"Agos ng Tubig"

This is a song I still remember, heard it first from Manong Jephun when we were still attending the AFC... He sang it as a song offering before the message and it had a great impact in me hearing it... This song is actually by Isagani Licerio and was previously included on an Album called "Papuri." Further than this, I like the effect of the guitar strumming of it.. it is also quite a relaxing and time of reflection-kind of song... Talk about guitar-playing, I think I'm one of those frustrated-guitar players... hehehe! anyway enjoy the song as I copied and linked from a youtube link of the song.



"Agos ng Tubig"

Intro: (E - G#m - A - B7)

Stanza I
E              G#m           A9           E/G#
Agos ng tubig sa batis ay lumalagaslas
A                  E/G#          F#m                A/B
Sa mga bato sa tabi, ito'y humahampas.
E           G#m                   A9                 E
Batis na walang tigil sa pag-agos na kung saan
A                      E/G#           F#m         B7       Intro
Marami ang nabubuhay, marami ring namamatay.

Stanza II

Ang Buhay ng mga tao dito sa mundo
ay tulad ng isang batis, umaagos ng kay bilis
Mahirap man kung iisipin ngunit kung 'yong iibigin,
Batis man sa agos mo ay may tuwang namamasdan...

Chorus:
E                G#m    A        E
Agos ng batis at buhay ng tao
A                    E/G#              F#m           B7
Tumatakbong sabay ito sa dagat na ang wakas ang tungo
        E                    G#m                        A                   E
Ang buhay mo'y sa Diyos nanggaling, sa Diyos mo ring itagubilin.
       A                    E            F#m   B7            Intro
Gamitin mong pagpapala sa buhay ng iyong kapwa...

Repeat Chorus

CODA
                E
Iyong Kapwa.

Pray to the Lord of the Harvest...

"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."

(Luke 17:26)

What would you do if you were in Noah's shoes? What if, at this time you're reading this article, then, suddenly God told you, He will destroy the earth after a month? What would you personally do? Of course, I'm not saying that such experience would happen again... But just placing one's place in the shoes of Noah, how would you respond? Or, personally how will I respond?

Well, thing is... Christ Himself spoke that there will be such a time of the days of the Noah. Declaring the same or likeness of Noah's time, there will be a big event! The day of vengeance! If you are a Christian, you would know this: The Tribulation Period, The Day of Christ, The Last Day! But if you say,  you don't know anything of this or haven't heard of this, uhm? maybe you better start reading the Bible and if still you can't understand, try contacting me if you like and I'd love to share everything that I know (but of course, first of, I'm not an expert. But I have ideas!). Or you could talk to a knowledgeable bible-believing pastor on this matter.

Anyway, as for us Christians, let us go back to the questions I've asked. Try asking yourself, "What would I do?" In reality and in truth, as Christians, these questions ought to be asked by us daily. To challenge and remind us, why we Christians exist and why the Church exist. It's the main purpose or priority we should live out daily. For if we know that the time is at hand, shouldn't we think more of those unsaved love ones? Are we certain that our family members and friends have truly received Jesus Christ by faith? You see, one of the troubling Christ spoke of are those who profess that they know Him, but in reality Christ doesn't know them (Matt. 7:22-23). But more than this, if we know Christ coming is SO NEAR, wouldn't we do something about it? One probably great thing we would do, is to bring as much as possible many people to know the Lord Jesus Christ! To share the Gospel will be our priority.

Now, those maybe the things we would do? But the real question should be, "Christ spoke of the day of His coming, His return, shouldn't I do something about it?" I know we Christians also need to eat, drink, sleep and work. And I know we are concerned about many things. But thing is, if we truly say we are followers of Christ, won't we give a priority on His command towards us? I'm not saying that we just leave everything we are doing and go 24/7 sharing the gospel to people. It's just that, have we really considered our life becoming an instrument in leading someone to Christ? Have we somewhat personally made our initiation to do something in terms of leading or sharing people the gospel of Christ?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying we all are to preach the gospel of Christ (but that would be an awesome possibility, but surely it's not possible because of man's heart). What I'm saying is, have we personally witnessed and took part in sharing the gospel of Christ and not depending on the idea that we've already given our Tithes and offerings and that's enough? Although money is important in the furtherance of the gospel of Christ, but the command of Christ was actually "GO." And the "GO" command speaks of a personal physical body and person being sent to take part of preaching the gospel and His Word.

Thing is, too often, we Christians are being taught that just simply giving in terms of finances or whatever is enough to take part of His work. But don't you think such an idea is over emphasized? When Christ himself said to His disciple:

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

The bottom line is, in these great and dangerous times, what the Lord is seeking are people who would take part of His work, in terms of personally and physically doing the work, esp. the harvesting of the fields or the reaping of the souls by them knowing and understanding the good news that is Christ Jesus. In short, Christians that would commit their life in the redeeming of souls that are lost. Because if we truly gave our lives, everything follows, even the heartily giving of support. Surely it sounds too much and just to unreal in these practical days. But if we would think further about this matter, it ends up with the question, "What does God want me to do and will I do it?" or perhaps another question would be "Do I really have an Almighty and Powerful God?"

In a glimpse of all the question, our problems with regards to these matters always point to our own self-doubts. And, indeed, one of the greatest enemies of our soul: the flesh.

Surely our thoughts and mind may be stirred by all the questions poured. But I pray that our minds esp. our hearts be filled by the passion and love for those that are lost. For lo, so many are they and needing the gift of Salvation. Salvation, a simple free gift God is offering but hardly one easily receives it. Why? because so few has the heart and desire to share it. 

Year 2013

Another year indeed! It has been a long while, since I haven't written. Year 2012 has been a long year. Whereas, this year seem to be a fast one but a hard one. Just an opinion. Or a personal hunch with regards to what I may go through, me and perhaps my family.

So much seem to have happened, even now that January seem to end in just a blink of an eye. It's already January 21, 2013, Monday. And, I don't know.... My father started to start services in a new place (speaking about ministry), which is in Gumatdang (as we call it). And now I, most likely will stay behind in Apalan-Guisset, where we have been ministering for almost 3 years perhaps. Although my father, along with my mother, will be joining me once Sunday every month, still... it will be a NEW year!

Now to mention, even I myself will be going through another kind of changes.... Since I already gave my resignation at my work and I'll be out soon after I've trained the people who will be replacing me. It's quite a very weird and unimaginable and filled with (not doubt.. but) Faith... and Trust in God that He is the one in control. Human as I am, I still don't understand why I had to resign, but in the sense of being one called Christian, I believe it was time for me to leave. That and other more reasons though.

Although I must say, doubt still attacks me many times. For I'm left with so many questions. But nevertheless, it is written.. doubts shall come but God's promises maybe much more a glorious one. So often I've heard (although rarely I hear it these days), "Challenge God!" Of course, these words have a great meaning and understanding to those that are indeed His' or God's own child. It's the same thing about the phrase "Ask and it shall be given." The thing is, both phrases means or points only one thing.... FAITH. Of course, the Faith having God as the object of our Faith.

Surely it won't be an easy one, as Christ Himself spoke "The servant is not above the Master." Simply depicting and ensuring, if one is a follower of Christ, then expect the same road or way or footsteps Christ Himself suffered, so will His followers too.

But anyway, that is Christianity. And yet, the question still remains... "What's on 2013?"

Loakan Baptist Church 56th Anniversary & Christmas Cantata 2012

Loakan Baptist Church celebrates her 56th Anniversary on December 16, 2012. Her outreaches in Daklan, Apalan-Guisset-Beckel-Gumatdang, and Umingan joins in to celebrate the event. The Celebration started Saturday having Ptr. Felipe Rimando as the main speaker and blessed to have also both Ptr. Rimando and Ptr. Jun Salinas speak for the morning service. At the afternoon, the church had their time of fellowship with the outreaches with games, reporting and song numbers. At the evening, LBC Choirc presents their Christmas Cantata. Below shows pictures of the Anniversary event and the Cantata.



Below are the video of the songs presented by (first) Gumatdang group... (sorry, was late to take it in video since I was still learning how to use the portable camera) and (second) videos are two (2) song presentation of "The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church" of Apalan-Guisset-Beckel group.







Below are videos from the Christmas Cantata of the Loakan Baptist Church Choir. The Title of the Cantata is "The Father's Gift of Love". Conducted by Bro. Jasper John Lamsis. And by the way, there were two songs that have some cut (in tagalog, "may naputol", hehe!)... And if anyone likes to share there videos on different angle, please do inform me.. thanks! =)











Here is a video version from Jamie's account in facebook since my copy for this video is cut off... =) (Thanks Jamie!) =D















The Cantata presentation ends here, the video below is just a few extra video after the cantata



If you have other videos from the cantata itself and want to share, just inform me and we'll see how to add it here for better and orderly viewing. Enjoy and be blessed! =)

just want to test this video below, saved in facebook.. =)

When People Makes things Complicated

“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Matthew 19:3-9

The account of the previous is just one of how we, people, complicate things. God’s original design of a married couple is to be one flesh. To be one! Yet men and women have failed to realize this and make this plan to be true to themselves. Sure! There are many reasons why they can’t make this kind of principle or plan into a reality, like one has become unfaithful, or because of temptation, etc. etc. etc. But in reality, there is only one reason, SIN!

Surely, this sin is the biggest problem and also reason why man is separated from God. This is the curse and consequence of that what was done through one man, Adam. Because of sin, man is also doomed to eternal death or separation, which is literally to be eternally thrown into the lake of fire, as the Word of God declares. So, because of sin, things have not become simple and what God has planned and designed man to be is deviated from the original plan.

So does that mean we have no hope? Of course not! Because we have the Good News! That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Because of Jesus Christ, died and risen again the third day, Salvation is free to receive by those who believe! Jesus came to be the sacrifice and the Lamb to the slaughter, Who takes away the sin of the World! Him who knew no sin, died and took the punishment of sin so that we who have sinned and to be punished might be justified or declared “NOT GUILTY” by believing on Jesus on Who He says He is! The Son of God! The Messiah! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! And thereby having the Faith in Him shall He redeem us or bought us back unto Himself. This is the Good News!

But to them who does not believe, then perhaps there is no hope for them. For what hope is there in hoping to those things that shall fade away? What hope is there to find when all things lead to sorrow and death? I wonder?

But for those who have given the hope of Christ and to life eternal, God has given us a wonderful plan and design for our life. It’s not a life filled with so much happiness and delight all our life as what others expect and thought of. But it’s a life filled with joy, joy that is in Christ Jesus, a life abundant as the verse John 10:10 speak of. But seriously, most often man misunderstands what Christ meant. Though we, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is given a promise of Heaven, such life is not promised for life on earth. “Abundant” I believe, means more of being connected in Christ, the source of Life, likened to “abiding” in Christ. Therefore being always connected in Christ, knowing His Will and doing His Will, we can’t be deviated to what God has planned for us. The problem with man, even with believers in Christ is that, we intend to live in our own standard, our own delight, our own basis, our own ambition and even plans. Not that our plan is no longer important or has value, but have we always considered on what God has on His mind for us? For God’s ways are not our ways. Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Therefore if we intend to live abundantly, it is best to fulfill and pursue the life God intends for us. Anyway, who knows better in using a computer or a phone, the designer or the simple customer?

Surely most often, we misunderstand what God’s plan for us. But in these moments of doubts and unclear situation, God desires that we still trust and have faith in Him. At times of doubts, pain most often we shall suffer. But if only we could always have that attitude of Job saying “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Surely in time, we shall come forth as gold!

So bottom line? Most often, we complicate things because we deviate from what God intends us to be. We often say to the Potter, “No! Don’t make me like this!” Wanting that our will be fulfilled, more than God’s. A simple illustration of why we make things complicated is when we are given such an amount of money. God desires that we be a good steward of what God has given us. But when we place that money in our hands and walk by the shop or SM (we call it) and see “SALE 50%!” or “Buy 1, take 1!” Soon enough that money is gone in an instant! Then, when the need arises like we get sick or when our love ones get sick, we go to our relatives and ask to borrow money! Such a tragedy!

Be Wise! Be Content! Be Faithful! And Hope for the God of our Salvation!