Ricochet 1: Pastor Noel Espinosa

I think this a good time to thank some persons who helped me in 2008-and one of them is Pastor Noel Espinosa- principal of Grace Ministerial Academy, Cubao, Metro Manila and pastor of Grace Baptist Church-Los Baños, Laguna:

When I was convinced of credobaptist position as explained by Pastor Greg Welty  (http://www.founders.org/library/welty.html)  -meaning I no longer subscribed to “infant baptism” position of Presbyterians and Confessional Reformed -with its continuity and similarity with Abrahamic covenant and the New Covenant and that baptism is the New Covenant equivalent of the fleshly circumcision done to Isaac and Ishmael and to the whole household of Abraham- I was immediately suspended by my pastor and the two elders I taught for 16 years here in San Pedro, Laguna.

Grace Baptist Church-Los Baños

I needed advice on how to go about it and Pastor Noel counseled me on caution and the elders might charge me with being dicisive based on Titus 3: 10-11 -“Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself.” So his counsel saved me from a long drawn out quarrel with these people who never gave a day in church court for them and their congregation to hear the Word of God regarding this false doctrine of infant baptism which is leading their children to complacency and possibly to the broad and easy way to destruction. But they did not let me speak among them and thus God’s warning to them did not reach them. Woe to those who leads them there.

Last Sunday-my family and I accompanied my daughter to her dorm at Los Baños and visited the church where Pastor Noel is still leading and we took this picture there:

There was a brownout (no power) when we visited the church-but his 50+ members who were there (around 5PM) was attentive to him and the message he prepared from the Lord. We were welcomed by her dutiful wife and even with the short time- we have a fellowship that went beyond words . I am glad that the Lord showed me the way to Pastor Noel’s office then at Cubao.

Note:  I did not become a member of Reformed Baptist because of their c lassical Covenant Theology view-meaning they do submit to the “Christian Sabbath” and to the 10 Commandments. As an NCT advocate- and knowing the views of those who left Adventism and Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God- I cannot submit myself to the Law -especially the Mosaic Code -which was the reason the Lord Jesus Christ freed me.

And though they are not theonomist  I know that CCT when taken to its logical conclusion will lead to that position. As a former Christian Reconstructionist and Theonomist – I am not that confident that Christians will not be tempted in position of power when imposing the Law on blasphemy and apostasy on non-Christians or even Christians who does not subscribe to their confessions. Yet from the Dutch reformed side-like Kuyper, Schaeffer, Stob, Bavinck and Van Til- I believe in having all of my thoughts submitted to the Word of God- in every area of my life. I still believe in  a future where majority will accept Jesus lordship willingly-which is a hope based on the Davidic psalms.

To My Daughter- June 2012

Mai -my daughter will be going to college at UPLB this coming week for her BA in Communication Arts. She will be staying at a dorm with her friend and former AGS schoolmate. I just would like to leave some messages or reminders for her to remember while there at the dorm:

– Unplug all electric equipment when leaving the dorm.

– When leaving the dorm-make sure that the door is locked-but you have the keys with you-or your dorm mate has it. Don’t leave the keys lying around the table-or it might be copied.

– Always make sure that your friend, dorm mate or classmate knows where you are going and with whom you are going with. If you are outside going back to the dorm -always inform someone once you are safe inside your room at the dorm.

– Never bring out your laptop in unsafe or unsecured public places. Be wary of curious eyes watching you.

– Never count your money that is more than 100 pesos in view of other strangers. In this day and age -many are tempted by vices,needs or even by environment or peers to do evil acts just to satisfy it or them.

– If some guy or male tries to woo or court you in the school or in the streets-just tell them “I am a born-again Christian-and if you are also one-then you know  the proper place and time for these things.

– You are a pretty girl and men will want you for their own-just make sure that the man you will love have knowledge and wisdom in his head-and purity and integrity in his heart. Never be flattered by the Vic Sotto’s or Erap of this world. You will be always be an object or a display only in their world.

– Never accept invitations to a group or activities from complete stranger. You will never know when they will just use you for their purposes. VCF’s Lifebox is an exception or campus ministries like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusades or Navigators. Better know them -they will protect you from pain and bad influence. Remember this from Psalms 1:1

” Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers..”

– Once or thrice in a week -update us what is going on with you-through text message or Facebook Account. Any short message will do.

– Don’t hesitate to call or inform us f you need something that is not available there in Los Baños.

– If chased by undesirable elements-always look for crowded public places-like Jollibee or Mcdonalds or similar establishment-and get help form the crew. I’ll pay them later with my appreciation.

–  Do not be tempted to try any alcoholic drinks. Or any drink from any stranger-they might include some mind-bending or numbing or tranquilizers with it. Wine is over rated-or like beverages- they are really not that good in taste. People enjoy it with good company or if they want to dull their senses because of head and heart aches.

– Always pray before sleeping-like the prayer I taught you since you are all small:

“Thank you Lord for the whole day,

Thank you for protecting me

Thank you Lord for Mommy and Daddy

For my two Lolas

For Kuya Rayuel, Me-mai, Raniel and Raviel,

Forgive my sins Oh Lord

Wash me by the blood of your Son

May you give me rest the whole night

May your Spirit be in my dreams

May I awake in Your Presence in the morning.

In Jesus, Most Precious Name, Amen”

I will add to this -once I have something in mind.

When Gods Fall- The Impeachment of Corona

Last week, May 29, 2012 -the Impeachment Court headed by the Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile gave the 20-3 guilty verdict against former Supreme Court Chief Justice Corona. It was culmination of 5 months of gruelling sessions-highlighting the amateurish antics of the prosecution lawyers of the Lower House and the almost perfect performance of the defense panel headed by former SC Justice Cuevas. But the real hero of the whole thing is the Lord God who foiled that almost perfect performance.

Corona-even with the numerous undisclosed or unexplained properties and bank accounts – was Teflon proof since the prosecution bangled on how they present their evidences. But the defense -feeling over-confident -presented their hostile witness- Ombudsman Carpio-Morales. She detailed the 82 dollar accounts given to her by AMLC and with a PowerPoint presentation assisted by BIR Commissioner Kim Henares-they were able to present a convincing picture of how Corona tried to hide his wealth-which is ominously ill-gotten because of the large amount being transacted.

Even with the harassment form Cuevas and Senator Santiago- Ombudsman Carpio-Morales held her ground and was instrumental to the witness of Corona himself.

It was really hubris that brought the downfall of Corona. He does need to substantiate the Ombudsman findings -but by his admission -he testified that he really did not declared all his dollar bank accounts because of his self-serving interpretation of the Constitution and the FDCU law-meaning he can hide his dollars even by going against the SALN provision of disclosure of the Constitution.  It is said in Isaiah 29: 13-15

“And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”

And to cap it- he staged a walkout -saying “The Chief Justice…be excuse”…The gall and arrogance of this ‘god’ who walked the august of the Upper House -headed by the elderly Enrile -who again rescued his image -first in EDSA 1 and now in this impeachment court. He was foiled by the Senate Sargent-of-Arms and he made the alibi of hypoglycemia-which did not convinced any of the diabetic in the audience.

In the end -the verdict of the 20 senators who judged him guilty is summed up by Senator ‘Geronimo’ Lito Lapid- “awang-awa ako sa kanya..kala ko totoo ..di pala..guilty!”

And so the first impeachment court that finished their job was able to speak the Filipino people that -as a nation -we shall not be stymied by these lawyers  with their rules and prohibitions -in search of the truth and justice-because we catch i their words and in their pride-their culpability and crimes against the nation. Hiding behind the hood and robes will not blind our esteemed representatives what basic justice is like.

And Arroyo,Santiago and Bongbong Marcos-beware of your cowardice and blindness-it had already besmirched your name and it will remain in infamy for years to come:

That His Design for My Children be not Thwarted

Mai and Enye my children attended the annual Summer Camp of VCF Alabang last April 17 to 19 , 2012 at Rizal Life Recreation Center :

I was hesitant at first because it was 3 days after the death of their cousin Nathaniel due to drowning at CME, Taytay, Rizal. I was arguing with myself if I will let them undergo training in the Word -and might include activities inside swimming pools. So I just get strict regarding the swimming pools-but I allowed them to join.

I accompany them at the Festival Mall-even near the two air-conditioned  buses that will bring them all to the site. My decision is based on Ecclesiastes 12:1 -“1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come ” -and I hope that God’s design for their lives be accomplish-and my fears not thwart Him or hinder Him. I must trust Him even here-for they are growing-and I must let them go-as Abraham did for his son -Isaac.

My daughter thank me 2 days after the event-and the Enye was enthusiastic in his Facebook wall regarding the event . I hope that the effects will be long lasting and be part of their foundation for Jesus Christ.