Hell, no!

This month is Halloween month. So at Grace Place, we thought of having a series for that. It’s called, “So you’re dead… now what”. It talks about anything about the after life. It’s a very uncomfortable topic, but heck we know we’re all going to die. It’s better to know what’s next than not at all!

This week, we’re talking about Hell. As my wife said, it’s a good topic, no body wants to talk about it, so let’s bring it on. While preparing for my grace group tonight, these thoughts run through my mind.

- We’re all going to die. Oh, yeah, we are. Whatever life altering procedure you do, we’re all going to die.

- There are 2 major views of death. I came from a tradition that says when you die, you sleep (a.k.a the doctrine of “soul sleep”). I changed camp. Most evangelicals believe that when you die, you continue to exist and will either directly go to heaven or hell (a.k.a. the doctrine of “Immortality of the Soul”). I will have a few Adventists on my grace groups, and if this question will be raised, I’m just going to say, “You continue to believe what you know is true, I believe mine, and it’s alright. Because whether the soul sleeps or is awake when you die is not the real issue. The real issue is, what are you doing now that you’re alive so that you’ll know exactly where you’re going in the after life?

- Heaven is real.

- Hell is real. But we don’t want to talk about it. Because we want to live as if it doesn’t exist.

- You won’t see your buddies in hell. You won’t drink beers with them, won’t laugh with them, won’t party with them. In hell, you’re going to be all alone. All by yourself. Nobody to talk to. In utter darkness.

- God doesn’t want us to go to hell. In the first place, hell is created for Satan. But because of our sinfulness and God’s holiness, we’re going there. And if we do, that doesn’t mean God didn’t do anything to save you. He did EVERYTHING you can imagine when he sent Jesus on earth and die a criminal’s death. You just don’t want to do anything with Jesus today. You simply want to do what you want to do with your life. And God will let you. Go. To. Hell.

PRAY like you never prayed before

We still have not recovered from Ondoy. Pepeng, a super typhoon is coming. Like, a 230 kph strong typhoon is coming.

Pray like you never prayed before.

Pray like you mean it. I mean, something that comes from your heart. An authentic cry for help.

Pray like you really expect God to answer. Because he does answer. He does care. He does know what’s happening.

Pray even if some spiritual police mocks you for praying only at times of need. Pray.

Then rest in his arms and say, “Yet not my will Lord, but yours.” At the end of the day, God knows exactly what we need. We may not understand what’s happening. But God is still God. He is sovereign.

In the midst of these storms, may we find peace in the one who is immovable, certain and strong – Jesus Christ.

A prayer

Lord, most of us are now business as usual. We’re back to work, back to our normal routine. But some of our fellowmen are still trapped in their roofs hungry, wet, depressed.

I’m praying for them, Lord. Please give them emotional and physical strength to hold on and keep their hopes alive. We know that help is coming. It may be taking long, but it is coming. Please whisper this to their hearts. Embrace them with your love at this very moment.

I’m praying for us — for us that are safe, spared from the disaster. Move our hearts from just having pity to real compassion. Convict us to DO something, not just SAY something. Allow us to realize that we are your hands and your feet. Give us the burden, a genuine burden to love.

We are not sure yet, Lord, of what you are telling us because of this tragedy. I’m sure in due time, you will reveal this to us. Whatever it is, may it draw us closer to you. May it become an avenue of self evaluation. May this become a way for us to consider a relationship with you that may have been lost in the past, or even inexistent in the first place.

Be our guide. Be our strength. Be our God. We love you Jesus. Let your children here in the Philippines shout that out loud!

I “hate” Christmas

I have a confession to make: I am actually beginning to hate Christmas.

Christmases these days seem to dwell more on the everything else—the carols, decorations, media production, the gifts, the shopping, or even the ‘spirit’ of Christmas—and leave out the main essence of the season.

Or am I hating it because I’m not a child anymore — they say Christmas is for kids.

Nonetheless, behind this candid admission, I’m still hoping that the “superstar” of Christmas would grab our attention — my attention — in the midst of holiday distractions.

May Jesus take the center stage. Remember how important Christmas is, in its real essence: there would have been no EASTER if there was no CHRISTMAS.

So how’s your Christmas holidays?

What I HATE about the Christmas season

Three days before Christmas and you wouldn’t believe that I’m about to spoil the fun with this series of blog posts. I just want to let the grinch out of me and tell you about the things I hate about this season. Let me start with this:

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