tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44289837878189617202024-03-05T22:23:30.751+08:00adamant thoughtsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-58564211426052258942011-12-21T11:05:00.000+08:002011-12-21T11:09:29.924+08:00Shit happens for a reasonI always make it a point to have a handkerchief in my left (back or front) pocket everywhere I go. But one fateful day, I was not able to bring one because all of my hankies are in the laundry.<br />
<br />
So when I got to my cubicle at the faculty room, I grabbed a pack of pop-up tissues that has been there for several months already and shoved it into my bag before going to class. I thought it was the perfect stand-in for my absentee hanky.<br />
<br />
In the classroom, as I was running a little late, I immediately set up my computer for Powerpoint. When I was almost done, my tummy started to feel weird. And if one knows me, he/she should know that I'm not particularly skilled at holding my bowels.<br />
<br />
There was nothing else to do: I had to grab the pack of tissues, put it in my pocket and dashed to the nearest rest room.<br />
<br />
That was the first time I was glad I did not have a handkerchief with me.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
... <i>all things work together for good to those who love God...</i> - Romans 8:28 </blockquote>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-80036913156772324172011-12-07T09:29:00.001+08:002011-12-07T09:30:16.563+08:00School ID Christianity<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix">
<div>
University of San Carlos
(USC) is one of the few schools that still imposes strict policies on
wearing uniforms and ID cards. And probably the first directive the
security guards in the campus were given was to implement these
policies. This entry is not a critique on the policies and the guards;
it is rather a reflection of how we are as Christians as seen in the
analogy of wearing ID cards.<br />
<br />
The most common scene at the
gates of USC is this: students (on their way into the campus) taking
their ID's from their pockets and wearing them; students (on their way
out of the campus) taking their ID's off and shoving them into their
pockets just a few meters away from the gates.<br />
<br />
I can't
help but notice certain similarities between this scene and our
Christian lives. Many of us wear our "Christian ID cards" when we are
in church. We don our kind, compassionate, loving, friendly,
accommodating selves when we are in church or when we are with our
friends from church. But as soon as we step out of the gates, we take
them off and go about our ways.<br />
<br />
Let us examine ourselves.
How do we take our identity as Christians. Do we wear it like an ID
card - which we can take off whenever we feel it's not needed anymore?
Or do we wear it like our skins for everyone to see?</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-88321215651428929252011-08-14T08:26:00.000+08:002011-08-14T08:26:49.366+08:00Just do it<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just do it.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That is the catchphrase of one of the world’s leading sports apparel brand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their store in a mall, just recently, and for quite a long time, put up a big poster of two of their leading endorsers: Kobe and LeBron – two basketball superstars whom fans had hoped to battle it out in the (recent) finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems they <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">couldn’t</i> do it</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The company, in a way, put their faith on two humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Failure of the endorsers to “just do it” may not topple down the company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But imagine if it was you who put your faith on people and they failed big time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Put in Christian light, “just do it” is a disposition that entails a lot of faith – faith in God, of course, not in men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the first missionaries arrived in Cebu encountered obstacles – the least of which was not having a sanctuary to worship in, they probably said to each other, “Let’s just do it. God will provide.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people were pessimistic about reopening the Bradford Memorial Church, citing the unsuitability of the old building for worship services, our church leaders said, “Let’s just do it!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sure enough, God provided; just as He did almost a hundred years ago; just as He always does.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So the next time you are doubtful about having enough to do something, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">just do it</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is sure to provide the needs of His children.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-13792270366834162392011-05-24T16:27:00.003+08:002011-05-24T22:26:47.286+08:00saltIf you are an inexperienced cook, there's a fairly big chance of you getting the taste wrong. So when making scrambled eggs, chances are that you put in too little or too much salt. My girlfriend puts it this way: if there is too little salt, it's OK, something can still be done even after cooking; but if there's too much salt, there's nothing much that we can do about it.<br /><br />She's right. And she's got me thinking and reflecting on what Jesus said about us being the salt of the earth. Apparently, if we are too salty - if we exercise what it is to be Christians well, we become far too stringent to most people, to the world.<br /><br />Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I dare say it is a good thing.<br /><br />If Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth, he calls us to be salty - to be as salty as we can be, in fact. We should spread our salinity like wild fire searing everything in its way.<br /><br />But that's not all. We should also be adamant, resolved, steadfast. We should never lose our salinity.<br /><br /><blockquote>Matthew 5:13<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."</span></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-23519824232225346112011-05-16T21:17:00.001+08:002011-05-19T10:24:22.328+08:00(Un)random chorus<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> 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mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scribbles on the Sand</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level:1">Drag me to the Savior’s side</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bring me to where He stands</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Where stones and death have no power</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level:1">My guilt is written on sand</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So easily erased by the tides</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Of His love</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is a piece I wrote (and rewrote a couple of times) based on the first few verses of John 8:<br /></p><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;"> 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> 11 “No one, sir,” she said.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”</span> </blockquote><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-20033305970416004312011-05-15T21:59:00.004+08:002011-05-16T09:15:15.492+08:00RedemptionThe Shepherd became the Lamb<br />To be one with the lost<br />He came down from His throne<br />The King of kings, the Host of hosts<br />And let drip His blood<br />For those He loves most<br />That's you and me, brother (and sister)<br />He bought us at the highest of costsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-68086247299083022562011-05-13T00:21:00.001+08:002011-05-14T23:10:25.150+08:00connect the dots .____.Today (actually, yesterday) in my mechanics of deformable bodies (strength of materials) class, the topic was shear and moment diagrams. A fair amount of drawing was involved and something that I have been aware of since I started teaching hit me like it never did before. Indeed it is far more difficult to draw freehand a vertical line on a whiteboard than it is to draw a horizontal line; but I never thought I'd draw a reflection out of this observation.<br /><br />I would take horizontal lines as our connections to our fellowmen. For mere humans like all of us, it generally (and relatively) is easy to establish and maintain these horizontal lines on our own. Vertical lines are our connections to God. Sins have severed these ties. These sins have made it practically impossible for us to draw perfect vertical lines on our own.<br /><br />The solution is simple. We just let Jesus be our "RULER" - the Ruler of our lives, and our connections to God will be as straight as it should be.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-63279985800387425082011-05-12T10:24:00.001+08:002011-05-14T23:12:27.779+08:00perspectives<div class="post-header"> </div> (This entry is also published in <a href="http://ridenwrite.blogspot.com/">ridenwrite.blogspot.com</a>)<br /><br />Yesterday, a recent venture of mine took me to the road which took me to one of the premiere subdivisions in Cebu City - Beverly Hills.<br /><br />Going to the venue (a function building called the Beverly Pavilion), we passed by big, beautiful houses - the kinds that cost millions to build. Though I was driving and had to follow another vehicle to the venue, and hence, didn't have the luxury of visually exploring the place - I couldn't help but notice these houses. My amazement climaxed when we arrived at our destination - a pavilion nestled on the edge of hill (cliff-ish?) overlooking a ravine and the city.<br /><br />The cool air and the ambiance quickly took me to a trance-like state as I can't believe I never left the city at all. In fact, I was at the very heart of it. The beauty of the place got me thinking about how much people would pay just to have this view from their balcony; and even how much people would pay just to hold an event in such a place.<br /><br />From my vantage point, the horizon was blurred by storm clouds and the city seems harmless and serene. I almost got lost in the moment until I refocused my eyes on the immediate surrounding. I can't believe I missed the shanties dotting the other side of the ravine.<br /><br />I wondered: if one of the houses near the pavilion was mine, would I be able to look out the window every morning knowing what "disturbing realities" await right outside?<br /><br />Then it hit me: looking at reality (and life) straight in the face boils down to one thing - perspective.<br /><br />One can look at the "shanties of life" - realities that often bring us down; one can look to city and its lights - mesmerizing escapes that are often just around the corner; one can look at the horizon and get lost in the tug-of-war between earth and sky; or one can look up - to God, have faith, and see that the sourness of reality is indiscernible in the sweetness of His love.<br /><br /><br /><h2 id="passage_heading"><span style="font-size:100%;">2 Corinthians 4:17-18</span><br /></h2> <p style="font-style: italic;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28877">17</sup> For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28878">18</sup> So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-16879793309544073522011-04-18T15:13:00.002+08:002011-05-14T23:13:21.320+08:00early taste of summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1OB4xGG9gJ6RCmR2NyCpPps1SEvUhP66EbSe4KR9rhNOZeo9VBdj7jKWxyV1hWekkGLuZvp4xDAoevNxErNffvregRaiHIMwR2ku4M_4P_FU_S7R3fs4Fjk-NMNymGgnykrBHUj16t0/s1600/relax+relax.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1OB4xGG9gJ6RCmR2NyCpPps1SEvUhP66EbSe4KR9rhNOZeo9VBdj7jKWxyV1hWekkGLuZvp4xDAoevNxErNffvregRaiHIMwR2ku4M_4P_FU_S7R3fs4Fjk-NMNymGgnykrBHUj16t0/s400/relax+relax.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596818815277758130" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-19801171677832066302011-04-06T20:58:00.004+08:002011-05-14T23:15:28.270+08:00For God and Country<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkydgh-dJPlzCf9zyoYwQkaG7TOrrPKGaY32KSerRssDPOMqI00ymezcfjP7K-PCvnW2r-OJiD5n14zr62QLAH2tZywCwfTdpPsczxFI9jKkJsf5M5p_d4PhKei_zX1Yvv10Z6RDLPDI/s1600/kagalag+galang.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkydgh-dJPlzCf9zyoYwQkaG7TOrrPKGaY32KSerRssDPOMqI00ymezcfjP7K-PCvnW2r-OJiD5n14zr62QLAH2tZywCwfTdpPsczxFI9jKkJsf5M5p_d4PhKei_zX1Yvv10Z6RDLPDI/s400/kagalag+galang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592455177102710898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When I got the message inviting me to speak in this joyous occasion, I was trembling. I do not know exactly why. Maybe I was scared. I have never spoken to this big a crowd before. Maybe I was excited. I would be lying if I tell you that the thought of speaking to the graduating class of our beloved JBI never crossed my mind. In fact, it did. I just never thought it would be this soon – just 11 years after my own graduation.<br /><br />But recognizing that it was such a privilege, a great chance to share what I have learned in the relatively short span of 11 years, I humbly accepted the offer.<br /><br />So, here I am.<br /><br />It was not too long ago when I was in your shoes, so I know you guys are still in a “seventh heaven” state right now. You feel like you are on top of the world; you feel like a warrior who has just won his toughest fight yet. But let a few weeks pass and reality will start to hit you. Before you know it, you are faced with various choices – some of them are just waiting to be made; others may be the only ones you have; others still may have been made for you.<br />No, I’m not going to tell you what choices to make. I am not going to help you answer the question, “What do I do now?” That would be unfair because the circumstances I had when I was you may be far different. Rather, I would like to help you answer a far more important question: “What do I do with what I have?”<br /><br />Wait, do you know what you now have? Each of you now has under your belt what I would call a Bethelian education, the same one that I have. Some of you will continue to gain more education, some may not; but wherever you find yourself in the next few months or years, and even for the rest of your lives, I urge you to use what you have gained from our beloved school.<br /><br />The scripture reference of today’s celebration is found in James 1:25, which says,"But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act – they will be blessed in their doing."<br /><br />The measure of how we fair as Christians is how we apply what we read from the scriptures. And it would seem that a similar yardstick is used to see how much we have learned academically.<br /><br />And for you who are recipients of not just any education but a Christian education and a good one I may add, that yardstick is quite long. You are expected to reflect just that in your daily lives. Wherever you are and whatever you do, if indeed you have learned something, it should shine through.<br /><br />Quality education therefore dear graduates, is not what is given to you. It is what you make out of what you are given.<br /><br />Just as learning is an unending process, education does not end on graduation day. The first part of education, which is instruction, may end when you leave the classroom, but the next part, which is application, is just about to get serious.<br /><br />Continued Responsiveness in Delivering Quality Education amidst Global Changes – this is today’s theme. At first look, it seems to be addressed to just the teachers, the mentors. But it is actually addressed to you graduates, and to all of us. The responsibility of delivering quality education falls on us all.<br /><br />How do we deliver quality education? – by being doers who act. We impart our knowledge to the people around us by applying to our daily lives what we have received, what we have learned.<br /><br />I would like to give an analogy to this. And what better example can we have than the heroes of the Bible. Noah is a good example of what it is to be a doer. Noah received instructions from God to build an ark. Can you imagine what would have happened if Noah never set out to build the ark? Nobody would have been saved from the flood. More importantly, we would never know how Noah responded to the instructions of God.<br /><br />In the same way, if you don’t apply what you have learned, people will never know if you ever learned anything at all – you yourself will never know if you have learned anything at all.<br /><br />I am fond of big words – words that most people do not know or use. So, as much as I can, I improve my vocabulary. And how do I know that I have indeed learned new words or expressions? It is never enough to know what they mean. It is even not enough to know how these words came to be – their etymologies. It is when I find the perfect opportunity, in a free conversation, to use the words that I know I have learned them.<br /><br />Let us now revisit the Parable of the Talents? (Matthew 25:14, ff) Three servants were given by their master different amount of talents each according to their abilities. The two of them used their talents and gained more talents. While the other one, did not, in any way, make use of the talent that was given to him. And we all know what happened next. To those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.<br /><br />Be doers, act and be rewarded in your doing.<br /><br />So that’s it. Apply, use, capitalize on what you have – on what you have learned. That is the only way to do it.<br /><br />And you may say, “Ok, now what?”<br /><br />Dear graduates, it doesn’t end there. There is an even greater question that you all need to ask yourselves. And the question is: “To what end shall I use the things I have learned?” “To what purpose shall I use the things I have learned?”<br /><br />When I was on my first or second year in high school, my dad left me a gift for my birthday. He could not give it to me personally because he works in Cagayan de Oro and my birthday was on a weekday. My mom was the one who handed me the gift and said that there is a message that goes along with it and that I should read the message first because it’s a clue as to what’s inside.<br /><br />The message was in fact a passage from the Bible: Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).<br /><br />And the gift was a flashlight – a very cool one, I might add.<br /><br />I’m not going to talk about my flashlight; I’ll focus more on the verse. That verse has been one of my favorites since then. And that verse is what I would like you to answer to the question with.<br /><br />Everything you do should bring glory to God. Use your skills, talents and education to that end, to that purpose and all things will fall into place.<br /><br />There is nothing more to it. It’s as straightforward as that. Do whatever you do for God.<br /><br />If there is another purpose for using the best of our abilities and offering the best of who we are, it should be that we do what we do for our country. And this is where I would solicit your support, your hearts the most. For many of our countrymen have forgotten or worse, blatantly neglect the fact that we are Filipinos. And our responsibility as a people is towards the Philippines.<br /><br />There is no doubt that our first priority is to please the Lord our God in everything we do. But the immediate second should be that we should serve our country. These two responsibilities are closely linked to each other. How?<br /><br />Let us remember that, during the Old Testament times, God did not only reveal His glory and grace to a person, nor to a family; He revealed Himself to a nation. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you” (Gen 12:2a) was God’s promise to Abraham, the father of our faith. It was to and through this nation that God made Himself known – He blessed them as a nation and, at many times, punished them as a nation.<br /><br />Our being Filipinos, our nationality, is probably the most visible, tangible will of God in our lives. We honor His by serving our country.<br /><br />In the near future, you will have your own families to uphold, companies to run and jobs to do. But never forget that you have a country to serve.<br /><br />Do you know the story of Nehemiah? Nehemiah is of course a person who lived during the Old Testament times. During his time, the Jews were defeated by the Babylonians and were brought to exile in Babylonia. And then came the Persians and defeated the Babylonians. Could you just imagine the predicament the Jewish people were in during that time? While many of the Jews were allowed to go back to Jerusalem, some were made to serve the Persian king in Babylonia and Nehemiah was one of them.<br /><br />Nehemiah was the cup bearer of the king. As such, he was trusted by the king with his life. So he probably had the most luxurious life among the Jews in Babylonia. But then Nehemiah heard news that his country was literally broken – the walls of the city were broken down and the gates where destroyed by fire.<br /><br />During the time, the walls protect the city from all threats from outside. Moreover, these walls keep the people united. A city with broken walls is like a naked person – shamed and defenseless. <br /><br />Upon hearing this sad news, Nehemiah mourned for this people and cried out to God for help.<br />But he never stopped there. He set out on a journey back to his country and on a mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and reestablish the unity of his people.<br /><br />Dear graduates, you, and all of us, should be like Nehemiah. You may live luxurious lives; but do not get lost in the comforts; never lose heart for your country. In your own little ways, honor God and serve our country, the Philippines.<br /><br />At this point, I would like to ask: “Are you proud to be Filipino?”<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />If you point to the conquests of Manny Pacquiao or of Charice Pempengco as the source of Filipino pride, then my dear friends, you have fallen short of being Filipinos. Our source of pride as a country, as a people should lie within ourselves. Let us work together such that everything we do, and everything we are, would honor the country God has blessed us with.<br /><br />Start with simple gestures. Follow traffic rules. Throw wastes properly. Be involved in the comings and goings of the country. In time, you will find ways to honor the Philippines in your own ways.<br /><br />I dream of the day when Filipinos no longer have to point to someone else if asked, "Why are you proud to be Filipino?" I dream of the day that for each one of us, everything we do and everything we are are the very core from which Filipino pride radiates.<br /><br />To end, let’s reflect on the words of Jesus himself found in Matthew 7:24 and following:<br /><br />Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell – and great was its fall!<br /><br />This is another of my top favorite verses. I can so relate to it because I am an engineer – a builder. For us engineers, for any structure – be it a house, a tall building or a bridge, it is not what you see on the outside that is important. It is the foundation – what is deep within, what you do not see with your eyes, that is important. And the general rule is that the bigger, the grander the structure is, the firmer should be the foundation.<br /><br />So graduates, be doers and not just hearers. Use what you have learned for God and country!<br /><br />Build your futures, and in turn build this country up, on the only foundation that cannot be shaken – God.<br /><br />Once again, congratulations. May God bless us all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-84889181939186809802011-02-18T23:43:00.003+08:002011-05-14T23:17:11.283+08:00Me in His Tree<div style="text-align: center;">It was me by His Tree</div><div style="text-align: center;">Taking refuge, whilst being free</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shielded from the glare</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfazed by the wind</div><div style="text-align: center;">Splashing in the water</div><div style="text-align: center;">Satisfied from within</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, it’s me in His Tree</div><div style="text-align: center;">Taking in others, setting them free</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shielding from the glare</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barring the wind</div><div style="text-align: center;">Keeping in the water</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bidding, “Come, jump in.”</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This was the unofficial "carrier poem" of CYAF's involvement in Bradford's Ministry Fair 2010, in November of last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The title, which was the drive of CYAF is a play of words: MINISTRY ---> ME IN HIS TREE</div><div><br /></div><div>It tells of our growth, or aspiration to grow, from being blessed to becoming blessings to others.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-74025347540117230302011-02-15T12:40:00.004+08:002011-02-15T19:43:36.024+08:00Stop-motion animation<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzeETS5nG27tS35p25PLp_sCH5liIqBrn8y4hz5Y17tl-OfGx9vD39-PKp7CuoG0bc4YDKxy6rpgAeuMqRKcA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I received this plastic model of a gundam for my 19th birthday. I figured it's from an animated series so why not animate it? This right here is my first and only (so far) shot at stop-motion animation, or at animation for that matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>(This video was made in late 2003 or early 2004. The pictures were taken with my long-dead Fujifilm 402 compact digital camera. The animation was done with Macromedia Flash.)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-64852759984538064012011-02-13T11:59:00.007+08:002011-12-21T13:30:34.354+08:00(Almost) cover story<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>This was supposed to be the cover story of UCCP Bradford's "Acts 16:9" Sunday Bulletin on CYAF Sunday 2010.</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Tipping the First Tile</b></span></div>
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The Bradford Christian Young Adults’ Fellowship (CYAF) believes that care, if done right, will have a “domino effect" in the community.</div>
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Domino effect does not work on one tile only, not even with a few tiles. It works best if there are several tiles. In the same way, care is best seen at work in the community.</div>
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However, the beauty and wonder we see in the successive knocking over of several tiles starts with one push. Even after all the hard work involved in setting up the tiles, it still needs that one push to make it all happen. That one push is often something we find so hard to do for others. The fear or reluctance of doing that one push often makes us give up on caring for others.</div>
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And we are all called to care for others.</div>
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Let us all, by God’s grace, be bold enough to make that one push and start the domino effect of love and care in the community.</div>
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One might argue that he/she is not fit or built for caring and point to someone else to do it. It is valuable to note that arranging domino tiles in order to achieve the “domino effect” is not in any way connected to the game for which the tiles where made. “Domino effect” is a product of resourcefulness and of thinking out of the box. Caring for others should not be so different at all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_MxImG0AGPe-foA1aTYmvqtBdOnugk77HVL-54kuMTRzclDl4WVD196CuCP8aO0789SmuhFqmQpVodYaQAUEvZk9dCh-KP0Pt2l2wZDGBMgdlBFIUIXw7uPvJNTmlkJRQw2_QHKxQ5w/s1600/domino+3xxjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_MxImG0AGPe-foA1aTYmvqtBdOnugk77HVL-54kuMTRzclDl4WVD196CuCP8aO0789SmuhFqmQpVodYaQAUEvZk9dCh-KP0Pt2l2wZDGBMgdlBFIUIXw7uPvJNTmlkJRQw2_QHKxQ5w/s320/domino+3xxjpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-58323831651497628612011-02-05T20:07:00.004+08:002011-05-14T23:20:05.844+08:00a shrimpy reflection<div>The following article is the cover story of the Feb 6 2011 issue of Acts 16:9.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1_AlKKZQW3FVuOLGElmBeLErTCB7q8dvEjt-Jic3mOu3lzqoOYIPe_6mXKXmS2vyZnRdQCChxNTssHvNpgCQzMVvKhTYDff_KrFkVoLtv5TYOP5E5fH7qc6hpTJirqi2Mw1DuAiQGos/s400/on+membership.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 71px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570178735886806402" border="0" /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I had shrimp sinigang for dinner the other night. Yum!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shrimp, as well as crab and lobster, is arguably the best produce from the sea (or rivers).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That is why it is among the top of everyone’s “my favorite food” list.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That is why parties run out of shrimp before they do any other dish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That is why it is so expensive.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If there is one drawback in the whole shrimp thing, it is the need to use both hands to get the shell off – you would have to have shrimp matter in your nails; and the smell does not come off easy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember my brother saying he loves crab and shrimp; he just doesn’t want to go through the whole process of taking the meat out of the shell.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As members of the Christian community, many of us do not bother to get involved in the little details of Christian life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We don’t bother attending Bible studies and Sunday school.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We don’t fellowship with others in the different organizations and ministries.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe we just want the brand name – we just want the shrimp meat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We do not see that, just as having to remove by hand the shell before actually eating the shrimp is half the experience, getting involved and fellowshipping is half of what it means to be part of the faith community.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The only way to enjoy shrimp is hands-on experience; the only way to enjoy being a Christian is hands-on experience.</p> <span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Be a full-time member of Christ’s church.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be involved.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-90121081864168673052010-09-29T00:32:00.005+08:002011-05-14T23:23:45.743+08:00giving...Monday, 27th of September.<div><br /></div><div>I was in a meeting with young-adult leaders of our church. It was in a pastry shop. The idea of buying some pastries for the attendees of the meeting got hold of me. The feeling of joy in giving to others has never been this strong in me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I bought them something which may not be the most expensive ones in the selves. But it felt really good nonetheless.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you ask my old friends, I was never the one to buy food (or other stuffs) for others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Lord for reminding me that it is a whole lot better to give than to receive.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. ~ Matthew 10:7 & 8</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-70131564301651485072010-09-28T14:00:00.005+08:002011-05-14T23:23:02.561+08:00That Still Small VoiceLast Sunday, the speaker for the 9:45am service at Bradford said that it was her privilege to share to the congregation God's message for her that day.<br /><br />Something hit me there and then. If we just think of sharing a Bible reflection, and even a full blown message or sermon, as merely sharing God's message for us on that day, then we won't be scared to stand and talk in front of people.<div><br /></div><div>What does this imply? We simply have to listen to what God has to say to us everyday.</div><div><br /></div><div>How do we do this? Prayer. Meditation. Bible reading.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we say that God has not revealed His message to us today, then there must be something wrong with our being Christians.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the characters in the movie "I am Legend" said that God told her about the colony of the last few humans on earth, that God has a plan. When Dr Neville, played by Will Smith, tried to dismiss her disposition as crazy, she said, "The world is quieter now. If we listen, we can hear God's plan..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Does it have to be at world's end, when the world is literally quieter, for us to hear that still small voice? I dare say no. He speaks to us every moment of every day. We just have to listen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite coincidentally (as many would put it; in Christian terms, it's called blessing), I learned a new word last night as I was reading stuffs in the internet. <b><i>Zeitgeist</i></b>. Its origin is German. It means "the spirit of the moment/time."</div><div><br /></div><div>The new word I learned further helped me decide to blog God's day to day message for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I pray I will be able to do this to help make the lives of people, me included, better...</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.</i></div><div><i>To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.</i></div><div><i>When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.</i></div></div><div>-John 10:2-4</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-81680099677047391142010-09-25T16:29:00.005+08:002011-05-14T23:24:46.331+08:00Unplanned, Unpracticed<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2mGyCPdBVZTUhKBJldlFaaShxldJjRLnA_xxWXjjp7VsN7JSonSIU0HB42Ly8FxCCek-LM_79J4-M2GCRu_vgWm5b4Fccnsk625c_UHEkJxiK0xHHwjTMXlL0y8f0SGeTkegaAt1i6I/s1600/coffee+overload.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2mGyCPdBVZTUhKBJldlFaaShxldJjRLnA_xxWXjjp7VsN7JSonSIU0HB42Ly8FxCCek-LM_79J4-M2GCRu_vgWm5b4Fccnsk625c_UHEkJxiK0xHHwjTMXlL0y8f0SGeTkegaAt1i6I/s400/coffee+overload.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520765681974472530" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Coffee Overload"</div><div><br /></div><div>Taken with a borrowed Canon 550D inside a PAL plane when our flight to Manila last Sept 19 was delayed for almost 2 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.</i> - Isaiah 40:31</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-73899846014561708962010-09-15T10:50:00.001+08:002011-05-14T23:26:50.097+08:00Life is...You wake up<br />And find that you have none<br />You spend the whole day<br />Trying you gain just one<br />When there are some<br />Who are born right out of trust funds<br />Who may sleep all day<br />And still have much in their hands<br /><br />Yes life is not fair<br />No matter how much you try<br />No matter how much you dare<br />But if you see the wonder that is in all<br />Yes life is not fair<br />But it is beautiful<br /><br />You choose to love<br />And find all the reasons to smile<br />You give your all<br />Only to find out it’s not worth your while<br />Hold your head high<br />You’ll see, if you look beyond big pains<br />Swarms of small blessings<br />Like floods that come from droplets of rain<br /><br />Yes life is not fair<br />No matter how much you try<br />No matter how much you dare<br />But if you see the wonder that is in all<br />Yes life is not fair<br />But it is beautifulUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-7464727769149773092010-08-11T10:53:00.003+08:002011-05-14T23:27:52.877+08:00Be Still...?<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcHoV3vuOhU7r3MoxvybxPv7oqoLWLm3HMwx93O4otXfUS3oBZyda4RSx9b4a-GkD-vJKgjAzWYfGYXxJyZRnM4HJkqpFbCqOVJ8aSUYq_ABwtEVjxvp89YEMSWCepzsVWxIJihGh-Ws/s1600/57.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcHoV3vuOhU7r3MoxvybxPv7oqoLWLm3HMwx93O4otXfUS3oBZyda4RSx9b4a-GkD-vJKgjAzWYfGYXxJyZRnM4HJkqpFbCqOVJ8aSUYq_ABwtEVjxvp89YEMSWCepzsVWxIJihGh-Ws/s400/57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503980674583275138" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Just me and my.... no, it's not my camera... I sure hope I have one like it... so I can really start a <a href="http://adamantthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/08/be-still.html">photography business venture</a> with my friend agnes and <a href="http://adamantthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/06/couple-of-weeks-ago-bradford-cyaf-went.html">make a model out of my girlfriend</a>...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-68410567234786311482010-08-06T18:00:00.004+08:002011-05-14T23:29:08.917+08:00Presumptuous MeMay of last year, I and my girlfriend attended the first death anniversary celebration of my Lolo Roger. We drove south (on my motorcycle) from Cebu City to the southern tip of Cebu Island and took the barge going to Negros Oriental. Lolo Roger is buried in Dumaguete City.<div><br /></div><div>A few months after, in a proud, almost boastful, voice, I told a good friend of mine about our summer escapade.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was then that I learned that this friend of mine drove from Mindanao to Manila during the same time I drove from Cebu to Dumaguete. Then he told me that when they were driving to the capital, they met on the road a foreigner walking. The man has been to different countries on a mission: to walk around the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to my friend so proud about my adventure only to find out that he's been to a greater adventure and that other people are on or have been to much greater ones.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is nothing wrong about being proud of the things that you have done but bragging and thinking no one's ever done the things you did probably is. And it just might make you lose your face...</div><div><br /></div><div>In Luke 14:8-10, Jesus said:</div><div><i>When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-45468768140353916572010-08-01T03:30:00.003+08:002011-05-14T23:30:20.928+08:00Tithe and Bribe<p class="MsoNormal">One of the many things I know I should do but somehow fail to do several times is tithing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know how it works (or I think I do).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know I ought to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But somehow, I can’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are a lot of things that I can identify that would very much qualify as alibis or as I would call them: self-justified reasons, for not tithing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I am not going to write about them here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m going to write about tithing and the awkward feelings that surround it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I may well be speaking for myself here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I may be the only one going through this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But it’s our own personal experiences that teach us life lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And this is one of those experiences.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever tried giving more than ten percent of your income because you have so much to thank for?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have and it feels so good.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">How about giving more, hoping to somehow negate something that you have done wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or maybe you don’t admit it, not even to yourself, but at the back of your mind the idea clings on like stain on fabric – that you have brought tithing down to a derogatory status of a bribe?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tithing is not, and should never be, for all intent and purposes, a bribe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tithing is returning to God what is rightfully His.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tithing is part of the natural order of the universe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is us humans, and all our weaknesses and inadequacies, that stain the essence of the tithe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am sure many of us have heard about employers holding their own employees hostage with their (employees) salaries as the weapon of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These employers threaten not to release the salaries or wages of their workers if they (employees) do not let them (employers) have their ways of doing things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I’m pretty sure also that upon hearing this kind of stories, we would, as if in chorus, scream “That’s not fair!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Indeed, it is not fair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not fair to those who have worked so hard not to receive the fruits of their labor – something that rightfully belongs to them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s stealing from them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is also not fair to God if we don’t give Him what’s His.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s stealing from Him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Moreover, it is equally not fair to Him if we give our tithe and expect a little extra favor from Him because we have something in us that needs serious corrections.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Malachi 3:10 says <i>“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.</i><span><i> </i></span><i>Test me on this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it…”</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We should give our tithe because it’s the right thing to do – so “that there may be food in God’s house,” and not because we are after the blessing God promised.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s just like we don’t steal or kill because it’s the right thing to do and not because we don’t want the consequences of doing it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So whenever tithing becomes more like bribing, change the things you have the power over – yourself and your unrighteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ask God to take away that guilt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And when it is gone, giving will feel so much better.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have yet to do this myself. Help me God...</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-23173508964226346852010-07-28T01:32:00.010+08:002011-05-14T23:31:10.146+08:00Another Tale of BatsShortly after the school year started, I went to get IDs. I had surrendered my faculty ID for not teaching any subject the previous semester; my student ID on the other hand had already expired. So, as my teaching load for the current semester was still being processed, I thought it best to get a new student ID while waiting for my faculty ID. <i>(For those who don't know, I am a full-time Master of Science student and a part-time college instructor of the Civil Engineering Department of one of the universities in Cebu City.)</i><div><br /></div><div>The school does not allow male students (specifically undergraduates) to grow their hair long or grow beards and mustaches. My hair about eight inches long. So when I approached the one in charge of taking ID pictures, I was told I can't have my photo taken because of my hair.</div><div><br /></div><div>I played the double-agent card.</div><div><br /></div><div>I told her I am also a member of the faculty of the university.</div><div><br /></div><div>She told me I am also a student so I should have my hair cut. Shortly after, she snapped that I can have my photo taken.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I have to wait in line.</div><div><br /></div><div>I left. The long line was the perfect alibi for leaving. And my seemingly busy schedule would further support my action. But what the ID-girl said left a sting in my mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some weeks after that, one of the members of the faculty of our department asked me if the university allows male teachers to grow their hair long.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, I played the double-agent card.</div><div><br /></div><div>I told him I am also a graduate student.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was when I started thinking more about why I wanted to get both a faculty and a student ID. I realized I need my faculty ID to gain for myself more access and "power" inside the campus. And my student ID? I need it to get discounts.</div><div><br /></div><div>This made me reflect - on life, on being a Christian. We love to play the double-agent card. We tend to switch from one side to the other depending on which one benefits us. We boldly claim all the blessings of being a Christian. But when we are called to step out of our comfort zones, we cower away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember the story about the bats who were caught in the middle of a war between mammals and birds? The bats could not decide which side they are on. And so they were caught right in the middle with no way out.</div><div><br /></div><div>In life, we need to be bold and steadfast. As Christians, we should also be bold and steadfast.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth" </i>- Revelation 3:16 NIV</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-21327287071463313942010-06-13T09:00:00.006+08:002011-05-14T23:32:07.969+08:00For God and Country<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">My brother once told me that if a person was legally allowed to stow away on every flight (his words in Bisaya were “mokabit sa eroplano”) to the United States of America (or other countries), it would not take long for the population of the Philippines to be dramatically reduced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was meant to be a joke, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, one can’t help but notice how much it touches on reality – Filipinos would go to great lengths just to get out of the country.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Have you ever found yourself asking God why He made you Filipino?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or found yourself wanting to go out the country so bad in hope for a “better” life?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Sadly, for many, the answer to these questions is “yes.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">What do the scriptures say about our nationality?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the New Testament, we can read these words:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.5in;margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><i><sup><span style="line-height:115%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">26</span></span></sup></i><i><span style="line-height: 115%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">27</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">28</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">”For in him we live and move and have our being.”</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.”</span></span></i><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Acts 17; NIV)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Let us also remember that, during the Old Testament times, God did not only reveal His glory and grace to a person, nor to a family; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">He revealed Himself to a nation</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you”</i> (Gen 12:2a) was God’s promise to Abraham, the father of our faith.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was to and through this nation that God made Himself known – He blessed them as a nation and, at many times, punished them as a nation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">If you think the Philippines is now hopeless and beyond help because of the corruption and all the unrighteousness in it, take time to reflect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Could it be that, as a nation, as His people, we have not sought Him like He intended?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Could it be that, as a nation, we have not obeyed Him?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Could it be that we have not considered our being Filipinos as a blessing from God?</p> <span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Our being Filipinos, our nationality, is one of the most visible, tangible will of God in our lives. Let us honor it by being thankful for it and by actively participating in rebuilding our nation. It is not enough to do things for ourselves alone. Let us start doing whatever we do in life for God and for the country.</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-29016537429866418522010-06-10T18:08:00.003+08:002011-05-14T23:32:47.253+08:00New PostWe are on the 6th month of the year and I've had only one post. Not quite a good run. As I recall, I enjoy blogging because it gives me a venue to express my thoughts. That's partly true. The other part of my satisfaction in blogging is knowing that I have friends reading my blogs.<div><br /></div><div>Ever since microblogging (e.g., twitter) was born, my friends have completely abandoned blogging. Without people reading my blogs, I somehow lost the drive to blog. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, I don't know why I have developed renewed interest in blogging.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe the idea of letting my thoughts float around the web without assurance of anyone finding them allures me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe the thought of expressing my ideas without anyone contesting them or commenting on them somehow becomes a sort defense mechanism.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I am just letting these thoughts flow, with high hopes that SOMEONE will come to like or appreciate them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe there are thoughts that, for some reasons, I can not personally tell even the closest of my friends and the web, as well as all those connected to it, seems the friendliest "ear" I can find.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I have so many things I need to let out somehow after months of not blogging and not having a "listener."</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe, in this moment of being "lost," my blogs will act as a distress signal that will allow people who read them to help me find my way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe... Just maybe...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4428983787818961720.post-53175363699979496392010-04-12T18:22:00.005+08:002010-04-12T21:48:40.590+08:00ERDT Cross-registrant Step-by-step Process<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I spent the whole day enrolling for one subject (that's 3 academic units only)!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We were given instructions on how to go about the process but they were not very helpful. So I have come up with my own step-by-step instructions on how to cross-register in UP Diliman. (Refer to the map below for your convenience).</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDSbEFAIFdNK6zfaDOxIcSkHuUzpiFRfJxVe5sYMndhisuTSAsDLZfJuo7WuS2JpCt8Mawh-Fjol-5OXo3sX4_n0L4JqZT7rDrN6nBmgwdyrsDfc2w_Nkxk8enzl2oTccHCORSBk_7dM/s1600/UPD+Map+enrlproc.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDSbEFAIFdNK6zfaDOxIcSkHuUzpiFRfJxVe5sYMndhisuTSAsDLZfJuo7WuS2JpCt8Mawh-Fjol-5OXo3sX4_n0L4JqZT7rDrN6nBmgwdyrsDfc2w_Nkxk8enzl2oTccHCORSBk_7dM/s400/UPD+Map+enrlproc.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459247032314775922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px; " /></a></div><div>Step 1</div><div>From University Hotel (UH; red dot in map), go (you may follow the red line in map) to the Office of the University Registrar Admission and Registration Section (OUR/ARS; red circle in map), 3rd floor, and pay Php 100 Application Fee</div><div>***Note: You may not have to fall in line. Ask people in-charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 2</div><div>Submit the following to Ms. Jenn Mallari (at the OUR ARS - ground floor):</div><div><ol><li>Permit to Cross-enroll (letter prepared by the Engineering Dean of USC or your university of origin)</li><li>Accomplished UP Application Form 3A (this form has previously been sent to you by email or provided by your university of origin)</li><li>Two (passport size) pictures with signature at the back - staple to Form (you may have your picture taken at the shopping center - green dot in the map)</li><li>Student Directory - 2 copies (again, you are expected to have a copy of this form from your university of origin)</li><li>Official receipt of Application Fee (from Step 1)</li></ol><div>Step 3</div><div>Upon submission of the above documents, you will get a username and a password. Use this to update your profile online at <a href="http://crs.upd.edu.ph/">http://crs.upd.edu.ph</a>. Then print your Form 5A from the site.</div><div>***Note: You may use your own computer or rent one in the shopping center (green dot in map). You may take the "Ikot" jeepney (green line in map).</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 4</div><div>Have your Form 5A signed by an "adviser." Then pre-enlist for the subject (Technology Entrepreneurship).</div><div>***Note: For our part, Dr. Vergel of NCTS (National Center of Transportation Studies; located at the College of Engineering [blue circle in map], beside Melchor Hall) signed our forms. We were informed later that we could have had them signed at the OUR ARS. We enlisted at the Civil Engineering Department (located in Melchor Hall). Other departments are offering the course as well and you may enlist there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 5</div><div>Go to the ERDT Office located at Melchor Hall Rm 205 to get the Certificate of Authority from Ms. Krystle Mae I. Candolina</div><div>***Note: We skipped this step because the certificates were already forwarded to the OUR ARS</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 6</div><div>Go back to the OUR ARS and submit all documents mentioned above. You will then be given Form 5, which you will fill out and sign. The student copy of Form 5 stamped "REGISTERED" will then be given to you.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Done -</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0