Despedida for my brother

Last night just had a midnight dinner with my family @ Jack's Loft in Eastwood. It's been a long time since we had one... dinner together, since all of us are already working and we barely have common schedules anymore. This night also was a despedida for my younger brother James; he'll be going to Singapore tomorrow to work there.

Thinking back to my childhood... I have fond memories of family get-togethers, usually during Christmas or during special occasions. These activities help rekindle the bond of a family. Thinking of my own future... when I have my own family... activities such as these will be a constant part of my family life. I'll spend time with my wife... scheduling dates with her... for us to spend time & cherishing each other & thank God for what he has done to our lives, for creating her for me and me for her. When I have kids... they'll have their own special time with me... and with my wife as a family. Of course I'm talking all in future tense here - since I'm not yet married hehehe.

Well, this blog post is for my family - specifically my brother James (besides our mom). Well bro, I wish you all the best in Singapore. We might not have spent that much time... when we were younger we were usually at odds... especially when our parents were not around... thinking back to those times bro... I can't help being the older brother... looking after my siblings - I did that out of love and concern. Thinking now and the future, I don't know if I'll be able to visit you in Singapore... I don't know if you'll be able to return to the Philippines during special occasions but what I'm sure of is that I'll miss you bro and that you'll always be part of my prayers. I know Singapore’s a very hectic place... at times when the going gets tough... just pray to God for guidance and strength. Well, you take care now and don't forget to write or in this case e-mail :) God bless always!

My prayer for my brother James

Lord God, I lift to you the life of my brother James (Jim-B)... I thank you for having created him to be part of my family. Lord, as he goes to Singapore to work and make a living for himself - I pray that you guide and protect him. I pray Lord that you present people to his life in Singapore that will help him through all his endeavors. Father God, I pray for provisions for my brother... I pray for health and protection... I pray for continual blessing upon him. I lift you up the life of my brother whom I love - in Jesus' name. Amen.

Terms and Titles

People often ask me... so what type of Christian are you? Evangelical? Baptist? Born-again? Catholic? Orthodox? Etc...

Hmmm... I think there are differences on how the Truth is taught in a particular group... but I don't think titles are important... but what is important is what's the state of the individuals relationship to Jesus is.

Let's look at the heart of it all... beyond the group name... The heart of what being a Christian is all about. "Christian" (as generally accepted) is a title given to someone who is a follower of Christ. But I submit to you - that not everyone who says, "I'm a Christian" is a "Christian"... some people live lives as if "Christianity" is a badge.

Regardless of group affiliation... Christians call Jesus as "Lord". My friend, I'm sure if you're a part of any of the Christian groups... at one point in your life... you called Jesus as "Lord"; maybe in the prayers you pray... especially at hard times... but let me show you what Jesus said 2000 years ago as testified in the Bible...

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Hmm, do we only call him Lord... in our prayers? What does it mean to call someone Lord in the first place? During the olden days, the title of Lord wasn't merely a title given to someone. It talks about authority, talks about having the say, talks about giving your allegience. During medieval times - servants died for their lords... knights fought and died for their king. Servants followed each and every command even if it will mean their lives - that's how heavy the word lord is.

In our modern world... Lord might mean boss... in an office scenario... your boss is the one who calls the shots... the one who you follow... I doubt it if any employee will say no to his or her 'boss'.

Plain and simple lordship demands obedience... Now let's see... hmmm, are we serious when we call Jesus Lord? or is it simply a title that we put besides his name? Hmmm, you might answer... "yes I call him Lord and I'm serious... I follow his commandments!" Now I ask you, what do you think of the following verses below?

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment." (Matthew 5:21-22)

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)

What do you think? :) Search your heart my friend... do you call Jesus 'Lord' as a title or 'Lord' because he has total dominion over your life? Do you really live-up to what Jesus asks of you? Are you really a Christian? :) I'll be elaborating on this topic in my succeeding posts :D

Oh by the way... going back to the question above... I answer "I'm a Christian", people usually respond, "born again?"... I respond... "Christians go through the process of being born-again, it's not a title connected to being a Christian... so to answer you question... I'm a Christian" :)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I'm a Protector! Weee!

You are a protector.

Yes, you don't like to kill people. That goes against everything you belive in. It's not that you are a coward, but your ideals and morals wouldn't allow it. You are the typical hero, do the righteous things, get the bad guys and do it all legally. But just because you don't kill doesn't mean you can't kick ass. And that is what you do. You use your brain and your strenght to do honourable deeds and protect people you know and love. If an evil guy is going to take over the world soon, it's you who will get involved. You hate watching innocents suffer, and love seeing bad people getting what they deserve. You are probably also happy and optimistic and work pretty good in groups. And the friends you usually make are true ones.

Main weapon: Anything at all
Quote: "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough" -Joe Lewis
Facial expression: Smile

What Type of Killer Are You? [cool pictures]
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My Comments regarding Jesus not being a personal Lord and Savior

I've been a Christian now for almost 6 months and man I can boldly say that these past months has been the best times of my entire life! I'm not saying that the problems has been removed or I am no longer affected by emotions, stress, sickness... I can say that all my "troubles" or "tests" prior to becoming a Christian is / are still present... but because of my relationship with Jesus... I'm able to weather the storms :)

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

Christianity is not a religion as some say it is... it is a personal relationship!

I'd like to comment on one message that was aired on TV by a charismatic "religious" leader in our country, it seems that he has memorized the entire Bible and dares people to ask him anything about it - I think it is his way to display "his" knowledge of the Word of God.

Anyway, he commented that the born-again’s (a term used to call some Christians - I'll tackle this later in another post) got it all wrong... that Jesus is not a personal Lord and Savior. And he challenged everyone listening to check the Bible - because the term personal Lord and Savior is not written in it... and included in his challenge is that... if whoever sees a verse that says that... he'll have his arms chopped-off. He continued that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the entire church (as an institution)... and not of an individual (since he already said no to Jesus becoming a personal Lord and Savior). He even commented that for people to be saved... we need to be Biblical... just follow what is written in the Bible. (his members then clapped to his entertaining comments). I think the institution thingy... came about because he's at odds with another "religious" institution... getting members... a numbers game. :(

Anyway, I agree with him in some points though... that we should be Biblical... as Christians we go to the word of God for guidance :) and so far... yup he's right... I haven't seen a line in the Bible that literally states... "Jesus should be your personal Lord and Savior"... but still... I disagree with that "religious leader".

My bro and sis... I'd like you to reflect upon the Words of God Himself... and you decide :)

"Come, follow me, " Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9)

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

"Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" - and you forgave the guild of my sin." (Psalm 32:5)

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

Ok... I'll stop typing... if I continue... I'll be typing the entire Bible! Hahaha! :) kidding aside. What have you observed with the verses above? :) Search your heart... do you think God is just talking to an institution? Or an individual? Talking to your heart? :) If you read the Bible from cover to cover it shows how God is... who God is... that he is constantly trying to reach out to his children... you can read stories of how God interacts and talk with people as individuals... from Adam to the last pages of the book of Revelations (You!).

But probably the best evidence that Jesus should be a personal Lord and Savior is through what he did on the cross 2000 years ago.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Jesus died for each and everyone of us... God held you worthy to be saved… that’s why he sent his only son to die for you! Imagine what kind of love that is! That’s the awesome love that God has for each and everyone of us… for you! That’s what I call mind-blowing love!

The Bible is a method of God conversing with individuals… hmm, just like what I’m doing right now to you :) I created this blog to reach individuals… to reach you!

Lastly... maybe there is no verse in the Bible that say "personal Lord and Savior" but... check-out the following verses...

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9,10)

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him." (Colossians 2:6)

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." (1 Peter 3:15)

So my friend... what do you think God is telling you? :)