The Very Same Power

The very same power that raised Christ from the dead is alive in me.

Why do we always forget this fact? Why don't we live in this mindset of victory instead of defeat?

Christ accomplished something tremendous with His death. Satan thought he had defeated God's only sole hope to ever reconcile man to Him. But God had been planning this ever since the Fall of Man. How would a plan formulated for over a hundred thousand years go wrong?

I like how my leader put it when I went to camp this past week: before Christ, everyone had been marked "sinful". Christ's death, however, changed that. It allowed us to be reconciled back to God. When we accept Christ, we have a new mark: "Child of God."

Now the things that most Christians do is this: everytime they sin, they blame Satan. They say the devil made them do it. Now why can't we all, when we sin, admit it was only our own disobedience because the devil has NO POWER OVER US. Christ death has redeemed us and our acceptance of Him as our Savior has brought the power that raised Him within us. Now if that power can raise Christ from death, I'm sure it can help us overcome!

We all need to stop living in the mindset of defeat when we've already won! Sin has NO POWER over us anymore... unless we let it. We fall into sin because we deliberately turn a deaf ear to the Holy SPirit convicting us what we're about to do is wrong.

Live in victory because you've already WON. God bless.

Titans will CLASH - Review of "Clash of the Titans"

When I heard that the 1981 classic Clash of the Titans was going to be remade, I knew it would be in my "must see in theaters" list. I actually didn't see the original. However, I did hear it was epic. If it was epic back then - and all they had was stop-motion and no CG animation - then I was sure the remake was going to be... how should I say? EPIC-ER.

And it did not disappoint. Clash of the Titans was pure ancient Greek mythology entertainment from start to finish. Angry, jealous, scheming gods, the demi-god Perseus - played by Avatar's Sam Worthington - kicking some Gorgon butt (or should I say decapitating?), the beautiful and sexy Gemma Arterton as the mysterious Io, along with a black Pegasus (Yes black, not white. UBER COOL) and the enormous Kraken, what more could you ask for? Before the movie premiered, people made petty criticisms about Sam's hair, to which he replied "It's a movie!". Another person criticized the movie for using CG and not stop-motion. Uh, hello? We're in the 21st century now!

Anyways, the story is very loosely based on the myth of Perseus (and from what I read, it has significant changes from its 1981 counter-part). The movie opens with an explanation of how the world came about: the Titans were the original rulers of the Earth until their offspring, the Olympians, overthrew them with the help of the Kraken, a vicious beast borne of Hades himself. Zeus became King of the Gods, Poseidon, Lord of the Seas, and Hades, tricked by Zeus, was left to rule the Underworld. Enter Perseus, found by a humble and kind fisherman and his wife (kinda like Superman) who take him in as their own after finding him floating in a coffin in the ocean. Years later, his parents are killed before his very eyes by Hades and he is left in the open sea, only to be found by a group of soldiers who bring him to Argos. Apparently, these people are defiant to the gods and after the Queen compares her daughter, Andromeda, to Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty, Hades appears and tells them that unless they sacrifice Andromeda, the Kraken will once again be unleashed... upon them. Hades also discovers that Perseus is a demi-god and the people of Argos then seek his help to defeat the Kraken. Meanwhile, Hades persuades Zeus and the other Olympians to go ahead with his plan, saying that the chaos would cause the people to worship them once more. However, Hades has his own motives. Perseus, accompanied by Argon soldiers and Io, a woman who has watched him all his life, sets out to try and defeat the Kraken so that he would weaken Hades and get the revenge he seeks for his family's death.

The movie contained great action, with the occasional comedy, along with great performances by all of the cast. Add the spectacular CG effects and Clash of the Titans is a certified great movie. Sam Worthington is a fine choice as Perseus and brings about a great performance. The best part of this movie in my opinion is that it makes the gods look and feel genuine. The way I imagined the Greek gods was captured in this movie. Also, from the pictures I've seen of the original, this has a more authentic feel to it. Perseus and the gods are not wearing cloaks. Armor is more kick-ass.

However, Perseus' transition from fisherman to hero seems to be a bit blurred. I was quite surprised that he could wield a sword so easily despite having no training. The movie seemed to be quite short also. It might have been better if it was longer.

All in all, Clash of the Titans is a movie that MUST be seen in theaters. Do not let it pass. 9/10

Tito Jechrist

I forget the first time I met Tito Jechrist, or Tito Jeck as many liked to call him. But I do remember him as the always smiling and jolly person and very funny. He was pretty much the life of the crowd, the one who makes us laugh. It would be very rare to see him down and not smiling.

Because of his bright personality I think it was just right he served in the Usher team. He was also the one who always approached me after I've led worship, requesting for songs to be put in my next lineup so that the people would jump and dance more during praise. He would also encourage me, telling me that the worship was very blessed.

 

I was very glad to see him avail himself for the Lord. I've seen him serve, watched him pray, I've prayed along with him, I've seen him kneel before the Lord during Breakthroughs and Super CGs. It was no surprise that when he was diagnosed with colon cancer, he did not go and question the Lord. He did the complete opposite. Instead of turning from God, he held on to Him more. Instead of leaving the ministry, he availed himself more. Even as he went back to the Philippines he continued to serve.

 

He was always the kind of guy who admitted his mistakes and admitted his flaws, but he was also the type of guy who was willing to change. And he did. Many people, including myself, are a witness to the transformation he went through as he continued to walk with God. It was truly amazing. He wasn't the same person he was before I first met him. 

We said good-bye to him when he went back to the Philippines, but sadly, I am writing this to say my final good-bye. Two nights ago, I was informed Tito Jeck passed away. 

 

I would be a liar to say I'm not sad. I will miss the laughs I shared with him, his witty jokes, his bright personality, and I will miss worshiping alongside him. But it gives me greater joy and greater comfort knowing that he's with the Lord know. He's where he's always wanted to be and he is truly at peace.

I believe this isn't a time of mourning, but actually we should celebrate. Another faithful servant of Christ has gone home and now he is in the arms of the Father - no pain, no suffering. 

We love you Tito Jeck. We miss you dearly. Rest in peace and we'll see each other again.

 

YOU HOLD ME NOW - HILLSONG

 

 

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace

All my fears swept away
In the light of your embrace
When Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence here to hold
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

In this life fin'lly stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails

When You're name is lifted high
And forever praises last
For the glory of Your Name
I'll be livin' for the day

When the world has finally cease
All creation rest in peace
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weepingr, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now  

Don't Stop Believin'

What do you do when you're bored? Blog... with gloves on. Agh, I'm taking 'em off. Typing's hard with woolen fingertips...

Anyways... what to blog, what to blog?

Well, exams are finally over so that's cool. Today was basically a cool down day for all of us. We spent most of the day just watching movies. I guess we've earned it after the exams.

I've been listening to a lot of Journey again and Huey Lewis this time around too. Kinda makes me have a lot more confidence when I listen to "Power of Love" while walking to the subway. And I imagine myself sometimes as Michael J. Fox on a skateboard lol. Anyways, downloaded Journey's "Revelation" album with frontman Arnel Pineda now on the vocals. He's awesome, but of course, Steve Perry came first. So yeah, my day never ends without listening to "Open Arms" and "Don't Stop Believin'". You know, something about "Don't Stop Believin'" inspires me everytime. I guess it's the chorus that keeps ringing:

Don't stop believin'

Hold on to the feelin'

Streetlight people...

Great lyrics there. I know it's not a Christian song, but everytime I hear the chorus I always interpret it as don't stop believing and having faith in Him, despite hard times and all.

Speaking of hard times, Bangkok is back to tense mode as red shirts start pouring in from all over Thailand to mount up a huge protest that's starting tomorrow. I have no idea when it will end. I might not have school next week. Yay for me, but not so much yay when you face the facts. Feel bad for my friend, Tor, cuz her house is at the very street where the protest is taking place. As she said, if the reds decide to use a bomb, they'll bomb her house too. The reds were also the ones who burned up the buses last year, so I pray that they won't get rowdy and all again. So please, do pray for the situation here in Thailand. Thank God that He's protected my friends and family. I've been here for ten years and experienced a coup d'etat, the closing of the airport, bus burnings, and numerous rallies, but me and my family remain safe.

So all this political unrest along with the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile bring me to another realization as I write this entry: Christ is coming soon. Very soon. I'm still reading Are We Living in the End Times? by the authors of the "Left Behind" series and it really helped me in understanding end time prophecies. All these events are the "birth pains" before the coming of Christ and they are growing very frequent. For example, the earthquake in Chile occurred only months (or weeks, not sure) after Haiti. This just gives me more reason to believe Christ could come in my lifetime and that, I must say, would be a cool thing.

And so, I circle back to the title of this entry. Despite all the happenings in this world: all the war, politics, disease, disasters... Don't stop - never stop - believing. Never stop believing that God ultimately prevails. 

Wow, I'm amazed at the range of topics for this entry lol. This just shows how bored you get after exams haha

God bless everybody and enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Reflections: Mark 16 - March 8, 2010

"1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.

2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb

3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6“Don't be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

((The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9–20.))

9When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

10She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.

11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

12Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.

13These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." - Mark 16

"Defeat" has never been an attractive word. "Surrender" doesn't really appeal to man either. But this is why God's plan was so wonderful, so beautiful, and so perfect, that when in the eyes of man they thought that Christ is dead once and for all, the truth was, the Lamb wins!

The ultimate sacrifice resulted in the ultimate victory. The torture, agony, and seeming defeat of Christ on the cross actually won our souls from the enemy and reconciled us back to God.

I remember the teaching why we don't believe of an image of Christ in the cross. It's true that it's a reminder of what Jesus had done for us, but it's because that it's the resurrection that proved His power over sin and death. His resurrection rendered Satan powerless and ultimately defeated him.

I believe God is reminding me - and all of us - that the enemy no longer has any hold on us and that by Christ - if we accept and believe in Him - we are set free. Take off the mindset of still being in chains, still being bogged down and tortured by sin. Christ has set you free. Christ has set the chains loose. Live in the freedom, victory, and authority God gave you. You are free and forgiven.

His grace and mercy is forever!

Saturday Evening Blogging

Hello to all out there :)

It's 10:20 pm over here. I've no idea what I'm doing blogging when I should be asleep since I have to get up early for church tomorrow lol.

Anyways, I suddenly have to worship lead for praise tomorrow cuz Tita Olive isn't feeling too well. I pray she'll be okay for tomorrow. More than pumped to lead for tomorrow! So excited!

On the school front, exams are next week... Still haven't studied haha. Plus, the titration equation in chemistry is freaking me and my classmates out so I have no idea how this is gonna work. By God's grace, I'll see it through.

Dad just got back from China. Literally just came home a few minutes ago with chocolates. Yay! My bro has his traditional stuff toy. This time, it's Eeyore.

And God has still been so faithful to me. As I shared in the last CG, my heart is always in a battle and in a struggle and I look at myself and condemn myself sometimes, asking myself why I can't just get through it and why I make the same mistakes over and over again. And God bombards me not with punishments but LOVE. From my previous Reflections post, you'll see I'm reading Mark and I'm at the crucifixion. God's reminding me how much He loves me. God's so great. His grace and love is truly overwhelming.

Gotta get to bed. But a last note: please pray for Tita Mayette and Mama. Mama's still in the ICU and we need all the prayers we can get. Please also pray for provision since the bills are now up to 50K+.

God bless guys and hope you have a great week ahead of you.

Pranburi '10

Last weekend, I came back from Pranburi with my schoolmates. It was a really fun time and a nice break from all the hustle and bustle of BKK. There are some times you just need to slow down, take a break, and lie down at the beach...

Anyways, I miss it a lot. Why? THIS is why!

 

Who wouldn't want to go back there? Away from all the schoolwork, homework, tests, and exams? Oh well, I guess it's back to reality...

Anyways, all we did there was to swim in the pool, then swim in the beach, then eat, shower, then back to the pool. If ever we were in our rooms we were either eating, playing PS2, talking, playing cards, or doing all of them at the same time.

T'was truly fun. Hope I can go back again sometime.