Jun 15 2013

Tribute to God’s Awesome Goodness

 

As we celebrate our second winter in New Zealand, we remember how good our God is.  In June 2012, we were praying and waiting for the job that’s pivotal to our getting residence visa.

Our 9-month work-to-residence visa was ending 10 August 2012, barely two months then.

God’s Mighty hand at work, He moved people, caused events to happen, and guided us to a places where He wanted us to be.

So, we always thank the Father for the things that He has done and for the things He’s yet to do.

Thank you Lord for being doubly good.

We are also forever grateful to our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been with us in our faith journey.

Please watch the video my wife created — “Beautiful Sights of Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand“

 

SONG CREDIT: “Doubly Good to You” by Amy Grant

Jun 11 2013

Remembering Miss Daisy

faith in God

Daisy Basiliano 2

“Amo na abilidad mo sa rural church ka lang naga-pastor?” was Miss Daisy’s statement I can’t forget when we met in May 2002 at La Carlota Evangelical Church.

We were attending the annual assembly (now biennial) of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC).

The statement means “With all your abilities you are pastor of a rural church only?”

If you don’t know Miss Daisy Basiliano, you certainly will have a lot of negative things going in your heart and mind.

I’ve known her as a brazen woman. She says what she thinks is true about you.

She could be “rough” at times but she had the best intentions for you. The tenderness and kindness are always there.

I met her when I was a teenager going with my father who was pastor of Astorga Baptist Church, Dumarao, Capiz. That was in the 80s.

All I know that her family supports the church and the pastoral work as well.

I learned through the CPBC community that Miss Daisy became a pastor, chaplain and teacher. She trained for Clinical Pastoral Education in the US.

We never had any close encounter until that day in May 2002.

After telling me that statement, Miss Daisy didn’t stop.

A few months later, I got a message from her that she had recommended me to speak at New Testament Baptist Church, Iloilo City in September 2002. This preaching assignment developed further.

On 20 October 2002, I started my work as interim pastor of New Testament Baptist Church, a city church.

Miss Daisy had a way of making people think outside of the box. Her statement to me made me think, “Why not?”

Actually, after that meeting in May 2002, I opened myself to working with city churches.

In fact, I got a call as associate pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Manila starting December 2002. I was already committed to work in Manila that’s why my interim appointment.

When my father suffered stroke on 16 November 2002, I decided to stay and continue working with New Testament Baptist Church for three years.

Our family and Miss Daisy became closer because we found ourselves pursuing together what is right, just and pleasing before the Lord God.

While teaching at the College of Theology, she came to live with us at CPU Campus for almost two years.

Those were blissful moments of hearing God’s miracle and goodness to her like her victory over cancer, near-death experiences and other life-changing experiences.

Finally, on 6 June 2012, she laid to rest her earthly body and be with the Lord Jesus Christ, her master and friend.

Love of God

Days before leaving Iloilo City for New Zealand, we took time to visit Miss Daisy at Roxas City. We were hoping it wasn’t our last. It’s not for we will see her beyond the sunset someday soon.

We will always remember you, Miss Daisy!

Jun 6 2013

Multicultural Response – A God Possibility Experience

For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

multicultural response event

We were a couple of weeks before moving from Auckland to Timaru in August 2012.

I was searching for a church where our family could join to worship and serve in the ministry.

I was on the phone talking to a woman who gave me information about their church (not Wilson Street Baptist Church).

I asked how possible it is to start a multicultural ministry in their church.

She said there are no Filipinos nor people from other countries in their membership.

I can’t forget what she mentioned, “there’s not much multicultural ministry going on here”.

Eight months later, on 20 April 2013, Wilson Street Baptist Church held the Evening of Praise and Worship, their first multicultural event.

Watch the Evening of Praise and Worship video clip of the event.

Indeed, nothing is impossible with God and in fact, the possibilities are endless as we keep on trusting and believing Him.

May 1 2013

Autumn Leaf Colours – Salute to Life’s Death Rehearsals

 

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

south canterbury autumn

autumn in timaru

It’s autumn in South Canterbury. The marvelous burst of colours that autumn gives to the surroundings is quite amazing.

As we delight at how autumn changes the scenery from lush green to yellow, red, or gold, we all know that eventually the leaves would become crisp brown.

Then the cold south wind will blow the leaves away. Falling to the ground, the autumn leaf colours will soon be gone.

Yes we all know that the radiant autumn leaf colours are there momentarily. We could look at it as nature’s last hurrah or salute to the coming of winter.

I can’t forget what one of my theology professor told us in class one day. He said that everyday we must rehearse death to ready us for the appointed time.

new zealand autumn

Quoting Psalm 44:22, the Apostle Paul stated in Romans 8:36 “As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Are you aware that indeed we rehearse death daily?

Isn’t that when we fall asleep at night, as we close our eyes and fall into deep slumber, we rest whatever ‘life’ we had when we were awake.

Of course, we’re alive, breathing and just having a good night sleep but who really knows whether we will be awake the following morning? Only God knows!

It is only through His mercy and grace that we are alive both physically and spiritually.

Our greatest consolation is that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

It is really great that when we are in the ‘autumn’ of our daily lives, we call on to Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord so we can calmly live through the ‘deepest winter’ of our lives.

My thoughts and prayers to all of us who are facing life’s deepest ‘winters’. May the Lord God Almighty strengthen us all as we face sorrow, pain, and other difficulties. May the Holy Spirit protect and guide us all now and in the days ahead. Amen.

Timaru Botanical Garden

PHOTO CREDIT: Autumn is Awesome by Diane King