My first visit to Baguio City was when I was still a teenager back in 1973. From Teachers Camp, it was easy to go Session Road or Burnham Park but after the passing of many decades, the whole city has become more congested with people and more vehicles of all types. It is for this reason that I usually don’t go to Session Road, the public market or the Burnham Park anymore when I visit Baguio City. I haven’t been to these places for decades now.
A view of Baguio City from the Dominican Hill
But yesterday, after visiting the Dominican Hill, my family and I were ready to go home but we somehow got lost in the city haha! Google Maps was no help at all. The GPS signal got lost many times as we drove in tight, sharp curves and steep roads due maybe to the city’s varying terrain and dense concentration of buildings. It got me even more confused and lost in the city.
And so I ended up at Burnham Park without me intending to hahaha! Since we were already there, we decided to park the car and check the series of souvenir shops nearby. My daughter was actually looking for a gift that she can give to her friend abroad and so that was timely.
At a souvenir shop at Burnham Park.
I saw a public toilet so we all went there. In my travels around the country, I have noticed that public toilets are no longer free. One has to pay in order to use the toilet. But this particular “comfort room” at Burnham Park amused me hahaha! They give a discounted price for senior citizens hahaha! I thought that was funny.
“Clean Comfort Room” at Burnham Park. Twenty Percent discount for senior citizens!
On our way to the souvenir shops, I noticed a homeless man sleeping in the park. I felt sorry for him and I wondered how he is able to survive the cold at night. It did rain a little bit but somehow it did not bother him at all nor did get up. Maybe he was just drunk and not a homeless man. I don’t really know.
Homeless man at Burnham Park?
After that unplanned shopping for souvenirs at Burnham Park, we went home back to Laguna. It was nice to drop by that park again after so many decades.
Many of us are familiar with what is called, “Murphy’s Law” which Google says “is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.'”
Ford Lynx 2000
Preparing the car in advance for a long trip, I usually have it checked. I went to my favorite car mechanic to have the brakes checked, had oil changed, engine checked and the mechanic said all was fine — ready to go. I usually clean the spark plug myself too and had the car washed — which seldom happens haha!
Aircon Busted!
After 18 years, aircon fan replaced with surplus part.
Then off we went yesterday and reached Petron at NLEX northbound where we stopped for lunch. And as I usually do, I routinely check the hood. To my surprise, the aircon fan was not working. No wonder, there were times when we felt hot inside. We noticed something was wrong. To make a long story short, we exited at Sta. Rita and looked for an aircon repair shop. I had the whole fan replaced with a “surplus” part. My car is already an old model year 2000 Ford Lynx. It’s difficult to find original parts these days for this old car. After 18 years, that aircon fan was replaced. Thankfully it was not the engine fan that got busted. Otherwise, the engine could have overheated. Then off we went again and reached the Tarlac exit.
Then it happened again. What can go wrong did go wrong again.
Ford Lynx 2000 at NLEX
Car Engine Dead!
Night shot. Thankfully, we were near the Toll Gate at the Tarlac exit.
Right after I paid the toll fee, I drove on but after a few seconds the car’s engine suddenly died. I coasted along and was able to park the car on the shoulder — thankfully. It was still near the toll gate.
Thanks again to the NLEX Corporation patrol crew. You have given us valuable help again without asking anything in return! God bless you more and more!
I really appreciate the patrol crew of NLEX Corporation because they helped us without asking for anything in return. They called a towing truck which brought us to a car shop in Tarlac City. We exited the expressway again.
This is not the first time these good folks at NLEX Corp. have assisted me. I’ve had interesting experiences before at NLEX when I suddenly got dizzy while driving a few years back. See my other blog on this one.
Thanks to Friends in Tarlac
I also thank the Lord for my church friends in Tarlac who helped me tow the car from the Tarlac exit to a car shop in the city. I’m ever grateful for such friends. It’s good to have friends all over the country!
Anyway, according to the Ford Lynx experts, it was the MAF Sensor that was busted. That is, the Mass Air Flow Sensor, which is an electronic part that controlled the air-fuel mixture and also, it had something to do with helping the alternator to function well — something like that — as I understood it from the expert mechanic.
It was tough looking for a replacement part all over the city because the mechanics said my car was already obsolete. It may take a long time before it could be replaced. My other alternative was to go to Apalit, Pampanga or to Banawe in Quezon City. What should I do? I prayed and petitioned the Lord some more to guide me and help me.
MAF Sensor Cleaning
MAF Sensor, that is, Mass Air Flow Sensor.
Then I searched the internet for this MAF sensor and found out on YouTube how to clean it. And then I suddenly remembered that my mechanic in Pampanga about six years ago told me he fixed my car problem by cleaning this MAF Sensor. And so very carefully, I cleaned it at the hotel. I went back to the shop where my car was parked and I installed it myself. And voila! The car engine started and no longer died! I can’t describe the feeling of joy!
Now I know. From now on, I’ll make sure I’ll clean that little part which can cause big trouble big time if not cleaned!
But then, I sensed that something was still wrong. But thankfully I noticed a hose and pointed it to the mechanic who now saw me and assisted me. When he touched it, we found out the hose was brittle and cut in half. That was another cause of the problem. In short, we replaced that hose and the car engine is working well again.
Hose replaced. The old hose was already brittle and broke in half. That caused a big problem.
I’m writing this like a telegram jumping here and there and making this story short haha! We’re still in a hotel in Tarlac but hopefully we can proceed with our trip with God’s blessing.
Dinner for the hungry folks after their ordeal haha! Sun Garden Hotel has a big swimming pool — partially seen in the background.
One sure thing is: God was with us all the time. I felt his love and care for us all along the way. We are actually enjoying our stay here at Sun Garden Hotel. It’s got fast internet connection and it has a big swimming pool. A good place to relax after all our troubles!
Thank you Lord!
I have a lot to write but I’ll do that later when I have more time. The exciting journey continues. Thanks to all who prayed for us as we faced this “exciting episode” in Tarlac! Thank you for remembering us in your prayers. Much appreciated!
Some people celebrate their birthdays and some don’t. Some spend a lot on lavish celebrations and some don’t. For Jinjie’s birthday yesterday, my wife and I just asked our daughter where she would like to have dinner with us on her birthday and she chose to go to TGIF at the Ayala Malls in Solenad. It was just a simple dinner and we just thanked God for the blessing of giving us our second daughter. We are blessed with two daughters. Children are indeed blessings from the Lord.
It was our first time to visit at TGIF Solenad — or, as they also call it, TGI Friday’s. It was our daughter’s choice. I was surprised that there were about 4 or 5 other people who were also celebrating their birthdays that evening. I guess TGIF is a place for birthdays and families. Interesting.
I gave my cellphone to one of the TGIF staff so she can take a video of us. Here’s the video below:
After dinner, we were served coffee for free and since my daughter was feeling cold already, we went outside TGIF where they also have tables. We had a relaxing time. TGI Friday’s at Solenad had a pleasant staff who served us well that night. Below is a video outside after we had dinner:
Last Sunday, September 16, I had the privilege again of giving a sermon in my home local church, the ReThink Community, a local congregation of my denomination, the Grace Communion International. Based on Mark 8:27-38, I spoke about who Jesus is and who we humans are in Jesus Christ — especially those who believe in Him.
Here’s my sermon outline. (Right below this text outline, I have also included the Facebook Live video of the message.)
A. Who is Jesus Christ?
At the beginning of the gospel of Mark, we the modern readers have the benefit of reading right away in Mark 1:1 as to who Jesus is. Mark tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
When Jesus baptized, God the Father said in Mark 1:11, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” God the Father identifies Jesus as his Son.
In Mark 1:23-24, an evil spirit identified Jesus and said, “I know who you are– the Holy One of God!” Jesus told him to keep quiet about his real identity. It was not yet time for Jesus to be revealed at that point in time. “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” (Mark 1:25).
When Jesus was alone with his 12 disciples and some others, “He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables” (Mark 4:10-11).
Jesus always talked in parables publicly. “But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” (Mark 4:33-34)
Jesus and his disciples went around Galilee preaching the good news and at one time they were in the middle of the lake. As Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat, there developed a thunderstorm with strong winds. The disciples were terrified and woke Jesus up. “They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41).
The evil spirits called Legion identified Jesus as the Son of the Most High God (Mark 5:7-9).
At one time Jesus revived a 12 year old girl who was already dead. “He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.” They were told to keep this a secret.
In his own hometown in Nazareth, Jesus was a nobody to his relatives and town mates. “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” (Mark 6:3) Coming back to his hometown, Jesus was considered as just one of the ordinary guys. That is who Jesus was to them — just a nobody.
A lot of speculation developed as to who Jesus really was.
“King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead.” (Mark 6:14-16)
After miraculous feeding of the 5,000 Jesus told the disciples to go ahead on the boat going to Bethsaida. In the evening, they were already in the middle of the lake rowing hard when Jesus was about to pass them by walking on water! They were terrified thinking Jesus was a ghost! Same question: “Who is this man?” (Mark 6:44-52)
The deaf-mute whom Jesus healed was told to keep quiet, but I guess he was practicing his new skill in talking after being healed of being mute (Mark 7:35-36).
The Pharisees also came to question who Jesus was and asked him for a miraculous sign. But Jesus would not give them any sign at all (Mark 8:11-12).
So, Who was Jesus According to the People?
So, who was Jesus Christ according to people’s views about him? The disciples answered that people thought he was John the Baptist, Elijah or some other prophet. There were a lot guessing. (Mark 8:27-28)
But Who was Jesus According to his Disciples?
But then Jesus asked the disciples themselves for their opinion of who Jesus was. And Peter was quick to answer (Mark 8:29). And then they were told to keep quiet about it. (Mark 8:30)
Who Jesus is According to Jesus
And then Jesus told them who the real Messiah is in Mark 8:31. When Peter said, “You are the Christ,” he had the right answer, but he had the wrong concept of the Messiah. He thought of a conquering king like old times during the time of King David and Solomon.
B. Who Are we in Jesus Christ?
Who are we in Jesus Christ? We are his followers. We are his disciples. But does it entail when we claim to be a follower of Jesus? “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Greek, Christianos, meaning a follower of Jesus. A Christian is a disciple or a follower of Jesus.
What it means to be a follower of Jesus?
At this point in time, Jesus began to go public. He not only talked to his disciples, but he also invited the crowd — the public, to listen as well.
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
Here Jesus begins to explain what it means to be a follower or disciple of Jesus: it’s self-denial and cross-bearing. Here we see where this road of discipleship will lead to: losing one’s life. And it’s going to be messy!
Deny Oneself
Denying oneself – not just moralistic changes in behavior or delaying satisfaction for future benefits. But a total change in our thinking. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Focused on Christ. Become Christ-centered, not self-centered.
Self-denial does not mean seeking or embracing abuse for its own sake, as if suffering is something we like. Jesus spent over seven chapters in Mark healing the sick and helping people. He was not promoting suffering. He was not endorsing suffering as something to look forward to.
The kind of suffering Jesus is talking about is in Mark 8:35, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
This kind of unjust suffering is because we are followers of Jesus and we are not ashamed of it. We don’t deny Jesus just like Peter denied him 3 times at one time in his life. This kind of unjust suffering is because we are living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
But if we are suffering because we are sinning and doing wrong, being evil and causing harm to others, that’s not the suffering we are talking about.
Cross-bearing
Taking up our cross does not mean simply enduring unto the end. The cross meant death. It means giving up our own reputation and life.
Conclusion:
So, Who is Jesus Christ? He is our Savior and Lord. He is the Messiah. He suffered and died but was resurrected, ascended to heaven and will return.
And Who are we? We are God’s children. We are followers of Jesus Christ and we are ready deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus. And we are waiting for his return when we shall be changed and have glorified bodies just like Jesus has. That’s who we are my friends!
May this good news about who Jesus is and who we are in Jesus inspire us to carry on, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.
May I share this Facebook Live video of this message beginning at about 23:48.
Magandang araw po! Eto po si Pastor Len Joson. Alam nyo po ba na tayo daw ay patay na at si Kristo na ang nabubuhay sa atin? Pag-usapan natin ‘to saglit:
Sinabi ni Apostol Pablo sa Galatia 2:20:
“Namatay na akong kasama ni Cristo sa krus. Hindi na ako ang nabubuhay ngayon kundi si Cristo na ang nabubuhay sa akin. At habang ako’y nabubuhay pa sa katawang-lupa, mamumuhay ako sa pananalig sa Anak ng Diyos na umibig sa akin at naghandog ng kanyang buhay para sa akin.”
Ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo, kasama daw po siya ni Kristo na pinako sa krus. Nang mamatay si Kristo sa krus dahil sa ating mga kasalanan, kasama din daw po siyang namatay. Tayong lahat na mga tao ay nakasama rin kay Kristo sa kanyang pagkapako sa krus at tayong lahat ay patay na. Inako ni Kristo ang lahat ng ating mga kasalanan at siya ay namatay para sa atin.
Kaya daw po, hindi na tayo ang nabubuhay kundi si Kristo na — na nasa atin. Si Kristo na banal at matuwid ay siya nang nabubuhay para sa atin. Dahil dito, dapat lang na tayo ay sumang-ayon, sumunod at tumupad sa mga pagsusumamo, pag-gising, pagpukaw at pagpapa-alala sa atin ng Bahal na Espirito ni Kristo na nasa atin. Huwag po nating suwayin. Huwag po nating tanggihan. Huwag po nating kontrahin si Kristo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Espirito na nasa atin na siyang gumagawa at tayo’y hinuhubog at binabago na maging katulad ni Kristo na banal at matuwid.
Dahil dito, sabi ni Apostol Pablo na siya daw po ay namumuhay na — na may buong pusong paniniwala at pananalig sa Anak ng Diyos. Buong-buo ang kanyang tiwala at pananalig na si Kristo na ang nabubuhay para sa kanya upang siya ay gawing ganap at kumpletong banal at matuwid. Lahat po ng eto ay ginagawa niya dahil sa laki ng kanyang pagmamahal sa ating lahat.
Eto po si Pastor Len Joson na nakikipagkuwentohan sa inyo tungkol sa Pagkakaisa at Pagkakasundo kay Hesu Kristo.
Pakinggan ang audio na mp3 dito po (2 min, 51 sec)
Background Music Credit: “What a Beautiful Sunset – radio mix!” Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
