Easter Service 2010

I attended the Alabang New Life Christian Center’s Easter Service which was actually a Musical Theater Production incorporated into the service. The title of the production was “A Wake.” It was a great production that not only told the story of Jesus, but it was able to communicate a shadow of the love expressed by Jesus. 

According to Pastor Paul Chase, hundreds received Jesus during the five services for Easter. 

I loved it when Pastor Paul Chase said that Jesus was our Saviour - and what does a Saviour do? He saves.

That’s the beauty of Christianity. Religions around the world, speak and instruct people to strive to be Holy. Its usually a set of “how to’s” to be worthy of God and His blessings. All religions tell us what to do. Christianity tells us what Christ has done for us. 

Religion is man’s effort to reach God. Christianity is God’s work to reconcile man to Himself. 

And even if its a little late - Happy Resurrection Sunday. Well, actually everyday is Resurrection Sunday - Haha!

GOOD FRIDAY, WHIPPING, NAILING AND PENITENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Last Good Friday, April 2 there were again Holy Week devotees who were nailed on the cross and who whipped themselves. From what I know these, devotees were doing penance - doing their part to show how sorry they were for their sins. After all, actions do speak louder than words.

THE BISHOPS SPEAK

Catholic Bishops have discouraged this practice year after year. When looking at this headline, one would feel that the church was really moving a step forward. Looking at the official statement, a bishop told a prominent catholic radio station, “The real expression of Christian faith during Lent is through repentance and self- denial.” He further added that  

 self-flagellation and crucifixion by Catholic penitents were actually “expressions of superstitious beliefs” that are usually done “out of the need for money and for tourism purposes which is totally wrong.”

THE SIDE OF THE DEVOTEES

I am sure that there are some penitents who are doing this for money, but for those who are actually sorry for their sins, these comments may be hurtful. They may be thinking, at least I am doing something about it! At least I am sorry. At least I’m not out there in a beach getting drunk and being immoral. At least I am not using the vacation to just have a good time. At least I am doing something for God!

CAN WE REALLY PAY FOR OUR SINS?

Actually if one can look at it, the genuinely sincere scourged or nail pierced penitent is actually the same as the prayerful, sin repentant, meat fasting and alms giving penitent. Why? How can they be the same? How can they be even compared? How can a barbarous act be equal to acts of kindness?

FROM A BUSTED ALTERNATOR

Funny thing happened to me last Saturday, March 6. In the morning, when I planned to do some chores and buy some sealant for a leaking pipe that we had, I got into my car and I discovered it wouldn’t start. I had intended to bring it to the shop to have the battery checked but now I wouldn’t be able to bring the car at all to the shop. I would have to have a new battery brought at my house.

Long story short, I bought a new car battery and though the car started I found out that there was something wrong with the alternator. I ended up spending over 4 hours in a small “talyer” called EDDIE Electrical and Rewinding Shop. It was hot, and even though I planned to do some chores in the morning, I really wanted to have some fun activities with the kids after finishing up my chores. So spending the time in the “talyer” just shot up my plans.

Pacquiao Fights and Worship

I got to talk to a Believer who just received the revelation of Christ’s Finished Work. And since he came from a very conservative church he was surprised with the praise and worship of some of the churches that I invited him to.

“It’s too loud.” 

“I don’t think people should be singing that way.” 

“The music should be slower.”

“Why, are they raising their hands?”

Let me encourage everyone who has this concern or who will be ministering people with these concerns. Some Christians motivate people to get “into” praise and worship by telling them to let go. Give yourself up to God. Let you emotions take over. At some level this type encouragement may work, but really what allows us to give ourselves to true worship is the revelation of who God is and who were are in Him.

A Plaque on the Wall

When I went to Singapore with my wife, we visited St. Andrew’s church. It was quite interesting as the pews had dividers in between them and the pulpit was pretty old style - it was actually a box that hung the Pastor high above the congregation. Old spanish churches in the Philippines have this design.

But what struck me were the plaques that lined the walls of the church.

One plaque read, 

In memory of Henry Arthur O’Brien (born November 21 1853, died April 5, 1897) and Hancock Thomas Haughton (born January 27 1859, died July 9m 1897) both of the Civil Service of the Straits Settlements. This Tablet is placed by their comrades of the same service who loved them.

One plaque read:

In memory of Maximilian F. Simon C.M.C.M.D for 25 years in the Medical Service of this Colony, 10 years as PCMO. Born January 30, 1848, Died June 17, 1902. Erected by many friends.

Another read:

To the memory of John Harvey a prominent resident here 1843-1858. Died June 6, 1879 aged 58 years.

Still another read:

In the memory of Robert W. Maxwell, son of the late Sir Peter Maxwell who served with the Strait Service Police from December 24, 1893 to August 14, 1893 interrly as Inspector General. He died at Backbourne, Wiltshire. Aged 49 years.  This tablet is erected as a mark of esteem of the Penang and Malacca Contingents of the S.S.R.

These truly were great men in their time. From how they were described in their plaques I can imagine their families proud of them when it was unveiled. Recognition of men, in the house of God.

Acts of God

Last February 27 a massive 8.8 earthquake rocked Chile. This earthquake was said to be one of the strongest earthquakes in the past 100 years. It was also said to be 700 times stronger than the devastating 7.2 earthquake that hit Haiti last January. Immediately after that almost all news outfits, CNN, BBC warned the public of the pending tsunami that was caused by the earthquake. The latest equipment predicted that the 90 second earthquake would cause a chain of waves that would affect all of the countries in the Pacific. The US (Hawaii), Australia, the Philippines, Japan, amongst others braced themselves for what could be the largest tsunami to hit the world in recorded history.

I remember watching the news that evening and there was indeed a slight concern over what would happen. My wife was actually in a company outing in Mindoro. She was in a beach somewhere and the resorts were a buzz with the possible disaster. Rumors of how high the tsunami would be spread around, the most exaggerated news was that of 18 meters. 

I prayed that my wife would be kept safe through this. I prayed that a wall of protection surround her.

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

When Christ brought His disciples to Caeseria Philippi Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Christ in turn replied the now famous lines, “UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH!” This story in the Bible is so full of Life and Hope for the church and the world.

But there is so much power in the first part of the story that is often overlooked.