MUG SHOT

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Two disturbing images must have caught your eye in recent weeks: 

• A young Hollywood heartthrob's mug shot after his arrest for drunk driving and a host of other charges.
• Someone's black and blue and unrecognizable face - that of a popular local entertainer - mugged by crazed individuals supposedly avenging the "rape" of their lady friend.

Being popular, they certainly hogged airtime, not only on television news and tabloid programs, but more predominantly on social media. 

They're tsismis time fodder, making many working people's forays to the office pantry more animated. Tayo pa,  obsessed with celebrity and gossip. Quite entertaining, you see.

"Unlucky for them since they're always under the glare of klieg lights and hounded by the paparazzi," one might say. "Being high-profile people, they should have been more careful, choosing their friends, the things they do, and the places they go to, so they don't get embroiled in controversies."

I wonder if heaven has a gallery of our mug shots. Heaven sees what the paparazzi and those nosy TV reporters miss. Our photos may not have been splattered all over mass media and Facebook; but that doesn't mean we've been declared scot-free or holier-than-them. 

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

I used to think myself "good".  But come to think of it, how could I be good if pride, murder, lust, anger, envy, cheating and a lot of other imponderables percolate in my mind constantly - like hot tsokonut titillating my carnal-bound mind?  

Jesus (Matthew 5:28) says, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Meeting her for the first time, Jesus told the Samaritan woman (John 4:18), "... you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband." 

But Jesus did not accuse her; offered her living water instead (v.13-14):  "... but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst... a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

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Jesus is not accusing us either. Not yet -- while we're still here and have a chance to repent and acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior before we cross over the great divide. We need not be declared guilty, with Jesus as our advocate. And the time to accept this offer of acquittal is now.

He came to save the lost. You and I are lost apart from Jesus. Romans 10:4 - Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 

"Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame," Romans 10:11  . The law accuses but Christ saves - our mug shot forever shredded from our heavenly dossier, and our folder stamped with, "Not guilty!" by the blood of the Lamb. 

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us,"  Psalm 103:12. Start with acknowledging Him as your Savior and Lord.

Originally published at:   
http://cbnasia.org/home/2014/02/mug-shot/

GREAT NEWS YEAR

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What and how many gifts did you receive this Christmas? 

I'm sure that whatever they were -- cheap or expensive, useful or not -- you gladly received them, especially if they came from loved ones.

But did you savor the best gift of all -- Jesus? Unequalled. Irreplaceable. Our friend for all the seasons of our lives.

Jesus has no expiry date like some of the gifts which we briefly appreciated -- because we either immediately consumed them, stashed them (no use for the immediate future), or recycled them for others because budget or time prevented us from shopping for everyone. 

Through Jesus, God gives us brand new grace every day, just like freshly squeezed orange juice. New sweetness. New tanginess. New refreshing. New nutrition.

*(see photo credit list)

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

As we welcome the new year, the one who sits on heaven's throne reminds us: 

"Look, I am making everything new! Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." (Revelations 21:5)

I don't know about you, but I'm just plain sick and tired of sitting through replays -- recollections of my self-produced soap operas: bitter or ill feelings about others, regrets, unforgiveness, resentments, fears, worries, sad experiences, and the litany of apologies for things I failed to accomplish. 

Frankly, even if I sent out invitations, no one would attend my pity parties. 

But only Jesus would. That is, if I allowed Him to be the Star of the party; with self pity and self-centeredness relegated to the bleachers. My old self may scream and rant, but if I get into the habit of having Jesus as my anchorman, center-of-the-universe-me should soon revolve around the Son who really is the Master of this universe. 

Because if He permanently resides in our hearts, we too must let Him be: Lord of even our emotions and thought processes. 

In His presence is joy forevermore, strength, peace, and an assurance that even if the earth rocks-and-rolls to the beat of a 7.5 earthquake or a tsunami of a problem comes battering, you can believe that He will keep you safe in the palm of His mighty hand. 

Jesus is still the great news ever, even as we welcome the new year.

Many believe 2014 will bode well for many, it being the year of the horse, "whose spirit stands for an energetic, warm-hearted, intelligent and able attitude," says a website.

But would't you agree that placing one's hope in or even identifying ourselves with a zodiac sign or any created being is a bit of a stretch? The horse is just that -- a horse, wielding nothing more than horsepower, or what your airconditioning motor fires out to cool your room. 

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Anchor your life on Jesus who completed the work -- all we would ever need for life and godliness -- for us! He says in Revelations 21:6: "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega -- the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of the water of life."

He has our past, present and future covered. How refreshingly and thirst-quenchingly cool is that!

May Jesus, our Great News ever, be the center of 2014!

*Photo credits: blogs.constantcontact.com; zazzle.com; geijvontaen.deviantart.com

JESUS IS GREATER

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(Originally published in the Campus Crusade for Christ  newsletter)

It's all too painful. This nation dubbed as the happiest in the world must be reeling from some kind of multiple sclerosis, its head not knowing left from right, right from wrong. 

"What were they thinking?" might be a question all of us wanted to pound our lawmakers with, after the 10 billion peso Napoles-cum-lawmaker PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Funds) scam blew in their faces. 

So all this time, we were being taken for a ride? Our taxes not spent for their intended purpose? No wonder our politicians cheat and bribe and even kill to get elected. And no wonder barrio folks don't even have access to clean drinking water and electricity. 

What is so current about electricity if it sputters and dies on a daily basis and people just could not go about their normal way of living—or making a living? And we're surprised that they brave mega-populated Metro Manila to get a job—any job! 

You have, of course, read all the back and forth on why typhoon Yolanda was more tragic than it should have been. With communities summarily destroyed and thousands of families grieving—for their dead, their presumed dead and their stolen past—experts say the physchological cost of rebuilding will be astounding. 

One would assume that if the Philippines hosts more than 20 typhoons a year, we'd be a more organized event planner so that when Yolanda's cousins come bursting, we'd be ready with our battalions of to-go defenders, responders and aid. 

Oh, we could list a litany of laments. And I'm sure you're sick and tired of that. Enough! 

Haven't we gotten the message yet? Isn't it too obvious, as obvious as the clear morning light, that this merry or sorry-go-round of tragedies and social ills could not be solved or remedied by politics or pow-wow? 

Businesses could only do so much. Every child must have access to education, but even that is not enough. As a matter of fact, we're one of the best exporters of labor—highly skilled, professional and English speaking workers. 

Because neither employers with their strict code of ethics, nor education with its teachings on life values and principles, can tame the wild pasaway beast inside. 

Just look at how drivers cross the red light or take the lane supposedly for oncoming vehicles. Consider the under-the-table shenanigans not only in government offices but also in businesses. Note the statistics of separated couples or teenage pregnancies. 

And yet, even more developed economies are not immune from all these nor the natural calamities which batter us year in and year out. All these are signs of things to come. 

Matthew 26:7,8,12 remind us that there will be famines and earthquakes in various places; that there will be an increase in wickedness and that the love of many will grow cold; and yet, these are just the beginning of birth pains. The earth as we know it will no longer be the same. 

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Yet, we still have hope for our nation: 

Psalm 33:12—Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. 

Isaiah 9:6—For to us a child is born,  to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father. 

It has been a constant refrain, and we all need to ring it louder as the day of His coming draws near: Preach Jesus. Live Jesus. Model Jesus. 

And let's continue to pray for our leaders, because unless Jesus takes the lead over their lives, the lord greed and I-Me-Myself—with no regard for the welfare of our people—will continue to consume them. 

For many of us at the Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) and the people we've reached, Jesus has indeed become our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father. Wouldn't it be nice if Jesus would be all these—not just a name in their consciousness—in the lives of our loved ones, neighbors, communities and most especially our leaders?

I became a believer when someone from CCC shared Jesus with me. I didn't know I was lost until I found—rather I've been found by—Him. Like everyone of our kababayans walking around and believing themselves to be gods and masters of their destinies, I realized soon enough that I was INDEED a sinner, but could be saved and transformed by His grace. Then I realized: My heart has been changed, and could indeed OBEY Him!

That's the gift everyone needs to receive this Christmas and all the days of their lives. 

Jesus is Immanuel, the God who is with us!

Change? Yes! Only Jesus can make it happen. Because He resides in our hearts. He is our Shelter. Let the rains and the winds batter. If the greatest One lives in me, of whom—or  what—shall I be afraid? 

We as a nation need never be afraid.

CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE PERIPHERALS

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Let me be a party pooper as you prepare for your next Christmas affair. 

You've by now prettified your house, bedecked your Christmas tree with tinsels, balls, flowers and ribbons. Maybe even invaded Divisoria or Rustan's -- depending on your budget -- to make sure you didn't miss anyone in your Christmas gift list. 

And not to forget the parties! What food to prepare. The presents. What fineries to wear. For half a dozen parties, reunions and nights out. 

Just listing all the above made me woozy. Does Christmas have to be this stressful? I ask that every Christmas time. And someone always reminds me: 

"It stimulates the economy -- all this buying and selling."

"Life would be a complete bore if we didn't have this long holiday of feel-good carols, partying, niceties and gift-giving."  

How about answering this question: Is it good for your soul? A definite, "Yes!"

Delete the stress, Christmas is a must! Christmas celebration as we've all been accustomed to may be demanding, frenzied and tiring, but it is all up to us to ferret out the diamond from the rough. 

Go ahead, shop, party and relish all the puto-bumbong, bibingka, castanas and jamon served before you. I enjoy every bit of these even if my doctor scolds me later for laryngeal over-use and heightened cholesterol, sugar and triglyceride levels. 

And because you may have received your bonus and have some extra cash, bless your loved ones and others in need. 

But remember that all these are just the garnishings of Christmas.

If by chance any of these peripherals could not be served, Christmas remains to be the most important event for anyone and for humankind.

Think of our kababayans who lost their loved ones and material possessions to the recent typhoon and last year's typhoon Yolanda. Consider the poorest nations of Africa who don't even have access to clean water, good nutrition and decent medical care because their leaders have abandoned them. 

We don't even need to go far. Metro Manila teems with poor people living in shanties and boxes for their shelter under bridges. 

Jesus came that the those living in darkness may see the light (Matthew 4:6). 

One way or the other, we are all in darkness -- beset not only by material lack but emptiness of the soul. Hopelessness, addiction of some form, lust, greed, selfishness -- the list is endless. Statistics have proven that the most number of suicides occur during this season, especially in rich countries! So the tinsels and trimmings don't make for gladness.

Jesus knew precisely what we needed: Immanuel, meaning God with us! Sin has separated us from Him. So He gave us Jesus. Confess Him as our Savior and Lord and He starts to take residence in our minute-by-minute existence. 

He's not after being celebrated as a pageant king only at Christmas time or holy week or just on Sundays. He wants to be our Resident Physician, Teacher, Provider, Strength, Peace, Grace, Mercy and whatever else you need to fill your empty life with, 24/7.

Isaiah 9:6 -- "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

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Luke 2:13-14 -- Angels appeared with a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 

Christmas is all about God's peace to those who please Him. Wouldn't He be pleased if we received Jesus as our most cherished gift? With or without the peripherals, CHRISTmas won't just be merry, but joyful. 

Have a merry Christmas! Remember, Christ is the reason for the season. 

A THOUSAND WHYS

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Why? Why? Why?

When calamities strike, we look around for someone or something to point a finger to.

Is global warming to blame? So why aren't the responsible parties doing something to stem its tide?

Was the government negligent, not preparing enough with quick rescue-search-aid-response—when we know that more than 20 typhoons regularly visit our country every year?

Scientists responded: "Blame the higher sea level in these parts. Mix that with hot tropical temperatures and you have a recipe for disaster like what we're always experiencing, year in and year out."

These past few days had all just been a cacophony of questions.

One such question has been hard to answer: "Why would God allow this?"

God needn't justify Himself. But it's only when we seek Him would our questions be answered. God wants us to remember... 

Deutoronomy 8:7-9a: "He's bringing us to a good land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills, a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey, a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing..." 

Hopelessness, hunger and lack is never our kababayans' end state. Tribulation is just part of the process. One day, we will reunite with those who have gone before us—even those who perished in this recent tragedy—and all of our whys will be answered. He will turn everyone's mourning into rejoicing. 

But Jesus himself gave us a heads up. He didn't want us to be ignorant. We have been warned. Tribulations will come, their intensity magnifying as the end draws near. 

In Matthew 24, He spoke of the end of days and how people's hearts will turn from him—but promising to keep in perfect peace those who trust Him. Old testament prophets and His Revelation describe terrible days ahead. The earth as we know it will perish, but in its place will be established a glorious city with Jesus as King and we will eternally rejoice with Him. 

So do not be clueless about what lies ahead. Jesus has constantly been knocking at hearts. "I am the Answer." "The Way, the Truth and the Life." (John 14:6) He promised to save those who would call upon His name. 

I don't doubt at all that when tragedies strike, those who call on His name—as if hanging by a thread or kapit sa patalim—will be saved. Remember the thief crucified with Jesus? He promised to bring him to paradise ASAP!

It's all too hard to comprehend—the devastation, dead bodies strewn all over, the overwhelming desperation. All these are heart-wrenching; so we ask, "Where is God? How could He allow such horrors?" 

Oh how we mourn, and search for answers everywhere. There just seems to be no answers. I just could not comprehend it. But going back to His Word reminded me of these...

God wants us to remember:

He is our Maker. Remember, we are but dust! He breathed life into clayey form, naming it Adam. Unless we're willing to concede that you and I are but created beings—and that Jesus, the Word, is our blueprint for success—then we will be in constant pride mode, shaking our fists at heaven whenever a tragedy occurs. 

That's what He's been doing all along—reaching out to us. "Look to Me. Heed My instructions. Repent. Humble yourselves." And He will restore back to you what the locust has stolen, or what the waters and the wind have broken—either in this life or our ultimate destination, our eternal home. 

From the beginning of time, He had a plan. Even when man sinned, He wanted him back. God loves us, that's why He sent Jesus to save us from ourselves. But God's business is not just about rescuing us from the natural elements—though that is not impossible with Him—but for us to be restored back to Him so that we can be rescued into eternity. 

He is more interested in saving us from our pride so that when or before our end comes, we can be sure of our eternity with him. 

So will things get worse? Yes! Should we be fearful? Yes, in the natural. But there is no fear Christ. He promised to hold our lives at the palm of His hand.

He's been patiently knocking and nudging and whispering and calling. Do not trust in your money or your dwellings or your education (Deutoronomy 8:12,13,17). Entrust your life to Jesus. Savior. King. Lord of all and Lord of whatever deep pit you may have sunk into. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Proverbs 1:7. He will instruct us to live our days productively, successfully. 

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And we can demonstrate His love and compassion to those who hurt and cry and are hungry and naked. 

During times like these, let's allow ourselves—those who are now praising God that we've been spared from this calamity—to become the Jesus they have been searching for. Then they will have hope, and know in their hearts that Jesus loves, heals, cares, provides, embraces and saves.

Jesus, heal our hearts. Heal our land. May no other name be glorified.

THE CULT OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

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Which has the capacity to sting and immobilize people into

helplessness, even through future generations?

Which tickles your ears soooo good that when you come out of church every Sunday, you only remember the heart-warming blessings and grace parts—but never learn about His justice?

And which line has the devil used time and again to drive lawmakers' backs against the wall so that they have no other choice but craft voter-appeasing laws even if they are contrary to the absolute truths taught in the bible?

"You've got to be politically correct!" 

What a marketable slogan! It can win you a seat in Congress, even a Pulitzer or a Nobel prize.

So much so that even Christian teachers and writers are cautioned: "Say the truth but sugar-coat it." "Or don't say the truth at all." "You can't afford to offend anyone."

Since when has the truth been un-offensive? "Do not steal." "Do not lie." "Do not envy." "Do not lust." 

All of these make us squirm in our pants, right? But we have to teach our kids these anyway, for their own sake.

Write about homosexuality being sin, you get branded as a bigot. You're being politically incorrect. How could you say it otherwise? That it's cute, harmless?

I recently watched a video of kids, seven years old and above, the oldest maybe 15, "expertly" talking about being married to the same sex as the most natural thing in the world! 

One very disturbing line from one of them: "God wants everyone to be happy so being gay and marrying someone of the same sex is OK. Because that's what a kind God does!"

Where did these kids get their ideas? Who taught them these lies?

Flash back to the 1960s when the American Atheists Association (AAA) won a landmark legislation banning prayer in public schools. Having taken God out of children's lives, most of America is now in shambles, not knowing right from wrong. The AAA has also championed the rights of gays and lesbians. 

Of course everyone has a right! But not teaching people right from wrong is a manifold wrong. 

Because here are the facts. One: God loves everyone; that's why He sent Jesus to die on our behalf (John 3:16). Two: We have all sinned, none exempt (Romans 3:23). 

Sin is sin, be it murder, lust, coveting, stealing, dishonesty. Having unnatural relationships is sin. Corruption is sin. But even my once in a while white lie is sin. And God will take us ALL to account for our sins. His law applies to everyone! And whoever said anyone is being singled out? 

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But AAA, and those they've conned to believing their advocacy, would let people believe that if the law of the land is on their side, then it is OK to break God's law. America is exhibit numero uno of what happens to a nation that shakes its fist at God—passing off something wrong as right—and paying the consequence for doing so.

What is sad is, Filipinos being lovers of all things American, have gone the very same path. Oh how we relish Halloween and Hollywood, and their marketing foil to pass evil and perversion as cute and romantic.

John 8:44 says that the devil is a liar and the father of it. Whatever he wants people to believe is a lie—contrary to the absolute truths we've been taught in catechism class, and that to go against them has consequences. Give the devil a foothold and he takes all of you down with him to the bottomless pit. 

On top of being a liar, the devil is scheming and subtle. He massages our sensitivities and sensibilities—slowly, smoothly. 

Like a puppeteer, he puts to work his invisible strings to first control the unsuspecting, then strangles him a little at a time, until many characters in this puppet show called life gets pulled in one stranglehold. A tragic ending to those who go through life clueless—or without anyone caring to let them know the truth.  

Most of the time, the devil manifests himself as an angel of light—an angel of enlightenment. But the story shouldn't end in his triumph and your loss. 

Jesus gives you and me a way OUT.   

Jesus is our wonderful Counselor. He has given us the Holy spirit so that in our search for the best that life has to offer—even if we get exposed to so many conflicting views and concepts—we will indeed know the truth. 

For Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, John 14:6.

Jesus doesn't mince His words. He speaks the truth as it is. He calls a spade a spade, sin sin! No wonder the pharisees hated Him so. 

But He also spoke the truth in love. His motive had always been—and even today—love. He is not willing for anyone to perish as a consequence of their rejecting Him and His truth.

To believe in Jesus is to be set free. Would you want to be free to do what is right and have the power to follow Him? Pray to receive Him as your Savior and Lord!

"Jesus, forgive me. I am a sinner. My sins are many, yet you promised to forgive and make me a brand new creation. I ask you to come into my heart. Be my Savior and my Lord. Give me the strength to follow you. And teach me your truth. Holy Spirit, help me. In Your name I pray."

YOU’RE A MAMMOTH

Woolly mammoth restoration at the Royal British Columbia
Museum, Victoria, British Columbia. Photo by WolfmanSF

“Yesterday, I woke up a possum. This day, I am a mammoth,” declares Ellie, in the movie “Ice Age: The 
Meltdown,” when her real identity dawns on her.

Ellie was a humongous but gentle mammoth (which in reality was one of the largest animals which ever walked the face of the earth) but acted as if she were tiny.

Don’t we sometimes see ourselves like the possum Ellie? 

Someone may have told you, “You are stupid, you won’t amount to anything!” And you believed, owned and lived the “stupid” act as dictated on you.

I struggled with Math in grade three and it did not help that my grouch of a teacher always growled or threw the eraser at us if we missed the mark. I was tortured no end and really thought I was stupid. Then I was a clueless clumsy teenager—my face defaced by pimples, full length bangs and wide-rimmed black eyeglasses intended to cover what I thought was my ugly face—when someone said, “Oh, she’s the least among the brood.” That nailed the stupid-I-won’t-amount-to-anything-nail on my head. 

I carried that self-minimizing title as I grew up. I was so insecure I tried to hide behind a veneer of arrogance and pride. Deep inside I knew I was insignificant. 

Then one day, I discovered I was a mammoth. That was when Jesus caught my heart and I prayed to accept Him as my Lord and Savior. He opened my eyes to the fact that He loved me and wanted me to be a winner in everything I did if only I would let Him take control of my life.  What could be a better testimony than Him changing my heart and leading me in paths I never imagined I could tread?

Didn’t the bible say, I can do all things through Him who gives me strength? (Philippians 4:13); that it is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me;  and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20)? 

I am a mammoth not because of my own strength but because of the Holy Spirit steeling my resolve to walk in His wisdom, not mine. I am a mammoth because my house is not built on sinking sand but on solid ground. Jesus Christ is the Rock of my salvation, without whom I could not experience life to the full. The Rock of Ages is my stable ground, my rampart, my refuge and my high tower. 

As a man thinks to himself, so is he, Proverbs 23:7. You can’t say you’re a Christian yet still believe that you are weak or unable or powerless; so quit thinking, “I can’t!”  For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline, 2 Timothy 1:7.

That’s the same dunamis or dynamite power which made Jesus rise from the dead. That’s the same love which enabled Jesus to give His life in exchange for our eternal life. And that’s the same self-discipline Jesus so diligently exercised to fulfill His mission while He proclaimed His kingdom to an unbelieving generation. 

Like Ellie the possum who was really a mammoth, we can now start to flex our muscles and say, “I have the mind of Christ, I can do it!” 

Shouldn’t this be one of the first lessons we teach our kids even before they start struggling with their Math?

Originally published at: http://cbnasia.org/home/2013/09/youre-a-mammoth/