Thursday, January 30, 2014

LBC Choir's Experiencing God Presentation

Here's the video I was able to save from a recorded CD from the Loakan Baptist Church Choir's Experiencing God Musical. Special Thanks to Ptr. Notarte (I believe) for the Video =D .....

Sorry it ain't complete though since the second CD is totally damaged and can't be played... If anyone has a better copy, I hope they could upload it too or share it to me... =D

So here it is! Enjoy and be blessed! (Oh yeah, video might be unclear as this was taken a long time ago... lol!)

LBC's Experiencing God  Musical (Part 1)


LBC's Experiencing God  Musical (Part 2)


LBC's Experiencing God  Musical (Part 3)


LBC's Experiencing God  Musical (Part 4)

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The Weak...

There are those who are called weak... In this world, people does not desire to be called weak. I hear young people say to someone "weak!" They bully them and start teasing them maybe because they are thin, not so good looking, or probably have a physical disorder. Even the silent at the corner at times are seen as weak. I believe, I am one of those weak... It's such an interesting thought how people at times see me as one... Most people now probably does not see that on me... but I am.. weak and frail! If they would truly compare me to the standards of this world, they would!

To describe me? well, I'm sickly, silent-type of person, people would categorize me as introvert person, an ibaloi (an ethnic group I am part of, which at times also categorized as someone who is shy... not sure why... maybe culturally it has been instilled..), easily dismayed, discouraged or give up easily? (probably, as at times what I observe on my current situation...).. these are just a few things about me.. I believe... which the system of this world would judge me as "weak".

I believe others also are weak, it's just that they wouldn't want to see that they are or even admit it... because we are frail, fragile as a man, limited as we are and that there are things we cannot do nor can't acquire. It has been part and absorbed principle or code of this world that the mighty or strong succeed and survive, whereas the weak be eliminated or destroyed. (hmm? talk about evolution...) That is the principle of this world.. How so? Let's take a look for just one example how young people or even children are being taught by games. How many games would promote giving or helping others or preserving the life of another? Rarely you would see one.. Most of the games promote power, self-reliance, self-sufficient, self-preservation, killing the weak, exterminating others, etc. etc. etc.

The sad thing about being called weak, is when the thought creeps into our hearts and minds and blind us to the truth we are supposed to know and understand. Because of this, at times, some would opt to take their life, thinking life is worthless. But if only they know that it is not worthless, that there is God who cares for them and loves them, surely they would not opt to do such thing. If only they knew that Someone already died for them so that they might have life through Him and by Him, such evil thought shouldn't be too much bothersome. If they only knew there is God who cares for such as weak people as we are.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised..." (Luke 4:18, KJV)

" The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names." (Psalm 147:2-4, KJV)

It is amazing that even how fragile and frail we are, there is God who cares. The weak may not be mentioned, but "poor", "brokenhearted", "captives", "blind", "bruised", "outcasts" is almost as the same as weak, the ever displaced people in the phase of the earth. But God Himself makes Himself as the Savior, Refuge, Healer, Friend for these people!... He but only desire that we come to Him and rest upon Him; To put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ! What an amazing God we have! What a Loving God we have!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV)

So..? being weak is not something to be shameful of... It is actually a great comfort and strength for when God works through us, He becomes our source of strength and not weakness. Though I must say, the world does not see this nor accepts this, because it is not of the world, and when I say world, I mean the system of this world, the principles of man by which man lives and continue to exist in this world far from what God has designed us supposedly.

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" (1 Corinthians 1:27)

"The weak".. a title or name, so many people do not desire to embrace or be even acquainted to. But as Apostle Paul would say... "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:10)

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Minac Baptist Church 29th Church Anniversary

Here are videos I've taken from Minac's 29th Church Anniversary....

Some songs of their Children's Choir led by Ms. Alpha Balagot





Minac's Young people (boys)



Heralds of Minac Baptist Church

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Being a Christian Example

These days, it seems such Christian examples are rare... so few and numbered. Sometimes I've a gut feeling they would be extinct in the near future... What am I talking about? What kind of Christian examples? I'm talking about mature Christians who knows and does the will of the Father... Although some would probably point to me pastors, bible woman, etc. They are not what I'm actually looking for or actuality who I'm really talking about. But of course they are possibly great examples, for that is one of their duties or responsibilities as being leaders of the church, but I'm looking for merely normal adults who simply are living the Christian life. Now don't get me wrong 'coz my perspective on someone who lives their Christian life are those who possesses not just a quality but a character and person worth following or making as such an example. I know we have Jesus as our greatest example and it is a dangerous thing to look at people as example due to the frailty of man and because of the curse of the flesh, nevertheless Christians are also called to be an example, I believe; Not only the leaders of the church. Anyway, all Christians are also called to be God's servant, not only pastors or teachers. Therefore, being an example is also a responsibility of all Christians.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Furthermore, if you are a Christian, is it but natural that we seek someone to look at as examples? The Word of God gives us so many people who became great examples to learn from whether from bad examples or good examples... Of course we follow the good, the bad we do not but stay away from it. And when we tend to look for examples, too often we'd look for people who have the same situations or circumstances they've gone through as the same to ours. We don't look for examples that are totally far different circumstance from ours...

Now, here comes a big dilemma for Christians. Who amongst the Christians wants to be an example? Most likely the reaction would be "Oh, no no no no no no!" True that  we are indeed frail and most likely easy to falter esp. as new or beginning Christians. But if we've grown matured or learned to know and obey God's will, shouldn't we set as examples for the younger ones, the new generation?

We should! As apostle Paul encourages Timothy to be one, even at his young age. For a truth, the character of a person counts much! The worthiness of a person is very valuable. But if such character is marred and tainted, it loses its value. BUT, I also do believe in God's amazing Grace and Love, for He is the source of Grace and Mercy... How that even as sinful as David, still He called him to be a man after His own heart! It's a great reminder for us Christians that really, it's not about us, but it's ALL about God! It is He that enables us, it is He that perfects us, it is He that makes us worthy even if we failed Him so many times. If God chooses to use us in His ways, so shall it be done. If He wills, it shall come to pass.

But as I have said earlier, it seems in these times, such examples are few. Personally? I do find some people that I know, people of different status in life and circumstance, they become my examples of such a matured Christian, whether they serve in teaching or they serve in giving, they inspire me and give such a good example. Entails me to become a good example as well. But I know, I have lots of things to learn. But pressures and how the world works seem to be my biggest hindrance and challenge. Makes me wonder, how did these people got through? or how do they really deal with these things... And so it's hard to know, but then again we should seek the Lord and wait patiently for His revelation and leading.

Being an example... is it worth it? I do believe it is... but why too few Christians pursue it? Self tends to be the boss more than obeying the Father's will? It's hard? My sister shared the view of those she has been sharing with and most of them view it as a hard rough and difficult life. And to be honest, I think yes, they are right! To follow Christ is really hard, that even Christ Himself has stated it (John 15:20). But if we Christians should think about it, why then call ourselves Christians? Is it just for the sake of being saved? Truth is, if we really say we are Christians, a follower of Christ and yet do not do the Father's will, are we not just fooling ourselves? or making the "Christian" name just a name and not a reality? Or aren't we worthy to be called a "false Christian" if we do so? I do not wish to accuse, but I wish that we put in place our perspective on what Christianity is really all about.

True, we have the flesh still upon us which really hardens the life that we ought to live... but God has also given us the Spirit! He has given Himself! and it greatly gives me a question, how that we continue to still depend on the flesh more than the Spirit? Well, maybe because there is too few examples of people to look at and know that living or walking with the Spirit IS possible. Well? That's one of my thought or idea 'cause really I too greatly struggle walking by faith or walking with the Spirit. There is far greater number of Christians exemplifying the life controlled or directed on how the world works. I tend to see the principle of "The strong survives", "survival of the fittest" being much more evident even in the lives of Christians... and the principle of "living by faith"? I rarely see it... But oh when I see it, it greatly amazes me and ask myself "why can't I do it?" or "How come I struggle on having that kind of faith?"

Well, this challenge is not only for those who read this but also a challenge for me. It's a great challenge as I continue to seek in knowing and following His will. May we indeed learn to live by faith and be an example to the believers...

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Is This God's Will for Me?

Many times I was asked, "Is this God's Will for me?" Even I ask this question a thousand times. Too often seeking and doing the will of God has been sought by many especially we Christians. But I ask, "Are we on the right track of seeking and doing His Will?"

I've been sharing my previous experiences especially on the "Experiencing God" era, which is actually a time of which we learned processes of knowing and doing the Will of God. And from any stand point of preachers and teachers, I suppose they would always point to God's Word and Prayer. You see, God's Will is already revealed in His Word, and it is the Holy Spirit Who directs us and enables us into doing it.

But often, we (I) always sought to seek my personal direction in accordance to His will. Specially when we are in the midst of waiting stage, we often grow weary and anxious and impatient of knowing what should we do? Added to it are the pressures and stress of life made upon us according to their expectations. We tend to be impatient and continue to ask, "Lord, is this Your will?" pertaining or thinking of the already made-up plans we've made... Well I'm not saying, we shouldn't plan anymore or planning is an evil thing. Planning is a very good thing! It's just at times, our plans are compromised and that we know part or whole of it is not according to His Will and yet we would like to insist. Probably great example would be Jonah going to Nineveh. When God has revealed to us His Will and we don't like it, we make our own plan and insist, this is God's plan.

There are also times, when truly we are clouded and confused and seem to not know any more what we should do. I could remember prophet Elijah, when Queen Jezebel, just after her priests were killed, she ordered for the death of the prophet Elijah. Having known this, Elijah fled for his life, just as after he had seen the glory of God. At times we are like Elijah, blinded when we're supposed to go to God always.

But "How do we really know God's Will and do it in a personal basis?" Truthfully I am nobody to be able to answer that question. Nevertheless, I'd like to share my own insight because I too am still a learner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Previously as I continue to be part of God's Mission Field, I've encountered this verse:

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (Hebrews 8:10)

or actually the phrase "I will put (or write) my laws (which could also probably mean principles) into their hearts". This phrase, could also be found in Old Testament (I think Deuteronomy) and of course New Testament. This somehow has blown me away, though it probably is very evident or very obvious of what God has been doing in our lives as a Christian, but have we been very attentive to it? I mean, are we sure we are allowing God to do that in our lives? 'Cause I believe, I think this is His way or process of revealing His Will to us on the personal basis. Revealing His Will to you, personally, by writing it in your own heart and mind. I believe God is very, very interested in our hearts. Because there I believe resides our will as well.

From this view, I actually believe that, knowing His Will is actually knowing Him. Or I mean, it's really a relationship that you unfold or is revealed. Now typically to a couple who just probably met, most of the time, they would really like to know more of the other person. I believe that is so with us toward God, should be... But that poses a big question  to us Christians, do we really sought to know God more? I remember apostle Paul when he said "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" (Phil. 3:10)... Do we really sought to know Him more?

The series of video clips "The Truth Project", somehow speaks of this too, although not sure, but what I get is that the series of videos' goal were to "see or gaze upon the face of God"... To know Him, His Character, His Nature... and in effect, how should we respond to it?... Isaiah responded, "Woe is me! For I am undone! For I live in the midst of unclean lips!" Isaiah saw how sinful and unworthy he is in front of the God Almighty. When we gaze upon His face, how will we respond? That has been the challenge left out to them who listened and watched those videos and that includes me.

You see, knowing who He is, makes us or should compel us to conform to His ways and not our ways. Our ways are cursed and conformed to the evil ways, to the worldly ways because of our flesh. One example or illustration I've learned is that of our relationship to our earthly fathers. Not all probably, but I'm sure our fathers has been teaching us something, because they themselves does it. It's rarely one could teach something that they themselves aren't doing it or a good example by it. Most often, one who greatly teaches something is the one who themselves apply it in their lives. So when we see our parents or our father, teaching what they do, we learn. Therefore we know what our father wants us to do, even if they aren't there. That's the same thing with us Christians, being children of God. God wants to teach us, print His ways into our hearts, so that we could never forget and be able to do it.

Frankly, this principle may have not answered directly our daily question "Is This God's Will for Me?" But I think it would be enough. Just as the lecturer said in the "The Truth Project" answering the question "What should I do?"... He said, "I don't have a clue!" But he adds, "but I know Who does!" He still points to God. Same principle of what I was talking about. It's about knowing Him... and by knowing Him, we know His ways, His nature, His character... By which we ought to conform as His children in obeying and doing. More than these God has given us His promises worth clinging to, hoping for and standing firm.

"...For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Heb. 13:5)