Artistic World~

There's just this certainty that God made us unique individuals for us to work with one another and unite as one body of Christ, making the saying "No man is an island" valid. As we look upon diversity deeper, there are different religions, culture and practices formed. Some of the product of diversity/differences are tattooing, social drinking and inside church etiquettes (proper dress attire/behaviour during service).

So I asked some Christians about this matter, and here are their takes about it:

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We have our own different views and convictions regarding the subject matter, in the end there are three things we need to consider:

1.Will this give glory, honour and praise to God?

- So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

2. Will this edify, encourage and strengthen others? (Both believers and unbelievers)

- Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God (1 Cor. 10:32)

3. How will this benefit my life as a follower of Christ and as a person? Can we just live without it?

I have the right to do anything, you say--but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything--but not everything is constructive. 1 Cor. 10:23 -Ghay Sagabaen,
http://gsagabaen.blogspot.com

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Renz Samson

I'll be sticking to my principles and learning from the bible and from all of my mentors and leaders, that our BODY is the HOLY TEMPLE. As simple as why would i put piercing and tattoo if it's not needed, and i don't need it. If it can be avoided, why not avoid it? Why would we have to put something that's unnecessary. Why would you stain a body that should be taken care of?. My Body is not mine anyway, it's given to me by God.

My Body must be kept as holy as I can. Because God is Holy. As simple as that.

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Ericson Guinto

Biologically-speaking, anything placed inside or outside the body is an antibody... the tendency of our immune system is to desist its presence to bring back equilibrium...hence, the natural system of our body will be ruined especially on the excretion of sweat which is waste. Personally, I don't like tattoos..never would I put some in the future... all because i believe in the sanctity of the human body as God's temple...But no matter what, co-Christians can express freely their devotion to Christ in ways we can’t even decipher... (talking about free will) ... just what they say, that is them, this is us, this is me

I am a conservative Christian.. Though I can influence others to the way I live as a Christian, it's still up to them to follow.. I go for Ghay's argument... as long as it pleases God, go on... because each of us have a different calling/purpose...

Same goes with drinking...If the bible allows it, then be for me, i don't like it, expensive, i easily get dizzy, it also has a drastic effect on me. If they drink, go ahead... what matters is what's pleasing with the Lord..It may aid our health but most definitely "any excess is a sign of addiction...", and God doesn't want that.

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In this type of discussion, it matters to determine the motives and the threats. It could be both allowable and avoidable.

Based on Biblical context, culture and beliefs, we could say that tattoo was part of pagan worship and rituals. Regarding alcoholic drinks, there are people in some countries that need volumes of wine to maintain body heat and survive in cold weather.

What drives you to do such things is the big deal. The purpose behind every decision speaks of what is inside your heart, wherein that matters to God. But we need to consider also the practicality at stake that it would be avoidable in instance or chance of being a threat.

In having a tattoo, some suffer of psychological influence that affects attitudes or character or even adapt popular personalities or idolize rockstar image. Maybe at first you are inside the goodwill but eventually through out, inner side of you are changing.

Some say "addiction starts with just a taste." If this would be true in any circumstance or in the influence of peer pressure, why taste alcoholic drinks for no big reason? If this could be a foothold of the enemy for you, never start it anyway.

Do everything for the Glory of God. That's the very key, to remember that it’s all about God. But never forget, indeed God is passionate for His Glory and the same way He is mindful for you in any means. So why allow something that someday could ruin your life? Just be careful with your motives because it can drive your life.-Ephraim Termulo, iameph.tumblr.com

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One thing's for sure----we are different and free to do anything, however, that shouldn't be a ticket for us to abuse our freedom and freewill. Too much love can kill you, always remember that.

Whether you're a Christian or not, what can you say about this matter?

The Diversity of Christianism & Culture Differences

Dream Giver, Dream Chaser. This is free, a sort of motivation in life, your deepest hope, a wish, a prayer. Dictionary defined this word as imaginary events seen in mind while sleeping. But then, this denotative meaning is not in our scope of context today.

What we’re going to confer is not about imaginary events nor do these things happen while sleeping. These things can and will happen in reality. Want to know what this big word is? Dreams. A noun and a verb everyone has, a fuel for the engine of life, our deepest why.

When I was young, I’m always dreaming big dreams. My mind was so excited that I’m not even thinking about how those dreams will cost me and not even worrying how hard to get there. Let me explain myself, I’m just a little kid that time and I don’t have any idea. All I know is that I’m having dreams and I have this faith in my heart that I can go to those dreams no matter what it takes. But as my age adds up, knowledge continuously adds in my mind and influences my whole life, the reality of life turned my dream into a very hard equation that neither Sir Albert Einstein nor any math wizard in this world cannot make their own formula to get the answer -- the situations were not going on the path that leads me to my dreams.

I belong to a family which survival in a day is really a blessing. With that, my father did some sidelines (like carpentry works) just to send four kids to school and to finance my mom who was sick that time. Those hard situations inspired me to do everything well. “I want to take them out of this kind of life. So help me, Dad,” I told God.

For a girl who belongs to a not-so-middle-class kind of family, graduating in high school with honors is such an achievement and another step towards achieving my dreams. But less than two months before my high school graduation, my mom died. My mom who is one of the why’s of my dreams has now gone. I became really affected that I didn’t even know how to go on with this life.

Discouragements, pain, and frustrations didn’t end there. I took up the course that I didn’t even plan to take, went to a university that I didn’t even plan to go. I’ve experienced betrayals and abuses for so many times - from those people I really considered as friend and family.

I know and it’s clear to me that my dream is from God. But when things like these are happening, I’m starting to do some weird math. I easily see or hear things and add them up incorrectly. Those somewhat factual but simply aren’t true things multiply to the doubts, worries and fears in my life. Doubt if it is really from God, worry if I am really destined for it, and fear for so many things. Because of this weird math that I’ve made, I forgot millions of God’s promises that He stated to me through His word. When I was drowned and given myself to those things, I decided to end up my dreams and started surviving my life in a small world of negativity and hopelessness – a world of surviving and existing but not of living.

At first, I enjoyed surviving my life without dreams because for me, it’s stress-and-worry-free, doubt-and-fear-free. The simple reason is that I don’t have anything to think about. But time passed by and I got tired in enduring the world of surviving. That’s the time that I encountered Daddy God -– the Giver and Chaser of my dreams. He reminded me about this verse that I’ve been hearing for a long time and for so many times but honestly, I just understand this verse that moment when I realized that God is personally promising this to me:

He said, “My princess, I know what I am doing. You know, ever since you were born and even thousand years ago, I have it all planned out – even other people left and abandon you, I have plans to take care of you, not abandon you, even when situations are killing your hopes, I have plans to give you the future you hope for. I’m willing to give those dreams to you, are you willing to take it?”

(Jeremiah 29:11, paraphrased as to how He talked to me personally)

I argued to Him, I stated all of my complaints. I told Him about all the negative things I have experienced as if He didn’t know everything about those. I asked why. I asked how this dream will happen after everything that happened. But He comforted me with these words,

“My child, have you forgotten? My ways and thoughts are higher and far better than yours. There’s no chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. You have unlimited chances if you will trust Me to do it. I am the God of your yesterday, your today and your future. You don’t have to worry about your future because I’m already there. Believe me.”

(Isaiah 55:9, Matthew 19:26 paraphrased as to how He talked to me personally)

Maybe you experienced the same or maybe not, but the thing is: we both have God-given dreams that He has placed in our hearts ever since we came to this world. And one of the truths in this world is: the road that leads to the accomplishment of our dreams is not as easy and as good-looking as our dream. Yet we have to take it anyway for God promised that He will be the Giver and the Chaser of our dreams. The difficult seasons that we’re experiencing today were nothing compare to the great things prepared for us after overcoming those.

Trust the process.

Trust God in the process.

-The Author -

Dorothy is a personal friend of mine and we share the same ministry in music and worship leading. She was also featured in the Young People's Ministry website as a devotional writer. To further check her work , click this.

Get to know Dorothy more with some random things about herself and on her way writing this post. click this. If you want her to contribute on your blogs too or special writing requests, just contact me.

"One of my inspirations as I write this post is my dream of writing a book. I know this devotional blog is one step closer onto it.... (for the readers)..When you know that God leads your heart, just go for what it desires---whatever it takes. " -Dothy.

Dream Giver, Dream Chaser

Sometime in April, i decided to leave my job and seek new opportunities because i felt like my priorities won't fit my job any more. After i travelled from a week off on my job, i already left the company even if there's no job waiting for me. That time, i felt confident that i will be landing a job sometime in May or before June at least.

Weeks have passed and my confidence lost as i have tried my very best to apply for companies along the metro, most of them told me that i am forwarded for the next phase of the process, however, they did not call.

At that time, i am also transitioning on to some stuffs and tasks and organizations, so i felt like everything is in chaos in my life. I have no job, i have not even figured out what's my next move and i have a tendency of just settling for what to come in first in my life, even if it's not the best.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

-Deuteronomy 31:6

That's exactly the message God gave me. That exactly is. From that time in May to June, i have cried a lot to God, asked Him to show me His faithfulness, His great power, His embrace and love and all His might to make me feel comforted--------and He did!.

Sometime in June, Ingram Micro Philippines invited me for a job post in their company, this is a dream company, mind you!. Went there, had an interview and exam on Thursday, on that same day they told me that i passed the exam and on that same day, they asked me to come back at the office for the final interview at 11:00pm, i did. The following day, Friday, they said that i got the job and on that same day, i signed the contract. Monday, the following week, i started.

All these happened in just two days! During those times for my application in IM, i prayed and fast.

Learnings:

God is faithful all the time.
God is powerful, comforter.
God is constant.
God forgives, accepts and just.
God's timing is perfect, His time table is way different from ours, His' is the best!.

During those times of my struggle, this is the song that's on my play list, the total reminder of His faithfulness.

"So faithful, so constant, so loving and so true.... I know that You are for me, I know that You will never forsake me in my weaknesses"

- You are for me, Kari Jobe.

You maybe have a battle right now, i also known few friends who fought giant battles sometime few months ago, just like me, they won their battles as well. Be constant in praying, God will surely answer those in His right timing, be patient!.

This post is personally dedicted to my girls: Regene (for passing the LET Board exam) and Gen (for your internship and [still] studies), who battled and now living their dreams.

Dreams Do Come True: A testimony

What if you were given a million dollar gift on your 7th birthday? That money should be used until you reach your 18th birthday. You can use the money to whatever you want to use it. The money is freely given to you on that birthday. You were entrusted to have it early and not to spend it until the right time comes.

While waiting, you got tired and impatient. Since you have the money already, you decided to spend it, after all, you will be spending it anyway right? why not spend it now?

Your 18th birthday came. No one showed up, no one even remembered that special day of yours. You're all messed up. You remember those years when you have a lot of friends travelling, shopping, drinking and partying with you, now, you have nothing, not even a single centavo. You regret the things that you've done. You should have not spent that gift early. It actually didn't make you happy, it just gave you fake friends, fake happiness, fake life, you gave it all the way but now, you can't give something any more, because it's all gone and spent.

The money that is mentioned on that story symbolizes sex. It is given freely to us since the day we're born. God entrusted us to keep that gift until marriage, only reserved to someone special who deserves it. If we spend that gift to someone who's not worthy of it, the value gets lessen. Everytime we use and spend it, we lose it over and over again.

"As a Christ follower, I could honestly say that sex (copulation) is a sacred blessing given to married couples. An engagement to such stands as a covenant in order for sons and daughters to multiply - more people means more souls to be reached out, more worshippers, more witnesses for Christ, more Christ disciples. Sex is so sacred that if placed out of context and out of God's grace, can be so harmful as it will compromise the promise of God to us in having an everlasting life."

- Ericson G. Guinto, Professor and church leader.

"But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."
-1 Corinthians 7:2

Let us be reminded that sex is only given to married couples. Sex outside marriage is a disrespect to yourself, to your partner [or future partner] and to God. Make yourself pure from sexual immorality [like pornography, polygamy and same-sex activities], Honor your body for it is a temple of the Holy spirit.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;"
-1 Thessalonian 4: 3-5

"Sex can never be equated to pornography because in the first place it is not how God designed it - a total distortion of a beautiful creation of God. Sex is sacred for two people become one through a covenant they made to God; a communion, a commitment to be faithful to one another. It is extremely opposite the way it should be in pornography - a deception that will lead you to degrade a woman because of just sexual selfish desires."

-Ephraim Termulo, Church Youth Leader/Freelance Software Engineer,

Let us flee ourselves from sexual immorality by choosing God's light everyday, and that is His word. Let us enjoy sex that's inside marriage. Sex is a gift that should not be opened at the wrong time and wrong motives. Just like wine, the more we wait for it, the more it will taste good.

Understanding Sex

An Open Letter To Myself for my 24th Birthday.

Who among you who are still hooked up and still have the hangover from the fight of the century? That's Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's fight last Saturday (May 2, 2015) in Las Vegas. For sure after the fight, everyone is disappointed in the results (if you are on Manny's side), Floyd won. If you actually open the social media sites, you will see flooded memes about the fight, saying that floyd is gay, that he runs (that he should join a marathon), that this is the end of boxing, how come he won if he actually didn't do anything, that floyd is a cheater. The fight is really spectacular and watched by everyone.

9gag, from it's instagram account said "Manny's post-fight interview is gold #Macpac #respect #9gag" cause Manny said "i thought i won the fight..... he didn't do nothing, he always run"

And everyone just became a boxing expert! haha, i don't know about boxing so i have nothing to say if floyd actually cheated cause i heard from some boxing analysts that what floyd did is a strategy to win. I'm not here to talk about what happened on the fight actually, this is a post about the true character of a warrior----Manny Pacquiao.

Manny started as a poor boy, from a poor lifestyle, until he became famous because of boxing. At the early stage of his career, lots of Filipinos started admiring him because of the skill he has in boxing. He has that compassion from the very beginning, but just like any other human, he still a lot of troubles and issues going on with his own family, money and relatives.

Two years ago, many converted to Christianity (born-again as they say) and i think that, truly how everything changed his life. In his first fight after his conversion, he lost and a lot of people blamed it on his shift of religion. That's how the Lord tested him. He remained faithful. Blessings started to flow even more, restoration on his household came, the desire to give glory to the Lord has gone higher. The world became a witness of how God has delivered him from glory to glory.

At his current fight, he kept on shouting that God will favour him in this fight, that he will have the victory, suddenly, Manny lost the fight. But see? just like everybody else is saying "Floyd won the title but Manny won the hearts of the people", that, i think is what victory is all about, not your title, fame or money, its about who you are as a person and as a player in the community.

The Fight of the Century. The People's Champ

When we think about how the things have passed and how the future seems to be ---- scary and exciting, this gives us chills.

At this point in my life, i have truly became an adult, young but an adult. I've heard years ago that there's something in the mind of the person that will be developed once he reach the age of 23 going 24, and i feel that it seems to be true.

Let's talk about the small screen future (i mean, the coming weeks)

1. I'll be off to Baguio City tomorrow for our church's leadership seminar. Chills 'cause this will be my first time in Baguio City and it's all expense paid. I'm also into leadership/mentoring these days, so this is hitting two birds in one stone.

2. On the weekend, i'll be off to Masbate (our family hometown) so. another adventure. Everything seems to be perfect, after looong days working and doing a lot of stuffs, this vacation is truly deserved.

Now the silver screen (the future, months perhaps)

1. When i come back from Masbate, i only have a week to work, 'cause i decided not to continue my contract from my current company, you know? financial issues and future career is at stake, better be wise man! i'm getting old and i have to invest really.

2. I'm eyeing this big company, this is actually my previous one, well, i'll be coming back. The employment process is the same, so, if this job is for me, then so be it, Let God be the center of everything, His plans, not mine.

3. I'm also planning for CCNA certification this year, again, another leap this year for my career.

Well, there you go. The chills of my future is exciting, though i know that this will be rough, and i would love that anyway, rough roads make us stronger. Reminder to everyone that we should always plan, dream and work for our future, never daydream, work for your dream. The road on the way there is rough but when you get there, you will truly appreciate what you have been through 'cause it made you a better person. It's like Frodo Baggins' adventure to mount doom, when he reached it, everything is worth it!

Always consider God in your adventures, remember that we have plans, but He has bigger and better plans for us, more than you have imagined! (Jeremiah 29:11)

Jeremiah

Who would say that the world is easy? yes, it's not.

As we go older we would really appreciate the importance of every little moments in life, time indeed is important. For the past 3 years i have been living as a Christian, born again or what, name it. I thought that living a Christian life would be easy, no, it's not. It's a lot of sacrifice.

This is not to discourage, this is just to face the reality that discipleship is not easy, that life is not easy that even Christians do stumble down and dig their selves into the deepest core of earth when troubled.

I became a Worship leader, i became our church's youth president, i became a cell leader, these tasks came so fast that even my personal life has to be set aside in order to give time to ministries and to people, for young people. Everyone thought that these tasks are cool, singing on the stage in front of the congregation, planning, thinking nights, dealing with stubborn people, learning to love those that doesn't worth loving, thinking for their future for the ministries though they not see it or perhaps don't appreciate it, but hey, it's not! FACT!

"...Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" -Luke 9:23

Sometimes, people would condemn you, question your decisions, tell you what to do, look and will judge you, they don't see what your plans for them but all they have you for return would be questions. They would measure your spirituality, will compare their's and your's, no mistakes, you can't be weak, people look at you. YOU ARE A ROBOT? AM I?

Now that makes me think, we are like that, we are stubborn from God's plan and his timing. We are impatient, we lose hope, we are discouraged because we can't see His purpose.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 5:10

However, no regrets. Ha! I AM BLESSED, those troubles became my strength, love even more, love more less myself, control my temper, my desires, fleshy desires, laugh my challenges, it made me even a great person!

Challenges in life may come but don't forget to pray and ask strength from the Lord, you'll surely overcome it!.

Disciple's Scandal

I want to make interesting posts so that i don't just blog for the sake of blogging. I want to blog for the sake of sense. Right? nagsulat na nga lang tayo hindi pa natin sinulit di'ba?. I am very much planning that my next post is about the recommended horror movies for this Halloween, actually that should be inspired from Will's post. But since last night actually until this morning, i attended a retreat, I want to share the things that I've learned from this retreat. Well, of course to educate everyone, the Christians most especially that in our world, Satan is just everywhere and does his very best to keep us away from God.

In that retreat, na pa-morningan wala talagang tulugan, fresh from this morning, we went to different lectures. The one that really caught my attention is about the spiritual warfare, This is also the reason that i kept awake, ahahaha, and is very much relevant to Halloween.

Do you know that most of the symbols in the world today are actually originated from Satanism? This is something that we should believe cause this is not just gossips, i got this from our church, and is very much confirmed that it is from Satan. Here are some of the most common used symbols. And in case you're aware of it, better quit on this. 'Cause me, after knowing about these signs, i already backed off!.

1. The Peace Sign - Well, though that this symbol and it's purpose is to spread love and peace. This is STILL from Satan. Satan manipulates people. If you search wiki, it says that is is from christian something, but is actually not. The V sign represents some sort of Satanism. This is just one of Satan's manipulation to us. If you want to know more, Click this to go to link.

2. The I Love yOu, Y/Hello, and Ok Sign - When you Google these images, you can easily see that these signs are linked to Satanism, there are even pictures showing Satanism. The I love you sign, is used by many of us, i even love this sign, but we don't know that this is actually a work of Satan.

Ok sign. Many of us know Lady gaga right? Now, i am more convinced that she is into Illuminati. In most of her music videos, you can see a lot of Illuminati symbols and satanism. This OK symbol is mostly used by her, she puts this on her eye symbolizing the one-eye which is also from satanism. The Hello symbol is also a part of it. I think this three hand signals are connected to each other, remember the Telephone of lady Gaga?see?she is using this symbol.

Maybe you will think that I'm against lady gaga that's why I'm associating here with these, but no, i love Lady gaga songs (before). These proofs are enough for me quitting Lady gaga. Here's the link if you want to know more

3. The Zodiac Signs - Who doesn't love zodiac signs? Sometimes, most people believe on this and use the zodiac reading as their everyday reference and source of good luck, but yes, this is satanism. I suggest you quit from fortune tellers and lucky charm stuffs. I love these stuffs before, i even consult to fortune tellers, but after this retreat i realized my mistakes. I don't know if numerology is part of satanism's practices but id better out from these and just believe on God alone. Here's the Link of proof.

4. The Yin Yang - I was shocked when i knew and saw at the OPT prepared, Yin-Yang is included. I was like "really? the yin-yan?". Chinese culture is very much using this thing and we often associate it with their cultures and beliefs. Just like the Zodiac signs, this very well known symbol is also part of the Satanism practice. here's the proof

Trivia: Did you know that the song Hotel California is actually the theme song of the church of satan? Kindly google up the lyrics and check the lyrics of the song. You would truly understand everything.

Our world today is full of things that may deceive, convince and influence us in doing things that may end us up into sinning and disappointments. The symbols, people or culture indicated in this post might not actually know that they were deceived and used to spread these things. Bottom line is, it is on our choice. Choice to be responsible, choose to stay true, to be aware and to spread goodness instead of evil. Choose to love, and you will never go wrong.

Happy Halloween and happy Blogging!

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Disclaimer: These symbols that i exposed is not intended to manipulate other people's beliefs. I just want to educate the readers especially the Christians who are not aware of these. Still you have your own will and it's up to you if you believe on these. To best of my knowledge, i would stay firm on my belief that this is the truth.

Artistic World~

The Diversity of Christianism & Culture Differences

Dream Giver, Dream Chaser

Dreams Do Come True: A testimony

Understanding Sex

1. Your Thoughts.

2. Guilt.

3. The Transition.

An Open Letter To Myself for my 24th Birthday.

The Fight of the Century. The People's Champ

Jeremiah

Disciple's Scandal

Spiritual Warfare

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