KILLING IN WHOSE NAME?

"Heartless" could not even describe it—how some extremist groups have become savages, pumping our hearts with dread and shaming governments.

Consider these latest incidents happening too eerily close to each other:

The MILF decimating  44 of our finest policemen;  ISIS beheading 21 Egyptian Christians;  and jihadists very recently abducting 90 Syrian believers.

Last year, Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 school girls in Nigeria. And backtracking, Hitler exterminated six million Jews between 1933 and 1945.

Yet all these don't even come close to the quiet yet equally barbaric disposal of a demographic too helpless and voiceless to protest or defend themselves—the 40-50 million babies aborted yearly worldwide; 125,000 daily abortions per the World Health Organization (WHO)

How and why has it come to this? The statistics reveal a rising trend of lawlessness  on all fronts as we approach the end-times.

2 Timothy 3:2-4―"... men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..."

Those who kill in the name of religion do so because they believe God rejoices every time they murder "infidels". They even expect extravagant rewards when they enter heaven.  

Hitler was maniacally driven to upscale the Aryan race when he decimated the Jews. Some terrorists do it merely for money and power.  Those who have their babies aborted do it to cover up their shame or to avoid inconvenience.  

God is loving, compassionate and gracious. How could anyone even think that He would sanction hatred and murder? If He wonderfully and fearfully created each one of us (Psalm 139), how could He say yes to genocide, rape and violence against helpless infants, children, women and ethnic groups?

Some of us are clueless about the devil's machinations. He is real and has upped his game because he knows his time is limited. Jesus will come again soon to forever establish His reign.

Revelations 12:9—And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Yes, there has been a tsunami of lawlessness. But we cannot cower in fear.  The bible reminds us: "God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7)."

Meanwhile, let's pray and believe―that He will visit and make Himself known to those who maim and kill; and make their hearts right with God.  

"Son of Hamas" best-selling author Mosab Hassan Yousef was a member of one of the most-feared terrorist groups;  but Jesus visited him in prison one day and his life completely turned around.

Remember Paul? He too persecuted and approved the killing of believers. But he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and like Mosab, he became a fearless believer.

God is still in control, folks. Let's stay awake, praying and believing.  

Remember too:  His angels encamp around those who trust Him. If He is for us, who can be against us?

Photo credits:

http://wrc.ucr.edu

http://4.bp.blogspot.com

http://fciministries.com

DISRUPTIVE

What would tend to disrupt your day?

The dictionary says something is "disruptive" if it creates disorder or confusion.

It does not refer to mere interruption―which just breaks the continuity or uniformity of a process. Disruption connotes a sense of struggle, violence or conflict.  

In earthquake terms," interruption" might mean a mere magnitude "2" on the Richter Scale; with "disruption" measuring  "7" or above.

Remember the 2011 magnitude 9 earthquake which, with a tsunami,  wiped out the homes of more than 300,000 in Japan?  

Typhoon Yolanda was as disruptive when it levelled communities and claimed 6,340 lives in the Visayas―just as Pinoys were getting ready for Christmas 2013.

Disruptive innovation by highly competitive companies makes old technologies obsolete, resulting in the closure of their rivals' plants and their workers (especially those who have not learned new skills) without jobs.  

It will take time for our kababayans from the Visayas to rebuild their lives. They did not only lose their houses and livelihoods but their loved ones as well.

You might know someone who lost a job recently because the company he worked for closed; and he cannot now find a job―no skills to match new vacancies.  

What has disrupted your life recently? Interruptions and disruptions are a fact of life, as surely as the sun rises, and the tide ebbs and flows. Nothing is permanent.

Because we live in world marred by sin―man's greed, selfishness, mismanagement of resources and the environment―we will constantly be stressing and fighting to get through some days.

You thought you had your business figured out but surprisingly found yourself in bankrupt alley.  

Or your life is just great: money in the bank, wonderful family; but your doctor just told you a jaw-dropper―the big C's got you!

One executive reached the very top of the corporate ladder; but deep down, he knew he got stuck in the basement. His wife left him, and his teenage daughter will soon give birth―father unknown.

Take heart. Jesus is a specialist at turning disruptions around. He experienced it foremost:  Son of God, yet His glorious heavenly reign was put on hold for a while. But what a win for mankind―we've been reconciled with God.

In our brokenness, weakness or struggle to fend off life's constant tsunamis, His is the Name that we can call and depend on.

Jesus knew disruptions spelled the difference between life and death, or superb and mediocre. They gave Him room to act, on someone's behalf.

He was on the way to lay hands on Jairus' sick girl (Mark 5), then was stopped by a woman who had bled for 12 years. She was healed as she touched the hem of His cloak. Because of that delay, the little girl died. But guess what―an even bigger miracle: Jesus made her alive again!

Romans 8: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (v 28)."

He continues to intercede for us (v 34)― because He conquered death and sin and all the plans of the enemy to destroy us; then went back to His exalted position at the right hand of the Father, with His eye and His grace trained on those who would believe and place their trust in Him.

With Jesus, nothing is impossible.  Hey, even the storms obey Him!

Photo credits:

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tPQ5iTcnXW0/maxresdefault.jpg

https://medtechboston.medstro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/disruptive-innovation.jpg

http://www.pinnlaw.com/bankruptcy_law.html

POSSESSED?

Can the devil possess us?

New Life Christian Center's Pastor Joey Rafael and Shoddy Chase taught on this topic recently---apparently triggered by some believers' fear that spirits may "jump" into them.  

I'm sure this fear has crossed your mind as it did mine at times, especially if you're fond of watching horror movies. (So stop watching them, for your sake!)

Mark 5:1-13 tells of this seemingly crazy man who was in fact demon possessed and tormented day and night by a motley of spirits, collectively named Legion. Jesus's presence caused them to speak out and beg Jesus not to send them out of that region. So Jesus cast them out from the man to a herd of pigs which plunged to their death in the lake.   

So to answer the question: A big "NO!" if Jesus rules your heart, your choices and your life. 

First, Satan is a long defeated enemy. Jesus says in Luke 10 that Satan has fallen like lightning from heaven. He has given believers the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the powers of the enemy.

His followers testified, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 

We are in the Winning Team if you've acknowledged Jesus as your Savior and Lord---because all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus! (Matthew 28:18)

Satan shouldn't even be such a huge concern. Jesus Himself says in Luke10:20, "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 

It's a given: If Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, the same power is in us. Jesus died and rose again and He's seated today at the right hand of the Father, "Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every name that is invoked..."

We can do even greater, promised Jesus! 

John 14:12---Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 

So who possesses you? Make sure Jesus does.  

Photo credits:
amb-church.net
spiritual-weapons.blogspot.com
gifvila.deviantart.com

SELFIE-NESS (SELFIE PART 2)

Movies have their own sequels so you can treat this post as part two of "Check the Selfie" which registered one of the highest views on this blog.

Sequels are a film producer's way of milking a franchise, like "Rambo," till it runs dry, or once movie goers start asking, "Who's Sylvester Stallone, anyway?"

Which suggests that an actor's glory days will eventually fade just like classic Levi's jeans---and that's in spite of all his nip, tuck and botox treatments. 

Skin and themes can only be stretched so much.  

Meanwhile, we can still milk the selfie for its amazing lessons. I don't think we've grilled it enough that it can shout back, "Enough already!" 

Selfie-ness is on the rise, that's for sure.  

One juicy selfie news: Kim Kardashian it seems has found it challenging to satisfy the tsismosos (gossipy) around us---I among them, mea culpa---because she's running short of selfie concepts to keep us glued to her site. Her baby, North, unwittingly fills the gap. Poor baby!  

We of course know the greatest selfie-ness purveyor.

You guessed right, Facebook! All of us are guilty of plastering FB with our faces. But as I point to you, my three other fingers are directed me-wise. So let's tackle this 21st century addiction with a candid and self-deprecating attitude.

Cross-examine ourselves now to rightly diagnose our selfie-addiction: 

• How often am I tempted to take a selfie picture for the urge to show off... er... share something new about myself?

• When I eat out, do I have this irresistible, unquenchable tendency---just when my companions are about to pounce on that crunchy crispy pata---to holler, "Hold it!" Camera clicks. Then the go-signal to "Dig in!" (In a few seconds, the crispy pata is up on FB cloud as the real deal sadly makes its way into its gut-wrenching destiny.)

• When I travel, am I in the habit of letting the whole world know I'm in this or that airport or I'm bound for some place spectacular? 

• And a lot more: New car. New mani-pedi. New pair of shoes. New bling.  

Overheard this comment? Wala nang itinago. (Everything exposed.)

This sobering comment (by an IT expert in last year's gathering of OMF writers) should give us pause: 

At the rate people share photos, personal information, whereabouts, feelings, etc., they're giving room for evil-intentioned people to steal their identities (and many have been reported in the US) or track their every move so that they can ransack homes or stalk them to satisfy their fetishism or obsession.   

The millennial demographic is prone to selfie-ness, claim the experts. Often referred to as the narcissistic generation, gen-Yers are said to be self-obsessed. 

They express their center-of-the-universe attitude using their smart phones and tablets---technologies which seem to have been born with them. 

Social media and the millennials are two peas in a pod---and just perfect for each other!
  
But oldies like myself and some middle-aged people I know---nandamay pa---genuflect in the altar of selfie-ness, too. 

Let's face it, we are all narcissists. 

Don't blame FB and Twitter. All they've really done is magnify our self-absorbed, self-seeking nature. Some of us are probably more coy about blatantly bragging. Nonetheless, it's in our nature to show-off:  

"I've accomplished this." "I'm capable of this." " I own this." "I know this." "I bought this."  "I've been there." 

1 John 2:16 reminds us: "For all that is in the world---the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions---is not from the Father but the world."

Solomon in Proverbs urges us to seek wisdom, for in so doing, we gain prudence, knowledge, discretion, guidance.  

Many social media posts are not about selfie-ness at all. You may have posted FB messages because you:

Want to share helpful information on keeping fit physically or spiritually; 

Make your friends laugh and smile, for example, with funny baby or pet posts;

Have asked for prayers or help, especially when a friend or a group of kababayans were in crisis;

Desire to boost your pals' morale as they face crises; 

Are after a sense of community and relating well with your friends and loved ones no matter the distance; and to assure them that you are doing just fine. 

No one's judging anyone, OK? But it's up to us to manage the selfie beast inside. 

Better yet, let's boast in Jesus alone.

Photo credits: 
www.feedbox.com
www.dadsteachthebible.blogspot.com
www.kingkurtissmith.wordpress.com

WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS

A recent Time Magazine report hailed Japanese Kei Nishikori as the world's number 5 male tennis player. He ranked 17 just a year ago.

Why the phenomenal rise? The writer attributed it to his United States training which enabled him to "unlearn the hierarchical strictures of Japan," a culture steeped in a lot of literal and figurative bowing down―respect for elders, not saying one's mind, nixing cursing and a constant search for quiet and serenity.

Says Kei, "I had to learn to get angry and surpass these athletes in competition."

It must have been difficult for Kei to balance himself between two conflicting influences. Seems to me like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde battling for lordship within.

Don't most of us struggle with the same dilemma as we confront our everyday situations? 

At home and in church, we get to be reminded: "Respect your elders." "Obey the rules." "Do not be rude." "Be kind and patient and considerate." "Be mindful of others."

Yet when it comes to sports―and we're all encouraged to dabble in at least one―players are trained to be aggressive, trash-talking, harsh and disrespectful; all because they need to intimidate and cause their  opponents to capitulate or surrender even before the game is played.

Mass media magnify competitive behaviour. Observe how hyped up everyone becomes―as if screaming bloody murder―as Manny Pacquiao reduces his opponent to a pulp. Audiences roar in triumph or vengeance as football players clash with each other to either prevent or cause a ball to reach the goal. 

And oh, how nations rejoice and go wild when their teams win championships.

We glorify champions and boo the losers.

Competitiveness and aggressiveness indeed bring you far in the corporate world; no wonder everyone refers to the workplace as a dog-eat-dog world. I almost gave up under abusive and terroristic bosses―but for the grace of God.

But is it really all about trumping or beating someone, keeping score, enjoying adulation, wielding power, or being able to make others bow down in submission to you, especially if you're playing this game called life.

Listen to nine year old Robby Novak, subject of Jim Denison's article, "Kid President's Pep Talk Goes Viral":

"If life is a game, aren't we all on the same team? If we're all on the same team, let's start acting like it. We got work to do. We can cry about it or dance about it. I don't know everything. I'm just a kid. But I know this, it's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance. So get to it!"

Robby suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta―characterized by brittle bones. He has so far been through 13 surgeries and been fitted with steel rods in both legs.

Truly, Christ has revealed Himself to little children. If we heed Jesus, we would, more than anything, gain wisdom, not just to win competitions or succeed in our careers, but to use our gifts to make a difference, no matter our limitations.

In fact, Jesus is not keeping score. He's not pitting us against each other. He just needs our faith and obedience. Regarding our sins, He says: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalms 103:12)

This should give us a fresh start, to use our talent for His glory. Then we can shine, for His name's sake, especially in this game called life―no longer ruled by guilt or angst or the need to get even or bring someone to his knee.

So Kei, let your aggressiveness remain in the tennis court. 

Off court, let Christ direct your life. Life is too precious for us to cause others grief.

Take it from Robby: "Create something that will make the world awesome."

Photo credits: 

twitter.com

addictedtosuccess.com

BALIKBAYAN BOX

The balikbayan (overseas Filipino) box is utterly, incredibly Pinoy.

globalnationinquirer.net

So ubiquitous, it's become iconic, declaring to all and sundry that a kababayan who has left the country and planted his feet on an overseas "land of milk and honey" has in fact finally "arrived"― both literally and figuratively.

"Oy, ang yaman na ng arrive mo!" (Wow, you've become rich!)

"OFW (overseas Filipino worker) kasi!"

"Nag-migrate na kasi si Ate sa Tate (United States)!"

"Nagpadala nga ng balikbayan box."

And what's inside that balikbayan box? All nice-smelling katas-ng-Saudi ("fruit of working hard;" you must have seen these decals on jeepneys) or overseas  striving―branded clothing, towels and beddings, canned goods and yummies in sachets, chocolates galore, even toiletries, soaps and detergents.

So regular was someone's balikbayan box padala (sendings) to Manila, a relative was heard to have carelessly remarked: "Naku, nakakasuka na!" (Makes me vomit!)  

Imagine that! Someone's blood, sweat and tears unappreciated by someone he probably cares for.

   

It takes quite some time and effort to fill one balikbayan box. A new purchase gets added with a bit of extra money; until it gets filled; then sealed; then picked up for weeks of journey to even the remotest barangay within these islands. 

So if you've recently received a balikbayan box, remember the long nights, overtime work, even the inhuman working conditions the sender may have been through to stuff that box for your sake.

This too is etched in that balikbayan box: Someone's dream to soar higher and be better than his former state. Couple that with the pain involved in deciding to leave family and relations to be productive even in an alien environment.

(I believe one should never leave his or her spouse and children to pursue a career overseas. But what if his situation has for a long time been dire or hopeless? Seeking God's Word therefore and His will is very important.) 

Because dreams cannot be boxed in.

It must have been painful for Abraham to leave his country for a place totally unknown. But because he heard from God, he was confident God would bless him.

Genesis 12:1-3―Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So don't despise or belittle that balikbayan box. More than anything, it is filled with the graciousness and the kindness of one so blessed that he is happy to also bless you.  

SOBERING THOUGHT

www.bizlocallistings.com

In just a few blinks, life can take you on a tail spin ride---from humdrum to convoluted, from luxurious to impoverished, from sane to nutty---or vice versa. 

All it takes is one incident---a fire, a life threatening ailment, an accident or a natural calamity taking a loved one or our possessions away. 

Any of these can upend what you think may be a cool-as-cucumber existence, enough to make you conclude that life here on earth is after all really just a breath, a meaningless, passing fancy. Pfft!

My recent health issues, though minor compared to what others may endure at my age, made me rethink my helplessness against aging. 

Who am I kidding? 

I've pinched the graphic and oh-so-real physiological dysfunctions now wreaking havoc on this once-youthful body: 

Pleated skin thus the need to slather tons of lotion from north to south. 

Gray and thinning hair---thank God for dyes and a slew of hair-thickening and styling aids. 

Achy breaky joints. No argument there. Just avoid uric acid-inducing stuff. Haaay, what would life be without nuts? 

Memory going catsupy especially during those times you need to recall something. 

At 63, I've entered the pre-departure area. I wonder when my flight will take off? 

But thank God I'm heaven bound, just in case the inevitable happens. So I win, no matter what. Jesus assured that.

It's good to take stock of your mortality and the fleetingness of life from time to time. And the start of the year may just be a good time to do it.

www.pravsworld.com

Consider what the bible says: 

It is all up to God. Psalm 36:9---For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see life. Why do I even insist that I am in control? I'm helpless apart from Him.

He alone determines our days. Job 14:5---A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. Job 12:10---In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. 

But Jesus has taken hold of our finite-ness, giving us the power and the strength to be fruitful in spite of our helplessness. 

He is Fountain of life. He is our Maker. He has a great plan for each of us. And His purpose is always for good!

I may have entered 2015 frail because of recent health issues. But with Jesus as the strength of my heart, I know I can dye some more, floss my teeth some more; but more importantly sing some more, dance some more, write some more, teach some more, even travel some more---and in the process make a difference in others' lives some more.

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). He will sustain me! 

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).

Wow, my heavenly adrenaline just kicked up a notch!