God deserves all the glory for He is good

God is good.

I thank God for the wonderful things that He has done in our lives. His blessings upon us far exceed what my heart could ever imagine.

God has blessed my two sons with unbelievable intellect. Our eldest son, Nathan, graduated with highest honors from the PSHS Main. This is on top of the awards he received from winning various academic contests (Economics, Chemistry, Physics). No one could imagine the joy that engulfed me and my wife as we witnessed the awarding of medals to Nathan. Nathan also passed the UPCAT and awarded the UP Oblation Scholarship for being one of the top fifty (50) passers of the UPCAT. He also passed the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship. My wife and I are proud of our Nathan. I would say that our son’s wisdom is God-given. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally.” God is indeed generous to Nathan.

God also blessed our youngest son, Paul. He is the valedictorian of the Congress Elementary School (CES). He received about a dozen medals and a trophy for accomplishments such as Champion of Battle of the Brains in Caloocan City, Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil of Caloocan City, medals in MTAP Math Challenge (Individual and Team categories), Ovaltine Math Quiz Bee runner-up, Journalism, and Hekasi. On top of these, he also passed the entrance exam to the PSHS Main. Many CES teachers and parents congratulated us. My wife and I are thankful to God for entrusting to us these two gifted sons.

We pray that our two sons would use their gifts and talents for the glory of God who gave them all that they have. God deserves all the glory for He is good.

Andrew G. Tenefrancia - A Man of God

1977. The year I obeyed the Gospel of Christ. Manila Science High School Living Circle. It was the ministry that brought the Gospel to Masci in the 70’s. The Living Circle Ministry is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy. I value it most because it changed my life. Through the Masci LC and later the UPLC, I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Also, thru the LC Ministry, I learned to serve the Lord. Pastor Tene supported me and Pastor Egay Espinosa when we revived the V. Mapa LC. He also encouraged me and Pastor Lito Sese while we were serving at the EARIST LC. Ganun din sa Quirino High School LC kasama ko doon sila Ate Irene at Ate Aida. As a result, many students and teachers committed their lives to Christ. My brothers and sisters also came to know the Lord Jesus through the LC Ministry. This is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy that changed lives.

Pastor Tenefrancia also gave us the Grace Bible School or GBS. He was my professor in Counseling. At the GBS, I learned precious truths from the Word of God and deeper insights in Biblical Theology and God’s character and attributes. As a result, I came to adore God in a deeper way and to love Christ more and more. This is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy that taught me to love God and His Word.

Personally, Pastor Tenefrancia taught me many Christian principles. He taught me to love the lost. He taught me how to share the Gospel. I remember one summer in University of Baguio. There was an LC Conference. I had my practicum on how to share the Gospel. At first, he shared the Gospel to a student while I watch and listen. After that, he let me share the Gospel to another person while he listens and prays as I share. It was a lesson I treasured most.

Pastor Tenefrancia also encouraged me to finish college. I was taking up BS Math at UP Diliman during the day and also enrolled in subjects at the GBS Evening Bible School. It was tough having 16 units at Diliman during the day and 18 units at the Bible School at night. Pastor Tenefrancia advised me to finish first my BS Math because he said that it is my testimony to my parents. I followed him and it was a wise decision. He also counseled me on love, courtship, and marriage. Siya rin ang nagkasal sa amin ni Eva.

To me, Pastor is like a father. This year, I lost two fathers: my Dad in January and now Pastor Tenefrancia. Pastor is a gentle and wise father. He is humble. Walang yabang sa katawan. He played pingpong, volleyball and basketball with us. He shared his life with us.

Pastor Tenefrancia is a great man of God. Among pastors, naging standard na namin ni Eva si Pastor Tenefrancia. Whenever we attend other Christian churches, madalas sabihin naming malayo sila kay Pastor Tenefrancia. In wisdom, humility, concern, family example, and love for God, Pastor Tenefrancia is a cut above the rest. He is Christ-like in character.

I owe a lot to Pastor. And now, let me thank Ma’am Mary Jean, Valery, Sheri Ann and Charlene for sharing Pastor’s life with us. God bless you po. Thank God for Pastor.

Pidio Nogales
April 21, 2009

Storms

The past few months has brought a series of storms in my life. Sunod-sunod na nagkasakit ang parents ko. Then last Sunday naman ay dinala namin ang panganay namin sa hospital.

Maraming gastos. Maraming worries. Medyo ubos na ang savings. Binubulabog ko na ang langit ng panalangin at panaghoy. But God is silent or maybe I cannot hear His still small voice.

I know God is working for my good while I am in pain. It has been said that our bodies are recuperating when we are asleep. Maybe I need to rest in the Lord and let Him heal everything that are hurting.

I remember in the Book of Esther. Mordecai was hurting because Haman has secured a decree from King Ahasuerus to allow Haman to destroy the Jews. Then one night, the King could not find sleep so he asked the chronicler to read some court manuscripts. The account on how Mordecai exposed an assassination attempt on his life was read. He was told that Mordecai has not been rewarded for this. So the King ordered Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to put on the King's robes on Mordecai and parade him as a man whom the King wishes to honor.

That started the chain of events that led to the salvation of Mordecai's people from extermination. It was deep in the night. There's nothing that could be possibly done at that time. Everyone was asleep. But God did not let the King sleep so that Mordecai's problems could be solved.

I believe God is at work both for the good of His people and for His glory.

Have you visited the Philippines?

My Lakbayan grade is C. I haven't visited many places in my own country. Siguro in the next few years.

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Happiness

Happiness is an elusive goal for most people. I guess one can find it if he can find his purpose in life. It is not amassing wealth nor being comfortable nor luxurious. It is doing what you enjoy most and doing what you are purposed to do.

Like our household items, each is brought into the house for a purpose. For example an electric fan, you can use it as a display item to make your house more beautiful but it is never meant to function like that. The electric fan would be "happier" if you use it the way it is meant to be. Its manual would say it is an excellent fan.

Each denizen (star, human or planet) in the universe is created for a purpose. According to The Manual (The Bible), each is created to glorify God and enjoy His provision and goodness. With that in mind, happiness is not difficult find for it is nestled in seeking God's perfect plans. Read your Manual and know your purpose in life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jer 29:11 (NIV)

Parents as Teachers

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6,

My wife and I enjoy teaching our sons. Even this summer vacation, we continue to teach them new things, both practical and academic lessons.

Last weekend, I taught my 9-year son Paul how to ride a bike. Now he can do it on his own. My wife is a bit nervous whenever Paul navigates our street. I gave him some exposure on how to ride a bike on a main road and gave him pointers on the safety and respect for pedestrians and other vehicles.

We also teach them how to do household chores. That should give them idea on family responsibility.

Everyday we also teach them advanced lessons in Math. I am teaching our 13-year old son Nathan matrix operations and proving in geometry. In return he would explain to me the concepts on Biology that he learned during the day. My wife teaches Paul English and Grade 5 Math during the day. Every night I would teach Paul Algebra and problem solving techniques. In return Paul would tell me his discoveries while playing computer games during the day.

We also urge them to read the Bible. This year our target is finish reading the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. We started with Genesis in January. Nathan is way ahead having finished the Book of Job last week. I am catching up having finished the Book of Esther last night. My wife is lagging behind and is still in I Kings (I think). Paul reads in his own pacing.

The Bible is the best source of life principles, godly attitudes and truths about God and life. It is more important than Math, Science and English. We teach our kids the Bible because we want them to make God their first priority.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.

Voltaire and the Bible

Voltaire [Francois Marie Arouet]
1694 - 1778
French Author/Philosopher

Francois Marie Arouet was born in Paris, France on November 21, 1694. He studied law but chose to devote his genius to literature. In 1717, his writings and satirical spoofs on French authorities entitled him to an 11-month “residence” in a “suite” in the famous Bastille prison. There he wrote a theatrical tragedy entitled, “Oepide” using the pen name VOLTAIRE.

He became successful in creating theatrical plays but his unbridled tongue led him to trouble once again. In 1726 he insulted a powerful nobleman and caused him to be exiled to England where he lived from 1726 to 1729. The freedom and religious tolerance he enjoyed in England impressed Voltaire and wished that the same environment pervades in his native land, France.

The French Philosopher was a bold advocate of basic freedoms we enjoy today:

1. Freedom of speech
2. Freedom of the press
3. Freedom of assembly
4. Freedom of religion

Voltaire is considered an intellectual giant in his time and one of the most famous French writers in history. His most famous philosophical book, Dictionnaire Philosophique, showed his aversion to Christianity and opposition to the Bible. Voltaire claimed that the Bible was a product of imagination and that Jesus had never existed but was invented by men who claimed that he is God.

Voltaire is well quoted for his famous sayings such as:

1. ‘Common sense is not so common’

2. ‘A witty saying proves nothing’

3. ‘One hundred years from my day there will not be a Bible in the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity seeker ’

Two hundred years have passed and we still have the Bible. It remains the bestseller of all time and translated in almost all human languages whether modern or archaic language. It is available in printed matter, CDs, cassettes, e-books, in html, MP3 and other formats beyond Voltaire's imagination.

Many Voltaires have lived and died in our lifetime and expect more come. But I am sure that their combined brilliance and influence could not outshine the Bible of Christianity.