A Better Video of Phabs

Here's the new video for Phabs!!!

Sermon Resources

Sermon Resources

Sermon Resources

Sermon Resources

Phabs the Faubulous

Phabs is one of our students who used to visit the center. I discovered his talent one time while he is playing their instruments along with his friends. Can you do what he can do??? Try it....

Ptr.Vince Olaer

My Confession

Hey guys, someone forwarded this message to me. It's worth reading. Try to give around 5 minutes to read this. It's something to think about.

" My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me, as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where the America we knew went to. This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show last year, and the moderator asked her "How could God let something like Katrina happen?" Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection, if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attacks, school shootings, etc., I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found in a shallow grave in Texas a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as thyself. And we said OK, out with all that.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about, so we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we could figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God, and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.



Are you laughing?

Pass it on if you think this has merit. If not then just Delete it... no one will know you did.

But, if you delete it, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards.

Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein"

Attention Readers!!!

Please feel free to place a comment in the issues that is being posted in this blog. Let us help other young people by posting your personal opinions about the topics that will be discussed in the blog.

However, please maintain descency in posting your comments... Bad and vulgar Words are not allowed. Thank you!!! enjoy blogging!!!

Moderator

An Issue of Racism

Racism

Racism has been one of the major issues that the world had dealt with over its history. It has resulted to various trials and turmoil to human race and claimed lives of millions of people around the globe. We already have the example of Adolf Hitler trying to exterminate the Jewish race. Polpot murdered millions of his own people just to achieve the so-called “cleansing of his own race.” In fact, in my own opinion, racism is the worst crime that a man could ever imagine.

Until now however, I really cannot understand why people haven’t learned from its history. Or is it true that history repeats itself?

About a week ago, an issue about racism exploded concerning the Filipino people. ABC network of the United States showed to the world that the issue of racism has not been over with the Americans. In one of the segment of their TV program “Desperate Housewives”, Teri Hatcher (one of the cast) wants to check the diploma of her doctor, a diploma that “should NOT be a graduate from a medical school from the Philippines.” This statement has insulted the Filipino race around the globe.

My heart bleeds for my fellow Filipinos, not only for our doctors, nurses and all other medical graduates. Such a statement is completely a “RACIST” statement and shouldn’t be said in the face of the Filipinos. It is an irresponsible statement by some racist American writers who has the guts of showing it to the international community.

My dear American friends, is this a kind of world you want to live in? A country that separates itself among the others believing that you are higher and above among the entire human race? Is your food very different from ours? Nor your body waste at least smells better than ours? No my friends, you are still humans. We eat almost the same food and our body wastes smells the same. And all of us will be facing and will be judged by the same God.

There is nothing wrong to be proud of your race, but arrogance can and will claim its price. No wonder why America has lots of enemies around the globe.

Yes, I admit that Filipinos may not be as blessed as the Americans do in terms of political leaders, economy, standard of living, or even finances. But still, it doesn’t give any right to any American individual to insult any race. Black or white, Asian or Caucasian, they are all the same, they are still humans. We may not be that blessed as you are, but we deserve respect as much as we gave you.

Filipinos may not be that rich, but we are not ignorant nor fools that you can control because of your money and power. We may be fund raisers as some of us are, but we are not thieves who grab money without a return. After all, all of us started to raise funds in one way or another.

I myself have lots of American friends. And perhaps many of you are now reading this letter. I am neither a political leader nor an anti-American writer. I am just a humble Filipino citizen, who strives hard and by this simple letter would contribute to uplift the dignity of my people.

I love my American friends and perhaps none of them is like the writer who wrote that segment. My dear friends may you know this; we do not serve our Lord because we want you to help us and be dependent on your resources. We serve the Lord because “4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6.

We may be asking something, but we do this believing that perhaps God has blessed us through you and not by you. And if for any reason, this will cause you to undermine, insult, or look down our race, and treat us as a lower kind of people, and for worst a slave, please, I am asking you to stop and forget praying for us. I just don’t want you to be guilty of hypocrisy or perhaps we really do not deserve your prayers. Better not to say anything than to let us feel different and kill our inner beings. I would rather choose that you do not pray for us than helping us but take away our dignity.

My dear friends, I hope that you understand how those words hurt us that much. But don’t worry; you can still count with Christian Filipinos to pray for you even if perhaps you have not loved us that much. For we are true and sincere in our prayers as much as how we love our neighbors, friends, and even those people who do not love us. No wonder why we know and can easily adopt languages from different countries. It is because we love first.

To the writer of that segment, that’s below the belt pal. I hope that you will wake up. You owe us an apology and respect. Watch the video yourself and imagine if we are the one saying that to you and to your people.

To all Filipinos, my blood, my people, Mabuhay kayong lahat!!! God knows how you strived hard for the betterment of our country that never again will be insulted by any foreign race. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!!!

God bless you!!!

Obedience Defined

Text: Philippians 2:12-13
Title: Obedience Defined
Last week, we talked bearing Godly fruits even in the midst of trials. Today, we will be talking the real meaning of bearing fruits, the meaning of Obedience.

I. Consistent Obedience v.12 – “always obeyed” Paul said here that “as you always obeyed”. This signifies a continuous obedience. A true commitment to obedience should be continuous accompanied by consistency. Consistency involves maintaining the shape. Meaning, if we are obedient by heart and by actions, then we will continue to be obedient by heart and by action.
Sometimes, Christians are continuously serving God, but without consistency. If God has taught us last Sunday to continue serving God, right now He’s telling us that we not only continuously serving God, but also consistently serving him. Many Christians are on and off with their service with God. It’s a sign of immaturity. When God called you, did he said that you can obey him on and off? No, but he said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.” Jesus did not use “today”, or “tomorrow”, he used the word, “DAILY”. Take note that almost if not all translation used the word “daily”.
This is the main reason why back-sliding is not good for Christians. It is because at the first hand of disobedience, we already fell into sin of not taking up our cross. Instead of claiming God’s promises, we tend to escape from our problems. The Lord is speaking to us right now to start being consistent in Him.



II. Honest Obedience v.12 – “not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence” The Philippian church is obedient to Christ, even with or without their minister. They are obedient even if there are no eyes looking on them. It is more on putting their responsibility as Christian in as a serious matter.
But sometimes, Christians – in our context – only obey if the pastor is looking at them. Remember that even if the pastor is not looking at you, God in heaven is looking at you. It is not the pastor whom you are serving, it is our Lord. Ephesians 6:7 says, “serve wholeheartedly, as if you are serving the Lord.”
This is for sure, if you have been dishonest in your obedience to God, the Bible said in 1Timothy 5:25, “25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” This means, that whatever we do even in secret will be disclosed sooner or later. This next verse is even more powerful, Hebrews 4:12-13, “12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”



III. Working Obedience v.12 – “work out” We are to work out our salvation. It’s not about losing the salvation that God gave but putting into action a new life that God gave to us through his Son Jesus Christ. It’s like taking off our old self and living a new in Christ Jesus.
It’s not just saying and praying, ”Lord I commit to you my life or Lord use me in your ministry.” In addition to it, after the service, you say to me or to our leaders, “Sir I am committing myself to this ministry beginning today. What are my assignments?” After you have been given an assignment, then you will do it.
Working obedience is allowing yourself to be discipled. It is not only professing as Christians but working as Christians. This is a mandatory statement, “continue to work on your salvation”.
Just for self evaluation. Since the time that we’ve been a Christian, let’s ask ourselves, did we ever involved ourselves in the church? Did we ever work before as a one part of the body of Christ? If we did that before, how about now? Are we doing the same? Or simply we stop working because its boring and an additional work?
Guess what; sometimes we think that being in the ministry is an additional work for us? Because we have our job, we are busy, we have businesses, the more we become busy. Just to remind you brothers and sisters, it is Christ who gave himself up for a sinner like us. And he did not demand anything from us except to be obedient in his words.
Luke 7:41-43 41“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
This is the story of a sinful woman who washed brought Jesus a perfume in an alabaster jar. She stood behind Jesus at his feet, weeping. Then she began to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and after that pouring out perfume at his feet and wiped it with her hair. The story ended with Jesus saying that the woman loved him the more. How about us? Do we feel like loving Jesus the more?
Take note that the woman showed her repentance with action. Now let me tell you this, we really love God and if we really say that we obey his words, then why not put into actions what we profess. If we truly committed our lives in the service of our Lord, this is what I believe, we can and will put that commitment into actions. Because it means nothing if we pray a commitment prayer, but cannot put it into action.


IV. Fearful Obedience v.12 – “fear and trembling” What Paul is saying here is that we have to be fearful in our obedience, as if we are serving a high ranking official like a King.
In the Bible, the word fear NIV version was used for 255 times. Now you will see lots of passages that talks about fear. There are some passages that says, “do not fear”, but there are some that talks about “fear God, or fear Him”. Let me summarize this so that it will be clear to all of us.
If the word fear is about us obeying the Lord, then it says, “do not fear”. If the statement involves disobedience it will say “fear the Lord”. Example: 1 Corinthians 16:1010If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. It mentioned about “nothing to fear”, take note Timothy is about to become a minister. How about this passage, Proverbs 3:7 “…fear the LORD and shun evil.” It’s about fearing God if we disobey.
Sometimes this is what we are lacking. We do not fear God anymore. Sometimes, we fear pastor more than we fear God. Fearful obedience means being fearful to disobey, being afraid to commit mistakes. It is more on watching carefully our own lives on how we obey God. Do we still fear God? Now if we do not fear God anymore, maybe we need to ask ourselves right here right now. Brothers and sisters, we now we see that we have a calloused heart, well, I think it’s better to reflect on ourselves. Let’s talk to God and ask Him, “Lord, do I still fear you? Is my heart so calloused now that I can’t even stop my sinful acts? How about my hidden sins?”
Brothers and sisters, the passage is speaking to us directly, fear the Lord. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Do not fear to obey God but fear to disobey Him.

Conclusion
Philippians 2:14-16
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life…

"Should Be" Qualities of Young Women

Younger Women (v.4-5)
1. Loving their husbands – Younger women should love their husbands. Giving all faithfulness to their relationship. They have to submit to their husbands in everything.
2. Loving their children – This is a basic instinct of a mother to her children. But there are some mothers who do not love their children. Instead of teaching them Godliness and “goodliness” they are teaching them evilness. The Bible is very clear that mothers should love their children. And loving involves discipline.
3. To be discreet – Marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint. Unobtrusively (not undesirably noticeable, appear with modesty), perceptive and sympathetic. Many of our women in our time are not like these anymore. Many women of our time are “undesirably noticeable”. The Bible is very clear that women have to show modesty inside the church even in the way they look. Not to become daring and so noticeable that men will be looking at them with lust.
4. To be chaste - morally pure, and in which it includes the appearance –young women must not be engage in any immoral acts. Giving all love and faithfulness to their husbands.
5. To be homemakers - They need to love and create better homes, and not party goers. It does not mean that young women cannot totally go to parties. But here we see a set of priorities. Young women, prioritize building their homes. They work to make their homes a better place to live. Cleaning the house, assisting and feeding the children, supporting the children and etc.
The idea of radical feminism was a long age issue. It was already a part of ancient Babylonian and Assyrian mythology. And this endangers the Christian homes even in our days.
6. Good – They have desirable attitudes with pleasing personality. Should deserve esteem respect. Do we have desirable attitudes with pleasing personality? Are we respectable in front of people, even of the same age? Or we exemplify a snobbish type of young women?
7. Obedient to their own husbands – Young women are suppose to be obedient to their husbands and not husbands obedient to their wives. What I mean is that, some women tend to undermine their husbands so much. They are the one who command their husbands to work in the house instead them as homemakers.

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