Seeds of Faith

Life can begin again

2011-07-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 18, 2011

Dear Friends,

Greeting!

The Christ Emphasis Week of Central Philippine University started today with the theme “What do you want out of life?” and text John 1:37-39. Rev. Jerson Narciso, University Chaplain, reflected in his presentation of theme and text that when the would-be disciples of Jesus asked him “where do you live?” they were interested in seeing whether the private life of Jesus coincided with his public life. They found out that Jesus was consistent in “walking his talk” both in his private and public life.

This should be a constant challenge to all of us. We must be true to the words that we profess by showing it in our daily lives, both at home and in public.

Let me share to you our CEW Theme Song entitled, “Life can begin again.” This was composed by Pastor Joshua Zonita, Chaplain of Filamer Christian University. He performed it earlier at the Rose Memorial Hall during the two Opening Celebrations, morning and afternoon, with the Filamer Praise and Worship Team.

Verse 1

I want something real, not fancy words

I’m done with my false hope.

I want something whole, something pure

I’m tired of enslaving rules.

Refrain:

‘coz deep inside I’m broken, deep inside I’m weak.

The twist and turns of this life made me feel so down, oh down.

Chorus:

Show me your love Oh Jesus, teach me how to live for you.

Give me a sense of freedom, ‘coz nobody else will do.

I’ll take that zig zag, zig zag road if you’ll stay close with me.

This is the day, this is the hour to sing, life can begin again.

Verse 2

Having this clear night without stars is just like an illusion.

I want something fresh, simply new, somehow there’s something more than this.

Refrain:

‘coz deep inside I’m worn out, deep inside I’m dry.

I need your traveling grace now, Oh give me one more chance, just once more.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

p.s.

Let us pray for the CPU CEW speakers: Dr. Jimmy Prieto, Pastor Kevin Sanders, Dr. Herman Moldez, Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Bhenken, Samuel Alibrando, and Rev. Leonardo Magno. This is the team brought by Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Ayala of Agape Philippine-American Ministries. The other speakers are: Rev. Martha Mae Luces for the Elementary Department, Ms. Rosette Joy Jalando-on and Ms. Kristina Alubog for the Kindergarten Department.

Christmas Star

2010-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Nowadays we can see a lot of stars. We can see it atop the Christmas trees, star-shaped Christmas lights, and of course the traditional parol in the form of a star. We use the symbol of star to remember what happened in the first Christmas story.

What lessons can we learn from the Christmas star?

We must become a guide to people who are searching for Jesus; and we must continue to be seekers of Jesus. The star was the guide of the wise men who traveled from a far away place to visit Jesus.

The wise men had detractors along the way, notably King Herod, but they were persistent because the star guided them.

According to scientists, there are about 5,000 stars that can be seen by the naked eye although not all are visible at any given time or place. Modern astronomers believe that there are more than 1 x 10 to the 22 number of stars. The number is 1 followed by 22 zeros.

Among these millions of star, one star became visible to the wise men and became their guide. The account in Matthew 2:9 is that “the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.”

There are two challenges here:

Firstly, to those who have found Jesus, we must become the guide of those who continue to seek Jesus. We must be their “star” that continues to point the direction where Jesus is. Among the many “stars” let us be visible and guide those who need our help. The wise men a long time ago where filled with joy when they saw the star. We hope that a lot of people will be overjoyed because we acted as their “stars.”

Secondly, to those who are seeking Jesus, do not be in despair in your search. There will always be detractors along the way, but continue on searching because there are guides who are there for you. These guides will be your “stars” who will point you to the right direction.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

How to Live Christmas

2010-12-06T01:13:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Earlier this night more than 5,000 people were inside the campus of
Central Philippine University to witness the switching-on of the
Christmas lights as part of the awaited annual celebration dubbed as
the Festival of Lights and Music.

Our reflection is on the theme of this event: “Ikabuhi ang Paskua.”

How should we live out Christmas in our daily lives?

In order to live the meaning of Christmas, Jesus must be born in our
lives. John 1:14 tells us that “the Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us…” Jesus is not a metaphysical being but as the early
creeds of Christianity state, “born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose
again from the dead…”

Although the early creeds left out the portion that “Jesus lived,
preached and taught about the Kingdom of God, healed the sick,
organized disciples” the objective to defeat the teaching of the
heretics in the early church was achieved. The heretics argued that
matter is evil and spirit is good, thus, in order for Jesus to be
good, he has no flesh, and he was like a phantom. They denied the
humanity of Jesus. The early Christians defended the humanity and
divinity of Jesus.

What can these musings on creeds and church history teach us? It
reminds us that Jesus is not just interested in our spiritual lives
but equally, Jesus is interested also on how we live our physical
lives. There should be no dichotomy between what is spiritual and what
is secular. Christianity is not only on Sundays but the whole week
24/7. To be a Christian is not only to be practiced inside the church
but also in our workplace, home and anywhere.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Give Thanks

2010-11-22T01:20:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 22, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Yesterday we were in Ajuy, Iloilo to join the Thanksgiving Celebration of two churches – the Espinosa Rice Mill Baptist Church and the Ajuy Evangelical Church. Next week we will be joining Jaro Evangelical Church in their Thanksgiving Celebration.

The Greek word “thanksgiving” is eucharistía and it comes from two Greek words – eu which means “well” and cháris which means “grace.” This means that when we consider God’s cháris “grace” we are compelled to have eucharistía “thanksgiving.”

Mrs. Felina Silencino emphasized in her sermon delivered in Ajuy that we can live for 60 days without food, 6 days without water but not 1 second more without the grace of God. Indeed, we must acknowledge our indebtedness to God for the gift of life itself and for His mercy in sustaining us.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul encourages us that we must “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” The duty of thanksgiving must be evident in our prayers.

We must thank God for blessings that are granted. We must also be thankful for prayers that are deferred for they are delayed only until a more favorable time when we can fully appreciate the value of the blessing. And we must still be grateful for the petitions that are denied because God knows that what we have asked is not beneficial and can only hurt us. Soon, God will bestow to us something better than what we have prayed for.

I remember one instance a few months ago when we decided to buy tiles for our house. To my disappointment, the tile that we have chosen was out of stock when we decided to buy it. Somebody bought it a day before. My wife, Hermely, reminded me that since we committed to God our plans, He will give us something better. I was skeptical with her reassurances. She urged me to visit another store. And behold the tile what we like was available and, to make it sweeter, the tile was for sale at a discounted price.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Give Thanks

2010-11-15T01:16:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 15, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

November is the month that churches celebrate Thanksgiving. This is a tradition coming from the Protestant Missionaries that came to the Philippines more than 100 years ago.

Psalm 100, called the Psalm of Thanksgiving, declares,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Indeed we can declare that our God is good, merciful and faithful. God has showered us many blessings that we should be thankful for. As the song goes,

“Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

Have you really tried to count and name your blessings? If not yet, then this November is a good time to reflect on the blessings that God has bestowed to you.

Let me name one blessing that we just received. Earlier today the pastors of central and south Negros experienced God’s blessings through the generosity of the Lapatha family. More than 90 pastors gathered at Caingin Beach Resort, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental for a 1-day Institute conducted by the Convention Baptist Ministers Association. Mr. Lemuel Lapatha shared to us that their hosting of our Institute is part of their ministry of hospitality (free food, snacks and venue). This event is without a doubt a cause for thanksgiving.

The Filipino nation yesterday also thanked God for the win of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao over Antonio Margarito to capture an unprecedented 8th world title in 8 weight classes.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Be like a Fruit

2010-11-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 8, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Last week the Philippine Baptist Men held its annual assembly at Capiz Evangelical Church, Roxas City, Capiz. Let me share to you a portion of my sermon in the Closing Celebration on the theme: “Pruned to be Fruitful” and Scripture text: John 15.

Jesus said, “I am the vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that does not produce fruit and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

When Jesus spoke of this analogy I imagine that he was standing in the midst of a vineyard or near its vicinity and that his audience is looking at a lot of grapes. Jesus often spoke using the object lesson method of teaching. In this instance Jesus was telling his disciples that their faith must bear fruit. For our faith to be life a fruit it should be something that is tangible, attractive, tasty, and useful.

What kind of faith did the early church show that can be describe like a fruit?

First, their faith was tangible because they helped the poor. They have a food distribution center, and shared their excess wealth. It was a very attractive sight that eventually attracted the people and joined Christianity. The book of Acts tells us that thousands were added to their fold.

When was the last time that you gave a material thing to someone who is in need?

Second, their faith was attractive because they verbally shared the Gospel to the people. They did it through preaching, singing and giving testimonies.

Let us find ways to verbally express our faith. If you want to preach, then study preaching and ask your pastor for an opportunity to share the Word of God. If you do not want to preach, you can become a Bible study leader, a Sunday School teacher, a testimony giver, a liturgist, a singer or an encourager.

When was the last time that you verbally expressed your faith?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Lessons on All Saints Day

2010-11-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Most of us have visited our departed loved ones in the cemetery today. It is our tradition to light candles, eat sticky food, and reunite with family members on All Saints Day.

What lessons can we learn on our November 1 tradition?

First, let us value our family. In our fast pace world nowadays we sometimes forget to greet our love ones, share stories with them, and just sit there and feel their presence.

We need to seek out our family members and let them feel that we value their existence. Sometimes a surprise visit does a lot of good.

When was the last time you visited your family?

Second, let us fellowship in our table. It increasingly alarming that we oftentimes eat alone, and in a fast food joint. One can note in the gospels that there are many stories of Jesus together with people attending a feast or having just plain supper. Jesus did not do it for the free food but in eating together, Jesus was teaching us about how to nurture our relationship with one another.

What is it in eating together? When we share a meal, there is ritual of passing the plates, viands, and drinks. While doing this, we are reconnecting with our family members – we would ask them what is happening with their life, and vice versa. This is why eating in a table with family and friends would sometimes take long to finish. Table fellowship is a good way of uniting our family.

Eating foods that are sticky on November 1 is a reminder for Filipinos to stick with your family. There are many families that are breaking up, and eating “suman” reminds us to keep our family together.

When was the last time you ate with your family?

Third, we need to keep and continue the legacy of our departed loved ones.

I noticed that in the cemetery, one of the purposes of lighting a candle is to start a conversation about the departed loved one and use the life of the candle as the timer when to end the conversation. Although the conversation is short, it rekindles memories. The swapping of stories becomes a great way of passing on to the next generation the legacy of the previous generation.

When was the last time you told a story of your departed loved one to the new generation of your family?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

How to play the game of life

2010-10-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 25, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Dumaguete City!*

I saw the following words written in the wall of the Silliman University Gym:

“For when the Great Scorer writes down your name,

He writes not whether you win or lose,

But how you played the game.”

I have been an athlete since my elementary days and thanks to training of my father, I studied CPU with a full sports scholarship during my college years. Now, I am somewhat repaying my alma mater as the coach of Table Tennis varsity team. I have learned a lot from sports that influence how I view life.

Let me share four things from the word PLAY:

Be PASSIONATE. I would always encourage my players to play with passion. Passion is what fuels a person to go on no matter the odds. When you have passion, you are excited live life; you are enthusiastic to face another day.

LOVE life to the fullest. I read these words from the t-shirt of the College of Saint Benilde player: “Life is Short, Play Hard.” When we have come to realize that our life on earth is very short, it will change our attitude on how to view life. We need to love every moment of our life. I would always say to my players: “Every point counts. Play hard for each point.”

ALLOW God to shape our life. I believe that God does not want to intrude in our lives. God is not an intruder who just goes in without permission. We need to invite God in our hearts. God is saying, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Let us not make God wait outside of our lives.

YEARN for more. Lately, I have realized that life is an adventure – you’ll never know what would happen next; you just keep on discovering. Yes, we will never know what would happen in the future but we can be rest assured that God will be there for us. I always tell my players, “Prepare for any eventuality. If your one type of game doesn’t work, shift to another type. Maybe that type is the weakness of your opponent.” As they say in the ball games, “The ball is round.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

*I’m currently here for the 15th University Games hosted by Silliman University. CPU sent the following teams: Table Tennis women (my team), Football men (composed mainly of Korean students), Softball women, Sepak Takraw women, Chess, Taekwondo, Lawn Tennis and Volleyball women.

The best is yet to come

2010-10-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 18, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Today is my birthday. I expected it to be trouble-free but starting yesterday I encountered some great surprises. I got a big surprise last night when we arrived from Negros (I preached at La Carlota Evangelical Church, and celebrated my pre-birthday with the Baptist Men and family). When I opened my bag, my laptop is gone. It was probably stolen in Iloilo pier when we disembarked. It was raining hard and I have my hands full carrying another bag. I still have two months left to pay it in full.

When we went inside our house, we found out that the satellite box is broken probably by the big lightning that hit our vicinity. Early this morning when I arrived at the office, the LAN card of my office laptop is broken. And to top it, I notice a lot of bird droppings in the windshield of our car. What will come after this mid-morning? I don’t know but I am ready for it.

Here is my reflection:

First, let me answer these famous statements – “when troubles come, they come in bundles” “when it rains, it pours.” With faith, I dare say “Let it come for I believe that my God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God will never leave me nor forsake me. God will supply my needs according to His riches and glory.”

I pray that Christians will hold on to the promises of God when troubles come to our lives. As Paul reminds us, “nothing can separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus.”

My Maninoy Rev. Ronny Luces wrote me, “I will still greet you a happy birthday even though your laptop was stolen because joy is not based on the possession of material things but on things that are eternal.” How true indeed!

Second, it is so easy to be pessimistic but we really need to be optimistic. My sister texted me last night after I informed them that my laptop was stolen. She wrote, “the best is yet to come.” We need to continue to be hopeful in spite of the negative things that are happening around us.

Jesus told us a story about great hope. It was about a farmer who sowed seeds. Some fell in the way side and birds ate it up; some fell in stony places where there is little earth and when it sprung up, they were scorched by the sun because they have no root; some fell among thorns and they were choked; but others fell into good ground and bore good fruit, some hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

This story is about our perspective that “the best is yet to come.” The success of the farmer was 1 out of 4. But it brought forth many folds. The seed of faith (Binhi sang Pagtuo) was planted in us. Let it be that we also must plant seeds of faith in the hearts of people even if it is 1 out of 4. Something good is bound to happen when we just plant seeds.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Let us SHARE

2010-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 4, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Last October 1, 2010 Central Philippine University celebrated its 105th Foundation Day. Our reflection for this week is on the theme of that celebration: “Paghiliambitanay” or “Sharing with one another” (or there might be a better translation than this).

Let me give an acrostic on the word SHARE.

When we share we S – SHOW that we care.

I read an illustration about a father and a son who walked in an area in which a person was crying for his house was razed by a fire. The father said to the son, “let us pray for that poor man so that God will help him.” The son answered, “Dad, let us not bother God anymore, let us help the poor man.”

Sometimes the phrase “let us pray for…” has become an excuse not to get involve in the situation. Let it be said that when we utter “let us pray for…” let us do our part to show that we really care.

When we share we H – HELP alleviate the situation of others.

When we look around us, we can see a lot of people, organizations, churches, and institutions that need our help. Let us try to find someone who we believe needs our help and share to them what we have.

When we share we A – ALLOW God’s blessings to flow.

There are people in this world that have become a dam. They block the resources and it is only upon their mercy that the resources will flow into others.

We need to become rivers in which the resources continue to flow. One can always see something green beside the river – and that means life. When we continue to share it will surely give life.

When we share we R – REMEMBER God’s goodness.

Our sharing is a symbol of our thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving comes from two words – thanks and giving. There is always giving when thanking is being talked about.

When we share we E – ENCOURAGE others to share also.

Oftentimes the end result of our sharing is that other people will be encouraged to share their blessings also. A sharing attitude is a contagious attitude.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Do not withhold good when it is within your power to act - Part 2

2010-09-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 27, 2010

Dear Friends,

Our reflection for this week is a continuation of my reflection on
Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it
is in your power to act.” I already shared three things that are
within our power to share: 1. Material resources 2. Faith 3. Kind
words.

Let me now share to you three more things.

Fourthly, it is within our power to share our wisdom.

There are many wise people who do not hesitate to share their wisdom
but still there are still a lot of people who withhold sharing their
wisdom.

Let us remember that when we share our wisdom, more are added to it
rather than the thinking that when we share it, our wisdom is being
reduced.

Let us train second liners. Let us be happy when somebody is ready to
replace us. Let us teach disciples so that they will also become
teachers. Jesus had a public ministry of just 3 years but Christianity
is alive until because Jesus trained disciples who in turn trained
disciples.

Fifthly, it is within our power to share our availability to serve.

Oftentimes we can hear a lot of excuses when serving in the church or
in the ministry is being talked about. Some of us would say, I’m still
young, I’m too old, I’m afraid, Let others do it, I’m shy, I’m busy
and many other reasons. Does this sound familiar? I hope not.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is
insignificant and cannot make a change. God will do wonderful things
through us when we just say, “Here I am, send me, use me in your
ministry.” We will be surprised what God will do through our lives.

Lastly, it is within our power to share our loving attitude.

Sometimes our church has become a place where people feel that that
are condemned. It is as if they would feel that they are not worthy to
come inside the church because people inside it are very accusatory.
They accuse people of their sins as if they themselves have no sins.

Let us be like Jesus who approached persons with an attitude that the
person has the capacity to do good. Like what Jesus did to the woman
accused of adultery. He went there not to condemn the woman but to
help her. He later said, “go and sin no more.” This signifies the
attitude of Jesus to give persons a chance to change their lives. This
is what the grace of God means.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Jesus wept

2010-09-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” A very good friend of Jesus, Lazarus, died. When he visited the grave together with Mary and Martha he let go of his emotions.

This event shows us that Jesus feels our pains and sufferings. His tears signify that he grieves together with the family. This then gives us an assurance that in our sad moments in life, Jesus is there with us, crying with us. Jesus does this because he is compassionate and loving.

Yesterday, we buried Mrs. Eleanor Ruth Buensuceso Fabula amidst a torrent of rain, and a lot of tears. I would like to believe that the rain was Jesus’ way of telling the mourners that he was crying with them. This is a great assurance in times of grief.

Let me share to you a poem made by my mother, Mrs. Josette Gico Jalando-on, who considers Mrs. Fabula as her best friend.

A Salute to Nang Babie (Eleanor Ruth B. Fabula)

Josette Gico-Jalando-on

Lord, how can I say thank You for the person that was Eleanor Ruth?

She was full of love, of kind thoughts and what a lot of joy to us she has brought.

She was always willing to share her blessings to dear family and friends.

She was ready to even go the second mile or her last penny lend.

You have endowed her with great talents in music and the arts,

She was also a creative cook, as she experimented with her heart.

Her hands were indeed a wonder and she wielded them with great care,

as she played beautiful music, soothing to the ears.

She was a very caring wife and mother, a doting grandmother too,

She hid her tears and disappointments well so they need never know.

She always lived and laughed as she committed all to You

These matters that really shaped her life to fully trust in You

I thank You Lord for the gift of being a friend and a dear sister to me.

She taught me to be true to one’s commitment til the very end.

I’ll never fully comprehend why you took her home this early

as we could have more years together to make our dreams a reality.

Thank you even if it pains us to see her go…

even if we sure would miss her presence in our lives…

You have given her relief from the excruciating disease which sapped her strength and deprived her of enjoying her retirement years.

We cannot fathom your wisdom Lord, but we do thank You for the life of Manang Babie.

Lord thank You very much!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

A Christ-centered Life

2010-09-06T03:01:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Last week Central Philippine University culminated its 105^th University Day celebration. Let me share my reflection on the theme of its celebration, “Meeting Successfully the Challenges and Opportunities of Life as a Centralian.”

What is it in being a Centralian that one can meet successfully the challenges and opportunities of life?

I would like to believe that a Centralian is Christ-centered.

The training that a Centralian receives is geared towards the realization of CPU’s vision, meaning, to become an exemplary Christian for life. This is very ideal and should be a continuing reminder to all teachers, staff and administrators.

Nelson and Herradura once wrote, “…faculty members made it a point to provide a Christian atmosphere in the school, give the students a thorough knowledge of the Bible and some understanding of the meaning of the Christian life, and provide opportunities for the development of interest and abilities that could be used in the service of the church.”

Do we, the new generation of Centralians, live up to expectation to provide a Christian atmosphere in the campus of CPU, and to wherever we are?

I am praying that CPU will not only be “a university where the student is central” but more importantly CPU will become “a university where Christ is Central.”

If we are committed to Jesus Christ, then we are committed to Christian mission. We must instill to Centralians that we must develop a missionary attitude and orientation. CPU was born because of Christian mission. Thus, in one way or another, depending on how you exercise it, Centralians must become missionaries.

Rev. Dr. Johnny V. Gumban once wrote, “CPU is committed to Christian mission. Christian mission is for the purpose of attaining the wholeness of life on the total life of creation in conformity to God’s design and purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ according to the Scripture. God initiates this work in history by whatever means He chooses. CPU offers itself to be a means that God may choose for this purpose.”

We hope that all of us who profess to be Christians will make our lives as a channel of God’s blessing and purpose for other people.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Leadership Style of Jesus Part III

2010-08-23T00:13:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 23, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is Part III of the leadership style of Jesus. In the last two issues of our weekly reflection, I already presented the acrostic message for the letters LEADERS (Loving and Compassionate, Exemplary Plan and Mission, Appealing and Charismatic, Delegation and Discipleship, Elevates the status of the marginalized, Resists Temptation, Seeks the will of God). Now, let me add the next three letters HIP to finish the word LEADERSHIP.

H – Humble

John 13:2-17 tells how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. It is a great illustration on how humble Jesus was. Mark 10:35-45 is a great reminder on what kind of leader Jesus expects us to be. In these verses, James and John, the sons of Zebedee demanded a favor from Jesus that both of them should be seated in the left and right side of the glorious throne of Jesus.

These two disciples were seeking popularity and the glory attached to it. The ten disciples who heard of this request got angry. Were they angry because they too wanted to be in the right or left side, or were they angry because they know that this is not the style of Jesus? I don’t know of the answer to that question but Jesus called them together to clarify his kind of leadership. Jesus said not to be like the Gentile leaders who lord over the people instead they must become humble like a servant for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.

I – Immerses in the situation

One cannot be a good leader if he/she will not immerse him/herself in the context where he/she is leading. Jesus is our great example. John 1:14 tells us that God became human. God was incarnated in the person of Jesus. Jesus became one of us. In doing so, he knows our struggles, our fears and worries. He went through all the hardships that humans are experiencing. The importance of incarnation is that Jesus understands us.

Leaders must incarnate themselves also in his/her context and also on the lives of his/her followers. By doing so, the organization will run smoothly and without much conflict because the followers know that you are one of them. This is the reason why Jesus emphasized that we must become the “salt of the earth.” The salt can only be tasted if it is immersed and is no more to be seen. Though it cannot be seen, the taste can be found everywhere.

P – Provides space

Providing space means being open to others and welcoming mistakes. The story in Mark 9:38-41 exemplifies this kind of attitude. “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.”

The 12 disciples thought all the while that they were the only disciples of Jesus. Jesus reminded them that there are others who are working for the realization of the kingdom of God. Jesus welcomed their mistake and taught them to be open to other people. When you are open, you never lose the spirit of a learner. The saying says, “when the tree stops growing, the fruit starts to rot.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Leadership Style of Jesus Part II

2010-08-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 16, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is Part II of the leadership style of Jesus. The acrostic message for the letters LEAD (Loving and Compassionate, Exemplary Plan and Mission, Appealing and Charismatic, Delegation and Discipleship) was presented last week. Now, let me add the next three letters ERS. Next week is Part III and we will be reflecting on HIP to finish the word LEADERSHIP.

E – Elevates the status of the marginalized

Oftentimes, we look at leadership as a way to marginalize people. Some of us silently swear that when we become leaders, we will do everything in our power to diminish others. But this is not so for Jesus. Elevating the status of the marginalized was a way of life for Jesus. He not only talked to women, tax collectors, sick and poor, but gave them provisions and healing. God is a God of life. Jesus had a preferential option for the poor because the poor were dying before their time.

Lester Ruiz wrote, “Lead in such a way that when someone thinks of fairness, kindness, and integrity, he or she will remember you; Empower in such a way that when someone rises to question, to protest, or to challenge, he or she will remember you.”

R – Resists Temptation

A leader is tempted to become selfish and self-centered. The Bible knows that our human nature has the tendency to be selfish and self-centered. Jesus was tempted by the devil to become selfish and self-centered. Jesus reminded us to stay away from these temptations. What were the temptations? (Matthew 4) 1. Change stone to bread – quick economic gain through short-cuts. 2. Jump down from the top because angels will catch you – the misuse of power. 3. All the kingdoms will be given – the worship of glory.

S – Seeks the will of God

Jesus always sought the will of God. But he was also tempted to follow his own will. The prayer in the garden reminds us that even Jesus was tempted to follow his own will. But later on, he prayed “not my will but thy will be done.”

We must also reclaim the defeatist Filipino worldview that is “Bahala na.” A Centralian anthropologist, F. Landa Jocano wrote that this phrase was originally “Bathala na” or “thy will be done.” Thus, Filipinos always say “Bahala na ang Dios.” Let us dwell on the positive side of this trait. We need to develop an attitude of trust in God’s providence.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Leadership Style of Jesus

2010-08-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 9, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Our reflection for this week is about the leadership style of Jesus. Let me give an acrostic message from the word LEADERSHIP. This reflection is divided into two parts. What is presented today is LEAD. Next week we will reflect on the rest of the letters.

L – Loving and Compassionate

John 15:13 states that “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” We are reminded of 1 John 3:16-18 that says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

E – Exemplary Plan and Mission

Jesus is certainly clear on his mission. The mission of Jesus is the proclamation of the Good News of the kingdom of God. Luke 4:43 says, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” After Jesus’ resurrection, he still preached for 40 days about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

A – Appealing and Charismatic

Jesus had a great charisma. He had the charm, appeal, personality, and magnet to draw the people close to him. For example, Matthew 14:15-21 tells that about five thousand excluding women and children followed him. If the number will include women and children, then the population that followed him that day would be about fifteen thousand.

Leaders should develop their personality so that they can readily influence the people and convince them to put the plan into action.

D – Delegation and Discipleship

Jesus did not do it alone. He chose 12 disciples. He only stayed on earth for about 33 years. On top of that, his public ministry lasted for 3 years only. He needed others with him.

Mark 6:7-13 and Luke 10:1-12, 17 remind us how Jesus delegated his work to his disciples. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 is a great challenged hurled by Paul to us. We should constantly disciple others so that we will not have a shortage of leaders and experience a crisis in leadership. We must remember that the reason why Christian mission is effective is because of delegation and discipleship.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

The Prayer of Jabez

2010-08-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 2, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is about the life of Jabez. The story of his life can be found in two verses in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

Jabez is the head of a family in Judah, noted for his honorable character. The popular explanation of his name is that his mother bore him in pain.

What can we learn from the life Jabez?

First, Jabez had a good parent. His mother brought him up in the way of God.

The Bible mentioned that the mother of Jabez bore him with great pain. This verse implies that because of the great pain, his mother made a vow to train him in the right way so that she will not regret the great pain that she suffered.

I remember my mother who once scolded me, “I bore you with great pain. Now, please behave or I will return you to my womb.”

This is a big challenge to parents – to train their children in God’s way.

Second, Jabez was declared by the Bible as an honorable person.

This tells us that Jabez found favor in the eyes of God and the people. “More honorable than his brothers” does not mean that his brothers are not honorable, but Jabez was singled out because he was probably more consistent in his godly living.

How about us? What is our reputation in the community?

Third, Jabez was a prayerful person.

Our passage tells us that Jabez “cried” out to God. Crying out to God in prayer signifies how he fervently prays to God.

How is our prayer life?

What was the result of the prayer of Jabez?

God granted the prayer of Jabez. A village was named after him. It was famous as the home of scribes. This village produced a prominent clan from which came both Caleb, Joshua's colleague, and his son-in-law, Othniel, Israel's first judge. Othniel also established a school and named it after Jabez.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

“What an Affirming Christian Church should be”

2010-07-25T20:21:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 26, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Yesterday, the University Church of Central Philippine University celebrated its 97th Foundation year. The theme that was expounded by the speaker, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico was “Knowing, Growing, Loving, and Serving.”*

We also praise God for the just concluded Christ Emphasis Week Celebration. The numbers of those who made decisions to accept Jesus Christ are the following: College 983, Elementary 117, High School 400+.

For our reflection this week, let me share with you a poem written (Dec. 20, 2004) by Dr. Henry Florida Funtecha entitled “What an Affirming Christian Church should be.” This poem appeared in the UC Newsletter “Church Alive” last July 25, 2010.

“We want a church that welcomes people

Whatever their beliefs are, even if they belong to other religious persuasions.

We desire a church that makes one feel at home

Whatever his/her socio-economic status in life is.

We admire a church that welcomes people wherever they may be in their faith journey

Believer or agnostic, conventional Christian or questioning skeptic.

We prefer a church that is open to the ideas and experiences

that people attending its services can bring.

We love a church that reflects God’s own love for humanity.

We believe that, as a church, the way members treat one another

is more important than the doctrines they hold.

We think that it is vital to take seriously the intellectual problems

which many people have with Christianity,

and encourage ways of understanding religion which feeds the mind as well as the soul.

We submit that a church must be concerned with injustice and suffering,

and see itself as a community helping to build a better world,

bring hope to those whom Jesus called the least of His brothers and sisters.

We recognize that some of the people’s ignorance far outweighs their understanding,

and that the church should give as much value to their asking questions as in finding answers.

We affirm that, as members of a Christian church, faith entails costly discipleship

and conscientious resistance to all sorts of evil.

We trust that God in His infinite love and wisdom will always give a helping hand

to an affirming church, and in the end, His kingdom will reign supreme in this world.”

May God bless us!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*The UC pastors are: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Fabula (Senior Pastor), Rev. Roger Quimpo (Outreach Pastor), Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian (Youth Pastor), and Pastor Ruth Lunasco (Christian Education Director).

Awakened!

2010-07-18T18:48:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 19, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Central Philippine University is celebrating Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) starting today.* The theme is “Awakened” and based on the scripture texts: Ephesians 5:14-16 and Romans 13:11-12 -- “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you”… “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

The theme and texts imply two things.

First, we need to get involved in the process of waking up people from the state of “sleep-mode” Christianity.

My family is living now in CPU Heritageville, Pavia. It would take us three rides to reach CPU in Jaro (1 tri-sikad and 2 jeepney ride). Because of this we need to wake up early in the morning so that we can be on time for our office, and also for our son’s 7:30am class.

The process of waking up takes a lot of effort. Sometimes it would take three pushes in snooze button of the alarm before we finally wake up. Then a cup of coffee to perk us up, a little stretching, followed by a cold shower, and a breakfast to make us finally ready to go.

This is also the same with our spiritual lives. We need a lot of “alarm clocks” – preaching, bible studies, Sunday School, fellowships to continually remind us to wake up and shine for Jesus Christ.

Are we acting up as the “alarm clocks” “exercise” “coffee” “shower” “food” of people so that they can be awakened?

Second, as “awakened” people, we need to live for Christ. The texts say, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” … “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Are we shining for Christ? Are we bearers of the light of Christ?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*We covet your prayers for a meaningful CEW experience for CPU. The speakers for this CEW are from the United States brought over by our alumni Engr. Nelson and Mrs. Bethel Consumo.

Starting last semester we offered many venues for the convocation to maximize the attendance. In this CEW we are using three venues – Rose Memorial Hall, University Church and Alumni Promenade Park. We assigned colleges for each venue.

The Encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus

2010-07-12T04:25:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 12, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is about the encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus.

This encounter happened in Jericho, a wealthy and important town during that time. It was the center of trade and industry. Its commerce was mainly on palm and balsam. Zacchaeus lived in this town.

He was wealthy but was unhappy. He was lonely for he had chosen a way that made him an outcast. He was not only a mere tax collector but the chief publican. He was despised and hated by people. He was corrupt because he charged more than what is supposed to be. He was an extortionist. This was his kind of life before he met Jesus Christ.

We can learn three things from Zacchaeus.

First, he had an Eager Attitude. He was determined to see Jesus and would let nothing to stop him. Zacchaeus threw away his pride, being a chief publican, and climbed the Sycamore tree in order to see Jesus.

Are we eager to find Jesus Christ? Do we let the crowd, the people, our work hinder us from coming to Jesus Christ?

Second, he had an Obedient and Open Attitude. When Jesus said that he will dine in the house of Zacchaeus, he immediately came down. He did not hesitate.

Jesus is continually knocking on our doors. Are we open to receive him? What obstacles do we have to overcome to see Jesus?

Third, he had a Repentant Attitude. There was a radical repentance in Zacchaeus. His change of life was evident in the actions that followed. He promised to give away half of his health and to return four-fold to those whom he cheated.

How do we act on our repentance?

The verse ending the story of Zacchaeus says, “salvation has come to his house.” It means that Zacchaeus became a blessing to his house. He brought the means of grace and salvation to his household.

Tradition tells us that later Zacchaeus became the bishop of Caesarea. What a turn of events if someone encounters Jesus Christ!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Fellowship of Believers

2010-07-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 5, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

We praise and thank God for the successful Global Reunion of Centralians held last July 1-3, 2010 at San Francisco, USA.

What comes to mind during reunions is the word fellowship. We are relational beings and in constant need of fellowship. One aspect of the church is Koinonia. There are three English words that are associated to this Greek word – fellowship, communion and community. Let us focus on fellowship in this week’s reflection.

There are two words in fellowship – fellow and ship. We are all fellows in one ship, and we are fishers of people.

The earliest symbol Christianity, which is earlier than the cross is the fish – iktus. The early Christians assigned a meaning to the word iktus. In Greek this means: Iesou, Kristou, Theo, Uious, Soter or Jesus the Christ, Son of God, our Savior. The ship also symbolizes the church, even until now.

The design of the University Church in the campus of CPU is a big reminder for all of us to remember that we are all fellows in one ship. If you picture out the University Church, it is in the shape of a barangay – the Malayan ship that our foreparents used in going to the shores of our country.

Let us row together for God’s glory!

We appeal for prayer: Last night the Associate Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Alma Frondoza was rushed to the hospital. She is now in coma. The cause is CVA (Cerebrovascular accident). Her condition is GCS 3.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 21, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings!

Yesterday we celebrated Father’s Day in honor of our fathers. My family went home to La Carlota City, Negros Occidental to celebrate this special day with my father.

When we went back to Iloilo, I had one of the great scares in my life as a father. Our son, Kairos, had a bike accident. He was wounded in the area between his nose and mouth when his face collided with the handle post of the bike. His Lola was shouting, “baw nasungi ang apo ko.” I, too, thought at that time that the accident would result into a cleft upper lip. But thank God, after some ice and “balunggay” he was okay. My sister-in-law said to Kairos, “grabe gift mo kay tatay mo sa Father’s Day ba.” As I reflect now on what happened, I can indeed say that it was indeed a gift because it validated my love to my son. This accident reminded me that God is telling the fathers to take care of their children for they are precious gifts from Him.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 tells us what God expects from fathers. This passage is called the Shema and is considered the most important prayer of the Jews. They pray it every morning and during nighttime. In the context of the Old Testament, the Shema is only prayed by the fathers. We can reflect three things from this prayer.

First, we need fathers who have a personal relationship with God. Verse 6 tells us that the commandments of God must be upon the hearts of the fathers.

The current observation in churches now is that the men are inactive in church activities. The women and the youth are the most active. The Bible continues to remind all of us, especially the fathers, to read, meditate, pray and live the Word of God.

On this Father’s Day let us be reminded to cultivate our personal relationship with God.

Second, we need fathers who teach their children about God. Verse 7 tells us, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Are we sitting with our children and talk to them about God? Or do we grab first the remote control of the TV or play the computer when we arrive in our homes? Do we bring our work at home and have no time to lie down and read stories to our children? God is reminding the fathers of our task as educators.

Third, we need fathers that live what he teaches both at home and in public. It is common to hear this phrase, “just practice what I teach but do not follow my example.” This phrase should not be in our vocabulary anymore.

As parents we have seen our children using our shoes or slippers when they were small. This event should remind us that our children need good role models who follow the ways of Jesus. By the grace of God, let us try our best not to fail our children.

Happy Father’s Day! May God bless us!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Lessons I learned during my first year of class

2010-06-07T03:39:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 7, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings!

Today is the official start of classes at Central Philippine University. The campus is full of students from Elementary to College. When I saw the faces of new students, my mind flashback to when I first entered the university. A lot has happened from that time until now but I learned a lot lessons on my first year as a college student that has become life lessons for me. Let me share it with you.

First, we must have the constant eagerness to learn and unlearn. First time students have a great passion to study and discover things. Yet, this passion would later wane off for some of us. We become bored and just go through the rituals of life. Later we just found out that we have missed a lot of things. This is the time then that we regret the things that we have not done.

Hopefully, this lesson can be learned until it’s too late. Psalm 90:10, 12 says, “Our lifetime is seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years, Teach us, then, O Lord, how short our lives really are so that we may be wise and live according to your purpose.”

Second, we must continue to gain new friends for life becomes beautiful when you share it with others. Most of us can probably remember how we became friends with our current friends. They were probably our seatmates or someone walking in the campus road towards another building and we asked them directions where our class is located. With these newfound friends, we share food, study together, sleep over in their boarding house or their homes. Then we would later agree to take the same class schedules in the next semester until we graduated. And soon after, without us consciously knowing it, these first year in the school students have become our friends for life.

Let it be that we will not stop making friends. Jesus once said to his disciples, “I now call you friends.”

Third, we must work hard because a good life is not handed to us in a silver platter. This lesson is learned when I first got a rating of INC (incomplete). I have to work doubly hard in the next semester just to complete my term papers and other assignments. Those who do not learn this lesson would get a lapse subject, and have to re-enroll it. Worst, some would drop out of school.

This lesson teaches us not to give up and to continue to work hard. Let us remember that God honors an honest labor.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

"My Peace I Give You"

2010-05-24T02:27:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 24, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

This week is very busy for Central Philippine University. On May 26-28, 2010, the campus will be filled with pastors, church members, guests and friends that will be attending the 2nd Biennial Assembly and 75th Diamond Celebration of the Convention of Philippines Baptist Churches. The theme for this assembly is taken from the words of Jesus in John 14:27, “My Peace I Give You.” Let us pray for this gathering.

Peace is very elusive. This is maybe the reason why we continue to discuss it. Jesus spoke about peace many times. Let me give you five points using the first letters of the word PEACE.

P – Pray for peace. During the birth of Jesus, the angels sang a beautiful prayer: “Peace on earth and goodwill among people.” Let us continue to pray this kind of prayer, and hope that someday we may experience continues peace and goodwill.

E – Educate the people about peace. Jesus taught his disciples that when they enter a house they should always say, “Peace to this house.” There is a Filipino tradition when building a house – a comb (husay) is put in every post of the house when building the foundation. This comb (husay) symbolizes the desire of the occupants of the house to have peace: “May ara sang kahusayan ang pangabuhi sa sulod sang balay kag wala nagagumon ang pangabuhi.” Let us hope that this tradition will be passed on to the next generation. I just experienced it the other day when my mother-in-love requested the carpenters building our bahay kubo to put the husay in all the posts.

A – Advocate peace. Jesus advocated peace by challenging the violent practices of the Jews. One of these is the principle of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But Jesus said, “I tell you, when someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also.” This calls for a radical change on our behavior. Let us not turn a blind eye on this command of Jesus.

C – Coordinate with other groups and organizations working for peace. Jesus was once told by his disciples that they stopped someone who was driving out demons in his name. Jesus scolded John and said, “Do not stop him…for whoever is not against us is for us.” This should be a lesson to us to be open for partnerships with other groups. God is working also through them.

E – Endeavor the culture of peace. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” It is a continuing struggle for me if I should allow my children to watch the famous cartoon show, “Tom and Jerry.” Although hilarious, we can find a lot of violence in the show. Some of them are sometimes practiced by my children. My wife and I are doing our best to counter this culture, and instill to our children the culture of peace. To my fellow parents, let us start teaching the culture of peace while our children are still young.

Peace be with you!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

The Great Commission

2010-05-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 17, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Yesterday, the Christian church celebrated the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He left an imperative command to His gathered disciples. This command is now famously called, “The Great Commission.”

I once heard a sermon illustration that is about a gathering of ministers in a mission conference under the theme “The Great Commission.” On their opening celebration, a wind passed by and the letter “C” in the cutout letters fell off. Although the spelling is wrong, the congregation understood the message – the Great Commission has oftentimes become the Great Omission.

What is the message of the Great Commission for us?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This is a very revolutionary statement from Jesus. The emperor of Rome during the time of Jesus was the one considered to be the authority under heaven and on earth. By declaring this statement, Jesus has declared that nobody should usurp the authority of God, and that His disciples must be courageous enough to stand on this declaration. True enough, the disciples of stood on their faith and were martyred because of it.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus is expecting us to be this kind of example: “If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, and pick up his cross. Any of you who do not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Paul reminds us the meaning of baptism – we share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during immersion and rising up from the water.

“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Let me refer you to Matthew 5 to 7 for the commands of Jesus. These chapters are a constant source of reminder of what Jesus demands of us.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In doing the mission that Jesus has commanded us to do, He promised to be with us. We can just imagine the comfort of these words during the times of persecution in the early church. This promise continues to be true until today.

Happy Ascension celebration!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

We hope for a set of leaders who really CARES

2010-05-10T01:30:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 10, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental!

Earlier today, about 7:30am, my wife Hermely and I casted our ballots. Hermely had a brief scare when her ballot was not accepted by the PCOS machine (Precinct Count Optical Scan) the first time she inserted it. On her second try, she was greeted “Congratulations” by the machine. As of this time of writing, there are reports of malfunctioning PCOS machines all over the country, and failure of elections in some areas. The COMELEC has extended the voting time up to 7pm. There are petitions to extend it up to 11pm if glitches in the machine will continue.

In connection with our celebration of Mother’s Day, we hope and pray that our next set of leaders will be like a mother who really cares for us. Let me share 5 things from the letters of word CARES.

Like a mother, we hope for a leader who is Compassionate.

Jesus was very compassionate. Matt 9:36, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Our mothers have great compassion for their children. They are always concerned about their children. They will always consider the plight of their children before their own situation.

Like a mother, we hope for a leader who shows Affection.

The affection of God to us can be glimpsed in these verses, “…You will nurse from her breast and be carried at her side; you will play on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I'll comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:12-13)

We really need leaders who will show their love and care all throughout their terms, and not just during election time.

Like a mother, we hope for a leader who Restores us.

Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”

Our country needs leaders who will restore our Filipino pride and lead the country out of poverty.

Like a mother, we hope for leaders who will Elevate our status.

Leadership is often seen by others as a way to marginalize the people. We can often hear threats like “Just wait for me to become a leader, and then I will trample you down.”

Elevating the status of the marginalized was a way of life for Jesus. He talked to women, tax collectors, sick and poor. God is a God of life. Jesus had a preferential option for the poor because the poor were dying before their time. Jesus always pronounced a blessing to the marginalized sector.

Lastly, we also hope for leaders who will always Seek the will of God.

Jesus always sought the will of God. But he was also tempted to follow his own will. The Lord’s prayer reminds us that even Jesus was tempted to follow his own will. But later on, he prayed “not my will but thy will be done.”

We must also convert the perceived negative Filipino trait that is “Bahala na.” Actually, this phrase was originally “Bathala na” or “thy will be done.” This only shows that Filipinos are culturally a people with great faith on the Almighty God.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! Let us pray that the outcome of our national elections will produce a set of leaders who really cares.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Biblical Criteria on Choosing Leaders

2010-05-03T02:27:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 3, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Negros!

Next Monday, May 10, 2010, is the national election day of our dear country, the Philippines. The University Church conducted a Voters Forum last Sunday and my part was to share the biblical criteria on choosing a leader. Let me share it also to you.

The form of government of Israel started on what is called theocracy – a government ruled by God through the prophets, judges and messengers. Later, when they entered Canaan, they clamored for a king like all the nations around them.

God gave them a set of parameters on what kind of king God desires for them. Deuteronomy 17:15-20 tells us about these criteria.

First, “He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite.”

This challenges us to vote for leaders who know our Philippine situation. Our next leaders should not be an "alien" or a "foreigner" on our real situation. Popularity should not be our number one basis but to choose someone who really can situate him/herself on what is happening around us and propose solutions for it.

Second, “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself”

“Horses” in this verse means “a great army.” Therefore, we must not choose leaders who prefers war or violence as his/her way of solving things. The campaign period has taught us that a lot of candidates have resorted to threats, and killing their political enemies just to ensure their victory. Let us not vote for these violent people.

Third, “must not make the people return to Egypt…for the Lord has told you, ‘You are not to go back that way again.’”

Egypt is a symbol of slavery and oppression. God intends that we must be free, and be given the opportunity to actualize our potential. Let us choose leaders who will not enslave and oppress us. We must be courageous enough to stand on what is right and defy the tyrants in our land.

Fourth, “He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.”

This criterion reminds us to elect leaders who are not immoral. Let us say no to politicians who oftentimes have the gall to flaunt their mistresses in the public.

Fifth, “He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.”

Corruption is now the number one perceived problem in the country that causes poverty. One wonders why the national candidates spend billions of money in their campaign. I was told by a TV executive that a 30-second advertisement costs about P400,000.00 during primetime. With this amount in mind, we can count how much money the politicians have already spent every week just for this type of campaign.

Let us make a concerted effort to stop corruption. It starts by saying no to vote buying.

Sixth, “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law…It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so thathe may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.”

We must choose leaders who are God-fearing, and takes seriously that his/her way of life is according to the will of God. Let us not choose the religious but rather the righteous.

Seventh, “and not consider himself better than his brothers…”

We must choose leaders who are humble. The attitude of humbleness is not a sign of defeat but rather a sign that respects other people and their right to be heard. There are a lot of arrogant politicians that act as if they are the messiah. The leaders must remember the adage that says, “come let us reason together.”

Let us ponder for the whole week who fits the biblical criteria. Let us vote next Monday with this in mind.

May God bless us all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

We are witnesses of Jesus

2010-04-26T01:47:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 26, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

One wonders why the gospel of Jesus reached us, and is still reaching others. This is a great wonder because Jesus lived only until the age of 33. His public ministry lasted for only 3 years, and just concentrated in some certain parts of Israel.

The answer to this mystery is that the Word who became flesh and lived among us did not left without witnesses. In one of the post-resurrection stories, Jesus gathered his disciples and told them, “…you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” (Acts 1:8).

Yes, Jesus died but he resurrected and continued to live on the hearts of his disciples and apostles. The gospel reached us because those who came before us acted on their faith.

Those that came before us were Jesus Christ’s flesh here on earth since our Lord cannot be seen nor can be touched anymore. Their bodies were presented as living sacrifices. As Christians we are challenged by the gospel to incarnate Jesus Christ in our lives.

We can do this incarnation or giving flesh to the teachings of Jesus Christ by:

First, having eyes that show compassion to the poor. It has been said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. Jesus is counting on us to be his eyes nowadays.

Second, having a nose that smells the fragrance of a person. We are not to point out just the odor of another person but acknowledge his/her fragrance so that we will see the good in him/her and develop it.

Third, having ears that listen to the cries of those who are oppressed. Listening in this sense is not about being passive but being active. Let us give actions to what we have heard and making “love your neighbor” as the basis of our actions.

Fourth, having a mouth that speaks encouragement to the weary. Let us remember that words can either destroy or build. When we have already spoken, we cannot just simply return the words into our mouth. There will always be consequences. Let us choose our words wisely.

Fifth, having arms that lift up the weak. Let us pull up those who are down along our journey of faith. Let us encouragingly push those who are slowing down. Let our hands be the guide to those who are lost.

Sixth, having a heart that is willing to die for a friend. This is what Christ has done a long time ago and our fore parents in faith have done the same. Let us remember the words “there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for a friend.”

Seventh, having a feet that will go to the lost. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news to those who are in the dark and cannot see where they are going because they are lost.

Lastly, the Word became flesh and lived among us. He identified himself with the poor, weak, oppressed and weary. But Jesus Christ is not here anymore. The good thing is that he did not left without witnesses. He left us. He died but only to live in our hearts. Let us incarnate him in our lives by being his eyes, nose, ears, mouth, arms, heart and feet.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

p.s.

Let us pray for the bereaved family of the late Rev. Dr. Greg Tingson. He died last Saturday evening in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Jesus comes to where we are

2010-04-19T01:08:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 19, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Another interesting story after the resurrection of Jesus was on the third time that he appeared after he was raised from the dead. This is the story of Jesus coming to the Sea of Tiberias in the early morning. The account is in John 21.

We can learn three lessons from this story:

First, Jesus comes to where you are. In this instance, Jesus came to the disciples in their workplace – the sea.

This lesson is very comforting for all of us because it teaches us that Jesus is not someone who is only accessible every Sunday, or in the church, but He comes to us wherever we may be. And He is always there when we needed Him most.

Let us expect Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes, His presence can be felt in mysterious ways. The other day in Capitol Hills, Quezon City, the pastors of Luzon CBMA chapter planned to hold the fellowship of Luzon, Romblon and Mindoro pastors in Tagaytay this coming September. They invited me to attend their gathering. When I arrived in Iloilo, I received a gift from my first cousin. It was a t-shirt with a print in front that says, “Tagaytay.” Was it coincidence? Maybe. But deep in my heart I believe it was God’s presence confirming His approval of our gathering.

Second, let us be open to new ideas and opportunities. They have learned before that when you follow the commands of Jesus, something good is bound to happen.

The experience that they had when Jesus called them to be fishers of men was similar to this one. The would-be disciples were fishing in the sea on that night but they caught nothing. They argued with the command of Jesus to cast their nets again. But when they did, they caught a lot of fish that they even requested other boats to join them. Now, on this account, although they do not recognize Jesus yet, they followed him when they told them to cast their nets on the right side and they will find some fish.

Sometimes we push our own ideas and neglect the ideas of others. What the disciples did is teaching us not be close-minded nor hard-headed but to allow the workings of the Holy Spirit to work in us, or through the lives of others. God might be speaking to us through other people. When we open our lives to others, something good is in store.

Third, let us relax and enjoy life in the fellowship with others. The account in John 21 tells us that Jesus was beside the sea, with a fire of burning coals with fish on it and some bread. Wow! What a picturesque way of telling us to take a rest, eat with others, throw away our inhibitions, laugh, unload our burdens and just enjoy what God has given us.

We are sometimes so busy that we missed having a quality life. Let us take a break. Jesus is calling us to have some “sinugba nga may sinamakan ukon patis nga may kalamunding, kag nagakinamot sa kilid sang baybay.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Lessons from Doubting Thomas

2010-04-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 12, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings!

There are many stories after the resurrection of Jesus for he stayed for 40 days before his ascension. One of these stories was about Thomas.

Let me share four things that we can learn from the story of Thomas.

First, if we continue to miss to be with the gathered believers of Jesus, then we will continue to miss the blessings of God.

This is what happened to Thomas. John 20:19ff tells us that he was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them on Sunday night (the resurrection happened early on that day). He missed the commissioning of Jesus. He was not there when Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”

How many times have we missed to be with the fellowship of the community of faith?

Second, we must trust the words of our fellow believers, and we ourselves must be trustworthy also.

Thomas did not trust the testimony of his fellow disciples. He did not believe their story that Jesus is alive and was with them. Thomas declared in front of them that he will not believe their words unless he can prove it by putting his hand on the wounds of Jesus. The 10 disciples must have felt very bad because after Judas betrayed Jesus, another one of their own is in doubt.

Let us be responsible with our words, and let us be held accountable with what we have said. Do we still have Palabra de Honor?

Third, Jesus is waiting patiently for us to believe.

Jesus had all the rights to be angry with Thomas. They were together for many years. He could have said, “Shame on you! We were together for many years yet you do not believe.” But when Jesus appeared to them, he still said, “Peace be with you. Put your finger here and do not be faithless anymore. Believe!”

Let us believe and be true to the pronouncement of Jesus, “Believe are those who believe without seeing me.” Do we still doubt?

Fourth, let us be ready to humble ourselves, admit our mistakes and declare that Jesus is our Lord and our God.

Thomas, when confronted with the reality of the resurrection, was humble enough to exclaim that Jesus is his Lord and God. The proof of this turnaround from doubt to faith is found on his commitment to spread the good news of Jesus to other parts of the world. Church history tells us that Thomas went to India and established a church there in 52 AD. About 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the gospel takes root in India. Until now the St. Thomas Church in North Paravur, India still stands.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Jesus is Risen

2010-04-04T23:46:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 5, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Zamboanga del Norte!*

Yesterday, the Christian Church celebrated Easter Sunday in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus.

In defense of the resurrection of Jesus, former British Chief Justice lord Darling said: “There exists such overwhelming evidence, positive and negative, factual and circumstantial, that no intelligent jury in the world would fail to bring in a verdict that the resurrection story is true.”

The recent book of Lee Strobel “The Case for Christ” and its subsequent documentary film, report that even though there is overwhelming evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, a lot of people are still not convinced that Jesus rose from the dead, and the number of skeptics is climbing up.

Matthew 28:11-15 narrates to us a story that some of the guards of the tomb when to the chief priests and reported to them what happened. Consequently, the chief priests and the elders gathered to discuss the report and devised a plan. They gave money to the soldiers and told them to spread the news that the disciples of Jesus came during the night and stole the body. And this lie was consistently circulated by the religious leaders of that time.

This story gives us some reasons that although the resurrection really happened, the rumors and lies spread by the Jewish leaders are still being spread in our society by modern day Chief Priests, Elders and Soldiers.

We are sometimes like those Chief Priests. They are the kind of people who are only concerned about their position in society. We are embarrassed to let other people know that we are Christians. We think that it will degrade our position in the society if we practice our being a Christian openly. Because of this, we help perpetuate the lie that Jesus did not rise from the dead because the effect of his resurrection cannot be seen in our lives.

We are sometimes like those elders. They are the kind of people who forsake the plan of God and instead devised devious plans to benefit our own self-interests, and we do it by hook or by crook. In the case of the Elders in the story, they resulted to bribery.

We are sometimes like those soldiers who took the bribe. They followed the orders of the Elders without objection. We oftentimes follow orders like blind people even if the orders are dead wrong. We have failed to question what is happening around us.

If you have seen yourself as a modern day Chief Priests, Elders or Soldiers, it is time for us to purge this kind of personalities or attitudes. Let us be like the women who when they received the news from the angel that Jesus is alive, they were filled with joy and hurried to tell the good news.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*I’m currently in Mindanao attending the CBMA Western Mindanao Chapter Assembly. I delivered the Biblico-Theological Reflection just this morning, and tomorrow I’ll be preaching in their Closing Celebration.

Jesus had seen enough!

2010-03-29T02:55:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 29, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Negros!*

Yesterday, Christianity celebrated Palm Sunday. The celebration coincided with the Baccalaureate and Graduation Ceremony of Central Philippine University.

Palm Sunday is celebrated because of the palms laid down by the people in the road during the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. But in the midst of the joyful exclamation of the people shouting “Hosanna” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” “Hosanna to the son of David”, Jesus was grieving. Luke 19:41-42 says, “But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace…”

Jesus cried on what is happening in Jerusalem. He cried because he had seen enough. His eyes were full of compassion and care. His tears were tears of longing and yearning for Jerusalem to soften their hearts and open their eyes. Probably, Jesus was not hearing the words of “Hossana” but “crucify him” because days later they turned their backs on him and demanded his death.

The subject of peace is very relevant to us now. There is a lot of election-related violence that are happening in the Philippines nowadays. Jesus is crying because like the people of Jerusalem during his time on earth, people are not willing to listen to his way to peace.

Jesus is telling us to repent from our sins if we want peace. Repentance requires two things: first, admission of sin or guilt done to God and towards people; second, renouncing of that sin or guilt.

What follows after repentance is reconciliation. If we repent our sins, forgiveness and healing will then follow. The mark of our reconciliation is when we forsake our own will, our own self-interest and follow the will of God.

Reconciliation will result to transformation or change in our outlook on life and attitude towards God and people. Reform will happen.

When we complete the cycle of 3 Rs – Repentance, Reconciliation, Reform – the result is peace.

In this Holy Week, let us reflect on how we can contribute in bringing about peace. Let us not put tears in the eyes of Jesus. Let us follow Jesus’ way of peace.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*I just delivered a message in the Graduation Rites of South Negros Bible Institute (SONBI) in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental. SONBI is one of the bible schools of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches

I am a Promise, I am a Possibility

2010-03-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 22, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last March 17, the CPU Kindergarten held its graduation program. As I watched my son Kairos received his diploma, I am overjoyed to note that the theme of the graduation ceremony is “I am a Promise, I am a Possibility.” Before the program ended, all the graduating kinder students shouted the theme with smiles on their faces and twinkling in their eyes that gave the audience an assurance and hope that indeed with the grace of God, our children will some day realize their God-given potential, and be what God intends them to be.

In return to the kinder graduates’ declaration, I asked myself what should I do to help make their statement a reality. What flashed in my mind was a song I learned during my college days. It is a song that continues to challenge me to be involved in what is happening around us. Here’s the song:

PUSONG LIGAW ISIPAN AY NAG-GAGALA
WALA NANG DATI NIYANG TUWA, KAWAWA
NAKALULUNGKOT KUNG SIYA’Y
IYONG PAGMAMASDAN
NGUNIT MARAMING GANITO SA ‘TING LIPUNAN

SISISIHIN ANG ATING PAMAHALAAN
SA GANITONG KALAGAYAN
NGUNIT ANONG GINAGAWA NG SIMBAHAN
TAYO BA’Y TUMUTULONG O TAGA-PUNA NA LANG

BUHAY KRISTIYANO’Y
DI HALLELUYAH LANG
MAGING BAHAGI KA
NG PAGTULONG SA LIPUNAN
MANALANGIN AY TAMA DIN NAMAN
LALO NA’T MAY GAWA
AT DI LANG SA SALITA

GANO’N ANG GINAWA NG ATING PANGINOON
SA MGA NAGDARAHOP SIYA ANG TUGON
SA KANILANG MGA PANGANGAILANGAN
ABOT ANG KANYANG TULONG
SA MAGDAMAG MAGHAPON

PROBLEMA MINSAN SA ‘TI’Y SA MALAYO NAKATINGIN
IBANG BANSA’Y GUSTONG MISYUNIN
HINDI NAMAN MASAMA KUNG ATIN ‘TONG GAGAWIN
NGUNIT SANA NAMAN UNAHIN ANG BANSA NATIN
You can listen to the song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qRxqW8j-Mg

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Pilgrimage for Peace 2010

2010-03-15T00:53:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 15, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

The Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA) has declared that the months of March and April be dedicated in learning the role of the church in shaping society especially as the Philippines is preparing for the May 2010 elections.

Let me share with you the PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE 2010 Election Primer prepared by the CBMA leadership.* Please feel free to reproduce this and distribute to people.

Election fever is on again. TV ads, banners, flyers, caucuses, speeches, and promises are again robbing us of simple solace even at home. As the campaign period fires on, may our minds will not be carried away by the whims and schemes of those who aspire for power. Let no one blind us of the issues that had been besetting the Philippine society for so long. These issues are unequal sharing of land and resources, poverty, corruption, unemployment, religious indifference, foreign domination, and the like. Most recently, the nation seems to have been plagued with politics of impunity by many of those in power resulting to indiscriminate and extra-judicial killings and disappearances, and warlordism.

Most people are sick and tired of politics, especially election. This country have witnessed that in its most recent history, everything that could be used for cheating had been used for cheating. Many have grown hopeless and fatalistic. But some are not giving up because of some sign spots of hope. Some remain optimistic despite the gruesome state of the country because for them, Philippines is like any growing person. The setbacks are right of passage in the growing process.

The CBMA shares the same view. As we reclaim our nation, we cling on to the following: Hope, Vision, and Struggle – Hope amidst despair; Vision of a beloved community in the era of darkness; and protracted struggle for justice and lasting peace.

The 2010 elections is not only about changing the incumbent and electing to power anyone; this election is about Hope, Vision, and Struggle.

Meanwhile, we wish to equip our people with a critical awareness so each and everyone can cast their votes secretly, and the votes will be canvassed transparently. It is on this ground that we put forward the following:

PRAYER – The Bible says, pray continually. When there seems to be no one to turn to in these perilous times, a Christian can pray. And while one can always pray personally, let us remember that we can also pray as a community of faith. As you pray together, please bring into God’s throne of grace and mercy the issues that affect the life of the world God has created. These issues are maybe spiritual, economic, social, and political; in faith we can confidently say, “I know the Lord will answer all our prayers.”

EDUCATION – A good Christian is one who both believes and seeks to understand. As we have our individual and group Bible studies, let us not be contented only with what the Word of God means; let us proceed by asking what the Word means to the World today. Include in your study list Elections 2010 as the most pressing event. Make a thorough background check of the candidates. Check the daily papers, the internet; listen to the radio, get updated of TV news, and so on. Make use of every mode of communication that provides avenue for learning. Share what you glean with your fellow believers, neighbors, and anyone.

ANALYSE – Don’t get contented with mere data and raw information. Investigate. Be critical. Engage in formal and casual conversations with people. Stage a friendly and worthwhile debate. Agree to disagree. Wrestle with each other’s ideas and beliefs. On top of all, do not forget to respect one’s position. Hence, the future of this country does not only lie on the hands of its leaders, but on the maturity and vigilance of the people as a cohesive body to watch over those who govern them.

COMMIT – One can never know that you know what is right unless you make a decision on something. After scrutinizing the background and track records of the candidates and their parties, and after you have consolidated and articulated the people’s agenda, you have to make a decision. The decision is maybe very personal, but it may also be collective since others might be sharing the same thing. Let no one catch you in a compromise. Decide for someone or for something. It can maybe wrong, but that’s alright. The worse decision once could make is to have no judgment at all. Judge and decide.

ELECT– Suffrage is your basic right. With it, you can be equal with even the most powerful person in the country. That one vote that you have is worth your soul. It should neither be sold nor be given to someone popular, winnable, and had been winning the survey. It matters not that your choice of whom to vote is maybe very unpopular. It is maybe a swim against the water, but that is what it takes to be a live fish; by just going with the flow makes you a dead one. It may not be a winning vote, but a vote of principle; it may not be a timely vote, but at least a vote of hope. Unpopular, yes, but what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. Make your vote an expression of protest against evil. Make your vote a flicker of light for others to see, so they will share the same vision and hopefully join the ongoing struggle for making a better community.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

CBMA President

Assistant Chaplain, CPU

*Thanks to Pastor Elizer Geromiano, Dean of CBMA Institute, for writing the primer.

Women's Day!

2010-03-07T23:14:00.001-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 8, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Today is International Women’s Day. In commemoration of this event, let me share a portion of my lecture on the Role of Pastors in Overcoming Violence against Women that was delivered last Saturday at the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches headquarters.

Hans Küng wrote that religion can provide “A change in the inner orientation, the whole mentality, the ‘hearts’ of people, and a conversion from a false path to a new orientation for life.” This means that the church has a big role in the formation of theology and practice of the people.

Re-reading of the Bible is very important. Oftentimes, we read the Bible with close minds. This means that we already have an interpretation before we actually read it. Re-reading can change our perspective.

The issue of violence against women is related to the issue of dominance. And one of the scripture texts used to reinforce dominance of men on women is Ephesians 5:21ff “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

If we re-read the words of Paul in the original Greek, we can see that our usual interpretation of the meaning of head and submission is far from the intention of Paul.

There are two different words that mean head in Greek. First, arche which means “beginning, chief, boss, ruler of a group.” But Paul did not write that the “husband is the arche of the wife, instead, he used another Greek word with another meaning. Paul used kephale. Kephale is translated also as head but the meaning of this Greek word is a leader that is a servant of all, willing to give up life itself for the body. Verse 23 says, “as Christ is the head (kephale not arche) of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”

Be subject to – “wives should be subject to their husbands in everything.” Paul did not use hupakouo which means the obedience of a slave to a master, nor did Paul use peitharcheo which means obedience to someone who is in authority, nor did he use hupotasso which means to subordinate someone such as the plight of the conquered.

Instead, Paul used hupotassomai. The essential meaning of this word is “be responsive to the needs of” or in modern translation, “be supportive of.” It is almost identical to the meaning of agape which is which means “giving up of one’s self-interest to serve and care for another.”

With this re-reading of Paul’s words, we can see the original meaning and hopefully change our theological framework, then our way of life especially on how we view and behave towards women.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

End Times??

2010-02-28T23:22:00.001-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 1, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings!

Somebody said that today is the official start of summer. What comes to mind when summer is mentioned is vacation with friends and family, and most probably a trip to a beach and enjoy the heat of the sun. But right now what everybody is thinking is how to escape the scorching heat of the sun.

The last time that rain visited the country was in the first weeks of January. In some areas of the Philippines, a state of emergency was proclaimed by the government due to drought that consequently brought damage to crops. The El Niño spell has continued to bring havoc to health and livelihood.

The other day we received news of a big earthquake in Chile and a tsunami in Hawaii. What is still fresh in our minds is the devastating catastrophe brought by an earthquake in Haiti a few weeks ago.

These situations were the topic of my conversation with National Capital Region coach of Table Tennis the other day in Manila.* He was asking me if the end of the world is really coming. He quoted to me the verse in Mark 13:7-8 that says, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.”

There is a temptation for us to speculate when the end time will come to us. A lot of religious groups gained membership because they provide dates and proclamations when apocalypse will be. But up to now, all these groups were proven to be false. The words of Jesus are still the most authoritative: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

The lesson for us then is to take heed of the command of Jesus: “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come…If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Let us continue to be watchful and at the same time tell others to be on guard and be alert.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*Thank you for your prayers. The Region 6 Table Tennis Women’s Team represented by 3 CPU players won the championship in the 2010 CHED National Games. We also won the silver medal in the women’s doubles event, and bronze in the mixed doubles event. Juliette Gayoso, a first year BS Accountancy student was hailed as the Most Valuable Player in the women’s event, and I was also adjudged as the Best Coach. To God be the glory!

People Power!

2010-02-21T14:15:00.001-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

February 22, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Manila!*

Today is a holiday in commemoration of the People Power Revolution of 1986.

Let me share three things in relation to this:

First, it has taught us that a Filipino Christ must have the power to do. We, the people from the oriental countries have great ability to think. We are thinkers. We like to sit down and contemplate about a lot of things. Most of the world’s religions came from the East.

We must continue to transform these contemplative thoughts of ours into actions. We must not be thinkers only but also doers. Let us help each other develop this ability – the power to do. We must work hand in hand for the prosperity of our beloved country and not just wait in our chairs for a miracle to happen.

Secondly, it has taught us to learn from our history and culture. Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal in his great wisdom once said, “ang hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makarating sa kanyang paroroonan.”

That is very true. A Filipino who doesn’t know why he or she is a Filipino is an embarrassment to the nation. We must remember that we are Filipinos and not Americans nor Europeans nor Australians. Remember the song that says, “ako’y isang pinoy ako’y hindi kano. Huwag kang mahihiya kong ang ilong mo ay pangu.”

We have so much to learn from history. This includes our struggles from foreigners and our aspirations to become a free and independent nation. Let us not be weary to teach our children our own history, our own Filipino values and our own culture. Let us continue the struggle to preserve our culture, our race and our language.

Thirdly, it has taught us to have the courage to fear God. Proverb 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

If we fear God, we will value life, we will respect the sanctity of a person, we will uphold justice and we will work for peace. We can build a community in which everyone bears each other’s burden.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Associate Chaplain

*I’m currently in Manila with 30 athletes and coaches from CPU. We are here to represent Region 6 in the 2010 CHED National Games. I’m coaching the Tables Tennis Women’s Team. The CPU delegation would like to extend our grateful appreciation to the CPU Alumni Association of Greater Manila. Last Saturday, February 20, during their get together, they raised P13,000.00 to augment the allowance of athletes and coaches.

Valentines Day Reflection

2010-02-14T23:28:00.001-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

February 15, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

As part of the Valentines Day celebration, here is a reflection on relationships.*

Bring your own uniqueness into the relationship. Do not lose your identity. In the first place, it is the distinctiveness of the person that you fell in love with.

When two different individuals bring their own personality in a relationship it is bound to clash. Do not avoid it. Embrace your differences. Listen to one another. When you do, there will be a creative tension that will blossom into harmony.

When loving, do not drown out the person with your own style of doing things. Molding the person the way you wanted him/her to be will result to resentment. It will eventually suffocate your loved one, and drive him/her away. Instead, allow the person to grow in his/her own pace and time. Give him/her space. Challenge him/her to be what God wants him/her to be. And love him/her for who he/she is.

Remember that you said “I do” for better and for worst. You cannot choose only one. There will be ups and downs. You hope for better days but bad days will surely come. And sometimes it comes in bundles. Be ready for it. Anticipate it. When it comes, be patient and think first before you say something, because if not, you will regret later that you have said those words.

For men, keep in mind the moodswings of a woman before their menstrual cycle. Oftentimes you cannot understand why a woman is easily angered and impatient. It is her biological makeup. Accept it with understanding and grace.

For women, do not ask men their opinion if you already have your own. If the opinion raised is opposite with each other, a woman will usually sulk and be in a bad mood for a number of days. This is when things get out of hand sometimes because a man cannot understand what in the world have he done to make the woman angry. He just voiced out his opinion that she asked in the first place. A man should watch out for this, and weigh his answer before voicing it out.

Lastly, give God a room in your relationship. If God is outside of it, then your relationship is bound to be selfish, and just centered on the two you. If God is there, your relationship is bound to be a blessing to others. It is because you always think and act on what is pleasing to God and loving to others. Be a channel of God’s bounty and love!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

* I gave this reflection as a piece of advice to a couple that got married last December 2009.

Why is love the greatest?

2010-02-07T23:15:00.001-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

February 8, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Since February is considered the “love month,” our reflection will focus on love.

I always wondered why Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) concluded his discourse by stating “Three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love” (NLT).

In this chapter Paul writes that there are five spiritual gifts that God has given us: tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and giving. Paul was saying that without love, the practice of these gifts is nothing.

Without love: the gift of tongues is just a big noise; the gift of knowledge will sometimes make us arrogant and feel important; the gift of faith will make us compare our maturity to others, and this oftentimes leads to envy; the gift of giving will lead us to count what we have given and belittle others.

Paul is reminding us that it is love that enriches the gift and gives it value. Faith, hope and love go hand in hand, but it is love that boosts faith and hope. When you love somebody, you have faith and trust on that somebody. When you love someone, you hope for that someone, and it produces anticipation of new things. This is why love is the greatest.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

From a life of unbelief to a life of faith in God

2010-01-31T23:17:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

February 1, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

During the Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) celebration last week, a student emailed me and asked if the purpose of CEW is to convert them to the Baptist faith. This has been a common question in the campus. My answer was based on the document entitled, “A Statement on the Faith Posture of Central Philippine University” by Rev. Dr. Johnny V. Gumban, CPU Academic Manual, 1981.

Let us reflect on what the statement says:

“The proclamation of the Gospel is for the conversion of the people from a life of unbelief to a life of faith in God. Christian life means a life of personal faith in Jesus Christ, which issues into a life of discipleship and service for the believer. This necessitates the membership of the believers in a community of faith, which is the Church where nurture of faith is done. Since this community of faith is represented by local churches with different traditions, rituals, and lifestyles, believers are encouraged to seek membership in churches where faith is effectively nurtured according to one’s personal preferences in faithful adherence to the will of God as revealed in the Bible.”

“Central Philippine University differentiates between conversion and proselytizing. While conversion is change from a life of unbelief to a life of faith in God, proselytizing is a sectarian manipulative way of calling people from one church membership to another. Proselytizing is not the reason for proclaiming the Gospel. As a sectarian activity, proselytizing must not only be discouraged but also condemned.”

“Central Philippine University is ecumenical in its perspective in relation to other human concerns. Ecumenical means “one world.” It implies the unity of mankind in the spirit of love as envisioned in the prayer of Jesus Christ in John 17:11, 21 - “That they may be one as you and I are one.” Ecumenicity does not mean unity in one institutional super church. There can be never be, because of our humanity, unity in doctrine and in one system of life, whether secular or religious. Ecumenicity believes and promotes the unity of all believers in the spirit of Christ. It accepts the fact that, even though locally, believers are institutional members of local churches, in faith they are one in the spiritual universal church of Jesus Christ. Their relationship to each other in faith and love transcends the barriers of creed, culture and race.”

“Central Philippine University honors its Baptist tradition. It also accepts and respects the reality of diversity in religious traditions, which are the results of historical circumstances. It is honored to serve its constituency, which is about 80% non-Baptist in their church membership. It accepts the responsibility to convert those who are not yet in faith and to nurture those who are already in faith. It sincerely offers its Christian Baptist tradition and faith as a means by which faith in God can be established and nurtured in the life of all people. It respects the freedom of those whose religious preferences may be other than that which is offered by the university.”

“Ecumenicity of the Christian church, as a whole, believes that faith must be translated into a lifestyle, which is characterized by sincere observance of Christian moral values. These include respect for life and property, the preservation of human relationship based upon love, righteousness and justice, and the preservation and protection of the integrity of creation. It believes that while a man is part of creation, he was created in the image of God so that he can establish dominion over all creation as God’s steward, not as exploiter and destroyer of God’s creation. As a steward, man is accountable to God for his life, and for all the gifts of creation, which is for him to preserve, according to God’s divine purpose.”

“Central Philippine University is committed to Christian mission. Christian mission is for the purpose of attaining wholeness of life on the total life of creation in conformity to God’s design and purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures. God initiates this work in history by whatever means He chooses. Central Philippine University offers itself to be a means that God may choose for this purpose.”

May God bless us!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Let us pray like Jesus

2010-01-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

January 25, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

The CEW celebration has started this morning with Rev. Jerson Narciso as the speaker. From Tuesday until Thursday the new format of CEW will be implemented. There will be four simultaneous convocations for the college in four different venues in the morning, and another four in the afternoon. This is to ensure maximum attendance.

The method of delivering God’s message this 2nd semester is through a lecture with ample time for open forum. The three main topics are Live like Jesus in your 1. Prayer life. 2. Faith and Integrity. 3. Stewardship and Commitment.

We covet your prayers for our invited speakers: Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian, Rev. Jerson Narciso, Rev. Dr. Melvin Mangana, Ms. Faith Nava, Rev. Dr. Bernabe Pagara, and Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Fabula.

Let us reflect on some aspects of the model prayer of Jesus found in Matthew 6:9-13, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (KJV)”

The first word in the prayer is “our.” This word is communal rather than personal. This is later affirmed by the following words: “us,” and “we.” Jesus is reminding us that God is the God of everyone. God is not exclusive but inclusive.

In this regard, Jesus is questioning our tendency to make God exclusive to only one denomination, and that God is not present on others. We tend to domesticate God like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. Steve Mosher, former CPU Theology teacher, in his commentary on the book of Romans wrote that when we domesticate God, we reverse the spelling of God. God becomes a Dog.

Exclusivist attitude is quite rampant now in our churches. It is as if we own God and that anytime we can put him inside our pockets and when we need him, we take him out of our pockets again. Let us do away this personalistic tendency and let God be God. Our personal faith should not be over-emphasized to the detriment of our communal faith. Let us remember that this model prayer of Jesus later evolved to be a confession of faith by the church.

The last portion of the prayer speaks about the boldness of the declaration of Jesus that it only God who is the king of all creation and therefore has the power and the only one that deserves the glory. This is very revolutionary because it contradicts the prevailing religious atmosphere that brought by the Romans. The emperor has declared himself a deity and colonized areas must adhere to emperor cult worship. Those who did not worship the emperor faced severe punishments even death. The challenge for us is to make their declaration, that God alone is to be worshipped, be our constant declaration also.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

p.s.

Thank you for your prayers and support to the just concluded 69th national assembly of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association at Camp Higher Ground attended by more than 600 pastors. I covet your prayers because I was unanimously voted as the new president of our association. This is an honor yet a great burden for I am the youngest president of CBMA at the age of 33. If you want to get in touch with Baptist pastors, kindly email me at fnjalandoon@yahoo.com

Live like Jesus

2010-01-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

January 18, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Next week, January 25-29, CPU will celebrate Christ Emphasis Week. The Pre-CEW for the Faculty and Staff will be on Friday, January 22, and for the Graduate School on January 23.

The theme for this celebration is “Live like Jesus” with the text coming from Philippians 2:1-4 “If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

The phrase “Live like Jesus” is often heard because it is always preached by the church. But there is a nagging question that comes to our mind every time we hear the challenge to live like Jesus. The question is: can we really live like Jesus?

This is a very valid question because our faith declares that Jesus is God. This leads us to question our capability to follow the commands of Jesus because we are human. We belittle our humanity and blame it when we fall short. Filipinos have this expression, “sapagkat ako’y tao lamang.” Thus, when we hear the challenge to live like Jesus, we have in our minds some doubts that even if we try our best, we cannot really live like Jesus because he is God. And then result is that the commands of Jesus become ideals, and not imperative commands that need to be obeyed.

Paul addresses this issue of doubt. Philippians chapter 2 speaks about kenosis – the self-emptying of Jesus of his divinity to become truly human. “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.”

This theological statement by Paul should be enough to erase our uncertainties and doubts that we cannot live like Jesus. Yes, we can live like Jesus with the grace of God through our faith in

Jesus the Christ!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Leading the Nation

2010-01-10T22:57:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

January 11, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Next week, January 19-22, pastors from all over the Philippines who are members of the Convention Baptist Ministers’ Association (CBMA) will meet in Camp Higher Ground, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo for the annual assembly.

We will be discussing the theme: Ministers as Leaders: Claiming and Leading the Nation. The reflection, discussion and meeting will be timely since there is a national election in the Philippines this coming May.

One of the landmark documents that will be part of the presentation on the historical development of the pastors’ involvement in societal issues is the Statement of Concern by the CPBC Assembly in May 1977 at Capiz Evangelical Church. The approval of the statement by the church people affirms the life and ministry of Baptist pastors and members who involved themselves on societal issues.

Let us reflect on the excerpts of the statement:

“We affirm that the dignity of a person or his worth emanates from his being created in the Image of God. The worth of a person, in other words, is a gift of God bestowed upon him – a gift that can only be tampered with or enhanced in the context of a living relationship with his fellow man.”

“We believe that the environment in its entirety was created by a loving and providing God. Man's use of the environment for the sustenance of his life is a moral mandate.”

“We believe that the world and the resources in it were created by God to be enjoyed by all. We also believe that it is His will that man become good stewards of the world's resources which means that he should exercise effective control of all resources for the good of society as a whole.”

“We believe that life abundant is a right of every man. While wealth is that which can allow man to have stability, security, freedom from want and independence, its concentration in the hands of a few in a world where the majority of people are in want, is a form of injustice that must be deplored.”

“We believe that progress is beneficial, when it provides a place of dwelling and maintains a healthful living.”

“We believe in the worth of every individual created in God's image, and that no circumstances whatsoever can justify practices intended to break bodies, minds and spirits.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

p.s.

If you want to send your financial contribution to the CBMA, kindly email me at fnjalandoon@yahoo.com for details. Thanks. It will be highly appreciated.

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-03T22:39:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

January 4, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Happy New Year!

After much eating during the Christmas break, a lot of people put losing weight on the top of their New Year’s resolution.

As Christians, the words of St. Paul can be our New Year’s resolution – “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

As the new year starts, let us be reminded on some of the radical demands of Jesus upon his disciples. Let me personalized this so that we can feel the challenge of Jesus’ words:

I will let my light shine before all people.

I will become a salt of the earth.

I will walk the extra mile.

I will deny myself and pick up the cross.

I will love my enemies.

I will let my yes be a yes, and my no a no.

I will serve God and not money.

I will not be a hypocrite. I will get rid of the speck in my eye before I will deal with the speck on my friend’s eye.

I will be a good tree that produces good fruit so that I will not be cut down.

I will not worry about my clothing, food, and drink. I will seek the kingdom of God above all for God will give me everything that I need.

And from Paul:

I will do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility I will consider others better than myself. I will look not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Let us not kill Jesus

2009-12-27T17:33:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 28, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo!

Traditionally, December 28 is celebrated in the Philippines as Innocents’ Day – a memorial day in honor of the massacred children during the week when Jesus was born. The slaughter was ordered by King Herod – a power-hungry leader who will do anything to maintain his position.

Oftentimes Niños Inocentes is celebrated as a day to make pranks and jokes, and when the hapless victim fell for it, the prankster will proclaim “Happy Innocents Day.” This memorial day has sometimes become like an April Fools Day. It is good to laugh but not on the expense of others. We dishonor the memory of the innocent children if we will not celebrate their martyrdom.

In retrospect the first Christmas weeks were probably not as joyous like our celebration today. Hundreds, if not thousands, of families were mourning the death of their innocent children, and Joseph, Mary and Jesus were forced to escape the wrath of Herod to Egypt.

At the end of this year, let us ask ourselves some questions – “Am I trying to kill Jesus because I don’t want him to be the king of my life?” “Am I forcing Jesus to flee from my life because I don’t want him to change my way of life?” Let us hope that we can answer it honestly, and let us ask God’s forgiveness on our murderous intent on Jesus and in our refusal to accept his message.

May God bless us all! Let us have a happy new year as we celebrated God’s faithfulness, mercy and goodness in our lives!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

p.s.

Thank you very much for reading our weekly reflection. I appreciate your comments through email and facebook. To those who emailed and bounced, I’m very sorry. I’m going to check my googlegroups account. Kindly email me directly at cpuchaplain@gmail.com

Christmas message from the Shepherds

2009-12-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 21, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Roxas City, Capiz!*

In the Christmas presentation of the Kindergarten Department last week, my son – Kairos, was one of the angels. He had a speaking part as the Angel of Hope. He was saying something like, “There is hope because Jesus brings a new life, a life that is better than this world can offer. Jesus is the hope of the world. Keep your hope alive!”

The angels during the birth of Jesus brought a message of hope. They proclaimed to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace on Earth and goodwill among people.”

This is a message of hope because:

Firstly, the angels are reminding us that nobody should be above God. During those times, the emperor cult worship was practiced. King Herod felt that nobody should be above him. He killed four of his sons, one of his wives, and even his in-laws. Tradition also tells us that Herod massacred 14,000 innocent children from 2 years below when he heard from the wise men that a king was born. This is one of the worst political killings.

When the shepherds worshipped the new born Jesus, it was telling us a revolutionary message – they are turning away from the rule of Herod. In turn, the message for us is that we should not worship ourselves, the political leaders or any other so-called “powerful people.” God is the only one worthy of worship, and all glory must be given to God alone.

Secondly, the angels are reminding us that peace on earth can be achieved if there is goodwill among people. This was a message of hope for the shepherds because they know that Israel was beset by violence for a long time. When the shepherds decided to spread the good news, they were telling the people that peace can be achieved. But sad to say, the gospel according to John records that “he came into his own but his own received him not.”

Conflicts are still happening nowadays because we refused to believe in the way of life that Jesus taught us. We are still rejecting the message of Jesus.

May this Christmas week be a time to reflect on the message of the shepherds to us.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*I am coaching the CPU Table Tennis Women’s Team representing the Province of Iloilo in the Western Visayas PRISAA Meet. We got the championship just this morning. National PRISAA games, here we come!

Give a gift that truly matter

2009-12-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 14, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Giving of gifts is part of the Christmas tradition. Last Wednesday the Chaplain’s Office and the College of Theology headed the White Gift Service. Faculty, staff and students brought to the altar their gifts wrapped in white. The beneficiaries (work students, and those chosen by the Outreach Office) will be receiving their gifts in a ceremony to be held this afternoon.

As a young child, I was intrigued with the idea of exchanging gifts every Christmas. Later, as I was studying in the seminary I learned that most probably the idea of giving gifts during Christmas started with the gift-giving of the Wise Men or the Magi.

Traditionally, we interpret the gifts brought by the Wise Men in their symbolical meaning. Gold – this means that the receiver is a King, thus we connect this to the declaration that Jesus is the King of kings. Frankincense – this means that the receiver is a Priest since frankincense is used during religious ceremonies, thus we relate this to the declaration that Jesus is the High Priest. Myrrh – this means that the receiver is one who will sacrificed himself since myrrh was used in the embalming process, thus we link this to the declaration that Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb.

Is there more to it aside from this traditional interpretation? Did the Wise Men really think of these theological meanings? They were probably astrologers who studied the stars, and they followed the star because they believed that there is a tremendous mystery under it. I told myself that the Wise Men may have done something wise to deserve the title of Wise Men. I started searching the practical uses of their gifts and I found out that indeed they were wise men.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to hide from the murderous intent of King Herod. The gold given by the wise men was most probably used by Joseph and Mary in their travel to Egypt, and to start a new life there. It was indeed a wise gift because Joseph, Mary and Jesus have no relatives in the land of Pharaohs.

Frankincense was used in ancient times, and even until now to ward off mosquitoes and flies. Jesus was born in a manger, a place swarming with mosquitoes and flies because animals are there. It was a very wise gift!

Myrrh was used in ancient times for its healing properties. It was sprinkled in the umbilical cord of a new born baby so that it will heal faster. It was also used to stop the bleeding of a woman who had just given birth. This was a very welcome gift for Mary and Jesus because they have to travel the arduous path towards Egypt just a few days after Jesus was born.

This may sound conjecture but I am comforted with this assumption because I believe that God sent the Wise Men to give gifts that were really needed by Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

How about us? What kind of gifts are we giving this Christmas? I hope that it will be a gift that would truly matter.

May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Arise, Shine!

2009-12-06T23:07:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 7, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last December 4, 2009 the CPU campus once again full of lights. Thousands of people witnessed the official opening of the Festival of Lights and Music at Central.

This annual celebration challenges us to reflect on the meaning of the words of Jesus when he declared “I am the Light of the world” and also the implication of the command of Jesus to “let your light shine to the world.”

Let me share some of my thoughts:

First, there is no hiding when the light is turned on. We are uncovered and out in the open.

Jesus exposed the evil deeds of the people during his time. Those who were exposed plotted to kill him. This means that Jesus is commanding us to be involved in the ministry of exposing and uncovering the wickedness of people and institutions. Let us be courageous in this ministry because our jobs and lives will be threatened. To be a Christian is not to be faint-hearted.

Second, the light that we received needs to be passed on. Evil people will try and try to extinguish the light. They will only become successful if we will not pass on the light to other people.

The people that crucified Jesus thought that they have succeeded in extinguishing the Light. They were wrong. The darkness of death was not able to enveloped Jesus. When the disciples saw this, they were emboldened to follow the “Great Commission” of Jesus to go and spread the light.

In the time of Jesus, light is generally referred to as the light emitted by a lamp – there is wick in a shallow bowl that rests in an olive oil as its fuel. Symbolically, this means that we should continue on putting oil in the lamp – making disciples that emanate the light of Jesus. In a modern setting, before the light burns out from a candle, we must light a new candle – this is one of the major reasons why Christianity still continues to spread out.

Let us continue in shining!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Righteous Indignation

2009-11-29T23:48:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 30, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo!

Today is another holiday. Our country is celebrating the heroism of Andres Bonifacio, the Filipino that organized a secret society called Katipunan – Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (The Highest and Most Respectable Society of the Sons of the People). The Katipunan advocated revolution rather than reform.

The Katipunan interpreted Christianity apart from what the colonizers taught them. Mabini wrote a New Decalogue. A portion of it says:

“…God is the fountain of all truth, of all justice, and of all activity, and thy honor the only power which will oblige thee to be truthful, just, and industrious…Thou shalt cultivate the special gifts which God has granted thee, working and studying according to thy ability, never leaving the path of righteousness and justice…Thou shalt strive for the independence of thy country: for only thou canst have any real interest in her advancement and exaltation, because her independence constitutes thy own liberty, her advancement, thy perfection, and exaltation, thy own glory and immortality.” (Obusan, ed., Roots of Filipino Spirituality, p. 280)

Since last week, politicians have started filing their Certificate of Candidacy. Most of them filed last November 28 because they deemed it lucky (a double eight). The politicians have now started their mantras – “we want to serve you; we are servants of the people.”

But the gruesome massacre of about 60 people in Maguindanao, Mindanao reminds us that most of these politicians do not want to serve the people. They only want to serve themselves. The pictures and videos being shown in the newspapers and TV news stations are so horrific that it incites you to puke. Women were raped and then shot in the genitals; some were murdered by a chainsaw; some were buried alive inside their vans; and some were killed while the perpetrators were laughing. It is as if Lucifer was incarnated in these merciless killers.

Where are the principles of honor, justice, righteousness, and sense of service? The Katipuneros are reminding us today of what they fought for. As Christians let us have a righteous indignation on what happened. Let this be a costly wake-up call for all of us to stand up and be counted. Let us throw away our indifference and be part of the transformation of our society.

May God bless us all in this struggle!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Be Grateful!

2009-11-23T00:04:00.001-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 23, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is still focused on thanksgiving. We will reflect on the story of the ten lepers in their encounter with Jesus.

People who have leprosy during the time of Jesus were one of the outcasts of their society. They stayed in the cemeteries and caves away from the people. They were away from their family, their husbands, wives, children and friends. There is an Old Testament law that states that a leper should maintain a distance of 50 feet away from the people, and they shall shout “Unclean! Unclean! Get away from me!”

Have you ever felt being neglected and driven away? Yes, all of us have, in one time or another, experience this kind of feeling. But the good news is that Jesus Christ cares and has compassion to those who being neglected and cast away. The story says that when the lepers cried out for mercy, Jesus took pity. They were cleansed along the way to the priest but only one of them remembered to say “thank you.” This leper was a Samaritan. This Samaritan leper will teach us three different thanksgiving positions.

The first thanksgiving position that he showed was he turned and went back. This Samaritan was not an “eat and run” type of person like some of us. The nine, who were Jews, forgot about Jesus and went straightly back to the society. They are even the ones who were expected to come back since there was an enmity between Samaritans and Jews. Jesus might be saying, “these nine lepers who did not come back have a greater disease than leprosy – the disease of ingratitude.”

In our Filipino culture and tradition, we frown upon those who are ungrateful because we have a culture of utang na loob (utang nga kabalaslan, utang nga kabubut-on - sense of gratitude). We need to practice utang nga kabubut-on towards our God.

The second thanksgiving position that the leper showed was “he raised his head to heaven and praise God in a loud voice.” The leper knows where credit is due.

When something good happens to us we sometimes forget whom to be thankful and credit our being a dibuenas or swerte (lucky) or to the other gods.

The third thanksgiving position that he showed was, he bowed to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. To humble oneself is to perform an act of submission. It is to do away with our human pride and let God reign in our hearts. Like the Samaritan leper, we must learn to let go and let God reign in our lives.

It is hard to have a “humble thanksgiving” when we have something better that what is being given to us. It is also hard to say “thank you, Lord” when we are in want. But all the while God is saying, “look at what you have.” As the hymn goes, “count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

The nine lepers may be physically healed but the one who returned was not only physically healed but was also spiritually healed. “Your faith has made you well” – this is what Jesus said. Because of the leper’s faith and thankful attitude, he was made whole.

May God bless us all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Give Thanks! - part 2

2009-11-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 16, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Since yesterday afternoon, November 15, 2009, almost everyone I encountered talked about the fight of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, and how Pacquiao methodically and systematically won the welterweight crown and made history by winning 7 world titles in 7 weight classes. Newspapers report that Filipinos are thanking God for this victory because even for a short time the nation can forget the series of typhoons and calamities that hit the country.

Last week, we started our reflection on thanksgiving. We will now continue reflecting on thanksgiving with another acrostic of the word THANKS.

T – TRUST IN GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

H – HELP THE NEEDY

2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 7“ Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem… But just as you excel in everything …see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

A – ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REGENERATE YOUR LIFE

1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”

N – NEVER FORGET WHAT GOD HAS DONE TO YOU

Deuteronomy 6:12, “be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

K – KNOW JESUS MORE DEEPLY

2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

S – SHOW THE PEOPLE WHAT IS GOOD AND AVOID EVERY KIND OF EVIL

3 John 11-12, "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Give Thanks!

2009-11-08T16:03:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 9, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

November is usually the month that the churches celebrate thanksgiving. This week our reflection will center on thanksgiving, and the scripture text comes from Psalm 100.

There are six things that can be found in our scripture text. I am giving an acrostic meaning of the letters from the word THANKS.

First, T – Thank God for giving us three things. Thanksgiving comes from two words – Thanks and giving. Thanks be to God for he has been giving us his goodness, mercy and faithfulness. Verse 5 says, “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His faithfulness endures to all generations.”

Because of these three major things that God has given us, what will be our responses? The 5 letters that are left, based on our text are the responses that God is expecting us.

The first in the five responses is that we must have a H – Heart that is thankful/grateful (indebted). Verse 4b says, “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

The second in the five responses is that we should A – Always praise God. Verse 1 says, “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands!” Verse 2b, “Come before His presence with singing.” And Verse 4a, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.”

The third in the five responses is that we must remember that we belong to N – New Covenant community. Verse 3b, “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” We Christians belong to the New Covenant community or the new testament community. Jesus said, “this new covenant I gave to you…love one another.”

We need to be reminded that when we were baptized, we signed a new contract with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We gave our commitment to repent from our sins, to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and as a result to be initiators of the Kingdom of God. Have we been faithful to this new covenant? The church covenant that we read every communion Sunday is a big reminder for all of us.

The fourth in the five responses is that we must K – Know that the Lord is God. Verse 3a, “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” We are his people. He is the owner. Sometimes we forget that God is the owner and we are his stewards. What is happening around us has shown how we fell short of our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation.

The fifth response is that we should S – Serve the Lord by serving his people. Verse 2, “Serve the LORD with gladness.” The Hebrew word used by the Psalmist to describe serve is awbad. The literal meaning of awbad is to be enslaved to serve the Master. We are bondservants of Jesus. This verse teaches us that serving God is not a burden but a joy. We must never feel that the ministry of Jesus Christ is a burden but rather we must feel joyful because we are serving the Lord of lords and King of kings.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Life is full of transitions

2009-11-04T00:29:00.000-08:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 2, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo City!

Yesterday, November 1, most Filipinos went to the cemetery to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Some even went back to far flung provinces to be with relatives in this day of memorial. Last night as our family went back home in Pvia, we can still see a lot people camping near the burial ground in jolly moods reminiscing the days of their departed family members. In the second floor of my mother-in-law’s house (we are now living very near a cemetery), we can see a lot of burning candles – a Filipino tradition of honoring the dead.

Life is a constant change. It is a transition from one segment to another. In a cemetery in Negros, there is a sign that says, “Kami subong, Kamo sunod” (roughly translated as “Us now, You Next”).

We all love to be in our comfort zones. We like the normal situations because our actions are always almost automatic. We are not comfortable with transitions. Changes are oftentimes painful. But whether we like it or not, there will always be transitions.

My family is still in the process of acclimatization. A few days ago we decided to transfer in my mother-in-law’s home after 10 years of living in a rented apartment near CPU. Our house helper and children’s nanny for many years left for Manila. Now, our two kids will also have to get accustomed being cared for by their grandmother (I hope she will not spoil them).

As we cope with life’s transitions – birth, childhood, youth, young adults, adulthood, senior citizen, dying, death, and life after death – let us remember that our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our God is a constant like the mathematical equation pi is always 3.14. If we embrace this truth, then we can always be ready to face whatever life may bring to us. We will not be afraid because God will always be there.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Unity in Sports for Nation Building

2009-10-25T16:05:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 26, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last Saturday, October 24, 2009, the 14th National University Games started at Central Philippine University. The campus is now teeming with athletes from various schools all over the country. The theme of this event is “Unity in Sports for Nation Building.”

What lessons can we learn from sports that can help us in nation building?

First, we must trust each other. Team mates need to trust each other. During game time each one should trust each other to perform their respective roles. One should never abandon his/her task and play the task of another. One must have the confidence with his/her team mate that he/she should be in the designated spot when you pass the ball because if not, then indecisiveness comes in and consequently mistakes will happen.

Filipinos should learn to trust each other. This is one way that we can help our country.

Second, we must listen to each other. Every player needs to listen to the advice of his/her fellow players, and especially to the coach. Yesterday, my players in Table Tennis learn this lesson the hard way. I have to call a timeout and tell them the gameplan once again. It nearly cost us the game but we prevailed against our rival in Negros. Hopefully, we can duplicate our win in the next games.

Filipinos should learn to listen to each other. Nobody has the monopoly of bright ideas. We also need a coach. The coach can be our leaders. The coach can identify the weaknesses and strengths and points us to the right direction. But of course the best coach is God, and the gameplan is the Bible.

Third, we need to have determination, intensity, focus, passion and enjoyment. These are the keywords that are repeatedly heard in the game courts. Coaches, team mates and fans shout these words as a reminder to those who are playing. The most popular words in the duration of the game are “kaya mo yan” and “focus.” Most often, the intensity level of the players is heightened when they concentrate and give the best that they can. The result is a good game with no or little regrets.

Filipinos oftentimes have the mentality that a foreigner is better than him/her. He/she does not believe in him/herself. Filipinos sometimes resigned their fate to whatever will happen next, and not making his/her own destiny. We need to be determined, and be passionate. We need to bring back the pride of being a Filipino – “kaya natin to!”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Commitment to the mission of God

2009-10-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 19, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Yesterday, October 18, I celebrated my birthday. A friend asked how old I am, and I jokingly answered, “the age in which Jesus died on the cross.” Later, I reflected on my remark and noticed that Jesus died as a young man, yet fully confident that he has finished his mission in life.

I then remembered yesterday’s early morning incident while I was searching for my coffee mug in which I accidentally broke the handle of my wife’s mug. She said that I have to fix it. I mixed an epoxy and fixed the mug. BAM! I got a birthday message from God – Jesus was telling me, “My body was broken at 33 years old so that your broken life can be mended and used for My mission.”

During the Baccalaureate Service for the 1st Semester’s graduates at the University Church yesterday, I heard the acceptance speech of a student encouraging her fellow graduates to commit themselves to nation building especially in such a time like this. I was moved by her boldness to commit in such an endeavour.

Let me end this reflection by a poem written by Jennie Claire Adams, one of the missionaries who were executed during World War II.

“Let me live bravely;

For life has many battlefields, Where valor must be shown,

Many darkened corners, Where pain and fear are known,

Life calls for sacrifice, To share the highest good,

To serve courageously, Sometimes to give life’s blood.

As others lived and gave, Let me be brave.

Let me serve faithfully;

Content with work to do, Whatsoever life may bring,

I’m serving others well, Thus do I serve my King.

May I not weary grow, When tasks seem burdensome,

Nor turn aside distraught, Before life’s work is done.

As others served, proved true, Let me be faithful too.

Let me die heroically;

Steadfast in faith and calm, When that great day is near

Knowing no hour of dread, Feeling no anxious fear,

For death is but a door, Closed tight on pain and strife,

A door that opens up That we may enter Life.

As heroes die, Still brave and true, Let me die, too.” (Centralite, 1946, p.24)

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Let us connect with our past

2009-10-11T23:55:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 12, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

This coming October 16, 2009, the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches will be choosing its next General Secretary. The fifteen members of Board of Trustees will meet and decide on who that person will be.

As we continue to reflect on the Foundation Day celebration of CPU, let us remember the Baptist roots of our alma mater.

Let us read some of my historical notes:

In 1935, when the American government granted a commonwealth status to the Philippines, a great milestone in the history of Philippine Baptist churches occurred…Representatives of the Philippine Baptist churches and the American Baptist missionaries dissolved the WVC on May 23, 1935 to give birth to the Kasapulanan sang Bautista nga Pilipinhon (Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches).

The significance of this new development was described by Nelson and Herradura. Their words deserve a longer quotation,

“This new organization changed the status of Central Philippine College from being an institution of the Foreign Mission Society to a cooperating entity of the Convention (CPBC). The by-laws specified that the corporation members should be members of Convention-related Baptist churches, elected by the annual assembly of the Convention, and that two thirds of the College Board of Trustees should be members of Baptist churches. With this development, majority control of policy-making passed from American to Filipino hands.

Consequently, the campus of the college was leased to the Convention as the field body responsible for its oversight. All requests by the college for appropriation, missionary personnel, and other related needs had to be coursed through the Convention Board of Trustees, to the Society. Furthermore, proposed changes in the constitution of the college or its by-laws must be ratified by the Convention in session before they could be enforced.” (Linnea A. Nelson and Elma S. Herradura, 1981, p. 45.)

Going back to the New Testament, Paul was reminding Timothy to remember the genuine faith that he has which was passed on by two generations – his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul was telling Timothy not to put to shame the faith that he has inherited.

In the Filipino culture, we always tell our children not to put into shame our family name. We always tell them that we cannot give them money but we can give them a good name – a name that they can carry with pride because it has a good reputation.

Here at CPU it is common to have 3 generations of Centralians. We even have up to 5 generations of Centralians. This is so because the old generation trusted CPU to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Are we still passing the faith of the older generation to the latest generation? Foundation Day celebration is good time to remember our heroes of faith, the past American Baptist missionaries, and Filipino pastors and leaders. Are we remembering their names, their ministries and their words? Or are we disconnecting ourselves from the legacy that they have started?

I hope that CPU will continue to connect with the past so that the faith that they have will be passed on to us.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Decalogue of Central Philippine University

2009-10-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 5, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from CPU campus!

Last week on October 1, 2009, CPU celebrated its 104th Foundation Day.

Let us reflect on the Central Decalogue*:

1. I believe in Central Philippine University because she believes in the future of the Filipino youth;

2. I believe in her democratic spirit;

3. I believe in her emphasis on scholarship and character;

4. I believe in her teaching that the human personality is sacred and its dignity should be upheld over and above the arrogance of wealth and the tyranny of power;

5. I believe in her educating the poor in order to lift them up and free them from the shackles of social and religious prejudice, ignorance, and superstition;

6. I believe in her educating the rich in order to imbue them with high social conscience for imaginative vision, generous attitudes, civilized humility, and sacrificial dedication to the welfare of the people;

7. I believe in her classroom instruction which insists that students must be free to explore honestly any area of knowledge and push back the horizons of their intellect and educate the emotions of the heart;

8. I believe in the freedom and fearlessness of her professors to discuss ideas and issues without imposing their will, but guiding the youth along the path of broadmindedness, independence, self-reliance, and creativeness;

9. I believe in the necessity of research in the atmosphere of freedom because a university is not truly a university unless it carries on research;

10. I believe that a university with a Christian base and a Christian orientation should be more progressive and more daring in pressing ahead of its times in all things, to the end that the human spirit will come to full flowering under constant ferment.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*published in the 1960 Student Handbook, reprinted in The Central Time 1905-2005, 2005, p.122. The original version of the Centralian’s Decalogue can also be found in the 1946 issue of the Centralite, p. 22.

The warning of the Flood

2009-09-28T00:32:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 28, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last Friday, September 25, 2009, Bagyo Ondoy visited the country. In the afternoon, a siren was heard in Jaro and people started going home from the CPU campus. Lopez-Jaena Street is beginning to flood. Later, news coming from Luzon broke our hearts. Disaster struck our fellow Filipinos.

The 8 hours of continuous rain brought flood in many cities in Luzon. The last big rainfall that fell in the Philippines was on 1967. The rain brought by Ondoy is so far the biggest, even bigger than Bagyo Frank. Some reports said that the rainfall is approximately equivalent to 6 months of rain. The flood reached more than 12 feet in height.

In the midst of this situation, we can raise a question, why did God allow this to happen? Is God deaf, not to hear the prayers and pleas of our fellow Filipinos? Or is there really a God? Is God dead?

Romans chapter 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord – be it trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.

I may sound callous but I am reflecting that the flood is a big warning to all of us. Tropical Storms are normal occurrences but floods like this one are abnormal. We reclaimed lands that are normal pathways of water. We dump garbage in the river. Industrial wastes go to the river also. Graft and corruption in the making and cleaning of canals are rampant. We cut trees that are essential in holding big amounts of water. We are killing our environment. No wonder we are all experiencing the fruit of our own labor.

God always brings a way out of this situation. He sends people like Noah. We ridicule people like Noah, people who are always giving warnings. Are we listening to warnings?

Let us remember to go inside the ark. The ark symbolizes the church. Sad to say, like in the time of Noah, only a few are inside the ark. The animals even outnumbered the people. How about us? Are we inside the ark?

After the flood, there is a rainbow. It symbolizes hope. Hope is what propels the Christians faith to go on. And faith is what pushes us to continue in loving one another, to make actions that will make planet Earth, our only home, a better place for the next generation. Let us not lose hope.

The flood is a very costly reminder. Let us listen to its warning.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Freedom!

2009-09-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 21, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo!

37 years ago, September 21, 1972, Martial Law was declared in the Philippines. Centralians struggled against the dictatorship of Marcos. They engaged in “parliament of the streets.” Some Centralians and Baptist pastors were imprisoned, and some were sadly killed.

Let us reflect on some historical notes:

Rev. Moley Familiaran, President of CPBC 1976-1978 reflected on the May 1977 CPBC Assembly theme: “Life Worthy of Human Dignity” held in Capiz:

“The life worthy of human dignity is the Christ-like life. It is free. It is true. And it is the only way to live. On the editorial pages of the Bible we read the Good News that Jesus Christ gives light to the darkened eyes; he removes resentment that breaks the heart; he sets them free, those who were bound by many invisible chains; and he announces the arrival of the new age – the age of liberation! In everyone of us there is a Christ going to be. Dignity is only one of the flowers of that Christ-seed. It is the flag flying in the brilliant sky proclaiming Jesus’ sovereignty over a human life. Where there is no freedom, there is no dignity.”

Through the leadership of Rev. Dr. Domingo J. Diel, Dean of the College of Theology in 1975, CPU put forward a new approach on theological education in the light of the contemporary issues during that time. The statement says,

“We believe that theological education should help in preparing Christians serve God through service in the world. As such, theological education should start where the people are. It should take on account the people’s desires and aspirations, their struggles, and most of all, their needs. It should be able to understand the ‘hows, whys and wherefores’ of the people that it may be able to apply the Christian message relevantly to the lives of the people, and the community wherein they live. We believe that Theological Education can do this when it opens itself up and enters into dialogue with the world – its cultures, ideologies and religions.”

“Theological Education should promote a living involvement in the life situation of the people. Having understood the hows, whys and wherefores of the people, it should seek to put into practice such understanding in terms of involvement in actual life situations of the community, participate in its struggles and become a motive force in the shaping of history.”

The struggles of our foreparents bore the fruit of freedom. Most of them are still alive. They are a continuing visible reminder that pricks the young generation’s insincerity, insensivity, indifference and passivity. They are not yet the “clouds of witnesses” that cheers us to go on. They are in the midst of us – continuing the struggle for liberation. Let us march with them.

May God bless us all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Let us listen to our grandparents

2009-09-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 14, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the CPU campus!

Yesterday, churches in the Philippines celebrated Grandparents Day!

Our reflection for this week comes from Ruth 4:13-17. It is the story of a grandmother – Naomi.

Ruth was the daughter in law of Naomi. She had no children with Naomi’s son. Ruth and Naomi soon became widows in the land of Moab. They eventually decided to go back to Israel. Ruth remarried through the prodding of Naomi. Ruth and Boaz were blessed by God with a son named Obed. Now, Naomi became a grandmother. She took care of Obed to the point that the neighbors were calling Obed as Naomi’s son.

The significance of this story is that Obed is the father of Jesse, and Jesse is the father of King David. And in the line of King David comes our messiah, Jesus Christ. Indeed the prayer that the line of Obed will be great became a reality.

We can learn two lessons.

First, Grandparents should be the storytellers of the family’s history and legacy to their grandchildren. They must also be the roots that strengthen the faith of their grandchildren. In Hiligaynon we call this “apostolic” ministry (the root word is “apo” – grandchild).

Lois Wyse said, “Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.” The relationship of grandparents and grandchildren is the chain that links the past and the future.

When grandparents retired, this does not mean that they are very tired already. It means that they have another tire. God gives them a brand new tire so that they can play with their grandchildren.

Second, Grandparents, like Naomi, are given by God a second chance. Naomi felt that she was a failure with her children. Now, she gave it all to her grandson.

A quotation says, “A Grandmother is a wonderful mother with lots of practice.” And “A grandfather is a father who has a second chance.”

Young parents should listen to the words of grandparents. We must not reject “the strength and wisdom that time and experience have given them.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

We are Empowered

2009-09-06T19:51:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 7, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Mactan International Airport!*

Our reflection for this week comes from Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The theme of the recently concluded 104th University Day celebration of CPU is “Empowering the Centralians for a better Central.” There are two immediate questions that went into my mind when I read the theme: Are Centralians not yet empowered? Is Central not better already?

If we take positively our theme, then it means that we are always empowering our students and alumni; Centralians are always empowered. And that Central is fundamentally better yet we strive to continue to make it better, and better.

Christians are empowered by the Holy Spirit. To be empowered means to have the power to do things. Yet the term “power” has several negative connotations. It is associated with abuse, dictatorship, authoritarian and being bossy.

One time, the disciples of Jesus associated empowerment to be like that – to be a boss, someone who is a master with slaves. The disciples were clamoring who will be in the right hand or left hand of Jesus when he assumes the kingship of Israel. But Jesus Christ scolded them by saying, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45.

This statement of Jesus means that as Christians we do not strive to become rulers with an attitude of “lording it over the people” but we are empowered to become servants. The Holy Spirit is our guide in giving service to the people. Every day we must ask ourselves the question, “How can I be of service to the people of God?”

Our text tells us that we are empowered to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. “In Jerusalem” symbolically means to be a witness of Jesus in our own homes; for a Centralian it means to be a witness of Jesus inside the community of CPU. “In Judea” symbolically means to be a witness of Jesus with our neighbors – with fellow Centralians outside the campus, with our alumni. “In Samaria” symbolically means to be a witness of Jesus in our surrounding communities. “Into the ends of earth” means to be a witness of Jesus everywhere.

Are we a good witness of Jesus Christ? If we are, then we can positively say that indeed Central is getting better because Centralians are becoming servants of Jesus anytime and anywhere.

May God bless us all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

* I’m in Cebu City en route to Dipolog and then to Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte to conduct a continuing theological education seminar sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Theological Studies in partnership with the Central Philippine University, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and Convention Baptist Ministers Association. I’m with Rev. Jerson Narcio and Rev. Job Santiago, CPBC General Secretary.

Jesus, my Hero

2009-08-31T00:34:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 31, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo City!

The Filipinos are celebrating National Heroes Day today in honor of the heroes of yesteryears. The Tagalog word for hero is “bayani” in which the root word is “bayan.” This means that a “bayani” does or did something great for the “bayan.”

Our reflection for this week is about Jesus, my hero.

Jesus, my hero, had a cause. The central message of Jesus’ ministry was about the Kingdom of God, or in some translations, the Reign of God. Luke 4:43 says, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God…because that is why I was sent.”

All the parables of Jesus were about the Kingdom of God. After the resurrection, Jesus also preached about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus, my hero, organized people for the cause of the Kingdom of God. He rallied his disciples to preach and teach about the Reign of God. These disciples left their work and made the cause of Jesus their priorities. Jesus said, “deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me.”

Jesus, my hero, challenged the status quo of his time. The cause of the Kingdom of God became a threat to the religious leaders, and the ruling class. Jesus liberated God by his actions. God was imprisoned in the temple, in the Holy of Holies and in other religious places. But Jesus said to a Samaritan woman, “worship neither in the mountain or in the temple but worship God in spirit and in truth.”

Jesus, my hero, died for the cause. Everybody that became uncomfortable by the message of Jesus plotted to kill him. They eventually captured him during the night to evade the multitude of his followers. They put him in a mock trial. They forced him to recant. But in his silence, he showed them what loyalty to the cause is all about. It was a deafening silence; a silent protest that was so loud that they have to kill him.

Jesus, my hero, never died. Jesus resurrected from the dead. A godly cause cannot be killed. When Jesus showed himself to his disciples, they were at first frightened, but later they were empowered and emboldened to declare to the whole world why Jesus came and what Jesus died for. Later, these early disciples were persecuted and put to death for the cause of Jesus. They gladly gave their lives.

Is Jesus your hero also? Let us follow in the footsteps of our hero.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Are we worth dying for?

2009-08-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 24, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last August 21, 2009, we celebrated Ninoy Aquino Day to commemorate his death and martyrdom for the Filipino people. One of the famous last words of Ninoy were “The Filipino is worth dying for.” He died for the cause of freedom and democracy. Although his death was just one of the many deaths during Martial Law, it became the rallying cry of the Filipinos to topple the dictator. Ninoy became an icon of the struggle of restoring democracy.

More than 2,000 ago, Jesus was also killed for a cause. He died not only for the Filipino people but for the whole humanity. Mark 10:45b says that Jesus came to “give his life as a ransom for all.” Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Let me share with you a poem entitled “One Solitary Life.” The authorship is attributed to Dr. James Allen Francis, 1926.

“Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where he worked in a carpenter's shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.

While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends deserted him. He was turned over to his enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had - his coat.

When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure for much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of people on this earth as powerfully as this One Solitary Life.”

As we reflect on the sacrificial death of Jesus, let us ask ourselves this question “Are we worth dying for?”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Be a leader like Jesus

2009-08-16T23:57:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 17, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week comes from John 13:1-17.

Nowadays, Philippine television is full of info-commercials advertising a politician. They are promoting themselves to be the next leaders of the country.

Our text is teaching us a kind of leadership exemplified by our lord Jesus Christ in the night before the last supper. In this instance, Jesus is illustrating his kind of leadership by taking off his outer garment, wrapping a towel on his waist, getting a basin of water, and started washing his disciples’ feet.

He is reminding us that to be Christian leader one must have humility, a service oriented mind and above all, love to whom you are serving. He wants to instill in our hearts that there is no scarcity of feet to wash. He is also trying to let us know that a person who wants to lead must also learn how to follow.

There are a lot of leadership lessons that Jesus is teaching us. I will just share three things.

Fist, a leader must be a pathfinder. He must have a vision and a mission. He knows where to take his group. He leads them in a path towards the goals and objectives of the organization. He plans as if he will live forever and work as if there is no tomorrow.

Second, a leader must be a manager. He knows how to identify and put people where they really belong. He understands the personalities of his followers and gives them roles wherein they are happy and can develop their potentials. He does not force the individual to do the task that he is not cut in to do but tries to help that individual in learning what he is called to do and develop the skills and abilities that God gave him.

Third, a leader must empower his people. He gives them the power to do. He knows where to push the right button of an individual and also knows where to put the key that unlocks the drive of an individual to do great things.

Let ask ourselves this question: What kind of legacy can I leave to those who are coming after me?

May this be the challenge that will always haunt us. Let us envision an epitaph that depends on our response to this challenge. Let us remember that there is a cloud of witnesses above us that are always expecting us to rise up from the challenges they have left.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Be Wise

2009-08-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 10, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week is from Luke 6:47-48. In these verses, Jesus was reprimanding his audience why they are calling him “Lord, Lord” but no do what he says. He then proceeds to remind them that those who call him that title must put into practice what they hear from him.

I remember a time that CPU put up a banner that says, “Jesus is Lord of CPU.” I don’t know why it was taken down but the message of that banner brings a lot of accountability to the CPU community.

Perhaps, it would be important to ask the question about what we mean by "lord". The lord is one who commands our attention, our loyalty, our fidelity. The lord is one who makes claims on our lives, to whom we yield authority.

In a parallel verse on Matthew 7:24, Jesus is telling us that one who obeys his commands is like the wise man that built his house on the rock. When the flood came, it was not able to shake the house because it was founded upon a rock.

Therefore, Jesus teaches us to be like that wise man. For Him to be wise is:

Firstly, to say the right thing in times of persecution and examination. We would sometimes break down in times of suffering and would be willing to say anything that will make us get out of adversity. Jesus commands us to stand in the right way even if it would get us to trouble.

Secondly, to make the choice for the betterment of humanity. Inherent to us is the attitude of selfishness. One only likes to advance his/her own agenda and forget everyone around his/her. Filipinos has this ‘crab mentality’ which we like to pull down those who are ahead of us. Jesus mandates us to work for the prosperity of all and to deny our own selfish desires.

Thirdly, to accept that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. I’m convinced that we are getting tired on the wisdom of the world. The Lord of Wisdom is letting us know that the intelligence of people is no match to that of God.

Today, Jesus commands us to act upon what we have heard. Let us remember that a person who hears and does not obey is like the foolish man that built his house on the sand. When rain came down and the flood arose, the house fell with a great crash.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Teach me to live my days wisely

2009-08-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 3, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo City!

As we mourn the passing away of the first woman president of the Philippines, Cory Aquino (National Day of Mourning and non-working day on August 5, 2009), and as we continue to experience Typhoon Jolina that brought flood to Iloilo City (President Teodoro C. Robles declared no classes early this morning), our reflection for this week will center on our finitude, our mortality.

Psalm 90:10, 12 says “Our lifetime is seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years, Teach us, then, O Lord, how short our lives really are so that we may be wise and live according to your purpose.”

When someone dies, we usually pause and reflect of when will be our appointed time to pass away also. It is on this moment that we take account of ourselves. It is on this moment of accounting when we will realize what kind of life have we lived and if we want to continue living that kind of life.

Two things to ponder upon:

First, when we know that life is short, we start living responsibly and become good stewards of our God-given resources.

The Parable of the Talents is a good reminder to all of us to invest our lives on things that can give glory to God. We have to know that life is different from existence. Life is being alive with a purpose.

Second, when we know that life is short, we start living a life that becomes a preparation for the next life.

I remember a nursery rhyme during my Sunday School years that says, “Magpili ka sining duwa, langit impierno diin ka? Mapa langit gid lang ako kay gahulat ang Ginoo.”

Let me share with you a familiar poem entitled “I Will Never Pass This Way Again

I will pass this way but once
And if there's any good that I can do
Let me do it now
For I'll never pass this way again

I will see this day but once
If there's any kindness I can show
Let me show it now
For I'll never see this day again

Tomorrow may be too late my friend
To do all the good that you planned
So reach out to those who need you
And lend them a helping hand

I will know this world but once
And if there's any love that I can give
Let me give it now
Oh Lord, please show me how
For I'll never know this world
I'll never see this day
I'll never pass this way again

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Let us be partners

2009-07-27T00:36:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 27, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

We praise and thank God for the Christ Emphasis Week celebration last week. The event was culminated by a CEW thanksgiving during the 96th Foundation Day celebration of the University last Sunday. There were 1,049 students that made faith decisions. We are grateful to the team brought my Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Ayala of the Agape Phil-Am Ministries. Please continue to be our partners in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the more than 11,500 students, and more than 700 faculty and staff.

Our scripture text for this week is found in Philippians 1:3-6. This is the letter of Paul to the Christians in Philippi, the first city in Europe reached by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul reminded them of their partnership in proclaiming the gospel. Paul also gave them hope that Jesus Christ will be with them in their new journey as Christians.

Paul is reminding us of two things in our partnership:

First, we need to pray for one another. Paul prayed for the members of the churches that he established. Prayer has become their spiritual communication.

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. We famously call the prayer as “Our Father.” The bottom line of this prayer is about asking the will of God. Jesus prayed “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The theological principle is this: The will of God is good. Therefore, our will should be connected to the will of God. After we know the will of God, we should do the will of God, thus, resulting to goodwill among people. (Angut naton ang aton buot sa buot sang Dios agod mangin mabuot kita kag may yara sang maayong kabubut-on sa palibot).

Second point is, for our partnership to succeed we need a third party. This should be a tripartite partnership. This third party is, of course, God.

Eccl 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Dr. Anatalio Viray once told me how Dr. Rex Drilon, the first Filipino president of CPU contributed to the design of the University Church. The design is that of a Malay balangay (barangay) boat. You can see the bugsay (paddles) on both sides. It teaches us that if we are united in our bugsay, in one direction, we will go forward.

In closing, Paul is reminding us that we must pray for one another, and that God should be the third part in our partnership because he will be faithful to bring into completion the good work that he has started in you. Amen.

May God continually bless us!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

I care for you

2009-07-19T23:45:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 20, 2009

Greetings from Rose Memorial, the venue of our Christ Emphasis Week celebration!

Our theme for this CEW is “Jesus Cares: Our Hope in Times of Trouble” and the scripture text found in I Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your worries upon him for he cares for you.”

Does Jesus care? Yes, I believe with all my heart. This past week was one of the trying times in my life. My 5-year old son, Kairos, was diagnosed with pneumonia and suspected to have an AH1N1 flu. He was subsequently quarantined together with my wife, Hermely, at the Western Visayas Medical Center. I was also under house quarantine since Thursday with our 1-year old little girl, Francheska.

Our CEW Theme and Text became meaningful to me. God truly cares, and God has shown me His care through the many individuals that touched our lives through their constant prayers, encouraging text messages and emails. I am very grateful for this.

It’s been a year since Bagyo Frank ravaged Western Visayas. CPU was not spared. The estimated damage was about P60 to P80 million. But by the grace and care of God, CPU has survived and hopefully will be getting stronger.

When Peter wrote his letter, he addressed it to the scattered Jews all over Asia and Europe. The Jews experienced the Diaspora – the scattering to all over the four corners of the Earth. The temple in Jerusalem was about to be destroyed by the Romans. Their revolution was brought to an end by the Romans, and they were eventually cornered in the mountain of Masada.

The scattered Jews longed to go home yet they have no home to go back into. Israel ceased to exist. It was only in 1948 that they became a nation again. The letter written by Peter was a great reminder to all of them that God cares in spite of the seemingly unfavourable circumstances.

Let me share with you a poem by Charles Brown.

“Reach out and touch that neighbor who hates you
Reach out and touch that stranger who meets you
Reach out and touch that brother (and sister) who needs you
Reach out and let the smile of God touch through you
Reach out because touching means
you became the hand of God to the people here on earth.”

May God bless us all! Please pray for our CEW celebration.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

I will give you rest

2009-07-13T00:22:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 13, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection from this week comes from Matthew 11:28-30.

Everyone gets tired. Everyone is not exempted and all of us are looking forward to rest. We oftentimes pray, “Lord, I am tired.”

The context of our passage is about the burdens that the Jews are suffering. It is observed that the Jewish religion was a thing of burdens. They have endless rules. One writer has written that a Jew lived his life in a forest of regulations which dictated every action of his life. He must forever listen to a voice which said, “Thou shalt not.”

In this situation, Jesus offers us an invitation, ““Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavily laden and I will give you rest.”

We need in this age of busyness wherein the theme of every person is: work…work…work. We seemed to always want to be busy. We feel that there is always shortage of time. In CPU, we call people who are always in meetings to have a disease called “meeting-gytis.”

This invitation is liberating. The Greek word for “rest” is anapausin. It literally means “an intermission, or a vacation.” Jesus is saying to us, “I will give a break from the day-to-day struggles of life. I’ll give you a second wind.”

This invitation frees us and gives us rest from the structures that blocks us from being what God wants us to be. But this invitation needs a response.

In one of my classes, we discussed the silent years of Jesus, ages between 12-30. One of the theories suggested that Jesus was a carpenter who made the best ox-yokes in all of Galilee and all over the country people would go there and buy the yokes. In Jewish culture, one follows his father’s business.

It has been suggested that the title of Jesus’ carpenter’s shop was: “My yoke fits well.” This means that if we accept this invitation God will send us tasks that are made to fit us. Whatever God sends us is made to fit our needs and out abilities exactly.

The invitation to take the yoke of Jesus upon us is an invitation not to quit. It is an invitation to work, not our load, but God’s load. It is about trading our purposes and goals for God’s purpose and goals for our lives.

St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

I call you friends

2009-07-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 6, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Last July 4, 2009 Philippines celebrated Philippine-American Friendship Day. Previously, July 4 is celebrated as Philippine Independence Day coinciding with American Independence Day. Later, the date was moved to June 12.

In light of this Friendship Day, let us reflect on how Jesus developed his friendship with the people. On John 15:14 Jesus called his disciples as his friends. And as friends, he was telling them to “bear fruit that will last” and to “love one another.”

There are three instances that Jesus’ disciples were astonished of the many friends of Jesus who were willing to “lay down their lives for a friend.”

First, the disciples asked the permission of Jesus to rebuke some people who are doing the same work that they have been doing – casting out demons, preaching and sowing seeds of goodness among the people.

Jesus told them not to stop these people for “whoever is not against us is for us.” The disciples had an exclusivist thinking because these people are not part of their group. Jesus rebuked them.

How many times did we put down others because they are not among our circle of friends?

Second, a friend of Jesus lent him a donkey for him to use in his travel inside Jerusalem. The disciples who fetched the donkey marvelled at the friendship network of Jesus.

Jesus established true friendship with the owner of the donkey. And this friendship was tested when the time Jesus needed something from that man.

How many times did we promise our friends to be their true friend through “thick and thin” and yet failed them?

Third, another friend of Jesus lent him an upper room. They used this room to commemorate the Passover meal. We call this as the Last Supper.

Every time we celebrate Communion or Lord’s Supper, let us also remember this friend of Jesus who risked his life and his family by letting Jesus, an outlaw and a rebel in the eyes of the Romans and Jews, used a part of his house. It was an important time for Jesus because he explained to his disciples the real meaning of his death and sacrifice.

How many times did we say “no” to our friends when they needed as most, because our comfort zone will not allow it?

Let us be true friends who are willing to lay down our lives for a friend.

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The Chaplain’s Office is asking for donation of religious tracts to be distributed in the campus. Please contact us if you want to be our partner in this endeavor. Thanks.

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Central Philippine University celebrates Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) every semester as one of its Fides programs.

This semester’s CEW is scheduled on July 20 to 24, 2009 with the Theme: Jesus Cares: Our Hope in Times of Trouble, and Text: I Peter 5:7.

In relation to this celebration, the Chaplain’s Office is inviting you to be our partners in prayer and in the activities. Please pray for the invited speakers, the chaplains, the faculty and staff, and the students. Please pray also that the Holy Spirit will penetrate the hearts and minds of the whole CPU community.

Please be informed of the following schedules:

Pre-CEW, July 15, 2009 (Wednesday) 4:00pm, Alumni Promenade Park
Faculty and Staff CEW, July 17, 2009 (Friday) 4:00pm, University Church
Pastors Conference, July 21, 2009 (Tuesday) 8:00am, University Church
NSTP CEW, July 18, 2009 (Saturday) 8:00am, Rose Memorial Hall
CEW Week, July 20-24, 2009 (Monday to Friday), Rose Memorial Hall
City-Wide Evangelistic Rally July 24, 2009 (Friday), 4:30pm, Rose Memorial Hall

Thank you very much and may God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

and his eyes were opened

2009-06-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 29, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from John 9. This chapter narrates the encounter of Jesus with a blind man who is a beggar. Jesus saw a man with congenital blindness.

The result of the encounter was a miracle. The blind man can now open his eyes after Jesus put a mixture of saliva and mud into his eyes. Why saliva and mud? Yuck! I don’t know of the medicinal value of mud and saliva but this is the underlying meaning: we are all made from dust, from mud.

Jesus used this incident to differentiate a man who was once in “darkness” but is now in the “light.” The bringer of the “light” is Jesus who declared “I am the light of the world” (v.5).

In the Half-moon drive, there is a big globe with a picture of Jesus Christ inside it. The words “I am the Light” are also inscribed on top of the picture. This is a visible reminder in the campus that Jesus brings light to our darkened world.

The interesting part of the story is on how this man responded to the miracle that happened to him. We can learn three things from his responses.

First, the man testified courageously. The healing experience of this man was challenged not only by his neighbors but by the Pharisees as well. At first there was some hesitation in his testimony but later on when he was cornered by a lot of people, he courageously declared that Jesus is a prophet. He responded with great logic and reasoning (vv.26-34) that even the Pharisees were caught off guard.

Second, his testimony was brought about by his accountability to become the “bringer of light.” He “let his light shine” (Matt. 5:16) to other people. He knew what it is to be in “darkness”, thus, this propelled him to bring the “light” (Jesus) to those who are in the “dark.” He wants others to experience the metanoia – of being transformed.

Third, he became a disciple of Jesus with the mission to “open the eyes” of other people. In his second encounter with Jesus, this man was taught that there are people who can physically see but are spiritually blind (v.39).

This lesson became his commission to help “open the eyes” of those who are spiritually blind. His desire to reach others was intensified with his awareness that God will judge each person according to their response to the message of the “light” (Jesus). He wants others to “open their eyes” also.

The three responses of the former blind man present to us three questions that we need to ask ourselves. First, are we testifying courageously for the cause of Jesus Christ? Second, do we let our light shine so that others may experience metanoia? Third, are we continuing the mission to open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Is God still our Father?

2009-06-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 22, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

As we celebrate Father’s Day, our reflection comes from Malachi 2:10-16.

The question of Malachi is relevant to us, “Have we not all one father? Did not one God created us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?”

Malachi was a minor Prophet but he had a major message. His message was: Remain in your covenant with God. Malachi was telling them that God should be their Father and they should act as children of God.

The story of the Bible is a story of a covenant relationship of God to his chosen people. The covenant is this: “I will be your God and you will be my people.”

Through Jesus Christ, we can now be called sons and daughters of God, and we can call God our Father. Christians are called the New Israel. Jesus gives us this new covenant: Love God and Love your neighbor. This is the commandment that all the laws, the prophets and writings are based.

The obvious question for us today is – Is God still our father? Do we still consider ourselves as children of God? I hope God will hear our resounding yes.

I would like to share two attributes of our God the Father that are found in our passage.

First, God is a caring father. The people of Israel in that time were careless in their attitudes. In spite of that, God was still the father who cares. He was still reminding the Israelites through the prophet Malachi to turn from their careless attitudes. God, as Father, cared so much that he sent prophets to always warn the Israelites and turn from their wicked ways.

Second, God is a sustaining father. We see in the passage that Israel became unfaithful to the covenant to the point of divorcing God. He still sustains his part of the covenant even if it is one sided. He is like the father in the parable of the prodigal son who keeps on waiting for his son to return.

Lastly, let me share a survey of 10 appreciated qualities of a father by his children:

1. He takes time for me.
2. He listens to me.
3. He plays with me.
4. He invites me to go places with him.
5. He lets me help him.
6. He treats my mother well.
7. He lets me say what I think.
8. He is nice to my friends.
9. He only punishes me when I deserve it.
10. He is not afraid to admit when he is wrong.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Freedom in Jesus Christ

2009-06-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 15, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from CPU!

Last June 12, 2009, Philippines celebrated its 111th year of independence with the theme of “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan.”

In the light of this event, let us reflect on the freedom that God gave us through Jesus Christ.

Let me share with you a portion of a beautiful book entitled “Joshua” written by Joseph F. Girzone. This passage is a critique on how we oftentimes missed the message of freedom that was so essential in the life and teachings of Jesus. We are frequently guilty of building theological prisons in our strict devotion to church doctrines. We have failed to grasp that “fidelity to the teachings of Jesus cannot be forced by threat of punishment…Jesus wanted the human spirit to find him in freedom and to embrace him joyously and spontaneously.”

“God never intended that religion become what it is today. Jesus came to earth to try to free people from that kind of regimented religion where people are threatened if they don’t obey rules and rituals invented by the clergy. Jesus came to teach people that they are God’s children and, as God’s children they are free, free to grow as human beings, to become beautiful people as God intended. That can’t be legislated.

“Jesus gave the apostles and the community as a support to provide help and guidance and consolation. Jesus did not envision bosses in the worldly sense. He wanted his apostles to guide and serve, not to dictate and legislate like those who govern this world. Unfortunately, religious leaders model themselves after civil governments and treat people accordingly. In doing this they fall into the same trap that the scribes and Pharisees fell into, making religion a tangible set of measurable religious observances, which is legalistic and superficial…it is their endless rules and their rituals rather than love of God and concern for others that occupy the people’s attention.

“Customs and practices and traditions then replace true service of God, and these become a serious obstacle to real growth in the love of God…People become rigid in their thinking and afraid to think for themselves…when even ceremonies and mere customs change they panic, because they have been lead to believe these things were their faith. With that kind of mentality all growth stops… If a person is not open to the inspirations of the Spirit, because it goes beyond what the (religious traditions) allow him, then even the Holy Spirit cannot work in him and he remains stunted. What is worse, he frustrates the work that God wants to accomplish in him.

“That’s why the prophets of old were such great men. They had the boldness to see beyond the limitations of human religious traditions and provide guidance to God’s people. They had the courage to break out of the sterile rigidness of religious forms, and incurred the wrath of religious leaders who hated them for this, and persecuted them, even killing some of them in the name of religion.”

May God grant us the freedom to think and see beyond the “four corners of the church.” Jesus was once asked, “where is the proper place of worship, in this mountain or in the temple?” Jesus answered, “you must worship God in spirit and truth.”

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Give of your best to the Master

2009-06-07T16:54:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 8, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from CPU campus!

Our reflection for this week comes from II Corinthians 8:1-9. This scripture text tells us how Paul challenged the church in Corinth by way of illustrating how the church in Macedonia helped in proclaiming the gospel.

Paul challenges us to give six things. If we sum up these six things, we will know that what God is asking of us is our whole being.

First, let us give of our material resources. How is our offering nowadays? Are we faithful with our tithing? Or are we finding it hard to give our materials resources to the church and in the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Second, let us give our faith. Let us not just keep the faith, we must spread it. Our faith is enriched if we share it with others.

Third, let us give our kind words. We cannot catch our words the moment it left our mouths.

Pastor Acosta once told of an illustration about a little girl that shouted “buang” in the mountain. The mountain echoed back “buang” to her. She was infuriated. Her mother told her to shout “gwapa.” When the mountain echoed back the word “gwapa”, she beamed with joy. Let us watch our mouth.

Fourth, let us give our knowledge. Let us train second-liners. Like Jesus, we must have disciples.

Jesus had his full-time ministry for about three years. But he trained not only 12 disciples but also 70 and then 120. The gospel reached all of us because of discipleship.

What about us? Are we training someone to someday replace us in our leadership positions, or are we holding our positions until we die?

Fifth, let us give our availability to serve. We give a lot of excuses to God. Although we really felt that God is calling us to serve Him, we still refuse to listen. We say things like – I’m still young, I’m old, others are better than me, I’m shy, I’m busy, I’m afraid and many more.
Like prophets of old, let us say, “Here I am, send me.”

Sixth, let us give our loving attitude.

Dr. Feliciano Sombito, first President of Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches said in 1935, “Dapat naton usisaon kag suklon ang aton kusog kag kaluyahon… magamitlang sang mga defectos, sa espiritu nga dili pag padiutay apang pagpadaku, dili pagmusmus apang pagbatak, dili paghikay apang sa higugma, kag dili pag patay apang sa pag hatag kabuhi.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Restore, Reconcile, Return, Release!

2009-05-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 1, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

As we start a new School Year, 2009-2010, let us reflect upon the words of Paul in Philippians 4:8-9: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (NLV)

As a faithful Christian, we have to put into practice the mission of:

First, Restoring the world to what is true and noble.

Do you remember what God said in Genesis every time He finished creating something? “And God saw that it was … GOOD.” God declared in the sixth day after He created Adam and Eve that everything that He had made was “very good.”

God created us in His very own image but sadly, the image of God is a little dimmed and on some days cannot be seen in us.

Second, Reconciling broken relationships back to what is right.
Our broken relationship with God and with our fellow human beings, and with nature needs to be reconciled. This is the reason why the symbol of the cross has two points: one vertical and one horizontal. What happened in the cross is a reminder for all of us that reconciliation is not complete when done only vertically or horizontally. It should be both.

Third, Returning to what is pure.

Our sense of morality nowadays is very confusing. The culture of greed in our society is blossoming. Scandals can be heard and seen left and right. Maybe we have forgotten what are our Christian values and morality. We need to go back to what is pure in the sight of God. As Christians, we must be in the forefront in the mission of restoration.

Fourth, Releasing those who are in bondage so that they may become lovely and admirable.

God wants us to be liberated from anything that hinders us in achieving an abundant life.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Be like a Child

2009-05-25T01:40:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 25, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from Matthew 18:1-6. The story is about a familiar scene among the disciples of Jesus – a scene in which they asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Recent events aggravated this often repeated discussion because Peter was able to walk in the water together with Jesus, and he was also there in the mountaintop during the transfiguration of Jesus in which Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking to Jesus. James and John also asked Jesus if they can be in the right hand and left hand of Jesus in the kingdom of heaven.

Their inquiry to know who was greatest in the kingdom resulted into a totally unexpected reply from Jesus – “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

The child is the living embodiment of several truths which the disciples of Jesus had missed. The first truth involves faith.

The people of Israel did not respond when Jesus called them to Him. They stood off at a distance, reserving judgment. When Jesus called the child to Him, the child responded immediately. Very trusting, the child accepted Jesus' invitation at once. (The Teacher's Commentary)

The second truth is about humility. The disciples waited breathlessly for Jesus to name the greatest man, among them. The disciples were wondering what great positions they would have. In response, Jesus took a little child, who had no rights according to the Law, and stood him in their midst. He told the disciples a change in their thinking was necessary. Greatness in the kingdom was not based on great works or words, but on childlike humility of spirit. Jesus bypassed the disciples completely and called a little child into their midst. This child was the example of true greatness. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Competing or jockeying for positions brings about selfishness and disunity. What happened to the disciples long time ago is still happening in our midst today, and it is a scandal to the Christian faith. There is a growing need for humility. We need to let go of our pride, of thinking ourselves more important than we really are. Let us remember that the center letter of the word pride is “I.”

The reply of Jesus indicated that they were asking the wrong question. They should have been concerned about serving the Lord, and not asking about positions in the kingdom. Their service needed to be directed towards the people. Jesus was telling them that they should focus on welcoming the little children – a symbol of the marginalized sector of their society.

What about us? Are we like the disciples that were quarreling for positions, or are we focusing our energy in serving the people of God?

May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Be Courageous!

2009-05-18T00:22:00.001-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 18, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from Acts 5: 17-42. This scripture text tells us the story about how the disciples of Jesus were persecuted, harassed and imprisoned because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When the disciples were let out by the angels from their prison cells, they once again preached the gospel in the temple and anywhere where there are people who are willing to listen. The Jewish religious leaders heard about this, and they called the disciples in their council to answer various charges hurled against them. They were told by the high council, especially the high priest to stop preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. But the apostles answered the council, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

The high council was furious when they heard this reply from the apostles. They planned to kill all of them. Some of the members of the council followed the advice of Gamaliel, a Pharisee, to leave the apostles alone because if what they were doing is from God, they will be fighting against God. But some had the apostles flogged.

What was the message of the apostles?

The angles commanded them to “give the people the message of life” – a new life in Jesus Christ. This message was a very simple message and was understood by the people. Thousands of people joined them every day. Why? Because this message is devoid of the burden of rituals perpetuated by religious leaders – rituals that led some of them to corrupt practices like collusion of priests and merchants selling in the temple area. This message was joined by the testimony of the lives of apostles – they practiced what they preached.

What gave the apostles the confidence, the courage and the will to be consistent on their actions and convictions no matter what the costs were?

The statement “we must obey God rather than what you are telling us” was a courageous stand. This statement also answers our question – they were obeying the command of God. They did not forsake the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Book Acts is not only called the Acts of the Apostles, but more appropriately it is also called the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Their courage in preaching the good news has left a legacy throughout the whole world. Their courage to teach and preach despite of the opposition ensured the continuity of Christianity.

Are we going to continue what the apostles and our foreparents in faith started, cost what it may?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil Gico Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

God is Mother too!

2009-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 11, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers!

Our reflection for this week comes from Isaiah 66:12-13 that says, “For this is what the Lord says: “Look, I am ready to extend to her prosperity that will flow like a river, the riches of nations will flow into her like a stream that floods its banks. You will nurse from her breast and be carried at her side; you will play on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I'll comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

This text declares that God is mother too! This is intriguing because most of time we call God as our father, and only a few would dare to call God as our mother also.

Our bible is written from a patriarchal point of view. In the Old Testament, God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and God is not called the God of Sarah, Rebeccah and Rachel. But God did not allow that he can only be described as father. God allowed the Prophet Isaiah to describe his motherly love to Israel.

God described Israel as a mother in whom the Israelites can have milk from her breasts, that the Israelites can be gently rock to sleep in the arms of her mother, and that they can play in her. God also disclosed that it is not only Israel that acts as a mother to her children, but God himself is also a mother – “as a mother cares for her child, I will also care for you.”

God did not also allow a total blackout of women in the Bible. There are famous women in the Bible like Queen Esther, and Ruth. These two women have two books in the 66 books in the Bible – only 3% yet their stories were told. There is Deborah, the female judge. There is Rahab, the harlot, who was applauded for her faith. In the New Testament, there were many women disciples of Jesus who actually were the financial supporters of Jesus like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Lk. 8:1-3). Statistically speaking, the names of women in the Gospels are mentioned more than the names of the twelve disciples except for that of John and Peter.

Jesus was very radical in challenging the patriarchal world view of the Jewish tradition. He healed women; he talked to them spiritual truths like the woman in the well – the words, “you must worship God in spirit and in truth” was spoken by Jesus to the adulterous woman when she asked where the proper place of worship is. Jesus came to the rescue of another adulterous woman who was about to be stoned to death. The actions of Jesus towards women during his time were very revolutionary. Many were shocked by what Jesus did especially the religious leaders. Jesus gave the women their proper honor and dignity that they deserved.

Isa 49:15 says, “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, and walk away from the baby she bore? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” Yes, we hear stories of mothers abandoning their new born babies but God as our mother will not abandon us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. God as our mother will always be there for us.

May God continue to bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

FAITH

2009-05-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 4, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Amidst the economic crisis that the world is facing, and the swine flu epidemic, let us ponder on our faith in God because as Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Here is an acrostic of the word FAITH:

F – Faithful to the commands of God.

An essential ingredient of faith is to be faithful. We must be obedient to the will of God.

Noah was ridiculed – laughed upon, made fun, teased by people. The climate was hot. Rainy season was over. Learned people during that time told them that no storm was coming. They did not believe him. They thought he was crazy. In spite of this, Noah built an ark. He obeyed God. The Great Flood eventually came.

A – Allow God to work in His mysterious ways

Sarah attempted to work in behalf of God. She gave her servant Hagar to sleep with Abraham. Hagar eventually gave birth to Ishmael. Because Sarah “fast forward” the plan of God in their lives, conflict happened; a conflict that is on-going until now.

Let us not play God. Let God be God. Let us remember that if we do not allow God to have his way in our lives, disastrous things will happen.

I – Integrate your belief and your action

James is telling us that “faith without works is dead.” Meaning, a faith that is only creedal in nature – belief in one God (shema), but not shown in actual life – is not acceptable to God.

Faith should have fruits and one cannot be called faithful if he is not fruitful; Fruitfulness is the result of faithfulness.

T – Trust in God

The primary idea of faith is trust. To trust God is to recognize our helplessness. It is a confession that it is only God whom we can trust. There is nothing and no one else upon whom we can rely. Our trust must be in God alone.

H – Hope on the promises of God

Hope is what keeps the people of God going. Because we know that the best is yet to come.

Joseph dreamed of a time when the Israelites will go back to Canaan, their home. He believed that exodus will come. He left instructions to bring his bones with them. It was after 430 years that they were able to leave Egypt. That’s a very big faith for Joseph.

The Katipan Hall in Camp Higher Ground, Barotac Viejo is a testament of faith – it means “KAtumanon sang TIngob nga PAgtuo kag binuhataN.” It is now almost finished. The faith of the pastors who dreamed that this will happen is worth emulating.

How is our faith nowadays?

May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Thomas, Stop doubting and believe!

2009-04-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 27, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from John 20:26-29. It is one of the many stories after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The focus of the story is the doubt of Thomas. He will not believe unless he can put his fingers in the wounds of Jesus. When Jesus appeared to them, he said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

A decade ago, Dr. Lester Ruiz told me a story that illustrates faith.

He said that every time he goes to work in New York, he sometimes see a blind man with a seeing-eye-dog. This blind man will take a train from Trenton to Princeton. He told me that every time he sees this blind man, he felt both sadness and envy. Sadness because Dr. Ruiz has sight and he does not and envy because that blind man fully comprehend what faith is.

Dr. Ruiz is right. The “eyes of faith” are eyes that are blind. In order for us to have faith, we have to be blind and must remain blind. This should not be confused with being blind to the realities of life, but blind in a sense that you do not know the exact details of what will happen but you are excited on what it will be because you believe that God has in store something good for you.

The hymn says,

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Let us remember the words of Jesus to Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe!”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Road to Emmaus

2009-04-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 20, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from Luke 24:13-49. This is the story of two followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus – about 11 kilometers from Jerusalem, two hours of walking distance. This is one of the stories after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The two men were talking about what happened in Jerusalem – the suffering and death of Jesus, the one whom they were all hoping to redeem Israel, and that it was now three days after his death. They were sad, disappointed and on the brink of losing hope. The setting of their journey was towards the sunset – a symbol of death. Their conversation with Jesus gave them hope – a hope beyond the sunset.

Let us reflection on three things:

First, Jesus will help us open our eyes and make us realize that there is always hope. To hope is to have faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we look forward to is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”

There was a great reversal in their situation. At first, they were walking away from Jerusalem, but after Jesus opened their eyes, they immediately went back to Jerusalem – as symbol that there is now hope. We, too, should open our eyes and help in opening the eyes of our brothers and sisters.

Second, Jesus gives us peace. Jesus appeared to the gathered disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you. As the father sent me, so I send you.” Jesus knows that our world is thirsty of peace. In Hiligaynon, Shalom (Hebrew of peace) is more than kalinong. It is also kasulhayan, kabuganaan kag kaginhawaan.

We have the responsibility to be bringers of peace. Jesus told them that his father sent him to bring peace, and he is also sending us to bring peace.

Third, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to sustain us in our mission of opening the eyes of the people to the truth, and in our mission as peace bringers. The Holy Spirit fills us with power to do our assigned tasks.

Dunamis (Greek of power) gives us two words in English – dynamo and dynamite. Dynamo is a generator of electricity from mechanical energy. To be a dynamo means to be dynamic – to be full of energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of purpose and able both to get things going and to get things done. Dynamite on the other hand is an explosive, and is very harmful and dangerous.

Let us be a dynamo of peace, and not a dynamite that destroys peace.

Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, let our hearts burn with passion as we do our Christian mission.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 13, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Our reflection for this week comes from John 11:25-43.

Yesterday almost all of Christendom celebrated Easter Sunday – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why almost? The Western Church (Roman Catholic and Protestant) celebrated it on April 12, 2009 while the Eastern Church will be celebrating it on April 19, 2009. Next year, and the following year – 2010 and 2011 the dates of celebrating Easter will be the same. It is sad to note that Christians cannot even unite on the date of celebrating Easter Sunday.

I would like to share one message, one implication and four challenges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The message of the resurrection is that God is a God of life. The statements of Jesus as recorded in John – “I am the way, the truth and the life”, “I am the living water”, “I am the resurrection and the life”, “I am the bread of life” – points to the truth that our God is God of life, and giver of life. John 10:10 affirms it – “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” Because of this truth, together with Peter and Martha, we can declare, “thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

The implication of this message is that we must not allow the world to kill Jesus again and again, and force him to remain in the tomb. Thus, as we resist the forces of death in our midst, let us ponder on these challenges from the word LIFE.

L – Live a life that shows that Jesus is alive in our lives and is not dead. Like what happened in Lazarus, Jesus Christ is commanding us to unwrap ourselves from the graveclothes, thus freeing us from the bondage of death-like situations. Let us always picture out Jesus shouting at us, “get out of there.”

I – Involve actively in the ministry of resurrection. Let us be active in the ministry of resurrecting our brothers and sisters who are living a spiritually dead life; and resurrecting also those who are victims of modern day Sadducees and Pharisees.

F – Fulfill God’s expectation to be bringers of life and not death. We are expected to always seek life and not destruction. Let us cry together with Jesus (John 11:35) every time we see death and destruction, and then let us do something about it.

E – Encourage one another to be united in taking away the stone in the tomb. Jesus is asking us to collectively “roll the stone away.” There is strength in unity. We must participate in the task of putting away the barriers that impede us in having a life in its fullest.
May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

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Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Chaplain's Office Website: Under Construction

Palm Sunday

2009-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 6, 2009

Greetings from La Carlota City!

Our reflection for this week comes from Luke 19: 28-48.

Yesterday, the Christian church celebrated Palm Sunday, the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Today is a holiday to commemorate in advance the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor, previously Bataan Day) on April 9 – to honor the bravery and heroism of Filipinos and Americans during World War II.

Connecting our Christian history to that of our Philippine history, we can say that the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was also his Araw ng Kagitingan. Previous to this, the center of Jesus’ ministry was on Galilee and on the outskirts of Jerusalem. His public appearance in Jerusalem was very limited. His audience was mainly the poor, the sick – the marginalized sector of the society. But on that day, Jesus showed courage by riding in a donkey in broad daylight and challenged the political and religious authorities in front of many people.

The people upon seeing Jesus shouted “Hosanna!” which means “Save us, now! We pray!” The people were fed up. They were ready for a revolution. They were looking for a savior. The Pharisees shouted at Jesus, and asked him to rebuke his disciples. But he said, “if they keep quite, the stones will cry out.”

A great multitude was following him. They thought all the while that he will lead them to raid the Praetorium, the headquarters of the Roman camp. He instead turned towards the temple. If you study the map of Jerusalem, from the entrance, Jesus can either go to the seat of Roman power, or to the Temple, the religious center of the Jewish people. He chose the temple. He did not want to start a bloody war with the Romans, that’s why he did not enter riding on a horse, a symbol of war, but on a donkey, a symbol of peace.

He cleansed the temple because it had become a den of robbers. Graft, corruption, conflict of interest had become the way of life of the religious sector – there was collusion between the religious leaders and businessmen. The priests deliberately declared the animals brought by the people as unclean, and those declared as clean were the animals sold only in the temple area. The price was exorbitant. The religious sector was getting richer and richer on the expense of the poor people.

Jesus exposed these evil practices. On that day, he was marked for death. The plot to kill him was under way.

What about us? Is Jesus still trying to enter our lives or are we afraid that Jesus will find out our corrupt practices? Oftentimes, we expect Jesus to act in a way that we expected him to act. But like in New Testament times, he turns to the unexpected – he turns towards the core of our being. He confronts us face to face. He wants to clean us first – to drive away our evil practices. Should we join the plot to kill him? Will we be one of those who, at first, shouted “Hosanna” and later shouted “Crucify him!?” Hopefully, Jesus will enter our lives triumphantly.

May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Seeds of Faith

Life can begin again

Christmas Star

How to Live Christmas

Give Thanks

Give Thanks

Be like a Fruit

Lessons on All Saints Day

How to play the game of life

The best is yet to come

Let us SHARE

Do not withhold good when it is within your power to act - Part 2

Jesus wept

A Christ-centered Life

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Last week Central Philippine University culminated its 105th University Day celebration. Let me share my reflection on the theme of its celebration, “Meeting Successfully the Challenges and Opportunities of Life as a Centralian.”

What is it in being a Centralian that one can meet successfully the challenges and opportunities of life?

I would like to believe that a Centralian is Christ-centered.

The training that a Centralian receives is geared towards the realization of CPU’s vision, meaning, to become an exemplary Christian for life. This is very ideal and should be a continuing reminder to all teachers, staff and administrators.

Do we, the new generation of Centralians, live up to expectation to provide a Christian atmosphere in the campus of CPU, and to wherever we are?

I am praying that CPU will not only be “a university where the student is central” but more importantly CPU will become “a university where Christ is Central.”

We hope that all of us who profess to be Christians will make our lives as a channel of God’s blessing and purpose for other people.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Leadership Style of Jesus Part III

Leadership Style of Jesus Part II

Leadership Style of Jesus

The Prayer of Jabez

“What an Affirming Christian Church should be”

Awakened!

The Encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus

Fellowship of Believers

Happy Father's Day

Lessons I learned during my first year of class

"My Peace I Give You"

The Great Commission

We hope for a set of leaders who really CARES

Biblical Criteria on Choosing Leaders

We are witnesses of Jesus

Jesus comes to where we are

Lessons from Doubting Thomas

Jesus is Risen

Jesus had seen enough!

I am a Promise, I am a Possibility

Pilgrimage for Peace 2010

Women's Day!

End Times??

People Power!

Valentines Day Reflection

Why is love the greatest?

From a life of unbelief to a life of faith in God

Let us pray like Jesus

Live like Jesus

Leading the Nation

New Year's Resolution

Let us not kill Jesus

Christmas message from the Shepherds

Give a gift that truly matter

Arise, Shine!

Righteous Indignation

Be Grateful!

Give Thanks! - part 2

Give Thanks!

Life is full of transitions

Unity in Sports for Nation Building

Commitment to the mission of God

Let us connect with our past

Decalogue of Central Philippine University

The warning of the Flood

Freedom!

Let us listen to our grandparents

We are Empowered

Jesus, my Hero

Are we worth dying for?

Be a leader like Jesus

Be Wise

Last week Central Philippine University culminated its 105^th University Day celebration. Let me share my reflection on the theme of its celebration, “Meeting Successfully the Challenges and Opportunities of Life as a Centralian.”