The End

So much has been going around that today, the 21st of May 2011, would be the end of the world. If that were so, then that would mean someone finally had a peek at God’s master plan.

Let me explain in very simple yet biblical ways.

1. Matthew 24:36-37 (The Message) But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows. The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

We all have been warned that there will be some who will say this and that about His coming back.

2. Mark 13:21-22 (New International Version) At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

No one knows BUT the signs are clear…we are probably now living in the last few chapters or pages of what was revealed to John in the book of Revelation which, by the way, is the last book in the Bible.

3. Matthew 24:6-8 (Amplified Bible) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].

So some may say “Ok so it’s not the end yet…ok I’m fine…thanks.”

My friends, look around you and I know you do sense that things aren’t really getting any better. I need not enumerate what has transpired in the last decade alone to prove to you where the world’s road is headed. Some may now be thinking…”Yes! I’ve sensed it and lived in denial for some time now. What must I do? I am scared.” Or some may even be in a situation like… “I never believed in anything that pertained to one particular god or deity. But something in me keeps tugging at my heart, that something is going on and it’s far bigger than my unbelief. What’s going on? What must I do?”

We live in a dying time where man is still given his final chance to make a decisive stand; a declaration that no matter what happens, there is only One that man will trust and believe in….and that is Christ Jesus. There must be a reason why He is called SAVIOR, and it is only when He finally resides in man’s heart that man is finally and eternally saved.

So when will this Savior come to rescue and take home those who are saved?Maybe this will show you how it will happen.

4. Matthew 24: 39-44 (New International Version) That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Think now my friend…I pray you choose to be one of those taken instead of left behind.

Live each day as if it’s the last, because even if the end of the world doesn’t come today, your personal end may.

Some may feel as if it’s still a long ways off but maybe this will shed some light on just how close we really are to “D’ Day.”

5. Matthew 24:33-34 (New Living Translation) In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.

Do not be afraid. Regardless of what religion you may be a part of, if your heart feels like it is being called, it most probably is Jesus making you know that He has your “flight ticket” ready. All He’s waiting for is your call….your choice.

God bless you my friend. If i never get to see you here, I do hope and pray i get to see you … THERE.

by Gary Valenciano

Umagang Kay Ganda

by Max Bringula Chavez

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good." - Gen. 1:3-4

Isa sa mga dakilang nilikha ng Diyos na ating namamalas at nararanasan araw-araw ay ang pagsapit ng liwanag sa umaga. Kapag nababanaag na ang unti-unting pagtaas ng araw sa kalangitan, habang mula sa durungawan ng ating silid ay makikita ang dahan-dahang pagsilip ng araw, kasabay ng pagtilaok ng alagang tandang o ang pagtunog ng orasan, ito’y nagsasabing “umaga na”.

Ang araw ay ngumingiti at nagsasabing “magandang morning” na hudyat na rin para tayo’y gumising, tumindig at harapin ang bagong hamon na dala ng isang umagang kay ganda.

Kung kaya’t kahit pupungas-pungas pa, kahit may muta’t laway pa, tayo’y bumangon na at suklian din ng isang matamis na ngiti ang pagbati ng araw at pagsasabing “salamat O Diyos sa isang umagang kay ganda na muli mong kaloob”.

Sadyang kay ganda ng umaga. Pagka’t ito’y pagkakataong ibinibigay Niya upang maranasan ang Kanyang kagandahang-loob at mamalas ang Kanyang walang-hanggang kapangyarihan. Ito’y pagkakataon upang patuloy na makapag-impok ng kayamanan sa kalangitan – ang makagawa ng kabutihan sa kapwa, makapaghayag ng Kaniyang Salita, at makapaglingkod sa Kanyang ubasan. Ito’y pagkakataon natin na maluwalhati ang Diyos sa buhay na bigay Niya.

Kung kaya’t wag sayangin ang bawat umagang dumarating. Wag sayangin ang bawat araw na idinurugtong Niya upang sa pagsapit ng gabi ay di manghihinayang at magwiwika ng “sayang” pagkat di naipamuhay ng tama at lubos ang umagang kaloob.

Naalala ko ang linya sa pelikulang “Pahiram ng Isang Umaga” na sinambit ng pangunahing karakter sa pelikula (na ginampanan ni Vilma Santos) habang nakatanaw sa karagatan at pinagmamasdan ang unti-unting pagsikat ng araw sa dalamapasigan, habang dumarampi ang hangin sa kanyang mahina na ng katawan, at nakasandal na lamang sa bisig ng kanyang mahal sanhi ng malubhang karamdaman, habang habol ang hininga na unti-unti nang napapawi, nai-usal niya ang katagang “kay ganda ng umaga, ang sarap mabuhay”. At pagkatapos niyo'y hininga'y tuluyan ng pumawi.

Nawa'y di sumapit na tayo'y agaw-hininga na bago makita't madama ang ganda ng umaga na kaloob Niya at manghinayang na di nalasap ang tamis ng buhay na bigay Niya.

Ang bawat umagang kaloob Niya ay tunay na kay ganda. Ito’y lasapin natin at damhin at ipamuhay ng lubos. Kahiman lubhang madilim ang gabing lumipas, nakakatitiyak pa rin na may magandang umagang darating.

Pagkat bawat araw na kaloob Niya ay taglay ang umagang kay ganda.

Nakikita mo ba’t nadarama?

Isang Pagbubulay-bulay

Lumaban Ka

by Max Bringula

“Lumaban ka… huwag kang takbo ng takbo” – yan ang nagkakaisang tinig na isinisigaw ng mga nakapanood sa kalaban ni Pacman na si Shane Mosley.

“It’s a shame, Shane. What happened to you? You hardly fought. Who do you think you are, the Lakers?” Ang nakatutuwang message na aking nabasa sa Twitter account ko.

Nakadidismaya nga ang labang Pacman-Mosley dahil walang nakitang umaatikabong sagupaan ng dalawang boksingero. Pulos offensive lang ang ipinamalas ni Mosley sa labindalawang round, kaya nga’t ang biruan ng marami ay “Mosley defensive” si Mosley.

Itong si Manny ang umaatake na siya niya ng style sa halos lahat ng kanyang laban. Maliksi, determinado, di nagsasayang ng oras, lumalaban.

Sa larangan ng buhay, pisikal man o espirituwal, ganito ang dapat sa atin – lumalaban. Fight the good fight. Hindi yung suntok hangin na walang tinatamaan o nararating.

Ano man ang ating katayuan sa buhay o larangang ating ginagalawan, mahalaga na tayo ay lumalaban. Hinaharap ang mga pagsubok at mga hamon ng buhay. Hindi tinatakbuhan.

Gayundin sa ating relasyon sa Panginoon, sa araw-araw nating paglakad tungo sa kabanalan. Dapat tayong lumaban. Hinaharap ang kaaway na pilit na iginugupo ang pananampalatayang taglay.

“Fight the good fight of the faith”.

Ang tunay na pananampalatayang angkin ay dapat nakikita sa buhay. Matatag, hindi natitinag ng ano mang bagyong dumating.

Ang buhay natin sa mundong ibabaw ay tulad ng boxing arena kung saan ikaw at iyong kalaban ay naroroon upang ipamalas ang angking lakas at galing at tanghalin ang pinakamahusay.

Sa labang iyon, tayo’y pinapanood. Sa ating pagbagsak, naghuhumiyaw ang kalaban. Subalit sa ating pagtayong muli, sa ating pagharap sa kalaban at pagpapakita ng husay at galing, ang Diyos ay nalulugod at nagsasabing “Anak ko iyan!”

Kaya nga’t paka-limiin ang sarili. Tayo ba’y lumalaban, o tulad ni Mosley, takbo lamang ng takbo ang ginagawa natin sa pag-atake ng kalaban. Pulos defensive o pagharang lamang ang ating ginagawa sa halip na harapin ang sa ati'y nagnanais na tayo’y pabagsakin.

“Greater is He that is in us than the one that is in the world”. - 1 John 4:4

Lumaban ka. Fight the good fight of the faith.

Alay Kay Inay

by Max Bringula

Iba’t iba ang tawag natin sa kanila. May Ina, Nanay, Inay, Inang, Nanang, Mommy, Mama, Mamang, Ma, Mom, at kung anu-ano pa. Tinatawag natin sila sa pangalan o paraang tumutungkol sa kanilang pagmamahal at pag-aaruga sa atin.

Tinatawag natin sila ayon din sa antas ng ating pamumuhay. Kaming magkakapatid, “Nanay” o “Nay” ang tawag namin pagkat kami’y laking-Maynila at mula sa maralitang pamilya. Sa lalawigan, kadalasa’y “Inay” o “Inang” ang tawag, lalo na sa ka-Tagalugan.

Sa mga nakaririwasa o yung nasa alta-sosyedad, tawag nila’y “Mommy”, “Mama” o “Mom” o kaya’y simpleng “Mother”.

Sa gay lingo, “Madir” naman ang madalas kong naririnig. At sa mga moderno at nagpapaka-iba, ang tawag nila'y 'Dada" o "Mommy-yo". Minsa'y "Mommie Dearest" o "Dear Mom" na animo'y kumakatha ng sulat.

Maging ang mga sanggol o batang nagsisimula pa lamang magsalita, sila’y nakasasambit ng mga katagang katugma o kasing-tunog ng salitang “Nanay” o “Mom” o “Mama”, tulad ng “Na” o “Ma” o “Ma-ma”.

Marami pa marahil ang maiisip nating itawag sa ating dakilang ina, at marami pang bagong termino ang papailanglang sa mga darating na panahon, subalit wala pa rin makatutumbas at makapaghahayag alin man sa mga salitang ito ng dakilang pagmamahal na iniukol ng ina sa kanyang mga anak.

Mula sa kanyang sinapupunan hanggang sa tayo'y iluwal sa mundong ito, ang kanilang pag-aaruga at pagmamahal ay iniukol sa atin ng higit pa sa kanilang buhay.

Pagod di'y alintana matiyak lamang ang ating kaayusan. Walang-sawang nagbabantay na kahit lamok ay di hahayaang dumapo sa atin. Ipagsasanggalan ang katawan sa sinumang kumanti o manakit sa atin.

At ngayong tayo'y malaki na, may sarili ng lakad at nais sa buhay, naroroon pa rin ang uri ng pagmamahal ng isang ina na kailanma’y di nagmaliw. Lumuluha sa ating mga kabiguan, sa ating paglisan at sa minsang pagkakalimot nating maalala sila. Nagagalak sa ating tagumpay at sa ating pagdating. Pinakahihintay-hintay ang sandaling atin silang naaalala.

Sa dakilang araw ng Mother's Day, nais kong ialay ang panulat na ito sa aking pinakamamahal na ina, na kung hindi sa kanyang dakilang pagmamahal ay wala ako rito sa mundong ibabaw. Walang isang Max Bringula na ngayo’y tumitipa upang kathain ang “Alay Kay Inay” bilang pasasalamat sa pagmamahal na inihandog di lang ng aking ina kungdi ng bawat Nanay sa kanilang mga anak.

At sa lahat ng mga anak na nakakabasa ng panulat na ito, huwag sayangin ang bawat araw nang di maipaabot sa kanila ang ating taus-pusong pasasalamant. Atin silang bisitahin, pasyalan, tawagan, i-text, i-eMail, i-chat, at iba’t iba pang pamamaraang available sa atin ngayon upang marinig nila at mabatid kung gaano sila kahalaga sa atin. Pagka’t kungdi natin gagawin ngayon ito, kailan pa? Bawat araw na lumilipas ay di na natin maibabalik pa.

Life is a Journey

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” – Romans 8:37

Out of curiosity, I decided to watch AJ Perez’ (Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez in real life) lead-role performance in Maala-ala Mo Kaya that was aired last Saturday, April 30 in ABS-CBN.

Aptly titled “Tsinelas”, said episode of MMK was his first in this popular weekly drama-anthology and his final performance as an actor before he met his tragic end at the very young age of 18 in the fatal accident in Paniqui, Tarlac on that fateful morning just after midnight of 17 April 2011.

True to its form, MMK never failed its viewers in bringing out moving performances from its actors that eventually touched the lives and hearts of many. “Tsinelas” is one of them. AJ Perez is in his best spirit in the role of a teenager Edgar who due to turn of fate was left homeless and decided what many believe was impossible – to travel on foot from Manila to Catbalogan, Samar to look for their relatives.

Together with his younger brother, Dagul, played by child actor, Bugoy Carino, they traverse the road and highways leading to aimed destination and along the way, endured the heat and rain, hunger and exhaustion, and even the cruelty of man. It was not an easy and joyful walk, but armed with sheer determination and faith, they finally reached the place after the tedious and long journey. Though strenuous, the journey nevertheless brings in them valuable lessons in life and the realization of valuing one’s relationship.

It dawns on me whle watching this episode that Edgar’s journey is akin to one’s own journey in life. That though we may not physically walking on foot, yet like him, we too, are treading our own roads where lessons are learned from failures and successes, from defeat and winning, in storms and in peace, when full or empty, when alone or with many.

“Katulad ng magkapatid, hindi madali ang ating paglalakbay sa buhay. May mga panahong ma-araw at mayroon din namang maulan. May mga daang maganda, pero mayroon din namang malubak. Pero ang bawat paghakbang natin pati na ang mga panadaliang paghinto ay naghahatid sa atin ng mga kaalaman at karanasang humuhulma sa ating pagkatao. At sa huli, nauunawaan natin na kasabay ng ating paglaki ay ang pagtanggap sa mga pananagutan at ang kahandaang humarap sa mga hamong kaakibat nito.” – as narrated by Charo Santos-Concio in MMK.

Life here on earth is a journey towards our home the Lord had prepared for us - for those that believe in His Name. It may not be easy, but it’s worth the walk.
Shield with strong faith in the Almighty God who never fail or leave us, and believing that in Him, “nothing is impossible”, we can reach our destination and complete the journey.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Through Him, we can overcome.

Walk then with faith and complete the journey.

Isang Pagbubulay-bulay
by Max Bringula Chavez

A Great Work Ahead of Us

“Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” – 1 Cor. 15:58

I was watching the news of Pope John Paul II beatification held at Vatican Square that drew an audience of more than a million of people from all over the world, Filipinos included, to witness the ceremony. 200,000 of them even held a vigil the night before.

Pope John Paul II is indeed blessed, no doubt about that. Blessed with a big heart to love and reach out to millions of faithful that put their trust in this institution.

He was well-loved in return. The euphoria of emotions seen in this occasion explains it, ranging from the usual tears of joy to the pride of personnally known him or physically met him, and who is now exalted and put in the altar amongs the many other so called “saints” in whom one can pray and seek intercession.

The things, objects, places and every bits and pieces that the Pope used, worn, touched, rode in, visited to and everthing else connected to him are now sacred and venerated. Even his blood poured from his dead body is now a relic.

I even saw Filipinos now touching the vehicle once used by the Pope when he visited the Philppines many years back.

I knew there would be a lot more of this eerie feeling in the days to come, or months or years. Much even more when they turns him into sainthood.

I’ve no personal grudge against the good-hearted Pope who visited the Philippines more than once, the very first one of which, am myself was there, not a far distance, when I was then living in the convent among the nuns and priests.

But my heart is grieved now for millions of people who were innocently swayed with this faith which I knew so well that God is not pleased.

I’m very much concern of what would happen to the world that despises the Truth of God. I’m afraid of what would occur to the Philippines when His righteous judgement come.

The Bible speaks a lot on how God abhors this act of man.

Hear this and contemplate what He says – “I am the LORD thy God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:2-6)

What are we doing then people of God? Have we step out? Have we go our way to share the Gospel to thousands and thousands of souls perishing daily?

The time is coming. The end is near. The signs are everywhere of the last days.

Get out of your comfort zone – teach, preach, share the Word of God in every nooks and highways, in the fields and the deserts, in every heart of man.

A great and hard work is ahead of us. Each is called to be a “fishers of man”. Each is commissioned to go out and teach and preach the Gospel in every way we can. Live in such a way that our words and deeds are Gospel for them to hear and read.

Yes, there is a great work ahead of us. Now is the time to move and act. Remember this, we have to give an account of ourselves before God for every little thing we did while still here on earth.

“Be steadfast, therefore, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that our labor is not vain in the Lord.” – 1 Cor. 15:58

Isang Pagbubulay-bulay
by Max Bringula Chavez

The Real Saints

"All the saints send their greetings." - 2 Corinthians 13:13

The beatification of Pope John Paul II into Blessedness and later on into Saint when canonized which is not a far-fetched thing to happen, brings into mind the question of “who the real saints are”.

Sino nga ba ang mga tunay na Santo o Santa? Sila ba’y yaong mga namatay na at pagkatapos ay gagawing Santo o Santa batay sa desisyon ng tao o ng organisasyon o Iglesya? O yaong mga buhay pa’t tinatawag na “Saints” na siyang binabanggit sa Bibliya?

Santo o Santa ang tawag sa nilalang na ang buhay ay puspos ng kabanalan. Bagama’t sa Ingles ay isang salita lang ang gamit, “saints” (babae man o lalaki).
Ano nga ba ang katotohan sa salitang “Santo” or saints?

Mahalagang malaman natin ang tamang kahulugan ng salitang “Santo” at kung sino ang pinatutungkulan nito sa Banal Niyang Aklat. Pagkat sa ating kapanahunan ay maraming lalabas na bulaang guro na magdadala sa marami sa maling aral.

Ito ang babalang winika ng Panginoon, "Watch out that you are not deceived." (Luke 21:8)

Na ang “Santo” raw ay yaong mga patay na at pagkatapos ng pagsusuri ay iluluklok bilang Santo pagkat buhay nila’y kinakitaan ng kabanalan at may himala silang ginawa nang nabubuhay pa.

Ito ba ang isinasaad sa Banal na Kasulatan? Ito ba ang itinuturo ng Kanyang Salita?

Tunghayan natin ang mga sumusunod na talata:

Sa Romans 1:7 - "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints." Tinawag ni Pablo na santo ang mga mananampalataya sa Rome. Sila’y mga buhay pa.

Sa Psalms 30:4 - "Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name." Umawit daw at magpuri sila sa Kanyang Pangalan. Uli, sila’y mga buhay pa at umaawit pa nga.

Sa Acts 9:32 - "As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda." Si Pedro ay bumisita sa bayan ng Lydda kung saan naroroon ang mga santo. Sila’y mga buhay pa at hindi sementeryo ang binisita niya sa Lydda.

Sa 2 Cor 13:13 - "All the saints send their greetings." Ang lahat daw ng santo ay bumabati sa kapwa mananampalataya. Sila’y mga buhay pa at nagpapadala pa nga ng greetings na kung may SMS o eMail na siguro noon ay ito ang kanilang gagamiting pagbati.

Kung tayo'y kumikilala sa Panginoong Hesus bilang Diyos, Panginoon at ating Tagapagligtas, tayo ang tunay na “Santo”. We are the real saints.

Tayo ang mga santo at hindi ang mga santo at santang nasa altar at simbahan na niluluhuran ng marami, pinupunasan at dinarasalan.

“Huwag tayong padaraya." Luke 21:8

Isang Pagbubulay-bulay
by Max Bringula Chavez