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Author: web

  • True Measure

    True Measure

         “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang” This was a title from a classic Tagalog movie. Never thought that this was actually taken from a verse in the bible “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” written in Daniel 5:27. This was the meaning of one of the inscriptions in the wall which Daniel interpreted. I don’t want to further elaborate but what I got from this is that all of us are being measured in some ways. 

           Stadiometer for the height back when we were still growing vertically.  Weighing scales for the weight which is not really reliable as experts said because of gravity. There’s IQ test for a person’s intellectual capacity and EQ test for our emotional wellness which are highly debatable as well. I don’t want to argue with that but we all agree that we do measure things in our lives that are of importance to us whether it’s physical or intellectual simply because it indicates our current status and possible growth.

    But how about that thing called spiritual life? have you ever wondered how to measure our own spiritual growth? Well, maybe if we’ve memorized verses as if it’s our native tongue or maybe if we’ve prayed like there’s no tomorrow. Maybe if we’ll attend all church services or volunteer to every ministry. How do we really know?

    How do we measure our progress in our walk with God?

    In Matthew 22:34 – 40, the Pharisees were also wondering the same thing although it was motivated rather on testing Jesus than really learning. Nevertheless, they’ve been following all the laws required and they’re probably thinking what else can they do? What’s the greatest commandment that they could follow anyway?

    To this, Jesus replied “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

    These two are the greatest commandments and therefore we should measure our growth from these. We better ask ourselves Have I been loving God with all of my heart and soul and mind? Have I been loving my neighbor-the people God values-as myself?

    If our love for God and love for His people is increasing, then we are growing in our spiritual walk with Him.

    Therefore, it’s never about reading the Bible, attending services or life groups, serving in the ministry or praying hard. These are really good tools but we better ask ourselves this question “Are the things that I’m doing leading me to an ever-increasing love for God and for His people?”.

  • NBSB Confessions

    NBSB Confessions

    I actually wrote this blog around 2009 which is way older than the old blog screenshot above and this actually won a Christian blogging contest about relationships. Not sure what was their criteria back then though but all I can say is this mindset has protected me all throughout most of my life up until I became 40…Watch out for Part 2!!!

    Yes, I belong to that group called NBSB or “No Boyfriend Since Birth” and I’m not ashamed of that. : ) Oftentimes, people ask me why and some have formed their own conclusions. It’s either I’m too idealistic to wait for that one great man who doesn’t exist or I’m such a teaser to keep the guys waiting without letting them in. Definitely, neither of the two! : )

    “You need to be secure with the love of Christ before you can truly love someone”. This has been my guiding principle ever since I experienced God’s grace over my life. As an application, ONE HAS TO WAIT. But waiting entails a lot of struggles. Some who have waited for some time has suddenly swerved when the rubber meets the road. It could be influenced by a number of things so here I tried to list down what are some of the factors that keep us from waiting:

    1. Time and Trust

    Time is telling you you’re growing older and pressures from other people have come up to your sleeves already. Well, you’re not alone. There are a number of us and the best way to handle that is to stop counting “time” coz it’s immeasurable. Let’s start counting on God instead. It’s basically a trust issue. Can you trust that the God who willingly gave His one and only Son, can also give you a man for you to partner for life? You’ve waited this long, why compromise now? God can and will provide at the right time.

    Take note! Right time! : ) So when do you know it’s time? Does it come with age? Let me share what I learned from a well-respected man. The moment you’re willing to be single for God is actually the very moment when God gives you your partner because it just simply means that you’ve already reached that height of satisfaction in Him and is now ready to go to the next level. As the saying goes “If you can’t be happy alone, you can’t be happy with someone”. There’s always a proper time for every matter.

    “Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure” – Ecc. 8:5

    2. Emotions

    “You don’t understand. I loved him.”

    Are you sure? Are you sure it’s love?! Or lust? Can you distinguish? Love is patient. Lust wants now. Love is gentle. Lust gets its own way. Love does not envy. Lust is filled with insecurity. Love does not boast. Lust compares. And the list goes on….

    “You don’t understand coz you’ve never really experienced it.”

    I often hear this kind of reasoning. You know what?! If I wanted to sound sarcastic, I would want to say “You don’t need to stab yourself with a knife in order for you to know it can kill you.” Wisdom comes from God. You “may” probably learn from experience but you need not be the victim. : )

    3. Lack of vision and conviction

    Most of the time, Christians are not exactly convinced on why they can’t “partner” with someone who doesn’t share the same belief as them because they themselves don’t exactly value their Christianity. Being a Christian simply means that you’re a follower of Jesus and if that person doesn’t, how can the two of you walk together?

    Some would argue that we’re being legalistic and would ask “Where is grace in the picture?”. Grace is there to enable you to say NO and it’s never a legalistic act to have the discipline to say NO to things that would endanger you later on.

    Just to give you a practical picture. Imagine your future when you have kids. How should you raise them if you and your spouse don’t share the same beliefs and values? There will always be a conflict of interest and loyalty unless one of you gives in. That being said, it’s either you’ll compromise your belief or you’ll always live in conflict which is in contrast to becoming one in marriage.

    If you’re single now and you’re believing that “that” person you’re attracted to will get saved, then invite him/her and WAIT for that person to have a personal conviction on his/her own BEFORE you embrace the possibility of you being together.