"Star Ng Pasko"

It's Christmas time again! I had a hard time choosing the best song to post. I want a song that truly reflects what I feel and what I want to say. There were several but this one for me is the best!

This is the Christmas Station ID of my favorite station, ABS-CBN last year. This was during the height of the popularity of the teleserye "May Bukas Pa" where the Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as "Bro" or Big Brother by the protagonist  child actor. 

My only wish as you listen to this song is for you to look to Jesus and to give HIM His due recognition and glory for without Him choosing to lay down His life, we'll have no Christmas to celebrate. Siya talaga ang Star Ng Pasko!

STAR NG PASKO

Kung kailan pinakamadilim 

Ang mga tala ay mas nagniningning 

Gaano man kakapal ang ulap 

Sa likod nito ay may liwanag 

 Ang liwanag na ito 

Nasa 'ting lahat 

May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas 

Sa init ng mga yakap 

Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat 

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw 

Walang iba kundi ikaw 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

 Tayo ang ilaw sa madilim na daan 

Pagkakapit bisig lalong higpitan 

Dumaan man sa malakas na alon 

Lahat tayo'y makakaahon 

 Ang liwanag na ito 

Nasa 'ting lahat 

May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas 

Sa init ng mga yakap 

Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat 

 Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw 

Walang iba kundi ikaw 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

 Kikislap ang pag-asa 

Kahit kanino man 

 Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro 

Dahil ikaw Bro 

Ang star ng pasko 

 Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

 Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw 

Walang iba kundi ikaw 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw 

Walang iba kundi ikaw 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

 Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw 

Walang iba kundi ikaw 

Salamat sa liwanag mo 

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko 

 Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw BroDahil ikaw BroAng star ng pasko!

Osama Bin Laden's Death: Should we rejoice?

When I heard about the news, I thought to myself well he DESERVES it and started to thank God for the victory.

It was when I was chatting with a friend that made me rethink things.

This friend asked, why would we as Christians rejoice for somebody's death?

And he's right.

Because even if how sinful a man can be, he's still a man God loves unconditionally, a man whom Jesus died for just like you and me.We can all say, well his SINS are greater compared to our petty ones. But the truth of the matter is, it's still sin and God detests it. Small or Big.

So the question is, should we rejoice or should we be sad?

Thank God, I found the answer from my favorite author's blog, Joshua Harris:

Justin Taylor helpfully states that "it's appropriate for Christians to intermingle grieving and gratitude. Grief for a life made in the image of God but so destructive of human life and so dishonoring to God. And gratitude for justice being served as an instrument of God's wrath."

Now that's the right perspective!

Just like what Jesus said "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Source: http://www.joshharris.com/2011/05/how_should_we_respond_to_osama.php

Jesus Crucifixion: A Grand Display of LOVE!

Jesus Crucifixion - Amazing Love & Grace

"Mary Did You Know?" from "The Passion of The Christ"

Must Watch: Chuck Bartowski

For the past few weeks now, I have been addicted watching Chuck a series about a guy who's so intelligent that he can become a Human computer able to store all TOP secret and confidential files of NSA and CIA combined. It has humor, action and love story which makes it very entertaining. I sometimes imagine myself to be like Chuck Bartowski. lol!

Anyway last night while reading Wikipedia (the only non business website we're allowed to go to inside the office) I found out he's a Christian and here's what he has to say:

"Zachary Levi was raised Christian. During an interview with Relevant Magazine, he said, "My job on my set, I believe, is to first just love people and gain that trust with people where they know that I really do love them and care about their well-being, so that when they are running into problems, they will hopefully, at some point, come to me and ask me, 'What is your peace all about? What is your comfort all about? Where do you get your love? Where do you get your talents?' And I can turn to them and say without blinking, 'Jesus Christ'"."

Now, I just don't want to be like Chuck anymore. I want to be like Zachary Levi WHO makes it a goal to use his talents, his job and his life to proclaim *without blinking* who the source is: JESUS Christ!

Awesome.

Jesus Calls Peter by Joshua Harris

Jesus Calls Peter - Joshua Harris

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

But CHRISTMAS is more than these decorations, more than any culture and traditions! 

It must be all ABOUT Him! 

Jesus, the REASON for the season!

Ressurection of Jesus | Amena Brown

I saw this in Facebook and I have been blown away with how Amena Brown created this video. She's one talented woman.

Check the video. It will change your life!

God Bless you!

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 13:14 (New King James Version)

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."

In another version Romans 13:14 is stated as

"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Reflection:

I see two opposing "SHIRTS" here while we are the person to wear either of them. One is a shirt that puts ourselves first. A shirt that makes us dethrone God as Lord (Master) in our lives. A shirt that serves well our selfish and sinful desires. While the other one forgets your "SELF' and places GOD above all else. A shirt that allows GOD to build you up (sometimes to break you) for the better (to be more like Him). A shirt that fills your heart with Hope, Future, Love, Joy, Peace and all good things out there. And the shirt I am talking about is Jesus Christ!

In Romans, Paul was saying "PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST", in NIV it says "CLOTHE YOURSELVES with the LORD JESUS CHRIST". Between the two Shirts, which one then would you choose?

What's more amazing is this; when you wear Jesus Christ (shirt) quoting from my friend makes you a "walking billboard" or others would say it an "open Bible" and truly indeed people are not just saved by words we say but also by the lives they see or in this case by the shirts we wear.

Everyday, don't go out wearing just your wonderful polo or pants, but let's all put on Jesus Christ!

Blessings to you more and more!

Jesus: You are my bestfriend!

Here's one song from Hillsong that I have been personally blessed with. It just sends out the message that Jesus is our Bestfriend and NOTHING will change that. Which is soooo true.

The Bible says:

Romans 8:38-39 (New King James Version)

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


See, absolutely nothing can take us away from HIS love.

And when he's your bestfriend, you share everything to him, right? You tell him your secrets, successes and yes problems and struggles. A bestfriend would always want to listen.

The question is, would you like to accept his friendship? He's just waiting for you.

Best Friend by Hillsong (Marty Sampson)

Have you heard of the one called Savior?
Have you heard of His perfect love,
Have you heard of the one in heaven,
Have you heard how He gave His son'
Cause I found this love,
I believe in the Son. Show me Your way.

I believe in the One called Savior,
I believe He's the risen One,
I believe I'll live forever,
I believe that my king will come,
Cause I found this love,
I believe in the Son. Show me Your way.

Chorus:
Jesus, you are my best friend,
And you will always be,
And nothing will ever change that,
Jesus, you are my best friend,
And you will always be,
And nothing will ever change that.

Bridge:
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that.

Why did Jesus Come?

Here's a verse that is so close to my heart. If the devil came to steal, kill and destroy, our Lord Jesus came to do this:

"My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
John 10:10b (New Living Translation)

Indeed, Jesus came to give us just that! But people ask why are bad things still happen? Why are we still suffering? Why are we not rich and successful yet? I may not be able to give you specific answers to these questions but surely I can give you THE key. THE Key, the way, the truth and the life is Jesus Christ.

Let me share to you a story about a Father and a son to further explain this point.

TAKE MY SON

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas,there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting..' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'

The crowd was becoming angry.. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Published by YOUR DAILY WORD

Be a good Example, Be Humble as he is Humble

John 13:13, 14 (New International Version)

"You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,

you also should wash one another's feet.

Background:

This is during the LAST Supper of Jesus with the disciples, the night before Judas Iscariot betrayed him. Washing of feet at that time is a customary to the Jews and necessary knowing that they use Sandals most of the time. Washing of feet though is never done by a Jew, only a slave or other people with different nationality.

Reflection:

We'll look at two things from these verses:

1. Power of being an Example to others

- How will the future generations remember you? Will they look up to you and follow your footprints? Have you set a good example to others? Here Jesus became a great Example to his disciples saying even though He is the Lord and Teacher, He'd still wash their feet so they too can wash each other's feet. With this act, his message was sent across effectively.

2. Humility

- When was the last time you chose to accept your mistake and asked for forgiveness? When was the last time you still asked forgiveness even though it was not your fault? Here Jesus did a humbling act in washing his disciple's feet. There are a lot of reasons to justify why He shouldn't do it. One is He's the teacher and Lord. A lord doesn't wash his followers' feet. Second, he's a Jew and no Jew should do such a thing. Third, he's GOD, the creator of all things. But even if he knows his authority and "position", he still chose to bow down and washed his disciple's feet.

What is the Lord telling us?

Let us be great examples of what we say. Let us be doers of our declaration. If we say we're Christians then let's act like one. We cannot expect our friends, family, workmates to believe what we're saying if we're not showing it with our deeds. As James, the brother of Jesus, had said Faith without Deeds is Dead (James 2:14). Let our lives be an Open Book for others to read in proclaiming God's goodness. Let our lives be a blessing to everyone we meet.

Second, let's be humble as he is humble. Here's a passage from Philippians 2:3-11 to explain it:

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and

became obedient to death: even death on a cross!

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him

the name that is above every name,

10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and

on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

At the end of the day, it's Him who should be lifted up instead of us. It's Him who should be recognized not us.

God Bless you more!