I was awakened this morning by the sound of strong winds buffeting my apartment building. I walked into my living room and saw the familiar darkness of typhoon weather. Some of the rain had made its way through the sliding door in the living room. Rain and wind from a certain angle can cause leaking issues at my place. Fortunately this doesn’t happen often, but Pedring turned out to be the “perfect” strength and direction to ruin my day. My power went out, and I spent most of the morning cleaning up rainwater as it flowed into my home. Pedring was a nuisance, but my property wasn’t seriously damaged.
The winds weakened by early afternoon. I decided to go over to the mall to get something to eat. I was surprised at the level of flooding I saw outside. I guess I didn’t realize just how much rain had been dumped on the city streets.
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| Flooding in front of my apartment building |
I took a few videos/pictures and posted them on my
Facebook page. Someone then put a link on my wall—a link to an article with an "explanation" as to what caused the flood. It had something to do with President Aquino’s vote regarding the Palestine statehood issue (and God's judgement due to this vote). I didn’t finish the article because it kind of aggravated me—I get frustrated when my Christian brethren use such warped logic.
Let me make something clear before I go any further: I think the Palestinians need to renounce terrorism and recognize Israel’s right to exist. I won't support their statehood until that happens. I’m also thankful my homeland supports Israel (I appreciate it for both biblical and political reasons).
But connecting a United Nations vote to a typhoon makes all of us Bible-believing Christians look like complete idiots. Let’s not presume to know the mind of God outside of what He has clearly expressed in the Scriptures.
Consider the words of Jesus:
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
-Matthew 5:44-45
One thing is clear to me from this passage: we can’t judge the favor of God based on the weather! Our gracious heavenly father chooses to bless both the “just” and the “unjust” with sun and rain.
Is the Philippines under God’s curse? Yes—in the sense that the
whole world is cursed, waiting for God to restore all things (Romans 8:18-25).
The Scriptures have already explained the death and destruction we see in this world. More importantly, they point us to a greater hope
beyond this world. Until then, we are called to look to the
the cross, not the clouds.
Hey guys,
GCF Call Center Ministry has another meeting on September 24, 2011, 8am at the Fellowship Hall of GCF Ortigas. The topic is Managing Financial Resources, with speakers Pastor Raul Caguin (CPA and former banker) and Mrs. Vivian Lacanilao (Counselor and Financial Advisor).
Visit this post for more info:
GCF Connect: Managing Financial Resources
I've been following the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant on Twitter and Facebook. Shamcey Supsup won 3rd runner-up.
I'm really impressed with her answer to the Q/A (I was able to watch it on TV). The interviewer asked her if she would change her religion to marry the one she loved. Shamcey said God is her first love and she owes everything to Him:
"If I would have to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person that I love. Because the first person that I love is God, who created me. I have my faith and my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. If the person loves me, he'll love my God too."
Great answer!
Congrats, Shamcey! You have made us all proud!
It’s been a long time since I’ve promised to write part two of my post on love vs lust.
This is something I talked about on our radio show a while back, and I’ve been meaning to write out the points.
Love vs Lust: Part 1 was more of an introduction—I wanted to clarify that not all attraction is evil.
Now I want to go into greater detail on the differences between love and lust. I think you’ll find love and lust are worlds apart in their essence. Here goes:
Difference #1 Lust is Inherently Selfish, while Love is Selfless in Nature
Lust is all about me: what I want to do and how I can be gratified. The object of lust is nothing more than a means to an end or way to meet my own wants. There is little regard for the impact my behavior will have on anyone else—especially the object of my selfish desires.
The Bible describes sexual immorality as something that wrongs, defrauds, or takes advantage of another (1st Thessalonians 4:6). This is the nature of lust—usually someone gets what he wants at another’s expense.
Love, on the other hand, always puts the other person’s needs first. I’m not saying we enter romantic relationships with no thoughts of our own happiness or fulfillment. Having said that, a loving relationship is about two people who are mutually concerned with each other’s well being.
Difference #2 Lust Can’t Wait, but Love is Patient
Lust says, “I must have, and I must have now.” Immature, short-term thinking drives lust. This is another reason lust is so dangerous—people are fooled into doing something without considering the long-term consequences of their behaviors.
But “patient” is the first adjective used to describe love in the 1st Corinthians 13 (vs. 4). Love inspires us to delay gratification and think about long-term plans.
I like the way Pastor Rick Warren summarized these first two points:
“Love can wait to give, lust can’t wait to get.”
Difference #3 Lust Deceives and Damages, but Love Brings Life and Truth
Lust says, “This will make me happy.” Those who believe the empty promise are ultimately let down. It may be as simple as disappointment with the all-too temporary nature of the thrill.
Tragically, the fruits of lust and sexual immorality are usually much worse: loss of self-respect, emotional baggage, unwanted pregnancy, and in some cases, life-threatening diseases. I’ve heard the stories first-hand, which is why I wrote Learning the Hard Way.
But love enhances, builds, and creates life. “I love you” are the most important, life-giving words we can hear another speak to us.
Genuine love is also grounded in truth. “I love you” should mean, “I know you, and I love you anyway.” We can give no better example than God’s love for us—He knows us intimately (better than we know ourselves), yet He has chosen to love us anyway.
The ultimate expression of his love, of course, was sending His Son to die for us.
We never regret making choices based on genuine Christ-centered love--it brings life to us and those around us.
Love and lust could not be more different. I hope this post has helped you understand this.
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| Learning the Hard Way |
