tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180439332024-03-13T19:31:29.638+08:00Teci's TestimonyOn God and life. :)Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.comBlogger859125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-87599583305563351902015-01-15T11:52:00.000+08:002015-01-15T11:52:10.274+08:00A gift is a gift<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Post-Christmas post:</i> Have you ever given gifts that were barely appreciated? Not even opened? Did the receiver even thank you at all?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That happens to me. Yes, in the present tense because it's a regular occurrence. Especially this one person who was joking about someone else not opening my gift for a year, and it turns out the one joking was the one who has not yet opened their gift from me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Four days and counting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sigh. </i>If that person only knew how <i>expensive</i> that gift was!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If that person knew how much <i>*I*</i> wanted that gift for myself!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Would the person even notice if I took back the gift? I might as well enjoy it for myself...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I am suddenly reminded (by guess Who):</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Romans 11:29)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Irrevocable</i>. If God won't take back His gifts, who am I to do otherwise? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was convicted and chastised about the times I ignored </span><span style="font-size: large;">the gifts He gave me... and the times I</span><span style="font-size: large;"> misused them (such as for personal gain, or to hurt others). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yet God never took back His gifts and His calling. They're still there, waiting for me. And God does not just wait for me to figure out my way to them -- He gently restores and reminds:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">by His Holy Spirit;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">by His written Word;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">by the God-centered people around me;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">and by circumstances (failures teach more effectively than successes!).</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I remember <u>why</u> I gave that gift to that person. It was a deliberate act of love and goodwill. It was my choice --- <i>independent of the receiver's response</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So without further ado, I left the gift where I found it. Unopened, unacknowledged, unappreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few hours later, I got this text:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Teci, I started reading the book ----- that you gave me. It's great! I love it. Uumpisahan ko sa January 1 ulit, hehe! Thank you very much!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Whoa.</i> (Whoa to the infinity, since this comes from a non-expressive person.) Thank God I didn't take that gift back! The joy and blessing is now greatly multiplied. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now to make more use of God's gifts and calling for me. :)</span></div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-514382936464354522014-11-23T16:36:00.003+08:002014-11-23T16:39:35.725+08:00Body + Love<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"With my body I thee worship."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So goes the old wedding vow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But could that vow apply to singles too?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or, more accurately, could we not apply that as <i>humans</i> relating to our</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <i>God</i>?</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Or do you not know </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">whom you have from God? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So glorify God in your body."</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-- Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor 6:19-20)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Loving God through the body He gave me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like everything else, our body is a gift that we can use or misuse. It's something we can develop or destroy. Maintenance takes effort, but it goes a long way to maximize what we've got. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"In Christ, there is no more condemnation."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, I had a lot of opportunities to work out. Which I did *not* take. Again. But the attitude is already there. And baby steps (back to working out, eating right)...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's go Lord! Life is too precious to waste. :)</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My desktop right now ;)</i><br />
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Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-41067513179511480892014-11-10T00:10:00.001+08:002014-11-23T16:23:52.829+08:00Don't have much? Give, give, give<div class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">These days I feel like I don't have much. Not really zero balance, but getting there.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It really does feel like my net worth is five loaves and two fishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Remembering how Jesus fed a multitude:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So Philip was the math whiz. Knowing more is not always a good thing, because in this case, he knew how much they did <i>not</i> have.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But our Lord knows more, and can do more.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But this Jesus said to test Philip, for He Himself knew what He would do.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So He fed </span><span style="font-size: large;">five thousand men, plus women and children. He provided so much food that twelve baskets of leftovers were collected after. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've heard this story many times that I need to let that sink in again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Darn you, math skills. Not that math is bad, but our skills in the natural sciences may make it more difficult to trust in the <i>super</i>natural. (Quick countermeasure: remembering the <i>tangible</i> goodness and greatness of God.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not about what we have, but what we do with what we have.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not about what we have, but what we give.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The boy with the loaves and fishes obviously just had enough for himself. But he chose to <b>give it to Jesus</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus could have raised his eyebrows in contempt, or his voice in frustration. But Jesus chose to raise his eyes to heaven, and <b>give thanks</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus then gave the bread to the disciples, who could have eaten the food immediately. They could have insisted on their VIP rights, or said "we must be strong to serve you." But they chose to <b>give it away</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't have much? Yes, that could be true. It's totally understandable if we choose to keep what little we have to ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But we could still give </span><span style="font-size: large;">it to Jesus, give thanks, and give it away...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And watch the miracle happen. </span><span style="font-size: large;">♥</span><br />
<blockquote>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”</span> </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"</span> </i></blockquote>
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Scriptures taken from: John 6:5-7, Mark 12:43-44, and Matthew 16:24-26<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">========================================</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Postscript:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The week after I wrote this, the miracle!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So we can give more. And love God more by loving others more, financially and otherwise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank You Lord. People say we can never outgive God. If you don't believe that, feel free to try ;) (Everybody wins!)</span><br />
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Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-90129907699004570982014-02-26T16:55:00.000+08:002014-11-09T23:59:16.581+08:00God's perfect will in an imperfect world<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some people expect God to bless their choice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Others ask God for His choice, and expect to be blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
But first, a disclaimer!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is no perfect person to marry,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">no perfect job to take,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">no perfect friend to hang out with.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
To prove this, let's look at some examples of "perfection" and think of how unrealistic they are :) (On the off-chance that you have all of these, congratulations! But I'd bet you still have a flaw, even just one...)</span><br />
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<a href="http://blog.jennimullinix.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/love-god-love-others.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wanted: Perfect Life</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Perfect Female Face </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">according to Men (top) and Women (bottom)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <img alt="http://fashionbombdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/escentuals-perfect-woman.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://fashionbombdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/escentuals-perfect-woman.jpg" height="386" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img class="irc_mut" src="http://www.ivillage.com/files/et/downloads/ivillage_perfect_man.jpg" height="640" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="330" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>http://www.ivillage.com/womans-idea-perfect-man-cause-girl-can-dream/4-a-508962<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="http://thegreysfan01.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/snoopy-the-perfect-friend.gif" class="decoded" src="http://thegreysfan01.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/snoopy-the-perfect-friend.gif" height="400" width="360" /> </span></div>
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http://thegreysfan01.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/snoopy-the-perfect-friend.gif</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Perfect Day </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="work plan" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-56628" src="http://youqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/work-plan.jpg" height="536" width="640" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>http://youqueen.com/life/personal-development/how-to-find-a-new-career-you-are-truly-passionate-about/</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
If perfection is impossible, why bother looking around? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Because... we have a perfect God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And He is calling us to be more like Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because He has a Spirit of wisdom and revelation,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and this is available to anyone and everyone who asks for it. </span><br />
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Because He reminds us to listen to Him instead of the foolish, self-serving norms of this world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Because I'm not perfect,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">but He is, and so is His will for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marriage</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not perfect, and nobody else is. But I'm not going to marry the first Y-chromosome-carrier I see. Of all the billions of people in the world, not everyone would share my goals and my dreams. My future husband and I cannot build a life together if we cannot even agree. Yes, we can always decide and commit together as a couple. But it's much easier to live for what God is calling me to do, as a single, <u>before</u> embarking on a journey and a shared calling with a life partner. This way, I'm sure that I am living for God, first and foremost. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
And if I do get married, will it be because I want to, or because God wants to? There are many men (!) that I wanted for myself, but thank God He didn't answer my prayers. (Or, He answered with a resounding "No!") I am NOT talking about somebody being superior or inferior... just a bad combination. Somebody could be a "really great girl", or "a man after God's own heart", but the union could still be a hindrance to one or both of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Love and marriage do not conquer all, but God does. I've seen friends who live for God yet cross continents to join their spouses, and that's great. I know others who, in living for God, decide to end their romantic relationship. I can say that's great too --- because they pursued God, regardless of where He would lead them, regardless if their hearts are broken.</span><br />
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And I know that His will is always good, pleasing and perfect. No man is perfect, no woman is perfect, but God will bless and purify the union of those who seek His blessing. But I do not have to wait for marriage to seek His blessing --- I can ask for His guidance now, and even His will in who to date and to marry :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Recommended read:</span><br />
<a href="http://store.ellerslie.com/When_God_Writes_Your_Love_Story_Revised_Edition_p/book-wgwloverev.htm"><span style="font-size: large;">"When God Writes Your Love Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy</span></a><br />
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<i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Paul to the Romans</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Career</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike marriage, which is a lifelong commitment, looking for a job might be a little easier:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.people-results.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Perfect-Job.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="http://www.people-results.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Perfect-Job.jpg" border="0" class="decoded" src="http://www.people-results.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Perfect-Job.jpg" height="379" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But if I am living for God, how will my priorities change? Specifically, what job should I look for, how well should I do that job, and what will I do with my spare time and extra income from that job?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't this over-spiritualizing (or over-thinking)? After all, the Bible says:</span><br />
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</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">do it all for the glory of God.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>-- Paul to the Corinthians</span><br />
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<i>Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">as working for the Lord, not for human masters, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">since you know that you will receive </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">It is the Lord Christ you are serving.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Paul to the Colossians</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Serve wholeheartedly,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">as if you were serving the Lord, not people,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">because you know that the Lord will reward each one</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Paul to the Ephesians</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so do whatever, right? As long as it's for God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />That's just it. Not all things honor, glorify and please Him. If I work in a company that regularly engages in fraud and corruption, or if my work environment encourages or even requires immorality, should I continue working there?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some people choose to stay and fight the good fight, to be that one little candle in that dark corner, to challenge, revolutionize and reform their place. Others leave for better pastures, that will help them help others better. Still, others make their own company, build them up from scratch with God as their cornerstone. I think all these actions glorify God, but it is up to each person to determine God's specific action plan for himself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, we work to buy the "basics": food, clothing, and shelter. Yet Jesus reminded us of our <u>priorities</u>:<i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">For the pagans run after all these things,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and all these things will be given to you as well.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">for tomorrow will worry about itself.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Each day has enough trouble of its own.</i><br />-- Jesus (The Gospel of Matthew)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The main driving force in my life, including my career, should be the spread of God's Kingdom -- His righteousness, truth, love, grace, peace, justice. He will provide the "basics". But He is calling us to work (literally) for more than that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Recommended read:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/LifeWork-Biblical-Theology-What-Every/dp/1576584062">"Lifework: A Biblical Theology for What You Do Every Day" by Darrow Miller</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.disciplenations.org/media/LifeWork-Biblical-Theology-of-Vocation.pdf">**This is a shorter version for free</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,<br />Your kingdom come, Your will be done,<br />on earth as it is in heaven.<br />Give us today our daily bread."</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Jesus (The Gospel of Matthew)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Friendships</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Think of your best friend. The bestest friend you have ever had. Did you have at least one fight? Or at least one issue you disagreed on? Was there something that left you disappointed or even betrayed?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Thank God that He is our Perfect and Best Friend, our Rock, Rescuer, and Defender. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank God because: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He loved me in spite of my faults; </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He forgave me before I asked;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He died in my place so justice would be served;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">His Spirit is always available to transform me, to cleanse those faults, and to empower me to rise above them.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But God's commands boil down to these:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <img alt="http://blog.jennimullinix.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/love-god-love-others.png" class="decoded shrinkToFit" src="http://blog.jennimullinix.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/love-god-love-others.png" height="400" width="321" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
http://blog.jennimullinix.com/love-god-love-others-scripture-printable/ </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our life with God does not end with God. He should always be first and foremost, but loving Him means also loving the people He created --- including the least lovable people we know ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
God loved us without waiting for us to be perfect. He calls us to do the same (and interestingly, He calls this "being perfect"):</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
<i>“You have heard that it was said,</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">But I tell you, love your enemies</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and pray for those who persecute you,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">that you may be children of your Father in heaven.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">... Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>-- Jesus (The Gospel of Matthew)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But, like marriage and career, we need to choose wisely if we're looking for mutual, life-giving, healthy friendships.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
<i>Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:<br /> “I will live with them and walk among them,<br /> and I will be their God and they will be my people.”<br />Therefore,<br /> “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.<br /> Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Paul to the Corinthians</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
This might seem confusing. Let's backtrack: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">God created everyone and loves everyone, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">so we should love everyone too. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(If that's hard to do, think of your worst sin,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and how God already loved and forgave you for that. ♥ )</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But when it comes to seeking advice, guidance, inspiration, responsibility and accountability, who will we go to? Shouldn't we go to the people who would encourage us to do right, and not wrong? Even (especially) when we are weak?<i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And let us consider</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">but encouraging one another —</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and all the more as you see the Day approaching.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>
</i>-- Letter to the Hebrews</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, this is not looking down on (fellow) imperfect people, but just doing what is wise. If I am tempted to do drugs, should I get advice from a drug addict or a drug pusher? Of course not! I should get advice from (a) someone who has never struggled with that issue, or <u>better</u> yet, (b) someone who has struggled and overcome. How inspiring is that, and directly applicable to my own present issue!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, nobody is perfect, in our lives and relationships. We are called to love imperfect people perfectly. But if I know that someone is walking with God, then I have more confidence that I can walk with him too: same Way, same goal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Recommended read:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.philipyancey.com/whats-so-amazing-about-grace"><span style="font-size: large;">"What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.valleyoftheflowersucc.org/Phillip_Yancey.pdf"><span style="font-size: large;">** This is a related study guide for free</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b> </b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Stop Looking Around</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How easy it is for us to use "I'm not perfect" as an
excuse to continue doing wrong. Being an imperfect, flawed sinner is an
explanation but never an excuse. Instead of wallowing in the mud of our
faults, or slinging that mud to others, we can simply ask the one and
only perfect God for help. He will never disappoint.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a challenge for you: to stop looking around for perfection; and to seek God, the only One who is perfect. We become who we follow. When we seek God, we become more like Him --- still with human flaws and no divine powers, but we can mirror His character and be His agents of blessing, power, grace, love and truth in this world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <img alt="http://golikejesus.com/sites/default/files/inshort-golikejesus.png" class="decoded" src="http://golikejesus.com/sites/default/files/inshort-golikejesus.png" height="195" width="400" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
http://golikejesus.com/sites/default/files/inshort-golikejesus.png </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">First, first, first, our focus should be on God. Oh, how perfect!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
But as we live in this fallen world, we join God on His quest to redeem and restore this world, one good deed at a time. Perhaps we do seek perfection, impossible though it may be. But we have God as our Author and our Finisher, and with Him, all things are possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">God's will is good, pleasing and perfect. The more we seek HIS will to be done, the more we will encounter His Kingdom --- on earth, as in Heaven. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Recommended read:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">"The Bible" by God :)</a><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>As for God, His way is perfect:<br />The Lord’s word is flawless;<br />He shields all who take refuge in Him.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Psalm 18<i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
<i>Not my will but Yours be done.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Jesus to God the Father</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
<i>The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Proverbs</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="1366x768 Perfect Me" src="http://wallpaperstock.net/perfect-me-wallpapers_35926_1366x768.jpg" height="223" style="border: 5px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 25px; padding: 5px;" width="400" /></span><br />
http://wallpaperstock.net/perfect-me_wallpapers_35926_1366x768_1.html</div>
</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-16768669918393298602014-02-10T02:04:00.003+08:002014-02-10T02:04:58.000+08:00Bad Eye Day<span style="font-size: small;">This week I have an infected lower eyelid. Last week it was the upper lid of my other eye. I'd love to show some pictures but, let's keep those disturbing images to ourselves ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">So what's the cause? Allergies? Fatigue? Malnutrition (!) ?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Sin?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Filipino folklore says a person gets an eyelid cyst or sty from peeping around. So I'm already used to someone cracking that joke when they see me with a "bad eye". Then I'll come up with a witty retort...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">But these past few days I do feel God drawing me gently towards Him again. Thank God I still feel Him. Thank God He does not let go but He does not force anyone to love Him either.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I've been busy. But that's not an excuse. One's hands can be busy but still have a heart, mind, and soul connected to God, our One True Love. It's humbling to admit that I have to be "forced" to STOP moving, to experience the lack of joy in going after anything else, before turning back to Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I had to apologize, and I need to claim His forgiveness. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Your eye is the lamp of your body. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you." </i><br />
--- Jesus (Luke 11:34-36)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Ultimately, God the Son says we just have to do two things: Love God, and love one another. This season, both my relationship with God and with others needed a major reboot. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Do not judge, and you will not be judged.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Forgive, and you will be forgiven... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">--- Jesus (Luke 6:37,38)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I've heard the above passages many times and really taken them to heart. I think. Lately I've been seeing more of the depths of my evil nature, which makes my physical condition a very appropriate (ironic? sublime? gentle? funny?) reflection of my spiritual condition.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Continuing from the same passage above:</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><i>"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>How can you say to your brother,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>and then you will see clearly</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">--- Jesus (Luke 6:41-42)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">These days my eyes burn with tears, and it's not because of the dust around me. I'm filled with shame and sorrow for the filth inside of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">But tears cleanse and purify.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">On my way home tonight, I was surprised at how CRISP and clear my vision was. I still had my cyst, and that offensive nature... but I can see much clearer now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"For judgement I have come into this world,<br />so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind...<br />If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin;<br />but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."</i><br /> --- Jesus (John 9:39,41)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">For some people, it might seem like a miracle to be finally made aware of their own sins! (*Ouch!*) But it's still not enough. There is no use realizing you're on the wrong way of a one-way road, if you don't do anything about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">"This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you:<br />God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.<br />If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness,<br />we lie and do not live out the truth.<br />But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,<br />we have fellowship with one another,<br />and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.<br />If we claim to be without sin, </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.<br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just<br />and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.<br />If we claim we have not sinned,<br />we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us."</i><br />--- John (1 John 1:5-10)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">To have healthy eyes, they must be kept clean. Feed them with the right nutrients. Don't make them suffer in darkness; keep them in the light.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Take care of your eyes and they will keep on showing you the truth about your surroundings, and even about yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And now, to take care of my eyes by going to sleep. Good Night!</span>Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-53017314071124841632014-01-11T21:22:00.000+08:002014-01-11T21:22:31.873+08:00Heaven, Hell and In-Between? (On purgatory)<div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Yesterday, I was talking to two
colleagues about sin and faith. We're all scientists and teachers (!) so
we just delve right into theology, history, and philosophy with mouths
that move almost as fast as our brains. (Wow I'm so humble. :p )</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>What
we're learning from each other is great enough. But even better is that
there's an atmosphere of mutual respect and just an eagerness to
understand God better to live more fully for Him. :) Awesome. And there
is an appreciation for how this same God moves in different groups and
cultures to draw all people to Himself. Indeed He is real and He is
simply the Greatest. ♥</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>So
this morning the discussion continued via email, focusing on purgatory.
I'm reposting my reply below because I hope it will help shed some
light on what Jesus' life, death and resurrection means for us today,
especially in our (Philippine) culture. </i></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">======================================== </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Hi bros!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes
---, it's refreshing to talk to you and --- yesterday. One God and One
Spirit indeed. After our talk I was inspired to tweet and post this :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;">All human institutions are prone to error. But nothing is beyond God's saving, redeeming Power, Truth and Love. <a class="" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OneGod&src=hash"><s>#</s><b>OneGod</b></a></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Before
anything else, I'll just take back what I said yesterday, careless words
--- about venial vs. mortal sins as determination whether one lands in
purgatory or hell. I don't believe in purgatory so I just carelessly
said that. Sorry, my mistake.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Starting question / Food for thought: The concept of purgatory --- when did it start being taught?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">========================================</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I'll comment on this point: <i> </i></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Some
Fundamentalists also charge, as though it actually proved something,
"The word purgatory is nowhere found in Scripture." This is true, and
yet it does not disprove the existence of purgatory or the fact that
belief in it has always been part of Church teaching. The words Trinity
and Incarnation aren’t in Scripture either, yet those doctrines are
clearly taught in it."</i></span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">The concept of purgatory
is not only unmentioned in the Bible, it is in conflict with what the
Bible explicitly teaches. Christ says that on Judgment Day, he will
separate the sheep and the goats (either you're in or you're out)
(Matthew 25:31-46). He also gave the parable of a poor man named Lazarus
who died and went to heaven, while a rich man died and was sent to
hell. The rich man requested Abraham for some water, and Abraham said
"...between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that
those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over
from there to us." (Luke 16:26).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Jesus is
the only one who can and already saved us from hell. Upon being saved,
indeed we are now being sanctified and are growing in Christlikeness.
Indeed, no follower of Christ suddenly becomes perfect like God, but
isn't it great that we are improving, becoming more like Him, even in
this life, before we die?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Questions: Is perfection a requirement
to eternal life? How do we attain this perfection? Wouldn't this just
point us back to Christ and the cross? Nobody is perfect,
everybody is sinful, we all need a Savior. Even when we follow Christ we
are still imperfect sinners, but what can purgatory do that Jesus has
not already done? (Why not just go back and claim Jesus' forgiveness for
all the sins I have done today?)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">========================================</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I'll also comment on this point:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"After all, if a guilty soul is merely "covered," if its sinful state
still exists but is officially ignored, then it is still a guilty soul.
It is still unclean."</i></span></blockquote>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Is this implying that Jesus' death and resurrection are not enough? Let's be careful now! </span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"Behold
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" --- John the
Baptist (John 1:29,36), also according to Old Testament prophecies</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday
we were talking about consistency which points to authenticity. I
respect the authority of the Catholic Church (!) but again, let us look
into the consistency of this teaching. When I trusted Jesus as my
Savior, I let Him save me by His taking the punishment for my sins. That
means I am saved, covered, and yes, clean. That's my belief, based on
my understanding of the Bible. I'll explain below. If there is
disagreement, let's talk about it (find time! :) ).</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Many times
Jesus told people, "Your sins are forgiven... You are healed... Today
you will be with me in paradise." Period. Jesus never said, "You need a
period of purging first." It's just yes or no. Even when He charged
Peter and the apostles (which I know Catholics love to quote!) -->
"Everything you bind on earth will be bound in heaven... Everything you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18)
It's yes or no. In or out. He never said maybe, and He never taught it.</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It's true that Jesus sometimes told people to do something (ex: go wash in the pool, or show themselves to the priests),
and we can argue that their healing and/or salvation is conditional.
(That might be a longer discussion for another time.) But my point here
is, there's no maybe. Either they were healed or not. Either Jesus
assured them of heaven (like the thief beside Him on the cross), or not.
Yes or no.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">========================================</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So, can we just view this present life as purgatory?</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Indeed,
nobody attains perfection when they get baptized, pray a particular
prayer, do this or that. Nobody becomes a Christian and suddenly
achieves perfection. Essentially, every moment we are being called to be
more Christlike --- so I think non-Catholic Christians just
(implicitly) see this present life as purgatory... only in the sense
that one is walking with Christ and becoming "more" like Christ (thereby
being "better and implicitly "more" perfect...?)</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">But
non-Catholic Christians (I'll call NCC?) don't really perceive
perfection as a goal, because it implies "I want to be like God" which
is both impossible and dangerously idolatrous (like Satan tempting Eve).
And NCC don't view death as the moment when you achieved perfection
such that you may already "graduate". So that's where the analogy of
this life and purgatory ends. (Well, it's not really an issue for NCC,
but I'm just trying to apply the concept of sanctification here...)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">========================================</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">To
summarize: Humans are imperfect and sinful and all deserve eternal
punishment for our sins, which means hell. We cannot save ourselves
because no one (human) is good enough. Only Jesus, fully God and fully
man, can take our place and receive our punishment such that we can also
receive His righteousness. For all my sins (past present and future), I
can receive my just
punishment (hell or eternal existence away from God), or I can let God
save me (receive Jesus as my Savior, that He died in my place so I can
receive His righteousness).<i> </i></span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all
are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by
Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through
the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to
demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left
the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his
righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who
justifies those who have faith in Jesus."</i> (Romans 3:23-26)</span></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As
you quoted "nothing unclean shall enter heaven", in the same way that
"no one can see God's face and live " (Exodus 33:20). And people who
become Christian are still imperfect and prone to sin. But these all
just point back to Christ as the solution: not just for our salvation
but also for our redemption and sanctification:<i> </i></span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>In him we
have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in
accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With
all wisdom and understanding, he'd made known to us the mystery of his
will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be
put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity
to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. </i>(Ephesians 1:7-10)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">So Christians are not perfect, only cleansed, forgiven,
and *continuously*
being sanctified to be more like Christ. We can call this
sanctification a "purging", but the formal Catholic definition of
purgatory (a state of purification before entering Heaven) is not what
the Bible teaches (each person has an eternal destiny, either with God
in Heaven or away from God in Hell; with no middle way or in-between
state).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">========================================</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you guys for hearing me out! :)
Thank God I was able to read this message (--- sends a lot, I just couldn't get to read them!). And thank you for listening.</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">God bless, and see you next week ^_^</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Your sis in Christ,</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Teci :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-3350276259299500612013-11-11T12:36:00.001+08:002013-11-12T20:11:19.282+08:00Does God hate RP? (Or Catholics, homosexuals, adulterers...)<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines three days ago with the strongest winds in recorded history. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone claimed that Haiyan </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">was God's punishment "for their tolerance of homosexuality, prostitution, Catholicism and other sins". </span>So a student of mine (who I know is in a Catholic organization) asked this on Facebook:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THtC2wg6aQM/UoBd8zoSkCI/AAAAAAAABMY/eTMW9rmlIqA/s1600/blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THtC2wg6aQM/UoBd8zoSkCI/AAAAAAAABMY/eTMW9rmlIqA/s400/blog.png" width="400" zsa="true" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Appropriately enough, yesterday our Bible group talked about <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%202-3&version=NIV">the book of Revelation chapters 2-3</a>, where Jesus was calling to seven churches. To Thyatira He said this:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I have this against you: <span style="color: #990000;"><b>You tolerate</b></span> that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching <span style="color: #990000;"><b>she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.</b></span> I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead.</b></span> Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.<br /><br />Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’</i><br />(Revelation 2:19-25)</span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Below is my reply to him. Please feel free to share your own thoughts, insights and beliefs. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the Philippines!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">=================================</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hi ***** ...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">First off: let's check the facts. (In this case, we're talking about God so we base our answers from the Bible and from personal experience.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Did God really list those things as sin?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. How does God view sin?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3. Does God punish sin?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">4. Is God good, just, and merciful?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My answer to the four questions is Yes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, the blogger here does NOT present a biblically accurate view of God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But <b><span style="color: #990000;">God demonstrates his own love for us</span></b> in this: <span style="color: #990000;"><b>While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</b></span>" (Romans 5:6-8)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"Should we call down fire from heaven?" the disciples asked Jesus, after a town rejected them. Jesus turned and rebuked them. (Luke 9:54-55)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, <span style="color: #990000;"><b>am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live</b></span>?" (Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but <b><span style="color: #990000;">to save the world</span></b> through him." (John 3:17)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank God that He not only loves us Filipinos, He also gave Jesus as the atonement for our sins and He gave us the Holy Spirit for the power to live sin-free and fully!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">BUT we have to admit the issues and areas that we do not obey God. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">His main commandments are to love Him and love each other<span style="color: #990000;"> </span>(Matthew 22:36-40). For the details, we have guides like the Ten Commandments which starts off with:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">“You shall have <b><span style="color: #990000;">no other gods</span> </b>before me.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #990000;"><b>You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything</b></span> in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>You shall not bow down to them or worship them;</b></span> for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Deuteronomy 5:6-10)</span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Sorry ***** but the Catholic Church ignores these commands and even promotes idol making / bowing down / worshipping not just God but angels and people who are NOT God. The people we call saints --- Peter, Paul, John --- they were told and they tell people to not worship them. Some Catholics tell me they just "revere" and "venerate" Mary. But look at the Rosary --- for every one time we say "Glory to God", we "Hail Mary" ten times. So who is really glorified?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I sometimes write about that in my blog, like in <a href="http://tecigurl.blogspot.com/2012/01/worship-god-not-objects.html" target="_blank">here</a>. (For more, you can just search "Catholic" or click the label "religions".)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Truly, God loves you, me, homosexuals, prostitutes, adulterers, Catholics... And God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) so that we would grow more in Him (2 Peter 3:18). We have to admit where we are NOT right with Him, ask and receive His help to change us, and glorify Him and enjoy Him more fully as we now walk in *closer* fellowship with Him.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Last comment: Looks like that blogger is just out to mock Christians. (See his other posts.) But this is still a good way to start <i><b>meaningful </b></i>discussions <span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text">:)<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text"><span style="font-size: small;">=================================</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text">Postscript 1. As for homosexuality, here's a recent <a href="http://tecigurl.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-cant-change-point-exactly.html">post</a>.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text">Postscript 2. On the Filipino spirit:</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bO6T1TEGX8/UoIZiIuldqI/AAAAAAAABNk/dcMP1I6e8c0/s1600/FilipinoSpirit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bO6T1TEGX8/UoIZiIuldqI/AAAAAAAABNk/dcMP1I6e8c0/s400/FilipinoSpirit.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://instagram.com/p/ge9qPpS-VW/</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[df4j].[1][3][1]{comment690757494269311_7414412}.[0].[1].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span aria-hidden="true" class="emoticon_text">Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. All glory to God.</span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-37550527176794158292013-10-28T17:23:00.000+08:002013-10-28T18:54:17.662+08:00I can't change ---> The point exactly<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>I can't change<br />Even if I tried<br />Even if I wanted to</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> --- "Same Love" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, ft. Mary Lambert<br />(More lyrics from the song appear in purple italics below)<br /><br /><br />So goes the chorus from a beautifully haunting song, which is also a strongly-worded crusade on one of today's most controversial issues: homosexuality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">This seems like the next revolution, after the abolition of slavery, women's liberation, and the civil rights movement for African Americans. But in today's issue, the bad guys are (again?) the Christians:<span style="color: purple;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion<br />
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment<br />
The same fight that led people to walk-outs and sit-ins<br />
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!<br />
Live on and be yourself</i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>When I was at church they taught me something else</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I love your Christ,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>but I dislike your Christianity.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> - Mahatma Gandhi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">How many people have
been rejected, oppressed, even killed in the name of Jesus? It is so grievous to see the hate
in action perpetrated by the followers of "God is Love". (Here's a <a href="http://tecigurl.blogspot.com/2012/05/fundamentals-of-love.html" target="_blank">healthy reminder</a>.) These days, it's Christians vs. Homosexuals.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless<br />
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen<br />
I might not be the same, but that's not important<br />
No freedom till we're equal, damn right I support it</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Damn right I support that too: freedom and human rights for everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I've often thought of what I would have done in <a href="http://www.biographyonline.net/politicians/uk/william-wilberforce.html" target="_blank">William Wilberforce</a>'s time, when he fought for the freedom of slaves <u>because</u> of his faith in Jesus Christ. I could have easily ignored Wilberforce, saw a culture built on slaves as a blessing, and even cite the Bible ("submit to your masters") as a stand <u>for</u> slavery. Of course, centuries later, we thank Wilberforce, King, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and other freedom fighters who did what they did because Jesus did what He did.<i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> --- Martin Luther King, Jr.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The right wing conservatives think it's a decision</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;">
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion<br />
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition<br />
Playing God, aw nah here we go<br />
America the brave still fears what we don't know<br />
And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten<br />
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One says homosexuality is a choice; another says it's hard-wired. One says it's immoral; another says it's no big deal. How can we reach a resolution when our starting definitions are already conflicting?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We can start with mutual respect, and a willingness to listen to the other side of the issue. (As a firm believer of "One Truth" and the goodness of every person, I believe we can reach a resolution.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Like the song says, yes, the <b>Same Love</b> is available to all of us (God loves all His children). But it's
the <b>Same Truth</b> that convicts us all (we are all sinners who deserve hell) and it's the <b>Same Power</b> that can save us (to bring us back towards Him).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">When it comes to marriage, the full realization of Jesus as the Heavenly Bridegroom and His Church as His Bride would <b>only</b> make sense with the union of a man and a woman. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The anatomy and psychology of the human male and female would attest to this. </span>Jesus is always the Initiator and the Giver; the Church </span><span style="font-size: small;">is always the Responder and the Recipient. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So, now what? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As a Christian, I need to regularly check if I am practicing what I am preaching: If God is really Love, does it show in my life? Does it show in my relationships to everyone: Christians and non-Christians, homosexuals and heterosexuals and bisexuals?<br /><br />As a Christian, I will also uphold the original Biblical definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">BUT... Also because I am a Christian, I will: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> - value the dignity of every person; </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> - uphold everyone's rights; and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> - respect other points of view.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I disapprove of what you say,<br />but I will defend to the death your right to say it.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> - Evelyn Beatrice Hall</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>And a certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all<br />
But it's a damn good place to start</i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>No law is gonna change us<br />
We have to change us<br />
Whatever God you believe in<br />
We come from the same one<br />
Strip away the fear<br />
Underneath it's all the same love</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">"I can't change." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">That's the point exactly. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It is God who can change us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If we wanted to.<i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>========================================= </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Full disclosure:</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am a sinner. I sin in desiring people I am not married to. This is lust
and adultery, even if it's "only" in my thoughts, even if it's heterosexual. Sin is sin. God already loved me in my sins, but He also loved me
enough to rescue me from them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Even
though homosexuality was not really an issue for me, I know of people
who have acknowledged this issue before God, and have been truly and
completely changed. They now honor their Creator</span><span style="font-size: small;"> as they live according to the gender He ordained for them.</span>Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-16377456650574983012013-10-15T00:41:00.000+08:002013-10-15T06:55:10.899+08:00Thank You for You<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cYXQQxnCbM/Ulwnpjz-F4I/AAAAAAAABJU/QxDCeohUKyY/s1600/Thank-you-post-it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cYXQQxnCbM/Ulwnpjz-F4I/AAAAAAAABJU/QxDCeohUKyY/s320/Thank-you-post-it.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2013/06/saying-thank-you-to-our-sponsors.html</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Did I finally run out of things to ask from God? ... or run out of things to thank Him for?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">This afternoon, I just got my "new" salary from work, and a friend paid back a loan. So, I'm feeling *financially relieved*...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">In addition, my brother just came back from his first trip outside the country, so I'm proud and happy for him, and thankful that he's back safe and doing great...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Also, I'm having a loong weekend --- four days of no school/work, which gives one much peace. Except when I remember my to-do lists (yes there's more than one)...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Interestingly, I found myself writing this to God:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">==================================</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hello po Lord. ♥<br />
<br />
Thank you po for everything.<br />
<br />
But most of all, thank You for </i><u><b>You</b></u><i><br />
<br />
not my money<br />
<br />
not my ministry<br />
<br />
not the (my?) _____<br />
<br />
not my work, studies, friends, family<br />
<br />
Thank You for </i><u><b>You</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">==================================</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">It's not that I've already achieved god-hood (hahaha) or even the pinnacle of human perfection. But just some thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">How many times have we thanked <i><u><b>Him</b></u></i> (instead of asking, complaining, or rebelling)?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">How many times have we thanked Him <i><u><b>because of Who He is</b></u></i> (instead of what He has done, or what He will do for us)?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Isn't it time we <a href="http://www.preachhim.org/2CHR7-14SeekFace.htm" target="_blank">seek God's face</a> (<i><u><b>His very self</b></u></i>) and not just His hand (His blessings)?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Have a great day, and God be with us all. </span>Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-85042989511327303052013-10-07T00:35:00.002+08:002013-10-15T00:25:20.156+08:00God > science<i><span style="font-size: small;">"I only believe in science." </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">- Esqueleto, from the movie Nacho Libre </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I found myself browsing through <a href="http://zenpencils.com/" target="_blank">Zen Pencils</a> this weekend and resolving to read each inspirational-quote-turned-comic. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I already have some strips or their original sources reposted on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.pulido" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/tecigurl" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. I also have some strips that I'm excited to show to my new students next week.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And then I reach <a href="http://zenpencils.com/comic/52-phil-plait-welcome-to-science/" target="_blank">this</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHCvaOwNUVc/UlGQftHmAPI/AAAAAAAABJE/SpaIjxq9zMw/s1600/science.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHCvaOwNUVc/UlGQftHmAPI/AAAAAAAABJE/SpaIjxq9zMw/s400/science.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Text by Phil Plait. Complete strip at: <a href="http://zenpencils.com/comic/52-phil-plait-welcome-to-science/">http://zenpencils.com/comic/52-phil-plait-welcome-to-science/</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Which led me to respond with the following <a href="http://zenpencils.com/comic/52-phil-plait-welcome-to-science/#comment-35422" target="_blank">comment</a>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: small;">There are many scientists who are Christians too, myself included. I decided to go into physics after reading Carl Sagan's books and watching Cosmos (and the X-Files). Sagan also led me to become an agnostic/passive atheist, but after a life tragedy I found myself reading the Bible with one -- nay, two -- eyes open.<br /> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Christianity makes sense to me in the same way that physics does. Of course, God is way more complicated - but what relationship isn't? We sometimes cannot figure out ourselves, how much less the people around us, and how much less a *supreme being*? This reasoning does not automatically prove there is a God, but I'm just saying there are a lot of things that are beyond science.<br /> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Science gives a lot of benefits but also has a lot of limitations. Science demands repetition and predictability and numbers -- does art have this? Do we then say that art is foolishness, or that art does not exist? Wouldn't that be the foolish thing to say?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />The wonder and awe for the universe that Carl Sagan gave me is still there. But in my humble opinion, it has now matured to include the Creator. Sagan hastily dismissed all world religions as superstitious falsehood and wishful thinking, yet was quite convinced of the existence of extraterrestrial life even though he had no proof himself (it's easy to give equations, but somebody please show me one alien being now). If one applies scientific skepticism to reject deistic/theistic beliefs, it is but fair to apply that same skepticism to one's own pet beliefs too. </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">On the other hand, Christians nowadays do tend to ignore the *first* commandment to love God with our mind (as well as heart, body, and soul). But I'm proud to say that I know many people who use science to honor God and even know Him more. As for me, I write a Bible verse on the board before beginning my college physics class. </span>♥</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>God be with you more Gav! I share your admiration for Sagan but also for Christian authors like CS Lewis and Marianne Williamson. I hope you find Him as you seek and share even more inspiration to the world. </i></span>Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-77229728957483579192013-09-18T23:28:00.000+08:002013-09-18T23:28:30.160+08:00Strength is for service<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLnxro6Osfs/UjmKwHBHkaI/AAAAAAAABG0/c9qr2LHrB-s/s400/service.png" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Edited from: http://www.finishingstrong.info/give-me-your-hand/</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There's a song that empowers even the smallest and weakest of us. We have the power of choice and the power of God working in and through us:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>My hands are small, I know</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>But they're not yours, they are my own</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>And I am never broken... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>We are God's eyes, God's hands, God's mind</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>We are God's eyes, God's hands, God's heart</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> - Jewel, "Hands"</span><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="340" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AfsS3pIDBfw" width="460"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(See also lyrics video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk0bKfC8XSE" target="_blank">here</a>) </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors
for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please
himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have
fallen on me.'</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> - Paul to the Romans, 15:1-3</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="http://69.195.124.96/~ealthfou/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/helping-hand.jpg" class="decoded" height="318" src="http://69.195.124.96/%7Eealthfou/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/helping-hand.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.health4thinkers.com/2011/06/09/tackling-mental-health-reveals-spiritual-health-needs/</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9SpFjXsHxw/UjmTLxEkU0I/AAAAAAAABHs/qzgkU48Pi0c/s1600/hands.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9SpFjXsHxw/UjmTLxEkU0I/AAAAAAAABHs/qzgkU48Pi0c/s400/hands.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.godsaxle.com/2012/02/the-strong-hand-of-the-lord/</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://blog.surveymonkey.com/blog/2013/04/08/contribute-update-surveymonkey/</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.grace2help.com/2012/11/24/week-twentythe-hand-of-god/</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> "For everything that was written in
the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught
in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have
hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the
same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that
with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ." </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> - Paul to the Romans, 15:4-6</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGwlbJCRwdM/UjmQ_VQh_CI/AAAAAAAABHg/YMFhU0eP0Jc/s1600/simon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="489" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGwlbJCRwdM/UjmQ_VQh_CI/AAAAAAAABHg/YMFhU0eP0Jc/s640/simon.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://shinebrightlyforjesus.blogspot.com/2011/08/courage-it-is-i.html</span></div>
</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-49709708104105445362013-09-18T22:41:00.000+08:002013-09-18T23:26:25.109+08:00Rejecting rejection ♥<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Have you ever gotten this?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Refuse" class="attachment-coraline-image-template" height="213" src="http://blog.hillsbiblechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Refuse.png" width="320" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">blog.hillsbiblechurch.org/2012/11/16/refusing-sin/refuse/</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Let's break this cycle:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HvvPRMu6-ls/Ujmr6w7hWfI/AAAAAAAABIs/equEjZk79J4/s1600/rejectlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HvvPRMu6-ls/Ujmr6w7hWfI/AAAAAAAABIs/equEjZk79J4/s320/rejectlogo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Edited from: www.momentumnation.com/i-have-been-rejected-from-motherhood-for-the-age-of-my-kids/ </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I reject the spirit of rejection.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Enough is enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Love one another as God loves us. ♥</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_1bYHK2390/UjmbzhaMjVI/AAAAAAAABIE/ZiobolA770U/s1600/love-inspirational-daily.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_1bYHK2390/UjmbzhaMjVI/AAAAAAAABIE/ZiobolA770U/s320/love-inspirational-daily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://inspirationaldaily.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/always-love-you/</span> </div>
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<img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgGDlF_b6hM/UjmbNSJZ-7I/AAAAAAAABIA/tmPE8nFzKgY/s400/love.png" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.wallcg.com/lve-love-184130/</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hdwallpapercollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/love-hurt-free-dekstop-wallpaper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" id="irc_mi" src="http://hdwallpapercollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/love-hurt-free-dekstop-wallpaper.jpg" style="margin-top: 15px;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://hdwallpapercollection.com/love-free-dekstop-hd-wallpaper.html</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/c/c3/Love-Step-1.jpg/550px-Love-Step-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="mwimage101" height="317" src="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/c/c3/Love-Step-1.jpg/550px-Love-Step-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.wikihow.com/Love </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img align="bottom" alt="How To Love" height="272" src="http://www.marcandangel.com/images/how-to-love.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/09/06/how-to-love/</span></div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-78405567382672211012013-09-09T23:48:00.001+08:002013-09-18T23:25:15.950+08:00Gentle reminders<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text Matt-5-44" id="en-NIV-23279"><span class="woj">But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, </span></span><span class="text Matt-5-45" id="en-NIV-23280"><span class="woj">that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.</span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-45" id="en-NIV-23280" style="font-size: small;"><span class="woj">-- Jesus (Matthew 5:44-45)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">A churchmate texted me this week: "A gentle reminder" that our team will serve in kids' church this Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Gentle reminders. Reminders to be gentle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">How timely. At the time of that text, I just used the Bible to publicly lambast (!) some fellow Christians who I believe have wronged (?) me. And as I'm posting this, I just answered another churchmate in the same harsh tone that she used on me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm posting this to preach to myself. Please feel free to preach to me more. It would be more effective though, to <i>demonstrate</i> gentleness toward me. That would doth heap burning coals on my head (there's a verse on that below).<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A gentle answer turns away wrath,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>but a harsh word stirs up anger.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Proverbs 15:1)<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A person’s wisdom yields patience;</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Proverbs 19:11)<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Who is a God like you,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> who pardons sin and forgives the transgression</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> of the remnant of his inheritance?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>You do not stay angry forever</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> but delight to show mercy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-- Micah (7:18)<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Above all, love each other deeply, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>because love covers over a multitude of sins. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-- Peter (1 Peter 4:8)<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-- Jesus (Luke 6:37-38)<i><span class="text Matt-5-44" id="en-NIV-23279"><span class="woj"> </span></span></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBK_pJowvZc/Ui3mWCrxb8I/AAAAAAAABGQ/CjYR1s0x67s/s1600/peter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBK_pJowvZc/Ui3mWCrxb8I/AAAAAAAABGQ/CjYR1s0x67s/s640/peter.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20peter%204:12-19&version=NIV</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YM7H84DAH8/Ui3kZxEGnHI/AAAAAAAABF8/x3U0HZWzVCM/s1600/luke.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YM7H84DAH8/Ui3kZxEGnHI/AAAAAAAABF8/x3U0HZWzVCM/s640/luke.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:27-36&version=NIV</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peICrnmFYL8/Ui3lkHFt99I/AAAAAAAABGI/ihwdqOGunig/s1600/romans.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="467" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peICrnmFYL8/Ui3lkHFt99I/AAAAAAAABGI/ihwdqOGunig/s640/romans.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans 12:9-21&version=NIV</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here are some other gentle reminders to be gentle. ♥ </span></div>
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<img alt="If we all understood that eveyrone has their own battles to fight, insecurities to face, loves to contend and goals to attain, the world would be a gentler place." src="http://www.searchquotes.com/sof/images/picture_quotes/30816_20121102_232538_beautiful-quote-picture-211.jpg" style="border-radius: 5px 5px 5px 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-width: 500px;" /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.gcc.qld.edu.au/Pages/Admin/Quotes.html</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.upliftingwordsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Being gentle does not mean forsaking my rights and letting people abuse me. It does mean considering other people's rights and feelings. As in every good attribute, we get our example from God Himself.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sL_FXBY1XUY/Ui5sNFYxkvI/AAAAAAAABGg/Ad82VpA4vqM/s1600/phil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sL_FXBY1XUY/Ui5sNFYxkvI/AAAAAAAABGg/Ad82VpA4vqM/s640/phil.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%202:3-8&version=NIV</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">May God bless and be with us more! ♥</span></div>
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Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-71627598061457271652013-08-18T00:29:00.001+08:002013-09-05T10:17:01.453+08:00The Conjuring (of Forgiveness)<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="http://multipurposemomm.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/4.jpg" class="decoded overflowing" height="211" src="http://multipurposemomm.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/4.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://multipurposemomm.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/4.jpg</span></div>
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Last night, I suddenly found it easy in my heart to forgive many people.<br />
As in I declared out loud that I forgave each person, by name.<br />
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Not because I suddenly became a super-good person.<br />
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But simply because I heard *strange* noises. <br />
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The connection? --> I heard strange noises and got a *little* scared, and cast demons out in the name of Jesus. And claimed my protection and safety in the name of Jesus. And claimed the salvation and full life of the people in that place, in the name of Jesus. <br />
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And realized how unworthy I was to call on that name.<br />
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Yes, nobody's perfect, but God is not just good (willing to help me). He is also holy (perfect). In claiming His authority over evil spirits*, I also felt the need to be clean and release myself from bitterness and unforgiveness.<br />
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I find it embarrassing that I had to experience a "scary" situation before I finally released (or re-released) forgiveness. But, oh well. If life gives you lemons (strange noises at night), make lemonade (forgive!).<br />
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* If you believe in the Holy Spirit (or the possibility thereof), it would be easier to accept the possibility of *unholy* spirits as well.Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-42815169126649470202013-08-08T11:47:00.002+08:002013-08-08T11:47:58.940+08:00On Respect (Do not impose)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://jeffmcleod.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Respect-1024x265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright wp-image-709" height="82" src="http://jeffmcleod.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Respect-1024x265.jpg" title="Respect" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://jeffmcleod.ca/day-18-disrespecting-parent/ </span></div>
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<i> "When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself."</i><br />
<i> </i> - Jesus (Luke 10:5-6)<br />
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Such wise yet remarkably simple advice. This clarified a life decision for me and released me from an unnecessary burden. Thank You Lord for the freedom to live and let live, the freedom to choose, and the freedom to <i>breathe</i>.<i> </i><br />
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<i>"Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others. You’re fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you’re not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe — some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them — then you know that you’re out of line. If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.</i>" <br />
- Paul (Romans 14:22-23)<b> </b><br />
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<b>For Christ-followers:</b> Could sharing the gospel be considered as "imposing your belief on others"? Yes, if the sharer expects the listener to immediately and completely agree. But that rarely happens, right? Just be patient and hopeful and <i>keep praying</i> --- it is God whose Word we are sharing, and it is God who will make it grow in people's hearts. (Practical tip: Think of a time when it was so <i>hard</i> for you to see the light yourself!) As someone who knows the Good News, your choice is to share or not. Those who hear you have a different choice: to accept God or not.<b> </b><br />
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<b>For everyone: </b>Jesus tells us to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31, Matthew 22:39). While we distinguish between love and respect, ultimately God is calling us to treat ourselves and each other in the same (good) way.<br />
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It's amazing how something I've heard since childhood is still fresh to me; I still have a long way to go. Below are some practical tips for treating others (and ourselves) with respect --- not because any one of us deserves it, but because of God, who respects us enough to give us our freedom. :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQz8jYOGH_Y/UgMFzbcWHYI/AAAAAAAAA_g/hy8mTmGiEME/s1600/respect.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQz8jYOGH_Y/UgMFzbcWHYI/AAAAAAAAA_g/hy8mTmGiEME/s320/respect.png" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www2.kumc.edu/son/respect/index.html</span></div>
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<img alt="Treat Others With Respect" height="320" src="http://www.udayton.edu/studev/_resources/img/c2c_habits_respect-others.png" width="307" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.udayton.edu/studev/commitment_to_community/habits.php</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.chooserespect.org.au/images/CR-code-of-behaviour.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.chooserespect.org.au/images/CR-code-of-behaviour.gif" style="margin-top: 1px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.chooserespect.org.au/code_of_behaviour.html</span></div>
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<img height="207" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.bacchusnetworkstore.org/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/e/respect_yourself_1.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.bacchusnetworkstore.org/respect-yourself </span></div>
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May our relationships be filled with respect. Remember that it goes <i>both</i> ways --- giving and receiving --- and we can take our cue from God Himself.</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-54505933781384539082013-06-14T22:27:00.003+08:002013-06-14T22:27:51.179+08:00I cannot keep silent<i>But if I say, "I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name,"</i><br />
<i>His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.</i><br />
<i>I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.</i><br />
(Jeremiah 20:9)<br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZZTWtTRmeA/UbsWH6EDbjI/AAAAAAAAA-8/DXk1tXL5bmY/s400/public-speaking.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://sigmamindset.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/public-speaking.jpg</span></div>
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I cannot keep silent. God is too good of a news to keep to oneself. There's a saying that goes something like, "If you had the cure for cancer, wouldn't you tell everyone? Isn't Jesus the cure for something much deeper: eternal separation from God? Then why aren't we sharing about Him enough?"<br />
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Besides, it's actually a command. Jesus's last words to His followers were:<br />
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<i>“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”</i><br />
(Matthew 28:18-20)<br />
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We don't have to be a pastor or take up a theology course or be a Christian for 20 years. We can just start with the little we know about Him, no matter how general or personal that may be. Besides, it is God who literally gives us what to say:<br />
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<i>“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”</i><br />
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<i>"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."</i><br />
Jesus (Acts 1:8)<br />
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So that's that. God wants every person in the world to have a relationship with Him. Those who already have that relationship cannot remain silent, for the sake of everyone else. Will we let our shyness or fear get in the way of someone's salvation? Of course, God is in control of everything, including salvation. But we can choose to work with Him, pointing people towards Him, instead of turning them away or keeping quiet. Take it from Jeremiah: it's much easier to speak up.</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-73101119330023307082013-06-14T20:45:00.004+08:002013-06-14T20:48:46.979+08:00Living Water<div style="text-align: left;">
Today was probably the first time I went around campus with a liter of bottled water in tow. Ah, water. They say a lot of times when we feel hungry, we are actually thirsty. The one "food" that's most essential to our survival. So cheap yet so good, and no calories even ;)</div>
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No wonder Jesus compared himself to <i>water</i>. Not to coffee or fried chicken or chocolate (my personal faves), but to water. Let us listen.</div>
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Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and Who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”</div>
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(John 4:10)<br />
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“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.</div>
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Where can you get this living water?" (John 4:11)<br />
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Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)<br />
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On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." (John 7:37)<br />
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<img height="226" src="http://images.mnn.com/sites/default/files/main_chanie_distilled_spring_water.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said,</div>
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rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38)<br />
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By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given,</div>
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since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:39)<br />
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<img height="225" src="http://www.vamex.bg/imgupload/background/water_deep.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Feeling thirsty already? Or already filled with Him? :)</div>
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Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-46310240897913489082013-06-14T19:59:00.001+08:002013-06-14T19:59:26.652+08:00Four-Way GospelI thought of this image after my <a href="http://tecigurl.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-gospel-according-to-social-media.html" target="_blank">last post</a> comparing the four gospels.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKk7FPXiiZA/Ubr_dbqHbwI/AAAAAAAAA-k/oT34Ys6UZV0/s1600/gospel.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKk7FPXiiZA/Ubr_dbqHbwI/AAAAAAAAA-k/oT34Ys6UZV0/s320/gospel.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Amazing, eh? The gospels have all the bases covered and they balance each other out. God's Good News is for <i>everyone</i>.</div>
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One book reminds us to look <i>up</i> to Jesus' divine origins (therefore being worthy of worship), another to look <i>down</i> to his humanity (therefore being worthy to be followed). Another looks <i>behind</i> to his Jewish origins (fulfilling ancient prophecies), while the last looks <i>forward</i> to his being Savior of the world.<br /><br />Lastly, these four directions combined give us the Cross. The gospels tell of <b>Jesus, who was born to die for our sins, so that we might live with Him</b>. God is making sure that this <i>Good News</i> reaches everyone. </div>
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Have we heard the News? If yes, are we going to share it, in any and every way we can? :)</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-29484872608355799602013-06-07T22:10:00.000+08:002013-09-14T12:26:34.293+08:00The Gospel according to Social MediaI've been blogging here for *years*, and I'm also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.pulido" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Last month I finally got on <a href="https://twitter.com/tecigurl" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/tecipulido#" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. In learning how to express myself through different social media, complementary without being redundant, I also got a sense of... gospel harmony.<br />
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If you've read the four Christian gospels, you might notice that they're not exactly the same. Just like any book, each gospel has some traits based on the author and the intended audience. Let's look at those traits (according to experts as in <a href="http://www.theholyscriptures.org/alfredbouter/Library/Documents/da1046.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, and verifiable by you and me reading the books ourselves), and see the parallels with popular social media (in my humble personal opinion).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gospel according to Matthew</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iIhxZXeJWM/UbHQZqX2srI/AAAAAAAAA78/Rj9HD5PqH1o/s1600/matthew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iIhxZXeJWM/UbHQZqX2srI/AAAAAAAAA78/Rj9HD5PqH1o/s320/matthew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">rj-mccauley.blogspot.com </span></div>
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<i>Author's description: </i>Jew, former tax collector</div>
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<i><i>Content:</i></i> Jewish Scripture, history, prophecies (e.g. Old Testament and other writings)<i> </i><br />
<i>Intended audience:</i> Jews or Israel </div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus as:</i> King of the Jews, Immanuel ("God-with-us")</div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus' sacrifice as:</i> Trespass offering ("trespass" = wrongdoing against God according to Jewish law)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUzls0LwOHY/UbHeU-z0rGI/AAAAAAAAA94/sMkwkTMdF78/s1600/blogs+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="47" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUzls0LwOHY/UbHeU-z0rGI/AAAAAAAAA94/sMkwkTMdF78/s320/blogs+2.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Similar to which social media:</i> Blogs (e.g. Blogger, Wordpress)</div>
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<i>Because of:</i> Ability to post unlimited text and images; Contain complete archives; Can easily link to other websites</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gospel according to Mark</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAx7Nkek980/UbHRMegeHNI/AAAAAAAAA8I/rvwexuW9XY4/s1600/mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAx7Nkek980/UbHRMegeHNI/AAAAAAAAA8I/rvwexuW9XY4/s320/mark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://blogs.nsb.org/jonathanalexander/files/2010/09/mark.jpg</span></div>
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<i>Author's description: </i>One of the 70 disciples, companion and scribe of Simon Peter<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><i>Content:</i></i> Quick, action<i>-</i>packed accounts; the shortest gospel<br />
<i>Intended audience:</i> Romans</div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus as:</i> Servant, Prophet </div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus' sacrifice as:</i> Sin offering ("sin" = wrongdoing in the general sense)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBUvoeI1MLY/UbHb4KcQelI/AAAAAAAAA9o/qIoBhD1qJrk/s1600/tweet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBUvoeI1MLY/UbHb4KcQelI/AAAAAAAAA9o/qIoBhD1qJrk/s320/tweet.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Similar to which social media:</i> Twitter</div>
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<i>Because of:</i> Limited length of tweets and messages, emphasis on trending topics</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gospel according to Luke</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZX02Zlft0I/UbHR7Wk_3CI/AAAAAAAAA8U/TnY89iD_zPQ/s1600/luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZX02Zlft0I/UbHR7Wk_3CI/AAAAAAAAA8U/TnY89iD_zPQ/s320/luke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.thatimaydwell.com/images/sermons/luke_lg.jpg</span></div>
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<i>Author's description:</i> Doctor, non-Jew, companion of Paul<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><i>Content:</i></i> Accounts about the lost, weak, outcast (Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan)<br />
<i>Intended audience:</i> Greeks</div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus as:</i> Son of Man, High Priest</div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus' sacrifice as:</i> Peace offering (to reconcile outsiders to God)<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4O0aupT0VM/UbHW_vJ2tkI/AAAAAAAAA9M/OFBGBr5xX7s/s1600/fb.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4O0aupT0VM/UbHW_vJ2tkI/AAAAAAAAA9M/OFBGBr5xX7s/s320/fb.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Similar to which social media:</i> Facebook</div>
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<i>Because of:</i> Emphasis on relationships (old and new), well-documented timelines</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gospel according to John</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSoaoHayICQ/UbHS11WfQzI/AAAAAAAAA8g/szQdhOhD3Ow/s1600/john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSoaoHayICQ/UbHS11WfQzI/AAAAAAAAA8g/szQdhOhD3Ow/s320/john.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://pastorbrett.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/ibelieve_color.jpg</span></div>
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<i>Author's description:</i> One of Jesus' twelve apostles<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><i>Content:</i></i> Word pictures (Jesus is the Light of the World, the Way, the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life...)<i> </i><br />
<i>Intended audience:</i> All</div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus as:</i> Son of God the Father, the Word of God made flesh</div>
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<i>Focus on Jesus' sacrifice as:</i> Burnt offering (for worship)<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5hE5HydyxuE/UbHW1JnqigI/AAAAAAAAA9A/CagfidT0ksQ/s1600/instagram.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5hE5HydyxuE/UbHW1JnqigI/AAAAAAAAA9A/CagfidT0ksQ/s320/instagram.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Similar to which social media:</i> Instagram</div>
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<i>Because of:</i> Emphasis on images </div>
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So there you have it. Please note that I'm not measuring the Christian faith with social network activity ;) But I do hope that this post helps us appreciate the gospels more: in each book's uniqueness, and in their harmony (unity in diversity) in presenting Jesus, Son of God, Savior of mankind.Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-87462266174936440932013-05-22T21:09:00.002+08:002013-06-03T01:51:12.779+08:00Quotes: Nick Vujicic in ManilaBorn without arms and legs, God is using <u><a href="http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/" target="_blank">Nick Vujicic</a></u> to touch people otherwise crippled by fear and hopelessness. Two days ago I was blessed to hear this amazing man live in Smart Araneta Coliseum.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfRVGn5-yoQ/UZy2jXeXAbI/AAAAAAAAA6g/SiBtOSlGfsU/s1600/nick+v.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfRVGn5-yoQ/UZy2jXeXAbI/AAAAAAAAA6g/SiBtOSlGfsU/s320/nick+v.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZkmidWD7Na/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://instagram.com/p/ZkmidWD7Na/</span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Here are the snippets I managed to write down. May you be inspired and encouraged as I am. :)</span></div>
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<li>Put your faith in action.</li>
<li>Courage means doing something even if you fail.</li>
<li>You don't need courage to win, you need courage to fail.</li>
<li>F.E.A.R. --- False Evidence Apparently Real</li>
<li>F.A.I.T.H. --- Full Assurance In The Heart (of the Truth)</li>
<li>Courage starts with purpose.</li>
<li>You can have arms and legs and not know what to do with them.</li>
<li>Try again.</li>
<li>Failure = Education. (<i>Teci: In direct contrast to today's mainstream educational system</i>)</li>
<li>Never give up!</li>
<li>Don't believe you're a failure:</li>
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<li>Thomas Edison invented the light bulb after 10,000 tries. He didn't see himself fail 9,999 times. Instead, he just learned 9,999 ways to not make a light bulb.</li>
<li>Nick himself contacted 52 schools and got rejected before being accepted to his first speaking engagement. Now he has to say "No" to 28,000 speaking invitations.</li>
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<li>The bigger the dream, the bigger the opposition.</li>
<li>Was that a failure? Yes. Was <i>I</i> a failure? No. Try again.</li>
<li>Obstacles = Opportunities.</li>
<li>We have storms and clouds but it's always sunny above the clouds.</li>
<li>Sometimes you may have a dream that has to die, but don't let it kill you.</li>
<li>Take steps, no matter how small, towards the right direction.</li>
<li>Be thankful: See what you've been blessed with!</li>
<li>My circumstances didn't change; my heart did.</li>
<li>If you're not happy single, you won't be happy married!</li>
<li>I'm happy today because I'm thankful for the things I do have.</li>
<li>Fame, fortune, sex, drugs, gangs, being in the cool group... Happiness is not in those things. Love is what you're looking for.</li>
<li>Life is not just about success. At the top of the mountain it could get very lonely. Build each other up in love.</li>
<li>When Nick was a boy, he wanted to see someone who was like him, with no arms and legs. Sadly, that wish was never fulfilled. But now as a speaker he once met a child with the same condition as him. The boy looked at him and knew that he himself can be happy and okay.</li>
<li>You can be a miracle to someone right now.</li>
<li>Australians helping Australians... Filipinos helping Filipinos.</li>
<li>What are the three greatest/dearest things in your life right now?</li>
<li>Who have you not forgiven yet?</li>
<li>At 19, Nick had his first speaking engagement: the first time he had compassion on a group of complete strangers, 300 teenagers.</li>
<li>A teenager asked if she could interrupt Nick's talk because she wanted to hug him. She whispered, "Nobody has ever told me that they love me. Nobody has ever told me I'm beautiful."</li>
<li>Nick got home, realizing what he wanted to do for the rest of his life: He wanted to be a speaker.</li>
<li>My parents constantly planted seeds of love and hope and truth. If parents don't do that to their children, who will?</li>
<li>You are beautiful just the way you are.</li>
<li>Life without limits... Unstoppable... Limitless</li>
<li>Unconditional love</li>
<li>Don't take any day for granted.</li>
<li>Dream big.</li>
<li>You can't buy hope.</li>
<li>Faith as first. Faith as last.</li>
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<i>Nick Vujicic is the author of <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Life-Without-Limits-10-PK/dp/0307731049/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_cp_3_H00K" target="_blank">Your Life Without Limits</a></u>, <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Incredible-Power-Faith-Action/dp/0307730883/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_cp_1_H00K" target="_blank">Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action</a></u>, and <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Limitless-Devotions-Ridiculously-Good-Life/dp/0307730913/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_cp_2_H00K" target="_blank">Limitless: Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life</a></u>. He also encourages Christians to never miss an opportunity to share the Good News <u><a href="http://www.gospelherald.com/article/ministries/47815/nick-vujicic-never-miss-an-opportunity-to-act-upon-your-faith.htm#.UZy5K6JmiSo" target="_blank">in this article</a></u>.</i></div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-10900680809269460622013-03-30T10:53:00.002+08:002013-03-30T10:53:57.643+08:00Just watch ♥<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KGlx11BxF24?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGlx11BxF24&feature=youtu.be</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Homepage: http://www.fallingplates.com/</span></div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-77011230552153503222013-03-29T18:58:00.000+08:002013-03-29T19:26:03.877+08:00Faith and Sight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp78yaPY9_Q/UVVzTofYo2I/AAAAAAAAA5c/vYlJ9FO4H1s/s1600/sunrise-behind-the-mountains-16270-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp78yaPY9_Q/UVVzTofYo2I/AAAAAAAAA5c/vYlJ9FO4H1s/s400/sunrise-behind-the-mountains-16270-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Background image from http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-behind-the-mountains-16270/</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr-4GlpMw34/UVV5d1dQtJI/AAAAAAAAA5s/vFmfycnc8vQ/s1600/sunrise+mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr-4GlpMw34/UVV5d1dQtJI/AAAAAAAAA5s/vFmfycnc8vQ/s400/sunrise+mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Background image from: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzOCdf6flng/TX0PT9dxSaI/AAAAAAAABiw/oHSiPhtyDNk/s1600/sunrise%2Bmountain.jpg</span></div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-84508059515349024192013-03-28T19:42:00.002+08:002013-03-29T10:27:12.480+08:00Persevere! (Study!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBaUT5J3cH8/UVQNeM8CKyI/AAAAAAAAA48/HVlEXck82tw/s1600/study+hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBaUT5J3cH8/UVQNeM8CKyI/AAAAAAAAA48/HVlEXck82tw/s400/study+hard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q18wAru_o7U/UVT7umpW4-I/AAAAAAAAA5M/0-1e98-fgAs/s1600/good+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q18wAru_o7U/UVT7umpW4-I/AAAAAAAAA5M/0-1e98-fgAs/s400/good+idea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award unto me on that day." </i>- Paul (2 Timothy 4:7-8)<br />
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People in the academe and the "intellectual" fields honor God with the minds He gave them. That's a double, even triple whammy for me: I'm a university teacher, a graduate student, and a Sunday school teacher. But like any other divine appointment, it is God who enables those He calls. I may get tired sometimes, but the feelings of fulfillment and living out your purpose are well worth it.<br />
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I've been plagued by discouragement many times: from people, failure, and distractions. If this were a race, I've stumbled, fallen, and run off course. But God simply encourages us to just get back on track:<br />
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<i>"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."</i> - Paul (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)<br />
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Just keep at it. The more steps we take in the right direction, the more empowered we feel, and the more encouraged we are to finish the race.<br />
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Persevere! And if you're a student: Study Hard and Study Well! :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image credits:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://cdn.bills.com/images/articles/originals/GoodIdea.jpg<br />http://blogchase.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Study-Hard.jpg<br />http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/photos/ta-0113-e42c-20fa/study-hard-nanjing-china+1152_13001086172-tpfil02aw-12181.jpg<br />http://blueprintprep.com/lsatblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Alex-lsat-blog-coffee-study2.jpg<br />http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PXnz-FFTP08/TUo3ghF0sDI/AAAAAAAADYg/9gd1gYzaYfE/s1600/paintings%252C+coffee+024.JPG<br />http://imgix.8tracks.com/i/000/213/692/c/study-7304.jpg?fm=jpg&q=65<br />http://schoolofrockpaperscissors.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/coffee-tea-bible-study.jpg<br />http://litreactor.com/news/study-shows-coffee-shops-foster-creativity-through-ambient-noise<br />http://blog.loyola.edu/thestudy/files/girl-studying-science-M.jpg<br />http://c3e3.com/hpu/unhappytstudent.jpg<br />http://imgix.8tracks.com/mix_covers/000/831/506/97944.original.jpg?fm=jpg&q=65&sharp=15&vib=10&w=521&h=521&fit=crop<br />http://www.desktopwallpaperhd.com/wallpapers/8/4022.jpg<br />http://www.otea.info/wp-content/uploads/study-.jpg</span>Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-39052847666653637472013-03-28T12:08:00.002+08:002013-03-28T12:08:52.732+08:00His work is finished.<br />
It's Holy Week. The perfect time to remember what God has done... and the perfect time to remember that it is <i>already</i> done!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC6T3eATZvU/UVPATfZmpiI/AAAAAAAAA4s/04xwS2Un3qQ/s1600/finished+work.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC6T3eATZvU/UVPATfZmpiI/AAAAAAAAA4s/04xwS2Un3qQ/s400/finished+work.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: http://www.123greety.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jesus-quotes-cross-wallpaper.jpg; Text: mine</span></div>
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<i>Nothing</i> we can do (or not do) can make us <i>more</i> saved.</div>
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May we honor God in truth and in the right way. ♥</div>
Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043933.post-79723268769207393632013-03-15T14:01:00.002+08:002013-03-15T14:47:16.230+08:00Think Different: Do the Same to All<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnZtqm1d05w/UUK33Ganc9I/AAAAAAAAA4c/3uqyAARlEo8/s1600/b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></div>
What treatment do we give?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnZtqm1d05w/UUK33Ganc9I/AAAAAAAAA4c/3uqyAARlEo8/s1600/b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnZtqm1d05w/UUK33Ganc9I/AAAAAAAAA4c/3uqyAARlEo8/s320/b.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> http://ivysays.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/biatch.jpg<span style="font-size: xx-small;">; </span>edited by Teci :) </i></span></div>
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Do we treat people differently when they're facing us and when their backs are turned?<br />
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Do we act extra nice toward our boss, and extra mean toward our *rival*?<br />
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Why the difference?<br />
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<i>God is good to the good and evil.</i><br />
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What about the treatment we get?<br />
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<img alt="http://images.clipartof.com/small/227147-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Grumpy-Toon-Guy-Getting-Rained-On-And-Walking-Under-An-Umbrella.jpg" class="decoded" height="320" src="http://images.clipartof.com/small/227147-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Grumpy-Toon-Guy-Getting-Rained-On-And-Walking-Under-An-Umbrella.jpg" width="216" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <i>http://images.clipartof.com/small/227147-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Grumpy-Toon-Guy-Getting-Rained-On-And-Walking-Under-An-Umbrella.jpg</i></span></div>
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Do we feel that good things only happen to good people (and complain)...?<br />
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Or do we feel that good things only happen to bad people (and complain)...?<br />
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Why the difference?<br />
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<i>God is good to the good and evil.</i><br />
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May we be more consistent--- in being kind, gracious and loving --- to everyone around us.<br />
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<i><span class="text Matt-5-44" id="en-NIV-23279"><span class="woj">I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,</span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-45" id="en-NIV-23280"><span class="woj">that you may be children
of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.</span></span>.. <span class="woj"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="woj">Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.</span></i><br />
<span class="woj">--- Jesus (Matthew 5:45,48) </span>Teci Pulidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194186516659541377noreply@blogger.com0