Ocular

-

This preliminary survey gave me a prospect of the difficulties that await. The journey alone is a most wearying cross to bear, even without the labors of preaching. While traversing a lonely stretch of road, with nothing but the scenery of trees and valleys for company, I asked myself, 'can this be done?' only to be met by that sterner demand of the conscience, 'do I want it to remain undone?'

The scarcity of people in each of the location was owing to the lateness of the hour; during the afternoon, the populace is occupied at their work, their studies, or in their homes. I thus conclude that morning is the season best suited for my visits. Yet, this in itself presents a new trial for me, for I have long found the early hours a heavy burden to my natural disposition, and the flesh is ever heavy to rise in the morning. Indeed, my own habits are set in a different mold, as I am accustomed to pursue my studies late into the night and onto the very break of the dawn.

Location 1. San Mateo, Bulacan. 14.87352, 121.12776
This is the farthest stop on my trip. Because it is 233 meters above sea level, the air is cool. The climb to the top takes a little over an hour. The marketplace is crowded, and the audience is right in front of me. It is a busy spot where people from three different directions meet to trade. Since it is outdoors, I will likely use a bullhorn to be heard.

Location 2. Bigte, Bulacan. 14.85722, 121.08565
This station serves as the initial stop of my journey, prior to seeking the second egress that leads upward toward the heights of San Mateo. The way here is exceeding broad, yet it is much beset by the constant passage of vehicles and trucks, leaving no place for the traveler to stop and pause, save for the marketplace which lies nearby. It is best to observe whether a good number will be there; if so, I shall surely use the bullhorn.

Location 3. Bitungol, Bulacan. 14.91121, 121.04929
This particular place is favorable for sowing the Word. The centerpiece, which has been providentially prepared, is this rotunda, which will serve as my pulpit.

Though I do not like the way coming here, I am expecting the area will grow on me as I progress should work begin. It is enclosed, with the audience within earshot. If I will use the bullhorn I need to time it well that classes have just ended and there will be parents securing their children. There is a school beside this rotunda, a tricycle terminal, stores, and it is the gateway of this well populated community.

Location 4. Norzagaray Municipal Hall, Bulacan. 14.91121, 121.04929
This area seems to get busy in the late afternoon and evening. There is a college nearby and a park where people go to relax. Many food stalls serve visitors, drawing crowds who come to eat and spend their free time. The lapel would be appropriate for this.

Location 5. Partida, Bulacan. 14.91121, 121.04929
The fourth and fifth stations sit in close proximity one to another. This arrangement saves me time, sparing me from lengthy travel that I might better apply my efforts to the labor instead. I anticipate a great number of people during the morning of the weekend. Scripture reading would be appropriate here. There is an old cathedral, Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish Church, a stone’s throw distant.

Location 6. Angat, Bulacan. 14.91121, 121.04929
We have labored within this precinct, and have encountered no small measure of opposition. Our station stands directly before the cathedral of Santa Monica. It is not my design to contest the hour of their mass service. Such a challenge would yield no fruit for the Gospel’s cause. Nevertheless, it is certain that the morning hours in this place are marked by a singular and bustling activity.

Regarding the question as to the 'why' of this task, I find myself yet without a definitive answer; I know only that it is a task I am compelled to fulfill before I pass. The LORD hath seen fit to entrust us with a vast province of responsibility. Here, the true Gospel remains virtually unheard of—a fact most lamentably evidenced by the overbearing prominence of dead religion and mere tradition. Perhaps these are those rare times where it serves me well not to count the cost, and let the hand of God instead take me where He wills. He will do what is right.

I realize that no resolve can assure my infirmities will meet the demands of this mission. The path to preparation lies not in my own strength, but upon my knees before the Lord of the Harvest; for only through His divine strength may a weak vessel be made ready for the impossibility of the coming labor.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Public Reading of Scripture

-
Image
It is most appropriate to begin public proclamation with scripture. Only then does preaching follow after. People need to hear God's word, not my opinion. Always after reading am I assisted mightily in power and in spirit. I have, in the course of my meager experience, compiled different portions of scripture that present the gospel in a linear fashion, so that it forms a singular paragraph and a consistent train of thought. Reading it alone is equivalent to preaching. If you have been given the heart to take the gospel to the lost but are afraid of preaching, I highly encourage you to read scripture. Anyone who can read can do this. If you want to kill the flesh, reading scripture in public is one of the best ways to accomplish this. But then again, keep in mind that carrying the gospel has a high price. Not one of perfection, but a sincere striving towards purity and holiness. If you have no desire in yourself to practice what you preach, or read in this matter, then it...
Read more

The Lamb's Book of Life, And The Eternal Will Of God For The Security Of Those Who Have Been Graciously Called To Come & Believe

-
Image
A journal entry. One early morning of October. A study on my readings, on John 1:13, Ephesians 1:4, Revelation 13:8, 17:8 and 21:27.  From eternity past, even before the beginning of the beginning, the Lamb wrote a book.    In this book were special names. Names He had elected, in His gracious sovereignty, to be His very own people. His divine, covenantal will, was to bless them with the continual light of His presence, and to bring them to Himself, there to dwell before Him in blissful glory, for all eternity. These names were written in tender affection, with great love, and with great zeal, amidst a great plan to reveal to them this love, through sacrifice. He had written these names down permanently, determined and precisely, without any intention to erase or blot them out. He had written them down from eternity, and there will they remain throughout all eternity. He who wrote them embodies eternity, for He is eternity, and whom He loves He loves with a love that kno...
Read more

The Fallibility of Ministers

-
Will not ecclesiastical rank and dignity confer infallibility? No—they will not! It matters nothing what a man is called. He may be a Preacher, Minister, or Deacon. He is still a fallible man! Neither the education, nor the anointing oil, nor the laying on of hands, can prevent a man making mistakes. Will not numbers confer infallibility? No—they will not! You may gather together princes by the score, and ministers by the hundred; but, when gathered together, they are still liable to err. You may call them a council, or an assembly, or a conference, or whatever you please. It matters nothing. Their conclusions are still the conclusions of fallible men. Their collective wisdom is still capable of making enormous mistakes. The example of the Apostle Peter at Antioch is one that does not stand alone. It is only a parallel of many a case that we find written for our learning, in Holy Scripture. Do we not remember Abraham, the father of the faithful, following the advice of Sarah, and takin...
Read more

I Did Not Pray

-
God is sovereign. When my son ran away for three nights I did not pray that he might return home, but that God would teach him what he needed to learn from it. When my wife was laboring for 14 hours in the hospital with our first baby and I was left outside waiting and wondering I did not pray for a safe delivery, but that God would give me reason to abound with joy in trusting him though I see not. When I slid into adultery 19 years ago my wife prayed for me to return, but God patiently changed her selfish petition to one of surrender. 14 years was the LORD witness to her pleas and cries. And when finally the fullness of her time in the school of secret prayer came, God then delivered me. When I received an incurable wound in my body because of my sin I did not pray to be healed, but that it should remain with me unhealed all my life, and that it would serve to remind me that I have offended God severely, yet in His mercy He forgave me. When my wife was diagnosed with a bes...
Read more

When God Closes Doors

-
Image
It was but yesterday morning, whilst engaged in my most needful devotional exercise, that the Lord met me with such tender power. As I turned the sacred pages to the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, and my eye fell upon the twentieth verse, I could not restrain the rising tide of emotion—and I broke down entirely before Him. For weeks, the only sorrow that truly burdened my spirit, since parting ways with the congregation where we sought fellowship, was not the fear of any man’s opinion, nor any worldly concern, but this single, earnest petition: "Am I still in the center of your will, Father?" In that very moment of distress, my God came near and greatly, yet oh, so gently, comforted my soul. The Lord’s own voice seemed to leap right out from the very pages, wrapping me in a perfect peace that brushed away all anxiety. The Master of the wind and waves had spoken directly to the tempest in my heart, gently whispering eternal, assuring words: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” ...
Read more