Ed Lapiz Time Line ─

Q - Bakit po ang daming iba-ibang paniniwala based on the same Bible?
A -
Because agenda-driven "interpreters" and "advocates" and "theologians" and "expositors" and sects can find bits of verses here and there that they could twist, manipulate and reinvent/reinterpret to support what they believe in or what they LIKE to believe in and promote. Usually, they are selective, highlighting verses that they could use to support their ideology/philosophy/theology and IGNORE all other "dissenting" verses.
A skilled manipulator, speaking to uneducated/ untrained /uncritical audiences could teach nearly anything --- and find "supportive" verses to lean or stand on. Their unthinking followers become unwitting pawns in cruel religious chess games or blind soldiers in violent religious wars staged by manipulative ideologues / theologians ensconced in their congregational ivory towers


WHEN you want something from someone,
LISTEN well.
Your eagerness to get what you want might make you deaf
to that person's expressions of
- unwillingness
- disinterest
- incapacity
- refusal
to give you what you want.



Use the ministry to love people;
do not use people to love the ministry.



Etiquette Concerning Children
#1
Huwag silang pasabatin sa usapan ng matatanda.
Short greetings, konting kwento, etc are ok.
Pero yung kasali na sila talaga sa usapan,
lalu na yung sila na ang nagpe-preside sa gathering
at topic na nila ang agenda ng madla, o
"talent show" na nila ang main event,
hindi appropriate as
they could say or ask things that might
- embarrass
- offend
or
- annoy
people!
While children should be trained to be outspoken and eloquent, ilagay sa lugar.
Sa classroom, puede.
sa very private family events, puede up to a point.
But in a public, social event, wala sa lugar ang pa-smart ng mga bata.
Ang mas bagay ituro sa mga ganung okasyon:
- restraint
- polite silence
- discretion
- good manners,
Proverbs 22:6 (CEV)
Teach your children
right from wrong,
and when they are grown
they will still do right



Q - biblical po b ang swerte swerte lang. Sbi ni solomon?
A -
yes, sabi ni Solomon eh!
Pero para lang sa mga pambihirang "unreasonable" occurances.
hindi naman applicable sa lahat ng pagkakataon


FB Etiquette
#4 Do not post pictures of people's events like parties, celebrations, etc without their consent.


FB Etiquette
#2 Do not post pictures of people's private homes without their consent ---even, or especially if, you were a guest there.



FB Etiquette
#1 Do not post people's photos without their permission --- even if you were together in the picture



Q - Bakit po kaya ang daming pintas ng ilang Christians sa mega churches na akala mo masamang maging mega samantalang sila naman ay effort na effort magpalago ng church nila. Di po ba ang ending din kung maging fruitful and successful sila ay magiging mega church din sila?
A -
Baka
- hinahanap nila sa mega churches ang quaint charms ng small churches?
- hindi nila naiintindihan o naa-appreciate ang unique culture ng mega churches?
- talagang pang mini at hindi pang mega ang taste nila?
- may valid points ang mga criticisms nila?
- feeling threatened, especially kung naglilipatan sa mega ang mga dati nilang members?



Q - May mga pintas po ako sa pastor namin. Ganun din sa two other pastors sa mga churches na dati kong inaniban. Saang church kaya ako makalipat na di ko mapipintasan ang pastor? I need to have my soul rest under the leadership of a really good pastor.
A -
Pastor na wala kang maipipintas ang hanap mo?
Sumama ka sa Heavenly Church, pamangkin.
Dun ka lumipat.
Walang kapintasan ang pastor doon kasi si Jesus mismo!
Kaya lang para makasali ka doon,
kailangan mo munang -----sumakabilang-buhay!
Then you can really Rest In Peace



Q - I'm a pastor of a small church. Pinoproblema ko po kung paano palalaguin ang church at paano pararamihin ang members. Any tip?
A -
Ang atupagin mo pamangkin ay kung paano magiging relevant, helpful, loving ang beneficial to people ang ministry mo. It is for God to give the growth!



Q - Ano pong books in the Bible ang recommended nyong unahing basahin o basahing mabuting-mabuti?
A -
ECCLESIASTES
Proverbs
Song of Songs
MARK
Luke
Matthew
JOHN
Acts
Romans
GALATIANS



END OF THE WORLD
Q - May mga nagsasabi po na TAPOS NA/ nagyari na ang so-called
"End of the World"?
Na ang "End Times" daw po SA REVELATION ay hindi naman literally the end of the planet or the end of life on the planet sa we know it, but THE END OF A CERTAIN MINDSET /LIFESTYLE / EVEN RELIGIOUS or political SYSTEMS? TAMA/ TOTOO PO BA ITO?
Ano po ang pwedeng mapag-aralang material na nagsasabi ng ganito?
A -
Puede.
Kung "prophecy" naman kasi ang Revelation and was dealing with "future" events, any day or week or month or year after it was written would have been "futuristic" at the time it was written.
So, that "future" then could be a "past" by now.
Puede.
Ano ang puedeng pag-aralan na nagsasabing posibleng tapos na/nangyari na ang "end times" na tinutukoy sa Revelation and by now this is no longer something to happen in the future" ?
Try watching sa YOUTUBE
"Bible Mysteries Revelation The End of the World" English documentary on BBC Parts 1, 2, 3, etc
or
"The Book of REVELATION The END OF THE WORLD" Full Length DocumentaryWorlds Documentary
STUDY WELL AND THINK FOR YOURSELF




Kamag-anak ka dahil lang sa biological chance,
hindi personal choice ng relatives mo.
So do not feel entitled to use and abuse relatives
just because of blood relations.
Hindi ka nila piniling maging karelasyon
kaya wala silang obligasyon sa yo.
Earn / Deserve your privilege to be welcome in their lives


Dumarating ang tao, lalu meron nang edad, sa puntong pagod na syang
- makisama
- magbigay
- makibagay
- mag-estima
- etc.
So, DISTANCIA AMIGO/A.
Huwag laging bumalandra, kumalat at sumabit unless specifically invited.
Do not feel entitled to barge into people's private time and space and events just because you're a relative or a friend.
Wait to be invited.



RESIST THE URGE!
When you hear people MISpronounce a word,
resist the temptation to CORRECT them right then and there
by VOCALIZING the.... eehhhm.... "correct" pronunciation.
(Unless you are super close and/or there's no one else present)
You could embarrass or, worse, provoke them to anger.
Let a few moments pass before you dutifully
render THE correct enunciation in a subdued, non-attention-grabbing way.
Teachers, especially tactless ones , are not always loved!


Q - Puro hirap at sakripisyo ako para sa pamilya ko pero puro naman kabiguan at frustration ang napapala ko.
Do I really have to sacrifice everything for them just because they are my family though they do not even care about me?
Heeelp! Wala pong kakwenta-kwenta ang mga kapamilya ko!
A -
No.
Be kind to your family but do not limit your world ---and devotion--- to them.
Maraming "ibang tao" --- hindi kapamilya --- na puedeng isama/isali sa buhay mo na makahihigit pa sa pamilya sa pakikipagtulungan, pakikipag kaibigan at pakikipagmabutihan sa yo.
You get to belong to a family only because of biological sweepstakes.
Hindi mo yan choice; you get born into a family. But you need not die in it.
Hindi kailangang limitahan mo ang mundo mo sa
biological relationships lang na hindi mo naman choice.
Develop good friendships/relations with people
- like you
- you like
- who like you --- kahit hindi mo kamag-anak.
They could even make better relations.
Yang pamilya kasi could feel ENTITLED to your kindness kahit hindi man lang sila nagsusukli.
Develop good friendships and enjoy relationships na gawa mo, hindi lang yung ASSIGNED to you by birth!
Proverbs 18:24 (CEV)
...a true friend is closer
than your own family.
*
Proverbs 27:10 (CEV)
...A friend nearby is better
than relatives far away.
MARAMI pang mahuhusay na tao outside of your family circle!



Ang dami-dami nang sinundang usong beliefs, styles and doctrines, at ang dami-rami nang kinatakutang puesto, kulay, o ayos ng bituin, buwan, araw atbp! At kung sinu-sino na ang pinaratangang "Anti Christ"!
Kawawa naman ang maraming Christians na biktima ng kung sinu-sinong self-appointed "prophets" at ng kung anu-anong katuruan na lumalaganap sa pamamagitan ng PANANAKOT O PANG-UUTO.
Ephesians 4:14 (CEV)
14 We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place



Q - Ang Christian po ba dapat ding maging Jewish ang name, culture, lifestyle, calendar and festivals, and even attire?
A -
No need.
God created all peoples and nations and tribes. Therefore people should honor the Creator by keeping their identity and not be copycats of the Jews or of any other race/nation. Believers should know and make God known in the context of their own culture. In Christ, walang human culture ang spiritually superior or better than another.
Galatians 3:28 (CEV)
28 Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.
----------------------------
EQUAL na because of Christ, magpapa-under pa?
In fact, kahit sa Revelation, nakasulat na hanggang sa wakas, ang sariling tribal, linguistic ang national identity ay dala-dala ng believers pagharap sa Diyos.
Revelation 7:9 (CEV)
9 After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted. They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb.
----------------------------
Paano na kung nagopya ka ng culture ng iba?
E di wala ka sa tunay mong race, tribe, nation and language?
Tapos nakasiksik ka sa ibang lahi?
At matutuwa ba sa yo ang Creator kung itakwil mo ang sarili mong identity
at maki-kopya ka sa identity ng iba?



Q - Bakit po kaya kahit na lang anong doctrine, mayroong believers and followers!?
A -
Iba-iba ang korte ng utak ng mga tao.
Mayroong pre-disposed to think and believe a certain way and get attracted to certain schools of thought.




How to really purify the church and church methods?
Wala na lang kayang tithes and offerings!?
Walang fulltime/ swelduhang church workers!?
Walang payables like rent and utilities?
Para wala na lang usapang pera-pera?!
Magtiyaga na lang magtipun-tipon sa mga bahay-bahay,
silung-silong, gara-garahe, ilalim ng puno, etc?!
Simplehan tulad noong panahon ni Jesus?
The money issue breeds lots of troubles!
(And exploits / abuses many innocent believers!)



Mga ISMS na umuso, nanatili / lumaos, nagpa-asenso /nagpa-atras, nagpa-excite, nagpasigla, nanglito, nag-divide, nagpalago / nagpakonti, nagpatahimik/nanggulo etc etc sa Christian churches:
Catholic-ism
Orthodox-ism
Protestant-ism
Congregation- ism
Sect- ism
Evangelical-ism
Separate-ism
Baptism by water-ism
Baptism of the Holy Spirit-ism
Charismatic-ism
Pentecostal-ism
Prophetic-ism
Apostolic-ism
Messianic-ism
Korean-ism
Korean Prayer-ism
Prayer Mountain-ism
South American Spirituality-ism
Prophesying-ism
Evangelistic Explosion-ism
10/40 Window-ism
Televangelism
Rally-Style Events-ism
G-12-ism
ReJudaization-ism
Anu-ano pa kaya?
AT NASAAN / ALIN dito TAYO NGAYON?



rayer / Wishes for the Christian Church
1. Gumamit
ng maraming Bible versions, hindi lang isa, para lumawak ang understanding.
2. Walang
fulltime / salaried workers; puro doubly productive volunteers who have other professions/ sources of income para hindi laging may financial burdens and church -- at para walang gumawa ng ministry bilang hanapbuhay.
3. Walang
bili-bili ng lote o pagawa-pagawa ng buildings para di kailangan ang walang katapusang fund raising.
Rent-rent na lang.
Pag lumaki ang congregation, rent ng malaking lugar.
Pag lumiit ang group, rent ng maliit na lugar. Easily adaptable!
4. Hindi
sobrang obsessed with non-stop offerings. Mag-contribute na lang pag may need.
Wala dapat surplus funds. Excess funds only become breeding grounds for abuse / corruption.
5. Tigilan
ng kakatawag na "wrong" or "demonic" ang may mga ibang interpretations and applications of Scriptures.
6. Walang
permanent leaders; papalit-palit every now and then.
Kasi puedeng kalawangin o tamarin ang maraming luma
tapos suppressed ang maiinit na bago.
Walang
family dynasties sa church leadership. Hindi naman automatic namamana ang anointing or calling.
7. Walang
election ng leaders kasi sobrang napo-politicized at nadi-divide ang body.
8. Manatiling
mayroong small subgroups kahit na lumaki ang general body para may close relationships.
9.Gamitin ang mas malaking bahagi ng funds sa social service, caring for the weak, the sick, the needy, for counseling too.
10. Maging mature
at hindi puro uso-uso at paiba-iba ng doctrines.
Lagi na lang may bagong usong teachings na kinahihibangan.
Parang hilo.



Tigilan ang katatanong /kakukumusta sa pasyente o sa mga nag-aalaga dito tungkol sa kanyang kalagayan.
Nakakapagod sumagot paulit-ulit.
At puede ring intrusion into the patient's privacy na ang pagtatanong.
Sapat na ang
"Praying for you!"
"God bless you!"
or the like.
Tama na yung
Kumusta? / How are you? / What's the latest? (Unless you are super close and an active player in health management)
Madalas yung patient o yung bantay ay pagod na sa paulit-ulit na kwento.



Kelan kaya tatahimik ang mundo, pag
1. lalung dumami ang organized/corporate dogmatic religions? (Agenda ng denominations)
2. may only one monolithic religion for all, with absolute power over all people? (Agenda ng ilang groups)
3. wala na lang kahit anong organized religion? (Kanta ni John Lennon: "Imagine")
ESEP ESEP!



Q - Para pong walang kwentang friends ang mga relihiyoso;
friend mo lang pag approved sa kanila ang "holiness" or beliefs mo.
Pero kahit gano katagal at kalalim ang pinagsamahan nyo, itatakwil ka pag di na nila gusto ang religous belief mo or personal lifestyle mo.
A -
Hindi naman yan completely true!
99% lang yan totoo!
Hahahahahahahahaha!
Pag puro relihiyoso ang friends mo...
be ready to lose them when you fall!
Madalas talaga,conditional ang "love" nila.
Religious people usually KILL their wounded brethren.
Pinagpi-piyestahan nila ang nadadapa.
Ginigiba nila ang "nagkakamali" (per their standards).
PERO HINDI GANYAN SI JESUS!
Modern-day Pharisees lang ang ganyan



Ang hindi maalam, marunong, sanay, o matagumpay ay dapat makinig sa maalam, marunong, sanay o matagumpay,



Madalas pag nagiging religious ang tao,
nagiging "lover" of religion/ religious group nya
pero
hater of
- "sinners"
- people with other beliefs, and
competing other religious groups.
Dumadami ang kaaway at inaaway.



Q - Please compare Judaism and Christianity's teachings on eternal life/ salvation?
A -
SIMPLIFIED
1. In Christianity:
Salvation/Eternal Life is given as a free gift of God to ANYONE who believes in and accepts Jesus as God's son and man's savior.
Salvation is personal, a personal decision and choice.
IT IS FOR ANYONE WHO BELIEVES.
There is no need for cultural conversion.
You could be a Christian in your own cultural context.
The gospel of John emphasized this.
Romans and Galatians strongly taught this.
In Christianity, the Messiah has already come.
2. In Judaism:
Salvation is tribal, national, racial.
It is for the Jews.
One has to be a Jew to receive it.
That is why some people teach that Gentiles who seek salvation need to become Jewish.
Hopefuls resort to cultural conversion to Jewism.
PAUL VERY STRONGLY OPPOSED THIS TEACHING.
Also, Salvation in Judaism is by works:
One needs to accomplish all the requirements of the Law, including diets, ceremonies, festivals, etc.
In Judaism, the Messiah is still to come.
-------
IT SHOULD BE CLARIFIED IF THE JEWISH MESSIAH WHO IS STILL TO COME IS THE SAME CHRISTIAN MESSIAH WHO HAS ALREADY COME.
May mga Christians kasi na nalilito at nag-aakala na parehong messiah ang tinutukoy ng Christians at ng Jews.
Obviously, magkaiba.
Kaya nga nireject si Jesus as Messiah kasi iba ang type of messiah that the Jews believe in.



Family or Ministry?
Q -
I am a young/new pastor. I believe that as a servant of the Lord, I must maintain a well balanced priorities between my Church Ministry and Family. So I have set aside a day for my Family (Family Day), but my other co-pastors make us feel that it is not right (Unbiblical). In spite that I offer most of my weekdays to the Church. (I am also currently an OFW). So what is your view about having time for the family? Which one must be prioritized, family or Church Ministry?
A -
Your family day is an excellent, beautiful, godly idea.
CONTINUE DOING IT.
AND HAVE MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY.
Yung members nga ng church, siguradong may family dayS pa nga.
PAG NAGKASAKIT KA, NARATAY, NABUROL, ETC, family mo ang mananatali sa paligid mo araw-araw.
Church people will only visit you once or twice ---if they would visit you at all.
Minsan sobra ang expectation ng church sa pastors and other workers pero kulang na kulang na kulang naman sa pag-aalaga at pagsusuporta sa mga ministers na ito.



Nakakapagod ang walang katapusang religious
- contests.
- issues.
- burdens.
Kaya dapat more of Jesus and less of corporate, warlike religion.
To give rest from oppressive religiosity is a major concern of Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”



Huwag maging "extreme" --- kahit na sa ministry.
Godly people
- think balanced thoughts and
- live balanced lives!
Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
(NIV)
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
(CEV)
16 So don’t destroy yourself by being too good or acting too smart!
17 Don’t die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool.
18 Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God.


Q - Ang hirap pong dumaan sa hating-gabi, especially from 12midnight to about 3am. Marami pong worries and fears na nangmumulto at hindi nagpapatulog sa akin.
A -
I have observed na iba ang emotions / thoughts sa mga oras na yan.
Usually mas sensitive, negative, scared, worried and prone to hopelessness.
KAYA SIKAPIN MONG ITULOG!
Huwag mag-isip ng mga problema bago matulog kasi madalas ay "mumultuhin" ka nga ng worries and fears sa mga oras na yan.
But OBSERVE, pag nakatulog ka na, pag gising mo sa umaga (from 530am onward, mas positive, hopeful, relaxed at magaan na ang pakiramdam mo.
Walang naiba sa tunay na sitwasyon pero naiba ang pananaw mo.
KAYA IWASANG GISING PA from 12mn-4pm.
Para talagang ang mga isipin / suliranin / takot etc ay "nagmumulto" sa mga ganyang oras!
Matulog.
Sikaping matulog.
Kinabukasan na i-entertain ang mga thoughts!



Q - Saan po kaya mainam bumili ng lote at bahay, sa city na malapit sa trabaho at school pero maliit lang ang maa-afford na town house. O sa malayung lugar pero maluwag ang mabibiling lote at bahay?
A -
First priority sa tingin ko ang location para accessible sa "sibilisasyon"/ trabaho/ school/ etc. Kasi kung sobrang "layo", mauubos ang oras at pera nyo kako-commute?
Kung magkaron kayo ng more resources, dun na lang bumili sa malayo pero maluwag at maganda.
Meanwhile, magbakasyon na lang kayo paminsan-minsan sa maluwag at maganda but it's practical to live near work or school



Q - What can you recommend po na version ng Bible?
A -
Contemporary English Version is very simplified English and very easy to read.
Kambalan ng older versions like the New International Version,
New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Version,
and Ang Bagong Magandang Balita Biblia, etc.


Q - papaano ko pa po kaya mauunawaan ang Holy Spirit?
A -
HIndi nauunawaan ang Holy Spirit sa pamamagitan ng pag-iisp kasi hindi naman mental kundi spiritual nga yan!
So, EXPERIENCE the Holy Spirit in/through prayer, meditation and knowing and following the teachings of Jesus.
By following in the steps of Jesus, you get into a spiritual path and journey where the HS could be revealed to you progressively.



Q - maraming single women sa church namin. Karamihan po eh late 20s to early 40s na ang edad. Admitted naman po sila gusto na nila mag asawa pero wala talagang dumarating. Ano po ang maadvise mo po sa kanila?
A -
Socialize, circulate, be in the market!
Be (more) interesting.
Wag masyadong manang ang dating; baka sobrang "irespeto" ng mga lalake at pagmanuhan pa tuloy smile emoticon
Maging attractive without looking cheap or eager


Q - Bakit po kaya tinaggal na sa church namin ang Christmas celebration?
Dapat po ba kaming ma-alarm?
A -
Baka na-influence ang leadership nyo ng ibang religious thought or ibang religion all together pretending to be still Christian pero hindi na in truth?
Ang bantayan nyo ay kung ang susunod na tatanggalin ay si Jesus,
Dun kayo ma-alarm!



Q - Tito ano po ang magandang gawin ng isang wife na tulad ko na hindi happy sa intimate moments namin ng husband ko? Clueless naman po sya at feeling great lover sya pero sa totoo lang po Tito ay napaka unhappy ko in that department?
A -
Kausapin mo si husband.
Tell him what you want/ need.
Pero daanin mo muna sa suggestions / requests with lots of humor para hindi naman mawasak ang ego nya.



Q - Di ko po alam tito kung plastik ba ako o ano pag kausap ko tao mabait ako pero pag may nakita ako na maliit na di ko gusto lagi ko naalala at nag sisimula na ako maasar sa taong yun hater po yata ako
A -
HINDI NAMAN plastik yun.
At least may good manners ka. Maganda nga na "plastik" = hindi mo ipinakikita ang bad manners. Ang sikapin mo ay baguhin yung nasa loob mo, yung pag-iisip mo para di ka mainis.
Q -
Ganun po ba yun kala ko plastik na ako kaya minsan madalas na naipapakita ko na sa tao na asar ako sa kanila kasi gusto ko maging tutuo
A -
good manners ang tawag don



HINDI MASAYA
Q - Alam nyo tito ako yun, yung taong di masaya halos lahat ng answer nyo sa question makikita sa pamumuhay ko pano ko po kaya matutulungan sarili ko na mawala ang takot worries lagi nasa isip ko na i-please ang tao para magustuhan ako dahil bata pa ako sa pamilya sa iskwela lagi ako nare-reject lagi nasa isip ko na bobo kasi ako at para bang walang kwenta lagi tahimik lagi lutang ang isip ko dahil lumaki ako sa violenteng pamilya away kahihiyan at kung ano ano pa lagi napapa hiya kulang na kulang po ako sa self confidence madali madistract kahit alam ko na matalino din ako pero nawala na lahat natabunan ng mga negatibo na bagay bat po kaya niloob ng Panginoon na pag daanan namin lahat mag kaka patid to kawawa po kami mag kakapatid dahil sobra kami naging apektado ng hirap ng nakaraan mapalad ang bata na pinanganak sa maayos na pamilya at maalaga at madisiplinang mga magulang..
A -
1. Find God's image in you--- find the "wonder" that God put in you -- and thank God for it.
2. Develop that wonder / gift / potential.
3. Be true to your natural self / talents/ gifting. Do not imitate other people. Be the best version of your true self.
4. Work well to be fruitful in at least on or several areas of your life. Fruitfulness will make you feel more confident and secure.
5. Forget the past ---or be free from it's dark memory and influence. Forgive people who have harmed you or caused you misery para lumaya ka na sa kanila.



Q - Pano po malalaman kung ang isang tao ay hindi talaga masaya kahit mukhang masaya?
A -
1. May personality problems: pasikat, pa-impress, maingay,Kailangan laging bida/ panalo sa usapan. minsan bitchy pa.
2. Sobrang saya ang peg. Hindi na makatotohanan.
3. Paminsan-minsan, nawawala sa sarili kahit may kasama / kausap.
4. Sensitive. Maramdamin. Demanding.
5. Mataray. Pala-away. Hindi nagpapasensya sa iba.



Q - Kulang na kulang po sa pagtulong sa pamilya ko ang hipag ko na kapatid ng husband ko.
Ang luwag po nya sa buhay tapos ito lang ang tulong nya sa amin:
1. BInayaran lahat ng gastos sa pag-aabroad ng isa kong anak.
2. Ibinili ng tricycle ang husband ko
3. Pinatitira kami ng libre sa isang lumang bahay nya.
4. Pinag-aral sa college ang isa kong anak.
5. Pinauutang kami ng malaki sa ilang pagkakaton lamang.(Syempre po hindi kami nagbabayad kasi mayaman naman sya.)
Di po ba dapat, dahil may kaya naman sya at Christian pa naman ay dapat na mas tulungan pa nya kami?
Nakasasama po talaga ng loob!
A -
Misis, sure kang hindi ka ---nahihibang?
Bitin ka pa sa tulong sa inyo ng hipag mo?
Bakit di mo subukang hingin ang 2 kidneys nya?
Kung may talagang kulang pang ginawa ang hipag mo ay ito siguro yun:
Hindi ka pa nya nagugulpe?!



Q - May nagasabi po na "You cannot remain gay and call yourself a Christian." How would you assess this statement?
A -
It's a statement --- of mentality, of belief, of an OPINION.
It is a personal opinion on what it takes and means to be "Christian".
It is an interpretation, an appropriation of belief.
Ibig nyang sabihin, being and remaining Christian is a result of one's
- effort at changing himself/herself into a mold /standard acceptable to a certain mentality, philosophy or belief.
- accomplishment.
- continuing effort and success at shaping/ reshaping personality to deserve the status of being Christian.
This is not what salvation by faith says.
Last time I looked, the status of being a child of God (or, extended, being "Christian") is to believe in and accept Jesus --- in spite of / no matter what you are.
There is no mention of personal effort or victory in changing oneself before one could be a child of God or remain a child of God.
It is the unconditional love and acceptance of God through Jesus that changes the status of people who believe.
John 1:12 (NIV)
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
-----
Kung gagamitin yung quoted sentence, dapat puede ring palitan yung word na "gay" ng words like proud or self- righteous or unkind or legalistic or cruel or violent or unloving, etc.
Example:
"You cannot remain
- gay or
- proud or
- arrogant or
- self-righteous or
- judgemental or
- sectarian or
- selfish or
- untruthful or
- a liar or
- a cheater or a thief or dishonest or
- unkind or
- UNLOVING
and call yourself a Christian."
Last time I looked,
it is love, NOT ONE'S GENDER or orientation or other personal traits, that is the distinction of true believers / "Christians".
John 13:35 (CEV)
35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
- Jesus.
1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.




Partners, ask each other this question everyday:
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
Mean it.
Sincerely do your best to give your partner what she/wants
as much as your physical strength and spirituality will allow.
Ask this instead of insist on getting from your partner what you want.
When both of you do this --- ask the other what he/wants ---
your relationship will be sweeter, nicer and stronger!



ETIQUETTE
Kahit close ka, o feeling close, o dahil nga talagang close ka ---- sa isang taong
- kilala
- iginagalang ng iba
gumalang ka rin sa kanya AT LEAST sa harap ng ibang tao.
(Maging relaxed ka na lang pag nagkakasarilinan lang kayo.)
Huwag ipagyabang sa iba na close or feeling close ka kay Mr/Ms Galang
to the point na magiging irreverent / rude / fresh ka sa kanya sa harapan ng ibang taong gumagalang sa kanya.
Maiinis lang sa yo yung audience at maging si Mr/Ms Galang at baka mawala tuloy ang "feeling close" relations nyo.



ETIQUETTE
Kahit close ka, o feeling close, o dahil nga talagang close ka ---- sa isang taong
- kilala
- iginagalang ng iba
gumalang ka rin sa kanya AT LEAST sa harap ng ibang tao.
(Maging relaxed ka na lang pag nagkakasarilinan lang kayo.)
Huwag ipagyabang sa iba na close or feeling close ka kay Mr/Ms Galang
to the point na magiging irreverent / rude / fresh ka sa kanya sa harapan ng ibang taong gumagalang sa kanya.
Maiinis lang sa yo yung audience at maging si Mr/Ms Galang at baka mawala tuloy ang "feeling close" relations nyo.



Etiquette For Dalaw sa Ospital:
Huwag nang makigamit ng toilet sa patient's room.
Respect their privacy.
Huwag nang dumagdag sa magdurumi ng banyo.
Use the hospital's public toilets.



Kung may dapat magsabi sa isang tao na tumataba / bumibigat sya o lumalaki ang tiyan nya, give the unpleasant task to the
- weighing scale or
- the belt.
Huwag ikaw.
You will be hated!



Q - Bakit po dapat pang magpaganda para makaakit ng manliligaw? Di po ba real beauty is deep inside?
A -
Kung ang gusto mong maakit na manligaw sa yo ay
- medical internist na makakakita sa "what is deep inside you",
or
- a prophet who can see your heart/spirit deep inside,
di mo na talaga kailangang magpaganda.
PERO kung ang gusto mong makapansin sa yo ay karanimang taong tulad mo, dapat naman siempre presentable and attractive ka.
Yes, beauty is only skin deep, but would you hope/like to be noticed because of your very beautiful .......intestines???



Q - Ano po ang dapat gawin o sabihin pag may mga makamandag na religious critics from other churches na walang ginawa kundi i-criticize ang ayaw nila sa pinaniniwalaan, sinasabi o itinuturo ko?
A -
Kung convinced ka in your heart and mind na tama ang sinasabi mo (na ayaw nila),
# paniwalaanpamore!
# sabihinpamore!
# ituropamore!
Hahahahahahahahah!
Pray na maunawaan nila. Malay mo, they could also be "set free"?
Wag na wag manahimik just to please your detractors.
BUT DO YOUR BEST TO "SPEAK YOUR TRUTH QUIETLY AND CLEARLY..."
Just speak. No need to be quarrelsome or aggresive.



FREE WILL?
Q - Before po kasi naniniwala ako sa freewill ng buong buo pero po nung nabasa ko po sa Bible na kinokontrol po ni God yung puso po ng Pharaoh towards Moises, bigla po ako nag doubt na kung sarili ko pa bang desisyon yung mga bagay na napagdesisyunan kong gawin o si God na po yung naglagay nun sa heart ko ?
A -
Bihira lang yung moments na nag-i-interfere ang God ---perhaps to accomplish a specific desired end.
Biblical at logical na most of the time ay may free will ang tao.
However, puedeng masabing walang total free will when it comes to genetics.
There are people whose genetic composition, like their biological, in-bon nature limits their choices within how they were "made". ............................. Psalm 139:14-16 (NIV)
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. ................................................................. --------
This says that mayrong pre-ordination according to how one is genetically or biologically composed.
One could not help be be his/her natural, in-born self. Kaya yung "free" choices nya ay limited dun lang sa loob ng frame ng nature nya.
Pag "BORN THAT WAY", limited ang "free" will ng tao sa kung ano sya ng kinreate at ipinanganak sya. Hindi nya yun mababago. Pati si Jesus nagsabi na may mga katangian ang tao na ang dahilan ay they were BORN THAT WAY.
Matthew 19:12 (NIV)
"...For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
-----
How could a eunuch change himself if he was born that way?
Only eunuchs who have become eunuchs by their free choice/ will or by nurture/conditioning/ training could be changed because what is learned could be unlearned.
But eunuchs born that way cannot be expected to change themselves or to be changed by others or by any other means...............................................................
-----------------------------
Jeremiah 13:23 (NIV)
Can an Ethiopian[a] change his skin or a leopard its spots?
-----------------------------
In fact, if they were made that way, changing them would only oppose the will of God who made them that way.
WITH FREE WILL, ONE COULD CHOOSE AND CHANGE MANY THINGS. BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE BEYOND FREE WILL --- hindi personal choice kaya hindi puedeng baguhin ---like the in-born nature of people.



Q - Ano po ang reason bakit iba-iba ang beliefs and practices ng mga Christians?
A -
Iba-iba ang understanding, perspectives, beliefs and teachings ng mga founders ng congregations and sects nila na pinaiiral naman ng generational indoctrination within their system.
Bihirang religious believer ang may paniniwala at paninindigan na nabuo sa pagdaan nya sa objective, open-minded, scholarly study or Scripture and doctrines. Madalas ang pananalig at paninindigan ay mana o natanggap lang mula sa teacher na nagturo ng narrow, limited, self/sect-promoting doctrines.Walang ibang choices.
Pag religious teacher naman kasi, ang kadalasalng pagtuturo ay biased, manipulative and self-serving. Minamabuti ang paniniwala ng kanilang secta habang pinipintasan at minamasama ang ibang teachings at grupo. Kaya yung nasasampa /natuturuan nila ay madalas nabe-brain wash tungo sa inherited or manipulated faith.
Bihirang "believer" ang nakarating sa punto ng kanyang paniniwala matapos ang masikap, masusi, maingat at objective na pag-aaral. Nag-aaral nga, pero
isang makitid at makipot na official landas lamang ang sinusundan habang minamali ang ibang mga daan at landas sa labas ng kanilang distinctives or statement of faith.




The problem with many teachings on heaven and hell is the very narrow, sectarian and controlling definition attached to what heaven and hell are, where they are and who goes/what it takes to go there.
Many "theologies" on heaven and hell are actually shaped, not by Jesusness but by Greekness or Dante's Inferno-ness.
Ie: More than the teachings of Jesus. ancient Greek and Dante's Infernos concepts of hell inform /and shape many so-called Christian theologies



Q - Ano po ang unang dapat hanapin sa spiritual leader / teacher / preacher? Is it
Education?
Training?
Communication skills?
Official religious title?
Success and size of ministry?
Statement of Faith?
Affiliation to big congregations?
Others?
A -
LOVE.
Unang hanapin kung loving sya.
Kung loving ang teachings and ways of his church.
God is love.
Jesus is love.
LOVE is the most important teaching and practice.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (CEV)
For now there are faith,
hope, and love.
But of these three,
the greatest is love.
---------------------------
1 John 4:7-8 (CEV)
7 My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him. 8 God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him



Q - Ako na lang po nang ako ang nagdadala ng maraming pagkain sa mga potluck lunches ng angkan namin. Can afford naman po yung marami sa kanila na magdala rin pero sa akin na lang iniaaasa ang lahat?
A -
Anong potluck yan ---sa yo ang pot at kanila ang luck?
Magdala ka lang proportionately --- yung katapat lang ng part ng isang tao/family.
Pag kinulang ang food at nagutom sila, magtatanda.
Next time, magdadala na rin sila.



Q - Ano po ang magandang gawin sa mga laging nakikialam at nanghihimasok sa private life ko na hindi ko naman magulang o kaanu-ano?
Masyado na po silang licensious and rude, samantalang di naman nila ako palamon?!
A -
Tell them off.
Barahin.
Kagatin mo sa bumbunan?!



Sometimes, the best way to forget the one
is to have another one. smile emoticon
PS
Iba ang case ng married "someones" ha!


Mga taong nakakapagod kasama:
1. Always talking nonstop
2. Laging naka-kontra
3. Isa lang ang topic forever
4. Laging tahimik, pakikiramdaman at ine-entertain pa!
5. Laging may performance, pa-impress, pa-smart
6. Sobrang religious / "righteous"
7. Laging may dagdag na "wisdom" pag may sinabi ka. Always has the "final say".
8. Ayaw padaig; laging dapat sya ang star.
Kapuuuy!



Q - Ano po ang masasabi nyo tungkol sa government employees na dahil sa kanilang religious convictions ay ayaw nilang sundin ang policies and regulations ng government at ayaw nilang mag-function or mag-serve sa public when it is against their personal religious convictions?
A -
Resign from government service!
Civil servants are paid by government to function according to the policies, regulations and purposes of the State/ government office.
They are there as paid civil servants, NOT as representatives or advocates of their religion.
They are there to function under the spirit of the Constitution, not their respective religious books.
They may stand for and implement their religious beliefs/conscience IN their religious community or private life but NOT in /from /through their public office.
Imagine all the chaos that could happen if people from various religious backgrounds manned city hall and insisted on functioning according to their variant individual religious conscience?



When established beliefs are challenged,
the believer
- digs into his faculties to strengthen his faith, or
- buries his head in the sand and acts like it's business as usual, or
- gets weakened when he is unable to "defend" his stand, or
- attacks the messenger.



Matthew 7:6 (NIV)
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
--------
Dogs and pigs do not recognize sacred and precious things;
they get offended by these.
All they want is dog or swine food



Q - Bakit po maraming secret societies of thinkers, philosophers, etc especially in the past?
A -
The highly enlightened, super intelligent or very very spiritual are never understood nor accepted by the general populace, especially by the Religious Establishment.
Common people usually
- laugh at genius
- deride high consciousness,
- demonize what they cannot understand
- destroy the intellectually superior.
The very religious usually attack the truly spiritual.
In the same way, Israel killed her prophets.
As Jesus says in
Luke 13:34 (CEV)
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn’t let me.
*
Acts 7:52(CEV)
Is there one prophet that your ancestors didn’t mistreat?
-----------------
So, many highly evolved minds go underground, in the comfort and security of seclusion and secrecy.



Q - Yun pong pastor namin generally napakabiblical and godly, pero paminsan-minsan may konting statements na hindi ko matanggap?
A -
Eh di wag mong tanggapin yung parts na ayaw mo,
but accept all other parts na sabi mo nga ay napakabibllical and godly.
Yan namang few unacceptable "statements" ng preachers /teachers ay hindi laging ibig sabihin ay life teaching/belief/doctrine na nila.
Madalas yan ay temporary effect lang ng huli nilang nabasa / narinig / naisip.
Pino-process pa rin nila at puede pang ma-fine-tune o maiba.
DO NOT MEASURE PREACHERs /PASTORs / TEACHERs by their isolated, unusual, unconventional remarks.
Consider their batting average, their general stand and teachings over a long stretch of time. Respect their track record.
Madalas, ang sinasabi ng tao ay hindi naman life principle kundi snaphots of very recent/current thinking that need not be feared as permanent and to-die-or-kill-for doctrine! Bantayan mo na lang kung ipipilit at uulit-uitin.
Pag hindi naman, hayae na.
"Even a good horse must be allowed at least one fall." smile emoticon
- An Arab proverb