My Story

First of all I am a web researcher who works for Google Answers as an independent contractor. I discovered Google Answers when I was looking for information to help a friend in starting up a business. I was actually hoping to land a job in that venture since times were tough for me and being a handicap, opportunities were very minimal. But then Google Answers came into the picture and for the first time I was able to pay my debts, get my daughter to school and was now also supporting myself financially.

I was happy and relieved for a while but real joy eluded me. In no time I was back to my self-pitying and loneliness came over me once again. I was able to go to the US that time and when I came back something funny happened in the house. My relatives and my eldest brother were doing weekly Bible Studies! “What are these guys up to?” I said to myself.

As you can see I wasn't at all thrilled since I felt I've known just about anything there is to know about God because of my education and I happen to be a Google Answer Researcher. Information was at my fingertips!

After attending for about a month without any intention of changing anything about my life, I headed for one of my loneliest Christmas. My parents were not with me and my daughter took a vacation with her mom. I was alone and felt depressed.

It was then that I realized and something snapped within me! It seems that the past few weeks God was trying to show me something. I realized how blessed I am with my new work and still being able to have my daughter in a few days time! I also began to think that I started my adult life with mistake after mistake in different levels of my life both financially, personally and most of all spiritually.

I was mistaken in that I thought I knew God just like web pages. That every wish I had should be granted to me when I click the "Submit" button. If it doesn't its either God was offline or just wanted to disappoint me. If you saw the Jim Carrey movie, there were times that I was like that! It was actually at that time I was the one messing up my life and He was doing the cleaning and polishing. Things I went through that I felt was a total waste of time actually had a greater part in the grander scheme of things.

The biggest thing I realized though that afternoon was that all these things were nothing compared to what He did for me before that. In fact if these were the only things, even my mom and dad can do that right? It was then that I came to my senses and understood what Jesus' nailing on the cross really meant. That it was because He loved me! It wasn't the job, nor the knowledge or being with my daughter that was the ultimate evidence ,although these things really showed His affection. It was what He gone through 2,000 years ago. He did that to make me clean again, too right all the wrongs I did and was doing and will do with my life. That they may totally be erased, make me whiter than snow and be right with His' Father again.

Jesus clicked the "Submit" button of all time through the cross and it cleaned the interface of my soul.

Evidence of the Miracles of Jesus

In one my works at Google Answers, a person asks about extra biblical sources about the miracles of Jesus.

Evidence of the Miracles of Jesus

Manasseh: A Picture on How Old Testament People Were Saved

Reference: 2 Chronicles 33:

This is the story of Manasseh, ruler of Jerusalem. He became king at the age of 12.

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years."

He was evil in God's eyes. There was too much idolatry in this man.

"He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles."

In the book of 2 Kings it was mentioned that Manasseh...

"Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the LORD." (2 Kings 21:16)

The Lord punished Manasseh for these acts.

"The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon."


In this great time of difficulty, Manasseh called upon the God he insulted and asked for forgiveness.

"In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him..."

And surprisingly, the Lord still listened and forgave Manasseh.

"the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God."


The Faith of Manasseh and his repentance on what He has done has brought His salvation through God's grace.

As proof here was the fruits of Manasseh's faith.

"He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings [b] and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel."

Manasseh was saved through faith alone. Even with His evil deeds, an all merciful God looks at our heart and knows if our repentance is true. That we indeed have a change of heart, humbly accepting that we are sinners. And asking for forgiveness and accepting God as our saviour makes us in fellowship with Him again.

Manasseh indeed showed through His subsequent actions that His repentance was genuine. But his acts of goodness were not critical here. Remember that God blessed him and restored him to power even before he took out the idols.

Just like us today when we put our trust in Jesus Christ alone. Why Jesus Christ because He and the Father are one.

"I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

If we humbly admit to Jesus that we are sinners and through faith believe that His sacrifice on the cross is enough to save wretches like us then we will be with God come judgment day.

First Posted at Pinoyexchange

The Offer

A wealthy man approaches a squatters area and tells the settlers there that he bought a big land in another place and he will be building houses for them there for free. He only asks the people to notify in advance by signing a document if they intend to accept the offer since he will only build the number of home units based on those who accepted the offer.

Some accepted the offer immediately. But others were skeptical. Is this guy for real? Why sign his paper of acceptance maybe he is into some scam and this may get us into trouble? Will there be work there? Does he really have that much land and money to give away houses?

So in short others accepted and some did not.

When the project was finished those who accepted where whisked away in vans and trucks to be taken to their new homes.

When those who did not accept visited their former neighbors, they were surprised to see finely built homes, in nice and clean neighborhoods with workplaces nearby and other business opportunities.

They asked the man if they can still get a chance at the offer. The man said sorry of course since he did not count those who refused to sign when he gave the offer.

First Posted at Pinoyexchange

Great Commission Companies

I haven't been able to read the book but it is a very concept of merging evangelism and business. The authors of the book discuss the basics in these two articles.

Building a Great Commission Company
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
STEVE RUNDLE and TOM STEFFEN

Example of a Great Commission Company: Pura Vida Coffee

Excerpts from the Book:
Preface
THE GOOD NEWS
ABOUT GLOBALIZATION

Did Judas have free will?

What a question and albeit a difficult one!

I am of the opinion that Judas had free will and at the same time he was the one predestined to betray Jesus. Huh!? Judas could've chosen not to go on with the betrayal but God knew what was in heart and God just knew that Judas cannot withstand such pressure from Satan. Remember that God is all-knowing. Plus He allowed this for a greater purpose.

I also think that Judas did not merely betray Jesus because of the 30 pieces of silver. I think the bigger motivation was his disappointment that Jesus did not fit the mold of the idea of the majority of Jews of what a messiah should be. This was an ideology and it is stronger than any financial gain.

Actually this question gives birth to two more interesting questions.

1. If Judas repented of his sins and accepted Jesus as Lord, and did not commit suicide, would he have been forgiven and be with Christ as well in Heaven?

The answer is YES! Judas after such a mistake could have repented and ask God for forgiveness. Throughout biblical history we saw this in the great heroes of faith like Moses, David and even the prostitute Rahab! Remember as well that Jesus' death and resurrection is for all sinners who will admit their sins, repent and accept Christ into their lives.


2. Is Judas really the main culrpit in Jesus' death? You can also include here the Sanhedrin as well right?
This was the root of the controversy in movie the "Passion of the Christ" right? That Jews are being depicted as killers of God.

If you watched the Passion movie and got angry at Jews and the multitudes who were crying for blood then you got it all wrong! Jesus died for your sins, my sins and the sins of the whole world! So it wrong to say that Judas or the Sanhedrin or Pilate killed Jesus. Mel Gibson symbolized it well when he used his hand as the hand which hammered the nail on Jesus' hands. We (all of us) were the ones who crucified Christ not just Judas, the Sanhedrin or Pilate or the Roman soldiers.

Now should you hate yourself because Jesus died due to your sins? No! Jesus did not come here to condemn. He was not angry at us. He knows we cannot solve this on our own. That is the reason He came for us because He loves us and wants us to be with him in His Kingdom forever.

Posted at:Pinoyexchange

Adoniram Judson (1788 - 1850)

One of the best stories about people finding God came in this biography of Adoniram Judson. I hope God will touch your heart with this story.

Adoniram Judson (1788 - 1850)