it's appropriate for Christians to intermingle grieving and gratitude. Grief for a life made in the image of God but so destructive of human life and so dishonoring to God. And gratitude for justice being served as an instrument of God's wrath."
Now that's the right perspective!
Just like what Jesus said "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
Source: http://www.joshharris.com/2011/05/how_should_we_respond_to_osama.php
Love Love Love!
From WIKIPEDIA
LOVE is a sculpture by American artist Robert Indiana. It consists of the letters LO (with the O canted sideways) over the letters VE. The image was originally designed as a Christmas card for the Museum of Modern Art in 1964, and first exhibited as a sculpture in New York City in 1970. The original three-dimensional version of LOVE is made of COR-TEN steel and has been on exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art since 1975. The LOVE design has been reproduced in a variety of formats. Likewise, the sculpture has been recreated in multiple versions and a variety of colors, and is now on display around the world.
And Yes, that's me at Eastwood City!
A Lesson from Winnie the Pooh
Pursue Love
Happy Father's Day Pa
Happy Mother's Day Mama and Glaiza
Whatever we call them, they're still our MOTHERS! And tomorrow is their Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking, the loving, the beautiful, the thinking, the caring, the disciplinarian, the compassionate Mothers in the whole world!
I've written several posts in the past about my Mother and how I am grateful and thankful to God for having a mother like her. Check out: Thank You Lord for the Gift of Mothers and Mary: a Blessed Mother Happy Mother's Day.
Today I thought of just listing some great Mother's Day quotes as I'm sure I'd say the same thing. But then I realized "Is Mother's day really just a tradition that we do for the sake of it?". Isn't Mother's day a day in a year to honor the Mothers for all their hardwork and sacrifices? Are two blog posts really just enough?
Today I choose to be true and real rather than conventional!
Mom,
Thank you! I can't thank you enough, as in! It's so true, you were and still are instrumental to whoever I am today. Do you remember the very first time I tried to ride on an elevator? Even though we'd looked like fools yet you still went up and down with me (1st floor then to 3rd then to 2nd then to 5th then finally to 4th) pretending you didn't know where to go. Just for me to really experience the first time ride: I greatly appreciate it!
Now that I've started experiencing things on my own, I want you to be with me the whole time! First was Hongkong, now Singapore, we never know where the next destination will be. Let's just wait and see. My only prayer as you celebrate this day is that you never forget that we your children will always be here for you. No matter what! We love you. We respect you. We honor you. "Bahala'g matigulang na ka. Promise!"
I send my greetings as well to my very beautiful younger sister Glaiza who is the mother of my beautiful niece, Yafit!
Glai,
You are an amazing woman! I know you've went through a lot and things somewhat didn't turn out as planned. But please know this, there's no accident before the Lord. Everything is according to God's plan. He knows what He's doing. Just trust him. I'm sure He's up to something good. I'm proud of you, Glai. Proud to the max! I wish you strength and courage to go on. You can DO it! Just continue to be Happy, Healthy and Honest with me and the family. I'm your Kuya and I will be here for you always. Yes, always. I will do my best and give my best to try to make you happy always. If there's any problem, tell me. I'll protect you with my life and with my everything. I love you more than you can imagine.
Happy Mother's Day to you Both! Much LOVE LOVE LOVE!
For God So Loved The World
Truest, Most Real and Amazing Love of All
Sadly it's late now. I wasn't able to read the part where he says the deadline in Nov. 30th and today is unfortunately December 1st. Now, I'm sure all of you are now shouting and asking why I didn't do it before the deadline. To answer that, I didn't notice and I forgot. LOL! Enough of that, here's my post:
My post is all about the Love that every man is dying to have. It's more than a feeling or anything else. It can't be faked, in fact it's THE most real thing. A lot of us have run from there to here, from hurt to more hurt, from failed expectations to more failed expectations. It's almost a hopeless cycle.
I had a conversation with a friend who just broke up with his boyfriend. This friend of mine is a "HE" as well, making their relationship a homosexual one. If 10 years ago, this kind of relationship is a taboo. At this time though, it has become a "normal" thing especially that I'm working in a call center. (Disclaimer: I don't agree to this kind of relationship but I respect my friends who are engaged in it). So back to my conversation with him. I asked him, what really happened? Why did they break up after more than a year? He answered (hesitantly) it's because he no longer understands what his partner really wants and that he now had grown tired meeting the needs of the other while expecting his own needs be met as well. Actually, most of the relationships we see right now is of this nature. You agree or not. Everyone engages in a relationship because they need something from the other person. It maybe financial needs, emotional support, or just having someone to lean on. Don't take me wrong, these are why there are relationships. For our needs to be met. But when these "meeting of our needs" become the center of the relationship then that's when it crumbles. When each one starts to take and expect instead of freely giving without expecting in return, that's when relationships end.
Love, I've explained to him must be selfless. For relationships to work, one must be willing to give and give and just give. With this he replied, "Isn't that unfair?". Of course it is. That's what love really is. Even if the other one doesn't give back, it just continues to love no matter what. This kind of love is seldom found. Especially when people who are looking for it doesn't have it in the first place?
Where is this Love then?
It's in the Father, the GOD who created everything including love and the ability to love.
Here's what the Bible says from The Message version:
And John 3:16 from The Message version still:
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
Now we were of no use whatever to him, but He still chose to love us. And he continues to love us no matter what. I mean, REALLY! It doesn't matter what you have done or what you are going to do, He'll continue to LOVE us.
When each partner has this Love then that's when relationships grow! Why? They're already filled with God's love that they just overflow without anymore taking.
Here's a song from Hillsong that would always tell me how Real, How TRUE and How Amazing God's Love is:
God Bless you more and more!
Jesus: You are my bestfriend!
The Bible says:
Romans 8:38-39 (New King James Version)
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
See, absolutely nothing can take us away from HIS love.
And when he's your bestfriend, you share everything to him, right? You tell him your secrets, successes and yes problems and struggles. A bestfriend would always want to listen.
The question is, would you like to accept his friendship? He's just waiting for you.
Best Friend by Hillsong (Marty Sampson)
Have you heard of the one called Savior?
Have you heard of His perfect love,
Have you heard of the one in heaven,
Have you heard how He gave His son'
Cause I found this love,
I believe in the Son. Show me Your way.
I believe in the One called Savior,
I believe He's the risen One,
I believe I'll live forever,
I believe that my king will come,
Cause I found this love,
I believe in the Son. Show me Your way.
Chorus:
Jesus, you are my best friend,
And you will always be,
And nothing will ever change that,
Jesus, you are my best friend,
And you will always be,
And nothing will ever change that.
Bridge:
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that.
Nothing can separate us from God's Love
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
Reflection:
Praise the Lord for his Love!
God Bless you!
Recommended Readings:
Father - Hillsong United
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This song tells us about God's Amazing Love for each one of us. His amazing love for you whoever you are who's reading this post right now. His amazing love never changes even if you don't know him and even if you don't believe in Him. His Love will remain steadfast, everlasting and unconditional no matter what. He has given His love so much that he had given up his only Son to die for us.
Let's all celebrate and be thankful for his Love forevermore!
Song lyrics | Father, I lyrics
Recommended Readings:
Father's Love Letter
Because of His great Love
Because of His Great Love
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ didn’t die for us because we were worthy. He didn’t come down to save us because we deserve it. No! He came to seek and to save what was lost. He came to show you His love for you (John 3:16). Are you willing to accept his LOVE?
As the Song, So You Would Come by Hillsong would say:
Nothing you can do
The Who Am I song lyrics reinforces this:
Not because of who I am,
God Bless You!
A Guilty Murderer Set Free by MyBibleDevotional
Remember Not to Forget, Make Him Your First
The Word of God that was preached during that fellowship was taken from Rev. 2:4,
Revelation 2:4 (New International Version)
4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your FIRST LOVE.
Reflection:
This verse is a great reminder for everyone of us. Sometimes we get so stressed out from managing things, meeting deadlines, and working really hard that we can't even remember to pray and ask God for guidance. When we hit our beds, we can't even open our Bibles to read a verse or two because we're so tired and we need to sleep right away thinking that God would maybe understand. But let me show you the preceding verses before Revelation 2:4,
Revelation 2:2-3 (New International Version)
2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Examine how excellent these people are. They are hard working. They don't tolerate evil acts and they're persevering. What else can you look for? Everything is just so Ideal. But God even though knowing these great things they're doing has this to say:
4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your FIRST LOVE
How sad can this be?
For those who are working: we may get all the Salary Increase and all the Promotions and Accolades as rewards for our hard work and commitment to our work but have we maintained our Love Relationship with our God? Have we even remembered to pray, thank and praise Him?
For those who are committed to a ministry: beware of the saying, "Busy expanding the Kingdom but has forgotten the King". We may set up the most excellent programs, plans and events to do what we have been commissioned to do but if we forget to fellowship with the one we're working for, God is still not satisfied.
What is God telling us?
Remember not to Forget the main reason why we're here. Make him your First!
God Bless you more!
Father's Love Letter to You
I'm hearing Yipee! and Woohoo! Me too I'm glad it's the weekend and tomorrow is Sunday! I can go to Church again and have fellowship with my brethren. As David had said, " I rejoice with those who said to me, let us go to the House of the Lord".
Before that, let me leave you with this video: "Father's Love Letter". It touched right through the deepest portion of my heart and I'm sure it will move you as well.
"Father's Love Letter to You"


