Balagtas, Bulacan

John 9:4 
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:
the night cometh, when no man can work. 


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Be kind. Share your thoughts.

Popular Posts

The Great Imbalance

Image
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:4 W e have long observed that when a right knowledge of God travels from the head down to the heart, it moves the feet, and brings forth a courage most peculiar. It is not the boisterous boldness of a loud nature, but a 'fearful apprehension' of the Almighty that simply outweighs the trembling fear of men. We see this same Spirit in the scholars and heralds of old, who found that their deep study was but a fire that must eventually find a vent. Among them was Hugh Binning, the youthful professor, who left the safety of his parchment to speak plainly to thick crowds of common folk, laboring his very soul to death by the age of twenty-six. There was George Wishart, who forsook the academic life to stand atop the stone walls of Dundee, preaching between the living and the dying. He was a Scottish Protestant Reformer and one of the early Protestant martyrs burned at the stake as a heretic. ...
Read more

Trabajo Market, Sampaloc, Manila

Image
My daughter and I found ourselves with a span of some three-quarters of an hour to fill before it was time to fetch her sister from the schoolhouse. And what better way to redeem this fleeting time than to employ our hands in the Lord's service, distributing the newly printed tracts we had on hand? The school’s dormitory was situated in the very middle of a bustling market area, where a constant stream of souls hurried by. Having parked but one street away, I took my stand at a quiet spot upon the side and began the work of handing them out. I confess that, for the first portion of this whole episode, the multitude did mostly ignore me. And so I was compelled to call out to them, declaring that the gift was free of all charge, costing them no expense, and was simply being given away. For you see, there was a time in this very locality when some "street preachers" did stand upon the street to deliver the Gospel, but they carried with them envelopes, openly asking for m...
Read more

Street Meeting Thirty Sixth

Image
T he Lord's Day is the most laborious and strenuous day of all the week for me. How differently did I once spend it! When we were yet in religion, our concern after the accustomed duties were ended was where the family should spend the remainder of the day, what cinema we should attend, or at which fine restaurant we should eat. Thus I thought to render somewhat unto God, and reserve the rest unto ourselves. I saw no great contradiction in it then. Having done those things which I accounted Christian, I persuaded myself that I had done God service, and the remaining hours might therefore be disposed of according to our own pleasure. I grievously decided what portion of the day God should receive, and was altogether insensible both to the command and to the duty of the day. Religion had received its portion, and self-indulgence might have what remained. How little did I understand that I was still my own master, even whilst imagining myself to be serving God. This late evening...
Read more

The Silent Christian's Hatred

Image
Journal Entry. 8th of September, 2023. Morning, 5:34.  The world declares its hatred of God by violence and rebellion. The man of the world saith in his heart, "There is no God . I will live unto myself until I die . Trouble me not, but leave me to my religion in peace." ( Psalms 14:1 |  Luke 12:19a |  Amos 7:12) Thus he casts off the rule of Christ, refuses His yoke, and desires only that he might be left undisturbed to walk in his own way. But may not the nominal Christian speak another language of hatred, though with a quieter tongue? His rebellion makes little noise. He strikes no blow, utters no blasphemy, and perhaps would shrink from being numbered amongst the enemies of Christ. Yet he saith within himself, "I do well to remain silent, even unto death. Trouble me not, but leave me to my religion in peace." The one would have Christ silent that he might continue in his rebellion; the other would himself remain silent that Christ might never disturb anothe...
Read more

Genesis

Image
Journal Entry. Thirty First of August, Twenty Twenty Sixth. Morning. Second hour. I have at length mustered courage enough to begin writing in my notebook; and now that the first chapter of the book of Genesis is committed unto the page, there is no going back. The undertaking before me is no small one. I suppose it may require the better part of two years to accomplish, should the Lord lend me such time; and even this consideration made me somewhat fearful of beginning. For near two weeks I had been preparing myself for it, trying one manner of handwriting and then another, considering carefully how much space each would require, yet unwilling to purchase economy at the expense of plainness. I desired a hand small enough that much might be contained upon the page, but sufficiently clear that what is now written may still be comfortably read in years to come. But preparation must at length give way to doing. The empty page cannot forever remain empty. How far the Lord shall permit my...
Read more

In The Rain

Image
S aturday afternoon found me in the rain with barely a bus ride's worth of sleep from two nights straight since Thursday at work. I broke off from the usual drive to and from Pasay City and took the commute instead as I needed some time to think and flush my mind from the deluge of worldly matters at work. By the Lord's providence, the bus ride home gave me time to rest and sleep. Had I driven myself home I wouldn't have the strength to go out again after just an hour between arriving and going out again to meet my brother Miguel some miles away to preach to the people. Common sense will tell me to rest after wearing myself out, yet if I can wear myself out attending to worldly matters, how much more effort should I give to my Lord's work? The weather also does not seem to be appropriate for such a task, but as I later found out, rain is one of a street preacher's best friend. It forces people to seek shelter and renders them immobile for some time, enough ...
Read more

The Exciting Life of Stewardship

Image
When it comes to the subject of money, in the church, everyone is divided and has their own take about it. Discussing it makes everyone unconsciously put their hands suddenly on their wallets with caution, "I can listen to the pastor talk about money but I hope he only refers to other people's money, not mine" . Filipinos have this warped selfish mentality that relatives who manage to go to other countries are obligated to send them money or boxes full of things, and they being here, are only entitled to receive. "They are rich, we are poor. So only the rich should give." I cannot remember the last time hearing of any local family sending balikbayan boxes to relatives abroad. The true Christian walk is on a different plane when it comes to earthly possessions. Believers are quick to admit that their time on earth is passing, but then again they cling to wealth as if it means everything, and their lives depended on it.  Personal faith is often tested when it com...
Read more