AnythingGoodandPositive

Viet Nam Experience

2009-06-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of my coming to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), mixed emotions were all over me. Never in my dream did I consider coming to Viet Nam, not at least, of all Asian countries I've known. When my friend told me that the work opportunity she wanted me to consider was in Viet Nam, I had the notion to say no. What I imagined the place to be was what I saw in movies, read in history books- the Viet Nam years passed. My fear and curiosity had me browsing the net to get information of this place, the people, their culture and anything that would appease my reluctant heart. My mother-in-law was the first one to get excited and told me that Viet Nam is fine.

On May 27, 2009, aboard the Vietnam Air with my friend, I reached the City of Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh. From a few altitudes high, I found the place to be just I imagined it to be, green fields and buildings. The International Airport has some resemblance to the NAIA in Manila. The first citizens I met in the arrival area were young men and women, in their late teens or early twenties. They could barely speak English but managed at least to understand and be understood. The hotel chauffer was at the lobby waiving mine and my friend's name. I said hello and he managed to say a word or two in English. All throughout the trip to the hotel my friend and I talked of the similarities and differences we noticed between Vietnam and the Philippines. The driver was silent during the whole trip. As soon as we unloaded our luggages, we went to Ericsson for the briefing and job orientation.

It's been more than a week now since I set foot in this city of Ho Chi Minh. The first thing that amused me and still amuses me today is the Viet Nam Dong. On our first day going to Ericsson, we took a cab. Since the rate of VND to 1 USD is 17,800, we changed only 20 USD each. We asked the hotel crew how much we had to pay for the cab. I showed him the bills and asked him to count the money for me. He got 120,000vnd, that much for the cab. Every time we pay, we cannot help but be amused of how much money we are counting. In the Philippines, P50,000 is a lot of money. A meal in Vietnam costs between 20,000 to 80,000 dong. I am a millionaire here with my 600USD pocket money.

The second thing that amuses me is their food. Viets always serve you soup and side dish, even in lowly carinderias or turo-turo. Their soup is rich in vegetables, meats and seafood. Unlike in the Philippines, their fried rice is loaded that you don't need to order for a separate viand. One serving is good for two ladies or enough for a gentleman to be full. They are experts in French and English dishes and foreigners enjoy the good taste.

Saigon has fast foods like KFC, Pizza Hut and proudly Filipino's Jollibee. Their chicken joy is served with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber, well arranged on the plate. For additional 4,000dong, hot chicken and vegetable soup will go with the chicken joy.

The city streets are full of motorcycles driven by every kind of citizen of legal age- men of all sorts, women of all sorts, sometimes wearing plain dresses or skirts. The number of motorcycles is something you may have never seen before or will never see until you come. With those motorcycles coming from and going everywhere, crossing the streets is difficult. Every time we get back to the hotel, the guard goes out to meet us and help us cross the street.

The people's looks are not very different from Filipinos. In Ericsson, the employees are a mixture of different nationalities. Filipinos and Viets can hardly be distinguished until you hear them speak. The locals I work with could barely speak English, but my young interpreter, a 2nd year college student speaks very good English. His accent though sometimes makes his statement confusing. The look on my face often makes him repeat what he said, in a more legible manner.

My student-interpreter will be absent for eight days in the next three weeks because of examinations, sort of performance evaluation and entrance tests at the same time. According to him, every year before the enrolment all students in every level have to take the tests, otherwise they cannot enroll for the school year which starts in September. High school students are also subjected to similar tests which run for three days. If Viet students are forced to study to pass the yearly test, I wonder how well Filipinos can be academically, if the same is done in the Philippines.

Viet Nam has seven mobile operators. We are working for Viet Nam Mobile that carries the Mobifone Brand. I still do not understand much of their mobile numbering. Some begin with 011, others 093, 090 and many more. Usually the mobile number, excluding 0 and the operator codes, is only six digits.

There are many stories to tell about Viet Nam, but I can only say that much for now. Till then…

MSU

2008-11-13T14:46:00.001-08:00

MSU

2008-11-13T14:40:00.001-08:00

God's Love

2008-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

God's love is like sunshine-
it warms my heart back from a cold winter.

God's love is like the morning dew-
It moistens my parched soul and spirit.

God's love is like the rain-
it removes the smog from out of my head.

God's love is like the gentle wind-
it blows away the heat of my day.

God's love is perfect, pure and immeasurable
because GOD IS LOVE-

...and GOD LOVES YOU and ME.

The One Who sits on the Throne

2008-11-03T05:45:00.000-08:00

The One who sits on the throne,
He is Christ, the Messiah
Emmanuel, Prince of Peace
King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

The One who sits on the throne,
He is Jesus, Yeshua
The Lord of hosts, creator,
ruler of the universe.

The One who sits on the throne
He is God, the great I AM.
He was, He is and He will
For He is the same yesterday, today
and forever.

The Message of the Cross

2008-03-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

Salvation through Jesus Christ

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said 'It is finished'. With that He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.” John 19:30

Every so-called Christian in the world knows that Jesus Christ was crucified, died, buried and was resurrected into life on the third day. The world commemorates that death and celebrates the resurrection of the one Savior Jesus Christ.
However, to know the fact about such event is one thing, while to understand the essence of that same event is another. Though many knows that Jesus Christ came to live with men and died to save men, the truth stands that many professing Christians do not really understand the finished work that gives them salvation for free. It is obvious from the different ways people remember His sacrificial death. In my country alone, Easter fanatics believe that submitting themselves to penitence or having themselves crucified would gain heaven's approval or wash their guilt away.

Jesus said as quoted above, “It is finished.” The work of salvation by the Savior is culminated in His death. The message of John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”, is perfected in His death and resurrection. You don't have to do anything except to believe that Jesus Christ alone can save you from sin. Just accept the fact that you have been a sinner who cannot be righteous no matter how hard you try. For the Word of God says in Romans 3:23-24 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Salvation is free to everyone who believes. Why free? Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” There's no way you can buy your way to God except through Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, submit to His Lordship and acknowledge that He alone can take your guilt away. He died a terrible death to give you a new life. In Him there is peace, in Him there is freedom- freedom from sin and the curses that come with it. Jesus Christ offers you forgiveness, salvation and a new life. It's all yours for the taking. Let this Easter be the mark of a newly resurrected you through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you do, soon you will be able to say with Paul in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Two Different Visions of Running the Race

2008-03-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

by Kelry Green

Recently, God spoke powerfully to me in two visions involving two groups of people. In the first vision, I saw a company of people running a race. Their faces shined like the sun. As I gazed upon them, I had a strong sense of God's presence. It was so powerful. The Lord then let me feel the hearts of these people. Their hearts were full of peace and joy. Then, the scene suddenly changed to the second vision.

In the second vision, I saw another company of people who were also running a race. This group of people were a little different from the first one. They were always looking around them as they ran. They looked to their left and to their right, as well as behind them. They ran swiftly and most of them were smiling. Then the Lord let me see their hearts. I did not feel their emotions at first, but then I felt an intense pain in them. As I looked, I could see their hearts were bleeding.

I asked God, "Who are these people?" Immediately, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 was impressed upon my heart: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."

Then God spoke to me, "The first company of people you saw was running the race for the 'imperishable crown.' They accept and experience My unconditional love daily. They love Me with all of their heart, mind, soul and strength. They understand that they are sons and daughters and not orphans. They live a lifestyle of loving selflessly, seeking meekness, thirsting and hungering for righteousness, and are poor in spirit. They have an understanding of their eternal inheritance. They relate to Me with the same intimacy with which My Son Jesus relates to Me.

The second group you saw was running the race for the 'perishable crown'--the crown that man can give them. While they smile on the outside, they really hurt on the inside. They compete with each other and live striving for man's acceptance. They are not orphans, but they have an orphan mentality. Not believing that they have the promised inheritance, they fight for all they can get in this life. Men crown them often, but every crown that man crowns them with only decays. There is no eternal significance. I love them with everlasting love. I long to spend time with them. I want to heal their hearts, but they are running so hard for the perishable reward that they do not make time to spend time with Me and receive My love, kindness, and acceptance towards them."

He continued to speak to me, saying, "I'm raising up a company of people in the nations of the earth that will not run the race for the perishable crown, but for the imperishable crown--the one that will last forever. I'm the One who gives the crown that does not fade."

Right after this, I felt led to look up the rewards that were given to those who "overcome" in the seven Churches in Revelation, chapters two and three. These rewards are imperishable. They can never decay. Below is a list of these seven Churches, along with the rewards due to those in these Churches who overcome:

Ephesus--the tree of life.
Smyrna--the crown of life.
Pergamum--hidden manna, and a stone with a new name.
Thyatira--rule over nations, and receive morning star.
Sardis--faithful, honored, and clothed in white.
Philadelphia--a place in God's presence, a new name, and the new Jerusalem.
Laodicea--share Christ's throne.

All the rewards are imperishable and will never decay!

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Treasures and Worries

2008-02-12T20:37:00.000-08:00

The Lord Jesus Christ knew fully well how, even the most professed Christians, are prone to worry when the concerns of life get in the way. His Words in Matthew 6:19-20;24-34 never fail to remind me whenever I lose focus of my own concerns and priorities. Not only do they remind me but they also comfort and re-assure me that God loves and cares for me; that He knows my needs and He's going to supply them. I just have to be on the right track. These words are quoted below:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-20

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:24-34

How Does Man Live?

2008-02-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord (Jehovah) doth man live. Deu 8:3.

The context tells us that the manna was given in the wilderness in order that Israel might learn the lesson above. The lesson is that man by himself is nothing, that all his religion and his works, that all his wisdom and inventions, can go no farther than the grave. So the man who eats bread and never takes thought of his Creator does not continue to live. Length of days cannot be his hope. He returns to the dust from which he came.

So they were to learn that length of days in resurrection could only come by knowing the Word of Jehovah and giving to it faith-obedience. It is by every word that they live. They could not choose to take a few words here and a few more there and profess to believe them. It was the whole counsel of God they must obey.

They already had the record that death came into the world by the disobedience of Adam in the garden. And men of that time could see as well as men today can that death is something very final. And even as early as Job it was well understood that the only way out of the grave was resurrection.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Cor 15:22.

Here is the same thing expressed in different words. Not only all people, but everything that comes from Adam ends in death. The wisdom of this world, the inventions of this world, the desires of this world, the pride of this world, and anything you can name that comes from Adam must find its end in death. This is final, this is the end. Natural religion cannot help it one bit. There is no philosophy that can get around it. And man's natural condition is such that there is no argument whatsoever in its favor. In the flesh dwells no good thing. The best righteousness that man can produce is filthy rags in the sight of God. And no man who knows God will for a moment try to reason otherwise. He knows himself.

And we can add that it is impossible for a man to know himself till he knows God. And when he knows God, then with Job he will abhor himself, realize that he is vile, and begin looking around him for sackcloth and ashes in which to repent.

Only those in Christ, the incarnate Word of God, can have resurrection and length of days. And how do they get into Christ? By believing the record concerning Him, which is the Word of God, every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God. There is life in no other person or thing.

From the beginning of the Bible to the end we find these things emphasized, the whole plan of redemption set forth, and the way of life plainly stated. But there are many who try to find another way, who believe the lie that man does not really die, that he is like God and has life in himself.

To all such our Lord still says, And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. John 5:40.

SOURCE: http://www.believer.com

Heaven's Wisdom

2008-02-04T00:21:00.000-08:00

Psalm 37:1-9; 23-26

2008-01-26T19:25:00.000-08:00

Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
For like grass they will soon whither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
Do not fret- it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord
will inherit the land.

If the Lord delights in a man's way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he stumbles he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.

Jeremiah 17:5-10

2008-01-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

This is what the Lord says:

"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in the year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

New Year's Resolution

2008-01-15T08:56:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolution?

Everybody seems to be having a new year's resolution, again, and for the nth time now. Year after year we wish to change things about and around us. We start off usually by looking at what we had or did not have, or how we lived the past year. Regardless of the past experiences, we always want to improve our lives, our careers and businesses and even our relationships. We want to make the present year better than the past. This desire to improve is a good sign that we, at least, did not lose confidence that we can still be better persons capable of living in a better world, and deserving better situations and relationships.

Making a new year's resolution, however, is easier than actually fulfilling it. Maybe we can do it during the first few days of the year. But what about next month or next year? Can we carry on with the changes we really want to make? If we honestly seek our hearts and minds, the answer is no. We may for a while but not for the rest of our lives. Sounds hopeless? Yes, if we don't seek help. But who can help when everybody else is hopeless or helpless?

There is one who can help, in fact, the only one. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. The world celebrates His birth towards the end of each year and until the new year with much fun and excitement. But more than the festive celebration, we should realize the true value of His birth. He came that we may have life, and have it to the fullest. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He Gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." If we believe and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives then we can say with Paul that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)".

For us believers, new year is a chance to renew our commitment to Christ. Let's again consider what Paul said in Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will".

For those who have not committed their lives to Christ, now is the time to do it. In Revelations 3:20 He says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and have fellowship with him and he with Me." It is imperative that they believe and acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ for it is written in 1John 5:11, "And this is the testimony that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

Regardless of our belief, the Word of God stands. May we all have a blessed life today and the days to come. Happy new year to all.

Salt and Light

2007-11-29T23:16:00.001-08:00

Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

The foregoing words of the Lord Jesus Christ emphasize that as believers/Christians, we are to act and live as people that make a difference in the world where evil reigns. Making a difference means going against the natural tendency of the fallen men.

Just as the salt gives flavor to our food, the Christian who lives up to his calling influences the people around him either consciously or not. And with the Holy Spirit working, those who see the inner beauty of the Christian would develop the desire to know God the way the Christian does.

As light, the Christian's daily consistent walk with God radiates the goodness of God. Those around him realize that God is indeed real, that righteousness is not altogether overcome by evil. How wonderful it is to find a public official who cannot be bribed, an employee who humbly works with efficiency when the trend is stepping on someone to get to the top, or a man who refuses to hang-out in the night for the love of his wife and kids.

Little acts of righteousness make a big difference in the world we live and move around. Most importantly, we bring honor and praises to God who called us to become His own.

Let God Be First

2007-11-13T16:54:00.000-08:00

If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place in the remainder of the day. (Unknown)

"Give ear to my words oh Lord,
consider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
my King and my God.
For unto Thee will I pray.
My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning.
Oh Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer
unto Thee and will look up. (Holy Bible)

Psalm 112

2007-11-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who finds great delight in His commands.
His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Internet- Sources of Information and Entertainment

2007-11-08T02:35:00.000-08:00

Today’s computer technology is a source of endless possibilities for everybody. With the new broadband connections, browsing the net is even made easier and faster that you can actually spend hours and hours of surfing. At your fingertips, you can get the necessary information you need for whatever reason, get to see places without actually traveling, talk to friends and families online from any corners of the world, etc. The list can go on and on.

If you are one who loves movies and similar entertainments, having a computer connected to the net is a treasure. You can view trailers of upcoming and currently showing films on line, or even get to watch movies at the comfort of your home. For parents with toddlers, preschoolers or beginners, there are a lot of websites that offer on line learning activities like Starfall, Sesame Street, Kidz Page and Disney.

If you want to get amused, you can find sites that offer just that. If your interest is on line interactive games, hundreds or even thousands are available. If you are a current event fanatic, the net is loaded with the most updated news from all around the globe. For merchants, marketers and businessmen, a computer that is wired to the world is a great advantage to increase profits and earnings.

No matter what your personality, character, passion, style or interests, the computer that is connected to the web is a great source of information, entertainment and amusement.

Joseph and His Brothers

2007-10-14T04:19:00.000-07:00

The Bible is explicit that Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons and because of that, they hated Joseph and could not speak a kind word to him (Gen.37:4). The second verse of Genesis 37 where the story began also says, “Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers… and he brought their father a bad report about them.”

When Joseph had his dreams and told his brothers about them, they all the more hated him. In their own interpretation of the dreams they said to Joseph, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule over us?” And they were jealous of him (Gen.37:5-11).

While the brothers were out in the field, Jacob told Joseph to go and see how they were doing. From the distance the brothers saw Joseph, and they thought of killing him. The eldest of the brothers, Reuben, intervened and so they just threw Joseph into the cistern instead of killing him. When some Midianite merchants came by, they pulled Joseph out and sold him for 20 shekels of silver. Meanwhile, the brothers brought home Joseph’s robe soaked with a goat’s blood and made up the story to their father that Joseph might have been torn to pieces by a ferocious animal, to conceal what they did to him (Gen.37:12-33).

Joseph landed in Egypt. It was there, years later that he rose to become Governor of Egypt, second in command to the Pharaoh. When the famine that Joseph predicted swept the land, the day also came when the brothers had to meet again face to face. This time his brothers did not recognize Joseph, and perhaps, they never thought they would meet him again, not in that situation. Joseph, however, recognized his brothers at once but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them (Gen.42:7).

The events that followed were truly emotionally packed when Joseph had to keep his identity and test his brothers. Perhaps he wanted to see how his brothers lived with what they did to him; perhaps he needed to see if they had been guilty and repented for the sin they committed towards him. Or maybe he wanted to see how his father took the loss of his favorite son. No matter what his reason for not revealing himself at once, the confrontation, though disguised, had given him time to think and simmer down. Whatever feelings he might have had towards his brothers at the moment of their first encounter after long years of bitter separation, the momentary disguise helped him settle his heart in letting go and forgiveness.

Joseph had forgiven his brothers, maybe even before he became great in Egypt. But the actual encounter put his emotion and virtue to test. As he dealt with his brothers and tested them, his heart was bleeding with mercy and compassion. When finally he demanded that Benjamin who was found to have the cup in his sack become his slave, and, Judah pleaded for mercy, recounting how his father grieved for his lost son and how he would not be able to stand the misery of losing another son, Joseph broke down and wept aloud in the presence of his brothers, telling them who he actually was. His brothers were stunned and according to the story, they were terrified at his presence (Gen. 45:3). Joseph understood how they felt, so he said to his brothers, “Come close to me… do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you… It was not you who sent me here, but God (Gen. 45:5; 8).” And as if his many words were not enough, Joseph threw his arms around Benjamin and wept… and he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him (Gen. 45:14-15). When Joseph sent them back to Canaan to fetch their father and their families, he warned them not to quarrel on the way (Gen.45:24). This instruction reiterated the message that as Joseph had forgiven them, so they must also forgive themselves by not anymore arguing or blaming one another.

Joseph’s relationship with his brothers was once one of antagonism and hatred. But the events that took place between and among them had changed it. Joseph, during his downsides in Egypt had learned to live through the pains of betrayal, rejection and separation from his family. His brothers, on the other hand, lived through their guilt and regrets for selling Joseph that caused their father tremendous sorrow and grief. When they first met Joseph in Egypt and was treated harshly, they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us (Gen. 42:21)”.

The brothers’ admission of guilt indicates that they had been haunted by their selling Joseph and lying to their father about it. Everyday of their lives they had to endure the pain and guilt of seeing their father in great distress. The guilt was complex because they could not admit the truth that Joseph did not die but that they actually sold him because of their jealousy and hatred towards him. So their fear of Joseph as they faced him was justified. They might have been thinking that Joseph would get back to them if he had the chance.

Joseph did not get back nor get even with them. He forgave them and manifested it in such a way that his brothers would understand. During the times of suffering, Joseph went through the process of inner transformation. From the kind that he was as described in the opening of the story as quoted above, Joseph grew in wisdom. His understanding and realization of the events of his life caused him to become great among his brothers, his people and among the nations.

Called for a Purpose

2007-09-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

If there is one story in the Bible that specially demonstrates the above verse, it is the account of JOSEPH, the son of Jacob. Anyone familiar with the story knows what Joseph went through, how he was sold as a slave by his brothers then in the end, became the second highest ranking official in Egypt.

The story says that Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave because they envied him that he was favored by their father Jacob. He was brought to Egypt and landed in the house of Potiphar. While there, Joseph won the favor of his master that he became his attendant and was made in charge of his household and everything he owned (Gen. 39:4). In the days or perhaps years that followed Potiphar's wife became attracted to Joseph and tried to get him to bed with her. When Joseph refused her advances and stood his ground, the woman accused him of trying to rape her and for that reason, he was thrown into another humiliating and depressing situation. He was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit (Gen 39:7-20). But instead of wallowing in bitterness and anger, Joseph continued to live an honorable life so that he won the confidence of the prison warden and who, like Potiphar, put him in charge of the other prisoners and made him responsible for all that was done there (Gen. 39:22).

Later in prison, two cellmates each had a dream that Joseph interpreted. To the one who was to be restored to his position in the palace as the Pharaoh's chief cupbearer, Joseph asked a favor- that the cupbearer would mention him to Pharaoh and get him out of there (Gen. 40:14). Unfortunately, the cupbearer never remembered, not until after two years when Pharaoh had dreams that so troubled him and no magician or wise man in all of Egypt could interpret (Gen. 41:8). At once, Joseph was summoned to the palace to interpret Pharaoh's dream (v.14). Seeing the wisdom of Joseph's interpretation, Pharaoh made him in charge over the entire land of Egypt second in command only with respect to his throne (Gen.41:40).

God's directions of Joseph's life revolved in His much bigger plan to save His growing people Israel from severe famine that was to come upon the land. It could not have been accomplished had Joseph not left his father's house. And there would have been no reason for him to leave had his brothers not sold him. Everything that Joseph went through, his time with Potiphar and his prison experience were but in preparation for the much bigger responsibility that God was to put on his shoulders. Emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually God worked in him through those bitter experiences. Joseph understood this when he told his brothers, "And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you... God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Gen 45:5;7)". What a character Joseph had become. Notice that he did not forget what his brothers did to him. What he did forget is the bitterness, the feeling of betrayal and perhaps the desire to get even with his brothers.

Another striking truth that we must not overlook in the life of Joseph is the demonstration of God's sovereignty over man's life and calling. Joseph was born to save Israel from severe famine that could have killed them all. From the moment he was born, God had been with him, ordering every circumstance of his life to fulfill His purpose. Through all the experiences that he went through, God had always been with him. The favor and approvals he received from Potiphar, the prison warden and the Pharaoh were all because God was with him . There was no instance in his life that God abandoned Joseph (Gen. 39:2-6, 21-23;41:37-40).

Every child of God is called for a purpose. No matter what your situation may be today or what you have gone through in the past, remember Joseph and take courage. The future holds the answer why you are going through all the circumstances of your life. Just keep trusting that God in His sovereignty is bringing you to the fulfillment of His master plan which you are a part of.

God bless...

Psalm 1 (NIV)

2007-09-20T20:19:00.000-07:00

Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

New Life

2007-09-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

I was born to a family where Religion and Religiosity are the legacy. My mother had once been a devotee of the Lady of Lourdes. I used to look up to her devotion to the faith and vowed that I would be in her footsteps someday. My sisters and I never failed to join the yearly “Flores de Mayo”, where little girls offer flowers to the Virgin Mother. When I was in my 4^th grade, I became one among the youngest members of the Legion of Mary for that batch. Sunday mass was something that I eagerly looked forward to.

However, despite all those activities and devotions I believed something was not right. Young as I was, I knew something was missing. The confusion whether God was pleased with me or not, or if I was truly a good girl to meet God in heaven had been the questions that kept ringing in my head. I was not sure of the things I thought were good, and every time I did something wrong, guilt was all over me. Fear was the dominant emotion I had those days. I could vividly remember one night when I just cried and cried silently for no apparent reason. There was a deep hunger inside me despite the supposedly normal life I had with my family, intact and faithfully going to church every Sunday. As I was growing up physically and mentally, the turmoil and confusion within was also growing until one day I lost interest in the religious activities I was so accustomed to do. I stopped going to church. I was rebelling inside and anger was eating me up.

During the intervening years, something happened to my mother. I saw her read the Bible which she never attempted to before as far as I could remember. She had changed. She lost interest in the religious things she usually did. She was telling us something I didn’t understand. I knew she was attending a Bible Study in school where she was a teacher, but I did not suspect that could be the reason for the changes I saw in her. One day she vouched the idea of inviting the Pastor who happened to be her relative, to conduct Bible study in our home.

Meanwhile, the vacuum was there, persistently paving its way to put me in the dark. This time it seemed very deep perhaps because of the increasing guilt I felt since I never attended Sunday mass anymore. But one night as I was struggling with emotion, God touched me in a very special way through the song that I so often heard my mother sang. I found myself crying while singing in my heart over and over, absorbing the lyrics for the first time, the song that says:

If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy
Let Jesus come into your heart.

If you want peace, real peace, wonderful peace
Let Jesus come into your heart.

If you want love, real love, wonderful love
Let Jesus come into your heart.

Your sins He’ll wash away;
Your night He’ll turn to day;
Your life He’ll turn it over anew.

I slept soundly that night although I did not fully realize what transpired in me that time. Then the day came when I understood what God did to my heart.

On August 8, 1981 during the Bible Study, my father, two elder brothers, younger sister and I surrendered our lives to God. We all received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. It was the best experience and the happiest moment I ever had in my life and for the whole family. On September 13, 1981, just two days before my 15^th birthday, we all had our water baptism. What a wonderful birthday gift God has given me- a NEW and ETERNAL LIFE.

Since then peace had taken the place of fear. Emptiness became history. My life has never been the same. Everything that I am and now have is all because the Lord of lords and the King of kings lives in me. In Him I live and move and have my being. To God be the glory.

The Lord is My Shepherd

2007-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23 (NIV)

Psalm 139:1-18

2007-08-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tounge
you know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in-behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I made my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say "Surely darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that
full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths
of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts
O, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Where I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of
the sand.

When I awake,
I am still with you.

Baruch Hashem

2007-08-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite songs from the album I AM II. I pray that every believer who stumbles upon this song takes a moment to reflect on its message.

Who am I to be part of your people,
the ones that are called by your name?
Could I be chosen as one of your own?
Could it be that our blood is the same?

How can a stranger, a remnant of nation
belong to the royal line?
You showed your grace when the branches were broken
and I grafted into the vine.

Baruch hashem Adonai
Baruch hashem Adonai
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Baruch hashem Adonai

How could you show me such bountiful mercy
by taking the life of the Lamb?
Your love is greater than I can imagine
I bless You with all that I am.

Praise to you Jesus the veil has been parted
and what once was secret is known.
Now I can cry to you Abba my Father
and praise you as one of your own.

The Internet

2007-08-23T01:35:00.000-07:00

The internet like any other modern day technology, has its two sides- the positive and negative. On the positive, it gives us easy access to information that was not possible some years or decades back. The facility it offers is quite amazing. By just a click on the mouse or a tap on the keyboard, something comes out of the screen from some place unknown. Even my first-grader son learned that by typing the keyword he would be able to see or play with his favorite cartoon characters online, watch trailers of up-coming movies or some personally published videos and images. Research on anything becomes simple. Doing extra income through the internet has also become a trend. Making friends and meeting people who are continents apart become as easy as talking to the person next door. It seems that everybody would love the cyber world called the INTERNET once he becomes familiar with it.

That’s really cool. Yes, but only when used properly and carefully because if good is as real as bad, the internet offers as much bad as there is good. It is one gigantic source of all sorts of negative, destructive, subversive, immoral, wicked, vicious, harmful, hurtful information, photos and images. The description can go on and on.

But how one wants to be influenced is a matter of choice. Moreover, a responsible, mature individual with solid values foundation does not succumb to the evil forces in the cyber world. It is even helpful if the kind of people with positive disposition contribute their lives to the world through the internet to combat the negative. The idea is, evil cannot reign when good is strong enough to ward it off.

For the young, parents must guide and instruct them as to the usefulness or destructiveness of the internet. Laying solid foundations in the child’s mind is the best tool to keep him from becoming a victim of evil forces that come with the internet.