The Pebble Blog

Three kinds of length of dress according to Ellen G. White (EGW)

2010-08-22T11:37:00.000+08:00

How the Dress Reform Was Revealed [FOR
AN INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION ON THE "REFORM DRESS"
ADOPTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS VISION, AND PREVAILING
CONDITIONS WHICH MADE SUCH A CHANGE DESIRABLE, SEE
STORY OF OUR HEALTH MESSAGE, PP. 112-130.]

Question.--Does not the practice of the sisters in wearing their dresses nine inches from the floor contradict Testimony No. 11, which says they should reach somewhat below the top of a lady's gaiter boot? {3SM 277.4}
Answer.--The proper distance from the bottom of the dress to the floor was not given to me in inches. . . .
278
But three companies of females passed before me, with their dresses as follows with respect to length: {3SM 277.5}
The first were of fashionable length, burdening the limbs, impeding the step, and sweeping the street and gathering its filth; the evil results of which I have fully stated. This class, who were slaves to fashion, appeared feeble and languid. {3SM 278.1}
The dress of the second class which passed before me was in many respects as it should be. The limbs were well clad. They were free from the burdens which the tyrant, Fashion, had imposed upon the first class; but had gone to that extreme in the short dress as to disgust and prejudice good people, and destroy in a great measure their own influence. This is the style and influence of the "American Costume," taught and worn by many at "Our Home," Dansville, N.Y. It does not reach to the knee. I need not say that this style of dress was shown me to be too short. {3SM 278.2}
A third class passed before me with cheerful countenances, and free, elastic step. Their dress was the length I have described as proper, modest, and healthful. It cleared the filth of the street and sidewalk a few inches under all circumstances, such as ascending and descending steps, et cetera. {3SM 278.3}
As I have before stated, the length was not given me in inches. . . . {3SM 278.4}
Relation of the Vision to Writing and Practice

And here I would state that although I am as dependent upon the Spirit of the Lord in writing my views as I am in receiving them, yet the words I employ in describing what I have seen are my own, unless they be those spoken to me by an angel, which I always enclose in marks of quotation. {3SM 278.5}
As I wrote upon the subject of dress, the view of those three companies revived in my mind as plain as when I was viewing them in vision; but I was left to describe the length of the proper dress in my own language as best I could, which I have done by stating
279
that the bottom of the dress should reach near the top of a lady's boot, which would be necessary in order to clear the filth of the street under the circumstances before named. {3SM 278.6}
I put on the dress, in length as near as I had seen and described as I could judge. My sisters in northern Michigan also adopted it. And when the subject of inches came up in order to secure uniformity as to length everywhere, a rule was brought and it was found that the length of our dresses ranged from eight to ten inches from the floor. Some of these were a little longer than the sample shown me, while others were a little shorter.--The Review and Herald, Oct. 8, 1867. {3SM 279.1}

Ellen G. White and Spices

2010-08-22T11:29:00.001+08:00

Spice, Spices, all kinds of, EGW had to dispense with 4aSG 154
arouse animal propensities CH 114
as aid to digestion, erroneous idea re CD 339
blood is fevered by CH 114; MH 325; 4T 141
blood made impure by MH 325
blood-making organs cannot convert, into good blood 2T 383
camp-meeting diet should be free from all 2T 602
children should not use CD 239; 4T 141
children's appetite depraved by CD 239
children's diet should be free from 2SM 471
chow-chow pungent with, nervous girl who liked FE 151
corrupt blood Te 57
destroy: health 2T 367
natural sensitiveness of stomach's tender coating CH 114
diet free from, is blessing 2T 45
diet without, best for persons with diseased livers 2T 67
excites nervous system unduly 4T 141
family that needed to discard, entirely 2T 485
feverish state of system caused by CD 340
fiery: condition of stomach irritated by CD 235-6
create craving for something stronger CD 236
irritate stomach CD 340
keep, out of stomach CD 420
pave way for smoking by children CD 236
flesh food cooked with, makes bad quality of blood 2T 368
food containing: as fiery whip to stomach CD 340
avoid MH 305
blood-making organs cannot convert, into good blood CH 114
corrupts blood Te 57
derange stomach CH 114
encourages appetite for intoxicating liquor CD 340
enfeebles intellect CH 114
excites nerves CH 114
inflames stomach CD 340; Te 57
never load table with CG 405; CT 126
not best for children CD 340
not good for children CD 235; CH 114; 3SG 132
not good for pregnant woman 2T 382
tends to excite animal passions 4aSG 132
food highly seasoned with, too much time spent preparing CH 159; 4aSG 132
food should be free from CD 340
food should be prepared free from Te 157
fruits should be prepared free from 2T 486
gross article of food 4T 141
impatience induced by Te 57
indigestible, children's digestive organs injured by 2SM 427
irritate: stomach MH 325; MM 229; 2SM 291; 2T 367
stomach's delicate lining (coating) CD 340; CH 114
lack of self-control induced by Te 57
lead to use of: tobacco Te 57
wine Te 57
leave stomach weak MM 229; 2SM 291
live simply without using 2SM 291
morals in danger of being affected as result of using 4T 141
nervous debility induced by Te 57
nervous system unduly excited by 4T 141
not good for pregnant woman 2T 383
not proper food for children CD 239; 3T 136; 4T 141
of all kinds, foods should be prepared free from CH 115; Te 157
pave way to stronger stimulants Te 57
positive testimony against, borne by JW and EGW in their work in presenting the health message 3T 21
pungent, as fiery condiments FE 151
rich cakes and pies prepared with any kind of, are not best 2T 400
derange stomach 3T 136
enfeeble intellect 3T 136
excite nerves to unnatural action 3T 136
SDA discard, from principle 2T 367
some SDA use, and make light re health reform subject of jest CD 400
vegetables should be prepared free from 2T 67, 486
weakens moral and intellectual powers CH 114
See also Cinnamon; Condiment; Pepper
Spice, Spices

Source: EGW CDROM Topical Index
Seventh-day Adventists

Ellen G. White on Joking

2010-08-22T11:28:00.000+08:00

Joking 4BC 1141
angels driven from pub. house by 3T 192
angels grieved by EW 111; 6T 173
barrenness of soul a result of 2T 236
belongs to world 3T 241
Christ grieved by FE 457-8
Christ may be denied by 1T 304; 3T 332
Christian recreation is not occasion for 2T 589
class elated by indulging in CH 628
class who find pleasure in 6T 173
foolish, Christianity is above ML 211; MYP 364
not right 7BC 938
God forbids FE 458
God's cause wounded by 1T 133
lay aside ML 196
let not your tongue run at random in SD 180
man reproved for 2T 224
minister inclined to 3T 228
ministers warned against 3T 233; TM 142
ministers', offensive to God Ev 644
stumbling block to sinners Ev 641
publishing house workers should not indulge in 1T 589
seemingly harmless, estrangement of husband and wife by AH 177
soul feeding on, Christ is sickened by FE 457
spirit of, rebuke 1T 413
spiritual growth hindered by 6T 173
time frittered away in 3T 222
unbecoming to Christians 2T 586; 3T 246; 7T 204
unbecoming to minister Ev 206; GW 205; 1T 380; 3T 238
with unbelievers, cease 4T 245
women warned re 2T 455
youth warned re 1T 505; 2T 180; 3T 222
See also Jesting; Levity

Supplement
contrary to Christ's words in Matt. 12:36 HP 177:2
dangerous and wounding in marriage HP 204:1
enemy's ground in TDG 10:1
evil of, between men and women TSB 246:2
expected of worldling but not of Christian TMK 307:4
language not to have low, or lightness; (witticism) VSS 163:2
low, in the home, may become second nature 1MCP 156:3
minds engrossed with OHC 79:1
minister ready for, not blessed by the Lord's presence VSS 270:4
put away; it enfeebles the church FW 79:1
Satan can gain access to those who engage in OHC 292:1
shunned, making most of opportunity to witness TMK 158:3
soul purity trifled with by OHC 292:1
Word of God as the subject of SW 51:1
See also Conversation; Foolishness;Penitence; Talk, foolish; Words, idle
Jonah

Source: EGW CDROM Topical Index
EGW is a Seventh-day Adventist

Ellen G. White on Coffee (Seventh-day Adventists)

2010-08-22T11:26:00.000+08:00

Coffee
1. Ill effects of (general)
2. Ill effects of (mental)
3. Ill effects of (moral and spiritual)
4. Ill effects of (physical)
5. Miscellaneous
Supplement

1. Ill effects of (general) SL 32
advocates of temperance reform should awake to MH 335
aftereffects: exhaustion and prostration CD 421; 2T 65
depression CG 403
paralysis of mental, moral, and physical powers CD 421; CH 441
system's energy left lower than before CD 425
traces of evil left behind MM 228
colporteur should explain CH 463
first, exhilarating MH 326
greater than suspected CD 422
greater than those of tea CD 426
highly injurious 4T 365
hurtful and ruinous CD 421
immediate CG 403; 3T 487
before time for digestion and assimilation MH 326; 2T 65
in degree same as that of tea 2T 65
less harmful than those of tobacco 4aSG 128
not so powerful as those of tobacco CD 426; SL 32
san. patients should be shown CD 444
similar to those of tobacco CD 426; 4aSG 128; SL 32
social entertainments reveal CD 423; Te 79
stimulant CD 63, 420-1; CG 403; MH 326-7, 335; 4aSG 128; 1T 222; 2T 65; 3T 487, 569; Te 74-5
artificial CD 421; Te 72, 228-9
depression follows 3T 487
harmful CH 442; 1T 224; 3T 569
languor and debility follows MH 326
whipping up flagging energies for a time CD 425
tends in same direction as do alcoholic liquor and tobacco MH 335

2. Ill effects of (mental)
brain activity greatly lessened CH 441
brain activity permanently lessened CD 421
brain benumbed 4T 365
brain injured CD 402, 430; CH 463; MM 274
brain irritation MH 326; 2T 65
imagination made more vivid CG 403; MH 326
intellect aroused MH 326
intellect beclouded CD 426; SL 32
more than by tea SL 32
intellect temporarily invigorated CG 403; 3T 487
mental degeneracy CH 49; Te 174
mental development hindered CD 402, 430; MM 274
mental feebleness CD 421-2; CH 441-2
mental power ruined CD 421; MM 222
mind enervated CD 421
mind excited to unwonted action CD 421; CH 441

3. Ill effects of (moral and spiritual)
backsliding Te 80
development of spiritual powers hindered CD 402, 430; MM 274
impatience CD 421-2; CH 442
moral character perniciously influenced CD 63; SL 28
moral power ruined MM 222
sense of sacred things perverted 4aSG 36-7
soul's finer sensibilities benumbed 3SG 116
tongues loosened CD 423; Te 79
worship of God hindered CD 426

4. Ill effects of (physical)
appetite fostered by: for intoxicating liquor 3T 569
for stronger stimulants CD 429-30; Ev 265; FE 144; 3T 563, 569; Te 228-9
for tobacco 3T 569
body organs injured CD 402, 430; MM 274
development of physical powers hindered CD 402, 430; MM 274
digestive organs injured CH 463
disease of every kind CD 421; MM 222
dizziness 4aSG 128-9
dyspepsia CH 111-2
energies benumbed CD 426
more than by tea SL 32
headaches MH 326; 4aSG 128
heart action increased MH 326; 2T 65
heart palpitation MH 326
human system excited 2T 65
human system injured CD 426; CG 403; SL 32; 2T 64
indigestion Ed 203; MH 326
irritability 4aSG 128
life forces worn away CD 421-2; CH 442; MH 326
man's spark of vitality extinguished CD 423
many ills MH 326
nerve irritant CD 421-2; CH 442; MH 326
wearing away life forces CH 442
nerves shattered CD 421-2; CH 442
nerves trembling CD 422
nervous excitement instead of strength CG 403; MH 326
nervous system borrowing power from future resources CG 403
nervous system excited CG 403; 3T 487
to morbid action CD 425
nervousness 4aSG 128
numbness 4aSG 128
physical degeneracy CH 49; Te 174
physical powers ruined MM 222
skin sallow and lifeless in appearance CH 111-2; 2T 65
stomach nerves excited MH 326; 2T 65
stomach ruined CD 411
system given short-lived energy MH 326; 2T 65
trembling MH 326
unnatural appetite 2SM 420
wakefulness MH 326
worse than those of tea 2T 64-5

5. Miscellaneous
arguments against tobacco may be urged against CD 426; SL 32
bear clear testimony against CD 402, 430; MM 274; 7T 134-5
better work can be done without FE 428
burnt, children who craved CD 239
children should not drink 3T 488
craving for, how to overcome MH 335
perverted taste has CH 449
darling luxury 4T 599
do not give, to the sick MM 228
do not serve CD 431
health-destroying beverage CD 431
hurtful indulgence CH 441; 4aSG 36
idol cherished 4aSG 128; 1T 222
Java, sign pledge to abstain from Te 82
live simply without 2SM 291
living on, not health reform CD 105
med. institutions should not serve CD 414
medicinal use of, with raw egg 2SM 302-3
ministers should abstain from 4T 417
money spent for: God's cause needs EW 121-2
Lord's treasury needs 1T 222
while neglecting heart work 4T 391
worse than wasted CD 402, 422, 430; CH 442; MM 274
narcotic CD 63, 281, 402, 430; MM 274; SL 28; 2SM 283
health-destroying CD 490; 2SM 302
never take CD 420-1, 430; MM 274; Te 101
to quench thirst CH 120
no nourishment in Ed 204; MH 326; 2T 65
except milk and sugar CD 425
not wholesome Te 78
pledge to abstain from, sign CH 441; Te 82
physicians should not prescribe, for the sick CD 294
poisons contained in CD 420-1; CG 403; Te 75
nervous system excited by CG 403; 3T 487
poor people should discard 1T 224
refuse to drink Ev 265
remnant church should discard CD 381
safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not MH 335; 3T 488; Te 94
san. patients who must be served, should receive it in their rooms CD 294
sanitariums should not serve CD 283; MM 284
except in special cases CD 294
sanitariums should teach people to discard CD 281; Te 88-9
Satan uses, to take men captive Ev 529
SDA ask people to discard CD 205; MM 288
SDA bear positive testimony against CD 402, 430; MM 274; 3T 21; 7T 134
SDA who use, health reform made subject of jest by CD 400
slow poison 4aSG 36-7, 128
suddenness of relief obtained from, explained CG 403
supposed to help laborer perform his task CD 339
temperance pledge should embrace CH 442
temptation to use, resist FE 428
unhealthful breakfast including CD 105
unnecessary CD 420-1; Te 75, 78
unnecessary to go to Java for 2SM 301
useless and injurious EW 121-2
wholesome and nutritious diet possible without Ev 534; 9T 112
why strength seems to be increased by MH 326

Supplement
diet not to include; also tea, tobacco and alcohol LDE 81
extinguishing vitality still left in the race RC 142:4
moderation not recommended for; discard it 3SM 287:2
temperance forfeited by, on spiritual ladder; also tea OHC 69:4
See also Stimulants
Coffee, cereal (caramel)

Source: EGW CDROM Topical Index

Chap. 13 - Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?

2010-08-22T11:23:00.000+08:00

Chap. 13 - Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?

INTRODUCTION

-

EARLY IN HER SOJOURN IN AUSTRALIA (1891-1900) ELLEN WHITE WAS CALLED UPON TO GIVE COUNSEL TO A PROMINENT WORKER IN OUR PUBLISHING HOUSE WHO HAD BECOME DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MASONIC LODGE. THE COUNSEL SHE PRESENTED TO THIS BROTHER LED HIM TO SEVER HIS CONNECTIONS WITH THE LODGE IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT HE HAD ATTAINED THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF HONOR IN THE ORGANIZATION. {2SM 120.1}WITHOUT CONDEMNING, MRS. WHITE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHRISTIAN CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS, OR RENDER ALLEGIANCE TO TWO AUTHORITIES. OUR BROTHER, WHO HAD BECOME SO INVOLVED IN LODGE ACTIVITIES THAT HIS WORK FOR THE CHURCH HAD BEEN SADLY NEGLECTED, RECOGNIZED THE SIMPLE TRUTH IN THE ELLEN G. WHITE COUNSELS, AND HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE MESSAGE WAS CONFIRMED AS MRS. WHITE--UNBEKNOWN TO HERSELF--GAVE THE SECRET SIGN USED ONLY BY MEMBERS OF THE LODGE. HE PROMPTLY SURRENDERED HIS MEMBERSHIP IN THE LODGE, ALTHOUGH HE HAD STOUTLY AFFIRMED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THAT NOTHING WOULD SHAKE HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION OR LEAD HIM TO BREAK WITH IT. LOOKING BACK TO THIS EXPERIENCE IN LATER YEARS, HE TESTIFIED THAT THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY MESSAGE COMPLETELY CHANGED HIS LIFE. {2SM 120.2}AT THIS TIME AND IN THIS CONNECTION, MRS. WHITE WROTE QUITE FULLY CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS TO SUCH ORGANIZATIONS. THIS WAS PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE "SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE MEMBERS OF SECRET SOCIETIES?" IN PAMPHLET FORM, IT HAD WIDE CIRCULATION IN AUSTRALIA AND IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT IT HAS LONG BEEN OUT OF PRINT. THIS PAMPHLET IS REPRINTED HERE IN ITS ENTIRETY. {2SM 120.3}THE SECOND CHAPTER IS COMPOSED OF COUNSELS FROM THE PEN OF MRS. WHITE RELATING TO THE ATTITUDE THAT SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS SHOULD TAKE TOWARD LABOR ORGANIZATIONS. THIS MATERIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN 1946 AS SECTION II IN THE PAMPHLET COUNTRY LIVING. IT APPEARS HERE IN THIS PERMANENT FORM FOR CONTINUED AND PRAYERFUL STUDY.--WHITE TRUSTEES. {2SM 120.4}

[REPRINTED FROM APAMPHLET BY THIS TITLE PUBLISHED IN 1893.]-

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:14-18). {2SM 121.1}The Lord's injunction, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14), refers not only to the marriage of Christians with the ungodly, but to all alliances in which the parties are brought into intimate association, and in which there is need of harmony in spirit and action. The Lord gave special direction to Israel to keep themselves distinct from idolaters. They were not122to intermarry with the heathen nor form any confederacy with them: "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: but ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: for thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex. 34:12-14). {2SM 121.2}"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers. . . . Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" (Deut. 7:6-9). {2SM 122.1}Again the Lord declares through the prophet Isaiah: {2SM 122.2}"Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; ... Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread" (Isa. 8:9-13). {2SM 122.3}There are those who question whether it is right for Christians to belong to the Free Masons and other secret societies. Let all such consider the scriptures just quoted. If we are Christians at all, we must be Christians everywhere, and must consider and heed the counsel given to make us Christians according to the standard of God's Word.123{2SM 122.4}

Cooperation With Divine Agencies

The people of God on earth are the human agents that are to cooperate with divine agencies for the salvation of men. To the souls that have joined themselves to Him, Christ says, "You are one with Me, 'labourers together with God'" (1 Cor. 3:9). God is the great and unperceived actor; man is the humble and seen agent, and it is only in cooperation with the heavenly agencies that he can do anything good. It is only as the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit that men discern the divine agency. And hence Satan is constantly seeking to divert minds from the divine to the human, that man may not cooperate with Heaven. He directs the attention to human inventions, leading men to trust in man, to make flesh their arm, so that their faith does not take hold upon God. {2SM 123.1}"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt. 6:22, 23). {2SM 123.2}And when our light becomes darkness, how shall we be a light to the world? {2SM 123.3}The work of our personal salvation also depends upon our cooperation with the divine agencies. God has imparted to us moral powers and religious susceptibilities. He has given His Son as a propitiation for our sins, that we might be reconciled to God. Jesus lived a life of self-denial and sacrifice, that we might follow His example. He has given the Holy Spirit to be in Christ's stead in every place where help is needed. He employs the heavenly intelligences to bring divine power to combine with our human efforts. But we must accept the gift of God, we must repent, and believe in Christ. We must watch, we must pray, we must obey the requirements of God. We must practice self-denial and self-sacrifice for Christ's sake. We must grow up into Christ by constant connection with Him. Whatever turns the mind away from God to trust in man, or conform to a human standard, will124prevent us from cooperating with God in the work of our own salvation. This is why the Lord forbade His people to form any alliance with the heathen, "lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee" (Ex. 34:12). He said, "They will turn away thy son from following me" (Deut. 7:4). And the same principle applies to the association of Christians with the ungodly. {2SM 123.4}

In Covenant Relation

When we accepted Christ as our Redeemer, we accepted the condition of becoming laborers together with God. We made a covenant with Him to be wholly for the Lord; as faithful stewards of the grace of Christ, to labor for the upbuilding of His kingdom in the world. Every follower of Christ stands pledged to dedicate all his powers of mind and soul and body to Him who has paid the ransom money for our souls. We engaged to be soldiers, to enter into active service, to endure trials, shame, reproach, to fight the fight of faith, following the Captain of our salvation. {2SM 124.1}In your connection with worldly societies are you keeping your covenant with God? Do these associations tend to direct your own mind or that of others to God, or are they diverting the interest and attention from Him? Do they strengthen your connection with the divine agencies, or turn your mind to the human in place of the divine? {2SM 124.2}Are you serving, honoring, and magnifying God, or are you dishonoring Him and sinning against Him? Are you gathering with Christ or scattering abroad? All the thought and plan and earnest interest devoted to these organizations has been purchased by the precious blood of Christ; but are you doing service for Him when uniting yourselves with atheists and infidels, men who profane the name of God, tipplers, drunkards, tobacco devotees? {2SM 124.3}While there may be in these societies much that appears to be good, there is, mingled with this, very much that makes the good of no effect, and renders these associations detrimental to the interests of the soul. We have125another life than that which is sustained by temporal food. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you" (John 6:53). Jesus said, "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life" (John 6:54). Our bodies are built up from what we eat and drink. And as in the natural, so in the spiritual economy; it is that which our minds dwell upon which sustains the spiritual nature. Our Saviour said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Spiritual life must be sustained by communion with Christ through His Word. The mind must dwell upon it, the heart must be filled with it. The Word of God laid up in the heart and sacredly cherished and obeyed, through the power of the grace of Christ can make man right, and keep him right; but every human influence, every earthly invention, is powerless to give strength and wisdom to man. It cannot restrain passion, or correct deformity of character. Unless the truth of God controls the heart, the conscience will be warped. But in these worldly societies the mind is turned away from the Word of God. Men are not led to make it the study and the guide of life. {2SM 124.4}

Is God Honored?

I ask you who take pleasure in these associations, who love the gathering for indulgence in wit and merriment and feasting, Do you take Jesus with you? Are you seeking to save the souls of your companions? Is that the object of your association with them? Do they see and feel that there is in you a living embodiment of the Spirit of Christ? Is it manifest that you are a witness for Christ, that you belong to a peculiar people, zealous of good works? Is it manifest that your life is governed by the divine precepts, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matt. 22:37), and, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour126as thyself" (Matt. 19:19)? To speak to the hearts and consciences of those that are ready to perish, is beyond the power of one who does not himself surrender all for Christ. But where do your fluency and warmth of speech show that your interest is centered? {2SM 125.1}In these societies what are the favorite subjects of conversation? What are the themes that excite interest and give pleasure? Are they not the gratification of the senses --eating and drinking and pleasure seeking? The presence of Christ is unknown in these gatherings. No reference is made to Him. His companionship is not desired. Where and when is God honored by such associations? Wherein is the soul in the least benefited? If you do not influence your companions for good, are they not influencing you for evil? Will it do to lay aside the lamp of life, God's Word, and mingle freely with this class of associates, and come to their level? Do you think you can find something to satisfy the hunger of the soul apart from truth and the favor of God? Shall those who profess to believe the truth for this time be at home in such scenes, when God is not in all their thoughts? {2SM 126.1}In the same room where these societies have had their gatherings, the congregations have met to worship God. Can you during the sacred hour of divine service forget the scenes of merriment and feasting, and indulgence in the wine cup? All this God writes in His book as intemperance. How does it blend with eternal realities? Do you forget that at all these pleasure gatherings there is a Witness present, as at the feast of Belshazzar? Could the curtain that separates us from the invisible world be rolled back, you would behold the Saviour grieved to see men absorbed in the pleasures of the table, in hilarity and witticism, that put Christ, the center of the world's hope, out of their thoughts. {2SM 126.2}Those who cannot discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not, may be charmed with these societies that have no connection with God, but no earnest Christian can prosper in such an atmosphere. The vital air of heaven is not there. His soul is barren, and he127feels as destitute of the refreshing of the Holy Spirit as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. {2SM 126.3}At times the follower of Christ may by circumstances be compelled to witness scenes of unholy pleasure, but it is with a sorrowful heart. The language is not the language of Canaan, and the child of God will never choose such associations. When he is necessarily brought into society that he does not choose, let him lean upon God, and the Lord will preserve him. But he is not to sacrifice his principles in any case, whatever the temptation. {2SM 127.1}

Not of Christ

Christ will never lead His followers to take upon themselves vows that will unite them with men who have no connection with God, who are not under the controlling influence of His Holy Spirit. The only correct standard of character is the holy law of God, and it is impossible for those who make that law the rule of life to unite in confidence and cordial brotherhood with those who turn the truth of God into a lie, and regard the authority of God as a thing of nought. {2SM 127.2}Between the worldly man and the one who is faithfully serving God, there is a great gulf fixed. Upon the most momentous subjects--God and truth and eternity-- their thoughts and sympathies and feelings are not in harmony. One class is ripening as wheat for the garner of God, the other as tares for the fires of destruction. How can there be unity of purpose or action between them? {2SM 127.3}"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). {2SM 127.4}"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24). {2SM 127.5}But we are to beware of indulging a spirit of bigotry and intolerance. We are not to stand aside from others in a spirit that seems to say, "Come not near me; I am holier than thou." Do not shut yourselves away from your fellow128men, but seek to impart to them the precious truth that has blessed your own heart. Let it be manifest that yours is the religion of love. {2SM 127.6}"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). {2SM 128.1}But if we are Christians, having the Spirit of Him who died to save men from their sins, we shall love the souls of our fellow men too well to countenance their sinful pleasures by our presence or our influence. We cannot sanction their course by associating with them, partaking in their feasts and their councils, where God does not preside. Such a course, so far from benefiting them, would only cause them to doubt the reality of our religion. We should be false lights, by our example leading souls to ruin. {2SM 128.2}I lately read of a noble ship that was plowing its way across the sea, when at midnight, with a terrific crash, it struck upon a rock; the passengers were awakened only to see with horror their hopeless condition, and with the ship they sank to rise no more. The man at the helm had mistaken the beacon light, and hundreds of souls were at a moment's warning launched into eternity. If we present a phase of character that misrepresents Christ, we present a false light, and souls will surely be misled by our example. {2SM 128.3}

Danger of Spiritual Declension

And Christians who connect themselves with worldly associations are injuring themselves as well as misleading others. Those who fear God cannot choose the ungodly for companions, and be themselves unharmed. In these societies they are brought under the influence of worldly principles and customs, and through the power of association and habit the mind becomes more and more conformed to the worldling's standard. Their love for God grows cold, and they have no desire for communion with Him. They become spiritually blind. They can see no particular difference between the transgressor of God's129law and those who fear God and keep His commandments. They call evil good, and good evil. The brightness of eternal realities fades away. The truth may be presented to them in ever so forcible a manner, but they do not hunger for the bread of life, or thirst for the waters of salvation. They are drinking at broken cisterns that can hold no water. Oh, it is an easy thing, by association with the world, to catch their spirit, to be molded by their views of things, so that we do not discern the preciousness of Jesus and the truth. And just to the degree that the spirit of the world dwells in our heart, it will control our life. {2SM 128.4}When men are not under the control of the Word and the Spirit of God, they are captives of Satan, and we know not to what lengths he may lead them in sin. The patriarch Jacob beheld those who take pleasure in wickedness. He saw what would be the result of association with them, and in the Spirit he exclaimed, "O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united" (Gen. 49:6). He lifts up the danger signal, to warn every soul against such associations. The apostle Paul echoes the warning: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph. 5:11). "Be not deceived: Evil company doth corrupt good manners" (1 Cor. 15:33, R.V.). {2SM 129.1}The soul is deceived when it trusts to worldly policy and human inventions instead of trusting in the Lord God of Israel. Can man find a better guide than the Lord Jesus? a better counselor in doubt and trial? a better defense in danger? To set aside the wisdom of God for human wisdom is a soul-destroying delusion. {2SM 129.2}If you would see what man will do when he rejects the influence of the grace of God, look to that scene in the judgment hall, when the infuriated mob, headed by Jewish priests and elders, clamored for the life of the Son of God. See the divine Sufferer standing by the side of Barabbas, and Pilate asking which he should release unto them. The hoarse cry, swelled by hundreds of passionate, Satan- inspired voices, is, "Away with this man, and release unto130us Barabbas" (Luke 23:18)! And when Pilate asked what was to be done with Jesus they cried, "Crucify him, crucify him" (Luke 23:21)! {2SM 129.3}Human nature then is human nature now. When the divine Remedy that would have saved and exalted human nature is despised, the same spirit still lives in the hearts of men, and we cannot trust to their guidance and maintain our loyalty to Christ. {2SM 130.1}

God Looks Beneath the Surface

These societies, that are not controlled by the love and fear of God, will not be found true and upright toward man. Many of their transactions are contrary to justice and equity. He who is of too pure eyes to behold evil will not, cannot, be a party to many things that take place in these associations. Your own conscience will bear witness to the truth of what I say. The talent and skill and inventive power with which God has endowed men are, in these associations, too often perverted to instruments of cruelty, of iniquity, of selfishness in practicing fraud upon their fellow men. {2SM 130.2}Of course all this is denied by the members of these bodies. But God looks beneath the pleasant, attractive appearance, to the secret, underlying motives and the real working of the association. While some of them claim to make the Word of God in a certain sense the basis of their organization, they depart far from the principles of righteousness. The vows imposed by some of these orders require the taking of human life when the secrets of the order are divulged. Members are also pledged, under certain circumstances, to clear the guilty from deserved punishment. Toward those who work against the order, they are required to pursue a course that is not at all in harmony with the law of God. {2SM 130.3}We cannot swerve from the truth, we cannot depart from right principles, without forsaking Him who is our strength, our righteousness, and our sanctification. We should be firmly rooted in the conviction that whatever in any sense turns us aside from truth and justice in our131association and partnership with men, cannot benefit us, and greatly dishonors God. Every species of deceit or conniving at sin is abhorrent to Him. {2SM 130.4}Fraud runs all through these secret associations, and none can be bound up with them and be free men before God and heaven. The moral nature is dragged down to that which God pronounces unjust, which is contrary to His will and His commandments. One who professes to love God, may in these associations be placed in positions which are called honorable, but in the eyes of God he is tarnishing his honor as a Christian, and separating farther and farther from the principles of righteousness and true holiness. He is perverting his powers, that have been purchased by the blood of Jesus. He is selling his soul for nought. {2SM 131.1}In the revelation of His righteous judgments, God will break up all these associations; and when the judgment shall sit and the books be opened, there will be revealed the un-Christlikeness of the whole confederacy. Those who choose to unite with these secret societies are paying homage to idols as senseless and as powerless to bless and save the soul as are the gods of the Hindus. {2SM 131.2}These societies offer some advantages which from a human point of view appear like great blessings, but not so when judged by the Lord's measurement. Behind their apparent advantages are concealed satanic agencies. The larger the income drawn into the treasury, the more and deeper is the evil. The ungodly gain which has enriched these societies will, when traced out in all its bearings, be seen to be a curse. The words which Eliphaz spoke to Job are true in respect to these associations: "I saw him 'taking root,' but I 'cursed his habitation'" (Job 5:3). They are Satan's traps, his net to entangle souls. {2SM 131.3}

A Question of Loyalty to God

Very many things are sanctioned and upheld by the world when they are an offense to the Holy One of Israel. It was seemingly a small thing for Eve to depart from God's specified restrictions and do the thing He told her132not to do, and for Adam to follow her example; but that very thing was planned by the archdeceiver to destroy the souls of men by leading them to follow their own imaginations rather than the revealed will of God. So in these associations principles are held that bring men under the deceptive power of Satan, leading away from safe paths into rebellion against God and disregard of His holy standard of righteousness. "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation" (Mark 14:38), is the oft-repeated injunction of our Saviour. Watch, watch with diligence and care, lest Satan succeed in ensnaring the souls of those for whom Christ has paid the ransom money of His own blood. {2SM 131.4}God calls upon you who would be His children to act as under the divine eye, to adopt the holy standard of righteousness. His justice and His truth are the principles that should be established in every soul. He who preserves his integrity toward God, will be upright toward man. No man who truly loves God, will, for the sake of a bribe of gold and silver, of honor, or any other earthly advantage, expose his soul to temptation. "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37). {2SM 132.1}Christians must sever every tie that binds them to these secret orders that are not under the control of God. They cannot be loyal to these organizations and loyal to God. Either the connection with these bodies must be severed or you will assimilate more closely to them, and as the result will come to unite more fully with them, and will sever the ties that bind you to those who love and fear God. The Christian will abandon those things which are a hindrance to his spirituality, be the sacrifice ever so great. Better lose money, possessions, and life itself, than to imperil the vital interests of the soul. {2SM 132.2}

Stewards of God

You who have connected yourselves with these secret societies are trusting in a staff that will be broken in133pieces; you do not trust in the Lord God of Israel, diligently searching to know His will and to follow in His way. When you invest money in these organizations, you do so in the hope of making provision for the future. You have given them time and thought and labor and money, while the cause of Christ has been neglected. Every dollar paid into these organizations is as truly turned away from the cause of God as if sunk in the ocean. But was not this capital entrusted to you of God to use in His service, for the salvation of your fellow men? By investing it where it cannot honor God or benefit men, you are repeating the sin of the slothful servant who hid his Lord's talent in the earth. {2SM 132.3}The Lord had entrusted to the unfaithful servant not a large capital, but only one talent. That one talent the man did not invest for the interest of God; he hid it in the earth, complaining that the Lord was a hard Master, reaping where He had not sown, and gathering where He had not strown. The selfishness he manifested, and the complaints he made, as though God would require of him that which He had no right to claim, showed that he did not know God, or Jesus Christ, whom He had sent. Everything he possessed was the Lord's own property, and was entrusted to him to use for God. When he says, "I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth" (Matt. 25:25), he acknowledged that the talent was from God. {2SM 133.1}And what saith the Lord?--"Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed" (Matt. 25:26). Here He repeats the servant's words, not acknowledging their truth, but showing what, even according to his own account, the servant ought to have done. The Lord virtually says: "You made no effort to trade upon My entrusted capital, and to gain an increase to promote My glory in the earth. "Thou oughtest . . . to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall134have abundance: but from him that hath not {traded on his Lord's goods} shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness" (Matt. 25: 27-30). To every soul to whom the light of truth has come is this lesson given. {2SM 133.2}We should never forget that God has placed us on trial in this world, to determine our fitness for the future life. None can enter heaven whose characters are defiled by the foul blot of selfishness. Therefore God tests us here by committing to us temporal possessions, that our use of these may show whether we can be entrusted with eternal riches. It is only as the self-sacrificing life of Christ is reflected in our life that we can be in harmony with heaven, and be fitted to enter there. {2SM 134.1}

Where Are We Placing Our Treasures?

But the great study and ambition of the world is to obtain material, temporal advantages, to the neglect of spiritual good. Thus it is with some members of the church. When at last they shall be called to render their account to God, they will not only be ashamed but astonished that they did not discern the true riches, and have not laid up treasure in the heavens. They have bestowed their gifts and offerings upon the enemies of truth, expecting a time to come in this life when they would receive the returns for what they have invested. They could entrust their means to secret societies, but when the cause of God is in need of the means He has committed to His human agents, they feel no interest, they do not consider the gift that the Lord has made to them. They are blinded by the god of this world. {2SM 134.2}They say: "I have nothing to give to this enterprise; for I shall receive no returns. In paying to the lodge, I am providing for the future, and, besides this, I must bear my share of expense for the entertainments that gratify my taste. I cannot give up these enjoyments. Why does the church look to me to help meet these constantly recurring demands? 'Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where135thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth' {Matt. 25:24, 25}, expecting that some time I would be benefited by it." {2SM 134.3}The Saviour bids us: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19-21). {2SM 135.1}Many are laying up their treasure in these secret societies, and can we not see that their heart is there? However powerful may be the evidences of truth, little by little it loses its brightness, loses its force, heaven fades from the mind, the eternal weight of glory, the gift of God for a life of obedience, appears a matter unworthy of notice in comparison with the supposed benefits to be realized in laying up earthly treasure. Souls are starving for the bread and water of life; but what is that to him whose heart is set on this world? Many a man is saying by his actions, if not in words, "I cannot let go my interest in these earthly treasures, to secure that which is eternal. The life to come is too remote for me to count upon. I choose the earthly goods, and I will run the risk of the future. God is good and merciful." Slothful servant! your portion is just as surely appointed with hypocrites and unbelievers as you continue to pursue this course. The fascination of the club room, the suppers, and the world-loving associates, has led, as did Belshazzar's feast, to forgetfulness of God and dishonoring of His name. {2SM 135.2}

Will You Cooperate With God?

There is a blindness upon human minds that is willful. Jesus said, "This people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Matt. 13:15). The work of God for the salvation136of men is the one work of supreme importance to be carried forward in our world; but many do not see this, because their interest is more with the ranks of the enemy than with the loyal soldiers of Christ. They do not see the necessity of the cooperation of the human with the divine agency. The Lord has bidden us: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12, 13). This is the plan which God has revealed to us to guide us in all the plans and purposes of life. But while men pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10), many reject the very means by which God would establish His kingdom. {2SM 135.3}When they are willing to count all things but loss that they may win Christ, their eyes will be opened to see things as they really are. Then they will turn away from the earthly attractions to the heavenly. Then they will see the true nature of the worldly, selfish enjoyments that they now value so highly, and these things that they now hold so dear will be given up. {2SM 136.1}All heaven is looking upon you who claim to believe the most sacred truth ever committed to mortals. Angels are waiting with longing desire to cooperate with you in working for the salvation of souls. Will you refuse this heavenly alliance in order to maintain your connection with society where God is not honored, where His commandments are trampled upon? How would the truth ever have been brought to you if others had felt so little interest in its advancement as some of you manifest? The cause of God demands our help, that it may be established upon a proper basis, and that the truth may be carried forward into new fields, to those who are ready to perish. Can you who claim to be sons of God refuse to aid in this work? Will you, in order to receive an earthly return, withhold your means from the treasury of God, and let His work be shamefully neglected? It is grievous to consider what might have been accomplished in the saving of souls if the heart and service of all who profess to137believe the truth had been undividedly given to God. Work has been negligently done. If self had been hid in Christ, sinners might, through wise, ingenious methods, have been won to the truth, and today be in cooperation with God. {2SM 136.2}Now, before the time comes when you must render up your account to God, I urge you to give heed to His word, "Lay up for yourselves" a "treasure in the heavens" (Matt. 6:20; Luke 12:33), not in secret societies. Consider that there is only one Proprietor of the universe, and that every man, with his time, his intellect, his resources, belongs to the One who has paid the ransom for the soul. God has a righteous claim to constant service and supreme affection. God's will, not your pleasure, is to be your criterion. And though you should accumulate a fortune less rapidly, you are laying up treasure in heaven. Who of the church is resolved to maintain his spirituality? Who will develop an experience that reveals Christian fervor, persevering energy? Who, like Jesus, will not fail nor be discouraged, not in grasping means for the service of self, but in laboring together with God? {2SM 137.1}All who are striving for the crown of everlasting life will be tempted as was their Master before them. He was proffered the kingdoms of the world if He would pay homage to Satan. Had Christ yielded to this temptation, the world would have passed forever under the sway of the wicked one. But, thank God, His divinity shone through humanity. He did that which every human being may do in the name and strength of Jesus. He said, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matt. 4:10). If this is the way you meet temptation, Satan will leave you, as he left Christ, and angels will minister unto you, as they ministered unto Him. {2SM 137.2}To those who have thought and talked of the great advantages to be gained by worldly association, the Lord declares, through the prophet Malachi: {2SM 137.3}"Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what138profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered" (Mal. 3:13-15). {2SM 137.4}These are the thoughts of many, if the words are not spoken. {2SM 138.1}"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" (Mal. 3:16 to 4:1). {2SM 138.2}Here are the people that in the world are judged to be greatly favored; but there comes a time when the children of God are distinguished as those who are honored of God because they have honored Him. {2SM 138.3}"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:1-3). {2SM 138.4}

The Better Way

While temporal honor and riches and power are the great objects of ambition with the men of this world, the Lord points out something more worthy of our highest aspirations:139{2SM 138.5}"Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised" (Jer. 9:23-25). {2SM 139.1}"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:6-9). {2SM 139.2}"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:13-19).--Pamphlet published in 1893, Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?140{2SM 139.3}

Cannot Receive the Seal of God

Those who stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel cannot be united with the Free Masons or with any secret organization. The seal of the living God will not be placed upon anyone who maintains such a connection after the light of truth has shone upon his pathway. Christ is not divided, and Christians cannot serve God and mammon. The Lord says, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:17, 18).--Letter 21, 1893. {2SM 140.1}

http://books.google.com/books?id=-_jxVaBAHOYC&pg=PA121&lpg=PA121&dq=Chap.+13+-+Should+Christians+Be+Members+of+Secret+Societies%3F&source=bl&ots=AscTTT3N7E&sig=JBDdfzuImgX-3ekYoeEjJKWOozA&hl=en&ei=KZhwTLzOIseHcYSr1ZoP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA

are you persecutor or persecutee?

2010-05-31T10:49:00.002+08:00

are you persecutor or persecutee?
are you concluding without asking?
are you accusing without evidence?
are you being a false witness?

are you persecuting them because they pointed out your mistakes?
are you persecuting by scattering seeds of FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt/deciet) instead of using Biblical (re)proof?
are you ridiculing them because they seem to be overcoming something you are struggling with?

are you magnifying the speck in their eye while forgetting the log in yours?
are you fault-finding instead of helping?

the Great Controversy has only two sides
and those who are in Christ's side follow what He says:

Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

finally, Acts 5:28-42 has good attitude to people whom we might not like but are working for revival/evangelism:

Act 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Act 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

are your standards getting in the way of the Gospel?
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Internet Evangelism

2010-04-24T20:08:00.003+08:00

Internet Evangelism
Why do evangelism?
Because Jesus says so:

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Why do evangelism?
because everyone has to make a decision about the gospel:

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Why do evangelism?
evangelism / revival
- matthew 10

- wise is he who win's souls

Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Why do evangelism?
- wise is he who turn people to righteousness

Dan 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Why do evangelism?
- he who confesses me, will i confess unto my Father in heaven

Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Why do evangelism?
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Why do evangelism?
"allow no day to pass without doing something to advance His work in the earth." PP 221
Why do evangelism?
we have to tell them the benefits of righteousness
- majority (other worlds)
- life & eternity
- heaven
Why do evangelism?
great controversy

- not of flesh but is a of spirits
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Great Controversy
- fight of faith

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Great Controversy
Provide replacement with better media content:

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Great Controversy
- in our mind
believe God or Satan

- who are we worshipping?

- boxing (rom 1:32) boxing is destroying the image of God
- media (movies, tv), music
rom 1:28-32
Great Controversy
- our weapons

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Great Controversy
- word is a two-edged sword
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- unites believers
- practice thinking for heaven (overcoming by God's power)
- health message

technology for evangelism / revival
Strict Economy.--Let all who take up the work in our large cities be careful in this respect--in no place should there be any needless expenditure of money. It is not by outward display that men and women are to learn what is comprehended by present truth. Our workers are to practice strict economy. God forbids all extravagance. Every dollar at our command is to be expended with economy. No great display is to be made. God's money is to be used to carry forward in His own way the work that He has declared must be done in our world.--Letter 107, 1905. {Ev 85.2}
technology for evangelism / revival
- not by might nor by power, but by the spirit

Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

technology for evangelism / revival
- God shall supply every need, according to His riches in glory

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

- if God doesn't supply, then it is not a need

technology for evangelism / revival
- if you believe your project is worth it, spend your own money

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
technology for evangelism / revival
All the resources of heaven are at the command of those who are seeking to save the lost. Angels will help you to reach the most careless and the most hardened. And when one is brought back to God, all heaven is made glad; seraphs and cherubs touch their golden harps, and sing praises to God and the Lamb for their mercy and loving-kindness to the children of men.--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 197. {ChS 259.2}
technology for evangelism / revival
- denial of service: if ye do not proclaim God's word, the stones will

Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

technology for evangelism / revival
- what is in your hand? (God to Moses)
- start with what you have
- cellphone
- what txts do you send? bible texts? :)
- what music do you have?
- go bible for cellphone
- go tagalog bible for cellphones
- e-sword for pocketpc
- e-sword and Tagalog bible
- etc?
technology for evangelism / revival
- ym status
- can be used to remind of God
- can be used to point to adventist websites

technology for evangelism / revival
- facebook "what's on your mind?"
- friendster shoutout/shoutbox

technology for evangelism / revival
- email signature

technology for evangelism / revival
- tv, which channels do you watch?
- put adventist channels in your cable network
- hcbn, free channel agila satellite
- 3abn freeair tv, hopetv
- put in waiting rooms, waiting queues, offices
technology for evangelism / revival
mp3 player, audiobible, GYC mp3s, faithcamp mp3s

- laptop / computer
- e-sword, tagalog
- http://www.sharpeningthesword.net/
- e-Sword Files for Seventh-day Adventists
- egw writings CD for $19.90

technology for evangelism / revival
- websites
- link to other adventist website to add to their pagerank
- gycweb.org, rightlytrained.org, discoveries08.org, www.aup.edu.ph/aolis/religious/
- how to make (easiest webs.com)

- GC guidelines for SDA church websites (afternoon session)

technology for evangelism / revival
- technology helps us reach more in less time and with less resources
technology for evangelism / revival
- need for tagalog sermons
technology for evangelism / revival
- giving away dvds is evangelism already
Financial management
- God the owner of all (parable of the talents)

Deu 10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Financial management
- God the owner of all

1Sa 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

Financial management
- God the owner of all

Psa 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

Financial management
- best thing to do with resources

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Financial management
- i come with my reward

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Financial management
Every deed of righteousness will be immortalized, although the doer may not feel that he has done anything worthy of notice.--Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 683. {ChS 257.3}
Riches can be sent to heaven in advance
Christ points out the way in which those who have worldly riches and yet are not rich toward God may secure the true riches. He says: Sell that ye have, and give alms, and lay up treasure in heaven. The remedy He proposes for the wealthy is a transfer of their affections from earthly riches to the eternal inheritance. ...
Riches can be sent to heaven in advance
… By investing their means in the cause of God to aid in the salvation of souls, and by blessing the needy with their means, they become rich in good works and are "laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." ...
Riches can be sent to heaven in advance
… This will prove a safe investment. But many show by their works that they dare not trust in the bank of heaven. They choose to trust their means in the earth rather than send it before them to heaven, that their hearts may be upon their heavenly treasure. {2T 681.2}

Chap 79. Transferring Earthly Treasure
Riches can be sent to heaven in advance
1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Financial management
- where does the money go
- (basic & required) tithe, (storehouse) conference, division, gc, missions
- (freewill) offerings, local church budget
- special offerings, whereever they are labeled to go
- fund your own ministry, like paul who made tents

Assurance of Success
The Divine Guaranty:

God will accept the whole-hearted service, and will Himself make up the deficiencies.--The Ministry of Healing, p. 150. {ChS 257.2}
Assurance of Success
Every deed of righteousness will be immortalized, although the doer may not feel that he has done anything worthy of notice.--Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 683. {ChS 257.3}

To every one who offers himself to the Lord for service, withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of measureless results.--Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 30. {ChS 257.6}
Assurance of Success
When we labor diligently for the salvation of our fellow men, God will prosper our very effort.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 86. {ChS 257.7}

The Lord has a place for every one in His great plan. Talents that are not needed are not bestowed. Supposing that the talent is small. God has a place for it, and that one talent, if faithfully used, will do the very work God designs that it should do.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 37. {ChS 257.8}
Assurance of Success
As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command, may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 333.
Assurance of Success
No thought of failure:

When we give ourselves wholly to God, and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we
even think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure.--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 363. {ChS 261.4}
Assurance of Success
In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward, will be the success given.--Prophets and Kings, p. 263. {ChS 262.2}
Assurance of Success
The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. He has a use for them, and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things if they have faith in His promises.--The Desire of Ages, p. 668. {ChS 262.1}
Rewards of Service
Every sacrifice that is made in His ministry will be recompensed according to "the exceeding riches of His grace." --The Desire of Ages, p. 249. {ChS 266.2}
Rewards of Service
Our reward for working with Christ in this world is the greater power and wider privilege of working with Him in the world to come.--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 361. {ChS 266.3}
Rewards of Service
Sure Reward:

He who has appointed "to every man his work," according to his ability, will never let the faithful performance of duty go unrewarded. Every act of loyalty and faith will be crowned with special tokens of God's favor and approbation. To every worker is given the promise, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." --Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 395. {ChS 267.2}
Rewards of Service
Sure Reward:

To every worker for God this thought should be a stimulus and an encouragement. In this life our work for God often seems to be almost fruitless. Our efforts to do good may be earnest and persevering, yet we may not be permitted to witness their results. To us the effort may seem to be lost. But the Saviour assures us that our work is noted in heaven, and that the recompense cannot fail.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 305.
Rewards of Service
The Lord desires us to rest in Him without a question as to our measure of reward. When Christ abides in the soul, the thought of reward is not uppermost. This is not the motive that actuates our service.--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 398. {ChS 268.4}
Rewards of Service
Happiness.--Those who give their lives to Christlike ministry know the meaning of true happiness. Their interests and their prayers reach far beyond self. They themselves are growing as they try to help others. They become familiar with the largest plans, the most stirring enterprises, and how can they but grow when they place themselves in the divine channel of light and blessing? Such ones receive wisdom from heaven. They become more and more identified with Christ in all His plans. There is no opportunity for spiritual stagnation.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 42. {ChS 269.1}
Rewards of Service
Blessing.--Every effort made for Christ will react in blessing upon ourselves.--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 354. {ChS 270.1}

We should live in this world to win souls to the Saviour. If we injure others, we injure ourselves also. If we bless others, we also bless ourselves; for the influence of every good deed is reflected upon our own hearts.--Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 72. {ChS 270.3}
Rewards of Service
Health.--Doing good is an excellent remedy for disease. Those who engage in the work are invited to call upon God, and He has pledged Himself to answer them. Their soul shall be satisfied in drouth, and they shall be like a watered garden, whose waters fail not.--Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 29.

{ChS 270.6}
Rewards of Service
Strength.--Let a strong man be shut away from labor, and he becomes feeble. That church or those persons who shut themselves away from bearing burdens for others, who shut themselves up to themselves, will soon suffer spiritual feebleness. It is labor that keeps the strong man strong. And spiritual labor, toil, and burden-bearing, is what will give strength to the church of Christ.--Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 22. {ChS 271.3}
Rewards of Service
Peace.--In doing for others, a sweet satisfaction will be experienced, an inward peace which will be a sufficient reward. When actuated by a high and noble desire to do others good, they will find true happiness in a faithful discharge of life's manifold duties. This will bring more than an earthly reward; for every faithful, unselfish performance of duty is noticed by the angels, and shines in the life record. --Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 132. {ChS 271.4}
Rewards of Service
Future Reward:

Eternal Life.--By earnest, thoughtful efforts to help where help is needed, the true Christian shows his love for God and for his fellow beings. He may lose his life in service; but when Christ comes to gather His jewels to Himself, he will find it again.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 56. {ChS 271.5}
Rewards of Service
A Gracious Welcome Home.--Stand on the threshold of eternity, and hear the gracious welcome given to those who in this life have co-operated with Christ, regarding it as a privilege and an honor to suffer for His sake. . . . There the redeemed ones greet those who directed them to the uplifted Saviour. They unite in praising Him who died that human beings might have the life that measures with the life of God. The conflict is over. All tribulation and strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven, as the redeemed stand around the throne of God. All take up the joyful strain, "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain," and hath redeemed us to God.--The Ministry of Healing, pp. 506, 507. {ChS 271.6}
Riches can be sent to heaven in advance
… By investing their means in the cause of God to aid in the salvation of souls, and by blessing the needy with their means, they become rich in good works and are "laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." ...

Test / Quiz / Appeal
Want a free dvd?
Want to share God with others?
Want to be God's faithful servant?
Want to ask God to be a blessing to others?
Want to learn more how to share God?
Want to be instrument of revival & reformation?
want to not stand in the way of those who are spreading the light but instead help them?

Test / Quiz / Appeal
want God to help you overcome sin?
desire to have a living connection with God?
want to be forgiven of your sin and engage most earnestly in seeking God?
want to ask God to make your life a living testimony of His goodness?

Supporting Ministry HowTo (technical)

2010-04-24T20:08:00.000+08:00

How do we do things:.....
This is in response to a comment that we should train (disciple) other people to do the same things.

How do we put so many videos in one dvd?
-we use a software called DeVeDe

Why we don't reproduce videos of ?
-because there is detected effort to limit reproduction to non-free channels

How do we make our soundsystems clearer than others?
-we put more tweeters and boost high frequencies

How do we deal with equipment damaged during service?
-everything has an end-of-life, at least it died in service

How do you deal with conflicts in appointment (overbooking)?
-we borrow, we have redundant equipment sometimes
-we ask one side to give way to the one who needs it more

What software can we use if we like to be free from pirated software?
-we buy licenses if we can, otherwise below
-linux as the operating system (ubuntu linux most popular)
-cinelerra for video editing
-gimp for photo editing
-openoffice for documents, spreadsheet, presentations

Which do you buy and which do you borrow?
-borrowing and lending is preferred
-if borrowing process is too much a hassle, buying is considered

Do you accept donations?
-of course, but we won't ask while we haven't finished ours

Do you do accounting?
-we would want to, even to reach SEC standards for public companies. but it's too much bean-counting and some 98% is our own money anyway. if you are looking for someone to trust we can try full transparency & accountability on the specific project. we have a lot of friends who are young student accountants, practicing accountants, and retired accountants too.

How much is your service appreciated?
-almost everyone likes free dvds up front, some are too shy.
-many people have appreciated the dvds, but usually it takes some time for them to consume/digest the material, we have to pray that those people be moved by the Holy Spirit to watch/listen to those dvds.
-it is like sowing seeds

Where do you get money?
-God has a thousand ways
-from being employed in AUP, previous internet business (acquired by aup), van rentals, software projects, donations

What is the name of your ministry?
-haven't thought of that yet

Who are the people in your ministry?
-anyone with the same mission, i help almost anyone i can

Which preachers do you like the most?
-David Gates, Mark Finley, Ed Reid, Doug Batchelor, all of gyc, all of audioverse, all all all to be fair :)
-more Bible verses, more SOP, more testimonies(that cohere with Bible & SOP), the better

How do you replicate the DVDs?
-multiple dvd writers connected to a linux desktop. we've thought of a duplicator-controller but it's better to buy blank dvds with that amount.

Faithfulness / Faith

2010-04-24T20:06:00.003+08:00

Faithfulness

how to have faith?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
gycweb.org

need to evaluate ourselves
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are counterfeits?

Faith is our shield
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Be faithful to the end
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Measure of faithfulness
Luk 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

God calls us to be faithful
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

A sign of the end: faithlessness
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Faith Definition & Examples
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

God's Faithfulness
“O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You” (Ps. 89:8, NKJV).

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Songs:
great is thy faithfulness

• God’s faithfulness is far-reaching in its extent—“Your faithfulness
reaches to the clouds” (Ps. 36:5, NKJV).
• God’s faithfulness is sure—“Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail” (Ps. 89:33, NKJV).
• God’s faithfulness is great—“Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23, NKJV).
• God’s faithfulness is set in heaven—“For I have said, ‘Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens’ ” (Ps. 89:2, NKJV).

song: faith is the victory
1Jn 5:4 For whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

Blessings of God's Faithfulness:

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 thes 5:23 above
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Faithful till the end

Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Need for faithful people

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand
for the right though the heavens fall.”—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 57.

Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (NKJV).

“allow no day to pass without doing something to advance His work in the earth,” what would you need to do?—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 221.

audioverse.org

Faith Contrasts

Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Pro 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Faith vs. pride
Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is proud is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Faith vs. fear
Mat 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Faith vs. doubt
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Faith is God's power
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

REwards of the faithful
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Story of people who are against faith

Act 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Act 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Act 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Act 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Act 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Fruits of faith
Act 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Faith vs. Pride
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

What do we do with people of weak faith?
Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Faith and Love
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Faith and direction in life
2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Faith of Jesus justifies us
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal 3:24 Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Faith and rebuke
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Faith -> no turning back
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

God's role in our faith?
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Faith & Works
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.

Last word
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Bible Texts About Jewelry and a Proposed Understanding About Seeming Contradictions

2010-04-24T20:06:00.000+08:00

Bible Texts About Jewelry and a Proposed Understanding About Seeming Contradictions

There are several texts in the Bible that seem to give permission-by-example to use jewelry:

“And I asked her, and said, whose daughter art thou? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.” Gen 24:47, 48

“And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck...” Gen 41:42

“As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” Ps 25:12

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isa 61:10

“Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” Jer 2:32

“I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.” Ezek 16:11-13

“But the father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand…” Luke 15:22

However there are two texts that explicitly discourage jewelry:

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel…” 1 Pet 3:3

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array…” 1 Tim 2:9

As it turns out heaven is also made of precious materials:

"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." Rev 21:21

So how do we interpret seeming contradictions? I suggest that we study other apparent contradictions in the Bible.

Example 1: Israelites told to go to promise land but were punished when they tried to.

They murmured and therefore, of that generation only Joshua and Caleb, who had correct attitudes, were allowed to reach the promise land.

Example 2: Abraham and Sarah were given miracle child (Heb 11:11) but were asked to sacrifice the son (Heb 11:17)

To Abraham it was a test of which is more important, the gift (his son) or the giver of the gift (God).

Example 3: Israelites went to Egypt, but later told to come out of Egypt

The went to to survive the famine and came out of Egypt to go to the promised land.

Example 4: Jesus saved from Herod as a young boy, but not saved from crucifixion.

Example 5: Abel died in faith (heb 11:4), Enoch living in faith until now (heb 11:5)

So these leads us to several questions:

1. How do we know which is the right thing to do at a specific point in time?
2. How do we know it is not "teaching for doctrines commandments of men" (Mat 15:9) ?

1. How do we know which is the right thing to do at a specific point in time?

In the case of jewelry, it turns out that the most recent Biblical instructions (1 Pet 3:3, 1 Tim 2:9) are discouraging it. If it was God's will for the old-testament times to use jewelry, then let be it. If it is God's will that after the cross, we adorn ourselves simply, then let be it.

2. How do we know it is not "teaching for doctrines commandments of men" (Mat 15:9) ?

If we had to ask this question then we are questioning the Bible as a whole, which of course history proves Bible prophecy. see http://discoveries08.org/schedule/ for topics on prophecy.

GOSHEN testimony 2

2010-01-15T11:21:00.003+08:00

God impressed Pastor Bryan Tolentino to read the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy only for three months.
God impressed Don Aquino, thru Extreme Faith documentary of Pastor David Gates testimonies of how God was leading their ministry, to organize A3M with Noli Catimbang and others.
God led siblings Don and Donna, and others to take the 6-month training in LIGHT in Nueva Era, Ilocos, which uses Wildwood curriculum.
Thru faith and prayer, God impressed Bryan and Don to create GO (Gospel Order school of medical evangelism) in Dimani, Aurora.
God gave dreams to a brethren in Dimani about people having a camp meeting.
God impressed people to donate a generator, water pipes, tarps, etc... for the school.
God impressed David Tan (ssd coordinator of ASI) to recommend the name GOSHEN (Gospel Order School of Health Evangelism Network)
God gave a dream to Gener Mercene about resurrection. He saw many adventists and others being risen from their graves (someone in white was opening the graves).
God allowed one camera in goshen to catch a glimpse of the burning tree which was above the tent of Gener and his companion.
God gave Mr. Garde (asi coordinator of CLC and whole Luzon) a series of dreams where they were struggling in flooded water and at least he recognized his wife in the dream.
God used ma'am glenda orbe's sickness (cancer and diabetes) and experiences to magnify the Bible and EGW's health message claims regarding diet/nutrition, disease, and direct connection to spiritual discernment.
God impressed many participants in Goshen to do goshen also in their own home provinces. bicol, mindanao, palawan, iloilo, etc...
God directed the goshen missionaries to cook and prepare food for the locals of dimani. God giving them instant skill and instant wisdom in doing His work. Their testimonies and experiences reveal the true-to-life working of the Holy Spirit like in the days of Acts.
God stirred AUP & PIC about goshen but had plans than nobody ever thought of. How things fit together miraculously is just evidence that it is God himself leading the work. Pastor Parulan helped the goshen organizers connect with the owner of the rights to the land in dimani.
God stirred the owner of the land and his children, long before we contacted them. We were individually and as a group asking that God go with us, but God was already there! When we met the owners and shared God's stories, they outrightly gave all the papers for God's work. I remember the tearry eyes of that old man after seeing the burning bush picture and hearing the story. He knew it was God.
God gave the 82-year old man a smile that can only be worn by one who has just done God's will.

News from GOSHEN (Gospel Order School of Health Evangelism Network)

2010-01-02T06:15:00.009+08:00

News from GOSHEN (Gospel Order School of Health Evangelism Network)

Hello friends,

[update jan 08, 2010 vidoes, mp3s of are available at http://www.aup.edu.ph/aolis/Software/religious2/. just look for goshen subdirectories]

God is so good! Here is a summary of some of the news of God's workings here in Dimani, Aurora Province, Philippines

1. Pastor Bryan Tolentino has been praying for this in the last several years.
2. A member who dreams had a dream about the project.
3. God has been leading others to help in the realization of the GO project.
4. God is using Ma'am Glenda Orbe to strengthen the vegan disease management diet (no salt, no oil, no additives) of the project.
5. Lots of people are excited about the project. There is also lots of persecution.
6. Don Acquino just graduated from LIGHT (wildwood philippines) is also praying to start another training center.
7. A land was located and the previous revelations were confirmed. It is surrounded by mountains, beside a river, has fresh water, is about 10 mins from the road, and is open to be used for this year-end.

Now that is the introduction
8. First day was really packed with learning. Starting lectures at at 4am with reactions/testimonies after most lectures. Then we have another lecture at about 7am, and eating time and break at 9:30am-12, then about two more lecture, then eating at 4:30pm, then lecture at 7pm, then finaly sleep at 9:30pm. For two weeks!
9. My goal of coming is to enjoy the vegan food which i have been enjoying for several months already. And to enjoy the truths revealed by prophet bryan, as i call him (num 11:29, Acts 2:17, Eph 4:11-12, 1Thes 5:20-21). And also to video all the lectures, activities, and food preparations. So that we can post it for free in the internet so more people can benefit.
10. The topics and other details are posted in http://www.aup.edu.ph/aolis/wingp/go/

This is where the real thing starts
11. In some days I was really sad and tired and disappointed and was asking God for encouragement. I was supposed to be happy to know about the testimonies of how this project became a reality in the leading and working of God.
12. Between the lectures, Gener Mercene, a theology working student from AUP, told pastor bryan that he had a dream and that he saw the resurrection and he saw many adventist and others rising up into the sky from their graves. He saw someone in white opening up the graves, and he saw me, since I was usually taller than most people, and i was also risen and ascending. Praise the LORD! What greater encouragement could one receive?
13. Now I really reflected on this and asked God to project my attitude from being complacent, to shield me from pride, and that God might me a good attitude and reaction to this dream.
14. If this is true, pastor bryan says, it means that I won't be included in the 144,000 who will be alive and saved when Jesus comes. But to me it doesn't matter, as long as sin is eliminated in me and that I get to go to heaven and live eternally.
14.a. The next day another camper was browsing their camera and he noticed some kind of glow or fire in one of the trees in the camp. The unedited picture is supposed to be attached to this document. (Please check with your best graphics artist to see if it is edited.)
14.b. This is really inspiring and comforting that puts tears of joy in my eyes whenever I realize how God is in his work here.
14.c. I initially thought it was an error or something but I borrowed the camera and tried to see all the angles while praying to God to tell us what this was about.
14.d. It turns out that the "burning tree" (Joel 2:28-32) was exactly above the tent where Gener Mercene was sleeping. This really struck me as Gener Mercene was the one who dreamed of seeing me and others in the resurrection day! Praise the Lord!

My partial analysis about it are the following:
14. It is God's will that I be saved.
15. It is also God's will that everyone be saved.
16. God cannot save me if I don't allow him. This applies to everyone as well.

My question to all who read or hear this story is:
17. What would you be thinking if you were in my place?
18. What would you do in response to such a dream? How would it affect how you live?

My resolutions are:
19. I would live everyday like it was the last. Since you really never know when the last will be.
20. I'll finish all my resources into gospel work before I die.
21. Since I don't know exactly when I will die, the above sounds like quite ASAP. (of course the "strict economy" rule of spending still applies).

Prayer requests:
22. That God himself protects the videos of this activity from hardware failure.
23. That the people who started this project continue to maintain as much prayer and seeking God's will as was when it was being started, so long as the ministry is still needed.
24. That God take care of all the other projects / ministries that branch off from this.
25. That the laborers learn Jesus only way to do gospel work, and that the field be readied by God himself.
26. That the Holy Spirit be poured to all of us, and that we make getting ready for this our hightest priority.

Amen, Amen, Amen!

This is just one of the many great miracles God is doing everyday.
Jesus is coming soon! He is actually doing the work Himself now.
We have to warn the world of the impeding destruction ASAP and in Christ's method.

God Rules

2006-07-17T23:32:00.000+08:00

The LORD is my ultimate refuge
He humiliates me when i'm proud
He automatic punishment for my haughty spirit
Even before i know it
He reads the deepest thoughts
Thoughts i am not even aware of yet
God judges fairly
He rewards the humble
and humbles the boaster.

God is the best government
He moves people's hearts
He directs committees
He softens hearts
He hardens hearts too.

He closes doors,
He opens doors,
depending on the condition
of your very heart

God is the judge
God rules

You Give What You Have Extra

2005-11-24T06:59:00.001+08:00

If you are appreciated you appreciate others.
If you are elated you make others happy.
If you are criticized you criticise others too.
If you are loved you love others too.

Whatever emotion you have you give to others.

If you continiously learn you are not insecure of running out of things to teach.
If your money inflow is good, you are not worried of outflow.
When you receive a lot, you give a lot too.
If you are successful, you want to make others successful too.

Be it emotion, fate, impression, or what, you only give what you have extra.

Unity ang Agreement

2005-10-22T14:41:00.000+08:00

Amos 3:3 says "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

Agreement is the basis of Unity

Some people ask for unity but forget that
people have their own minds.
That they are capable of thinking of better things,
of thinking of righter things.

To solicit Unity one has to make sure there is agreement.

The Beauty of Sabbath

2005-10-22T08:46:00.000+08:00

I like it when Sabbath comes.
No worries, no schedules,
You can forget all things that press on you

The community is extra quiet
The weather is distinctively sunny
The birds are more present and noticable
Their chirps make the Sabbath's silence more pleasurable

To me, Sabbath is when novel ideas come
it's when enlightening analysis surface

It's when you have all 24 hours to refill
refill your work attitude by doing something entirely different
refill your intellect by studying the Word
and also refill from your sleep-debt

The Sabbath is a blessing
it is a pleasure
it is an opportunity, and right
it's the 4th Law!

:)

The ratio of helping others and getting benefits

2005-08-31T19:51:00.000+08:00

If you had a service that could serve 1,000,000 people you'd be rich.
The more people you serve the more money you get.
The more people you can make happy, the more your customers.
The better your service the more ready your clients are to pay.

People who don't want to serve others are selfish, near-sighted, and unwise.
Great investors know how to give, know how to serve, know how to invest in services that people will pay back.

The Endlessness of Teaching and Learning

2005-08-31T19:45:00.000+08:00

People want to know more than others, so they go to school, learn by themselves, and try to get an educational advantage.

There is a tendency for some people to be insecure about other people knowing more than they do. This is because it translates to other people having more advantage than they do. Therefore people try to keep themselves at an advantage by either 1) learning more than they teach, or 2) teaching less than they learn.

People who learn a hundred things a day are not worried to tell you half of them. People who learn only 5 things a day sometimes want to keep all of it to themselves.

The security of teaching a lot of ideas to other people comes from learning a lot more ideas than you release. Therefore generally teachers who learn a lot, teach a lot too.

Everything is a Computation

2004-11-29T19:52:00.000+08:00

Favor is a computation
Beauty is a computation
Intelligence is a computation
Speed is a computation

Talent is a computation
Quality is a computation
Color is a computation
Tune is a computation

Energy is a computation
Emotion is a computation
Mood is a computation
Radiation is a computation

Aura is a computation
Convincing power is a computation
Success is a computation
Even nothingness is a computation

My Occupational Dreams (in no order)

2004-11-29T19:43:00.000+08:00

Doctor
Mr. Bean
Preacher
Teacher
Lawyer
Scientist
Singer
Pilot (helicopter)
President
Businessman
Philantrophist
Electronics and Communications Engineer
Physicist
Philospher
Best father
Best husband
Working student
Cook
Janitor
Farmer
Environmentalist/Ecologist
Economist
Mechnical Engineer
Best boyfriend
Tindero
Race Driver (bmx, mbike, bike, car, cart)

Education installs common sense, practice amplifies it

2004-09-07T11:40:00.000+08:00

Education installs common sense, practice amplifies it

God is my Boss

2004-08-21T10:43:00.000+08:00

The Lord is my employer, i shall not want.
I asked for a lot of work, He gave me more than I could do.
I asked for a job, He gave me more than I could accept.
I asked to be the most productive in my area and He made it true.
I asked for understanding and He showed me things unseen.
I asked to see Him in people, and He was there.
I asked to see Him in my occupation, and He was there.
I asked to see Him in the organization, and He was there.
I asked to see Him in nature, and He was there.
I asked for money, He gave me many opportunities to make much.
I asked for power, He put me in the front.
I asked for humility, He kept me in the back.
I asked for wisdom and foresight, He showed me how things would be.
I asked for me to be good, and He prevented me from doing bad.
I asked for a goodwilled heart, and He softened my heart.
I asked for forgiveness, and He already had forgiven me.
I asked for another chance, and He gave me another chance.
I asked for another chance, and He gave me another chance.
I asked for another chance, and He gave me another chance.
I asked for another chance, and He gave me another chance.
I asked for another chance, and He gave me another chance.
...

Life itself, I wasn't there to ask for, but He gave to me anyway.
Therefore God is my Boss forever and ever and ever...

I dedicate all the ergs of life, all atoms of my existence to His service.
There is not greater role, no greater goal, than to be His servant.

God is my Great Dad,
He is my Greatest Teacher,
He is my Best of Bests Friend,
He is my Lifetime Employer and Real Boss,
He is my God.

Education

2004-08-04T22:20:00.000+08:00

The Essence of Education is not how much one knows, but how much one is changed by what he has learned.

Educational efficiency is the ratio between how much is learned and how much change the learning has affected in a person.

Life This Semester

2004-07-23T19:43:00.000+08:00

It's amusing how God gives things that we ask. I asked for accelerated experience, for good friends, for a lot of work, for maximum usefullnes in His work. And here is my life this semester:

Thesis writing (masters)
18 units teaching Computer Science major subjects
Project Leader & Chief Engineer of AUP Accounting System Recomputerization Project
System Admin of aolis
providing "presence" and driving support to many of my friends dreams, ambitions, needs, and enjoyment

With this crazy schedule the deal is if God enables me to do all these then i will be able to do it. Simple.

[Dec 20, 2004 Update: the above is a very optimistic schedule. It will need more time to finish. Another slid schedule.]

Remembering Life As A Software Engineer

2004-07-23T19:29:00.000+08:00

When we were young [20-22] we used to be programmers, designers, testers, etc. of the Adventist University Online Information System. The project aimed to computerize the enrollment processes of, at least, college students.

It was a bootcamp project. In the most intense days we would work from 7am to 5am (22 hours). We averaged working about 15 hours a day for about two of the eleven months in the project. The project motivated us, it was in our hearts, and our hearts were on the project. It was our project.

The Essence of Work

2004-07-05T08:49:00.000+08:00

The essence of work is to be occupied.
To be occupied is not to be idle.
Because an idle mind is the workhouse of the Devil.

The essence of work in education is to make people better than who they currently are.

The essence of technical work is to make things easier to do, saving time, saving effort.

If you can continously innovate you will never run out of work.

Improve! Make things better!

Economic Tests

2004-07-05T08:47:00.000+08:00

Which is more difficult to pass? The test of poverty or the test of wealth?

The Many Strings of Life

2004-07-04T21:58:00.000+08:00

Life is composed of many strings. Strings that are supposed to be pulled on from time to time. These strings pull away from us when we don't tug on them frequently and powerfully enough.

Some people have few strings, and they get to master how to pull those strings. Other people maintain many strings but don't master any of them. Some can master a bunch full, others can master none, others can master some, and others can master all.

Help Me

2004-07-04T21:19:00.000+08:00

Our Father in Heaven

Help me

to be as honest as Joseph
to be as faithful as Abraham
to be as loyal as Jonathan
to be as wise as Solomon

to be as near to your heart as David
to walk with you like Enoch did
to defend your message like Paul
to be as thankful as Mary Magdalene

Thank You

2004-07-03T11:03:00.000+08:00

Our Father in Heaven

Thank you for life
Thank you for having parents
Thank you for giving them even though i couldn't exist to ask for them yet
Thank you for making it so i landed on a big pillow from the second deck bed at 3 months old while asleep
Thank you for sending lady (who was cutting classes) to rescue me from drowning in the 6-foot fishpond when i was 3

Thank you
for the opportunity to grow
for the opportunity to let others grow
for the opportunity to teach
for the opportunity to be taught

for the chance to love
and the chanee to be loved
for the chance to eat
and the chance be feed others

for being able to laugh
and for being able to make others laugh
for being able to see
and for being able to show others

for being able to talk
and for the opportunity to be heard
for being able to help
and for the opportunity to help others

for being able to correct
and for being corrected by others
for the chance to sing
and the change to listen to singing

for being able to feel
and for letting others feel
for all the opportunities you have given
and for being able to give others opportunities

Thank you for everything. You are Everything and everything comes from You.

The Universe Stores Its Own History

2004-07-03T10:09:00.000+08:00

When lighting strikes 1 kilometer away, thunder is heard about 3 seconds after. That's because the speed of sound at sea level is 340.29 m/s. The sound is late. The sound is already history. To hear what was said a year ago you have to be 10,415,324 kilometers away from the place of conversation given the sound is not absorbed nor weakened by distance.

Light (and other nearby oscillations unobservable by the human eye) travels at 299,792,458 meters / second. If you have a very powerful telescope (like Hubble) you would be able to see light years away. Where light year is one year's worth of travel at the speed of light. So if you were looking at a star one lightyear away, you're looking at how it was one year ago. If you could see 6000 light years far, you would almost see creation of the universe!

Therefore all unhidden optical information of the universe are archived and continuously traveling outward in space. You could retrieve them by traveling faster than light back and forth the optical archive looking back thru the history of a star or planet.

Emotion and Logic

2004-07-03T09:24:00.000+08:00

Emotion is Latent Logic

We feel what we have thought of. Things of the past dictate how new ideas impress upon us.

We accept things because of either logic or emotion, or both.

Emotion is of the heart. Logic is of the intelligence. Both are from the mind. One is learned, the other is current.

Which is more powerful? Emotion or Logic? Emotion is more intense. But emotion is just a mountain of previous logic(s). Logic, logic, and more logic will overthrow an emotional position given "enough time". Where "enough time" depends on the difference of the new position and the previous position.