The SolidRock

Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:12:26 PST

Christian greetings everyone! I miss you all. Please accept my apology for not giving you an update lately. I've been busy working on my new site and also helping our community foundation. If you want to know more about it please visit http://ardyology.ibaan.net. Thanks and God bless you all!

Love,

Ardy

Site Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:16:36 PST

Shalom everyone!

I just noticed recently that my blog's background music is not working properly so I checked on it and found out that the server host for my mp3 is currently down. So I guess I have to look for a new one. Also I'm trying to update things here since I've been out for a couple of months and I'll try to catch on those things you've posted that I missed so I'll be updated. I'll keep you posted once I'm done with this.

Thanks and God bless you all.

Ardy

Hebrew Thinking...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:05 PST

Shalom Achem!

I just finished listening to my Biblical Hebrew fundamentals and again I praise God for the knowledge to understand how beautiful things are if only we know how to decipher things in such a way He pictured them for us right from the very beginning. In my lesson I realized that truly this world is going far away from what God has ruled to us back from the days of Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah etc. From the way we perceive things to the way we interpret and deliver them is really different from what they are supposed to be. Today, I have dealt with Greek thought versus Hebrew thought in which our present time is under the first one. I have discovered the differences between those two languages that set the way to what this world is dealing right now. Allow me friends to sum up what I’ve learned today but let me just remind you that I might fail to give some illustrations but you can send me your comments so we can clarify whatever bothers you about what you are about to read now.

In Greek thought it is classified as abstract thinking such as love, peace, happiness etc. Also on this kind of thinking, it has no substance or evidence. We are currently on this kind of thinking which lead us to be linear in terms of time which means that there’s no place for restoration and just focusing on moving forward. It’s close to clinging on evolutionary concepts which obviously the reason behind abrupt innovation of technology resulting to inductive or deductive reasoning or the so called “either-or thinking”. Also, it is a one-sided thinking like what this generation was taught. For example, when you are debating with someone, all you just wanted is to prove that that person’s stand is wrong and by proving that person wrong you justify your stand as the right one when in fact you didn’t even qualify your point and you just nullify the other’s point.We were taught to think that way that most of the time we hardly find out what our bible is saying to us. We always tend to think out of the box when in fact we just need to look back to what God had pictured things for us.

While in Hebrew thought it is more on a concrete thinking. Everything corresponds to something that we can just see right before our very eyes for God made things in the way that we can relate to them. Also, this thinking is cyclical that it does not evolve but just giving presumptions to what had taken effect from the past, there’s nothing new but just true. And what’s interesting about this thinking is that it is an action-oriented thinking which means people don’t emphasize on the form but rather on the function. That’s the reason why in this language verb comes first before the noun. Here in Hebrew thinking it’s taking both sides and it is even capable of teaching more than one thing in just a verse.

See the difference now? Isn’t that great if we will all learn how to have the mind of the Messiah? a thinking that reacts to everybody in a concrete manner? We are living in a fast phase generation where everything is easily forgotten and eventually replaced. However, the One who created us is still the One who will judge us in the end even if He revealed already the end to us right out from the very beginning. He is still the same and will always be the same God mentioned in the bible. The more we think of our future the far we’re making a distance from Him. Brethren, I hope we will find ourselves one day not thinking out of the box but rather engaged ourselves to Hebrew thinking which is far more biblical.

Shalom Aleichem!

Biblical Hebrew Fundamentals

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:55:23 PST

Shalom everyone!

I've been trying to review my first few sessions in learning the Biblical Hebrew and I stumbled upon my notes and noticed once again the enlightenment of this language that keeps me going. So I would like to share my notes to you brethren, just bear with the way I presented it. Hope you will be blessed!

Biblical Hebrew Fundamentals

Agra-Bio Linguistics -words in the Bible are revealed in agriculture and biology, God's signature on His creation. Since we can't see the unseen, God revealed them through words.

There's nothing new in the New Testament it's just true.

Deut 12:32

Isaiah 46:10 God declares the end right out of the beginning

Most believers nowadays claim that:

The beginning was irrelevant, we don't need those things anymore, we are children of the New Testament, we don't need those Old Testament Jewish Torah stuff.

However:

Everything is in the very beginning. The enemies' desire is to keep man from the beginning because God already laid their end right from the very beginning to which they now try to corrupt and pervert.

Psalm Chapter 19

Every word in the bible starting from Genesis to Revelation is found in its meaning embedded in agriculture and biology because God knew from the very beginning that man can relate to those things. His love manifests in putting things that we naturally see all the time so we would have no excuse. God put the meaning in our bodies because He created us and He knew that most everybody in the planet has a body. How smart God is!

God sovereignly chooses all the words and revelations to begin with the letter Bet, the very first letter of the scripture (taken from Bereshit meaning "in the beginning") because Hebrew letter Bet represents the house. God begins with a house because He knows everybody can relate to a house.

Most of our culture is so far-removed from the simple natural creation that meant everything from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah and so forth. We are living in a systematic theology that we think so abstract that we almost failed to see the concrete meaning of such a word which was embedded from the very beginning of creation.

God is going to restore all these simple things in the latter days. When you understand just the basic fundamentals of this beautiful language, then you’re going to see beautiful treasures in the text like you have never seen before. You’re going to see stuffs that come out from the ground that you would never see in Greek or English or even Aramaic.

Hebrews 11:1

Learning Hebrew will dramatically change the way you see the scripture.

“Cling to your roots that your days maybe long and they will prosper in everything you set your hand to do.”

Romans 1:20 Man is without excuse for God revealed things from the very beginning.

The most imperative title of God is really not God, or Yahweh or Jehovah and so forth...it's Papa, it's Abba, it's Father. Why? Because that's the one that everybody on this planet can relate to. It is very important that fathers will be Godly righteous men and fathers because to the most children that's the image that they see of that Father for that Father is unseen.

Common examples of Hebrew:

1. Apostle- to send out. Greek word "apostolos", Hebrew word "shalach" meaning "shoots of a plant".

Significance of apostle to shoots of a plant:

Because according to the laws of like time, if there is only one good seed from the beginning (Gal 3:16), we are Abraham's seed not seeds of many, but one seed and that is the Messiah. There are two seeds in the beginning, the seed of a woman and the seed of the serpent but there's only one good seed in the beginning and that seed always multiply after like time. Remember the first commandment given to man, animals and plants which is "Go, ye forth and multiply".

Then if it’s true that there is only one good seed from the beginning, then we produce same fruit in the end. In other words, the fruit of the message of the apostle (shoots of a plant) will be the same message as seed. The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11).

2. Grace- Greek word "charis", Hebrew word "chanah" which means "pitch a tent with".

Another thing that is so familiar to the Hebrews. In Hebrew thinking, when you pitch with someone's tent then your lives become their lives, your things become their things, there's one head with one tent and everybody is under the same headship.

3. Faith- Greek word "pistis", Hebrew word "aman" which means drive a stake to support a tent" also Hebrew word for "nursing".

Again this has to do with building tent directly related to the concept of pitching a tent. So when Paul said "For by grace ye are saved through faith.(Eph 2:8)", he is drawing us a wonderful picture, a very familiar picture to the Hebrew people of what grace and faith are in which they are driving that stake or nail to the ground to support the tent.

4. Law- Greek word "nomos", closest Hebrew word "Torah", root word "yarah" which means "cast forth fruit/rain".

In our culture this is an ugly word and a very negative term. The concept of the law is chasing you whenever you fail to follow rules, simply like the law is coming after you so you are afraid of this law. But in the scripture it's a very beautiful word.

So when you say the rain comes forth from the clouds and flows to the ground watering all the plants, then the rain coming out from the clouds is to bless us. See the torah in the scripture blesses you when you obey it and curses you when you do not. It's never been design to save you from the very beginning. Torah is not design to save you. The blood of the Lamb saves you. From day one it's always been the blood of the Lamb or the blood of the sacrifice that delivers man. So when you use torah to something that it’s not design to do then you are cursed. That's why Paul called it "the curse of the law", curse of the law is trying to use the law to save you, lo! The law blesses you when you keep it and curses you when you don't. It's only the blood of the Lamb that can save you.

Now that's the difference of the creation from us. The creation receives it naturally. It's only people like us, human beings that when God reveals His precious torah to us we can choose to say "NO! I don't want it." That's the major difference between a man and a daffodil. Daffodils worship God instinctively and they worship Him and produce daffodils because by nature they are daffodils. That's why they produce the flower and the fruit of the daffodil like the orange tree that bears the fruit of an orange because it is an orange. Simply they don't have a choice. But you and I are given choice, so if we were new creation in the Messiah then we ought to be producing the fruit of God because before we were new creation we were producing our own fruit, or the fruit of our religion or the fruit our organization or the fruit of our own belief or whatever that may be. Once again the most important principle in the scripture is the principle of the seed.

5. Inherit/heir- Greek word "keronomos", Greek word "nachal" which means river, stream.

In Hebrew the idea of inheritance is the river or stream. If you don't know what that means, I suggest you go out and find a river and drink downstream from a herd of cows and you'll get a real graphic picture of what it means to inherit.

Back to Archaic Hebrew Era

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:23:01 PST

Shalom!

I know you miss hearing updates from me, well, by the grace of God I'm still doing good. I like to spend my time working on my desire to learn the Biblical Hebrew. Yes, you read it right! I am currently studying Biblical Hebrew and it's all free of charge (thanks to www.allthingshebrew.com and Mr. Francois to guide me through this)! Praise God! I am actually thinking what made me decide to learn such a thing when in fact that language is a bit obsolete nowadays (not to mention, none of my family, relatives, friends or even brethren knows Hebrew). However, it's the curiosity that drags me deeper to fall in love with this beautiful language plus the fact that it is the oldest language and the language to where the Bible was originally written. How cool is that to read the words to which God exactly uttered during the Old Testament?

But of course, let me set things straight first. I am a King James Authorized version 1611 lover! I don't care if many theologians or bible scholars are battling over the authenticity of the holy book, whether it is a version or a translation, I still say "pure God's word preserved in KJV1611 Bible". I know most of you might think that nothing compares to the original, which is actually the standard of the world(eventhough nobody has the original bible). However, God's standard is way higher than us, He is so wise that we cannot comprehend His ways and His thoughts. Just keep things simple and let the Holy Spirit lead you as you read your Bible. I would like to share this link if you still have some questions about why we should stick to the KJV1611, http://www.av1611.org/kjv/fight.html.

As I was saying, knowing that I already have KJV Bible in me, you might be then asking why do I still need to learn Biblical Hebrew? Yes, I'm not a Jew and I no longer live during the Old Testament, I am currently in the age of grace and it might be a waste of time to some of you knowing these facts. However, I have this stubborn trait in me that I don't really rely on facts which are mostly based on science(counterpart of faith). I simply live with the possibilities(things that are hope for which is of faith). I know that KJV Bible is the only Bible authorized by God, though I find it archaic and hard to understand, I still believe that it carries the purest word of God preserved for our present time. No argument about it.

However, wouldn't it be coherent to know the story from the very beginning right from it's exact word origin? I guess I'm not taking risk against my stand for KJV if it is for the sake of getting deeper to what every word in the Bible is saying and for me to realize even more on how my Bible should affect my life and how should it take more part on my faith. Learning Biblical Hebrew is something that will show me how those words were used during those times, what those words signify, and how God related those words to every of His creature. I know this will not get any interest from you unless you experience for yourself the beauty of this language.

Allow me to share some links that may help you understand why I'm so into Biblical Hebrew. Again I'm not encouraging you to learn it. Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMxEya9MGCk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOwvkNXTkVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyh1gZ1d9dE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZrTWaB3tlk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJUQR4hZvkQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7I00DKOiNs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhvTwlhoTd4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbfJv9pN5D0

I hope that lightens you up brethren about how Biblical Hebrew may improve your perspective about what KJV Bible is all about.

God bless you all!

November Confessions...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:23:23 PST

Shalom everyone!

It's been a while since I made my last post here. I know you want to read something from me for the past months unfortunately I failed due to a personal struggle. I've been battling with the influences this world is bringing on me and day by day I find it becoming stronger. I've been trying to seek God's help however I already compromises some of His words and now I am reckon to face the consequences. It's a shame on my end that with all the available resources I have to work out on my faith just seemed so useless when in fact it is me who lacks the will to pay for the price. I am asking for your prayer to help me out on this spiritual battle for I am weak to withstand the coming temptations. I feel so empty on those days that I didn't even visit my own blog for I am afraid to read about the reality that I had testified before. I just praise and thank the Lord that no matter how I fall countlessly and come short of the will to live for His glory, He never fails to remind me that He is around and will always be there to watch me.

I truly deserved to be in Hell but thank God that Jesus laid the only salvation which is complete, perfect and sufficient!

By the way I miss you all, I miss reading your comments, I miss reading how God touches your life everyday, I know I miss a lot. Hope you are all doing good. God bless you brethren!

Present Famine...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:23:47 PST

Amos Chapter 8 tells us that in the latter days, there will be famine(referring to the word of God) which all of a sudden about 2 years ago bees are missing everywhere on the planet.It started in the US, then Europe and some of the bee farmers had lost 90% of their hives. All of a sudden in the latter days bees are missing which happens to be the same word for "word" in Hebrew which is "dabar" that means "order back to source(food)". Coincidence? Lo, I believe Christians should do something to prevent this famine.

My prayer for a Godly wife...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:11:06 PST

Here's a link from youtube:

God bless you all!

Happy Birthday Mama!

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:42:57 PDT

We have been experiencing rainfall for a couple of days now and I am not feeling well when I woke up just an hour ago. It's the 4th of September and I almost forgot that it's Mama's 50th birthday! The 23 years of my life would have not been possible without this very special person. I really thank God for allowing her to nurture and guide us all these years. She is definitely our hero and will always remain as the most precious woman in all of us, her three sons.
Here are some pics of her very simple birthday celebration:

My mama looking good at fifty, need some diet though coz she's not getting any younger. Lol!

Her favorites puto with Filipino style sphagetti.

And ofcourse the traditional "pansit".

Getting excited to open it so she can share it with our neighbors.

Simple yet very remarkable to our family.

I pray to God that in His perfect time the Holy Spirit will convict her to entrust her life to Jesus Christ alone. I feel the biggest burden towards my family and there's nothing that I hope for than for them to come to the saving knowledge of God.

We love her so much!

Month End Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:11:19 PDT

So there it goes, almost done with August and it seems days are getting better and better by the grace of God. Been quiet for some time and I really miss my blog (you don’t know want to know the reason and I’m afraid I may be a stumbling block to all of you if you do). However, it will not stop me from praising God for all His wonderful things He has showered upon me. He continues to work even in my wayward life.

This week I kind of change my sleeping routine making me an evening person and that’s when I fail to help in the house chores. I usually wake up at six in the evening and sleep by eight in the morning (making me feel that I still work in a graveyard shift but no salary! Lol!). It also took most of my time practicing new fiddle pieces and reading my brethren’s blogs. And again, I thank God for the inspiration and blessings I get whenever I read their posts. Truly my blog is always my constant reminder to God’s existence in my life when I tend to be in spirit of the world. It saddens me to notice that I subtly fall into devil’s snare every time I try new things. I know everything that takes my attention from God is idolatry and a transgression to His holiness. I don’t want to think that blogging may be considered as one but I pray this will not hinder my communication to Him. I pray for strength and I pray for fire to keep burning in my heart as I serve the Lord. I remember one preaching of our pastor about cockatrice eggs, and was worried that may be I am unknowingly petting one. God forbid! But thank God that His warning is always available when I need it.

Lastly, I pray that this blog will continue to minister to those friends out there who celebrate their lives online. I pray they will see for themselves that they need Jesus as their Savior and they are surely going to hell if they fail to know the saving knowledge of God. This blog may run for almost a month now (but who cares?!)and you can always forget about this, but never allow yourself to forget about God. Everything will perish but not His teachings to those who follows, not His promise to His people and not His faithful assurance to His hoping believers. Thank God for this beautiful month!

Continuous Learning...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:11:32 PDT

It’s been a while since I made my last post here; I’ve been busy looking for an online job these past few days so I somehow lessen my time on writing. But praise God because I’m free to write at this moment! First, I would like to give praise and thanks to God for keeping my life sound, for the everyday blessings He had showered upon me and my family, for the good health and safety, for the provision on every single task that I do, for the musical gifts (I am trying to learn the Irish fiddle now and I’m surprise that it’s a bit easier to play than the classical one.), for the peace of mind even though there are lots of things to ponder but I know He is always in control so I just don’t mind those vain worries, for His book where He preserved His words through KJV bible and for His son Jesus Christ who died for me, shed His blood to be a full propitiation to all my sins and for doing the supreme sacrifice for my salvation. So much to thank Him for!

I’m glad that God is always allowing me to learn something new. This week my mom made me realize on how to be a responsible son who knows how to act in order to help and understand his parents in all aspect. They may not be the perfect parents but God chose them to take care of me. They may come short sometimes but I can see they are trying so hard to provide a good future for us. I may not understand their decision always but I can safely say that it is for my own sake. I just thank God that still I have parents whom I can depend on everything when things get rough. Also this week, God allows me to do my own thing; it’s not actually a breaking-free stuff but just enough for me to do things under my account. I know God is please to see His people working instead of being just a bum! I remember our former pastor said that I can’t be a good preacher if I don’t know how to work (Amen!). That statement actually was a blessing to me and helped me grow as a Christian.

Lastly, God reminded me again that what I am having right now is just nothing compare to what I will be having when I get in my real home up in heaven. The material things that I have are just for a short time and He can easily take them away from me if He wants to (for I never owned anything in the first place, He owns everything.) Though I am still having some petty worries He made me comfortable by making me realized that I should not cling on anything in this world but of Him alone for He controls everything. It made a curved on my face to be reminded that He is faithful to His promise and that He is guiding me in all walks of my life. Thank you Lord for the continuous learning.

A Brother Needs our Prayer...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:56:26 PDT

Christian greetings everyone! I just open my Facebook account now and found out that a brother from SOLA Scriptura Baptist Church needs our fervent prayer. Philip Roy Aban is suffering from a malfunction on his kidney and is confined in the hospital right now, unfortunately I don't have enough details yet but I'll keep you posted about it. Please pray that this brother will not need to undergo a dialysis and that God will spare this brother from danger. Thank you very much.

Please support this prayer request by placing this one on your blog:

Please copy this code:

Your brother in Christ,
Ardy

I Am Bound for the Promised Land

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:41:42 PDT

I just scanned my files a while ago and got stuck to my worship song folder. Surprisingly, I found one audio there which is an instrumental song entitled I Am Bound for the Promise Land so I listened to it and was blessed with the beautiful arrangement under Smoky Mountain Hymns which you hear from the background now. The song reminded me of my journey here on Earth, a journey that is full of trials and temptations. It gave me a flashback to my life before I got saved, a life that is full of struggles and vain hopes. A life that ran many uncertainties that I used to decide for my own fate without consulting to the one who surely knows every destination of man. A point in my life when I hardly tried to navigate everything under my abilities, attempted to hold what tomorrow might bring on me and desperately made myself believed that I was the only one accountable for my life. Thank God for the mercy spared towards a sinner like me! And for the saving knowledge through Jesus Christ who made a sure way for me to reach that promise land.

Right now it excites me to witness that blessed day when I will face the one accountable for the whole of my being. It thrills me to know that I have this privilege to be in that place where there are no sorrows and worries anymore, a place where every believer will enjoy such sweet fellowship with their Savior, Creator and God. Imagine that glorious day!

“When I shall reach that happy place,
I'd be forever blest,
For I shall see my Father's face,
And in His bosom rest.”

I’m really glad that I decided to choose this path to where I am heading now. It always amazes me to realize how God continues to transpire my life through Jesus Christ. An everyday walk is truly fulfilling knowing that my soul is securely placed up in heaven. I just can’t imagine my life without that emancipating sacrifice done by Jesus at the cross of Calvary. What a relief to be taken away from the pit of hell and be bounded to heaven where life is eternal! To God alone be all the glory!

Online Again

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:14:20 PDT

Christian greetings everyone! I was about to post something yesterday unfortunately we lost our internet connection for a day so I’ll try to write about it next time. I miss my blog a lot and yesterday was truly incomplete because of what happened. I didn’t expect that blogging would play a great part on my life especially in times like these. I find every post a blessing for it helps keep me on track. I also like to be inspired whenever I read some amazing testimonies of how God had worked in many lives. Gaining online Christian friends excites me whenever I visit this world of bloggers. I really thank God for this opportunity to experience a different dimension where believers can have a sweet fellowship while online. It really thrills me to know that I can always keep the fire burning in me even I am indefinitely away with my brethren. Of course nothing beats the Sunday services, prayer meetings and fellowships! I believe God lead me to this for it’s very difficult to continue walking in faith knowing there are lots of temptations out there. I just thank Him that even in the midst of silence I can still feel His presence. I really thank Him for this blog. This is His blog actually. =)

It is Finished...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:04:26 PDT

After hours of lay-outing and editing, I finally come up with my desired blog page design. The process was a bit complicated since it's been a long time when I last used Photoshop and did some html coding. I also spent most of the time searching for photos that would best fit my concept and of course dreaded color scheming. The reason for this change is because I'm having a hard time reading my post due the background color and font size too. Also I considered the fact that having Christ in me I should not live in darkness and so my blog =). I thank God for this new face of my blog and I pray this would help the brethren while they are reading articles here. To God alone be all the glory.

A Detour

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:57:30 PDT

I just stumbled upon my friends’ blogs today, read their posts and I’m glad that most of them are for the glory of God. Lately I was thinking if I really need to have some motivations in writing here in my blog for I’m beginning to feel a bit uninspired. Every day when I visit my blog it thrills me to read some comments and check if there were visitors who dropped by to see what my page is all about. I feel blessed to know that someone cares to read my posts and honored as well to know that I’m becoming a blessing to them. Whenever I write here in my blog, I always think of God (for He is the main reason why I am blogging) and how will my writings become a blessing to the readers. I tried to associate every article here to the saving knowledge of God and how great He is as our God. It’s His merciful kindness that drives me to this passion to write here in my blog.

When I started this blog my prayers went to the readers that they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and be inspired to minister to others who need to know our Savior. For we know that this world really ignores the story of Jesus and what He did 2000 years ago. It’s the nature of man to take God for granted, of course we believe that there is God, and this world have many gods to be honest and we abuse that by saying His name even in vain. Of course I’m not going to give bold preachings right now but I just simply desire that others will appreciate this page as much as God appreciates His people. It is never my intention to raise my name here but my God alone. Though sometimes it’s very tempting to take the credit but thank God for the reminders. It overwhelms me sometimes that I tend to forget the purpose of this blog’s existence.

It humbles me to see some pages that continue to testify God’s work even without words of encouragement from others through comments or lacking of followers. It gets me to the realization that man of God should not worry about how this world will react to him or if they will even appreciate him but rather focus on his work for he knows God is looking after his heart. Even Jesus himself during His earthly ministry demanded no appreciation from the crowd instead He just continued to minister even nobody seemed to listen. Then would I covet for one? God forbid.

Thank God for keeping me away from the snares of this world. Truly words can’t express how great He is as our God. It makes me think of the song below:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

And I really don’t need to motivate myself so I can write something. I don’t need to be inspired to continue writing for God’s glory. It should not be the comments or the traffics that this page will depend on as its basis. Jesus Christ is the center of this blog. Jesus’ sacrifice is more than enough for me to write about. His saving grace will always fill the empty space in one lost soul. His love for mankind will always be an amazing thing to ponder. And I pray this blog will never run out of words to say about Him. To Him alone be all the glory.

By Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:01:03 PDT

I just watched a sci-fi movie about the future of this world with all those mutants trying to multiply their species by killing mankind and transforming them into mutants through an ancient machine. It frightens me to think that this could possibly happen knowing the widespread wars among the communist countries really threatens the peace we are having right now. Aiming for worldly power and possession they use vast majority of people wanting to take part of this vain gain. And what struck me most was the scene where the lead character and his lady partner were in the middle of searching for a way that will lead them to the heart of the machine so they can plant the bomb to stop the mutant production. They used that ancient chronicle as their guide however it was torn by the enemies and they could hardly understand it anymore. Desperate the lead character asked his partner if she could read it since she was the keeper of the chronicle unfortunately the lady didn’t know how to read. With surprise her partner couldn’t resist to ask how she managed to believe a book without even reading it and she replied these words, “I can’t read and I don’t need to just to have faith.”

True enough for those believers who have faith on things not seen. I wonder if there are some Christians who have the same situation with the lady in the movie (but thank God for the knowledge to read His words that He preserved in KJV Bible). God is really too wise that He considered people with low educational background, that He didn’t make things complicated so we can understand His saving knowledge and that He made a simple yet very bold old book for us to be guided on our journey here on Earth. Indeed, we don’t need to have that master’s or doctor’s degree so we can read and understand what the Bible is saying to us. A broken and a contrite heart is what we need for us to benefit from the power of that old book. Truly God never fails to amaze me that until now we can always communicate with Him through prayers and through the Bible. For I securely laid my hope on Him that even though I sometimes fail to read His words He still keeps His promise on me. It’s all a matter of faith, the only thing that links me from my God.

A Week of Stillness

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:52:25 PDT

It’s been a while since I went outside to experience the world. I just basically loved to be in my so called sanctuary…our home. Here I just bond with my laptop, play my violin and guitar and read some doctrinal books. Imagine doing these things everyday however I can’t get hold of this itinerary right now for this is what’s keeping my boredom away. I try to get through the day by being thankful for all the blessings that God has given me. Be it a simple house food or stuff that gives me a little comfort (electricity perhaps for it is very hot nowadays 32° C). I also spent time by watching christian movies and of course edifying myself by reading blogs that testify God’s greatness. I gained lots of online friends this week and I totally enjoy this new found world of bloggers. My family is just fine, both of my brothers are doing well and my mom is just through with a slight cough so again another thanks to our God for the good health. Regarding my plans for the coming months I just pray that God will provide for my spiritual needs for I am having difficulty right now attending Sunday services because of mom’s prohibition. My soul right now is longing for a food to eat…I miss the preachings and fellowships with the brethren and I don’t want myself end up backsliding because of this indefinite absence during worship day. I just pray God will continue to strengthen me spiritually and spare me from devil’s snares. Right now my blog gives that sort of encouragement for me to continue walking in faith. The messages I’m getting from my co-bloggers inspire me to lift up the Lord in every angles of my life. Though it is really hard I believe there’s nothing that my God can’t handle. Though I am having this silence right now God still knows my heart and my desires. I just raise everything to Him for I am helpless. He really is my comforter and my strength. I can’t thank Him enough for always being with me even in the midst of stillness.

Another Day...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:05:58 PDT

I just woke up now and it seems gloomy outside… I’m facing my laptop thinking of something to write about. Well, I just like to praise and thank God for giving me a beautiful sleep, it’s been a long time since I had this satisfaction towards my sleeping. I also like to thank Him that I am still alive, that He allows me to wake up and experience another day of my life here on Earth. It’s very unusual for me to think this way since I’m used to waking up after every sleep. But this morning, I really appreciate it with a deep gratitude to our Creator for His never ending love for me. I thank Him for His son Jesus Christ who died for me and secured my place in heaven. Now this really made my day. =) So much to thank Him for, though it may seem repetitive still I can’t compromise my least possible response to His merciful kindness on me. I believe I should always be thankful everyday for all the things that I am blessed with. From simple things to basic needs and some luxuries all things comes from God. And it is indeed right for me to bring all the glory back to Him. Thank you God for all the days of my life!

The Solid Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:47:11 PDT

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Temper Management

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:44:44 PDT

I just finished tutoring my younger brother in preparation for his periodical exam couple of days from now. We focused on Math for I wanted him to be logically inclined when it comes to his academics but of course other subjects are important as well and we’re going to have a long day tomorrow because of that. Unfortunately I didn’t like how that moment turned out, it’s not because of my brother having a hard time answering my questions but because of how I reacted to the situation. I should have known the limitations of my brother and I should have dealt him with a little more patience and some sort of profiling. It‘s not easy to stay calm with the situation especially if we are pressured by time. He was actually trying his best to answer the questions correctly but I failed to appreciate it instead I kept on yelling at him whenever he committed mistakes. I can’t help it knowing that we’ve been going through the same lecture over and over again yet he seemed not getting it still. Until such point that he cried and I was a reminded to take things slowly and felt totally bad about what I’d done to my brother. With guilt I tried to take things gently and showed to him the easiest way on how he could get the correct answer and thank God we managed to finish the whole pointers for that particular subject.

Right now he is sleeping and I feel so sorry for what had happen. I hope my brother will understand that I just want him to pass his exam that’s why I am very strict about the review proper. It is never my intention to degrade him for he is so special to me since I was the one who took care of him when he was still a baby. It saddens me to realize that I am not setting a good example to him and I’m afraid that he might end up having that rebellion in his heart because of the foolish words I uttered towards him. God help me for this.

While I’m pondering on these things it struck me again about how wicked man is, about how uncontrollable our thoughts are and how dangerous our words can be. I more accepted to myself how vile I am and so undeserving to receive mercy from my God. I wonder how my God manages to hear me whenever I call on him when everything that He teaches me seems just to go nowhere. I just simply visualized the situation awhile ago and felt great rebuke on my end. What if God keeps on pointing out my faults, broadcasts them to the world and tells straight to my face how foolish I am to constantly offend His holiness by committing sins every second of my life? What if God has become impatient on me? What if he loses His temper due to my shortcomings? I can imagine how terrified that day is. But I thank Him for He does everything in His way so holy that even the wisest man on Earth can never comprehend.

God reminded to manage my temper and don’t let that eat me up for it will bear nothing but wicked actions. That no matter how difficult and provoking the situation is I just need to look unto Jesus for He did everything in meekness yet it produced great impact to this world. One sign that I don’t need to be assertive in some things just to get it done but perhaps be effective by just staying calm and carefully observing the situation. Truly His cross reminded me a lot of things that needs to be taken cared of through prayers and with biblical applications. Thank you Jesus for being a perfect example to us…

Carry on...

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:45:22 PDT

I’ve been trying to reflect about myself lately, been busy thinking about my future plans and a bit paranoid about my next steps for the following months…I must admit that I love how my life turned out after I’d resigned from my work. Gone are those days that I worry every time I needed to come at work for it’s on a graveyard shift, budgeting my own money and being careless about everything for I was just the one accountable for myself since I’m away from my family. However, things are different right now and one thing that I miss is being with the brethren every Sunday or every fellowship that our church conducts. Of course there’s no place like home but I believe I still need to be with people who can edify me spiritually, people who can I converse with about my God and people who can be a blessing to me and inspire me to continue walking in faith. But I love my family, it’s nice to be with them where I can just be myself, no inhibitions about my actions and people who know and understand me better. I’m thankful for them for supporting me and taking care of my needs and for making me feel at ease always. Though sometimes we have some misunderstandings still that will not erase the fact that I belong to our family. I just pray that someday they will understand what I am holding on to for I have this great burden towards them about not sharing the same true faith. I just let God direct my path and give me the courage I need to carry on with this life. Right now He’s the only one who knows where I am and what I’ve been going through. And I believe He will always be just around watching me ready to lend His mighty hands if I need them for I know my God is faithful.

Living with the Saints

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:30:01 PDT

Almost two years of discovering the truth, years of reconstruction and years of adjustments. It was difficult then to embrace that new found faith, for there were things to consider and consequences to face. Many questions started to fill my mind, so many unwanted thoughts that proved my vulnerability as a new believer. Am I really going this way? Am I forced to do this? Can I compromise some things concerning my life before this? A life which taught me to be still while the world rotates, a life which accustomed me to live it with my free will, and a life which has been very uncertain of its direction. Indeed life for me has really changed ever since that moment….

Despite these uncertainties within me, I tried to put my every concern to God, I offered all these burdens to Him for they were really too heavy for me to bear…I surpassed each day with my brethren helping me in every way they can. They had no idea how they inspired me to carry on with this new life. They had been always a blessing for me during those times of struggles. However I couldn’t get hold of my worries about how my life will turn out after this decision. I admit I was afraid then not until such time that I completely understood how God works in every believer’s life. I believe that God really took away my inhibitions in life and replace it with serenity and total joy that stays in my heart when I surrendered my life to Him. Though I was anxious of many things He made me feel relieved by just realizing that this world is not my home and I’m just a stranger in here that longs to be back to my true home up in heaven. With the assurance of what Jesus did for me, those dark days where eventually overpowered by bright days that I look forward to. I began to enjoy the fellowship I have with the brethren not knowing that I’m getting used to it day by day. I continue to grow in God’s words and slowly applied some biblical teachings in my personal way of living. Truly, those were the times that I will treasure forever.

I just can’t thank God enough for bringing me with this kind of people, for letting me know their christian acquaintances and for allowing me to walk spiritually through them who never fail to pray for me, guide me and be a blessing to me. Right now, I am with hope that whatever transpires in my life, I will worry no more for I know God is with me every day and He gave me this beautiful brethren, one of the many blessings that I am really grateful for.

Someone needs our prayers....

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:52:30 PDT

"I do believe we're all connected...I do believe in the power of prayer...I do believe in taking care of each other" Harry Fierstein

Hey guys, I need to ask you something.

Someone has been emailing me who is hurting really badly. She's nineteen and a victim of physical and sexual abuse. She believes she deserves everything that happened to her and wants to just cut and hurt herself. She made an appointment with a counselor but cancelled it. She really needs help. She's alone and scared and sees only darkness.

I asked if I can post here asking for prayer for her. She said yes. Thanks

Originally posted by Sarah

First Blog Trial

noreply@blogger.com (Ardy) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:43:27 PDT

Christian greetings to all! I'm so excited to check my blog awhile ago unfortunately I keep getting this Google We're Sorry Error.So I decided to get a proxy server and view my page through that. It's quite annoying that even in the internet Satan still works(LOL!). According to some friends I just need to wait for 24 hours for the company to fix this error. I tried some basic troubleshooting steps for this yet it's not going anywhere. I pray this will not discourage me to continue working on my blog. If you have some other tips on how I can get this thing done your help will be highly appreciated.God bless you all and keep posted.