Hello, I am new here

[nChrist]

hello i'm new here! i live in the Philippines and we get hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, landslides. the Philippines is a third-world country and the cost of living is very poor. people get used to it already as it comes every now and then (we live on the edge of the pacific). but we never lose faith. we always pray and go to church everyday. no matter what crisis life may bring, the Lord is with us always! Peace

I'm happy to see this post. I used to have several missionary friends I heard from fairly regularly from the Philippines, but I haven't heard from them in a couple of years and wonder if they went home.

If you don't mind and have the time, I would really appreciate hearing about the Philippines are right now, especially for the Christians. I've read about some pretty harsh treatment and persecution for Christians in the Philippines. I don't know if these cases were isolated or if that's the general treatment for Christians in the Philippines. I pray for missionaries around the world every day, so I would thank you in advance for any information. I get a lot of my information from Voice of the Martyrs and from family members currently serving in several countries.

Generally, it appears that the treatment of Christians around the world is getting worse pretty quickly - including this part of the world.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 52:6-7 ASV  Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I.  7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!


Romans 10:14-15 ASV  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15  and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!

[kangkongking]

I'm happy to see this post. I used to have several missionary friends I heard from fairly regularly from the Philippines, but I haven't heard from them in a couple of years and wonder if they went home.

If you don't mind and have the time, I would really appreciate hearing about the Philippines are right now, especially for the Christians. I've read about some pretty harsh treatment and persecution for Christians in the Philippines. I don't know if these cases were isolated or if that's the general treatment for Christians in the Philippines. I pray for missionaries around the world every day, so I would thank you in advance for any information. I get a lot of my information from Voice of the Martyrs and from family members currently serving in several countries.

Generally, it appears that the treatment of Christians around the world is getting worse pretty quickly - including this part of the world.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 52:6-7 ASV  Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I.  7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!


Romans 10:14-15 ASV  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15  and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!

I have heard the latest news about the three abducted Red Cross volunteers (an Italian, a Swiss and a Filipino). Abducted by a group called Abu sayyaf terrorists in the southern part of the Philippines. they are still not release until now. this happens here every time. missionaries and pastors abducted by gunmen and terrorists, torture them and force them to become a member of this group. and they threaten to rape and kill the abducted christians's wife and kids in front of them just to make them sign up. some were not lucky they got beheaded. the philippine government is taking actions and has asked help from international countries already. Many are praying for the abducted people.

[nChrist]

I have heard the latest news about the three abducted Red Cross volunteers (an Italian, a Swiss and a Filipino). Abducted by a group called Abu sayyaf terrorists in the southern part of the Philippines. they are still not release until now. this happens here every time. missionaries and pastors abducted by gunmen and terrorists, torture them and force them to become a member of this group. and they threaten to rape and kill the abducted christians's wife and kids in front of them just to make them sign up. some were not lucky they got beheaded. the philippine government is taking actions and has asked help from international countries already. Many are praying for the abducted people.

I have read about some abductions - probably involving radical Islamists. I've also read about the South. There are now pockets of terrorists all over the world, and they're ready to go to work. It's very sad that many of the Christians being killed around the world are involved in keeping people alive in many ways. So, the terrorists are really the worst enemy of their own people. I think these are signs of the times and also a foretaste of things yet to come.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 13:11-13 NIV  11  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  12  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

[islandboy]

Welcome Kangkonking. I have read many articles and books about your country and also about the problems that all christians are facing in many countries around the globe. My prayers are with you and your family that you remain safe in these troubled times.


I found this recently and think this is a great spot for it:

Eternal God, from whom streams every impulse that is beautiful and true. Help us in this hour of worship to take grateful inventory of what sustains us;  the friendships,  the shared goals,  the intimate labors that lace life with meaning. Remind us that to every gift there is attached a responsibility, to every privilege, an obligation. Therefore, make it our purpose, as it is Yours throughout the universe, to bring creativity rather than chaos, harmony rather than discord, talent and appreciations rather than cynicism and apathy.  Amen

[islandboy]

GIVE  THANKS  TO  THE  LORD

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods. Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

Alone He works great marvels; In wisdom He made the heavens.

He laid the earth upon the waters; He made the great lights.

The sun rules by day, the moon and stars rule by night.

He remembers us when we were casted down, and rescued us from our enemies.

He gives food to all His creatures.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His love endures forever.

(From  Psalm 136)

[nChrist]

Hello Islandboy,

It's great to hear from you. We've been missing you. Thanks for sharing with us the beauty of the Psalms.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[islandboy]

Good to be back, Tom. I have stopped by a few times to see how things were going but always seemed to get called away to another
chore before I had time to post. We are doing a study of the Psalms in Suday School. They are so beautiful and clearly speak of the things of God that we as sinners need the most. I think that His love for us shines above all things. If only mankind could turn away from evil and toward God, our country would be in a much greater place.   

[islandboy]

AN  EVENING  PRAYER
by Bess King Baker

If I have done an unkind act today,
If I have caused a falt'ring step to stray,
If I have walked far from thy chosen way,
Dear Lord, forgive, forgive.

If I have spoken cruel words of wrong,
Or made a discord in some grand, sweet song,
If I have wandered aimlessly along
Dear Lord, forgive, forgive.

And when my life has hastened to its end,
Oh, thou, my soul's true, tried and faithful friend,
Be with me, and thy peace and mercy send,
And, Lord, forgive, forgive.

[islandboy]

PRAYER   TO  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT
Cardinal Wiseman

Oh Holy Spirit of God, take me as Thy Disciple!
Guide me; illuminate me; Sanctify me; Bind my hands that I may not do evil,
Cover my eyes that I may not see it,
Close my ears that I may not hear it,
Sancitify my heart that evil may not dwell within me,
Be Thou my God; be thou my Guide,
Wheresoever Thou leadest me, I will go;
Whatsoever Thou forbiddest me, I will renounce,
and whatsoever Thou commandest me,
in Thy strength, I will do.     Amen

[Debp]

Lovely writings in both of your posts, Islandboy.

[nChrist]

Lovely writings in both of your posts, Islandboy.

Hello Debp,

First, I agree completely. I've had a good time tonight concentrating on the things of GOD and trying to put the chaos of this world out of my mind.

Second, we've missed you and hope that you're well. We know that many are having some hard times, and all we can do is pray. I give thanks that GOD loves to hear our prayers, and HE still does as HE pleases in Heaven and on earth.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[May]

Hi Islandboy,
I also live in the small lovely island in Mauritius. In Mauritius we live peacefully. I know it is not the same for you. one thing i will ask you MAY JESUS BE YOUR DEAREST FRIEND,HE WILL NEVER DECEIVED YOU. HE IS THE ONE WHO CAN CHANGE NIGHT INTO DAY.YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIEND CAN STOP LOVING YOU. HIS LOVE NEVER CEASED FOR YOU.THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD;I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED
.

your new friend,
May   

[Debp]

Hello Debp,

First, I agree completely. I've had a good time tonight concentrating on the things of GOD and trying to put the chaos of this world out of my mind.

Second, we've missed you and hope that you're well. We know that many are having some hard times, and all we can do is pray. I give thanks that GOD loves to hear our prayers, and HE still does as HE pleases in Heaven and on earth.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hi Tom, thanks for your kind remarks.  Actually since I'm a moderator at Cpals, that takes up most of my time (especially since I use the neighbor's computer).

I have a love/hate relationship with the computer  so try to limit my time on it.  I used to have a job with very  heavy deadline word processing so maybe that's why I do not like to spend alot of time on the computer.

[nChrist]

Hi Tom, thanks for your kind remarks.  Actually since I'm a moderator at Cpals, that takes up most of my time (especially since I use the neighbor's computer).

I have a love/hate relationship with the computer  so try to limit my time on it.  I used to have a job with very  heavy deadline word processing so maybe that's why I do not like to spend alot of time on the computer.

Hello Debp,

I had forgotten about you being a moderator, but I'm glad to hear that you're doing good. I'm retired, so I like what I'm doing with my computer now, but I do remember years of deadlines and doing all kinds of work at home when I should have been off. I use it mainly for Bible Study since I've retired, and I can say positively that a computer is great for Bible Study. It's especially great for people with eyesight problems and other disabilities. I have the equivalent of a large Bible Study library on my computer, and I really don't know what I would do without it. I just wish that I had used better organization and indexing as I kept adding more and more materials. However, search functions on computers can overcome most poor organization and indexing.

I am getting things better organized a little bit at a time, and I'm finding things I don't remember having.     You won't search for something that you don't think you have. I haven't decided the exact methods I'm going to use yet, but I'm putting together a rough filing system that I plan to index with a database.

In the meantime:  KEEP LOOKING UP!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Thessalonians 4:14 NASB  14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

[Debp]

Hello Debp,

I had forgotten about you being a moderator, but I'm glad to hear that you're doing good. I'm retired, so I like what I'm doing with my computer now, but I do remember years of deadlines and doing all kinds of work at home when I should have been off. I use it mainly for Bible Study since I've retired, and I can say positively that a computer is great for Bible Study. It's especially great for people with eyesight problems and other disabilities. I have the equivalent of a large Bible Study library on my computer, and I really don't know what I would do without it. I just wish that I had used better organization and indexing as I kept adding more and more materials. However, search functions on computers can overcome most poor organization and indexing.

I am getting things better organized a little bit at a time, and I'm finding things I don't remember having.     You won't search for something that you don't think you have. I haven't decided the exact methods I'm going to use yet, but I'm putting together a rough filing system that I plan to index with a database.

In the meantime:  KEEP LOOKING UP!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Thessalonians 4:14 NASB  14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

That's so true, lots of good Bible study and commentaries, etc, on the internet.  I especially like the old time Christian preacher/writers.  Alot of wonderful insight that many young Christians might not be familiar with today.