FAIR SUNSHINE

A curious though not unusual matter, unfolded this day. Light rain began to fall by midday. I must confess that in my small, limited understanding, I had supplicated the Lord for a clear and pleasant afternoon for our assembly. Yet, He chose to send the very showers! And what a familiar lesson that was for my soul, for in sending rain, He nevertheless, by His sovereign and unsearchable providence, did gather the people together in their appointed place. I have learned time and again, that rain is the Gospel herald's best friend. I am very grateful that His ways are not our ways. I shall not therefore, spend time recounting a narrative of this afternoon's gathering which was visited by blessed showers. It is far more meet and proper to speak less of the gathering and more of the Gatherer ! The sheer greatness of the L ORD ! That is the proper subject for meditation. And so, we turned to that familiar passage in the fourteenth chapter of the book of Luke, verses seven to fourte...

Last November 9th Sabbath, our hearts were truly anxious, knowing that one of the mightiest tempests of the year would pass near our location. How could we forget the recent, grievous suffering in the Visayas, where the floods drove poor souls to the very roofs of their houses to save their families and few earthly goods? The destruction was widespread, and many lives were lost. Until today, many regions are still without electricity. This new storm was much larger, covering the entire archipelago. To prepare my own dwelling, I did cut down some trees lest they fall and crush our roof. My chief concern, however, was for the little children of the Sabbath school and our devoted brethren who will be commuting to our place for fellowship. I could not bear to have them travel through a storm. Despite the situation, I sent word that our gathering will still continue, but we petitioned our Father for a brief, precious window of calm that we might gather and render Him the worship due His Nam...

The word having been faithfully sown at San Jose del Monte thus, I made my swift journey back to the hallowed ground of our fellowship, desiring nothing so much as to humble myself among those of like precious faith, and enjoy the true, deep solace found only in the gathering of the Lord's redeemed flock. The Lord did grant a blessed sight to welcome me, as I beheld my beloved brethren seated upon the grass communing with each other in fellowship, a scene of humble, blessed repose. My gaze was drawn instantly to the small, precious child, a mere babe, contentedly taking sustenance among the saints. Seeing this little one, so near to the heart of Christian fellowship like that child who was called by the Lord before His disciples, was a clear token of God’s abiding grace. Though I had been detained by my duty in my previous location, I felt no weariness, for my sole, continuous prayer had been this: that the LORD would prepare the hearts of those He had summoned before Him today—th...

Alas, this morning I felt the heavy drag of my own corrupted nature: timidity and the ease of excuses, cried out for anything but repose and sleep. I honestly wrestled against sloth, compelled by the holy urge to honor my Redeemer before the very souls who, on this day, are tragically immersed in the second day of their solemn observance for the departed.   In this season, the people flock in such sorrowful droves, seeking to honor the deceased with vain oblations of light and prayer. But oh, the terrible blindness! To offer inanimate candles and dead prayers for the dead—a profound vanity that wounds the very heart! Therefore, I have resolved in my spirit to seek out three places of earthly rest along my destined route: the grave sites at Santa Maria, the cemetery of Tumana, and the sacred ground of Saint Joseph, where the mortal remains of my dear wife’s father and grandmother repose. My journey led me past the first two resting places, where, perhaps by the kind arrangemen...