Nasaan ang Diyos sa Food Chain?

Pasensya na at hindi ako magaling sa biology kaya hahayaan ko na lang ng Wikipedia na magpaliwanag kung ano ito. Click here. O di kaya masdan na lang ninyo ang larawan na ito:

Ang iba pang mga halimbawa ay

1. 1. Damo--> Pinastulan ng kambing--> kinatay nang birthday ni Bunsoy

2.

2. 2.Butil ng palay --> tinuka ng Sisiw--> dinagit ng uwak--> binaril ng mangangaso at iniulam ng pamilya

Ang daloy ay karaniwang nagsisimula sa:

araw--> mga halaman kung saan nagaganap ang photosynthesis--> herbivore--> carnivore

Ang mga halaman ay tinatawag na producers dahil sila yung may kakayahang gumawa ng sarili nilang pagkain gamit ang enerhiyang buhat sa araw dahil sa taglay nilang Chlorophyll. Ang mga hayop naman at ang mga tao (kung evolutionist ka, ibibilang mo ang tao bilang hayop) ay tinatawag na mga consumers.

Nasaan ang Diyos sa Food Chain?

Malaki ang impluwensya ng mga evolutionist/Darwinist sa Academia at sa pagsusulat ng mga textbook kaya huwag na nating asahan na isasali nila ang Diyos sa usapan. Subalit sa atin na mga Kristiyano, huwag nating kaligtaan na ang Diyos ay parehong Creator at Sustainer ng sannilikha. Sa kanyang kamay nakasalalay ang kaayusan ng lahat ng bagay (Colosas 1:17).

Where is God in the food chain? He is everywhere:

1. Ang Diyos ang may kontrol sa araw (Joshua 10:13; Matthew 5:45). Samakatuwid, ang photosynthesis ay grasya ng Diyos.

2. Ang mga halaman ay pinalalago ng Diyos (Awit 147:8; Mga Gawa 14:17). Samakatuwid, ang mga tinatawag na producers ay walang kakayahang mabuhay. Ang Diyos ay bumubuhay sa mga ito.

3. Ang mga hayop at mga tao ay umaasa lamang sa Diyos para sa kanilang kakainin (Awit 145:15,16). Maski pala si Lion King ay pulubi lamang sa harap ng Diyos.

4. Siya ang nagbibigay sa atin ng buhay, hininga at lahat-lahat (Mga Gawa 17:25)

5. Ito ay kanyang ginawa upang magkaroon ng kagalakan sa ating puso. (Mga Gawa 14:17)

6. Ginawa niya ang lahat ng kabutihan para sa atin upang ipakilala ang kanyang sarili (Mga Gawa 17:27). Ito yung tinatawag sa theology na General Revelation. Nakakalungkot lang na sa kasamaan ng tao, ang mga katotohanan tungkol sa Diyos dala ng General revelation ay patuloy na sinisikil ng mga tao (Roma 1:18-25). Ngunit kahit ganun, ginamit pa rin ito ng mga apostol bilang isang evangelistic tool (Acts chapters 14 & 17). Ang kanyang kabutihan ang dapat umakay sa atin sa pagsisisi (Roma 2:4)

Kung ating kikilalanin na ang Diyos ay nasa Food chain, ito’y mag-uudyok sa ating puso upang sumamba:

sa tuwing ang ating paligid ay kulay luntian;

kapag nakikita natin na namumulaklak na ang mga puno ng tsiko, santol, duhat, makopa at iba pa;

Kapag lumalabas na ang puso ng saging;

Kapag napipisa na ang mga itlog at sumisilip na ang mga sisiw na kulay dilaw;

Kapag tumataba na ang mga biik;

Kapag tumatalon-talon ang mga hipon;

Kapag kulay ginto na ang palay at malapit na ang anihan.

Dapat mag-alab ang ating damdamin upang sumamba

----------------------------------------

Kung hindi lang dahil sa dugo ni Kristo, mga kontra-bida rin sana tayo

Noong ako ay munting bata, katulad ng iba, maiksi ang aking attention span. Kaya naman kahit nakikinood ako kay Tatay at kuya ng FPJ movies, hindi ko nasusundan ang daloy ng kuwento. Mahirap naman para sa isang munting bata ang magtiyaga sa loob ng dalawang oras sa harap ng telebisyon at unawain ang isang kuwentong pang-matanda.







Iniisip ko ngayon: Saan ko ba natutunan yung konsepto ng Bida vs. kontra-bida (Hero vs. Villain)? Ang aking kongklusyon: Ang konsepto ng Bida vs. Kontra-bida ay una kong natutunan sa panonood ng mga cartoons. Oo nga't pamilyar ako sa mga pagmumukha nina Romy Diaz, Paquito Diaz at Max Alvarado, pero sa cartoons ko talaga unang natutunan ang konsepto.

Popeye vs. Brutus

Batman vs. Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze

Kasabay ng mga cartoon na iyan, nanonood din ako ng Superbook at Flying House, mga cartoons ng bible stories. Pero dahil nga bata, mas inaabangan ko yung Superbook kasi Old Testament stories ang mga yun. May David vs. Goliath… Samson vs. Philistines… Maaksyon ‘di ba? Tuwang-tuwa talaga ako sa adventures nina Christopher, kaibigan niyang si Joy, at siyempre yung laruang robot na si Gizmo… yung may susi sa likod na kailangang pihitin sa tuwing lowbat siya. Favorite ko talaga ito, kahit tignan nyo pa ang aking Friendster profile.

Sa aking panonood ng Superbook, yung konsepto ng bida vs. kontra-bida ay nadala ko sa kuwento ni Moses. Ang tingin ko sa mga Egyptians, lalo na kay Pharoah ay mga kontra-bida. Eh kasi pinagmamalupitan nila yung mga aliping Israelita.

Sino nga ba ang Bida at mga Kontra-bida?

Sinabi ng Diyos sa Exodus 12:12: “against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment” (NKJV). Ibig sabihin, isa sa mga dahilan ng paghatol ng Diyos laban sa Ehipto ay ang kanilang talamak na idolatry.

Ang kaso, hindi lang naman Egyptians ang guilty sa idolatry. Ayon sa Ezekiel 20:6-8:

v.6- On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.

v.7- And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

v.8-" `But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.

Nang mangako ang Diyos na ilalabas niya sila mula sa Ehipto, ipinag-utos niya na layuan nila ang mga diyus-diyosan ng Ehipto. Subalit hindi sila tumalima.Kaya nga doon pa lang sa Ehipto: “in the midst of the land of Egypt” (verse 8, NKJV), nag-aalab na ang poot at galit ng Diyos laban sa kanila. Kaya lang naman natuloy ang kanilang paglaya ay dahil sa:

v.9-“ But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations they lived among and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt.”

Para sa karangalan ng Diyos ang nangyari. Siya ang tunay na bida sa kasaysayan ng pagtutubos. Ang mga tinubos (tulad ng may-ari ng blog na ito) ay kinahabagan lamang ng Diyos. Hindi sila karapat-dapat ibigin, pero inibig pa rin sila ng Diyos:

Deuteronomy 7:7-8: “The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt."

Ang Dugo na Ipinahid sa mga Pinto

May sampung salot na ipinadala ng Diyos. Mga Egyptians lang ang tinamaan pero ang totoo, maging ang mga Israelita ay karapat-dapat rin naman magdusa sa mga salot na iyon.

Bago ipadala ng Diyos ang ika-sampung salot, ipinag-utos niya sa mga Israelita na maghanda ng mga tupa. Ipinapahid niya ang dugo sa mga pintuan ng kanilang mga tahanan. Wika ng Diyos: “when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” (Exodus 12:13).

Ang mga nakasulat sa Matandang Tipan ay naisulat para sa ating ikatututo (Romans 15:4). Sa Bagong Tipan ay nasusulat: “Christ, our Passover lamb. Has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7)

The reason why we are spared from the wrath of God is not because we are better than our unbelieving neighbors. It is because of Christ's blood.

Kung hindi lang dahil sa dugo ni Kristo, mga kontra-bida rin sana tayo.

Romans 5:8-9: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”

--------------------------
Mga Sinangguni:

Alexander, Ralph-- Commentary on Ezekiel, in Expositor's Bible Commentary (Frank E. Gaebelein, editor)

Henry, Matthew-- Commentary on the Whole Bible

Jeffery, Ovey, and Sach- Pierced for our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution

Happy Mother's Day, Emeliana Ambanloc Rosario

Nanay, misasalamat ak ed Katawan ta sicayo so inter to ya ina mi. Salamat ed impamasya yo ompian napabaleg san napan-aral so waluran ugugaw. Inararo tacayo.

Say kekerewen ko ed Katawan: say intiron pamilya tayo et sanuulop ed tawen, anggapo anggan sakey so natawtaw ompian say family reunion tayo et diman ed tawen-- kaiba tayo so Diyos ya amalsa ed sicatayo.





Happy Mother's Day!!!











Nanay, ayay litrato ya wala ed kawanan, unya so itsura tayo nen saman. Ayan shot et nala nen closing exercises na Cental II Elementary School taon 1988. Grade 4 ak, sicayo et 5o years old ni labat.





---------------------------------
Edited: Sabi kasi ni Albert Mohler sa kanyang blog: "In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the legislation setting Mother's Day as the second Sunday each May. The focus was not to be on honoring all American mothers in common, but each family's mother in each home, thus Mother's Day -- not Mothers' Day."

Huwag Magsawa sa Pagtatanim (Ikalawang Bahagi: Kung Ano ang Itinanim...)

This series is now available in a single post.

 Click HERE

Hindi Ninyo Maiisahan ang Diyos (Unang bahagi: Kung Ano ang Itinanim...)

This series is now available in a single post.

 Click HERE

Kung Ano ang Itinanim, Siyang Aanihin (Panimula)

This series is now available in a single post.

 Click HERE

Heavenly Homesickness (Living as Citizens of Heaven part 3)

There was a time in the early church when the church suffered from false charges leveled by the pagan neighbors. Christianity was not accepted because it was misunderstood. In seeking to win a favorable position for Christianity, some early church leaders wrote letters addressed to key persons in the government to explain their faith. One of these letters is Mathetes' letter to a certain Diognetus.

On Christian living, Mathetes explains:

~" inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities… and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life”

~“They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners.”

~“ As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners.”

~”They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring.”

~”They have a common table, but not a common bed.”

~” They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh.”

~” They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven.”

In an even older letter we read: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Phil.3:20-21 NKJV)

When Paul first arrived at Philippi, he met people who are proud of their Roman citizenship. One day, they brought him to the magistrates and reported: “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” (Acts 16:20-21). Yet some of these proud Roman Citizens were converted to Christianity. They now live differently from others. So they are now objects of persecution (Phil. 1:28). To encourage them in the faith, Paul tells them that their true and lasting citizenship is not earthbound. Their ultimate allegiance is not to Rome or any other nation. They are citizens of heaven. Their true emperor does not live in Rome. He is in heaven. And he is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.

Before he left, Jesus promised a dwelling place for his followers. “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3 NIV). Based on this promise of Jesus Christ, Paul gives as another tip on how to live as citizens of heaven: BE HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN.

Meron akong isang kaibigan na nagtratrabaho sa Qatar. Minsan ay tinignan ko ang kanyang shout out sa Friendster at ang nabasa ko ay: “24 days na lang”. Ako’y medyo nakatunog sapagkat ang bukambibig ng taong ito sa aming chat ay kung gaano siya nangungulila sa kanyang asawa at sa kanilang dalawang supling. Nagpadala ako ng mensahe sa kanya: “Pare, ano ba yang count down na yan? Unsempet ka la amo?”. Ito ang kanyang tugon: “Unsempet ak la ta nadederal lay ulok dya”. Sa araw-araw na pananabik sa kanyang pamilya, masisiraan daw siya ng bait kung hindi siya uuwi. Iyan ang tinatawag na HOMESICKNESS.

Sa kabilang banda, meron rin naming mga nasanay na sa ibang bansa at parang wala nang balak bumalik pa sa Pilipinas.


The danger of feeling at home here on earth is that it blinds us of our heavenly calling; when that happens, we begin to live like enemies of the cross. The preposition at the beginning of verse 20 is somehow difficult to translate. If you are using the NKJV, what you see is the word “for”. The translators of the NKJV are much more better than me; they are scholars and I am nothing. But I have to make a decision, otherwise how can I teach you if I will not not exegetical decisions. I will go with the translations that translates this word as “but”. It seems to me that in context, Paul is emphasizing the difference between the lifestyle of two parties:


the enemies of the cross vs. the citizens of heaven;

their destiny is destruction; our destiny is salvation;

their god is their belly; we worship the true God;

they glory in their shame; we repent of the things that are shameful;

their mind is on earthly things; we look towards heaven.

Paul wants us to be constantly in a state of homesickness for heaven. Why? Because those who feel at home in this world will begin to develop sensual lifestyles. They will begin to worship their belies; they will start glorifying in their shame; they will be tempted to set their minds on earthly things. We must be longing for the day when Christ returns so that we will not fall into such worthless lifestyle. Though we cannot make a countdown for we do not know when the Lord shall return, we should be glad for every day that passes, for that means we are closer to the end. We are closer to our home today than yesterday.

J. Alec Motyer comments on the Greek verb translated as “eagerly wait”: “The verb (apekdechomai) expresses concentrated eagerness and persistence of expectation. It suggests an eye detached from every other object to watch only for him… ” (The Message of Philippians, The Bible Speaks Today Series).

There are many glorious things that we are excited about:

Ptr. Robbie is excited about having a pet lion in the Millenial kingdom;

some are excited about meeting biblical characters Paul or Abraham or David

some of you would like to have a chat with key persons in church history such as Augustine, Luther and Calvin;

I in particular would like to meet old friends from highschool, college, my former church; call it a heavenly reunion.

From this text we have two particular things to be excited about.

1. The Transformation of our Bodies

Paul describes this body as lowly (v.20), but on that day, it will be like his glorious body.

1CO 15: 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

“They are devoted to the body, worshipping and making a god of its appetites. But we, quite the reverse, look for its transformation” (J. Alec Motyer. The Message of Philippians, BST)

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?" (NIV)

Where o cancer is you power?

Where o diabetes is your sting?

You’re such a loser leukemia!

Same to you heart disease & liver disease; hypertension; and tuberculosis.

My Lord is victorious over you.

Rev. 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV)

Here on earth, doctors, nurses and other health workers are always busy because of the number of patients they have to attend to. But there will come a time when we will not need hospitals, clinics or health centers in heaven for no one will be sick there. Christian doctors, nurses and health workers will still be busy, but not with patients, but with gazing upon the beauty of the Lord.

There will be no more pains; all forms: financial difficulties, emotional wounds; bitter memories and shame, they will all be erased. It is the fulfillment of the promised glorification:

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day”

It is God’s testimony before all men that out faith was not in vain: 1 Cor. 15:19 “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”

2. The Subjecting of all things under God

V. 21: according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself

1 Cor. 15:24-26 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death

There will no more rebels against God; all nations, all kings, emperors, all politicians, all the world’s great shall bow down before the lordship of Christ. Even Satan himself will be rendered powerless. Every knee shall bow before him but it will be too late for them. They shall bow their knees in hell.

God’s Desired Effect in our lives

1. It must be a catalyst for holy living (1 John 3:2-3 But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.)

1 Thess. 5:4-6: But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. (NIV)

2. It should be a motivation for Christian service- Paul’s conclusion in discussing the doctrine of resurrection

1 cor. 15:58- Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
---------------------------------------------

Psalm 12:5 "I will now arise"

Psalm 12
Help, LORD, for the godly are no more;
the faithful have vanished from among men.

Everyone lies to his neighbor;
their flattering lips speak with deception.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue

that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;
we own our lips--who is our master?"

"Because of the oppression of the weak
and the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise," says the LORD.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."

And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times.

O LORD, you will keep us safe
and protect us from such people forever.

The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored among men.(NIV)
-------------------------------------------------------
Naglaho na ang mga matutuwid. Naubos na ang mga may takot sa Diyos. Ang salmista ay napapaligiran ng mga taong mapanlinlang at mapang-api. Ang masasama ay gagala-gala kung saan-saan. Sila'y nagkalat saan mang sulok. Ang kasamaan ay isang bagay na itinataas; ang kasalanan ay tinitingala ng mga tao. Higit sa lahat ng kasamaan, ang mga taong ito ay lantarang lumalapastangan sa Diyos. Hindi nila kinikilala ang awtoridad ng Panginoon. Ika nga nila sa talata 4: "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips--who is our master?". Ang mga taong ito ay walang kinikilalang panginoon. At habang namamayagpag, inaapi nila ang mga matutuwid. Kaya naman ang Salmista ay dumadaing sa panginoon upang humingi ng saklolo.

The Turning Point: Sa ikalimang talata, tumanggap ng pahayag mula sa Panginoon ang Salmista.

"Because of the oppression of the weak
and the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise," says the LORD.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."

1. Ang pagsaklolo ng Panginoon para sa mga naaapi at nangangailangan ay tiyak. “I will now arise”, ibig sabihin siya ay kikilos. Hindi siya manunuod lamang ng mga pangyayari. Meron siyang gagawin. Ang Panginoon ay may natatanging pagtingin sa mga dukha at nangangailangan. Sa Awit 35:10, inililigtas ng Diyos ang mga dukha mula sa mga mapag-aping ubod ng lakas. Mula sa mga makapangyarihang magnanakaw. Awit 140:12, “nalalaman ko na si YHWH ang nagtataguyod ng katarungan para sa mga dukha”.

2. Ang paghatol ng Panginoon sa mga mapang-api ay tiyak. Bakit? sapagkat ang hiling ng Salmista ay ang kapahamakan ng mga masasama. Talata 3: "May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue". Ito ay isang imprecatory request. Hinihingi ng Salmista na ipamalas ng Diyos ang kanyang katarungan sa pamamagitan ng pagpataw ng parusa sa mga masasama—mga parusang nararapat sa kanila. Ito ay tulad ng dalangin sa Awit 94:2, “Tumindig ka, o Hukom ng daigdig, ibigay mo sa mga hambog ang nararapat sa kanila.”

3. Yamang narinig ng Salmista ang tugon ng Panginoon, narito tayo sa ikatlong punto. Ang saligan ng ating katiyakan ay ang salita ng Diyos. Talata 6: "And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.". Ang salita ng Diyos ay dalisay. Ang salita ng Diyos ay lubos na mapagkakatiwalaan. Nang sinabi niyang sasaklolo siya, walang pag-aalinlangan na sasaklolo nga siya. Bagamat sa huling talata ay nagkalat pa rin ang masasama, ang talata 7 ay pahayag ng isang taong nakasandal sa pangakong binitiwan ng Diyos: "O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever." Pakakaingatan ng Diyos ang kanyang mga anak mula sa sa lahing ito na ubod ng sama.

Dapat nating ikagalak na ang Panginoon ay hindi bingi sa ating mga daing. Maaaring sa kagagawan ng mga makapangyarihang tayo, tayo ay agrabyado. Subalit meron naman tayong Diyos na matatakbuhan. Ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay umaapaw para sa kanyang mga anak na nangangailangan. Tiyak ang kanyang pagpagtatanggol sa atin. Siya rin ay Diyos na makatarungan. Ipapataw niya ang mga kaparusahang nararapat sa mga nagsasamantala sa atin.

Sagana ang kanyang pag-ibig sa atin. Mapagkakatiwalaan siya ng lubusan. Ating purihin ang Panginoon dahil sa kanyang pag-ibig, sa kanyang katapatan at sa kanyang katarungan.
-------------------------------------------------