RANDOM THOUGHTS (International Blog)

God Knows Our Names

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:57:00 +0000

God knows the name of each and every person on earth especially His children, or those who accepted His only begotten Son as their Lord and savior. He knows their every moves, each tear that falls from their eyes, each misstep in their lives and all the pains and sorrows they are facing. He knows our fears and loneliness, our dreams and aspirations, our despair and hopelessness. He cries at the saddest moments of our lives and laughs at the glorious moments of our existence. He never gets tired of waiting for each and everyone of us to open the door of our hearts and to invite Him to come in and dine with us. Oh, He is ever so patient, waiting and hoping for the day that the scales from our eyes will be removed and we will see the light. His Son has done His part. He opened the gates of heaven for all men to enter and enjoy eternal life. And the invitation to enter has always been there since the death of Jesus on the cross. His angels collect each and every tear that falls from our eyes and lovingly place them in individual bottles with our names on them. He calls each and every one of us by name. He has numbered all the hairs on our head and has ordained the number of years of our short earthly lives. His angels guard us night and day, admonishing us not to fall by the wayside. In the stillness of the night, when everything is so quiet, you will her a gentle whisper calling you by name. Yes, He knows our names.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Name, Only Begotten Son, Lord and Savior, Tears, Misstep, Pains, Sorrows, Fears, Loneliness, Dreams, Aspirations, Despair, Hopelessness, Saddest Moments, Glorious Moments, Door Of Our Hearts, Patient, Scales, Light, Gates of Heaven, Tears In A Bottle, Stillness of The Night, Gentle Whisper

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

And God Smiled

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Once a little cherubim was looking at God in heaven. God was watching the whole earth and His face was full of sorrow and pain. He was very sad and the angel thought a tear was welling in the eyes of the Lord. The angel decided in his heart to make the Lord happy and bring a smile on His face. The angel swooped down to the earth to search for something that will make the Lord smile. In a medium size church, he heard an outstanding sermon by a pastor and he saw that all the church goers were mesmerized by his Gospel message. They were all clapping so loud because of his earth shaking sermon. The angel decided to scoop the sermon in his tiny hands and brought it to the Lord. When he faced the Lord, he bowed down and opened his tiny hands and the sounds and sights of the earth shattering sermon penetrated the whole heaven . The Lord smiled a little but afterwards He became solemn again. The frustrated angel went back to earth and roamed its four corners to seek what will make the Lord smile. From a little cathedral he saw a huge choir singing a heavenly praise and worship song to the Lord as the whole congregation joined in the mighty song. Surely, this will bring a smile to the Lord, the angel thought. He scooped up the praise and worship song of the choir and hurried up to heaven. Facing the Lord again, he opened his tiny hands and there erupted a mighty song of praise and worship that reverberated throughout heaven. The Lord smiled a little but again returned to His somber expression. The angel became desperate. He roamed the whole earth to and fro in search of what can make the Lord smile. Going back to the first church he came from, he heard a faint cry of anguish and pain. Curious, he swooped down to that church and there at the farthest and darkest corner of the church was a solitary man who was beating his breast and was full of tears. He was crying to God and was asking for forgiveness for all his sins as he bowed down to surrender his entire being to God. Suddenly a flash lighted up in the mind of the angel. He scooped the repentance and surrender of the sinful man and flew straight to heaven. When he opened his tiny hands in front of the Lord, the sob and cries of the repentant sinner reverberated throughout heaven and a wide smile broke out in the face of God as He wipes the tears in His eyes. He embraced the tiny angel as the whole heavenly host erupted in triumphant shouts of joy and singing.

"THERE WILL BE MORE REJOICING IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS THAN OVER NINETY NINE RIGHTEOUS PERSONS WHO DO NOT NEED TO REPENT." (Luke 15:7)

Author Unknown

Note: I heard this story a long time ago and it lingered in the inner recesses of my mind. When the inspiration came from the Lord, I recreated that story to suit the heavenly purpose of God. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, God Smiled, Cherubim, Heaven, Outstanding Sermon, Pastor, Praise and Worship Song, Forgiveness, Repentance, Heavenly Host, Rejoicing In Heaven, Sinner, Born Again, Eternal Life, Amazing Grace, Love, Joy, Peace, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

God Is Crying

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:55:00 +0000

Does God cry? Yes, He does. He did during the death of Lazarus when He saw the multitude of people grieving the death of Lazarus. He was so filled with compassion and mercy, and so He cried. He is still crying today, seeing the magnitude of suffering and pains in the world. But He could only hope that people will see the light and free themselves of those unnecessary pain and suffering. To understand fully how life works, we must fully and intimately know the Creator of life. Let us consider several facts:

1. God is love.
2. God is a God of justice.
3. God created moral, physical and spiritual laws that cannot be circumvented nor disregarded.
4. God demands praise and worship from men through their own free will. He will never force men to worship and obey Him.
5. Man was born in a state of depravity because of the fall of our first parents. Thus, man was doomed to suffer eternal death.
6. Because of God's great love for fallen mankind, He sent His only begotten Son to suffer the penalty for man's sins and regain his original birth right of being born in the image and likeness of God.
7. Thus, Jesus Christ's death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection from the dead afforded man the chance to gain eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior.
8. Because of Jesus triumph on the cross, man was freed from the shackles of Satan and from all his bondages. Thus, if we receive Jesus Christ, we are assured of abundant eternal life.

Now God is crying because man is unnecessarily suffering because of ignorance and self pride. God wants to help man overcome all his sufferings, pains, and burdens by offering that man exchange them all for the joy and abundance of the Lord. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, God Is Crying, Death of Lazarus, Compassion, Mercy, Magnitude of Suffering and Pain, Creator of Life, God is Love, God of Justice, Moral, Physical and Spiritual Laws, Circumvent, Disregard, Praise and Worship, Free Will, Man, State of Depravity, Fall of First Parents, Eternal Death, Only Begotten Son, Penalty For Man's Sins, Original Birth Right, Image and Likeness of God, Death on The Cross, Triumphant Resurrection, Bondages, Abundant and Eternal Life, Ignorance, Self Pride, Joy and Abundance of The Lord, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

My Most Hilarious Experience In My Life

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:30:00 +0000

I was working then as an export manager of a food firm somewhere in Makati City in Southern Metro Manila, Philippines. There were three sister companies in our holding firm owned and managed by a flamboyant Chinese businessman. There were probably a thousand employees of the three companies. We used to have our annual Christmas party where all employees of the three companies attended to enjoy the raffles and the contest that provided fabulous prizes. We had a regular team of participants in our company who rehearsed daily for the contest. But less than a week before the contest, the wife of the owner informed me that we have to form another team for the contest to make it more exciting and merrier. Nobody from our remaining employees wanted to form another team because of the proximity of the contest. In desperation I picked up a stout and jolly assistant and we formed a team to belly dance and do the hula. We practiced everyday almost nonstop. I purchased the wigs, hula dresses and the sexy outfits for our belly dancing. Come the day of the contest, we were made up by our female staff and were shielded from the audience by a large blanket that covered us. We were such a hit that everybody were standing and all rushed in front of the stage, taking pictures and having the best laugh of their lives. The judges loved our act and awarded us first prize. Only after the contest and the party were finished and everybody started teasing us did I feel the embarrassment of it all. Oh what we will do to give others a good laugh.

(Note: I lost all the pictures of that event because of the great flood that inundated our house two years ago.)

Tags: Party, Contest, Christmas Celebration, Gaiety, Company, Makati, Southern Metro Manila, Philippines, Flamboyant, Merry Making, Hula, Belly Dancing, Stout and Jolly, Winner, First Prize, Embarrassment, Teasing, Good Laugh

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Laughter/Funny Event/Hilarity

WIP (Work In Progress)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Do we remember how we were when we were not yet rescued by Jesus Christ from our decadent and evil filled lifestyles? How we sinned on the inside while professing piety and righteousness on the outside? How we enjoyed the orgies of sin in our minds through our fertile imagination? How we indulged in the revelry of sensual pleasures and the pursuit of happiness? How cruel we were to our loved ones, loving only ourselves? But all of that changed when we came to know Jesus Christ and have surrendered our lives to Him. Our dead spirit, steeped in endless sins, was reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we became a new creation in Christ. The battle had only begun then. There were constant struggles as our former selves, steeped in evil habits, tried to reassert itself over our reformed selves. And by the amazing grace of God, we have survived one onslaught after another by the evil one.

How we struggled to keep in step with fellow believers and how we persisted each time we fall to sin, as we were strenthened by the Holy Spirit to keep on going no matter how many times we stumbled. It is not a matter of how many times we fall and get back to our feet again, but it is a matter of finishing the race at all costs. The victor's prize is not crowned on those who started fast on the starting line or on the bend, but on those who finally finished the race however bruised and battered they may be. We must not worry because God is so patient and loving and have given us all the incentives and strength to finish our own individual races. Are we not all WORK IN PROGRESS by the Lord?

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Work In Progress, Decadent And Evil Filled Lifestyle, Piety, Righteousness, Orgies of Sin, Fertile Imagination, Sensual Pleasure, Pursuit of Happiness, Reborn, Power of The Holy Spirit, Constant Struggles, Stumble, Finishing The Race, Victor's Prize, Eternal Life, Love, Joy, Peace, Kingdom of God, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Faith The Dog (A Miracle Dog's Quest For Life)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:49:00 +0000

Meet Faith the dog- a modern miracle worker whose quest for life will shame people who are whiners and cry babies and whose main preoccupation in life is to blame everybody including God for what and who they are. Faith was born two legged and he was cared for by a family who stood by her through thick and thin and who showed her love and affection far beyond what normal people can give to their fellowmen. Watch the video of Faith at Oprah Winfrey Show and simply be amazed. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Tags: Faith, Two Legged Dog, Miracle Worker, Quest For Life, Love, Caring, Patience, Perseverance, Family. Bonding, Joy, Happiness, Fulfillment,

Search For Life's Meaning, Zest For Life, Wonderful World, Alive, Comfort

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

sirational/Motivational/Uplifting

The Greatest Book That Was Ever Written

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:12:00 +0000

We have bestsellers now and then. There are classics, thrillers, mysteries, inspirational, fantasies, science fiction, book of world records, self help books, all kinds of books that became best sellers one time or another. But after some time, they fade away and are forgotten. The greatest book and bestseller of all time is the Bible containing God's words. They were written by more than 40 authors, written in the span of more than 1,600 years. They are an amalgam of individual books compiled together in a single masterpiece. It has been translated into all languages and dialects all over the world. It survived the ravages of time and the assault of the enemies of God. It has words of truth written all over it. And although written by different authors who do not always know each other, their prophecies were fulfilled in subsequent books with uncanny accuracies. Almost all the prophecies written in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the times of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The only prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled are the prophecies concerning the end times or the second coming of Christ. Even with the presence of inconsistencies and doublets in the Old Testament, testament to the different authorship and revisions by different editors, the Bible remains steadfast and true, testament to the infallible influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And God's words are very powerful and effective tools in our walk through life with all the trials and temptations surrounding man. They never change or fade away because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Bible, Word of God, Inerrancy of the Bible, More Than 40 Authors, Written in The Span of Over 1,600 Years, Withstood The Test Of Time, Translated Into All Languages and Dialects Around The World, Accurate Fulfillment of Prophecies, Lamp Unto Our Feet, Light Unto Our Paths, Inspired By The Holy Spirit, Canon, Canonical, Apocryphal, DeuteroCanonical, Old Testament, New Testament, 66 Books, End Times, Second Coming of Christ, Salvation, Grace, Eternal Life

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

No Condemnation

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:50:00 +0000

No Condemnation

Condemnation From Jury of Peers

In our criminal justice system especially in the Philippines and in most third world countries, to be tried, convicted and incarcerated in jails mean a lifetime of shame, ostracism and a second class status among the inhabitants of the country. Ex convicts are looked down upon with fear and derision and they are discriminated upon in most opportunities especially in looking for jobs. They may have been pardoned by the government and society but the stigma of their crimes will forever be indelibly marked in their personalities.

Not so with God. No matter how grievous or abominable our sins maybe, if we accept God's prescription for forgiveness of sins and eternal life, not only are our sins forgiven, they are forever erased in God's reckoning as though we never committed any sin at all. That is the power of God's restoration of our original identity as being created in His image and likeness. The only price we have to pay is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and savior and surrender our lives to Him. We could never attain salvation through individual or corporate acts of good works or self righteousness. Those who do so would only find their way barred from entering God's kingdom. The Father prescribed only one exclusive way, and that is the way of His only begotten Son- Jesus Christ. THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, No Condemnation, Salvation, Grace, Eternal Life, Only Way, Truth, Life, Criminal Justice System, Jury System, Jails, Incarceration, Second Class Status, Discrimination, Stigma, Indelibly Marked, Crimes, Guilt, Justification, Restoration, Lord And Savior, Surrender, Self Righteousness, Love, Peace, Joy

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Dying To One's Self

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:39:00 +0000

To truly reflect the glory of God and to be an effective light of the world and salt of the earth as admonished by the Lord, we have to die to our own worldly self. We have to truly humble ourselves and acknowledge that everything in our lives are truly for the Lord alone. That is total surrender, when we kill any identification to our selfish, worldly and self glorifying self. In other words, we are dead to this world and alive for the Lord alone. And as we continue to walk in the way of the Lord and obey His own will in our lives, then we are opening ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change us from glory to glory until we reach the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus Christ. That is the true yardstick of the real Christian. We die to ourselves and we live for the Lord alone. And in the process, we open ourselves to many trials because the work and purpose of the Lord in our lives must be accomplished so that the characters and virtues God wants to develop in us can reach its full fruition. Such is the transforming power of God to those who have fully surrendered their lives to Him. Peter, who was a sinful fisherman and one who disowned Jesus Christ, was transformed into a bold leader of the fledgling church of God after the death of Jesus Christ. Paul, whose hands bore the blood of Stephen and other Christian martyrs, was transformed by God to become the greatest and boldest propagator of the Gospel of Christ to the gentile world. If we truly love God and if we are truly desirous to please Him, then we must die to ourselves and live for His glory alone. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Dying To Self, Living For God Alone, Dead To This World, Alive in Jesus Christ, Grace, Salvation, Transformation, Glory, Eternal Life, Bliss, Worldly, Peter, Paul, Christian Church, Born Again, Word of God, Gospel of Salvation, Holy Bible, Love, Joy, Peace

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Overwhelmed (The Day The Music Died)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:33:00 +0000

It was a very sad and tragic day for the Philippines and the Filipinos. On September 26, 2009, typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila, Southern and Central Luzon with such magnitude of waters that caused flashfloods and inundated the area with tons of floodwaters up to the rooftops of most houses.

We were also hit by floodwaters in Bocaue, Bulacan. Water was waist deep inside our house and five to six feet in the streets outside. Good thing we transferred to a house with a 2nd floor still remembering our sad experiences with another typhoon and flashflood two years ago where we lost almost half of our hard earned resources. We were marooned at the 2nd floor of our house and was without power for two days. Only when we got our power back that we learned about the devastation brought about by typhoon Ondoy to our countrymen in Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan and Pampanga.

The devastation, death and destruction were so overwhelming that I could not help but cry when I saw the video footages of it all. Ondoy was no respecter of persons. Both rich and poor, young and old, male and female suffered the brunt of that typhoon. Scenes of people crying atop their rooftops shivering in cold and darkness, of people trying to wade through chest deep rampaging waters, of the heroic deeds of soldiers and volunteers who helped saved the stranded victims even at the cost of their own lives.

My losses were minimal compared to those who lost everything including their very lives. Ah, how I remembered when two years ago my family and I fought our way against similar raging waters to seek refuge to a neighbor's house with two floors as we abandoned our one storey house to the mercy of the elements. But the Filipino spirit is undaunted. The resiliency of the Filipino people was there. Tons of donations started pouring in and thousands of volunteers offered help to the victims. Tons of dirt, wreckages, debris, dead people and muddied vehicles littered the streets. It was a cathartic experience for the Filipinos. God showed the dirt and filth of the collective soul of Filipinos as typhoon Ondoy showed and washed away the collective morass of filth and dirt. And we can only hope for a better future where Filipinos will be united and help their brother Filipinos to rise above their woes.

Tags: Philippines, Filipinos, Typhoon Ondoy, Flashfloods, Floodwaters, Devastation, Death, Suffering, Hunger, Deprivation, Catharsis, Soldiers, Victims, Volunteers, Donations, Magnitude of Destruction, Calamity, Drama, Lives and Properties, Resiliency, Hope, Filipinos Unite

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Current Events/Drama

He Departed In Ignominy, He Will Return In Full Glory

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Jesus Christ was humbled all throughout His life as He became obedient to the will of the Father to save perishing humanity. He waived His godly powers and became like man, born of a virgin in a manger together with animals and was visited by shepherds. All throughout His life, He practiced humility and obedience to His Father's will. And when the time came to sacrifice His very life to save perishing humanity, He gladly accepted His cup of suffering from the hands of His Father. He suffered insults, terrible beatings, curses, betrayal from His most trusted allies and an excruciating death on the cross. He suffered death by the most humiliating and dishonorable way devised by the bloodthirsty Romans- an agonizing, slow death on the cross, insulted and pilloried by all who witnessed His total humiliation. And when He uttered the words "it is finished," His whole work of redemption for all eternity was completed.

But Jesus Christ, who was resurrected from the dead on the third day and ascended to heaven on the fortieth day after His death, will one day return to earth. It will be a totally different setting. He will come in full transcendental glory and will be announced by the trumpets of the angels in the four corners of the earth. All mankind will be spellbound by the sheer glory and magnificence of the returning Jesus Christ, who will come not as a humble servant, but as a conquering hero and Almighty God. All knees will then bow down before His very presence in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Even the demons and their cohorts will be subjected by the mighty swords of the archangels to kneel down before the King of kings and Lord of lords. Then all the inhabitants of the earth, both living and dead, will be judged by Him who have triumphed over the cross.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Ignominy, Full Glory, Second Coming, Self Emptying, Kenosis, Gospel, Salvation, Grace, Eternal Life, Love, Joy, Peace, Born Again, Conquering Hero, King of kings, Lord of lords, Eternal Bliss, New Jerusalem, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

T C S (Testing, Compassion, Surrender)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:51:00 +0000

1. Testing- Our God is a God of testings. He does not want blind followers. He wants people to obey Him from their own free will. He tested our first parents and they failed His test miserably. He tested Abraham with a promise and when Abraham believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. He tested Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel and even the disciples of Jesus. He tests all Christians for their faithfulness to Him and rewards them who pass the test.

2. Compassion- Our God is a very compassionate God. Because of His great love for mankind, He devised a plan to redeem fallen mankind from their own destruction and eternal death. Jesus died on the cross as a ransom for those who will accept Him as Lord and savior thus, gaining for themselves eternal life. Jesus had compassion for the people during His brief sojourn on earth, that is why He healed the sick who approached Him and fed a multitude of people. And even when He was dying on the cross, He was praying for His persecutors because they did not know what they were doing.

3. Surrender- Our response should be- total surrender to the Lord. Our God is a jealous God who will never countenance a rival king on our pedestals. He wants total love, obedience and surrender of the will of all His children to His divine will. And in return, He promises countless blessings and grace fro those who will obey His will. REMEMBER, OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WILL RESULTS TO BLESSINGS AND DISOBEDIENCE TO HIS WILL RESULTS TO CURSES FROM GOD.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Testing, Compassion, Surrender, Will of God, Human Will, Free Will, Obedience, Disobedience, Blessings, Grace, Eternal Life, Curses, Destruction, Eternal Death, Word of God, Bible, Glory, Love, Joy, Peace

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Do You Eat Dinuguan? (Pork Innards Cooked In Pork Blood)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:15:00 +0000

Do you eat dinuguan (pork innards cooked in pork blood)? It is so delicious especially with puto (rice cake). I used to love eating dinuguan in my younger days. I remember ordering dinuguan and puto from Goldilocks (a local delicatessen). But when I became a born again Christian in November 2000 and have studied the Bible thoroughly, I stopped eating dinuguan. It was expressly and clearly forbidden by God in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy to eat the blood of any living thing for the life is in the blood and God considered it sacred. We were asked once by my teaching pastor in our discipleship training whether we eat dinuguan. I answered vehemently in the negative. He was clearly upset by my answer and debated me vigorously on the issue. Perhaps I thought, he eats dinuguan and he wanted to prove that eating it was justified by God. He cited to me the verse where God declared all edible animals, clean and unclean, could already be eaten. I told him that animal blood was never considered as food and the prohibition still stood. I even told him that all viruses and bacteria that any slaughtered animal may be carrying are in the blood and may be transmitted to those who will eat it. (Certain viruses and bacteria withstand the heat of cooking and can still harm those who will eat the blood of the cooked animal). We ended our debate with the pastor clearly upset and agitated by my bold pronouncement and after that I was the object of his displeasure and indifference.

Lately, as I continued my thorough study of the Bible, my attention was caught by the ruling of the Council of Elders in Jerusalem in the time of Paul and Silas after the death of Jesus Christ. The council, counting James- the brother of Jesus, Peter and the other apostles, made this ruling for all Christians in the places visited by Paul and Silas. "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality" (Acts 15:29). Ah, I feel vindicated after so many years.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Word of God, Holy Bible, Dinuguan, Blood, Pork Innards Cooked In Pig's Blood, Puto, Rice Cake, Biblical Prohibition, Goldilocks, Delicatessen, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Food, Old Testament, New Testament

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Inspirational/Motivational

Testings

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:22:00 +0000

God is a God of testing. He tests those He wants to become His children and followers. We all undergo such testings from God. Our first parents were tested in Eden and they failed God's testing miserably. They were duped and deceived by the evil one who twisted God's words to make an enticing and tempting proposition to them. God warned them that if they eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and Evil, they will die. The evil one twisted God's words and assured them that they will not die but instead their eyes will be opened to the knowledge of good and evil and be like God themselves. They ate the fruit. Immediately their eyes were opened and they realized that they were naked and felt shame. But at the same time, God's words were accomplished in them. When they ate the forbidden fruit, their spirits, which were their direct link in fellowshipping with God, died and they lost their original birthright of being created in the image and likeness of God. It took God's great love and the sacrifice of the life of Jesus Christ to atone for man's sins and regained for mankind its lost birthright of being created in the image and likeness of God.

God tested all His beloved followers including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Isaiah, Daniel and even the disciples of Jesus. God is always testing us by permitting us to undergo predestined trials to see whether we will remain faithful to God by clinging to His promises to overcome such trials. If you are undergoing severe trials and carrying heavy burdens right now, take heart and be glad because God is putting you to the test. After you have overcome the test, God's blessings, strength and power will be bestowed upon you. If we are tested, that means God loves us so much He does not want to lose us.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Testing, Trial, Amazing Grace, God's Words, God's Promises, Deliverance, Blessings, Faithfulness, Persistence, Patience, Trust, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Power, Strength, Restoration

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

BFF (Best Friend Forever)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:15:00 +0000

True friendship is sweeter than honey. It is more lasting than one's fondest memories. True friends are indeed very rare like a perfect diamond. Have we remembered the friends we had since childhood? They were our playmates, our companions in our adventures through life. And when we grew older, true friends became our confidante, our immovable strength in times of troubles, the ever present shoulder we could lean and cry on. We cannot go on through life without the presence of our true friends who encouraged us in every new venture we seek in life, in every uncertain portals we were about to enter, and in every relationship we were about to enter. Theirs were the words of wisdom, love and caring that never fail to appease us in our moments of trials.

I had my own shares of friends in my life. They came and had gone as I traversed my own paths in life. But their memories lingered on. In my life, I have always been a drifter. I had moved from place to place, from one work to another. And whenever I closed a chapter in my life, it left a bittersweet memory in my soul. My wife has been my best friend forever. Through thick and thin, we held on to each other, braving the storms that came our way. But now she is in the US to work for our family. And I was left alone lonely and desolate. I know we have to make that sacrifice for our children's future. I have to be the father and mother of our children. And as I feel the pangs of death beckoning to me, I realized that I have a truly and constant best friend forever in my whole life who was always there for me through thick and thin, and through the lowest moments of my life. His name? JESUS CHRIST.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, BFF, Best Friend Forever, True Friendship, Inspiration, Encourager, Strength, Morale Booster, Constant Companion, Sympathizer, Fondest Memories, Childhood Playmates, Ego Booster, Loyal, Faithful, Generous, Patient, Loving, Caring, Thoughtful, Sincere

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Inspirational/Motivational

Give Your Very Best To God

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Give your very best to God, no more no less. That is acknowledging that everything comes from Him and we are only the steward of the blessings He bestows upon us. We say we believe in God, but oftentimes, we stop there. Many times we acknowledge God only in times of extreme trouble or in deep moments of sorrow where we often blame Him for the disaster that overtook us which was the result of our own mismanagement of His infinite love and resources. We treat God as a spare tire, there at the farthest end of our life where we remember Him only in times of life's "flat tires." We have to know God intimately to have a right relationship with Him. Yes, God is love, that is His very nature. But God is also just. He will never ever let a sin or transgression go unpunished either by the person who committed it or by vicarious atonement that was already accomplished by the death on the cross of His only begotten Son. The only price we have to pay for the remission of our sins is to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior and surrender our lives to Him. There is another trait of God that people seldom remembers. He is a jealous God. He will never ever tolerate any false god or idol that will stand in the way of our undivided worship and service to God.

So we offer our very best to God not only in terms of tithes and offerings but most of all, our undivided love, worship and service to Him. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Best, Steward, Blessings, Mismanagement, Resources, Infinite Love, Flat Tires, Just, Vicarious Atonement, Lord And Savior,

Jealous, Undivided Love, Glory

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Please Pray For John of Sailor's Adventures And Opinions

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:36:00 +0000

To all my readers and friends, please pray for the husband of Rose Cotrill of Rose's Obstacles and Glories who suffered a heart attack just recently. Let us all pray for his speedy recovery and complete healing. Our prayers can do a lot of help for his complete healing. Thank you all. God bless us all. I am reposting here the article of Rose requesting for prayers.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

"Heart Attack"

After we ate breakfast today, my husband decided to check out our mail at the post office with our kids while I was busy filing our papers. When they came back, he decided to wash the car and drove the kids to the car wash inside the base. After that, when he came home he said "Please get the kids at the car hon, I think I am having a heart attack!" He was walking like he was gonna fall. I froze, "should I get the kids or assist my husband?" But it was so hot outside so I ran out to the car and get our kids. When we came back inside the house, he was talking to the doctor and he did not look too good. He went to the hospital inside the base to meet the doctor. I am scared to death in here waiting for him. I called after 30 minutes or so, no answer, I called again after an hour, still no answer. So I decided to go in the hospital and check on him but he wasn't there. Can you imagine how terrified I am? My knees are shaking and my heart is thumping so hard. When I came back home, the doctor left me a message, so I called back. He said that my husband is in Samsung Hospital (out of town hospital). He said that my husband is still in a lot of pain but a little bit better. He will be having a CT scan and find out what is happening to him. I am asking your sincere prayer, please help me pray for my husband... I won't be able to take this if something happen to him. Lord, I know that You are there always when we need You! Please don't let anything bad happen to my husband. Not him please?! I trust in you Lord!

God Will Make A Way (Where There Seems To Be No Way)

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:36:00 +0000

The song of Don Moen goes like this, "God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me." And that is the absolute truth. For those who put their wholehearted trust in God, they always find out that however grim and hopeless the situation maybe, God always makes a way for them. Many times, it harbors to the unbelievable or impossible circumstances that people can never attribute to mere chance. God works in dramatic ways. He will let us reach the end of the line, the edge of the cliff before He will rescue us in His eagle's wings and fly us to the stratospheric safety of the rarefied air above the storms of our lives. Those who trust in God more than they trust themselves or any human being, are rewarded by the Lord with His incomparable graces and blessings. It does not matter that we do not deserve such great rewards. And God is so generous to those who really please Him, who give glory to His name. They are assured of everlasting protection and divine providence from God. You feel you are in a deep rut in your life and you have nowhere else to go? Trust God. He will always make a way for you even where there seems to be no way. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Tags: God , Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, God Will Make A Way, Trust, Faith, Living Faith, Joy, Love, Divine Providence, Protection, Rarefied Air, Eagle's Wings, Wonderful World, Life, Word of God, Live To Please God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Your Spiritual Power Is As Strong As Your Regular Prayer Life

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Angel On Our Shoulder

Even Dogs Can Pray

Yes, that is true. You may think that you are a righteous person with strong spiritual powers, but if you neglect your regular prayer life, you will lose all that spiritual power and become spiritually weak. You can never remain spiritually strong if you neglect your active prayer life. There is a direct correlation between the two. Remember, Jesus Christ never neglected communing with His Father at all times especially in the wee hours of the morning where He seeked His Father in a very special private place like a mountain or a garden. A Christian cannot grow strong in His faith if he fails to pray everyday and read and meditate the word of God daily. These are the two spiritual exercises he must maintain on a regular basis so that he can be continually transformed by the Holy Spirit from glory to glory until he reaches the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus Christ. Remember, as Christians, we have been tasked by God to become the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We have been designated as ambassadors of Christ through the ministry of reconciliation. God wants to reconcile with the world through the death of Jesus Christ so that everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and savior may have eternal life. We have seen the resurgence of the Christian community in South Korea because of their propensity to pray regularly. They even adopted prayer mountains and dawn watches to regularly pray and seek God's intimacy in their lives. Remember, to maintain our regular spiritual power, pray always. IT WORKS.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Spiritual Power, Prayer Life, Righteousness, Holiness, Intimacy With God, Communing With God, Christian, Transformation, Light of The World, Salt of The Earth, Ambassadors of Christ, Ministry of Reconciliation, Lord and Savior, Eternal Life, Resurgence, Christian Community, South Korea, Prayer Mountains, Dawn Watches, Peace, Joy, Love, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Homeward Bound

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Did you ever had that feeling of suddenly finding yourself going home to your family after so much time away from them in a foreign country? How much you suddenly missed your children and your spouse? How much you wished you could hug them and kiss them and tell them how much you missed them? How much you could almost literally sing and laugh at your seat in an airplane as it traveled back to your home country? You are homeward bound and nothing else can describe your feeling of sheer joy and exhilaration as you recall to your mind the joyous moments you had with your family and eagerly anticipate your eventual reunion.

That is my feeling right now. I wish I am already homeward bound. Despite all the problems, frustrations, physical, mental and emotional pains in my life, I can't help but focus on my homeward journey to my eventual reunion with my Lord and with all my Christian brothers and sisters who have gone home before me. I don't care if I die of diabetes, hypertension, scoliosis, acute hernia, prostate gland problem or overgrowth of the thyroid gland. Nothing seems to bother me since my God has always been my constant companion faithfully supplying my every need. I am reminded of that praise song- You're More Than Enough For Me. "So blessed, I can't contain it. So much I have to give it away. Your love taught me to live now. You are more than enough for me." My heart is bursting with pure joy and ecstasy because of God's presence in my life and I am eagerly anticipating our eventual reunion after so many years of my forlorn sojourn here in this transit point of my life. I wish I could be homeward bound soon.

Homeward Bound - Simon and Garfunkel

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Homeward Bound, Heaven, Joy, Love, Peace, Bliss, Reunion, Exhilaration, Happiness, Excitement, No More Pain, No More Sorrows, No More Problems, No More Heartaches, No More Trials, No More Betrayals, No More Loneliness, No More Temptations, No More Sin, Leaving The World

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational

Grace

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:17:00 +0000

One thing that differentiates Christianity from all religions in the world is the idea of grace. And what is grace? Simply put, grace is unmerited favor bestowed by a magnanimous God to undeserving recipients. Grace is never dependent on the status of the recipient but on his willingness to accept grace and surrender himself to God. Thus, we will never be saved by our own meritorious good works alone. And this grace is bestowed to all individuals who will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Thus, salvation is a grace from God. I never would have fully understood this word if I have not tasted and experienced it in my own life. Salvation through the acceptance of Jesus Christ was easy enough. But transformation, whereby we are transformed from glory to glory until we reach the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus Christ is not. Thus, we need the grace of God to achieve it. Totally abandoning our former lives of indulgence in pleasure and sinful living is almost impossible without the grace of God. Thus we see former sinners turning into veritable saints because of God's grace. I myself live by the grace of God alone. I would have been dead a long time ago, but by the grace of God I am still alive to give glory to His name. Thus, I wake up each morning thanking God for the grace of life. And the more I experience His divine grace in my life, the more I am humbled and amazed. Now, I just live to please God and give glory to His name. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Grace, Salvation, Eternal Life, Heaven, Joy, Love, Peace, Transformation, Glory, Kingdom of God, Man, Life, Experience, World, Depravity, Lost, Hope, Faith, Cross, Calvary, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Inspirational/Spiritual/Motivational

Simplify Your Life- The Key To Lasting Contentment

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:46:00 +0000

Unfulfilled desires make us frustrated and unhappy. When we desire anything, we come up with complex plans to attain the goals of our desires. Thus, our lives become complicated. And the more complicated our lives become, the more disappointment and frustrations will set in when we fail to achieve the goals of our desires. THE SOLUTION? SIMPLIFY OUR LIVES AND FORGO ANY DESIRE EXCEPT THE DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD AND GIVE GLORY TO HIS NAME. The Bible says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1a). It is not wrong to plan and dream but be sure that our plans and dreams are in the will of God. If we surrender our lives to Him, then we cease to desire things for ourselves and become content with what God will ordain for us. The key here is living a simple life free from complications and grandiose designs that do not correspond to the will of God. Many people have delusions of grandeur. They think so highly of themselves that sometimes they become arrogant and ruthless. Too much ambition kills the virtues inherent in the soul. Thus, one lives by the norm of dog eats dog as their motivation in life. He lives by the worldly appetite for pleasure seeking and the pursuit of happiness. Success may be obtained but at what price? The eventual loss of one's soul and one's direct communication with God. Better be content with what God will provide for us through sheer hard work but for His glory alone. SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND ALIGN IT WITH GOD'S WILL AND YOU WILL FIND CONTENTMENT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Simplify Your Life, Key To Lasting Contentment, Unfulfilled Desires, Frustrations, Unhappy, Goals, Desire To Please God, Give Glory To God's Name, Delusions of Grandeur, Ambition, Arrogance, Ruthlessness, Dog Eats Dog, Pursuit of Happiness

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Inspirational/Motivational

Would You Exchange The Hereinafter For The Here And Now?

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:28:00 +0000

When we were kids, we asked so many trivial things from our parents which they sometimes gave but most of the time, they focused more on the more important and lasting needs of their children. They prepared their children for a better future by sending them to the best schools and nurturing them to the more important and valuable lessons in life. If our parents have treated us this way, how much more will our heavenly Father ordain nothing but the best for His children. But people are preoccupied with the here and now than the more important and eternal hereinafter. Many Christians are also guilty of this. They focus more on their own personal needs and relationships and bombard God with all kinds of petitions for the trinkets of life. But God is never the Father to pamper and spoil His children with things that will destroy their very souls later on. He will never ever sacrifice the eternal for the temporal, the heavenly for the earthly pleasures most men ardently seek after. God looks from a different perspective which is centered on the needs of the soul than the wants of the body. He willingly let His children suffer temporary discomfort and trials so that the temporal will be replaced by the eternal characters in them. Like a good Father, He knows what is best for His children and gives only what is valuable for their spiritual development. Let us not exchange the hereinafter for the here and now but instead cooperate with God to unfold our long hidden eternal virtues. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

"Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Hereinafter, Here And Now, Eternal, Temporal, Destruction, Eternal Life, Mundane, Heavenly, Spiritual, Wordly, Children, Petitions, Prayer, Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Inspirational/Spiritual/Motivational

There Is Always Light At The End Of Every Dark Tunnel

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Are you experiencing a mountain load of problems that seems to push you down to your knees? Is light so elusive as you pass through that dark tunnel of your energy sapping trial? Are friends nowhere to be found in your moments of anguish? Has the thought of ending your life always passes through your mind? Banish these negative thoughts and concentrate on God's wonderful promises to bring you comfort and joy in your moments of misery. You are experiencing the passage through the dark tunnel of your soul. You are traversing that desert plain that makes your tongue parched from spiritual water and nourishment. Like the ancient Israelites, you must wander through the desert of fear, uncertainties and testings before you reach the Promise Land of deliverance and abundance. It is really sickening and debilitating if you are experiencing this inevitable episode in every Christian life. We are passing through the Refiner's fire to burn all the dross materials in our soul. The experience is really painful and very agonizing but it does not last very long. As soon as we learned the lesson we have to learn and develop the Christlike character God wants us to develop, then we will experience God's mighty deliverance and showers of blessings. So if you are in a dark tunnel right now, take heart, trust God and soon you will see the first light of the glorious day of deliverance.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1Corinthians 2:9)

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Light, Tunnel, World, Man, Experience, Trials, Desert Experience, Deliverance, Promise Land, Israelites, Christian, God's Promises, Testings, Faith, Hope, Joy, Peace, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Inspirational/Spiritual/Motivational

Stigmata- Miracle or Fraud?

melavilaalarilla@gmail.com (Mel Avila Alarilla) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:14:00 +0000

Stigmata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stigmata are bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus. The term originates from the line at the end of Saint Paul's Letter to the Galatians where he says, "I bear on my body the stígmata of Jesus" - stigmata is the plural of the Greek word στίγμα, stígma, a mark or brand such as might have been used for identification of an animal or slave. An individual bearing stigmata is referred to as a stigmatic.

The causes of stigmata may vary from case to case, though supernatural causes have never been proven. Stigmata are primarily associated with the Roman Catholic faith. Many reported stigmatics are members of Catholic religious orders. The majority of reported stigmatics are female. ^[1]

The first well-documented case and the first to be accepted by Church authorities as authentic, was that of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), who first experienced stigmata in La Verna, Italy, in 1224.^[2]

In the century after the death of St. Francis, more than 20 additional cases of stigmata were reported. Stigmata have continued to be reported since, with over 300 cases by the end of the 19th century.^[1]^[3]

In the 20th century, the number of cases increased dramatically; over 500 cases have now been recorded. In modern times, increasing numbers of ordinary people as opposed to the usual mystics or members of religious orders, have began to report stigmata. Although rarer, cases have been reported among non-Catholic Christians,^[4] including a young black Baptist girl.^{[citation needed]}

The first written record of a woman to have received stigmata is in the Medieval Codex Iuliacensis, circa 1320–1350, reporting the stigmata of Blessed Christina von Stommeln (d. 1312), whose relics rest in the Propsteikirche in Jülich, near Aachen.^[5] It is claimed that one can still see marks from the crown of thorns on Bl. Christina's skull, which is publicly displayed during the octave beginning every 6 November in Jülich.

[edit] Description

Cases of stigmata take various forms. Many show some or all of the five Holy Wounds that were, according to the Bible, inflicted on Jesus during his crucifixion: wounds in the wrists and feet, from nails, and in the side, from a lance. Some stigmatics display wounds to the forehead similar to those caused by the crown of thorns. Other reported forms include tears of blood or sweating blood, wounds to the back as from scourging, or wounds to the shoulder as from bearing the cross. In addition, in some cases lashes on the back can be witnessed.

Some stigmatics claim to feel the pain of wounds with no external marks; these are referred to as invisible stigmata. In other claims, stigmata are accompanied by extreme pain. Some stigmatics' wounds do not appear to clot, and stay fresh and uninfected. The blood from the wounds is said, in some cases, to have a pleasant, perfumed odor, known as the Odour of Sanctity.

Individuals who have obtained the stigmata are many times described as ecstatics. At the time of receiving the stigmata they often have a mystical experience or a vision of Christ. In more recent times an individual’s stigmata is reported to heal within a few hours of its reception. Blood pours from the individual’s wounds for unspecified amounts of time and suddenly dries up, and the wound is healed. Some individuals with stigmata in the past sought medical attention, but neither remedies nor medical treatment of any other sort could cure their wounds. Stigmatics, such as St. Francis were affected by the stigmata for an extended period of time; however, the wounds never rotted or possessed a rank odor or became infected^[6]. Reported stigmatics are usually devout Roman Catholics. The wounded area is most likely to heal in less than 2 hours leaving no mark or trace of a wound.

[edit] Famous stigmatics

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Stigmata, Crucifixion, Stigmatics, Church, Faith, Hope, Man, Wounds, Belief

Sourced From: WIKIPEDIA
Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Mystery