Monthly Archives: October 2013

Who is God?

It’s All About Faith

Leave a comment

“It’s all about faith,” some would say. Usually, what they mean is that salvation has nothing to do with “works.” This is the view of those who believe that all we need is “faith” in order to be saved. On the other hand, some people may believe that “doing good works” is very important in order to attain salvation. Either way, in both of these two points-of-view, they do show a certain kind of conviction, a certain belief on something. That is, both do exhibit some kind of faith in what they stand for, in what they believe in.

Atheists, Agnostics Have Belief Too!

Even atheists who say they don’t believe that God exists, do believe in something. That is, they really do believe that God does not exist. Without them realizing it, they actually have a belief too. That’s their faith, their conviction. Even agnosticism is some kind of belief too—they claim neither faith nor disbelief in God. Their claim is their belief. So in this sense, it’s all about faith.

Everyone Has Faith

Some people may trust a certain politician or theologian but not another. Some believe the earth is flat. That is their faith. Believers in evolution are just that too. They also believe in something—they believe that we all come from monkeys through evolution. That’s their faith. Some scientists don’t believe in God. That is their religion too—their belief. Some have faith in their faith—they “declare it,” “name it and claim it.” That’s another belief too. Believers in Calvinism, Trinitarianism, Arminianism, Buddhism, communism, you name it—these are all beliefs. It would seem to me then that really, “it’s all about faith.”

Faith in the Faith of Christ

Faith does have an important role in our lives. And the most important faith that one needs to have — in so far as I’m concerned — is to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not my faith but the faith of Christ that will carry me through. Trust him with all of your life. Of course, that is my personal belief — my kind of faith.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”


(KJV Galatians 2:20)
Life & Love, Who is God?

Wanted: Men and Women of Integrity

Leave a comment
integrity
Pork Barrel

Due to the pork barrel scam, a lot of government officials and others in the private sector are in the hot seat right now and are in the eyes of the public already guilty of graft and corruption. That’s just how it is. Aided by media, people can easily judge and condemn others without due process. Are these people guilty or not? Hopefully, we’ll soon find out who are really guilty and who are not and hopefully, may justice really prevail “without fear or favor.”

Is Honesty Still Important?

This reminds me of what the psalmist said in Psalm 15. He asked, “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?” (Psalm 15:1) In other words—if I may take the liberty of interpreting and applying this hymn or song into our modern times—the psalmist was asking, “Lord, who is worthy to enter your kingdom of heaven and live with you for all eternity?”

And the psalmist answered his own question by saying that this kind of person has this kind of attitude and character: “The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent” (Psalm 15:2-5).

These are men and women of integrity. They are not corrupt and will not accept bribes. They have pure hearts willing to serve God and their fellowmen. They fully trust their lives to God no matter what.

The psalmist assures people with integrity that they will have their place in God’s kingdom by concluding, “Whoever does these things will never be shaken” (Psalm 15:5). Their reward is assured. They will be in God’s kingdom. The Lord will gladly welcome them with open arms.

With so many corrupt people in government, we really need more people with integrity to lead our people and our country today.

Life & Love, Photography

Nikon 50mm Lens and Lumix GF1

Leave a comment

Up to now, I’m still learning and trying to figure out how to use my 33-year old 50mm Nikon lens attached to a modern Lumix GF1 camera body. I learned on the internet that a 50mm lens is really a very good lens and it has encouraged me to use it again. I learned that these are now called legacy lenses. The only problem with this legacy lens is that it has no electronic connection to the new and modern camera body like the GF1.

So, I need to focus manually and this can take time. Added to my dilemma is that my GF1 has no lens viewfinder. You have to use the LCD screen at the back of the camera to view your subject and sometimes when the sun is quite bright, I can’t see the LCD screen quite clearly due to the glare. Having no auto-focus and no lens viewfinder is quite a challenge in capturing really sharp photos. These are some of the challenges I’ve noticed with my camera and lens. Maybe a lens viewfinder attachment will solve this problem.

Despite the disadvantages, I’m still enjoying this legacy lens and it’s producing really good shots.

Related Topics:

Life & Love

ADSCO: High School Days

Leave a comment

For some folks, it was their high school days that were the most memorable moments in their lives. Of course I realize that some would say it was when they were in college. Oh well, whatever. But for me, it was definitely in high school at Agusan del Sur College (ADSCO), my alma mater that I enjoyed the most. I was carefree and did not really think so much about life, religion and all that stuff. I just wanted to have fun haha! It’s maybe because I was in my own hometown where I had lots of friends and the place was very familiar to me. In college, away from home and living in a very big city of Manila, I felt lost, alone and only had a few real friends.

Every morning, I’m reminded of my high school alma mater as I drink my hot chocolate in my favorite mug. It was given to me by the school’s president. I was also given a wrist watch. Isn’t that great?

Life & Love

Good Samaritans During Calamities

Leave a comment

When I visited Cabanatuan City last Sunday, I did not expect to see so much damage and destruction along the way. The place was hit by typhoon Santi. And yesterday, another major earthquake of 7.2 magnitude shook Visayas and Mindanao. Hardest hit was Bohol where the epicenter was. As of last night there were already 93 reported dead and hundreds of casualties. Many more deaths are expected as reports come in.

Typhoon Santi

Good Samaritans Still Exist

President Noy Aquino and some of his cabinet members are now on the way to Tagbilaran to asses the situation and help the victims. Some centuries old churches and buildings were destroyed both in Cebu and in Bohol. It’s sad to see these historical and tourist sites ruined. On the other hand, I’m just glad to see that despite the calamities, there are still a lot of “good Samaritans” — good people and organizations who are ready and willing to help those who are in need of help at this time. I’m glad that civic-oriented groups and churches aside from the government are getting ready or are already helping victims of calamities.