"Merry Christmas!"
This is what beggars say during this season to ask for money (mostly kids, but even adults do this). People, believing that the spirit of Christmas is in giving and forgiving, take money out of their pockets. These kids then call their comrades and nag (or pest, if I may say) to death these 'generous' men. After a short while - or a long one, depending on how dense/rich - men stop giving. This attitude of kids and adults kills the 'generosity' of good guys out there. Good men are indeed hard to find. This is a huge problem to the society.
Others say that Christmas is about spending quality time with the family and friends. A lot of people become sentimental and often wish that their missing, overseas or dead relatives can come home even just once to celebrate Christmas. There's nothing wrong about this, is there?
Yes there is. The root of the problems lie in a viral misunderstanding of Christmas. It is extremely evident that humanity is doing everything in its power to remove the Christ in Christmas: "X-mas", "Happy Holidays", "Santa Claus", "Spirit of Giving", and hundreds more which I do not have time to mention. Media commercials never mention Christ, perhaps in fear of being branded as biased towards a religion. This gives birth to the current condition of the Christmas season: a time for spending time with the family or a time of giving and receiving, the latter of which is being abused by many. I'm not saying that it is wrong to do either: what I'm saying is that doing all these is worthless without the right reason in which it is done. It is a form without substance, a gift box without a gift. Disappointingly fascinating, people choose this box and throw away the gift that God has given.
To end this, I'd like to share a poem I (with the help of my Dad) made a few years back.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
A man in blue, smiling, handing
A coin or two to a poor lass
He’s happy, with eyes a caring.
For love is the heart of giving
Giving is the art of living
Merry Christmas, merry Christmas.
A boy, caroling, cajoling
From house to house, from bus to bus
And begging with a can of tin
Hopeless, desperate, mirroring
A grim society we’re in
But Christmas is not us giving
It is receiving life endless
It is not candy, nor money
But is God’s gracious gift Jesus
A gift to change each one’s heart
A heart to change society
For us to say, “Merry Christmas!”
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Someone
Won't someone stay with me?
Someone who waits and cares
Someone who listens
Someone who understands
Syncopated
Either ahead or belated
Never was I
In the rhythm of this world
Won't someone stay for me?
Someone who can keep up
Someone who can wait
Someone who is willing
For willingness is worth more than ability
They look at me with contempt
With their burnt eyebrows
And swollen eye bags
They avoid my gaze
They say I'm good,
Too good, in fact.
With their mouths they praise
But behind their smiles,
I feel their hate
They who come
Always ask
Always wanting
Never waiting
Won't someone stay with me?
Won't someone stay for me?
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
No Regrets
Living a life without regrets
Being able to do what you want
Is that all there is to it?
Doing what you want
Never missing a chance
Never missing an opportunity
Living without regretting
Being happy
Is that all there is to it?
Achieving your dreams
Of getting rich
Of a grand mansion
Of a beautiful wife
Of a happy family
Of an easy job
Of good health
Of true friends
Being happy
Is that all there is to it?
Is that all there is to it?
Being able to do what you want
Is that all there is to it?
Doing what you want
Never missing a chance
Never missing an opportunity
Living without regretting
Being happy
Is that all there is to it?
Achieving your dreams
Of getting rich
Of a grand mansion
Of a beautiful wife
Of a happy family
Of an easy job
Of good health
Of true friends
Being happy
Is that all there is to it?
Is that all there is to it?
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Feelings
Feelings come and go
Like raindrop shadows
Flashed by lightning,
Like thunder roaring
Only for a second
then comes silence...
... ... ...
Holding on to it
Is like grasping the wind,
Trying to subdue it
Is like taming the storm clouds.
Trusting it
Is like sailing on a stormy night:
Never knowing where the wind is blowing,
Never sure where it's going,
Never certain, always doubting
If tomorrow the sun is shining
Feelings come
Feelings go
Like raindrop shadows
Flashed by lightning,
Like thunder roaring
Only for a second
then comes silence...
... ... ...
Holding on to it
Is like grasping the wind,
Trying to subdue it
Is like taming the storm clouds.
Trusting it
Is like sailing on a stormy night:
Never knowing where the wind is blowing,
Never sure where it's going,
Never certain, always doubting
If tomorrow the sun is shining
Feelings come
Feelings go
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Thousand Twinkles
Twinkling light, shining bright
The size of a dot, giving sight
To but a speck in the sky
Come closer,
Behold and see
The beauty and majesty
Of a twinkle in a thousand
Blinding, scorching
The sheer size awestrucking
There are thousand twinkles
Like this light
Each different, each unique
But all the same
To the naked eye
Thousand twinkles not enough
To light the darkness of the night
Thousand twinkles not enough
To clear the sun of its light
Thousand twinkles not enough
To outshine a single streetlight
Thousand twinkles not enough
Thousands more still not enough
Twinkling light, shining bright
Not enough until we climb
Higher, closer
To the darkness of the night
Only then can we see fully
The majesty and beauty
Of a twinkle in a thousand
The size of a dot, giving sight
To but a speck in the sky
Come closer,
Behold and see
The beauty and majesty
Of a twinkle in a thousand
Blinding, scorching
The sheer size awestrucking
There are thousand twinkles
Like this light
Each different, each unique
But all the same
To the naked eye
Thousand twinkles not enough
To light the darkness of the night
Thousand twinkles not enough
To clear the sun of its light
Thousand twinkles not enough
To outshine a single streetlight
Thousand twinkles not enough
Thousands more still not enough
Twinkling light, shining bright
Not enough until we climb
Higher, closer
To the darkness of the night
Only then can we see fully
The majesty and beauty
Of a twinkle in a thousand
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Biti-
Coke na walang
Bula. Ligong walang
Sabon. Tanghaliang
Walang kanin. Apoy
Na malamig. Kotseng
Walang gas. Joke
Na walang banat.
Bagoong na
walang alat.
Biti-
Bula. Ligong walang
Sabon. Tanghaliang
Walang kanin. Apoy
Na malamig. Kotseng
Walang gas. Joke
Na walang banat.
Bagoong na
walang alat.
Biti-
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Helpless
This is a formal theme written in for my English class in 4th year high school after Ondoy, an incredibly devastating storm, hit the country.
A few weeks ago, a dreadful event that happened 16 years ago returned, only this time, it was a lot stronger. For two whole days it rained nonstop; darkness reigned above, and no hint of the sun was permitted to pass through the thick dark clouds of the storm. There was no electricity that will power the street lamps. The dams were forced to leak water into the rivers, which caused the creek that literally surrounded our village to overflow within an hour. Our area was a hill, yet half of it sank beneath the turbulent muddy waters. It was so deep that only the roofs of the houses downhill were visible. The two bridges that linked our community cracked; one of them broke down and can no longer be used, while the other one’s rusty railings got snatched by the flood.
Our house, thanks to the Lord, did not get flooded. All we lost was some electricity, some time, and some fun. During the time it was raining, it was too dark to work. All we could do was sit and stare at each other and at the ceiling. I preferred the latter. We got bored with staring and, to kill time, amused ourselves with a modified scrabble, chess, and toys that I used to play with when I was still a little kid. But without electricity, time is virtually invulnerable. It came to the point that I got bored of playing, and once more stared at the ceiling, wishing it would stare back at me. When the two days were over, electricity came back. My little brother shouted with joy, while I went straight to the computer and played. The clouds parted and the sun once more smiled on us, laying its warm, gentle rays on the wet roof of our house, making us forget the cold darkness we have experienced.
While the computer was booting, I realized how much I have changed. The action figures I used to play with for four hours straight no longer meant anything now. The board games I used to love have lost their appeal. But, more importantly, I realized that our society has been relying on the magic of electricity too much. We used it too recklessly, neglecting the negative effects it has on nature. Man has already begun to abuse and control nature; he has made his own source of light, his own sun, to make himself forget of all the hardships he has gone through. But, where there is light, there is shadow. It is true that today we enjoy life more, but we should also be reminded that there is a power much greater than what we could ever attain, that nature is not ours, but God’s.
I do not want this calamity to happen again – no one does – yet we cannot avoid it. The army of global warming is on its way and the Philippines is the front line of defense of the world. We will be the first to receive nature’s counterattack on humankind, and we are in no way whatsoever prepared for this. A lot of people still throw trash anywhere they want even though they know that it will go back to them in one way or another. Perhaps, we can make an effort to make the Filipinos realize their mistakes. The global warming awareness shows in TV helps a lot, and the environmentalist organizations also give their own contribution. By joining one of these groups, I can give my contribution to save the world. Or, I could do it in my own little way. But, unfortunately, our race is one that is eager for results. If we do not see or feel an improvement within a year, we will probably give up on what we do. We could try, but I personally believe that we are helpless against nature. But, then again, no one laughs at a man who does his best.
A few weeks ago, a dreadful event that happened 16 years ago returned, only this time, it was a lot stronger. For two whole days it rained nonstop; darkness reigned above, and no hint of the sun was permitted to pass through the thick dark clouds of the storm. There was no electricity that will power the street lamps. The dams were forced to leak water into the rivers, which caused the creek that literally surrounded our village to overflow within an hour. Our area was a hill, yet half of it sank beneath the turbulent muddy waters. It was so deep that only the roofs of the houses downhill were visible. The two bridges that linked our community cracked; one of them broke down and can no longer be used, while the other one’s rusty railings got snatched by the flood.
Our house, thanks to the Lord, did not get flooded. All we lost was some electricity, some time, and some fun. During the time it was raining, it was too dark to work. All we could do was sit and stare at each other and at the ceiling. I preferred the latter. We got bored with staring and, to kill time, amused ourselves with a modified scrabble, chess, and toys that I used to play with when I was still a little kid. But without electricity, time is virtually invulnerable. It came to the point that I got bored of playing, and once more stared at the ceiling, wishing it would stare back at me. When the two days were over, electricity came back. My little brother shouted with joy, while I went straight to the computer and played. The clouds parted and the sun once more smiled on us, laying its warm, gentle rays on the wet roof of our house, making us forget the cold darkness we have experienced.
While the computer was booting, I realized how much I have changed. The action figures I used to play with for four hours straight no longer meant anything now. The board games I used to love have lost their appeal. But, more importantly, I realized that our society has been relying on the magic of electricity too much. We used it too recklessly, neglecting the negative effects it has on nature. Man has already begun to abuse and control nature; he has made his own source of light, his own sun, to make himself forget of all the hardships he has gone through. But, where there is light, there is shadow. It is true that today we enjoy life more, but we should also be reminded that there is a power much greater than what we could ever attain, that nature is not ours, but God’s.
I do not want this calamity to happen again – no one does – yet we cannot avoid it. The army of global warming is on its way and the Philippines is the front line of defense of the world. We will be the first to receive nature’s counterattack on humankind, and we are in no way whatsoever prepared for this. A lot of people still throw trash anywhere they want even though they know that it will go back to them in one way or another. Perhaps, we can make an effort to make the Filipinos realize their mistakes. The global warming awareness shows in TV helps a lot, and the environmentalist organizations also give their own contribution. By joining one of these groups, I can give my contribution to save the world. Or, I could do it in my own little way. But, unfortunately, our race is one that is eager for results. If we do not see or feel an improvement within a year, we will probably give up on what we do. We could try, but I personally believe that we are helpless against nature. But, then again, no one laughs at a man who does his best.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sa Lata ng Sardinas
Unang araw ng klase at ayoko pa naman sanang mahuli. Umalis ako ng 6:00 AM para sa 8:00 AM na klase ko. Maraming tricycle palabas ng aming village at hindi trapik papunta sa sakayan ng jeep o FX. At dahil ubod ng haba ang pila sa FX, minabuti ko na lamang sumakay ng jeep. Pero sana pala hindi na lang.
Parang lata ng sardinas na gumugulong sa Commonwealth Avenue ang jeep na nasakyan ko. Itodo man ng drayber ang bulusok ng makina hanggang malagong ulap-ulan na ang hithitin ng tambutso eh makikita sa labas na tila umaatras pa rin ang sasakyan sa sobrang kabagalan. Pinatungan pa ng mabigat na trapik sa ginagawang kalsada at wisikan pa ng ulan ay siguradong nabuo ang araw ko.
Ngunit may balyena pa sa lata ng sardinas. Isang babaeng may kaunting edad na at may matabang katawan, lalo na ang hita, ang aking katabi. Kung umupo ay laging tagilid at walang ginawa kundi tumingin sa labas. Hindi nag-aabot ng bayad; hindi umaayos ng upo; wala! Walang paki, walang reaction.
Ang balyenang ito ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagdurusa ko sa tila habambuhay na paglalakbay ko sa lata ng sardinas. Ang tuhod ng balyenang ito ay walang ikinaiba sa kutsilyong nakabaon sa aking hita. Ilang beses na akong umaayos ng upo para man lang mapansin niya na nahihirapan ako, ngunit hindi pa rin kumikibo ang balyena. Hindi ko mawari kung sadyang nakadilat ang balyena kapag natutulog, hindi marunong makiramdam, o manhid lang talaga ito.
Hinayaan ko na lang. Sadyang may mga taong makasarili at ang magagawa ko ay hindi maging isa sa kanila. Sapagkat sa huli, sardinas man o balyena, iisang lata lamang naman ang aming ginugulungan.
Parang lata ng sardinas na gumugulong sa Commonwealth Avenue ang jeep na nasakyan ko. Itodo man ng drayber ang bulusok ng makina hanggang malagong ulap-ulan na ang hithitin ng tambutso eh makikita sa labas na tila umaatras pa rin ang sasakyan sa sobrang kabagalan. Pinatungan pa ng mabigat na trapik sa ginagawang kalsada at wisikan pa ng ulan ay siguradong nabuo ang araw ko.
Ngunit may balyena pa sa lata ng sardinas. Isang babaeng may kaunting edad na at may matabang katawan, lalo na ang hita, ang aking katabi. Kung umupo ay laging tagilid at walang ginawa kundi tumingin sa labas. Hindi nag-aabot ng bayad; hindi umaayos ng upo; wala! Walang paki, walang reaction.
Ang balyenang ito ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagdurusa ko sa tila habambuhay na paglalakbay ko sa lata ng sardinas. Ang tuhod ng balyenang ito ay walang ikinaiba sa kutsilyong nakabaon sa aking hita. Ilang beses na akong umaayos ng upo para man lang mapansin niya na nahihirapan ako, ngunit hindi pa rin kumikibo ang balyena. Hindi ko mawari kung sadyang nakadilat ang balyena kapag natutulog, hindi marunong makiramdam, o manhid lang talaga ito.
Hinayaan ko na lang. Sadyang may mga taong makasarili at ang magagawa ko ay hindi maging isa sa kanila. Sapagkat sa huli, sardinas man o balyena, iisang lata lamang naman ang aming ginugulungan.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Hephaestus
Here is an essay I wrote when I was in 4th year high school. The question was simple, "who is your favorite Greek god and why?" There is actually a longer version of this, but I forgot to save it (stupid me)
Hephaestus is my favorite Greek god not because of his works, but because he is the god of fire, bringing out the best in us. Fire is a double-edged sword; it is naturally destructive, but when controlled, becomes a very important part of our lives. From it, we crafted more deadly weapons: cannons, bazookas, and nuclear bombs. But from the same energy came about plastic, fuel, and even medicine. Bright and powerful, it cannot go unnoticed. Yet Hephaestus, the god of fire, volunteers to remain concealed in his workshop; the irony of the master smith. This only shows that Hephaestus has fully taken control of fire, and can use the full extent of its power to bring forth wonderful and marvelous works.
Furthermore, unlike other gods, Hephaestus works a lot and does not spend his time looking for women and flirting with them. Being a craftsman, he is patient, creative, and industrious. Ever since he was born, he was ugly and rejected. He got thrown out of Olympus, spurned by his wife, and was laughed at when he demanded justice. Yet, he was quiet and reserved, and is even a peace-maker between his parents who were the first to reject him. He redirected these emotions to his handiwork, melting the cold metal of revenge with the flames of his passion, molding them with his ingenious hands, and then finally quenching them in the cold water of his peacefulness to produce the most extraordinary and most beautiful creations of all. Like him, I also want to be a man of great tolerance, and someone who can bring out the best in others even in challenging times.
Hephaestus is my favorite Greek god not because of his works, but because he is the god of fire, bringing out the best in us. Fire is a double-edged sword; it is naturally destructive, but when controlled, becomes a very important part of our lives. From it, we crafted more deadly weapons: cannons, bazookas, and nuclear bombs. But from the same energy came about plastic, fuel, and even medicine. Bright and powerful, it cannot go unnoticed. Yet Hephaestus, the god of fire, volunteers to remain concealed in his workshop; the irony of the master smith. This only shows that Hephaestus has fully taken control of fire, and can use the full extent of its power to bring forth wonderful and marvelous works.
Furthermore, unlike other gods, Hephaestus works a lot and does not spend his time looking for women and flirting with them. Being a craftsman, he is patient, creative, and industrious. Ever since he was born, he was ugly and rejected. He got thrown out of Olympus, spurned by his wife, and was laughed at when he demanded justice. Yet, he was quiet and reserved, and is even a peace-maker between his parents who were the first to reject him. He redirected these emotions to his handiwork, melting the cold metal of revenge with the flames of his passion, molding them with his ingenious hands, and then finally quenching them in the cold water of his peacefulness to produce the most extraordinary and most beautiful creations of all. Like him, I also want to be a man of great tolerance, and someone who can bring out the best in others even in challenging times.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
How Much Does a Family Cost?
This is an article I wrote for our Economics Magazine in 4th year high school.
Families are important. It has existed way back before civilization did. No species would have survived if it wasn’t for the existence of families. Ironically, divorces, abortion, disrespect, rebellion, and running away from families are becoming more and more rampant nowadays. It seems that families are losing their importance. Or are they?
To measure how much a family costs to a person, we can also measure how much a family spends on that person (expenditure approach). Assume a fictional middle class high-school person named Marfred San Antonio in a family of five. Marfred was given vaccines after he was born, so he could have a greater immune system. He gets a BCG vaccine, which costs around P1700, another one for measles, which is around P1500. The vaccine for chicken pox is about P1200, and for MMR, P600 each shot for 2 shots. DPT and Polio vaccine require 3 shots and 3 booster shots costing P2500 each shot. The same dosage is needed for Hepatitis B and A vaccine, but each costing P700 and P2700 respectively. Lastly, immunization against typhoid fever is P1500 per shot for 2 shots. These total to P73,800. These vaccines are not only a pain to the family, but also to poor Marfred.
Man does not live on vaccines alone. Baby Marfred also needs food, clothing and shelter. His milk costs P900 per can, which can last for about 2 weeks. In his sixth month, his soft food might cost P35 a piece, eating once or twice a day. This gives a total of about P85000 for Marfred’s food. His clothing can get as cheap as P240 for three months and diaper for P8 a piece, giving a total of about P100,000 for Marfred’s basic necessities for 2 years.
Let us click the fast forward button on the remote of time and space. Marfred is now studying in a nearby school. Costs increase as one puts more input. Marfred’s food now costs P120 a day and his clothing also increases to P500 for three months. This sums up to about P140,000 for his 3 years of preschool.
Another click brings us to his elementary days. Here come new classmates, new lessons, new challenges, and new burdens, not only for Marfred, but also for his family. He is now a growing boy, and starts eating P150 worth of food a day. His clothing also now amount to P1200 for 4 months. Furthermore, he starts receiving allowance of P100 a week. His school is now a bit far that he needs to spend P200 a week for his transportation. That amounts to P443,700. It seems like six years in a public elementary school isn’t so cheap after all.
Marfred finally steps onto high school; not just on any ordinary high school, Philippine Science High School. He eats a lot more than before and spends P200 a day for food. His clothes are also very costly. P2000 are spent every 6 months. His allowance also increases to P300 a week. His high school is quite far from their home, and costs him P100 a day. His projects, class funds, and other educational spending reached P50000. A stunning total of P566,400. On second thought, six years in a public elementary school is cheap after all.
Throughout his life, Marfred is also using electricity, water and the house itself. To make things simpler, we can say that his electric and water bill costs P300 and P50 a month respectively since these values do not fluctuate very much. The house also has a net worth of P700,000 and therefore an equivalent annual cost of P28,000 assuming he lives in it for 25 years. P483,000 for his total utilities.
The San Antonio family spent a grand total of P1,806,900 for Marfred. Of course, you can guess that there is something wrong with this calculation. We missed out a lot of things. We did not bring into account the inflations and appreciations. Also, his parents are not freebies. They cost about P15,000,000 each in terms of the money spent on them. His three siblings are also worth a little less than he is, giving a total P35M. But, most importantly, the time spent for him by his mother and father is more valuable. The opportunity cost for this time is about P1000 per hour. Instead of earning P43,800,000 in 15 years, Mrs. San Antonio spent it on her beloved Marfred instead. This brings a total spending of P120M, which is equal to the family’s worth from Marfred’s point of view. These values are approximate, but not too far from the real value, so we may well say that the value ranges from P100 to P150M for a middle class teenager like Marfred.
But, the real value of the family lies in the very heart of economics: scarcity. No matter how many P120M you have, you cannot buy families, because there is only one family for you. This makes families invaluable, because once lost, there can be no replacement. There is so little supply and so much demand that the price exceed the cost by a factor of infinity. Not only that, there are things that we cannot simply put a price tag on, such as love, support, security, and the unbreakable ties that bring the family together. These things are exactly the things that we forget to value, but are the things that count the most. In any case, if you think your family is not good and unimportant, just think about the P120M they spent on you.
Families are important. It has existed way back before civilization did. No species would have survived if it wasn’t for the existence of families. Ironically, divorces, abortion, disrespect, rebellion, and running away from families are becoming more and more rampant nowadays. It seems that families are losing their importance. Or are they?
To measure how much a family costs to a person, we can also measure how much a family spends on that person (expenditure approach). Assume a fictional middle class high-school person named Marfred San Antonio in a family of five. Marfred was given vaccines after he was born, so he could have a greater immune system. He gets a BCG vaccine, which costs around P1700, another one for measles, which is around P1500. The vaccine for chicken pox is about P1200, and for MMR, P600 each shot for 2 shots. DPT and Polio vaccine require 3 shots and 3 booster shots costing P2500 each shot. The same dosage is needed for Hepatitis B and A vaccine, but each costing P700 and P2700 respectively. Lastly, immunization against typhoid fever is P1500 per shot for 2 shots. These total to P73,800. These vaccines are not only a pain to the family, but also to poor Marfred.
Man does not live on vaccines alone. Baby Marfred also needs food, clothing and shelter. His milk costs P900 per can, which can last for about 2 weeks. In his sixth month, his soft food might cost P35 a piece, eating once or twice a day. This gives a total of about P85000 for Marfred’s food. His clothing can get as cheap as P240 for three months and diaper for P8 a piece, giving a total of about P100,000 for Marfred’s basic necessities for 2 years.
Let us click the fast forward button on the remote of time and space. Marfred is now studying in a nearby school. Costs increase as one puts more input. Marfred’s food now costs P120 a day and his clothing also increases to P500 for three months. This sums up to about P140,000 for his 3 years of preschool.
Another click brings us to his elementary days. Here come new classmates, new lessons, new challenges, and new burdens, not only for Marfred, but also for his family. He is now a growing boy, and starts eating P150 worth of food a day. His clothing also now amount to P1200 for 4 months. Furthermore, he starts receiving allowance of P100 a week. His school is now a bit far that he needs to spend P200 a week for his transportation. That amounts to P443,700. It seems like six years in a public elementary school isn’t so cheap after all.
Marfred finally steps onto high school; not just on any ordinary high school, Philippine Science High School. He eats a lot more than before and spends P200 a day for food. His clothes are also very costly. P2000 are spent every 6 months. His allowance also increases to P300 a week. His high school is quite far from their home, and costs him P100 a day. His projects, class funds, and other educational spending reached P50000. A stunning total of P566,400. On second thought, six years in a public elementary school is cheap after all.
Throughout his life, Marfred is also using electricity, water and the house itself. To make things simpler, we can say that his electric and water bill costs P300 and P50 a month respectively since these values do not fluctuate very much. The house also has a net worth of P700,000 and therefore an equivalent annual cost of P28,000 assuming he lives in it for 25 years. P483,000 for his total utilities.
The San Antonio family spent a grand total of P1,806,900 for Marfred. Of course, you can guess that there is something wrong with this calculation. We missed out a lot of things. We did not bring into account the inflations and appreciations. Also, his parents are not freebies. They cost about P15,000,000 each in terms of the money spent on them. His three siblings are also worth a little less than he is, giving a total P35M. But, most importantly, the time spent for him by his mother and father is more valuable. The opportunity cost for this time is about P1000 per hour. Instead of earning P43,800,000 in 15 years, Mrs. San Antonio spent it on her beloved Marfred instead. This brings a total spending of P120M, which is equal to the family’s worth from Marfred’s point of view. These values are approximate, but not too far from the real value, so we may well say that the value ranges from P100 to P150M for a middle class teenager like Marfred.
But, the real value of the family lies in the very heart of economics: scarcity. No matter how many P120M you have, you cannot buy families, because there is only one family for you. This makes families invaluable, because once lost, there can be no replacement. There is so little supply and so much demand that the price exceed the cost by a factor of infinity. Not only that, there are things that we cannot simply put a price tag on, such as love, support, security, and the unbreakable ties that bring the family together. These things are exactly the things that we forget to value, but are the things that count the most. In any case, if you think your family is not good and unimportant, just think about the P120M they spent on you.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Pangarap sa Dilim
Isang malamig na gabi habang naglalakad pauwi sa aming lugar nang masilayan ko ang magnanay: isang batang mapayat na mga apat o limang taong gulang at isang nanay din na kung titingnan ay kasinpayat lamang din ng kaniyang anak. Nahiya na akong pagmasdan pa sila sa ilalim ng dilaw na ilaw ng poste ng kanilang katapat na kapitbahay.
Wala silang ilaw. Hindi ko ito agad napansin ni napag-isipan lamang; nalaman ko lang ito nang sabihin sa akin ng aking ama. Palibhasa'y ako'y hindi palalabas ng bahay, at kung lalabas ma'y may pasok sa kolehiyo o may pakay sa ibang lunan; kahit saan basta't hindi sa aming lugar. Dahil dito, hindi ko gaano kilala ang aming mga kapitbahay at lalo naman itong mag-inang ito na dalawang kanto pa ang layo mula sa amin.
Hindi ko alam ang pakiramdam ng mabuhay sa literal na dilim gabi-gabi, dahil ako ay ipinanganak sa liwanag: literal na liwanag. Ilang segundo bago magtanghaling tapat nang ako'y iluwal mula sa sinapupunan ng aking ina noong ika-6 ng Mayo labingwalong taon na ring nakalilipas. Ako'y panganay ng isang buo na pamilya. Masunurin, mabait, matalino, o kung minsan pa'y henyo ang turing sa akin ng iba na hindi ko naman iniintindi, pinaniniwalaan, o iniinda. Marahil kung mas kilala nila ako ay hindi nila masasabi iyon.
Hindi nila ako kilala ng lubos ng marami nguni't mas lalo namang hindi ko kilala ang mag-inang nasa tapat ng poste ng kanilang kapitbahay. Nakaupo sila sa semento't grabang hagdan kung saan lumalapat ang kanilang luntiang gate, nagbabasa sa ilalim ng malamlam na dilaw na ilaw ng poste. Sa sandaling sumulyap ako sa kanilang mga mukha'y nakita ko ang kunot na noo ng nanay, ang mahigpit na hawak sa libro, ang matigas na pagpihit ng kaniyang hintuturo sa pahina ng aklat na kaniyang hawak, at ang asim sa mukha ng batang humahagulgol at nagmamakaawang, "Ayoko na..."
Hindi ko man sila kilala'y sa sandaling iyon ay naintindihan ko sila. Naintindihan ko kung bakit galit na galit ang nanay. Naintindihan ko kung bakit pasigaw siyang nagtuturo ng English sa kanyang anak. Naintindihan ko ang dahilan sa likod ng bawat hagulgol at bawat luhang umagos sa mata ng bata, Naintindihan ko sapagkat dumaan din ako rito.
Noong bata ako'y pinagagalitan din ako ni mama. Lumuluha din ako sa harap ng kaniyang flashcards at multiplication table na kailangan kong masagutan sa loob ng wala pang isang segundo. Kailangang napakabilis, palibhasa'y ako'y isang panlaban sa palahok na pinamamahalaan ng Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines o MTAP. Sumigaw din ako ng "Ayoko na", at sinagot din ako ni mama ng "Hindi!" Natawag din akong "tanga" habang nagngingittngit sa inis si mama.
Nguni't hindi palaging ganito sa amin. Hindi ko lamang alam sa magnanay na ito, pero ang sa amin ay ganito lamang ang eksena tuwing galit na galit si mama. Pero sa loob na loob niya'y hindi naman talaga ako "tanga", dahil naniniwala pa siyang kaya ko. Naniniwala siya dahil nasa akin ang kaniyang pangarap.
Marahil dito nga kami nagkaiba ng batang humahagulgol: hindi ako sumuko at hindi rin ako sinukuan ng aking ina. Sabihin na natin na hindi kami sumuko dahil halos taon-tao'y umaabot naman ako sa Sectoral Division, nananalo sa iba pang mga palahok at patuloy na "honor student." Pero kahit anong sabihin ay hindi pa rin kami sumuko. May mga nakita at kilalang tao na hindi naman uliran ang katayuan noong mga bata sila ngunit ngayo'y makikita ang kanilang pagsusumikap. Marahil kung sinukuan sila ng kanilang mga ina ay hindi sila nakatungtong ngayon sa the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman).
May mga kamag-anak akong nabalitaan kong hindi na kumuha ng entrance exam sa Philippine Science High School (Pisay) o sa UP Diliman dahil daw alam na nilang hindi papasa. Sobrang nakakadismaya. Eh ano kung magsayang ng isang araw? Eh ano kung sumubok? Eh ano kung bumagsak? Sa tingin ba nila'y "ok lang" ang ganoon? Ang nakita ko lang sa kanila ay hindi na sila nangangarap ng mataas. Gaano man kalaki ang possibilidad, kapag hindi sumubok ay nawawala lahat. Kung bubong ang pangarap, sa lupa ang lagpak. Kung langit ang pangarap, sa bubong babagsak.
Nalulungkot ako tuwing nakikita ko ang libu-libong mga anak ng liwanag na hindi na nagsusumikap sa buhay at pag-aaral. Hindi dahil may ilaw na sa ating tahanan ay hindi na tayo dapat mangarap. Nasasaktan ako tuwing nakikita ko ang mga magulang na pinag-uusapan ang anak nila na "bobo", "tanga", at "mahina ang ulo" na tila ba wala nang pag-asa. Hindi dahil walang ilaw sa inyong tahanan ay hindi na dapat kayo mangarap.
Mangarap ka, batang humahagulgol, dahil nasa'yo rin ang katuparan ng pangarap ng iyong ina.
Wala silang ilaw. Hindi ko ito agad napansin ni napag-isipan lamang; nalaman ko lang ito nang sabihin sa akin ng aking ama. Palibhasa'y ako'y hindi palalabas ng bahay, at kung lalabas ma'y may pasok sa kolehiyo o may pakay sa ibang lunan; kahit saan basta't hindi sa aming lugar. Dahil dito, hindi ko gaano kilala ang aming mga kapitbahay at lalo naman itong mag-inang ito na dalawang kanto pa ang layo mula sa amin.
Hindi ko alam ang pakiramdam ng mabuhay sa literal na dilim gabi-gabi, dahil ako ay ipinanganak sa liwanag: literal na liwanag. Ilang segundo bago magtanghaling tapat nang ako'y iluwal mula sa sinapupunan ng aking ina noong ika-6 ng Mayo labingwalong taon na ring nakalilipas. Ako'y panganay ng isang buo na pamilya. Masunurin, mabait, matalino, o kung minsan pa'y henyo ang turing sa akin ng iba na hindi ko naman iniintindi, pinaniniwalaan, o iniinda. Marahil kung mas kilala nila ako ay hindi nila masasabi iyon.
Hindi nila ako kilala ng lubos ng marami nguni't mas lalo namang hindi ko kilala ang mag-inang nasa tapat ng poste ng kanilang kapitbahay. Nakaupo sila sa semento't grabang hagdan kung saan lumalapat ang kanilang luntiang gate, nagbabasa sa ilalim ng malamlam na dilaw na ilaw ng poste. Sa sandaling sumulyap ako sa kanilang mga mukha'y nakita ko ang kunot na noo ng nanay, ang mahigpit na hawak sa libro, ang matigas na pagpihit ng kaniyang hintuturo sa pahina ng aklat na kaniyang hawak, at ang asim sa mukha ng batang humahagulgol at nagmamakaawang, "Ayoko na..."
Hindi ko man sila kilala'y sa sandaling iyon ay naintindihan ko sila. Naintindihan ko kung bakit galit na galit ang nanay. Naintindihan ko kung bakit pasigaw siyang nagtuturo ng English sa kanyang anak. Naintindihan ko ang dahilan sa likod ng bawat hagulgol at bawat luhang umagos sa mata ng bata, Naintindihan ko sapagkat dumaan din ako rito.
Noong bata ako'y pinagagalitan din ako ni mama. Lumuluha din ako sa harap ng kaniyang flashcards at multiplication table na kailangan kong masagutan sa loob ng wala pang isang segundo. Kailangang napakabilis, palibhasa'y ako'y isang panlaban sa palahok na pinamamahalaan ng Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines o MTAP. Sumigaw din ako ng "Ayoko na", at sinagot din ako ni mama ng "Hindi!" Natawag din akong "tanga" habang nagngingittngit sa inis si mama.
Nguni't hindi palaging ganito sa amin. Hindi ko lamang alam sa magnanay na ito, pero ang sa amin ay ganito lamang ang eksena tuwing galit na galit si mama. Pero sa loob na loob niya'y hindi naman talaga ako "tanga", dahil naniniwala pa siyang kaya ko. Naniniwala siya dahil nasa akin ang kaniyang pangarap.
Marahil dito nga kami nagkaiba ng batang humahagulgol: hindi ako sumuko at hindi rin ako sinukuan ng aking ina. Sabihin na natin na hindi kami sumuko dahil halos taon-tao'y umaabot naman ako sa Sectoral Division, nananalo sa iba pang mga palahok at patuloy na "honor student." Pero kahit anong sabihin ay hindi pa rin kami sumuko. May mga nakita at kilalang tao na hindi naman uliran ang katayuan noong mga bata sila ngunit ngayo'y makikita ang kanilang pagsusumikap. Marahil kung sinukuan sila ng kanilang mga ina ay hindi sila nakatungtong ngayon sa the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman).
May mga kamag-anak akong nabalitaan kong hindi na kumuha ng entrance exam sa Philippine Science High School (Pisay) o sa UP Diliman dahil daw alam na nilang hindi papasa. Sobrang nakakadismaya. Eh ano kung magsayang ng isang araw? Eh ano kung sumubok? Eh ano kung bumagsak? Sa tingin ba nila'y "ok lang" ang ganoon? Ang nakita ko lang sa kanila ay hindi na sila nangangarap ng mataas. Gaano man kalaki ang possibilidad, kapag hindi sumubok ay nawawala lahat. Kung bubong ang pangarap, sa lupa ang lagpak. Kung langit ang pangarap, sa bubong babagsak.
Nalulungkot ako tuwing nakikita ko ang libu-libong mga anak ng liwanag na hindi na nagsusumikap sa buhay at pag-aaral. Hindi dahil may ilaw na sa ating tahanan ay hindi na tayo dapat mangarap. Nasasaktan ako tuwing nakikita ko ang mga magulang na pinag-uusapan ang anak nila na "bobo", "tanga", at "mahina ang ulo" na tila ba wala nang pag-asa. Hindi dahil walang ilaw sa inyong tahanan ay hindi na dapat kayo mangarap.
Mangarap ka, batang humahagulgol, dahil nasa'yo rin ang katuparan ng pangarap ng iyong ina.
Friday, October 4, 2013
"Hi"
Hi mo pa lang, high na ako
Wala nang nagawa kundi yumuko
At ngumiti sa tuwa at lukso ng puso
Mahumaling ng lubos sa ganda mo
Hanggang ngayon hindi ko maisip
Kung ba't "Hello!" lamang ang aking nasambit
Pasensya na kung torpe ang iyong naakit
Pangako hindi na muling mauulit
Dal'wang taon nang ika'y mahalin
Di nagbago ang aking pagtingin
Tibok ng puso'y ikaw pa rin
Sana ika'y aking makapiling
Wala nang nagawa kundi yumuko
At ngumiti sa tuwa at lukso ng puso
Mahumaling ng lubos sa ganda mo
Hanggang ngayon hindi ko maisip
Kung ba't "Hello!" lamang ang aking nasambit
Pasensya na kung torpe ang iyong naakit
Pangako hindi na muling mauulit
Dal'wang taon nang ika'y mahalin
Di nagbago ang aking pagtingin
Tibok ng puso'y ikaw pa rin
Sana ika'y aking makapiling
Monday, September 30, 2013
Limot na Agam-agam
Ang puso'y pumipintig
At kinakabog ang dibdib,
Niyayanig
Ang buto at balat,
Sa buong katawan kumakalat.
Mabilis sa karaniwan,
Hindi maintindihan.
Noo ay kunot,
Labi ay baluktot,
Mata'y naniningkit,
Kilay ay nagdirikit;
Ang nararamdaman:
Parang may kulang.
Nag-aalala,
Walang inaalala
Nababahala
Walang kinababahala
Naguguluhan
Wala namang dahilan.
At kinakabog ang dibdib,
Niyayanig
Ang buto at balat,
Sa buong katawan kumakalat.
Mabilis sa karaniwan,
Hindi maintindihan.
Noo ay kunot,
Labi ay baluktot,
Mata'y naniningkit,
Kilay ay nagdirikit;
Ang nararamdaman:
Parang may kulang.
Nag-aalala,
Walang inaalala
Nababahala
Walang kinababahala
Naguguluhan
Wala namang dahilan.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Today I'm in love!
Today I'm in love! The sky's so blue;
Clouds adrift with birds that flew
From treetops dancing in the autumn hue
Everyday's so beautiful! Beautiful with you.
Tonight I'm in love! In this snowy blight
White flakes fleeting through the chilly night
Like pristine petals in silent flight
Every night is lovely, with your smile in sight!
Clouds adrift with birds that flew
From treetops dancing in the autumn hue
Everyday's so beautiful! Beautiful with you.
Tonight I'm in love! In this snowy blight
White flakes fleeting through the chilly night
Like pristine petals in silent flight
Every night is lovely, with your smile in sight!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
What is the Gospel?
What is the Gospel?
Acts 2
Author: Luke
Version: ESV
The Coming of the Holy Spirit v. 1-4:
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and resteda on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1. Pentecost – Name given by Greek-speaking Jews to the festival which occurred fifty days after the offering of the barley sheaf during the Passover feast. Note that Christ died during the Passover. Other names: In the Old Testament it is called the "Feast of Harvest" (Exodus 23:16), also the “Feast of Weeks” (Deut. 16:10, II Chron 8:13), also the “Day of the First Fruits” (Num. 28:26). Later, it is called the “closing season of the Passover” to distinguish from the seventh day of Passover and from the closing day of the Feast of Tabernacles/End of the Fruit harvest.Also,
“In Palestine the grain harvest lasted seven weeks and was a season of gladness (Jer. v. 24; Deut. xvi. 9; Isa. ix. 2). It began with the harvesting of the barley (Men. 65-66) during the Passover and ended with the harvesting of the wheat at Pentecost, the wheat being the last cereal to ripen. Pentecost was thus the concluding festival of the grain harvest, just as the eighth day of Tabernacles was the concluding festival of the fruit harvest (comp. Pesiḳ. xxx. 193). According to Ex. xxxiv. 18-26 (comp. ib. xxiii. 10-17), the Feast of Weeks is the second of the three festivals to be celebrated by the altar dance of all males at the sanctuary. They are to bring to the sanctuary "the first-fruits of wheat harvest," "the first-fruits of thy labors which thou hast sown in the field." These are not offerings definitely prescribed for the community; "but with a tribute of a free-will offering of thine hand . . . shalt thou [the individual] rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou and thy son and thy daughter, . . . the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow" (Deut. xvi. 9-12). In Lev. xxiii. 15-22, however, there is a regularly appointed first-fruit offering which the whole community must bring. It consists of two first-fruit loaves ("leḥem ha-bikkurim") of new meal, of two-tenths of an ephah, baked with leaven. The loaves were to be waved; hence the name "wave-loaves" ("leḥem tenufah"). Furthermore, various animal sacrifices were enjoined, and no work was permitted. In Num. xxviii. 26-31 the main pentecostal offering is one of new meal ("minḥah ḥadashah"). There is also a list of grain and animal offerings differing somewhat from that in Lev.xxiii.15-22. These offerings are to be made in addition to the fixed daily offering. In Men. iv. 5, x. 4 the list of Leviticus is referred to the sacrifices directly connected with the loaves, and the Numbers list is referred to the sacrifices for Pentecost considered as a special festival; the one was designated for the journeyings in the desert; the other was added after the Israelites had entered the promised land. The concluding festival of the harvest weeks was largely attended (Josephus, l.c. xvii. 10, § 2; idem, "B. J." ii., iii. 1; Acts ii. 5).” http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12012-pentecost
It is notable that the coming of the Holy Spirit during the Pentecost is symbolic: as Christ is the Passover Lamb, so with the Holy Spirit a “season of gladness”, a cessation of work (as we need not work to save our selves, we also need no work to change our selves. We are saved by faith, and we live by faith. It is God’s work from beginning to end. He is indeed the Author and Finisher of our salvation). From the Holy Spirit comes a “tribute of a free-will offering”. As God has provided the Passover Lamb, He poured His Spirit freely upon us that we may serve Him and sacrifice our lives as a pleasing free-will offering as He has enabled us.
This also marks that the “wheat fields” are ripe and in need of harvesters ( compare Luke 10:2, Matthew 9:38).
This event also explains the large number of people that were added to the church on that day (v. 41). There were already a lot of people to begin with. It should be noted that in modern times, this is not an evangelistic event: this is completely unplanned. It is upon the work of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that the fruitfulness should be due.
2. They were all together in one place
a. Who are they? – the believers
b. What were they doing? – They were together in one place. They are likely to been having fellowship at that point in time and celebrating the Pentecost. As early as this there has been an understanding of fellowship of the believers, for if there were none they would not have been together in one place.
c. In verse 2, it is shown that they were in fact, sitting inside a single house.
3. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and resteda on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
a. The Holy Spirit came with a grand entrance. This event was, however, never repeated again as far as the Biblical records are concerned.
b. The gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit rested on each one of the believers without exception.
c. It can be seen that the Holy Spirit used men (and probably women, even though during Pentecost males perform an altar dance at the sanctuary it is said that the believers are gathered together in one place) who are imperfect. Were the men conscious of what they said? Were the men conscious of the Holy Spirit?
v.5-11
5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
4. men from every nation under heaven.
Should this be taken literally? Did people from the Americas and the Philippines come to Israel at that time? Was there a world convention? Like most phrases “every nation under heaven”, the scope or view of the phrase is what the writer considers “every nation”, which is mostly the Roman Empire. As seen in verse 7-10, the areas mentioned are only those known to the Jews (or to Luke). Asia is simply regarded as one bunch, which is probably Turkey a.k.a. Asia Minor. Also, men of Judea are present (v. 14)
5. At the sound the multitude came together
At the work of the Holy Spirit people will gather. They need not look for an audience, for the fish themselves have come to them. Yet this is not a rebuttal of aggressive evangelism. Aggressive evangelism has been done even by Christ Himself, sending the disciples to preach. This shows that God has already prepared an audience for His work.
I am having doubts whether to continue aggressive evangelism. I think it should rather be an “overflow evangelism” the kind that simply overflows out of a joyful heart for the work that God has done.
6. Proclaiming the Gospel is proclaiming the work of God and at the same time bearing good testimony.
a. What is good testimony? Here the testimony of the believers is the gift of the Holy Spirit – the gift of tongues. It is not by our good works – never. It is only by the fruit of the Spirit, and we must always ever be discerning and ever learning to distinguish the fake works of self from the fruitful work of God.
7. There are two responses to the mighty works of God
a. A response of reverence v. 12
i. Evidently, the miracle for speaking in tongues was used for evangelistic purposes, just as all of Christ’s miracles were.
ii. This is the correct response that could lead to repentance.
iii. Probably it was the foreigners who appreciated the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the speakers were probably Jews (they were in Jerusalem v.5). Here we see that the Gospel is even for the Gentiles who are grafted into the vine due to the rejection of the Jews. (as fulfillment to the promise to Abraham, and also written in Isaiah, although this is contended by Classic Pauline Dispensationalism)
b. A response of ridicule v. 13
i. This ridicule was later referenced by Paul: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Eph 5:18. To some people, the Gospel is not different from the nonsense of an intoxicated man, but the fruit is evident: drunkenness leads to debauchery, and the Spirit gives fruit (Gal. 5:22-23)
ii. Those who ridiculed were likely to be Jews who did not understand the different languages.
iii. We should not be surprised to receive such a response. This is the natural inclination of men. But the Word of God assures us that there will be people who will respond reverently.
iv. Peter would ridicule this response in v. 15
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.b 16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
8. Third hour of the day is about 9 AM. It is seen that men of Judea who live near Jerusalem are also present probably to celebrate the Pentecost.
9. The boldness of Peter is something to be noted. It was he who came the closest during Christ’s crucifixion yet shyed away. It was he whom Christ rebuked by calling him Simon, not with the new name he reinstated. It was he whom Christ rebuked by asking him three times, reminding Peter of his cowardliness. Yet after 40 days of Christ’s convincing proofs and teaching about the kingdom of God, he was transformed to a new person. To share the Gospel you must be prepared by God. In the 12 apostle’s case it was Christ, in Paul’s case it was the appearance of Christ and the transformation of the Holy Spirit for a period of three years. So it is in our case: we must never work independently of the Holy Spirit, but work with complete dependence upon Him.
10. How to start the Gospel? Peter began by sharing something in common with his audience. They marvelled at his work, and Peter endeavoured to explain it. One can start with current events, or anything in common with the audience.
17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18even on my male servantsc and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
11. How to share the Gospel? Use Scripture. Peter was addressing the devout men from every nation, “Men of Judea” and Jews of Jerusalem, so they were familiar with the Scripture. Should we use Scripture on those who are not familiar with it?
12. The Scripture used is on reference to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Yet Peter (possibly) used this to explain the gift of tongues, indicating a partial fulfillment of prophecy. (I am not good with prophecy please correct me). Another possibility is that the passage from Joel supplements what the Jews were already speaking of (the mighty works of God).
22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
13. What the Gospel is not? The Gospel is not a gospel of awkwardness. The Gospel is not awkward. It only becomes so when you doubt that it is true.
14. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is a gospel of scandal. It tells of something different to what popular opinion says. This is no different from proclaiming that the “abundant life can only be found in Christ” and that “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow” against the present day mantras of “Tiwala lang” and “N Steps to Success” via positive thinking. This is no different from proclaiming that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” against the modern science of Big Bang and evolution. This is no different from proclaiming that “You are dead in your sins” and that “the wrath of God is upon you” against the contemporary belief of apathy, agnosticism, and freedom of belief. The modern times do not
15. How to share the Gospel? Go straight to Christ. Right after his transition Peter went to tell the Good News. He did not shy away from God’s sovereignty (v. 23, 31)
25For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
16. How to share the Gospel? Testify. Peter testified that they are witnesses of the ressurrection of Christ (v.32). The power of the Holy Spirit is proof of this (v. 33). Though we are not literal eye-witnesses of the flesh and body of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and His transformation of us are proofs of the ressurrection. Even the mere fact that the message is alive today after two thousand years of persecution and insanity (from the world’s point of view) is a miracle. Today we testify that Christ is still alive, and despite all that has happened He will be true to His word return in judgment with all the splendor and glory of God.
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’
36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
17. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is a gospel of repentance, remission, and reception. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the core of the Gospel. The rest are exhortations and encouragements, specifics and principles.
a. The Gospel of repentance – far too often we focus on salvation and eternal life, that repentance has been neglected. We ask “would you like to pray this prayer right now?” and after saying yes, and repeating after some prayer, like a chant or mantra we leave that person, thinking that he is already saved. We follow-up, we meet, we read materials, we can even witness for Christ without having repented. We can be disciplined and read the Bible daily, pray daily, and minister daily without having repented. This is all good and well, but without God’s revelation of the wickedness of the self, without God’s revelation of His pure holiness, without the changing of mind regarding God and regarding self there could be no real work of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration begins along with repentance and repentance continues along with sanctification as we discover more about God and change our minds about His infinite characters.
b. The Gospel of remission – the forgiveness of sins is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Faith is not mere head knowledge; to believe about Christ is not the same as to believe in Him. Faith is a trusting faith, a sure faith, an unfaltering faith all based upon a growing relationship and an ever-expanding knowledge upon the character of God which He revealed through Christ. It is a living faith; It will manifest as light in darkness cannot be hidden.
c. The Gospel of reception – that we have repented and are forgiven is good news indeed, but that God would still do further work than that – to send His Spirit to live in us, and among us, and upon us, and to work through us shows the marvelous grace that He has given. That He is able to finish the work He started is good indeed, but that He is willing, oh the grace of God!
d. These three should not be separated; they are a package.
42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awed came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
18. What to do after the Gospel? Commitment. 42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. This is where the exhortations come in. This is where spiritual discipline is. This is where we test every spirit whether they are truth. This is where we bear fruit, where we show our love to the family of God, where we show our love to the lost people. If we truly believe the true Gospel, this is but an overflow of our lives.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Can God create an immovable rock that He cannot lift?
No.
"Then God is not omnipotent."
God is omnipotent.
"How can that be?"
Now that is a good question. Let us take this step by step. If you knew God, you would have immediately realized that He is both the Sovereign Lord and the Immovable Rock. So then God cannot create an immovable rock simply because God cannot be created.
As for the second question, "can God lift that immovable Rock?" Yes He can, in such a way that it would not be moved. What do I mean? I mean that God, in His infinite wisdom, will find a way to display His character even in seemingly conflicting situations.
For example, God declares Himself in the Bible as
the Rock and the Living Water
the Living Water and the consuming fire
The Prince of Peace and the Lord of War
He who creates and He who destroys
He who prospers and He who sends calamities
He who gives and He who takes away
The Lion and the Lamb
The King and the Servant
The High Priest and the Sacrifice
The Judge and the Mediator
among a host of other descriptions. But perhaps the outright clash of His qualities with regard to the human condition is best expressed in Exodus 34:6-7
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Now, consider your case you sinner, whoever you are. Based on this text, what would God do to you? Would He forgive your sin, or would He punish you? Obviously, if He punished you then He had not forgiven. If He forgave you of your sins, then He cannot punish you because punishing you further would make Him unjust and cruel. There is an outright clash between God's mercy and justice.
Now what God did is this: God sent His Son, in whom His fullness dwells, to become flesh so that the Son would not only be the representative of the whole humanity, but as a substitute for sin (see God the Sacrifice below), "that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Through God's way, in the very act of punishment, God was extending mercy to us.
Bottom line: God, in His infinite wisdom, will find a way to display His character even in seemingly conflicting situations. I do not know, nor will I claim to know how God will lift the immovable Rock. But I affirm that He can display both omnipotence and His immutability in a conflicting situation if He pleases.
Read more from Scripture:
God is the Sovereign Lord: Is 14:27
God is the Immovable Rock: 2 Sam 23:3, Acts 4:11, Psalm 18:1-2
God is the Living Water: Jeremiah 2:13,
God the Prince of Peace: Is 9:6
God the Lord of War: Ex 15:3
God prospers and creates disaster: Is 45:6-7
God the Sacrifice: 2 Cor 5:21
--------
haha sorry I don't have time right now. I'll just add the lacking Scripture references later if I remember and if I have time. Regardless, they're fairly easy to find especially with online Bibles :) Please do comment if you find them. Help is appreciated ;)
"Then God is not omnipotent."
God is omnipotent.
"How can that be?"
Now that is a good question. Let us take this step by step. If you knew God, you would have immediately realized that He is both the Sovereign Lord and the Immovable Rock. So then God cannot create an immovable rock simply because God cannot be created.
As for the second question, "can God lift that immovable Rock?" Yes He can, in such a way that it would not be moved. What do I mean? I mean that God, in His infinite wisdom, will find a way to display His character even in seemingly conflicting situations.
For example, God declares Himself in the Bible as
the Rock and the Living Water
the Living Water and the consuming fire
The Prince of Peace and the Lord of War
He who creates and He who destroys
He who prospers and He who sends calamities
He who gives and He who takes away
The Lion and the Lamb
The King and the Servant
The High Priest and the Sacrifice
The Judge and the Mediator
among a host of other descriptions. But perhaps the outright clash of His qualities with regard to the human condition is best expressed in Exodus 34:6-7
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Now, consider your case you sinner, whoever you are. Based on this text, what would God do to you? Would He forgive your sin, or would He punish you? Obviously, if He punished you then He had not forgiven. If He forgave you of your sins, then He cannot punish you because punishing you further would make Him unjust and cruel. There is an outright clash between God's mercy and justice.
Now what God did is this: God sent His Son, in whom His fullness dwells, to become flesh so that the Son would not only be the representative of the whole humanity, but as a substitute for sin (see God the Sacrifice below), "that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Through God's way, in the very act of punishment, God was extending mercy to us.
Bottom line: God, in His infinite wisdom, will find a way to display His character even in seemingly conflicting situations. I do not know, nor will I claim to know how God will lift the immovable Rock. But I affirm that He can display both omnipotence and His immutability in a conflicting situation if He pleases.
Read more from Scripture:
God is the Sovereign Lord: Is 14:27
God is the Immovable Rock: 2 Sam 23:3, Acts 4:11, Psalm 18:1-2
God is the Living Water: Jeremiah 2:13,
God the Prince of Peace: Is 9:6
God the Lord of War: Ex 15:3
God prospers and creates disaster: Is 45:6-7
God the Sacrifice: 2 Cor 5:21
--------
haha sorry I don't have time right now. I'll just add the lacking Scripture references later if I remember and if I have time. Regardless, they're fairly easy to find especially with online Bibles :) Please do comment if you find them. Help is appreciated ;)
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Himbing
Ipikit na lamang ang lumbay sa dilim
Baka sakaling matupad mga hiling
Umasang wala na sa aking paggising
Bumabalot sa langit, ulap na itim
Sana nama'y kapag ang mata'y dumilat
Ang aking diwa'y sa panaginip mamulat
Tumungtong ang paa sa lupang pangarap
At sa'king paghinga'y ligaya'y malanghap
Hindi man paraiso, hindi man langit
Hindi man tunay, kahit nasa isip
Ang lahat ng ito'y aking panaginip
Na sa'king hikahos laging nakapiit
Kahit dito lamang sa sariling paraiso
Hayaan naman sanang lumaya ako
Makawala mula sa gapos ng mundo
Makatakas mula sa dakma ng tao
Hayaang mahimbing sa lalim ng paghinga
'Wag buksan mga nakapinid na mata
Kung 'di na magising, hindi mahalaga
Pagka't dito lang kita ang aking pag-asa
Baka sakaling matupad mga hiling
Umasang wala na sa aking paggising
Bumabalot sa langit, ulap na itim
Sana nama'y kapag ang mata'y dumilat
Ang aking diwa'y sa panaginip mamulat
Tumungtong ang paa sa lupang pangarap
At sa'king paghinga'y ligaya'y malanghap
Hindi man paraiso, hindi man langit
Hindi man tunay, kahit nasa isip
Ang lahat ng ito'y aking panaginip
Na sa'king hikahos laging nakapiit
Kahit dito lamang sa sariling paraiso
Hayaan naman sanang lumaya ako
Makawala mula sa gapos ng mundo
Makatakas mula sa dakma ng tao
Hayaang mahimbing sa lalim ng paghinga
'Wag buksan mga nakapinid na mata
Kung 'di na magising, hindi mahalaga
Pagka't dito lang kita ang aking pag-asa
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
By the Window Seat
As I pondered by the window seat
I saw three birds foraging to eat
Hopping and fluttering against the gray earth
That man has built to keep out dearth
The three birds flew toward the leaves
Of rubber wires on man-made trees.
Trees that channel not from the sun
But from the heat of coal and sweat of man
As they perched atop, they looked below
And saw nothing worthwhile on the gray meadow
They left for the blue where no man is
For only there can there be bliss
The engine roared and the backseat shook
The scenery flashed; the bus had moved
Two hours along the expressway
Four things to note, one thing to say
Grazing cows pale and thin
Brown pastures smeared with green
Storks flocking on sprinkled marshes
Patches of trees in forests of houses
At last we reached our destination:
The landfill - the sacrifice of man's progression
Where the dirt that was barred from his society
Works yet to fix his broken history
I stepped out and marveled at this great spectacle
Faced the killer of mankind's sentinels
I beheld not a wasteland but a land of waste
Cloistered by mountains dying in haste
Ineffable malodor pervaded the hot wind
As it blew in bursts on this naked trash bin
Alone a dozer masking shame with earth
Piling layers upon layers of trash beneath dearth
Then I returned to the bus for I finally see
The amassed neglects on this brown sea
I sat again by the window seat
And returned to the gray of human feat.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
How Can You Say
How can you say God doesn't care,
When nails were driven through His wrists bared?
How can you say God doesn't see,
When He looked on us with bleeding mercy?
How can you say God doesn't hear,
When at the cross He held us dear?
How can you say God doesn't move,
When He cried to have our sins removed?
How can you say God doesn't feel,
When He was whipped for us with iron and steel?
How can you say God doesn't love,
When Jesus lived to die for love?
When nails were driven through His wrists bared?
How can you say God doesn't see,
When He looked on us with bleeding mercy?
How can you say God doesn't hear,
When at the cross He held us dear?
How can you say God doesn't move,
When He cried to have our sins removed?
How can you say God doesn't feel,
When He was whipped for us with iron and steel?
How can you say God doesn't love,
When Jesus lived to die for love?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Man with the Broken Piano
Inside the hall shone glimmering lights
Of red and blue and yellow and white
Then came crazy dancing and hard drinking
As I stood alone wondering, gazing
Then behind me grew a shadow of solitude
And rose a tune of a melancholy etude
I fled away, away from the hall
Toward the door, toward a call
I faintly hear behind the hallway
As I stopped to listen near the archway
I hear the call like the humming of a bird
A sound of strings never before heard
I walked a distance toward the woods
To see the musician; give anything I would
Through giant raindrops and withering gale
I hacked through branches, through uncharted trails
Alas, I see the great musician
Beneath the moonlight, like a great magician
With prodigious skill and nimble hands
Waltzing with a piano in this melancholy land
A grand piano with lost grandeur,
With loosed strings, with lost composure
Stood still upon the broken branches
Once more to sing, once more to dance
Whether the trees are swaying to his rhythm
Or to the rocking of trees the piano's singing
I do not know and need not bother
As I stood breathless to listen and wonder
The full concierto of a broken piano
With birds of violins and crickets of cellos
With the drums of downpour and of thundering base
At last came to a pianissimo, at last to fade
Clouds overshadowed, like curtains closing
At the cue of the final tone that stood out echoing
A singular tone not quite the middle C
Silenced the woods and stopped the trees
Then the musician stood and turned to see
His only audience turning to flee
I fled the same path I had gone
I went to the hall, but the hall was gone
Behind me stood the great pianist
His silhouette unveiling, yet my sight is fading
For the night is over and the dawn has come
In my ear a new anthem, in my heart a new freedom
Of red and blue and yellow and white
Then came crazy dancing and hard drinking
As I stood alone wondering, gazing
Then behind me grew a shadow of solitude
And rose a tune of a melancholy etude
I fled away, away from the hall
Toward the door, toward a call
I faintly hear behind the hallway
As I stopped to listen near the archway
I hear the call like the humming of a bird
A sound of strings never before heard
I walked a distance toward the woods
To see the musician; give anything I would
Through giant raindrops and withering gale
I hacked through branches, through uncharted trails
Alas, I see the great musician
Beneath the moonlight, like a great magician
With prodigious skill and nimble hands
Waltzing with a piano in this melancholy land
A grand piano with lost grandeur,
With loosed strings, with lost composure
Stood still upon the broken branches
Once more to sing, once more to dance
Whether the trees are swaying to his rhythm
Or to the rocking of trees the piano's singing
I do not know and need not bother
As I stood breathless to listen and wonder
The full concierto of a broken piano
With birds of violins and crickets of cellos
With the drums of downpour and of thundering base
At last came to a pianissimo, at last to fade
Clouds overshadowed, like curtains closing
At the cue of the final tone that stood out echoing
A singular tone not quite the middle C
Silenced the woods and stopped the trees
Then the musician stood and turned to see
His only audience turning to flee
I fled the same path I had gone
I went to the hall, but the hall was gone
Behind me stood the great pianist
His silhouette unveiling, yet my sight is fading
For the night is over and the dawn has come
In my ear a new anthem, in my heart a new freedom
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