I’ve been using Tango to keep in touch and it’s great!
You can find it here: http://www.tango.net/r/aem
Let’s video chat on Tango!
Lent and Abomination
To the unbelieving world of Roman Catholics, Lent is the season for fasting, abstinence to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Apparently, this is not the time to be happy specially from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and Black Saturday as they relive the time when Jesus shared with His disciples the last supper, to His captivity and death (Good Friday). To some extreme measures, others even share the Lord’s suffering by having themselves literally flagellated and crucified as “penance for their sins”. This practice is prevalent in the Pampanga, Philippines. To a depraved mind, this may sound noble, humble and repentant. But as far as the Doctrine of Sola Srciptura (Scriptures alone; what is asserted without the Scriptures or proven revelation may be held as an opinion, but need not be believed- Martin Luther), this may prove otherwise.
As I was browsing for the net for apologetics on Lent/Roman Catholicism, I stumbled upon this article by John Malone of www.biblestudy.net and I found his musings on the subject matter to be interesting so I decided to share it.
Lent. No Thanks.
By John Malone
One of the practices I left behind when I received Christ as Savior 32 years ago was the keeping of the “Lenten season.” The wholesale adoption of this Roman Catholic version of ancient pagan practice by what was once Protestantism is indicative of the departure that marks our day.Now let me be clear here: I have no qualm with anyone’s religious practice, within civil bounds. If someone wants to re-enact the weeping for Tammuz, or some other pagan practice, I consider them free to do so.
My issue with “Lent” is the Christianizing of it: the attempt by ignorant or dishonest men to sell the practice to the unsuspecting as if it had to do with faith in Jesus Christ. Roman Catholicism acknowledges: “The Teutonic word ‘Lent,’ which we employ to denote the forty days’ fast preceding Easter, originally meant no more than the spring season.” Indeed. Throughout the world, one can find ancient (heathen) ritual practices – many referenced in the Bible – which accommodate themselves seasonally.
Perhaps nothing pinpoints the ascension of Bible-condemned clerisy, “the Pharisee-izing” of Christianity, the paganizing of Christendom, and the confusion reigning today than the promulgation of “the Easter season” (unless it’s the promulgation of “the Christmas season!”).
As is the case with so many “religious controversies,” the fountainhead of this one has to do with the rise of Constantine as the unified emperor of Rome, and the politicizing of the Christian faith as part of an attempt to consolidate a political base in the face of a fragmenting body politic.
By the time of Constantine, roughly 300 AD, the Roman empire featured a splintered leadership (4 ways) – ironically similar to the way the Greek Empire had split after Alexander – demonstrating that primogenitor had failed. Constantine was the son of a politically motivated general (certainly something not lost through the ages) who had found his way into the emporer’s broad household through a second marriage.
Constantine employed a form of politics that has since been heavily replicated. He did not invent the form. Because he needed to break into an status quo political hegemony, he needed to appeal to the disenfranchised – without substantially offending the bourgeoisie – in order to gain requisite political support. Those disenfranchised groups could be substantially found among Christians who were spread throughout the empire, and eastern empire factions who were regarded as second-class (or even thrid class) entities in the empire.
What is amazing today is the near wholesale adoption of “Lenten season” by supposed “Protestants” and “evangelicals!” What was once distinctly Catholic – and pagan – has now become commonplace in nearly all churches.
The gospel has been nearly lost by churches, whereby it now becomes “God’s do over,” or “a second chance,” instead of God’s gracious declaration and imputation of actual righteousness to the believer on the basis of faith alone in the meritorious works of Christ alone. As it has become mired in works-based junior forms of Romanism, it’s no surprise than abominable ritual practices with roots in heathenism are taught to God’s people.
As for me, I want no part of such abominable practices.
As a master stroke, Constantine “sanctified” Christianity, declaring it the religion of the empire, but satisficing traditionalists by incorporating pagan sites into the new religion. A second master stroke, he declared the “new Rome” to be in Istanbul, in the east, the city which after his death was called “Constantinople.”
“Lent” is one of the pagan practices which migrated into Christianity, and can be traced to the worship of Mithras. By the time of Constantine, it was a tradition in the empire, adopted as it was from the ancient Babylonian system via the mystery religions extant throughout the empire.
The “strength” of the Roman empire was its ability to rapidly absorb the culturs it conquered. For instance, Greek philosophy and language had much more impetus under Rome than under Alexander and his generals, because Rome adopted and seized upon the system of thought and language for the privileged class: it was no big deal to speak Latin, but if one spoke, read, and wrote (classical) Greek, he was considered highly educated. This snobbishness, hinted at in Romans , continues to this day.
Rome absorbed the Bablyonian’s religion, the Persian system of roadways and commerce, and the Greek language arts and military strategies.
So it is no surprise that Constantine readily “absorbed (viz. co-opted and usurped) Christianity,” and co-opted the Indo-European people with his New Rome at Constantinople.
Now, Lent is a piece of that Mithraism underlying the mystery religions, “replacing” as it does the season of “weeping for Tammuz.” In fact, this was one of the ancient abominable practices Israel had adopted resulting in the punishment by God that was the Assyrian captivity.
It should come as no surprise that a heathen practice like Lent – once found only among Catholics – is now commonplace among “Protestants” and “evangelicals.”
These who have abandoned the simple gospel of the grace of God, Who graciously imputes real righteousness to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ – on the basis of faith alone in the meritorious substitution of Christ alone – and replaced it with a system of works to be saved, prove you are saved, or stay saved, will readily adopt empty and abominable ritual practices which also hearken to some lame strata of Romanism!
As for me, I’m not the slightest bit interested in adopting such pagan, anti-gracious, abominable practices.
Another Year Closer
Another year has passed and a new one has come. To the unbelieving world, it is yet another hope for good luck, prosperity and wishes of good health to come from the year of the metal rabbit. I wouldn’t be surprised if cute bunny stuffed toys, figurines, souvenirs and the likes become a blockbuster this year. Pet shop owners might sell rabbits like hotcakes and we might expect a comeback appearance of Bugs Bunny on screen savers, T-Shirts, mugs, I could go on…
In our Bible class yesterday, our pastor regarded it as another year closer to the Lord’s coming. Consequently, judgement, separation of the sheep from the goats and eternal damnation for those who did not believe and eternal life for those who believed (John 3:16). Come to think of it everytime a new year ushers in, the world hopes for all good things to be better in terms of business or money, love/relationships, career, etc- whatever it takes whether to get a good luck charm, a chinese rabbit idol and other . But how many have ever considered how to spend their eternal life? When the time has come for the Lord’s return, all those who blasphemed him, denied his diety, mocked him, hated him, did not believe him and made fun of his followers will see in front of their eyes but by then it will be too late.
Honestly this scares me, for everyone else close to me who still have not believed that the only way to the Father is through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6). To them that have not repented to this day, I pray that God in His sovereign mercy would save them too. For until then, they will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3).
And while the everyone else is way too busy about the cares of this passing world, the believers are commanded to be on guard and hold fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ for we do not know when He will return (Revelation 3:3)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Why I Didn’t Make It
What do you want to be when you grow up? I myself wasn’t spared from the overrated question when I was little, and in fact I found myself asking the same question to little kids when I got older. But the reality of it is that, kids don’t really know or understand what they want until they taste a slice of real life each time- as the years pass by. In as much as this really doesn’t serve its purpose in my opinion, we do love hearing them speak out in their cuteness with answers from the silliest, funniest to impressive and kid-smart things of that nature.
I go way back when I was about 5 years old when my mom always takes me to the grocery with her
. I remember watching the cashier punch the prices of the merchandise to the cash register (back then, I knew it only by the name “makinilya”/machine). And by the time they are finished, my mom pays for the items in our cart. That’s what I wanted to be back then. I thought that not everyone can operate the “makinilya” so I said to myself that those who can must be very intelligent and is highly respected. Everytime the cash drawer opens, I see bundles of money and quite a stash of coins and I thought they all end up in the cashier’s pockets at the end of the day. I told my mom then, I wanted to be like them because they are very rich and they keep on collecting money. Soon I would find out after she explains to me the principles of trade in the simplest way she can, that what I thought I wanted wasn’t really so. When I got into an exclusive roman catholic school for boys where “holy masses” were held as regular as the homeroom classes, I wanted to become a priest. But when we had our 3-day recollection at the school’s out-of-town seminary facilities, we got to mingle with the young “priests-to-be” as our “big brothers” and got a taste of what’s it like to be one of them. I thought that their life was kinda confined inside the walls of the seminary. They would wake up so early in the morning just to hear mass and all they did the whole day was to study-pray-sing-eat-study again-cathechism- eat-sleep… It was like their whole lives are everyday “Sunday school” and that didn’t appeal to me at all. The funny thing is, they brought us there to encourage us to be priests and it turned out otherwise for me! So on to the next dream, I want to be a teacher. Yes, that was more like it but that didn’t linger on for long because I’ve seen how hard it was for teachers to handle a whole class of unruly students. There was never a day when teachers don’t get angry and I wouldn’t want to be in that kind of disposition. I also wanted to be an actor and wanted to be in the television shows and soon in the movies. But the first time I saw a movie that has kissing scene on it, I thought it was embarrasing. There is no way I’m gonna kiss on screen for everyone to see. In fact, the idea of kissing seemed disgusting to me-of course I was a kid back then. I wouldn’t be able to count all the things that I wanted to be but if there’s one thing I always remember, that would be my mom’s dream for me. She’s always wanted me to become an engineer which is really far from any of the ambitions that I wanted. Well at least back then, because there were certain times I wished I was.
The last biggest dream job for me was to become a singer. That started when I began to have interest in music when I was in 6th grade. Of all the aspirations I’ve had, this took the longest time to linger. In fact, I still play with the idea sometimes- even up to this point in my life. Who cares if I’m not a good singer technically in the age where “manufactured talents” would pass as recording artists. I would love to see my picture on CD cover arts, or my name on scrolling marquees and a giant billboard of me outside the coliseum where I will be performing in front of a sold-out crowd. And my songs would be on top of the charts and radio countdowns. Even the idea of signing CDs in a record store thrills me. This is definitely where I wanted to be- on the set filming my latest music video for MTV, in the studio perfecting my craft and on the stage, up in lights bringing out the best of live music amidst thousands and thousands of screaming fans. And for crying out loud.. none of them came to pass. I wanted to be somebody else other than what I am today because I wanted to make a mark. I want to be able to have something that I can call an achievement. Something that’s so not everybody. Forever passed by and I still didn’t see the slightest chance of it happening soon and ever. It’s time to let go of that childish fantasy and get over it for good.
To date, I’m sitting in front of my computer in an office thousands of miles away from home. I ask myself this question: “What have I achieved that I can be truly proud of?” over and over again. I was never an honor student, I’m not any of those who have two or three-letter acronyms along with their names as titles. So what am I, other than the ordinary person I am today? How far have I come from the kid I was with big dreams without materializing any of them? I remember what a friend told me recently. He said that being able to provide for my family is my achievement. Which got me into thinking that he was right. For about a decade now, I have been my family’s source of practical life. I was able to send off my youngest brother to medical school and is now a certified Physical Therapist and is now in New York city trying to make it through. And I remember what I told my mom when I was young. I told her that she won’t get old working and providing for us being a single mom like some of the families I knew. Now she doesn’t have to work like she used to. I would say that working abroad did make a difference at least in our family. I don’t necessarily earn thousands and thousandds of fortune but I earn enough to provide for my family over the years and a little more than enough to be able to get the things what I thought I could never have. There was never a time when we were in dire need and didn’t have any since I got here.
More than anything else, I believe that man’s hopes and goals are nothing but futile endeavors however hard they may have worked for to get to those dreams until God in His Sovereignty allows them to happen. Not many people understand this specially those who don’t have God in their lives and just trust their own abilities. Now as I see it, He didn’t allow me to become any of those because He brought me here. Ironically, this is where I was introduced to Christianity in its true Biblical sense and later on became a believer of Jesus Christ- of all the places, in a very strict country in the middle east and that has made all the difference. I used to envy those who are very successful in their careers and get paid to do what they really want but everytime, I’m always reminded by the Scriptures not to envy them for they have already received their rewards on earth. Come to think of it, if I were living my childhood dreams and became so successful I may not even have any space and time left for God in my life. I would have been too busy with interviews, signing autographs and attending the Grammy’s (now I’m really dreaming big time!). God shut me off with those stupid dreams and that’s why I didn’t make it. Instead, He gave me the better end of the bargain… way, way better for my reward awaits me in the eternal life.
What To Buy or What To Seek?
It’s funny that a”blog” ago, I was so consumed with gadgets that I ‘ve been itching to have. For about a month now I’ve gone through like forever reading reviews, browsing through catalogues about which electronic items stand out among their league from cameras to mobile phones and computers, etc.- I could have written a book. Until last Friday, I was working overtime and in between, I’ve been going back and forth through websites for the same exhaustive quest. I just had to stop when lunchbreak came as I have to rush to our weekly Bible study. The text during that day: Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteouesness and all these things shall be yours as well”. POW! Coincidence? I don’t think so! It struck me head-on, right in the face and for a moment it was like I was wearing neon sign flashing the word “guilty” in front of the brethren.
I could still recall the time when I got my very first mobile phone. Although at that time, it was not the hottest on display. In fact it was a second hand unit sold to me on installment basis by a friend who was upgrading to another model. It was like 4 or 5 models behind what’s in at that time. But even so, I was so happy and proud to have one. Being someone who works on a minimum wage, it’s the best that I can have back then. Back at home, we didn’t have a huge TV, cd player, computer which led me to crave for these things that my friends have. Then it was time to work abroad for the first time. Although I was getting a higher compared to working back in Manila, it was still relatively low compared to the standard rates. So after sometime, I was able to buy a second-hand desktop computer and of course, it made me happy and to add to that happiness, an unlimited internet connection- what else could I want? Working abroad, it was easy to have these things so I thought it was time for an “upgrade”. I need to have a laptop just like everybody else. So on credit I was able to have my very first laptop and I couldn’t be happier. Time went on when my attention was not only into such things. I spent on clothes and other things- most of them were not really “as-needed” things of that nature. It came to a point where the income that was just enough was overwhelmed by spending spree. The only solution I could ever think of is another higher paying job to which God has answered me with a big “YES”. I was employed to a company who pays me at least 3 times as much and I promised myself that I won’t let it get to me. My expenses should remain at a manageable level so that I can save. Yet again, out of my stubborn human nature, I was lured into a higher level of spending spree. I can’t even barely count on the spot how many mobile phones I’ve had, got myself an enormous flatscreen, life insurance (Ok this is rather reasonable), got myself another laptop, had a trip to Italy and bought a car on installment basis- all of which in a span of one year! I couldn’t believe it myself! I’ve come a long way from making both ends meet, to paying for a second hand mobile phone, to sending money back home, to paying for my monthly credit card bills, life insurance and car and still wanting more.
I would still say that this new job I had is a blessing. Although God has given me this job even though He knew I was stubborn, He has a way of reminding me through His Words and has been continually restoring me to what is right. That moment when I came to the Bible study was an immediate wake up call when earlier I was still so into “what to buy” frame of mind. It was clear that I have been laying up for myself “treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal..” as Matthew 6:19 puts it. Instead of seeking for His eternal Kingdom, I’ve been wanting things that are temporary and everything else that won’t matter in the end.
So for now, I have perished the thought of say, getting a BlackBerry while my current mobile phone still serve its humble purpose. I don’t need another laptop upgrade or another titanic LCD TV or a DSLR camera. Until I prioritize the essentials of practical life, that electronics catalogue can gather dust in the shelves for some time.
Tekkie Moment
I was flippin’ through the catalogue of a premier electronics/gadgets store here in the Kingdom and as always, everytime I see those gadgets and other electronic items I am always convinced that I need them or I’d find a need to need those (LOL!). So just for kicks, I’ve listed them in random order. Those that made it to the list are (drumroll…):
Nikon D90
I’ve never considered photography as something that would really get into me until I purchased my modest Lumix point-and-shoot digital camera. My tekkie officemate on the otherhand happens to be an enthusiast and started giving inputs on basic photography and about cameras specification. The more I listened to him, the more I started to like the craft. Ok, so this is a rather 
high-end model as entry level for me however, i thought that if I’m gonna buy something it has to have the most features that I don’t have to buy another upgraded version.
The first thing that will amaze photographers about the D90 is its stunning image quality, which takes its inspiration from Nikon’s flagship DX-format digital SLR, the D300. The D90’s image sensor and 12.3 effective megapixels combine with Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED image processing to deliver outstanding images featuring fine details, smooth tones, rich colors and low noise across a wide ISO sensitivity range. – www.gadgetreview.com
The only thing I am afraid of is that this interest in photography might turn out to be just a fancy afterall. I know myself better so I’ve been thinking about it a lot- as of yet. Or perhaps I should get a lower-end model like that of the D3000. Until I decide I really want to be into photography, getting a DSLR remains in the “things (yet) to buy” list. The bane of having this is that when you’ve spent for the camera, it doesn’t end there. You will have to buy the lens which are actually priced higher than the camera itself. At the same time, I’ll be carrying around a camera that is bulky in itself along with the tripod and other accessories. As a fan of light travellers, I’m not sure if I can handle that.
iTouch Gen-3
The 3rd generation is latest of the iTouch series. I have the 2nd generation and the only difference I’ve seen so far is that the 3rd gen version has bluetooth and voice recorder which is not really a big thing 
for me. iTouch has been a handy companion for me especially during the Italy trip. Instead of the earphones that come with the kit, I had mine paired with a Bose “in-ear headphones” (add this to the list) which made listening pleasure even more pleasurable. As someone who likes music a lot, I guess this would be no.1 if I would itemize the gadgets in this list. You can also install different aps so there’s more than music and videos to this wonder toy. I just couldn’t get enough.
Sony Vaio E-Series
The moment I saw this lappy firsthand in one of the Sony showrooms here, I fell in love with it immediately. Aesthetically, it’s already stunning but the real kick is with its specs, boasting its Intel Core i-520M Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Disk space and LED HD Display. With these specs, what else could go wrong? How else could it be possibly a wrong choice? The only painful truth is that it’s rather costly and Sony Vaio has kept its rep that way. I wish it was more affordable.
HP Pro 3010 Desktop Computer
In as much as technology nowadays is about down-sizing and mobility, I still prefer having a desktop computer to use as something that is intact in its spot in a certain part of the house. It looks nicer on the computer table compared to a laptop where you’ll see all the wires connected all over it. Specs-wise, HP Pro 3010 processes data with Intel Core 2 Quad and has a dedicated 1GB VRAM- imagine its performance. 500GB Hard Disk I guess would be more than enough for me.
Samsung Omnia II 
Since I tried on a Samsung mobile phone, I haven’t changed my brand to date. I’ve switched to about 4 models and currently I have 2 mobile phones all of which are Samsung. Samsung Omnia II’s 3.7″ AMOLED display gives out a bright and truly brilliant picture quality. It’s got 5mega-pixel camera and a common observation among the reviews I’ve read is its highly-responsive to touch feature making it standout among its league. WiFi and bluetooth are inclusive in this 3.5G Smartphone. Its 800 MHz Qualcomm processor promises a good performance with very minimal lag or none at all. I’m planning to upgrade my Samsung Corby Messenger with this one. But with it’s pricey tag, I might opt for a BlackBerry Curve 8900 instead which is rather cheaper than this one.
Blackberry Curve 8900
Say hello to my possibly next mobile phone. I’ve always wanted to have a “berry” and I guess this would be it for me. 
It has lower specs than that of the Omnia II in terms of its camera (3.2MP vs. 8MP) and 512 MHz processor against Omnia II’s 800MHz. But then again who would care if you’re holding a BlackBerry LOL!
One of the perks that added to my interest is the BlackBerry messenger system and the TwitterBerry. With it, you can update your “twits” in class with a signature BlackBerry footer at the bottom of the message as with the email. These functions though are to be set with network provider for additional costs.
These are just some of the things I could think of as must-haves for me in this very “tekkie” moment. At the end of the day, you can have the highest end of the product lines, the most up-to-date gadgets but after sometime they get obsolete especially nowadays when the turn-over gets quicker everytime. And of course, as human beings we never get contented with what we have. It’s fun to be updated with the latest technologies but don’t let it get to you to the point that you set aside what’s more important such as bills, rents, loan payments, your savings for the rainy days and of course in my case particularly, my LO (Love Offering) to the church which by the way, I haven’t given in a while (blushes in shame).
Catching Up
Oh yes! I’m back bigtime! It’s been awhile since I last checked in! I know right, it’s been ages and I have been very busy with a lot of things. So to catch up, I’ll give a brief run-through of what kept me out of touch.
December 2009 – Went on vacation in Manila. Spent the holidays for 3 weeks or so. I thought it was rather short but I gotta get back to work “to pay the rent” as they would say.
January 2010 – Back in the mideast. Still not over the “vacation mood”.
February 2010 – Work started to pressure poor me. Basically working 12 hours a day, 7-days a week, sitting in for somebody else who was on vacation that time. The thing about it is that I pitched in for somebody who was at everyone’s expense.
March 2010 – I turned 32. I don’t celebrate getting old so no bday bash.
April 2010 – Our office moved to a new location and I was one of the assigned to go through the specifics of moving everything and everyone’s stuff from the old to the new building. It was a really tough situation working from early morning to about midnight, moving around the new building and setting up the offices of everyone. Though there were movers who carry boxes and drops them to the specific offices, we’d sometimes help to finish the job faster.
May 2010 – Everything was set up in the new building. Things are in place and everyone’s fine and dandy.
From mid-February till now, I’ve been working during the weekends. Although there’s basically nothing to do in the office during weekends, it’s still different when you wake up when you want to not worrying that you’ll be late for work. The good part though is the happy paycheck I’ve been enjoying since then. oh well, it’s like that!
A Lamp Unto My Feet
Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. (Psa 119:105)
For You are my lamp, O Jehovah. And Jehovah will lighten my darkness. For by You I have run through a troop. By my God I have leaped over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of Jehovah is tried. He is a shield to all those who seek refuge in Him. For who is God, except Jehovah? And who is a rock except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. (2Sa 22:29-33)
Lead Me Lord by Mikey to listen click here
Lead me Lord
Lead me by the hand and help me face the rising sun
Comfort me through all the pain that life may bring
There’s no other hope that I can lean upon
Lead me Lord, lead me all my life
Walk by me
Walk by me across the lonely roads that I may face
Let my arms take your hand show me the way
Show the way to live inside your heart
All my days, all my life
You are my light
You’re the lamp upon my feet
All the time my Lord I need you there
You are my light I cannot live alone
Let me stay by your guiding love
All through my life lead me Lord
Lead me Lord
Eventhough at times I’d rather go alone my way
Help me take the right directions, take Your road
Lead me Lord and never leave my side
All my days, all my life
You are my light
You’re the lamp upon my feet
All the time my Lord I need you there
You are my light I cannot live alone
Let me stay by your guiding love
All through my life lead me Lord
Lead me Lord
The Lost Cause
When I was growing up, I’ve attended a lot of so-called “Christian” denominations- Word for the World, El Shaddai and Metropolitan Christian Church were among the “big” churches I’ve gone to. And that is putting aside the small “born again” groups I have been invited to in our community. I even recall one time when my dear aunt brought me to a Jehovah’s Witness service. Of course I was a very young catholic school boy back then and I didn’t really understand what was going on in all those gatherings. All I know is that anything that has no images or statues of Jesus, Mary and all the saints like what you find inside the Roman Catholic Church are “born again”- anything that has crying, singing and dancing happy songs, collapsing members, lifting and laying of hands and “angry” preachers on the pulpit. To me, Christians can either be Roman Catholics or the Born Agains. As long as I hear “Jesus” being mentioned in a congregation, then that is definitely counted as Christian. Either you sing “Ave Maria” in a solemn manner or “Alive, Alive (forevermore..)”, it doesn’t matter- or so I thought. As far as I can remember, I never really went to those “born again” groups out of my own free will. In all those cases I was forced to come along for common reasons and one of which is being too shy to say no. (Looking back, I see how much of a “push-over” kind of person I was! LOL) At the Metropolitan Christian Church I remember being enticed to go because one of them (a friend of mom’s) told me that there’s gonna be this famous filipino band who will be performing after the service plus there will be lots of celebrities who will be present not on the stage but where the lay people are among the bleachers of the then called “ULTRA” stadium. True enough, there was a concert by this band after the actual service and there were local celebrities among us. Certainly, the (what seemed like endless) hours I had to put up with the feisty loud-mouthed pastor commanding us to do this and that, the testimony of the dramatic lady and the member in front of me who had “seizures” and suddenly collapsed on me were somehow worth it. The biggest “come on-factor” of them all are the promises of blessings “pressed down, shaken together, running over” a famous verse (Luke 6:38) among the El Shaddai members as their head pastor Mike Velarde would often quote conveniently whenever he would preach about giving in the church- an out-of-context use of the verse though. Now that sounds inviting not only to me, I mean who wouldn’t want blessings right? Even my co-roman catholic friends back then would pray to different saints if they want particular blessings. I have one who is a devout RC soul and so are his parents. They are a rich family who wouldn’t miss any special “church” celebration and they probably know which RC saint is celebrated on which day. During lenten season they would visit 7 different out of town churches, do the Stations of the Cross and they never miss the regular Wednesday novena and Sunday masses at Baclaran Church (famous for those who have petitions). He recommended that I do the same so that I could have blessings like them. And by that, he meant money, good things in life, and so many other material things that God can easily bless you with. Looking at his family’s social class, I believed him- they have a nice, huge house in a plush subdivision, few cars, parents’ got high-paying jobs and basically they can easily buy things that I can only buy probably if I don’t eat for 6 months and spend all my salary on that particular thing. So I heeded his advice and tried to be as religious as I can, as with the other born again groups who promised blessings a-plenty on every attendance. They speak so assertively as if blessings can be taken from a vendo-machine left open. Nothing’s changed though – I still didn’t have the blessings I so wanted. Eventhough I was already working abroad, I’m still not blessed as much as the others for I am still earning a relativelty meager salary. “God didn’t hear my petitions” I thought. “Because you did not believe” the pastor would tell me everytime. Sure, like I didn’t want to believe I’m gonna get my blessings? For crying out loud, that’s what I’ve always wanted. Of course I would like to believe if that’s all I have to do to get my blessings! Another pastor even tossed the “ball of blame” on me for not giving “enough” in the offering box that’s why I didn’t get any. I mean come on, I was the one asking for blessings and now he’s telling me to give from my pocket when I can barely make ends meet? Even when I started working in the Middle East in 2002, I still didn’t get enough so probably this is not the blessing I’ve been waiting for I thought to myself. Two years later, I found myself sitting in a small “underground” bible class who probably might have a different version of how to get blessings, I thought in anticipation. Halfway through, we still haven’t discussed blessings but instead they were telling us about how sinful men are and that the wrath of the Holy God is upon us. Should we not repent, it would result to eternal damnation in hell. Back then, I know I’m a sinner and I can never be “holy” to get to heaven. I’m a doomed soul– a very hopeless (and scary) position I have already imposed upon myself. But apparently, there was hope in Jesus Christ Who removed the wrath of God by offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. Wait a minute, I already know Jesus who died and resurrected 3 days after for our sins. I know He is loving and compassionate and loves the sinners as well. All along, I knew a different Jesus- not the one from the Bible but a certain “Jesus” that would cater most to my needs. The one who would answer my prayers if I asked for money or material things yet who wouldn’t mind if I sin against him. When He poured mercy on me, that was the time I realized how much I have missed on the real Jesus of the Holy Bible. I missed the fact that He is the righteous Lord who will come again to judge the living and the dead. I was coming to Him for the wrong reasons and for a lost cause: shallow believism and material blessings. Hearing the Gospel in its fullness, He drew me out of my sinful life and brought me to repentance and faith in Him- this is what matters most. Looking back, I’ve come to realize the blessings which the Lord has so richly blessed me with. My salvation and the promise of His Kingdom is something that no moth or rust can consume or thieves can steal. And through the incessant studying of His Word, I’ve learned to let go of equating God with material blessings (although He can give anything in His will). And I finally got to define the popular verse “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) in its proper context. It’s no wonder why I didn’t mind being stuck for 6 years with the previous company I worked for in exchange for a meager salary (in my league). For I believe the Lord wants to teach me patience and dependence on Him having already blessed me sufficiently where it truly matters. And now that He has blessed me with a way much better-paying job opportunity, I still get carried away sometimes by material things, overwhelmed with what I can now have that I never had before. But He never fails to remind me where my heart should be– treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).
The Italian Interlude Part 6- Viva Venezia!
By noon of the following day, everyone’s all packed up for their flight back to Saudi Arabia . By noon we all checked out of Hotel Mozart; while they were bound to Malpensa airport, I’ll be bound for Rome . I bade goodbye to everyone and soon I was alone again at the hotel lobby figuring out how I could get to Rome . The front desk guy told me that it will be about 8 hours from Milan by road or 4-5 hours by the train at the Milano Centrale. He told me that Rome is a big city and a day or two will not be enough considering the small amount of time I have until I leave Italy in 2 days. After going about the pros and cons I got to conclude that he’s right- setting aside the total travel time, a day and a half in Rome might not really be practical afterall. However, Venice he said is the next best option for it is also a beautiful city only 2 hours away by train. He lent me the hotel’s tourist guide book and after seeing the pictures and going through the information, I was convinced to go there instead. Half an hour later, I was back in Milano Centrale for a two-hour trip to Sta. Lucia, Venezia. I moved around confidently this time for I know the station already and I know where I was going. There were long lines of passengers buying the tickets eventhough there were about 10 or so counters in the ticket area while in the automated bigglieteria there were few. I wanted to try it but I’m not about to let another possible complication (like my credit card getting jammed or pressing the wrong options) to ruin my trip, I decided to try my patience in the ticket area which wasn’t so bad afterall because the turn-over was quicker than I thought. Soon I was inside the neat express train of about 10 coaches or so moving at least 110 kilometers per hour. After going through more stops than I can recall, we finally arrived Venice- Sta. Lucia station on a 30-minute delay.
The first thing that I saw upon stepping out of the station was the water!
There was a wide canal separating the side where I was and the other side and between the gap is a huge bridge. Looking around, I felt like I was in another world- centuries-old structures, water everywhere, no motorized vehicles on solid grounds, bridges big and small, Roman Catholic churches, gondolas, water buses, lovely people- I’m afraid I might describe such an unimaginably beautiful city in an understated fashion. It was like I was in a small town floating in a big body of water in the 16th century. Along the main (brick) road called the Strada Nova are closely-knit shops, restaurants, pharmacies and authentic Venetian handicrafts!
"So this is where the infamous masques came from..."
So this is where the infamous masques came from. Outside these shops were mannequins dressed like they just came from the Phantom of the Opera afterparty. The ambience of what I’ve seen so far is like a creepy old town yet in its own goodness. Creepy because it looks like the place where Jack the Ripper prowls at night in one of those dark narrow alleys or a troll might be lurking beneath the murky water and ready to pounce on you when you’re passing by one of those bridges. In a good way because the peculiarity of the lovely Venice adds to the excitement of being in a totally new dimension. For me, the people here are not as uptight as those in Milan- in most aspects like fashion, attitude, they tend to be the more relaxed breed.
"Creepy because it looks like the place where Jack the Ripper prowls at night in one of those dark narrow alleys..."
There were small 2-star hotels along Strada Nova but none of them has suited my taste as of yet so I decided
Hotel Tintoretto
to walk further. The small streets were crowded with obviously tourists mostly in groups. To my right is a rather wide waterway where people take the waterbuses and water taxis. The mainroad closed in to more narrow walkways after crossing the first bridge. Now there were old buildings congested on bothsides and I couldn’t really decipher which are ones the residentials because it seems to me that everything, everywhere are commercial establishments. I came upon a hotel housed in an old brick structure with a petite tower serving as the main attraction along with the antique well in front. Attached to the hotel is their small small resto with tables outside. Though it has been less than an hour’s walk only, I was rather tired after going up and down three bridges (have to carry my big trolley bag everytime) I decided to check in at this hotel. The name of the small hotel was Hotel Tintoretto. A pretty young Italian lady was manning the front desk as soon as I entered. It was a really small space (from the door to the frontdesk) that only one person can be accomodated each time. Three average sized persons would already crowd the entire space. The (what’s supposed to be) lobby was even smaller than the living room in my 
previous apartment. Anyhow, I still thought the place was lovely, neat and cozy. Comparing it to the amenities of Hotel Mozart, I bet bed and breakfast here is cheaper. But no, they quoted me a 100 Euro per night, single room. Probably because this is Venice , I thought as I was handing out my Mastercard. The lobby doesn’t lead you to where the hotel rooms are, we had to literally go out and enter a glass and steel door next to the lobby entrance. I asked where the elevator was and she politely said that they didn’t have one installed as the building is that of an old-16th century mansion or something- I believed her as I climbed my way two floors up to my room. The wooden stairs and floorings are carpeted and right at the end of the hallway would be my room. It was the only elevated room in that floor and just before you to take 3 steps up to the room, there’d be a room to your left and right like they were guarding mine. The “16th Century” thing that the lady gave me for info added to the spine-chilling ambience and if that were so, what could this room have been centuries ago? A torture chamber? Just a thought though, of course I know it has been refurbished from what it was ages ago. As expected, the room is small but just right for me. The wooden walls, bed and nightstands are coordinations of pastel colors and the bathroom has complete facilites except bathtub (I don’t need it anyway). After having the feel of the room, I just freshened up and went back to the front desk to ask not for some more “16th Century” infos but for tips on getting around the place. She was very nice and helpful that she gave me a map (I still have it). Accordingly Piazza San Marco is very near the hotel about 15 minutes walk, she confidently said. That’s great, I thought as she drew on the map the direction I should go. When I looked at it, my eyes grew big looking at it for the line she drew went from end-to-end of the map. She got what I was hitting at so she softly chuckled and said it looks far from the map but in the actual, it’s really not that far.
"I came across the Rialto Bridge- one of Venice ’s landmark"
The supposed 15-minute walk to San Marco was extended to about an hour brought about by the countless stops at souvenir shops and other attractions. Along the way, there were about 4 Roman Catholic churches within the cramped streets. It would be hard not to get lost without the map as there were sooooo many small streets that are; I don’t know- intertwined, intersecting, intergalactic (oops, ignore the last one!) with each other and bridges and water canals in-between which seemed to me like the whole of Venice is a big geographical plate of spaghetti (Italian of course!). Arrows pointing to the direction of the piazza are everywhere even in shops and restos probably because they got tired of being asked by tourists. It was around 9pm that time and it started to rain (sure I missed the rain back in Saudi Arabia but not here, not now). I found shelter in one of the shops’ canopy and good thing the rain didn’t last long. After fifteen minutes’ worth of downpour, the rain finally calmed down so I went on my way. Although most of the shops started to close, there were still a lot of tourists obviously heading towards the same direction of the piazza. On the way, I came across the Rialto Bridge- one of Venice ’s landmark. It spans the width of a very wide canal and along the banks are mostly restaurants and coffee shops and a hotel. I went up to the Rialto bridge and got a lovely view of the surroundings. The soft lights gave a good contrast against the night scenery and the dark water in my Lumix digital camera.
It was rather getting late so I continued the march to Piazza San Marco. Not long, I am standing in front of Basilica de San Marco probably from which, the square was named after. There were a lot to see in the square but it was already dark specially on the otherside where the gondolas are and there were only few tourists left so I just took pictures of the square and headed back to hotel. I went back the following day and I saw more of the piazza which I haven’t seen last night. The servizio gondole’s are in operation but few took a ride. Perhaps because 80 Euros per person was not appealing to the tourists at all. There were a lot of groups each led by a tourist guide. There were lovers, old folks, children everywhere and of course pigeons all over the piazza. I took pictures of the Basilica de San Marco from the outside and inside as well. Bags were not allowed inside but luckily the guards at the door allowed my plastic bags containing the souvenirs I bought. Duomo was more lenient to photographers unlike here, the “staff” are wary of people taking photos of the basilica’s interior. Of course, they were not able to reprimand
"The entire concaved ceiling is bejeweled with gold..."
everybody on a 1:30 ratio (the latter being the number of tourists) that
Campagnille di San Marco
everyone still took pictures inside. And why not when inside the basilica is as majestic as the Dumo (only this is a much smaller version). The entire concaved ceiling is bejeweled with gold (real or not, I don’t know) mosaic tiles that it was actually sparkling- I was in awe at the sight of it! There were paintings (by I don’t know who) and other stuffs similar to what I found inside Duomo. I was only able to get a few shots when the staff called my attention for a reasons I know already so I placed my camera back in my bag before they confiscate it, if they really do that. Just in front of the basilica is the Campagnille de San Marco- the basilica’s bell tower. For 8 Euros, you get to go to the top so I did. Good thing, there’s an elevator where tourists enter in batches of about 10 each time. On the way to the top, (again) my claustrophobic tendencies signalled a feeling of discomfort to my brains that I was having a hard time breathing in that very cramped space. As the elevator door opened, a blast of cold wind blew inside. It was really cold out there at the top.
A breathtaking view of Venice from the top of the campagnille.
Piazza di San Marco
At the top of the belltower
There were two uber gigantic bells and being there gives you a breathtaking view of Venice . You could actually see from all sides of the campagnille. The one that I liked best is the view at the west where The Great Canal lies- I took a nice shot of this! There’s a coin operated binoculars on all for sides and in the middle just beside the elevator is a vendo type souvenir coin dispenser. I took one for 3 Euros I think (right now I can’t find it- must have placed it in one of my clothes’ pocket).
Basilica di San Marco
I have been there for some time and I was already freezing in the cold that I decided to go down and buy some souvenirs. Since yesterday I have been lingering on the thought of whether to buy a venetian masque or not. But they were too beautiful to leave behind so I bought 2 of them, one of which eventually was given away to a friend. I was looking a “I heart Venezia” shirt but there was none so instead I bought this black number with gold rubberized “Venezia” across the chest, 2 Italian berets (black and brown) and few more keychains. And oh, I also got this small “pinnochio” puppet- must be famous in that place as I see them everywhere in the souvenir shops. On the way back to the hotel I dropped by a Murano glass art shop and got my boss a pair of stained glass cufflinks and a choker for his wife. I finally checked out of the hotel and headed back to the train station for a ride back to Milan . Before the train started its engine, I was able to take a picture of the beautiful sunset and that was the last of the beautiful pictures of Venice not only in my camera’s memory card but also in my mind. It was trully an incomparable experience I will never forget. I woke up as the train went to a halt- I’m back in Milano Centrale. This time, I decided to stay at Hotel Bristol just a block away from the station. Tomorrow noon, I’ll be flying back to Saudi Arabia . It would be bye bye dreamy land and hello back to the real world.
The gondolas of Venice
I could still vividly recapture the moments of my entire trip to Italy to date as I am writing this down at this very moment. It was like I was in places where I could only see in the postcards before. Being there goes beyond admiring a place you’re just viewing in Google Images. Although, travelling could be a taxing and costly endeavor but that’s just a portion of the entire cake. Along with it comes the exhilarating experience that even for once in your life you might want to try- don’t ever forget to bring your camera! The icing on the cake? I would say lots and lots of screensaver!
"I was able to take a picture of the beautiful sunset and that was the last of the beautiful pictures of Venice not only in my camera’s memory card but also in my mind."
Spotlights of Life 