"and on this rock..."

JUST AS I PROMISED in my sermon last Sunday, here are some recommended resource for those of you who might want study further on the issue of marriage and sex.

"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable..." 1Thes 4.3-4

I. RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

1. Every Young Man’s Battle by Fred Stoeker, Brenda Stoeker, Stephen Arterburn, and Mike Yorke

2. Every Young Woman’s battle by Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn

3. Preparing Your Son For Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn

4. Preparing Your Daughter For Every Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge

5. Every Man’s Battle by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, Brenda Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey

6. Every Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge

7. Raising Sexually Pure Kids by Tim Lahaye

8. Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family by Steve Farrar

9. King Me: What Every Son Wants and Needs from His Father by Steve Farrar

10. Raising Sexually Pure Kids by Tim LaHaye

11. Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson

12. Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson

13. Losing Control and Liking It: How to Set Your Teen (and Yourself) Free by Tim Sanford

16. Courage by Edwin L. Cole

II. RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE:

Here’s the site of the software for moral accountability: http://x3watch.com/ 

III. RECCOMMENDED ARTICLE ON RH BILL:

I understand some are asking us about our stand on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. As I had a chance of hearing the president of the Philippines himself, President Noynoy Aquino, regarding this issue and the dilemma that he is in. We believe every couple is empowered to make crucial decisions regarding how many children they can afford; and being responsible enough to be able to raise children who could become blessings to our society. They can freely choose the kind of contraceptives that they think could help them fulfill their dream family, as long as their decision won’t violate life. Yes. I am talking about abortion. There are contraceptives out there that do just that.

For further knowledge, “paggugulan natin ito ng panahon”. In English, “just google it”.

Here’s my friend's view on R.H. Bill.

May God bless us all!

TO THOSE WHO SAY THAT EVERYBODY'S DOING IT, they maybe in different status in life. Some are in a ‘living in’ situation. So it’s a way to pacify one’s conscience. Others are in promiscuous lifestyle that it is their way of convincing prospective ladies to agree in sleeping with them.

To all the single ladies out there, here are some ways how to say ‘no’ to a guy who says the above excuse, or simply because he expressed those famous "three words" to you.

# 1. When the guy says to you, “You love me, I love you, so it’s ok for us to do it.” After slapping him across his face three times, say this after a long pause…(at the top of your voice, right in his ears),

“NOOOOO!”

#2. If he still insist for you to give in after he has recuperated from the famous slap you have bestowed on him last week, say this,

“If you love me, why are you doing this to me?”

#3. If he still didn’t get it, before you break up with him, look him right straight in his eyes and say,

“I am WORTH waiting for!”

Now be sure that you are convinced a hundred percent, from the bottom of your heart, that your are really worth waiting for. And you better believe it because you are God’s princess.

A young lady student was being convinced, this time not from boys with immoral lifestyle, but from the same species. They obviously been through it themselves and one time they were talking about each other’s experiences. When she, being one of their acquaintances was eavesdropping and she realized that she couldn’t relate. She announced it to them. To their dismay they discovered that she was still a virgin. Peer pressure started pouring in. She came home feeling a little bit discouraged until she realized something.

The next day when they met again, they started ganging up on her case. This time she stood her ground, stared at them with piercing eyes and declared,

“I can be like you anytime I want to, but you can never, never be like me!”

With that I say, there’s nothing wrong with sex. In fact, SEX ROCKS! Why? Because it was God’s idea. Yup. He gave it to Adam and Eve. In marriage.

Tell me, how do you think they were able to obey the first command in the Bible?

Gen. 1:28  God…said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth…

Do you know what they did after that command? YES. To increase in number, they got themselves BUSY!

Sex is awesome. As long as it is done the right way…within the bounds of marriage!

So ladies, the famous “three words” are not enough for any man to use so they can sleep with you. Unless they are willing to say nothing less than the “two words” before an officiating minister.

So it’s nothing but a myth. Not everybody’s doing it after all.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I never found a single athletic sport that I was motivated to pursue. Nada. Bad experiences were all there was to it.

When I was a kid I almost drowned... twice. During one of those occasions I made so much noise that I was noticed and saved. That made me realize that SWIMMING was not my thing.

One time, my aunt gave me a gift for my birthday. It was a brand new basketball. I went to the basketball court to play with my friends and it was great, until one of my friends came late. While he was outside the fence, he asked me to pass the ball to him. I did. The ball landed on top of one of the series of pointed sharp irons. That was the end of my budding BASKETBALL career. My aunt, bless her heart, scolded me and that was it.

I tried playing GOLF with Atty Banjo Navarro and Mayor Alfred Romualdez four years ago. It was exciting… so I thought. It wasn’t until we had a real game at a golf course in Intramuros, Manila that I realized I was wrong. They seemed to have a grip of the golf ball. It would go where they wanted it to go. But the golf ball assigned to me was, I think, a cursed one. It had a life of its own. It always went left when I wanted it to go straight. So that was my first and…last golf game.

But in the midst of all these, there was just one exercise sport that I could do effortlessly. I could pick it up anytime and anywhere. It was not much of a hassle. I could do it when I am in town, on a vacation, in a retreat, or even when I go abroad—RUNNING.

Doing my best to hone this sport. I joined different races. 10k (Men’s Health Miracle Run), 10k Nike Run, 15k  Kenny Rogers' Urbanite Run, Real LIFE races, Sprint triathlon (900m swim, 30k bike, 7.5k run. I was the last one, but finished it. Position 79), 42k (Pasig River Marathon Run),

and 50k (Tagaytay to Nasugbu Ultramarathon Run. Position 83).

This time I am bringing it further. This March 5-6, 2011, I will be running the longest run  in my entire running ‘career': the Bataan Death March (BDM) 102k ultramarathon.

There are many reasons people join the BDM. The first, which is the intended overarching purpose of the BDM, is to remember the Filipino and American soldiers who perished in the Bataan Death March during WWII (thanks to former General Jovie Narcise). The second would be for personal health benefits. And the third is just for the sheer adventure of doing it.

Here are my top three personal reasons for doing the BDM 102k for 2011. (I am listing them down in hope that these will help inspire me to spur on especially during crunch time of the run.)

REASON #1: For our 140+ Real LIFE foundation SCHOLARS. Real LIFE is the outreach arm of Victory Philippines. With, at least, the five of us -  Joshua Suarez, Junn Besana, Paul Pajo, Alden Meneses, and myself - running the 102 kilometers, we will be able to garner around half a million pesos. Not bad for a donation of one thousand pesos per kilometer, and ten thousand pesos for each of the last two kilometers. One hundred percent of the donations will all go to the education of

the Real LIFE scholars just in time for the start of classes this June.

REASON #2: For one of the Victory-OrtigasYouth's law students who is a dedicated follower of Christ, RAISSA LAUREL. Despite losing her legs due to the DLSU Bar blast last year, she has exemplified how it is to respond in a way that would honor her Lord.

Here’s what President Noynoy Aquino said in his speech during the awarding for the 2011 People of the Year.

"The blast that robbed you of your legs could have defeated a normal person. But instead of giving up, it brought out the best in you. Never did you show the public any hatred or self-pity. You were always determined to overcome the challenge presented to you—with optimism and confidence. The strength you displayed has inspired the entire country. We eagerly await the day you take your oath as a lawyer. We look forward to your continued positive contributions to the country…”

REASON #3: For JOHN PHILIP CABILING, my six-year–old son. He was diagnosed, after an episode of seizure four months after his birth, with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. What a year that was for me and my family.

So as far as the MOVEMENT I am part of, Victory Philippines, this run is for the Real LIFE scholars. As far as the CONGREGATION I am assigned to pastor, Victory Ortigas, this is dedicated to one of faithful worship team youth volunteers and a disciple, Raissa Laurel. The last but not the least, as far as my FAMILY is concern, this run’s for you, my dear son, John Philip. 

Every time I run, I always thank God for giving me two fully functioning legs. I shed some sweat in my eyes at times when I take a look at them.

PS: The rest of the Bataan Life March (BLM) 102k team (Joshua Suarez, Junn Besana, Paul Pajo, me, and Alden Meneses) decided to adopt the same reasons. Thanks, teammates. 

NOTE: To those of who are wondering, "How can I be of help?" Well, CHECK this out.

Psa. 147:4   He determines the number of the stars

         and calls them each by name.

Psa. 147:5          Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

         his understanding has no limit.

Do you have any idea how many stars there are in the entire universe? How much more naming each one of them? Look at the last five words. I only have one word to describe this passage mention above: INFINITY.

Some of you might think, “Good to know that He could do that feat, but that passage has nothing to do with me?” Well, that’s what you think. To bring it closer to home, let's look at this other verse.

Ezek. 11:5  Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say: “This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, O house of Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.

The last eight words of that verse would be enough to keep you awake for the entire week! Could you imagine having a screen small enough to fit right on your forehead? Well, I guess it would be a larger one if you are a bald person. Should you be blessed with thick hair, I would surmise you would always be looking like ‘Dora'! 

Why?  Because...

He knows.

I have a feeling this weekend is going to be a good weekend.

See you! 

But when you say ‘beyond time’ or even ‘beyond space’, then we are talking. Anything beyond time and space speaks of infinitude!

With regard to God and His attributes of infinity, then they are really beyond time and space.

So the next question we need to ask is, if God has the attributes of infinity, then it follows that He is beyond…comprehension? Well I say ‘YES’ and ‘NO’.

‘Yes’ because He said so:

Is. 55:8  ¶          “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

         neither are your ways my ways,”

                           declares the LORD.

Is. 55:9  ¶          “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

         so are my ways higher than your ways

         and my thoughts than your thoughts.

‘No’ because the Bible speaks about it as well.

Rom. 1:19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

To smash it together, this is what Moses has to say about it.

Deut. 29:29  ¶          The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

So I say this that the FINITE can not comprehend the INFINITE. And the thing we need to settle in our minds is to ‘grasp’ only that which has been revealed by Him.

This is the order of the day. This is the agenda of our series for the next four weeks.

And we will commence with God being IMMUTABLE. UNCHANGING.

For more of this, CLICK me this weekend.

IF YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY TIMES a word is mentioned in the Bible, you’ll find out the emphasis of what the author is trying to say. For example, the word ‘Christian/s’ was mentioned only thrice. The word ‘believer/s’ was repeated twenty-seven times. The word ‘saint/s’ was commonly used by the apostle Paul sixty-six times in most of his epistles. While the word ‘disciple/s’ was lavishly used two-hundred and ninety-six times.

You can now safely conclude that the Bible is seriously looking for

D-I-S-C-I-P-L-E-S.

Here’s how Jesus defined what a disciple is all about. 

A REPOST.

See you in one of our weekend Victory worship services.

IT'S OKAY TO GET YOURSELF identified as either a FAN, a FRIEND, or a FOLLOWER of someone in the blogosphere today. It’s the way how social networks work. Passionate Philippine college basketball fans could be rowdy and uncontrolled at times just to see their fav teams win. Being a fan of a celebrity in the Philippines could also be a bit complicated. We are so loyal, as a culture, that we patronize to the point that we catapult them to politics whether they are qualified or not to our own detriment as a nation. There’s this prevalent personality-driven attitude we have as a people.

It’s okay to admire people we look up to. Be loyal as an alumnus. Be as patriotic as one could be. Imitate the faith of a fav Bible hero. And even have personal preference to people who help touched our lives.

Just like here in the first epistle that Paul wrote to the Corinthians.

1Cor. 1:10  I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1Cor. 1:11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.

1Cor. 1:12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas’”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

1Cor. 1:13  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

Verse 12 showing us four main parties in Corinth:

1. PAULIANS –followers of Paul, because he founded the church (Acts 18.1-7), and because he was a special apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11.13).

2. APOLLONIANS –followers of Apollos, because of his eloquence (Acts 18.24-19.1).

3. CEPHIANS –followers of Peter, because he was the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2.7-10).

4. CHRISTIANS –followers of Christ, because they would have nothing to do with parties that followed men (v 12).

Admiring these men, including Christ, is commendable, but it’s the issue of allowing these ‘loyalties’ to supersede the spirit of unity and camaraderie amongst the believers. By observing the verse 12, one would conclude that it’s possible to be a “follower of Christ” and still be, by omission, guilty of tacit cause of division among believers.

We should all be followers of Christ. No question about it. But let me ask you, “Are you a dispenser of love to one another that helps promote unity?” If not, then Paul conclusion could be true even today:

1Cor. 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

We might render the CROSS empty of it’s power.

(For further studies on the CROSS, visit one of the 60+ Victory worship gatherings we have spread out across Metro Manila this weekend.)

HERE ARE MEN IN CHURCH HISTORY who got themselves actively involved in the political arena of society.

Erastus 57 AD

In a letter to a congregation in Rome from Corinth in 57 AD, Paul wrote a list of personal greetings at the end of the letter, in which he says,

Rom. 16:23  Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works…send you their greetings.

An inscription on a pavement was discovered form the ancient ruins of Corinth in 1929 which most likely refers to this Erastus. The pavement was laid about A.D. 50. The inscription reads:

ERASTVS PRO AEDILIT E
S P STRAVIT

One translation is :

Erastus, commissioner of public works [aedile], laid this pavement at his own expense.

John Calvin  (10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564) was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. His writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of theology that bears his name. The Presbyterian and other Reformed churches which look to Calvin as a chief expositor of their beliefs, have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major religious figures and entire religious movements, such as Puritanism and some political historians have argued that his ideas have contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the West.

William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade, which he accomplished three day before his death.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer  (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian. He was a participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism, a founding member of the Confessing Church. His involvement in plans by members of the Abswehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent execution by hanging in April 1945, shortly before the war's end. His view of Christianity's role in the secular world has become very influential.

WHAT DID NOAH WEBSTER SAY, in his 1828 dictionary, in regard

to this word, 'govern'?

GOV'ERN, v.t. [L. guberno. The L. guberno seems to be a compound.]

1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority; to keep within the limits prescribed by law or sovereign will. Thus in free states, men are governed by the constitution and laws; in despotic states, men are governed by the edicts or commands of a monarch. Every man should govern well his own family.

2. To regulate; to influence; to direct. This is the chief point by which he is to govern all his counsels and actions.

3. To control; to restrain; to keep in due subjection; as, to govern the passions or temper.

4. To direct; to steer; to regulate the course or motion of a ship. The helm or the helmsman governs the ship.

These given definitions help us see what the ‘government’ is here for.

But let’s dig deeper and focus this time on what the apostle Paul has to say about government.

To my dear readers, go ahead and examine for yourselves. Read the entire 13^th chapter of Romans.

(For further readings and studies, click HERE.) 

THE USAGE OF THE WORD “HISTORY” could be done in different ways.

be history. Perceived as no longer relevant to the present.

go down in history. Remembered or recorded in history.

make history. Do something that is remembered in/or influence the course of history.

the rest is history. Used to indicate that the events succeeding those already related are so well known that they need not to be recounted.

history. If you come to think of it, ‘History’ as a subject, in high school and in college, is not bad. Well, depending on who’s teaching it. Because you could be daydreaming of "Disneyland" while your teacher is sincerely trying to talk about "Swaziland" that, for you, sounded like a series of single syllabic word repeatedly recited, “blah, blah, blah, blah…” then your classmates suddenly heard you, as though a background second voice in a duet, ”ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz” while your eyes are half-open!

Appreciation of history is dependent on the  kind of worldview a person has. A very destructive one besides atheism, pantheism, panentheism, and polytheism is this belief that accepts a God who made the universe, but believes He’s no longer involved with His creation. It’s called--Deism.

But if you ask me; I am not worried about ‘deism’ itself. It is the ‘selective deism’ that I am concerned about. A person could believe that God created the universe and engages Himself in the affairs of man, even in the area of family, church, and business, but never in ‘politics’ or ‘civil government’. There seem to be that innate disdain over that issue. It looked like a lot of people are allergic to it.

Now, we all know that politics is one of the main ingredients that makes history history. 

But there’s another usage that I would like us to highly consider as we dig deeper to this issue of history:

His—story. History, as we know it, is not just a collection of random linear events; it is God’s story unfolding.

ANOTHER OBVIOUS PATTERN I SEE in the Word of God is the idea of progress.

Here are sample interesting verses for us.

ON FAITH

Rom. 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJv)

ON CHRISTLIKENESS

2Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJv)

ON RECHARGING

Psa. 84:7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

And for the last part of our current sermon series…

ON WISDOM

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

This is not just interesting, this is exciting as well.

From your end, in what areas of progress and growth, you think, people need today?

Share to us your thoughts.

I HAVE OBSERVED A PATTERN IN THE SCRIPTURES regarding ‘preparation’. 

There is this 'blueprint' of experiencing major transition before a significant thrust to God’s purpose would happen.

Isaiah’s Case.

Is. 6:5  “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

Is. 6:6  Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

Is. 6:7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Is. 6:8  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” ¶          And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Is. 6:9  He said, “Go and tell this people…”

Israelite’s Scenario.

Josh. 3:5  Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

Apostle Paul’s Conversion.

Acts 9:15  But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Acts 9:16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Acts 9:17  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

Acts 9:19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Acts 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Even Christ Himself. Baptized. Tempted.

Matt. 3:13  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

Matt. 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Matt. 3:15  Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

Matt. 3:16  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

Matt. 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matt. 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Matt. 4:2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Matt. 4:17  From that time on Jesus began to preach…

Isn’t that amazing?

Now, as we study on acquiring wisdom for tomorrow, let’s look at the life of Joseph.

How was he able to showcase his wisdom to prepare for the future?

We will see you in one of our weekend gatherings!

(For further readings and studies, CLICK HERE.)

HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT biblical WISDOM is always connected to holiness and righteousness? 

Take a look at this.

James 3:13  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

James 3:15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

Before we ask wisdom for today, be sure to know what wisdom is not.  Here’s the description of a non-biblical “wisdom” (worldly wisdom) according to Jesus’ younger brother, James.

"earthly". Look at strife and trouble in churches. Most of the time, it is run solely on earthly principles rather than biblical ones. But understand that in the bible, there are issues that that don’t make sense but because God said it, we do it anyway.

A classic example are the Jews in Egypt. It doesn’t make sense leaving the most prosperous nation in the world just to go to a land that you have never seen and not sure whether it even exist!

The disciples giving Jesus the most ‘logical’ advice of sending the people to the nearby town to eat. But Jesus has greater and better plan: feeding them all out of two fish and five loaves!

"unspiritual". It’s but natural that when someone strikes you on one cheek, you hit him immediately on the other cheek, or else he will run all over you! Yet it says in the Word, “turn the other cheek” and leave the vengeance to God.

"of the devil". You get a lawyer. He’s telling you (“diskartehan na lang”) to lie, to cheat, and accuse to win the case. Devoid of truth. Dark plans are devised. This is far from what we call ‘wisdom’. This is demonic.

So, going back to the question, how will we have wisdom for today?

See you at the gatherings we have in Victory this weekend.

I. Q. (Intellectual Quotient). This is well sought after mental condition even among the academes. In fact there’s an association of this in the world, even in the Philippines, and it’s called, not ‘Geeks for Life’ nor ‘Nerds Forever’, but MENSA.

If you are a member of this, please tell us how you have attained it.

E. Q. (Emotional Quotient). I saw this book today in Fully-booked entitled, ‘Emotional Intelligence 2.0' authored by some kind of a psychology expert. I don’t know about you, but it sounds oxymoronic to me. How can something emotional be cerebral at the same time? 

But anyway, in our Filipino educational culture, it is but normal for little bitty kids to be accelerated to higher year level simply because of academic reasons; without sometimes looking at the ‘emotional’ readiness or maturity of a child. It is sometimes less healthy or worse, a traumatic experience to some, that leaves behind emotional scars that they carry for years.

Now please, this is just my opinion. Peace.

A. Q. (Adversity Quotient). We are surrounded by smart, slick, savvy, and highly ‘successful’ people, but when the trials in life hit them unexpectedly; they ‘give’ in to, if not in depression, suicide. Have you heard of a German billionaire Adolf Merkle who, this time last year, took his own life because of a financial crisis?

W. Q. (Wisdom Quotient). They say we live in an Information Age. Sociologist must be right. In fact, things could be known by just one click of the ‘enter’ button on a keypad of a computer. Most people in our day and age suffer from what we call, ‘information overload’.

Since we live in a ‘post-modern’ world,  people are not easily impress anymore by facts that a person knows. The way to get the attention and be able to speak the language of a postmodernist is via innovation and creativity. In short, being able to synchronize, synthesize, and apply the truth and principles in different creative ways. And yet, it is still not the type of wisdom we are talking about. It’s not just the application of knowledge. It is something above the normal ‘wisdom’ that the world offers.

We will talk about it this weekend in our Victory gatherings spread all through out Metro Manila.

G. Q. Wait a minute, I got the attention of some of you when I mentioned “smart, slick, savvy…”. You were probably thinking of being a G.Q.? 

Yeah. "Galing sa Quiapo".

(For further readings and studies, CLICK HERE.)

As we try to guess who’s coming to town, I can’t help but remember this little farming town in Nueva Ecija called, “Cuyapo”. I was born and grew-up there up to High School. I obviously don’t live there anymore ever since I moved to Manila for college.

Well, every time this season comes around, it's not complete without hearing in songs playing over the radio or in the malls, or hearing it mentioned in churches by pastors and priests in their sermons; the name of a certain little town.

It was first mentioned in a book the Old Testament –Micah. But in contrast to it, Micah indicated twelve more other towns.

In the Hebrew original of Micah 1.10-16, The prophet uses some clever wordplay to get his point across. Well, most of the time in a sarcastic way. Here he used the meaning of the name of each of the twelve little towns to prophesy the judgment of God on them (all part of Judah, the Southern Kingdom).

Mic. 1:10 

1. TELL TOWN (Gath) –Tell it not in Gath;

weep not at all. 

2. DUSTVILLE (Beth Ophrah) -In Beth Ophrah

roll in the dust.

Mic. 1:11 

3. PLEASANTVILLE (Shaphir) -Pass on in nakedness and shame,

you who live in Shaphir. 

4. EXITBURG (Zaanan) -Those who live in Zaanan

will not come out.

5. LASTSTAND CITY (Beth Ezel)-Beth Ezel is in mourning;

its protection is taken from you.

Mic. 1:12 

6. BITTER TOWN (Maroth) -Those who live in Maroth writhe in pain,

waiting for relief,

7. PEACE CITY (Jeruzalem)-because disaster has come from the LORD,

even to the gate of Jerusalem.

Mic. 1:13 

8. CHARIOT CITY (Lachish) -You who live in Lachish,

harness the team to the chariot. You were the beginning of sin

to the Daughter of Zion,

for the transgressions of Israel

were found in you.

Mic. 1:14 

9. GOODBYEVILLE (Moresheth Gath) -Therefore you will give parting gifts

to Moresheth Gath.

10. MIRAGE TOWN (Aczib)-The town of Aczib will prove deceptive

to the kings of Israel.

Mic. 1:15 

11. INHERITANCE TOWN (Mareshah) -I will bring a conqueror against you

who live in Mareshah.          

12. GLORY TOWN (Adullam)-He who is the glory of Israel

will come to Adullam.

Mic. 1:16 

Shave your heads in mourning

for the children in whom you delight;

make yourselves as bald as the vulture,

for they will go from you into exile.

But with the exemption of one other little town: Bethlehem. Instead of the usual words of judgment, she has received a messianic prophecy.

Mic. 5:2  “But you, Bethlehem ( house of bread) Ephrathah (fruit fields),

         though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me

         one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,

         from ancient times.’”

Now you realize I am not talking about Santa Claus coming to town.

Btw, tell us what town or city you originally came from and what it means etymologically. 

Yeah, yeah. For a change, tell us.

Just curious.

(For further readings and studies CLICK HERE for the rough draft.)

Here are few samples of Christmas tradition we have adopted into our culture that has something to do with the "light".

The Philippine Lantern (Parol)

The word parol came from the Spanish word farol which means "lantern" or ilawan in Tagalog. The Parol, technically called Philippine Christmas lantern, was adapted from the Chinese lantern and the Mexican piñata to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Patterns of the parol evolved from the five-pointed star-shaped paper lantern that was crafted by an artisan named Francisco Estanislao in 1928. His creation was made of bamboo strips pasted with papel de japon (Japanese paper), illuminated by a candle or kalburo (carbide). This kind of lighting was adapted by barrio folks to light their paths during an annual ritual dawn Mass called Misa de Gallo, due to electricity being unavailable at the time.

The Advent Wreath  (candles)

The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, "Christ" candle which can be lit at Christmas. The custom is observed both in family settings and at public church services. 

There are several interpretations of the symbolism of the Advent wreath.

The accumulation of light is an expression of the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, who in Christian faith is seen as the light of the world. The circular wreath represents God's eternity and unity. Evergreens are a symbol of enduring life.

In some traditions the first candle is called the prophet's candle and is meant to signify the hope of  Jesus’ coming. The second is called the Bethlehem candle in honor of the city of Christ's birth. The third candle is the shepherds' candle. The final candle is the angels’ candle, symbolising the angelic proclamation of joy at Christ's birth. A number of carols have been written for use with the short liturgy accompanying the lighting of the Advent candles in church services. A common format is to add an extra verse each week, relating to the symbolism of that week's candle.

In the Church of England's modern liturgy, the first candle is attributed to the Patriarchs, the second to the Prophets, the third to John the Baptist and the fourth to the Virgin Mary.