Let’s start listening.
Let’s talk spiritual.
Let’s praise each other;
let’s pray for each other.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Thriving Family
by Bro. Elijah Abanto
Mag-isip ka ng isang pamilya. Magigising ang mga anak, hindi dahil sa tawag ng kanilang ina, o amoy ng masarap na almusal, ngunit dahil sa ingay ng pag-aaway ng kanilang tatay at nanay. Magmamadaling umalis ang tatay; ipapasa naman nung nanay ang kanyang galit sa kanyang mga anak, sa pamamagitan ng bulyaw at masamang tingin. Dahil doon, isa sa mga anak ang sasagot nang pabalang sa kanyang ina.Yung isa pang anak, na mas matanda sa kanya, ay papagalitan siya dahil sa kanyang ugali at manghahamon ng away. Aalis ang mga anak sa eskwela nang mapait at galit. Walang may gusto ng ganoong pamilya. Ngunit madalas ay makikita natin ang ganitong uri ng eksena sa halos bawat pamilya—baka nga maging sa pamilya mo.
“Ano’ng gagawin namin ngayon?” itatanong mo. Huwag kang mag-alala; may pag-asa. Nagbibigay ang Biblia nang malinaw na mga instruksyon para magkaroon ng isang maka-Dios, lumalago, at nagtatagumpay na pamilya. Apat ito. Anu-ano ang mga ito?
James 1:19—Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 4:1—”Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.”
Ang salitang “listen,” noong tingnan ko sa Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ay may apat na ibig-sabihin kung gagamitin ito bilang isang action word. Lahat ay laging may karugtong na pagdinig, tulad ng iyong iniisip marahil. Ang isa ay isang makaluma o archaic na ibig-sabihin: “to give ear to,” paglalaan ng iyong tainga sa isang salita—parang yung ginagawa mo kapag may bumubulong sa iyo. Nagagawa mo na ba ito minsan sa iyong tahanan? Kung ikaw yung ama o ina, nagawa mo na ba ito sa iyong asawa o anak? O kung ikaw ay anak, sa iyong mga magulang? Ang nakakalungkot, ang pakikinig ay isa sa mga malaking “kapanasanan” ng maraming indibidwal kasama mga Kristiano.
Mas madaling tayong magsalita kaysa makinig. Ayon nga sa mga statistics, sa isang grupo na nag-uusap, kailangan lang magsalita ng isang tao ng labindalawang salita para automatic na magsalita ang isa pa. Kahit nagsasalita pa yung isa, awtomatiko, pagkaabot niya ng labindalawang salita, magsasalita na yung iba.
Marami sanang hindi na kinakailangang problema ng pamilya na naresolba kung ang pakikinig lamang ay kasama sa ating pag-uugali.
Ang salitang “hear,” kasama ang lahat ng anyo ng salitang ito, ay nababanggit sa Biblia ng higit sa 810 na beses. Kung paulit-ulit na binabanggit, ibig-sabihin mahalagang-mahalagang ito. Dapat tayong makinig kung magtatagumpay ang isang pamilya.
Heto ang ilang mungkahi na pwede mong gawin kung gusto mong malinang ang pagiging palamakinigin:
· I-break mo ang statistics! Huwag kang sasabay na magsalita sa nagsasalita. Hintayin mo siyang matapos.
· Huwag ka agad mag-react.
· Hayaan mong may makipag-usap sa’yo ngayong lingo at huwag kang magsalita hangga’t hindi niya hinihiling sa iyong magsalita ka.
Ephesians 5:19—Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Philippians 1:27—Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Nasa panahon na tayo kung saan ang “pakikipag-usap nang ispiritwal” ay pinagtatawanan o nililibak. Subukan mong magsabi ng “The Lord be with you” bilang pagbati kung hindi asarin. Pero mukhang hinulaan na ito ng
Ngunit may isang bagay tungkol sa pagsasalita nang ispiritwal na nagpapakalma sa isang tao. May epekto pa nga na parang binabantayan nila ang kanilang aksyon o sinasabi.
Isang magandang halimbawa ng ganitong klase ng pag-uusap ay makikita kina Boaz, kanyang mga manggagawa, Ruth, at Noami. (hal., Ruth 2:4)
Maaari na nating simulan na makipag-usap nang ispiritwal, sundin mo lang ang mga mungkahing ito:
· Panatilihin mo ang salitang “Dios” sa iyong pakikipag-usap nang hindi bababa sa 7 beses isang araw.
· Subukan mong huwag matawa o mang-asar sa taong nagsalita ng ispiritwal. Tanggapin mo ito nang normal at may paggalang.
Let’s submit to one another.
Ephesians 5:21—Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
1 Peter 5:5—Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Isipin mo na lang ang isang anak na lalaki o babae na nagpapasakop na lamang sa mga ipinag-uutos ng kanyang mga maglang. Wala ditong kaso kung anong klaseng magulang, kahit stepfather o stepmother iyan, masama o mabuting magulang—mas maganda kung nagpapasakop na lamang ang anak.
Isipin mo na lamang ang isang asawang babae na handing magpasakop sa kanyang asawa.
At isipin mo rin ang isang lalaki na binibigyang-konsiderasyon ang mga mungkahi ng kanyang asawa at anak at nagpapasakop rito kung ito naman ay tama.
Ang laki ng kaibahan, tama?
Maraming mga maliliit na bagay ang nagiging “iceberg” dahil sa kakulangan sa pagpapasakop. Ngunit marami din namang mga “icebergs” ang nawawala kapag may submission.
Paano mo lilinangin ang ganitong klase ng attitude? Try these two steps:
· Ikaw na ang magtanong, “Mayroon po kayong ipapagawa?” “May kailangan ka ba?” “Ano sa tingin mo?” Mas madali na magpasakop kapag ikaw na ang nauunang mag-alok.
· Planuhing sabihing “Oo,” kapag may nag-utos sa’yo, o nagbigay ng suwestiyon—basta alam mo namang tama at hindi naman nakakasama.
Philippians 2:3—Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
1 Timothy 2:8—I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
James 5:16—Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Patawarin niyo ako sa pagiging negatibo ko, ngunit, sa totoo lang, sa bawat panahon na ako ay napapadaan sa mga tahanan, kahit na sa mga Kristiano, bihira akong makarinig mula sa magulang ng mga positibong bagay tungkol sa kanilang mga anak. (Aminin!) Sa bawat mabuting ginawa, mayroon naman tayong itutumbas na sandaang masamang bagay tungkol sa tao. Sa mga anak, tuwing Mother’s Day o Father’s Day lang yata nakakapagsalita nang positibo! (Siguro pag may Children’s Day na rin ay magkaroon ng positibong masasabi ang mga magulang sa anak!) Madalas din sa pagitan ng mag-asawa ang ganitong klase ng eksena—pintasan, simangutan.
Ngunit alam mo, at alam ko, na mas nakakatulong ang mga positibong salita kaysa negatibo. Kahit kailan ay ganun na iyon. Mas mahirap tanggapin ang negatibo. Hindi naman dapat mawala ang negatibo, lalo na kung totoo at karapat-dapat namang banggitin; ngunit lalong hindi dapat kung walang positibo.
Ang resulta tuloy ay mga mabababa, imbes na naitataas, na ispiritu. Galit, at hindi kabaitan ang karaniwang resulta ng puro na lang pintas. Bakit hindi purihin ang mga nagawang tama ng isa’t isa? Kung may mali, ipanalangin natin nang taimtim sa Dios; kung kailangang kastiguhin, gawin mo, ngunit hindi dapat nawawala ang pagpansin ng tama.
Ilang mga suwestiyon:
· Purihin agad-agad ang nagawang tama at huwag nang ipagpaliban pa. Mas madali itong gawin nang “on-the-spot” kaysa maghintay ka pa ng “tamang” panahon. Hindi na iyon darating.
· Ipag-pray siya kung may nagawa siyang mali.
Mag-isip ka uli ng isang pamilya. Gigising ang mga anak—dahil mayroon silang morning devotions. Babati ang mga anak, “Magandang umaga po.” Pagkatapos ay mananalangin sila. Nakahanda ang masarap na almusal. Mukhang masaya si Ama. Maaliwalas ang mukha ni Ina. Ang lalaki, bago umalis, ay magtatanim ng halik ng pagmamahal sa kanyang asawasa kanyang asawa, na nagsasabing, “Gabayan ka ng Panginoon sa ating mga anak.” “Pagpalain ka ng Dios,” sasagot ang asawa nang pagkatamis-tamis. Ang mga anak? Nakangiti, halos-mangiyak-ngiyak na sa ligaya, at nagsasabing, “Ba-bye.” At mula doon ay magpapasalamat sila sa Dios para sa araw na iyon at sa mga magulang habang papunta sa school.
Ang lahat ay nagnanais ng ganoong klase ng pamilya. Pero, huwag kang mag-alala; hindi lang ito posible sa fairy tale—pwede rin itong mangyari sa totoong buhay. Sa tulong ng Dios, pagbubulay-bulay ng Kanyang Salita, at patuloy na pananalangin sa Kanya, ang pamilya mo’y magiging maka-Dios, lalago, at magtatagumpay.
Nagsisimula iyon—sa’yo. bdj
Friday, June 18, 2010
Dads, Front and Center
by Charles R. Swindoll
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Ang unang dalawang iglesiyang naitatag sa Europa at nasa Filipos at Tesalonika. Nang maglakbay si Pablo papuntang Tesalonika, nakita niya ang potensyal ng lungsod na iyon at nagnais na manatili roon, kahit na siya’y hinahabol at inuusig ng mga hindi mananampalataya (tingnan ang 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2). Sa loob ng anim na linggo ay ibinuhos ni Pablo ang kanyang sarili sa mga mananampalataya rito, nagtatrabaho nang umaga’t gabi upang patibayin ang mga ito sa bago nitong pananampalataya. Bagaman hindi na makakabalik si Pablo para sa isa pang malalim na pagbisita, ay nahuli ng mga mananampalataya ng Tesalonika ang kanyang puso. Kaya noong marinig niya ang tungkol sa mga hampas ng pag-uusig na nagbabantang lunurin ang pananampalataya ng mga ito, ay hinagisan niya ang mga ito ng dalawang “life preservers.”
Pinadala niya si Timoteo sa kanila. Dahil hindi kaya ni Pablo na pumunta roon sa kanyang sarili, ay pinadala niya ang kanyang kaibigan si Timoteo dala ang mga salita ng pag-asa at pampalakas ng loob (3:2).
Nagpadala siya ng isang sulat. Nang bumalik si Timoteo kasama ang isang masamang balita, ay sumulat si Pablo ng isang masidhing sulat ng pagtatagubilin. At ang bumubuhos sa pamamagitan ng kanyang panulat ay isang bukal ng pag-ibig mula sa puso ng isang ama.
“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: … and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.” (2:7, 11b)
Bilang isang ina, bilang isang ama—ang mga salitang ito ay hindi mo makikita sa iba pang mga sinulat ni Pablo. At sa konteksto ng mala-amang puso ni Pablo tayo kukuha ng ilang mga prinsipyo ng pagmamagulang.
FIVE GUIDELINES FOR GOOD DADS
Ang mga talatang 8-12 ng kabanata 2 ay nagpipinta ng isang inspiradong larawan ng isang ama kasama ang kanyang mga anak, isang larawan na karapat-dapat na gayahin.
Ipinapakita sa ilang mga pag-aaral na ang pagiging mahilig sa sex sa isang babae ay madalas na nag-uugat sa kakulangan ng pagkagiliw ng isang ama sa kanyang pagkabata at kabataan (Dan Benson, The Total Man, [Tyndale House Publishers], p. 178). Mga ama, ipakita ang iyong pagmamahal—ngayon, bago pa ito hanapin ng iyong anak sa ibang lugar.
Isang bukas na pagkatao. Ang talatang 8 ay nagpapatuloy na ilarawan ang ikalawang gabay: isang bukas na pagkatao.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Hindi ba mahalaga ang ebanghelyo? Siyempre mahalaga! At hindi ba ito sapat? Siyempre hindi! Kinakailangan na marinig ng iyong mga anak ang ebanghelyo para makilala din nila ang Tagapagligtas na iyong iniibig; at lalong mas maganda kung ang Mabuting Balita ay nagmumula mismo sa iyong mga bibig. Ngunit higit pa roon. Kailangan nila ng pagtuturo tungkol sa buhay, at kailangan nila ng isang ama na hinahayaan silang makita siyang ipinapamuhay ito, mga pagkakamali at lahat. Kailangan nilang makita kung paano mo hawakan ang iyong pera, kung paano ka gumagawa ng mga desisyon, kung ano ang iyong mga pinapahalagahan, at kung ano ang nagpapatawa sa iyo. Kailangan nilang marinig mula sa’yo na inaamin mo kung ikaw ay mali at makita ka na tumatayo para sa iyong pananampalataya. Kailangan nilang makilala ka “from the inside out”—at maramdaman ang iyong interes at paniniwala sa kanila. Ang salitang “impart” ay nangangahulugang “pagpapakita, pagbabahagi, pagbibigay nang buo” sa mga anak na alam nang walang pag-aalinlangan na sila’y mahal sa iyo.
Isang hindi maramot na pagsusumikap. Sa talatang 9, si Pablo ay gumuguhit ng isang larawan ng matinding paggawa, ng isang ama na inilalagay ang kanyang sarili sa gawaing nasa kamay.
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Ito ay isang detalyadong larawan ng pinansyal na responsibilidad at pagtitiis sa ilalim ng mga pangangailangan. O anong halimbawa na dapat makita ng iyong mga anak! Hindi nila kailangan ng mga materyal na mga bagay kapalit ng iyong panahon. Hindi nila kailangan na makita ang bunga ang pagpapagal ng kanilang ama imbes na kanilang ama mismo. Ngunit kailangan din nilang makita na ang kanilang ama ay nagtatrabaho talaga ng walong oras para sa walong oras na sweldo; kailangan din nila ng mga oportunidad na kumita sa kanilang paraan.
Pagiging totoo sa ispiritwal na aspeto. Ginamit ni Pablo ang mga talata 9b-10 na binibigyang diin ang dalawang mahalagang aspeto ng ispiritwal na responsibilidad ng isang ama: pananampalataya at pag-uugali.
We preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
Napakaraming mga ama ay hinahayaan na ang ispiritwal na aspeto ng pagpapalaki ng anak sa ina—kung tinuturo man si Kristo, ay kadalasang galing iyon sa ina. Ngunit ipinapakita rito ni Pablo na ang mga ama ay dapat rin na ituro si Kristo … at pagkatapos ay kanilang mga buhay sa paraan na ito’y sinusuportahan.
Isang positibong impluwensya. Ang huling pagguhit sa pagpinta ni Pablo ng pagmamagulang ay isang positibong impluwensya.
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (vv.11-12)
Si Dan Benson, sa kanyang aklat na The Total Man, ay sinasabi ang mga resulta isang nakakabahalang pag-aaral: sa bawat isang positibong pangungusap na sinasabi sa isang ordinaryong tahanan, ay may sampung negatibong pangungusap. Napakahirap na maging positibo habang ang iyong mga anak ay lumalaki. Ngunit ang mga anak na puno ang mga tainga ng mga salitang “Hindi” at “Huwag” at “Itigil mo yan!” ay natututong huwag magtiwala sa kanilang mga kilos at gawi. Ang mga anak na naririnig ang “Ang galing!” at “Kaya mo yan!” na kasindalas ng “Hindi magandang ideya iyan” ay haharap sa mga bagong hamon nang may tiwala sa sarili at tuklasin ang kanilang potensyal nang walang takot. bdj
Ang article na ito ay isinalin ni Bro. Elijah Abanto mula sa ingles na article na “Dads, Front and Center,” ng aklat na Growing Wise in Family Life, ni Charles R. Swindoll, published by Insight for Living and Multnomah Press, pp. 16-19.
Sa libro ni Charlie Shedd, Promises to Peter, ay sinasabi niya kung paanong ang pamagat ng kanyang mensahe sa pagmamagulang ay nagbago nang maranasan niya ang pagiging ama. Noong mga unang taon ng kanyang pangangaral, bago siya maging ama, tinawag niya itong, “Paano Palalakihin ang Iyong Mga Anak.” Maraming mga magulang ang dumayo para mapakinggan ito. Nang magkaroon ng isang anak si Charlie, may kaunting panahon bago niya ibinigay ang mensaheng iyon uli. Nang ginawa niya, may bago na itong pamagat: “Ilang Mga Suwestiyon sa Mga Magulang.” Nadagdagan pa ng dalawa ang kanyang mga anak at ilang taon pagkatapos, tinatawag na niya itong “Mahihinang Paalala sa Mahihinang Magulang.” Ilang taon pa ang lumipas at ilang anak pa, bihira na niyang ibigay ang mensaheng iyon. Ngunit kapag ginawa niya, ang pamagat na ay “Mayroon ba ritong may kaunting mga salita ng karunungan?”
Mahirap maging isang ama. Halos imposible na maabot ang ating mga sariling mga pamantayan, bukod pa ang pamantayan ng Diyos. At ang pinakamahirap sa lahat ay, sa loob-loob natin, alam nating nag-iiwan tayo ng isang hindi mabuburang marka sa buhay ng ating mga anak. Mula sa simple at praktikal na ama hanggang sa komplikado at maraming ideya na ama; mapatigasin at agresibo o mahina at pasibo; siya man ay lulong sa trabaho o lulong sa alak—walang ama na hindi alam na ang kanyang mga “fingerprint” ay nasa kanyang mga anak habang sila’y kanyang hinuhugis patungo sa katandaan.
Paano ito magagawa ng mga ama nang maingat at may karunungan? Sa araling ito ay kukuha tayo ng kaunting tips sa pagmamagulang mula kay apostol Pablo. Hindi natin alam kung si Pablo ay naging ama nang literal. Ngunit sa kanyang sulat sa mga taga-Tesalonika ay makikita natin ang ilang katangiang pang-ama na dapat tularan.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Ang unang dalawang iglesiyang naitatag sa Europa at nasa Filipos at Tesalonika. Nang maglakbay si Pablo papuntang Tesalonika, nakita niya ang potensyal ng lungsod na iyon at nagnais na manatili roon, kahit na siya’y hinahabol at inuusig ng mga hindi mananampalataya (tingnan ang 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2). Sa loob ng anim na linggo ay ibinuhos ni Pablo ang kanyang sarili sa mga mananampalataya rito, nagtatrabaho nang umaga’t gabi upang patibayin ang mga ito sa bago nitong pananampalataya. Bagaman hindi na makakabalik si Pablo para sa isa pang malalim na pagbisita, ay nahuli ng mga mananampalataya ng Tesalonika ang kanyang puso. Kaya noong marinig niya ang tungkol sa mga hampas ng pag-uusig na nagbabantang lunurin ang pananampalataya ng mga ito, ay hinagisan niya ang mga ito ng dalawang “life preservers.”
Pinadala niya si Timoteo sa kanila. Dahil hindi kaya ni Pablo na pumunta roon sa kanyang sarili, ay pinadala niya ang kanyang kaibigan si Timoteo dala ang mga salita ng pag-asa at pampalakas ng loob (3:2).
Nagpadala siya ng isang sulat. Nang bumalik si Timoteo kasama ang isang masamang balita, ay sumulat si Pablo ng isang masidhing sulat ng pagtatagubilin. At ang bumubuhos sa pamamagitan ng kanyang panulat ay isang bukal ng pag-ibig mula sa puso ng isang ama.
“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: … and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.” (2:7, 11b)
Bilang isang ina, bilang isang ama—ang mga salitang ito ay hindi mo makikita sa iba pang mga sinulat ni Pablo. At sa konteksto ng mala-amang puso ni Pablo tayo kukuha ng ilang mga prinsipyo ng pagmamagulang.
FIVE GUIDELINES FOR GOOD DADS
Ang mga talatang 8-12 ng kabanata 2 ay nagpipinta ng isang inspiradong larawan ng isang ama kasama ang kanyang mga anak, isang larawan na karapat-dapat na gayahin.
Magiliw na nasasabik. Ang unang katangian na inilalarawan ni Pablo ay pagkagiliw: “So being affectionately desirous of you” (v. 8a). Mayroon naman sa dulo ng kanyang mga daliri na anim na terminong Griego na pwede niyang magamit sa pagsusulat nito ngunit, pinili niya ang terminong isang beses lamang makikita sa buong Bagong Tipan—isang terminong nangangahulugan “na maramdaman ang sarili na malapit sa isang bagay o tao.” ito’y isang termino ng pagmamahal … isang termino na parehong mariin at malambot, ang larawan ng isang amang maingat na dinuduyan ang kanyang maliit na anak. Ngunit gaano natin kadalas talagang naipapakita ang ganitong klase ng “magiliw na pagkasabik”? Napakadaling yumakap at humalik ng isang sanggol, kahit na isang bata. Ngunit habang lumalaki ang isang bata, ang pisikal na pagkagiliw ay madalas na napapalitan ng pisikal na paglayo. Sa kanyang aklat na The Effective Father, ay nagsama si Gordon MacDonald ng isang kabanata na may pamagat na “Please Show Me That You Care.” Doon ay isinulat niya:
Ang pisikal na ekspresyon ng ating pagkatuwa ay may malaking kahalagahan. Ating pinapatibay kung ano ang isang tao, at ating pinapahalagahan kung ano ang ginagawa niya. Ngunit ang katiyakan na ito ay dapat na maibigay nang higit sa mga salita. Pagkagiliw, ang paraan ng pagpapahayag ng pagiging malapit na hindi gumagamit nang salita, paghawak at pagpisil ay isa sa mga pinakamahalagang karanasan na ibinabahagi natin sa isa’t isa.
Ipinapakita sa ilang mga pag-aaral na ang pagiging mahilig sa sex sa isang babae ay madalas na nag-uugat sa kakulangan ng pagkagiliw ng isang ama sa kanyang pagkabata at kabataan (Dan Benson, The Total Man, [Tyndale House Publishers], p. 178). Mga ama, ipakita ang iyong pagmamahal—ngayon, bago pa ito hanapin ng iyong anak sa ibang lugar.
Isang bukas na pagkatao. Ang talatang 8 ay nagpapatuloy na ilarawan ang ikalawang gabay: isang bukas na pagkatao.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Hindi ba mahalaga ang ebanghelyo? Siyempre mahalaga! At hindi ba ito sapat? Siyempre hindi! Kinakailangan na marinig ng iyong mga anak ang ebanghelyo para makilala din nila ang Tagapagligtas na iyong iniibig; at lalong mas maganda kung ang Mabuting Balita ay nagmumula mismo sa iyong mga bibig. Ngunit higit pa roon. Kailangan nila ng pagtuturo tungkol sa buhay, at kailangan nila ng isang ama na hinahayaan silang makita siyang ipinapamuhay ito, mga pagkakamali at lahat. Kailangan nilang makita kung paano mo hawakan ang iyong pera, kung paano ka gumagawa ng mga desisyon, kung ano ang iyong mga pinapahalagahan, at kung ano ang nagpapatawa sa iyo. Kailangan nilang marinig mula sa’yo na inaamin mo kung ikaw ay mali at makita ka na tumatayo para sa iyong pananampalataya. Kailangan nilang makilala ka “from the inside out”—at maramdaman ang iyong interes at paniniwala sa kanila. Ang salitang “impart” ay nangangahulugang “pagpapakita, pagbabahagi, pagbibigay nang buo” sa mga anak na alam nang walang pag-aalinlangan na sila’y mahal sa iyo.
Isang hindi maramot na pagsusumikap. Sa talatang 9, si Pablo ay gumuguhit ng isang larawan ng matinding paggawa, ng isang ama na inilalagay ang kanyang sarili sa gawaing nasa kamay.
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Ito ay isang detalyadong larawan ng pinansyal na responsibilidad at pagtitiis sa ilalim ng mga pangangailangan. O anong halimbawa na dapat makita ng iyong mga anak! Hindi nila kailangan ng mga materyal na mga bagay kapalit ng iyong panahon. Hindi nila kailangan na makita ang bunga ang pagpapagal ng kanilang ama imbes na kanilang ama mismo. Ngunit kailangan din nilang makita na ang kanilang ama ay nagtatrabaho talaga ng walong oras para sa walong oras na sweldo; kailangan din nila ng mga oportunidad na kumita sa kanilang paraan.
Pagiging totoo sa ispiritwal na aspeto. Ginamit ni Pablo ang mga talata 9b-10 na binibigyang diin ang dalawang mahalagang aspeto ng ispiritwal na responsibilidad ng isang ama: pananampalataya at pag-uugali.
We preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
Napakaraming mga ama ay hinahayaan na ang ispiritwal na aspeto ng pagpapalaki ng anak sa ina—kung tinuturo man si Kristo, ay kadalasang galing iyon sa ina. Ngunit ipinapakita rito ni Pablo na ang mga ama ay dapat rin na ituro si Kristo … at pagkatapos ay kanilang mga buhay sa paraan na ito’y sinusuportahan.
Isang positibong impluwensya. Ang huling pagguhit sa pagpinta ni Pablo ng pagmamagulang ay isang positibong impluwensya.
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (vv.11-12)
Si Dan Benson, sa kanyang aklat na The Total Man, ay sinasabi ang mga resulta isang nakakabahalang pag-aaral: sa bawat isang positibong pangungusap na sinasabi sa isang ordinaryong tahanan, ay may sampung negatibong pangungusap. Napakahirap na maging positibo habang ang iyong mga anak ay lumalaki. Ngunit ang mga anak na puno ang mga tainga ng mga salitang “Hindi” at “Huwag” at “Itigil mo yan!” ay natututong huwag magtiwala sa kanilang mga kilos at gawi. Ang mga anak na naririnig ang “Ang galing!” at “Kaya mo yan!” na kasindalas ng “Hindi magandang ideya iyan” ay haharap sa mga bagong hamon nang may tiwala sa sarili at tuklasin ang kanilang potensyal nang walang takot. bdj
Ang article na ito ay isinalin ni Bro. Elijah Abanto mula sa ingles na article na “Dads, Front and Center,” ng aklat na Growing Wise in Family Life, ni Charles R. Swindoll, published by Insight for Living and Multnomah Press, pp. 16-19.
A Mother's Greatest Gift
by Charles F. Stanley
Bilang mga magulang, nais natin na ang ating mga anak na maglaan ng oras kasama natin, makipag-usap sa atin, at manatiling malapit sa atin nang habang buhay. At mas mahalaga, nais natin silang gustuhin din ang kaparehong bagay. Ngunit kung hindi natin sila iibigin nang walang pasubali o kondisyon ngayon, malamang ay hindi nila gugustuhin na maging malapit sa atin sa darating na panahon.
“Ngunit hindi ba ako ang responsible para tulungan silang malinang tungo sa kanyang pinakamataas na potensyal?” maaari mong itanong. “Wala bang mga pagkakataon na kailangan kong itulak pa sila nang kaunti?”
Tumpak! Sa totoo lang, ang pagmo-motivate sa ating mga anak patungo sa kagalingan at pag-unlad ay bahagi ng pagpapakita ng walang-pasubaling pagmamahal at pagtanggap sa kanila. Kapag hinahayaan natin ang ating mga anak na basta na lamang makasabay sa buhay ay isang anyo ng hindi-direktang pagtanggi.
Kung nais mong ma-motivate ang iyong mga anak nang hindi nagpapakita ng kahit anong ugali ng pagtanggap na may kondisyon, dalawang mga bagay ang dapat na maging totoo:
Una, ang lahat ng iyong pagtulak at pagtatagubilin ay dapat na unahan ng pagpapakita ng walang-kondisyong pagmamahal sa kanila. Nararapat na magkaroon ng mga alaala ng kanilang pagiging karapat-dapat sa iyong mga mata. Sa mga alaala, ang ibig kong sabihin ay mga naunang pangyayari o pakikipag-usap na malinaw na nagpakita ng iyong pagmamahal.
Ang mga alaala ay nakakatulong dahil nagbibigay ang mga ito sa iyong mga anak ng mga bagay na maaalala para mapaalalahanan kapag tinutulak mo silang gumawa. Minsan ang iyong mga inaasahan ay magiging napakataas, at sila’y mabibigo. Kapag walang mga paalaala ng iyong walang-pasubaling pagtanggap, maaaring katakutan ng mga anak ang iyong pagkadismaya at pagtanggi.
Ang mga alaala ay maaaring maisagawa sa anyo ng isang regalo o kahit na pagbibigay ng ilang mga pribilehiyo. Sa pagbibigay ng regalo, idiin na iyon ay hindi konektado sa anumang partikular na okasyon o aksyon sa kanilang bahagi; binibigyan mo sila dahil mahal mo sila.
Pangalawa, upang maayos mong ma-motivate ang iyong anak, dapat mo siyang sukatin sa pamamagitan ng kanyang kakayahan, hindi sa kakayahan ng iba. Ang pagkukumpara ng nagagawa ng isang anak sa nagagawa ng iba pagdaka ay nakasisira ng tamang pagtingin sa sarili, pagpapahayag ng indibidwalidad, at pagiging malikhain.
Ang tunay na susi rito ay ang tingnan ang bawat isa sa iyong mga anak bilang isang indibidwal na unique, o walang katulad. Ang bawat bata ay pinagkalooban sa isang partikular na paraan. Ang iyong layunin bilang isang magulang ay ang makita ang kalakasang ito at idiin ito habang ang iyong anak na lalaki o babae ay lumalaki, sapagka’t sa lugar ng talento ng iyong anak ay nakahimlay ang pinakamalaking potensyal para sa kagalingan. Sa pamamagitan ng paglilinang ng mga kalakasang ito, ikaw ay makakagawa din ng mga dakilang bagay para sa tamang pagtingin ng iyong mga anak sa kanilang sarili.
Nung ako’y lumalaki, hindi ako naging mahusay sa high school. Naging okay naman ang lahat, pero hindi ako nagkaroon ng magandang simula. Bilang resulta, hindi ko sinabi sa aking mga anak na inaasahan ko silang makakuha ng mga A o B habang sila’y nasa eskwela. Hindi ko sinabi sa kanila na kailangan nilang makasali sa baseball team o maging pinaka-popular. Imbes, ang aking tanong ay, “Ginawa mo ba ang the best mo?” Isang magandang paraan upang malaman kung nakakaramdam ang iyong mga anak nang walang-pasubaling pagtanggap o hindi ay sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagtatanong sa kanila, “Ano sa tingin mo ang kailangan mong gawin para maipagmalaki ka ni Nanay at Tatay?”
Limiin ang sagot nang maingat. Ito ba ay may kaugnayan sa ginawa? Nararamdaman ba nila na kailangan muna nilang gawing ang lahat ng mga Gawain arawaraw o maging estudyante na puro A? Pakiramdam ba nila na sila’y obligado na makasali sa isang grupo, o makagawa ng isang gawain upang makuha nila ang iyong pagtanggap? Marahil ang sagot ay mas may-kaugnayan sa karakter. Naniniwala ba ang iyong mga anak na ang paggawa ng kanilang pinakamagaling sa bawat gawain na mayroon sila ay ang siyang magpapasaya sa’yo? Alam ba nila na maipagmamalaki mo sila sa pagsunod sa Diyos, anuman ang kapalit?
Ang kanilang sagot ay magbibigay sa’yo ng kaalaman sa kung ano talaga ang iyong naiparating, anuman ang iyong nasabi. Ang naitatag mong sistema ng pagpapahalaga ang magsisilbing basehan kung saan matatanggap nila ang kanilang mga sarili at ibang tao.
Ang pagsasabi sa iyong mga anak na tinatanggap mo sila nang walang kondisyon ay hindi sapat. Sumulat ang apostol Juan, “Mga maliliit kong mga anak, huwag tayong umibig sa salita o dila lamang, ngunit sa gawa at sa katotohanan” (1 John 3:18). Ang walang-kondisyon na pagmamahal at pagtanggap ay naipaparating nang mas malinaw sa pamamagitan ng ating ginagawa at kung paano natin ito gawin kaysa sa kung anong
sinasabi lamang natin.
Ang ating mga anak ay dapat na magkaroon ng mga nakatabing mga alaala upangmapanatili ang kanilang paniniwala na tunay natin silang minamahal, anuman ang mangyari. Ang ganitong klase ng pag-ibig ay sinasabi sa ating mga anak na tinatanggap natin sila sa kung sino sila—anuman ang kanilang nagagawa. O anong klase ng seguri-dad at pagtanggap ang naibibigay nito sa kanila!
Pinapalakas mo ba ang loob ng iyong mga anak upang magtagumpay? Hindi mo kailangang magtulak ng mga ekspekstasyon sa kanila. Kung ating ide-derekta ang kanil-ang tuon sa Panginoon, ay gugustuhin nilang maging masunurin at gawin ang kanilang pinakamagaling para sa Kanya.
Huwag mong baliwalain ang impluwensya na mayroon ka sa buhay ng iyong mga anak. Tandaan, ang paraan kung paano ka kumilos sa harap nila ngayon ay nakaka-impluwensya nang malaki sa paraan kung paano sila tutugon sa’yo bukas. bdj
Ang artikulong ito ay ibinase sa aklat ni Dr. Charles R. Stanley na, “How to Keep Your Kids on Your Team” (1986) at nakuha sa www.intouch.org, May 13, 2010. Isinalin sa Tagalog ni Elijah Abanto.
Bilang mga magulang, nais natin na ang ating mga anak na maglaan ng oras kasama natin, makipag-usap sa atin, at manatiling malapit sa atin nang habang buhay. At mas mahalaga, nais natin silang gustuhin din ang kaparehong bagay. Ngunit kung hindi natin sila iibigin nang walang pasubali o kondisyon ngayon, malamang ay hindi nila gugustuhin na maging malapit sa atin sa darating na panahon.
“Ngunit hindi ba ako ang responsible para tulungan silang malinang tungo sa kanyang pinakamataas na potensyal?” maaari mong itanong. “Wala bang mga pagkakataon na kailangan kong itulak pa sila nang kaunti?”
Tumpak! Sa totoo lang, ang pagmo-motivate sa ating mga anak patungo sa kagalingan at pag-unlad ay bahagi ng pagpapakita ng walang-pasubaling pagmamahal at pagtanggap sa kanila. Kapag hinahayaan natin ang ating mga anak na basta na lamang makasabay sa buhay ay isang anyo ng hindi-direktang pagtanggi.
Kung nais mong ma-motivate ang iyong mga anak nang hindi nagpapakita ng kahit anong ugali ng pagtanggap na may kondisyon, dalawang mga bagay ang dapat na maging totoo:
Una, ang lahat ng iyong pagtulak at pagtatagubilin ay dapat na unahan ng pagpapakita ng walang-kondisyong pagmamahal sa kanila. Nararapat na magkaroon ng mga alaala ng kanilang pagiging karapat-dapat sa iyong mga mata. Sa mga alaala, ang ibig kong sabihin ay mga naunang pangyayari o pakikipag-usap na malinaw na nagpakita ng iyong pagmamahal.
Ang mga alaala ay nakakatulong dahil nagbibigay ang mga ito sa iyong mga anak ng mga bagay na maaalala para mapaalalahanan kapag tinutulak mo silang gumawa. Minsan ang iyong mga inaasahan ay magiging napakataas, at sila’y mabibigo. Kapag walang mga paalaala ng iyong walang-pasubaling pagtanggap, maaaring katakutan ng mga anak ang iyong pagkadismaya at pagtanggi.
Ang mga alaala ay maaaring maisagawa sa anyo ng isang regalo o kahit na pagbibigay ng ilang mga pribilehiyo. Sa pagbibigay ng regalo, idiin na iyon ay hindi konektado sa anumang partikular na okasyon o aksyon sa kanilang bahagi; binibigyan mo sila dahil mahal mo sila.
Pangalawa, upang maayos mong ma-motivate ang iyong anak, dapat mo siyang sukatin sa pamamagitan ng kanyang kakayahan, hindi sa kakayahan ng iba. Ang pagkukumpara ng nagagawa ng isang anak sa nagagawa ng iba pagdaka ay nakasisira ng tamang pagtingin sa sarili, pagpapahayag ng indibidwalidad, at pagiging malikhain.
Ang tunay na susi rito ay ang tingnan ang bawat isa sa iyong mga anak bilang isang indibidwal na unique, o walang katulad. Ang bawat bata ay pinagkalooban sa isang partikular na paraan. Ang iyong layunin bilang isang magulang ay ang makita ang kalakasang ito at idiin ito habang ang iyong anak na lalaki o babae ay lumalaki, sapagka’t sa lugar ng talento ng iyong anak ay nakahimlay ang pinakamalaking potensyal para sa kagalingan. Sa pamamagitan ng paglilinang ng mga kalakasang ito, ikaw ay makakagawa din ng mga dakilang bagay para sa tamang pagtingin ng iyong mga anak sa kanilang sarili.
Nung ako’y lumalaki, hindi ako naging mahusay sa high school. Naging okay naman ang lahat, pero hindi ako nagkaroon ng magandang simula. Bilang resulta, hindi ko sinabi sa aking mga anak na inaasahan ko silang makakuha ng mga A o B habang sila’y nasa eskwela. Hindi ko sinabi sa kanila na kailangan nilang makasali sa baseball team o maging pinaka-popular. Imbes, ang aking tanong ay, “Ginawa mo ba ang the best mo?” Isang magandang paraan upang malaman kung nakakaramdam ang iyong mga anak nang walang-pasubaling pagtanggap o hindi ay sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagtatanong sa kanila, “Ano sa tingin mo ang kailangan mong gawin para maipagmalaki ka ni Nanay at Tatay?”
Limiin ang sagot nang maingat. Ito ba ay may kaugnayan sa ginawa? Nararamdaman ba nila na kailangan muna nilang gawing ang lahat ng mga Gawain arawaraw o maging estudyante na puro A? Pakiramdam ba nila na sila’y obligado na makasali sa isang grupo, o makagawa ng isang gawain upang makuha nila ang iyong pagtanggap? Marahil ang sagot ay mas may-kaugnayan sa karakter. Naniniwala ba ang iyong mga anak na ang paggawa ng kanilang pinakamagaling sa bawat gawain na mayroon sila ay ang siyang magpapasaya sa’yo? Alam ba nila na maipagmamalaki mo sila sa pagsunod sa Diyos, anuman ang kapalit?
Ang kanilang sagot ay magbibigay sa’yo ng kaalaman sa kung ano talaga ang iyong naiparating, anuman ang iyong nasabi. Ang naitatag mong sistema ng pagpapahalaga ang magsisilbing basehan kung saan matatanggap nila ang kanilang mga sarili at ibang tao.
Ang pagsasabi sa iyong mga anak na tinatanggap mo sila nang walang kondisyon ay hindi sapat. Sumulat ang apostol Juan, “Mga maliliit kong mga anak, huwag tayong umibig sa salita o dila lamang, ngunit sa gawa at sa katotohanan” (1 John 3:18). Ang walang-kondisyon na pagmamahal at pagtanggap ay naipaparating nang mas malinaw sa pamamagitan ng ating ginagawa at kung paano natin ito gawin kaysa sa kung anong
sinasabi lamang natin.
Ang ating mga anak ay dapat na magkaroon ng mga nakatabing mga alaala upangmapanatili ang kanilang paniniwala na tunay natin silang minamahal, anuman ang mangyari. Ang ganitong klase ng pag-ibig ay sinasabi sa ating mga anak na tinatanggap natin sila sa kung sino sila—anuman ang kanilang nagagawa. O anong klase ng seguri-dad at pagtanggap ang naibibigay nito sa kanila!
Pinapalakas mo ba ang loob ng iyong mga anak upang magtagumpay? Hindi mo kailangang magtulak ng mga ekspekstasyon sa kanila. Kung ating ide-derekta ang kanil-ang tuon sa Panginoon, ay gugustuhin nilang maging masunurin at gawin ang kanilang pinakamagaling para sa Kanya.
Huwag mong baliwalain ang impluwensya na mayroon ka sa buhay ng iyong mga anak. Tandaan, ang paraan kung paano ka kumilos sa harap nila ngayon ay nakaka-impluwensya nang malaki sa paraan kung paano sila tutugon sa’yo bukas. bdj
Ang artikulong ito ay ibinase sa aklat ni Dr. Charles R. Stanley na, “How to Keep Your Kids on Your Team” (1986) at nakuha sa www.intouch.org, May 13, 2010. Isinalin sa Tagalog ni Elijah Abanto.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Too Young: Does Age Affect Our Usefulness to God?
by Linda M. Canup
from In Touch Magazine, March 2006, pp. 28-31.
You hear about one every now and then—a concert pianist by age 8, a programming genius at 10, a chess master at 12—people so gifted at such unusually young ages that they attract international attention and create an energetic buzz in their field.
A few of our favorite believers could also qualify as prodigies in a spiritual sense. David, Jeremiah, and Timothy are just a few who were called and specially equipped to take on great missions at young ages.
While they had God’s support, they didn’t have it easy. Youthfulness has its own set of challenges. These young men often struggled with insecurities and inadequacies fueled by their lack of experience. Societal expectations and assumptions also caused them to be overlooked, underestimated, and downright persecuted for their youthfulness.
Nevertheless, these chosen few remained faithful throughout their early years and became successful as a king, a prophet, and a builder of the New Testament church.
DAVID
When Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel, no one thought to call David in from the sheep pastures. As the lad watched over the flocks, his older brothers were presented to the visiting prophet. “Surely the Lord’s anointed one is before Him,” thought Samuel as his eyes settled on the eldest. (1 Samuel 16:6) But one by one, oldest to youngest, all seven brothers were rejected.
God did not appoint a son with noble connections, great military training, or even brute strength. He selected David, whose heart belonged to Him. (1 Samuel 16:7)
The Psalms written by the young shepherd reveal plainly His pure, steadfast love for the Father. His musical lyrics, which eloquently describe his desire to serve the Lord, boast confidently of God’s ability to deliver him from enemies. David praised the name of the Lord and proclaimed his unwavering devotion and loyalty. When oppressed by sin, he humbly sought forgiveness and pleaded for restoration and renewal. He gave voice to the nearly unexplainable emotions and
whims of the human heart.
While others saw David as a juvenile field hand, God looked within his soul and saw a courageous young man prepared to fight the enemies of the Lord and establish the kingdom of Israel on earth.
JEREMIAH
At a time when the kingdom of Judah was succumbing to sin and temptation, the Lord wanted a messenger who valued His Law and obeyed Him unconditionally. This person would need a passionate love for God’s people in order to persevere; however, he also had to desire divine righteousness so he could understand the need for inevitable judgment. An ideal candidate would be innocent of Judah’s apostasy, yet not so cynical that he would question the Lord’s plan for ultimate restoration of the Davidic kingdom.
Of course, God knew all along that Jeremiah was the right man for this task, but the future prophet wasn’t convinced. “I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth,” he protested when God issued His directive. (Jeremiah 1:6) He was too focused on himself and his inadequacies rather than on God’s plan and infinite knowledge.
The Lord put those concerns to rest by explaining that He would equip and protect Jeremiah. (v.v. 9, 18-19) He spoke to the prophet-in-training about the future as if He were telling an old story and everything had already happened: Jeremiah was already appointed and consecrated, and he would do all that God asked of him. It was a done deal.
The young man could not argue with such undeniable omniscience. He took the Lord at His word, and the rest really is history.
TIMOTHY
Ephesus was a metropolis dedicated to the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis and, as such, was susceptible to heresies. Nevertheless, because it was the capitol of the Roman province of Asia, it proved critical to the spreading of the Christian faith. Paul had a successful ministry in
that city, but by the time he entrusted it to Timothy, false teachers (Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus, to name a few) were spreading heresies in full force, and many throughout Asia wandered away from the faith. (2 Timothy 1:15)
Timothy’s predicament would be stressful for any mature Christian, let alone for a young man who would have to challenge church elders twice his age.However, Paul (and most importantly, God) knew that Timothy was up to the task for at least two reasons: his sincere faith and the work the Holy Spirit in his life. (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5-6)
Timothy’s mother was part of a long line of faithful Jewish women who loved the Scriptures and desired to please God. Apparently, she instilled these traits inTimothy, for when Paul took him under his wing, the young man had already established an admirable reputation as a disciple. (Acts 16:2) As the two men traveled together, the apostle became well acquainted with Timothy’s strengths,weaknesses, and spiritual limitations. Therefore, when it came time to choose a guardian for the church at Ephesus, Paul confidently entrusted the city to Timothy, even though he had no prior experience.
SPIRITUAL GREATNESS
Oftentimes we romanticize the lives of these biblical heroes and elevate them to an almost mythological level. We believe we could never do anything so spectacular (some of them wrote Scripture!); we act as if the Golden Age of Christianity has passed and we have nothing but monotony to aspire to until the Lord returns.
This is anything but true. While we might perform drastically different tasks in a physical sense, we engage in similar tasks spiritually. Like David, people today are called to government offices and other positions of leadership. The Lord still directs individuals to petition for social changes and urge the culture to repent of its godless pursuits. Many have been entrusted with families, communities, and churches—like Timothy, they shepherd, protect, and teach the truths of Scripture.
In theory, we know that the Lord can use anyone He chooses to accomplish His plan, but in practice, we often get sidetracked. The world places tremendous emphasis on resumes, qualifications, and connections, so it’s understandable that we carry this mindset over to our spiritual lives as well. Even in the church, we assume that only long-standing Christians or those in the right leadership positions can do extraordinary work for the kingdom.
Yet if we honestly look at the way the Lord has used young people, then we will recognize an important truth: When He calls us to a particular assignment, He has already equipped us with the talents and abilities we will need. So stay faithful in your everyday tasks, and leave your insecurities behind, because God seeks spiritual greatness in all of us, regardless of our shape, size . . . or age.
Author Spotlight
Linda Canup is the Assistant Editor for In Touch magazine, a publication of In Touch Ministries with Dr. Charles Stanley in Atlanta, Georgia. Linda's responsibilities include evaluating query letters and manuscript submissions in addition to writing and editing articles. www.intouch.org.
During her long commutes to and from the office, she enjoys listening to NPR and great books on CD. She spends much of her remaining time supporting her husband, Glenn, in his ministry as Minister of Adult Education and Assimilation at North Metro First Baptist Church.
from In Touch Magazine, March 2006, pp. 28-31.
You hear about one every now and then—a concert pianist by age 8, a programming genius at 10, a chess master at 12—people so gifted at such unusually young ages that they attract international attention and create an energetic buzz in their field.
A few of our favorite believers could also qualify as prodigies in a spiritual sense. David, Jeremiah, and Timothy are just a few who were called and specially equipped to take on great missions at young ages.
While they had God’s support, they didn’t have it easy. Youthfulness has its own set of challenges. These young men often struggled with insecurities and inadequacies fueled by their lack of experience. Societal expectations and assumptions also caused them to be overlooked, underestimated, and downright persecuted for their youthfulness.
Nevertheless, these chosen few remained faithful throughout their early years and became successful as a king, a prophet, and a builder of the New Testament church.
DAVID
When Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel, no one thought to call David in from the sheep pastures. As the lad watched over the flocks, his older brothers were presented to the visiting prophet. “Surely the Lord’s anointed one is before Him,” thought Samuel as his eyes settled on the eldest. (1 Samuel 16:6) But one by one, oldest to youngest, all seven brothers were rejected.
God did not appoint a son with noble connections, great military training, or even brute strength. He selected David, whose heart belonged to Him. (1 Samuel 16:7)
The Psalms written by the young shepherd reveal plainly His pure, steadfast love for the Father. His musical lyrics, which eloquently describe his desire to serve the Lord, boast confidently of God’s ability to deliver him from enemies. David praised the name of the Lord and proclaimed his unwavering devotion and loyalty. When oppressed by sin, he humbly sought forgiveness and pleaded for restoration and renewal. He gave voice to the nearly unexplainable emotions and
whims of the human heart.
While others saw David as a juvenile field hand, God looked within his soul and saw a courageous young man prepared to fight the enemies of the Lord and establish the kingdom of Israel on earth.
JEREMIAH
At a time when the kingdom of Judah was succumbing to sin and temptation, the Lord wanted a messenger who valued His Law and obeyed Him unconditionally. This person would need a passionate love for God’s people in order to persevere; however, he also had to desire divine righteousness so he could understand the need for inevitable judgment. An ideal candidate would be innocent of Judah’s apostasy, yet not so cynical that he would question the Lord’s plan for ultimate restoration of the Davidic kingdom.
Of course, God knew all along that Jeremiah was the right man for this task, but the future prophet wasn’t convinced. “I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth,” he protested when God issued His directive. (Jeremiah 1:6) He was too focused on himself and his inadequacies rather than on God’s plan and infinite knowledge.
The Lord put those concerns to rest by explaining that He would equip and protect Jeremiah. (v.v. 9, 18-19) He spoke to the prophet-in-training about the future as if He were telling an old story and everything had already happened: Jeremiah was already appointed and consecrated, and he would do all that God asked of him. It was a done deal.
The young man could not argue with such undeniable omniscience. He took the Lord at His word, and the rest really is history.
TIMOTHY
Ephesus was a metropolis dedicated to the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis and, as such, was susceptible to heresies. Nevertheless, because it was the capitol of the Roman province of Asia, it proved critical to the spreading of the Christian faith. Paul had a successful ministry in
that city, but by the time he entrusted it to Timothy, false teachers (Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus, to name a few) were spreading heresies in full force, and many throughout Asia wandered away from the faith. (2 Timothy 1:15)
Timothy’s predicament would be stressful for any mature Christian, let alone for a young man who would have to challenge church elders twice his age.However, Paul (and most importantly, God) knew that Timothy was up to the task for at least two reasons: his sincere faith and the work the Holy Spirit in his life. (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5-6)
Timothy’s mother was part of a long line of faithful Jewish women who loved the Scriptures and desired to please God. Apparently, she instilled these traits inTimothy, for when Paul took him under his wing, the young man had already established an admirable reputation as a disciple. (Acts 16:2) As the two men traveled together, the apostle became well acquainted with Timothy’s strengths,weaknesses, and spiritual limitations. Therefore, when it came time to choose a guardian for the church at Ephesus, Paul confidently entrusted the city to Timothy, even though he had no prior experience.
SPIRITUAL GREATNESS
Oftentimes we romanticize the lives of these biblical heroes and elevate them to an almost mythological level. We believe we could never do anything so spectacular (some of them wrote Scripture!); we act as if the Golden Age of Christianity has passed and we have nothing but monotony to aspire to until the Lord returns.
This is anything but true. While we might perform drastically different tasks in a physical sense, we engage in similar tasks spiritually. Like David, people today are called to government offices and other positions of leadership. The Lord still directs individuals to petition for social changes and urge the culture to repent of its godless pursuits. Many have been entrusted with families, communities, and churches—like Timothy, they shepherd, protect, and teach the truths of Scripture.
In theory, we know that the Lord can use anyone He chooses to accomplish His plan, but in practice, we often get sidetracked. The world places tremendous emphasis on resumes, qualifications, and connections, so it’s understandable that we carry this mindset over to our spiritual lives as well. Even in the church, we assume that only long-standing Christians or those in the right leadership positions can do extraordinary work for the kingdom.
Yet if we honestly look at the way the Lord has used young people, then we will recognize an important truth: When He calls us to a particular assignment, He has already equipped us with the talents and abilities we will need. So stay faithful in your everyday tasks, and leave your insecurities behind, because God seeks spiritual greatness in all of us, regardless of our shape, size . . . or age.
Author Spotlight
Linda Canup is the Assistant Editor for In Touch magazine, a publication of In Touch Ministries with Dr. Charles Stanley in Atlanta, Georgia. Linda's responsibilities include evaluating query letters and manuscript submissions in addition to writing and editing articles. www.intouch.org.During her long commutes to and from the office, she enjoys listening to NPR and great books on CD. She spends much of her remaining time supporting her husband, Glenn, in his ministry as Minister of Adult Education and Assimilation at North Metro First Baptist Church.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
They Aren't Genius But...
by Bro. Elijah E. Abanto
When my father told that the children should be with their parents in the worship service by giving an example of a child from our church, a man answered and said, "That kid must be genius. And not all kids are geniuses." I could not but both smile and be sad at the same time.
I smiled because it was such a good compliment for a child. Everyone who knows that child will be happy if she was called "genius." But in my heart I was sad because that description was used to justify the separation of kids from the actual worship service. This is not a good justification to the practice of separating children from young people and adults. Anyone who thinks will say that this man did not think what he said.
But I cannot point a finger to those who think like this man. It is because first and foremost, The first generation of believers and members of the church were grown-ups--meaning, they were saved as adults or in teens. And because of this, they are more familiar how to treat their own age, because they could understand them better. On the other hand, the fruit of this situation is that they do not know how to treat the children in the church. They were not children when they were drawn to church; they don't know what to do if this happens and that happens. So the method they derive into to remove the disorder the children make in the worship is to do what was done to them before they were saved--in other words, when they were just children--to be separated from adults. Or, they depend upon the child psychologists or experts for knowledge on how to cope with them. And in the beginning, it seems plausible enough, no problem--because really, the nuisance will be eliminated--they can worship God without "disturbance." But when the time comes we become perplexed, "Why did they become like that?"
But, with honest humility, I can say (through God's grace) that I know more on how to treat the children in the church--because I grew up in the church, in the pastor's family. I was saved as a child, I was baptized as a child--and here am I, by the grace of God, standing for and serving Jesus with all my heart and mind.
Did I have to be a genius in order to behave properly in the service, to listen, to take notes, and say, "Amen"? No. Children know and do as they learn. I learned to worship because I was raised to worship with my family in the church. I learned to read my Bible and pray because I was raised reading it, and not just listening to a Bible story in Sunday school and pray simple "Dear Lord Jesus" prayers. I was taught, that's why. I learned theology even though I was a child back then. I just needed to be saved to understand. And taught. I was never separated from them. Thank you, Daddy and Mommy. You always include me. Isn't it beautiful?
A child doesn't need to be a genius to be included in the service or serve the Lord. To encourage you, here are some examples from our church:
When my father told that the children should be with their parents in the worship service by giving an example of a child from our church, a man answered and said, "That kid must be genius. And not all kids are geniuses." I could not but both smile and be sad at the same time.
I smiled because it was such a good compliment for a child. Everyone who knows that child will be happy if she was called "genius." But in my heart I was sad because that description was used to justify the separation of kids from the actual worship service. This is not a good justification to the practice of separating children from young people and adults. Anyone who thinks will say that this man did not think what he said.
But I cannot point a finger to those who think like this man. It is because first and foremost, The first generation of believers and members of the church were grown-ups--meaning, they were saved as adults or in teens. And because of this, they are more familiar how to treat their own age, because they could understand them better. On the other hand, the fruit of this situation is that they do not know how to treat the children in the church. They were not children when they were drawn to church; they don't know what to do if this happens and that happens. So the method they derive into to remove the disorder the children make in the worship is to do what was done to them before they were saved--in other words, when they were just children--to be separated from adults. Or, they depend upon the child psychologists or experts for knowledge on how to cope with them. And in the beginning, it seems plausible enough, no problem--because really, the nuisance will be eliminated--they can worship God without "disturbance." But when the time comes we become perplexed, "Why did they become like that?"
But, with honest humility, I can say (through God's grace) that I know more on how to treat the children in the church--because I grew up in the church, in the pastor's family. I was saved as a child, I was baptized as a child--and here am I, by the grace of God, standing for and serving Jesus with all my heart and mind.
Did I have to be a genius in order to behave properly in the service, to listen, to take notes, and say, "Amen"? No. Children know and do as they learn. I learned to worship because I was raised to worship with my family in the church. I learned to read my Bible and pray because I was raised reading it, and not just listening to a Bible story in Sunday school and pray simple "Dear Lord Jesus" prayers. I was taught, that's why. I learned theology even though I was a child back then. I just needed to be saved to understand. And taught. I was never separated from them. Thank you, Daddy and Mommy. You always include me. Isn't it beautiful?
A child doesn't need to be a genius to be included in the service or serve the Lord. To encourage you, here are some examples from our church:
- Joshua, when he was just a baby, could be silenced while in the service by command of the pastor. Jemima, who was barely two years old, has just sang the whole "Jesus Loves Me" in the church as a special number.
- Daniel Joseph (also barely two years old) will always say "Amen" at the important points of our pastor's preaching. Also, other kids same age as he close their eyes while praying.
- Justin (who has just turned 7) know how to sing complicated hymns with just reading the words in the song book, like "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Make Me A Blessing" with no mistakes. The kids in our church love hymns just as choruses.
- In our church kids 3 years old are joining the visitation, and giving out tracts. Examples: Jhona (4) and Joshua (3). Many of our children ages 12 below know the 13 points of witnessing (Operation Go), and actually, two have done it in the field: John Mark (12) and Jisilyn (10). The only reason why the others can't do it in actual was because they are shy.
- Kids are included in the Bible quiz with the older ones! And they score!
- By the way, all these kids are behaved in the worship service. We have approximately 40 children in our service, members and non-members.
That and many other examples can prove that. That starts in how these people look at these little ones: the pastor, the parents, the members. They barely know doctrine, but they can be taught. They barely know issues, but they can be taught. They are naturally disorderly, but theycan be ordered, if they are taught and trained. We need to just teach them!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What Will Happen to the Church of Tomorrow?
by Bro. Elijah Abanto
It starts with us parents. Read Deuteronomy 6. This chapter will refresh you on the importance of children to be taught and trained. Consider verses 1-2 and 7,
Now let's do a check-up. Try asking or observing a child (12 and below, could be your child) about certain aspects of our faith and practice. That will tell you if you are doing your job.
Doctrine. Ask him about some of the basics of our faith. How many Gods are there? How can you be saved? What do you think about the Bible? Can baptism bring you to heaven? These are some of the many basic questions you must check in the child's being. If the child answers wrong in these basic questions, that means he hasn't really learned what he must believe. Timothy learned the cardinal doctrines of the faith when he was young (2 Timothy 3:15), and it had become undeniably one of the factors why he became one of the youngest church leaders of his time.
Attendance. Do you really like attending church, or are you just forced? If you attend church, do you believe it's needed to attend all of the services and not be late? Do you need to behave in the worship service? Many parents are choosing to leave their children in their houses when attending church, basically because they think their child will just mess things up. But it's a matter of teaching and training.
Another word about church attendance: I would not recommend separate churches, or a children's church, a youth church, and an adult church, though I know that God does use them to bring salvation and spiritual growth to many. If you would look at the scriptures, you would not find any single principle about separating them; instead, scriptural examples implying a family sort of attendance are rampant. (See Deuteronomy 16, specially verse 11; also Luke 2, when Jesus turns twelve)
Offering/Giving. If children are not trained to give now, it is more probable that they will never give later, or they will be selfish. Ask, What do you think about putting money in the offering plate? Is it right? Don't think they will learn it when they grow up. It starts NOW.
One significant example of early-age giving in the Bible is the child who brought the five loaves and two fish to Jesus. (John 6:8-10) Though what stands out more is Jesus' wondrous miracle, carefully studying the passage will bring to light the giving heart of the child. Where must have that giving spirit come from?
Music. What songs to do you like, choruses or hymns? Are you bored with hymns, and want lively songs instead? Though not entirely applicable to all, it is generally reasonable to say that what children sing today will determine what they sing tomorrow. If all they sing are shallow songs without some deeper, richer language, the hymns could probably be alien to them later. What's more important, tell them why they must be singing that, and why they shouldn't be singing this--that could somewhat put strength to the belief you want to mold in them.
To have an idea of how Jesus and the N.T. believers treat music, look up the passages in the parentheses (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 2:46, 47; 16:25, 26; I Corinthians 14:15, 26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13). Though these passages are not clear on the instrument issue, not mentioning instruments can give a clue. You can also study the instruments used in the Old Testament, and see if all are used in temple worship.
Worship and Service. Think that you are in front of God, what will you do? Would you like to sing in the choir? Join the church activities? Go with an adult sharing the Bible? Or teach? Reverence to and eagerness to serve the Lord are nurtured and developed. Are they growing wanting more and more to serve the living God?
What will happen to the church of tomorrow? It depends on us. Let us examine our practices. Maybe we are ignorant about the how, but the Bible is never short of principles and guidelines to do that. All we need to do is carefully study it.
Let us learn to nurture them. And who knows? God may use them to turn the world upside down again.
A wise Christian talked to me about this article last time and made some advice to improve this article. The changes are exhibited by the following article. --editor
With very few exceptions, all the parents that I know of want their children to have a bright future. They want them to become the best they could be, the greatest potential they could be, and especially for us Christians, we want them to become saved and to live a life that's pleasing to God and His Word--doctrinally and practically.
But I'm afraid that our dreams for our children might not become a reality. We thought what we are doing is the best way to raise them, but we don't know--we might be wrong. We think that our methods are right, and they seem to be good at first--then later we wonder, "Why did that happen to my child?" And with that we must consider an important question.With very few exceptions, all the parents that I know of want their children to have a bright future. They want them to become the best they could be, the greatest potential they could be, and especially for us Christians, we want them to become saved and to live a life that's pleasing to God and His Word--doctrinally and practically.
What will happen to the church of tomorrow? If we are not careful, the children today could be the apostate adults tomorrow--the apostate church of tomorrow. Little by little, change in doctrine and living would destroy future generations.
You don't have to look far away to see that it's happening. The trends say that. I personally know of one church that has a service for adults and a service for young people. Not that separating church services between age groups is bad, but that's not the case. The reason why they have separate church services is because the adults want hymns and the young people want the 'alive' songs! What's frightening is that most of the young people are children of the adults of the same church! What's more, the children of another church are mocking the choruses they are singing at Sunday school, and, as one of their teachers has said, they are throwing crumpled papers to the teacher while in class! Also, in an old church I know, while all the adult ladies are dressing in right apparel in church service, the young people are wearing mini skirts or spaghetti's. And they grew up there in the church!
I'm not saying it's all our fault--the example set by the adults is strong enough to make them think of the right way to do things. But, the question is, could it be that there may be something wrong with what we are doing? I'm afraid kids are getting enough of Bible stories and not a bit of doctrine. I'm afraid we are just letting (or forcing) our children to do something, and they don't have the least idea why they should do this, or why they should do that this way or that way. And so, when they grow up, they would not believe it, or do it, or at least do it the way we expect them to do it.
What's more alarming is that we are not aware of it, much more do something about it.
Let's be reminded: your children - our children, are the church of tomorrow. What we are teaching them and not teaching them will determine what kind of church we are forming for the future.I'm not saying it's all our fault--the example set by the adults is strong enough to make them think of the right way to do things. But, the question is, could it be that there may be something wrong with what we are doing? I'm afraid kids are getting enough of Bible stories and not a bit of doctrine. I'm afraid we are just letting (or forcing) our children to do something, and they don't have the least idea why they should do this, or why they should do that this way or that way. And so, when they grow up, they would not believe it, or do it, or at least do it the way we expect them to do it.
What's more alarming is that we are not aware of it, much more do something about it.
It starts with us parents. Read Deuteronomy 6. This chapter will refresh you on the importance of children to be taught and trained. Consider verses 1-2 and 7,
This principle also applies to the way the church teaches its children, because it is where families are built. The church and the family must not contradict each other, whether doctrinally or practically.Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged......And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (emphasis mine)
Now let's do a check-up. Try asking or observing a child (12 and below, could be your child) about certain aspects of our faith and practice. That will tell you if you are doing your job.
Doctrine. Ask him about some of the basics of our faith. How many Gods are there? How can you be saved? What do you think about the Bible? Can baptism bring you to heaven? These are some of the many basic questions you must check in the child's being. If the child answers wrong in these basic questions, that means he hasn't really learned what he must believe. Timothy learned the cardinal doctrines of the faith when he was young (2 Timothy 3:15), and it had become undeniably one of the factors why he became one of the youngest church leaders of his time.
Attendance. Do you really like attending church, or are you just forced? If you attend church, do you believe it's needed to attend all of the services and not be late? Do you need to behave in the worship service? Many parents are choosing to leave their children in their houses when attending church, basically because they think their child will just mess things up. But it's a matter of teaching and training.
Another word about church attendance: I would not recommend separate churches, or a children's church, a youth church, and an adult church, though I know that God does use them to bring salvation and spiritual growth to many. If you would look at the scriptures, you would not find any single principle about separating them; instead, scriptural examples implying a family sort of attendance are rampant. (See Deuteronomy 16, specially verse 11; also Luke 2, when Jesus turns twelve)
Offering/Giving. If children are not trained to give now, it is more probable that they will never give later, or they will be selfish. Ask, What do you think about putting money in the offering plate? Is it right? Don't think they will learn it when they grow up. It starts NOW.
One significant example of early-age giving in the Bible is the child who brought the five loaves and two fish to Jesus. (John 6:8-10) Though what stands out more is Jesus' wondrous miracle, carefully studying the passage will bring to light the giving heart of the child. Where must have that giving spirit come from?
Music. What songs to do you like, choruses or hymns? Are you bored with hymns, and want lively songs instead? Though not entirely applicable to all, it is generally reasonable to say that what children sing today will determine what they sing tomorrow. If all they sing are shallow songs without some deeper, richer language, the hymns could probably be alien to them later. What's more important, tell them why they must be singing that, and why they shouldn't be singing this--that could somewhat put strength to the belief you want to mold in them.
To have an idea of how Jesus and the N.T. believers treat music, look up the passages in the parentheses (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 2:46, 47; 16:25, 26; I Corinthians 14:15, 26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13). Though these passages are not clear on the instrument issue, not mentioning instruments can give a clue. You can also study the instruments used in the Old Testament, and see if all are used in temple worship.
Worship and Service. Think that you are in front of God, what will you do? Would you like to sing in the choir? Join the church activities? Go with an adult sharing the Bible? Or teach? Reverence to and eagerness to serve the Lord are nurtured and developed. Are they growing wanting more and more to serve the living God?
What will happen to the church of tomorrow? It depends on us. Let us examine our practices. Maybe we are ignorant about the how, but the Bible is never short of principles and guidelines to do that. All we need to do is carefully study it.
Let us learn to nurture them. And who knows? God may use them to turn the world upside down again.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
BDJ 4 -- February 22, 2009
Tunay na Pag-ibig by Bro. Elijah E. Abanto
Kakatapos ko lang magbasa ng isang article tungkol sa isang 12-year old girl, at hindi ko mapigilang mapaluha sa balitang ito.
Medyo may interes ako sa mga nangyayari sa Amerika ngayon dahil nakikita ko na ang struggle ng mga American Christians para patuloy na manindigan para sa Panginoon. Kung hindi niyo nalalalaman, ang Obama na mukhang nakakatuwa sa TV dahil siya ang kauna-unahang pangulong itim sa bansa ay siya ring presidente na salungat ng ating pinaninindigan, kasama ng ang tungkol sa abortion (pagpapalaglag ng sanggol) at gay marriage (pagpapakasal ng parehong gender). Laban tayo dito, ngunit siya ay hindi. At maraming pag-uusig ang ginagawa sa mga Kristiano ngayon ng administrasyon ng Amerika para gawing legal ang mga hindi legal at gawing ilegal ang legal (pagpe-pray, pagbabasa ng Bible). Kaya naman naglalaan ako ng oras upang magbasa ng mga balita tungkol sa kalagayan ng Kristianismo sa Kanluran.
Ang labindalawang-taong gulang na batang babaeng ito ay si Lia, isang elementary student na planong gawing contestant sa isang speech competition o panananalumpati. Anak ng isang Kristiano, alam niya ang kalagayan ng kanyang bansa patungkol sa abortion, at nais niya na magtalumpati laban sa gawaing ito. Isa pa siya mismo ay isang Kristiano at mahal niya ang Diyos at ang Kanyang Salita. Ang problema ay talagang dine-discourage siya ng mga gurong nakakabasa ng kanyang essay, bagaman hindi maitatanggi ang galing sa pagkakasulat ng talumpating ito ng kanyang adviser. Nagbanta pa ang mga husgado na i-de-disqualify siya sa contest kapag hindi niya binago ang kanyang topic. Pero nanatili siyang matatag, at kahit na hindi siya tanggapin bilang contestant ay pinili pa rin niyang italumpati ang essay at pinablish sa Youtube. Dahil nagustuhan ng kanyang adviser ang kanyang gawa, ay hinayaan pa rin siyang magtalumpati.
Nang magtalumpati na siya, sinabi ng school principal at mga guro na obvious na siya ang winner ngunit dinisqualify siya ng mga judges dahil sa isyu na kanyang tinalakay. Ngunit noong sumunod na araw ay nalaman na umalis ang judge na nag-disqualify sa kanya at ang mga natira ay binago ang desisyon at siya nga ang nanalo. Naka-schedule siya na dalhin sa regional level. May 130,000 na ring nakapanood ng kanyang video.
Dapat itong humamon sa atin. Isang bata (kadalasan kasi namamaliit natin ang mga mas bata sa atin) ang nagpakita ng tunay na pag-ibig sa Diyos at tao na sa kabila ng lahat ng maaaring mangyari, ay nagdesisyon siyang magsalita. Dahil mahal niya ang Diyos at tao. May ganito ka na bang pagmamahal sa kanya?
Ang I Corinthians 13 ay isang sikat-na-sikat na kabanata sa Biblia tungkol sa pag-ibig. Isa sa mga sinabing katangian nito ay na ang pag-ibig ay "binabata ang lahat ng bagay, pinapaniwalaan ang lahat ng bagay, inaasahan ang lahat ng bagay. Ang pag-ibig din ay "nagsasaya hindi sa kasalanan, kundi nagsasaya sa katotohanan." Si Jesus ay tiniis, pinaniwalaan at inasahan ang lahat ng bagay para itanghal ang katotohanan at ibigay sa atin ang kaligtasan. Hindi Siya nanatiling tahimik nang makita Niya ang kamalian sa kanyang paligid, kundi nagsalita Siya.
Dumating na ba sa atin ang pagkakataon kung kailan pinaglaban natin ang katotohanan kahit na may nagbabantang hindi maganda? O ang ginagawa natin ay hinahayaan na lamang ito at iniisip na, "Sila na ang bahala sa Diyos"? Nakakalungkot. Nakikipag-kompromiso tayo para huwag na tayong pagdiskitahan; ngunit hindi natin iniisip na nasasaktan ang Diyos doon.
Sa huling Linggo ng Building in the Power of Love, ine-encourage ko kayo na tumayo para sa Kanya dahil sa pag-ibig natin sa Kanya. Sana kung kailangan tayong hindi pumasok sa school o trabaho, o huwag munang gumawa, o masaktan ng magulang, o bumaba ang grades, o mapagtawanan, hayaan na natin--tulad ng babaeng ito--at least, alam ng Diyos na mahal natin Siya.
Kakatapos ko lang magbasa ng isang article tungkol sa isang 12-year old girl, at hindi ko mapigilang mapaluha sa balitang ito.
Medyo may interes ako sa mga nangyayari sa Amerika ngayon dahil nakikita ko na ang struggle ng mga American Christians para patuloy na manindigan para sa Panginoon. Kung hindi niyo nalalalaman, ang Obama na mukhang nakakatuwa sa TV dahil siya ang kauna-unahang pangulong itim sa bansa ay siya ring presidente na salungat ng ating pinaninindigan, kasama ng ang tungkol sa abortion (pagpapalaglag ng sanggol) at gay marriage (pagpapakasal ng parehong gender). Laban tayo dito, ngunit siya ay hindi. At maraming pag-uusig ang ginagawa sa mga Kristiano ngayon ng administrasyon ng Amerika para gawing legal ang mga hindi legal at gawing ilegal ang legal (pagpe-pray, pagbabasa ng Bible). Kaya naman naglalaan ako ng oras upang magbasa ng mga balita tungkol sa kalagayan ng Kristianismo sa Kanluran.
Ang labindalawang-taong gulang na batang babaeng ito ay si Lia, isang elementary student na planong gawing contestant sa isang speech competition o panananalumpati. Anak ng isang Kristiano, alam niya ang kalagayan ng kanyang bansa patungkol sa abortion, at nais niya na magtalumpati laban sa gawaing ito. Isa pa siya mismo ay isang Kristiano at mahal niya ang Diyos at ang Kanyang Salita. Ang problema ay talagang dine-discourage siya ng mga gurong nakakabasa ng kanyang essay, bagaman hindi maitatanggi ang galing sa pagkakasulat ng talumpating ito ng kanyang adviser. Nagbanta pa ang mga husgado na i-de-disqualify siya sa contest kapag hindi niya binago ang kanyang topic. Pero nanatili siyang matatag, at kahit na hindi siya tanggapin bilang contestant ay pinili pa rin niyang italumpati ang essay at pinablish sa Youtube. Dahil nagustuhan ng kanyang adviser ang kanyang gawa, ay hinayaan pa rin siyang magtalumpati.
Nang magtalumpati na siya, sinabi ng school principal at mga guro na obvious na siya ang winner ngunit dinisqualify siya ng mga judges dahil sa isyu na kanyang tinalakay. Ngunit noong sumunod na araw ay nalaman na umalis ang judge na nag-disqualify sa kanya at ang mga natira ay binago ang desisyon at siya nga ang nanalo. Naka-schedule siya na dalhin sa regional level. May 130,000 na ring nakapanood ng kanyang video.
Dapat itong humamon sa atin. Isang bata (kadalasan kasi namamaliit natin ang mga mas bata sa atin) ang nagpakita ng tunay na pag-ibig sa Diyos at tao na sa kabila ng lahat ng maaaring mangyari, ay nagdesisyon siyang magsalita. Dahil mahal niya ang Diyos at tao. May ganito ka na bang pagmamahal sa kanya?
Ang I Corinthians 13 ay isang sikat-na-sikat na kabanata sa Biblia tungkol sa pag-ibig. Isa sa mga sinabing katangian nito ay na ang pag-ibig ay "binabata ang lahat ng bagay, pinapaniwalaan ang lahat ng bagay, inaasahan ang lahat ng bagay. Ang pag-ibig din ay "nagsasaya hindi sa kasalanan, kundi nagsasaya sa katotohanan." Si Jesus ay tiniis, pinaniwalaan at inasahan ang lahat ng bagay para itanghal ang katotohanan at ibigay sa atin ang kaligtasan. Hindi Siya nanatiling tahimik nang makita Niya ang kamalian sa kanyang paligid, kundi nagsalita Siya.
Dumating na ba sa atin ang pagkakataon kung kailan pinaglaban natin ang katotohanan kahit na may nagbabantang hindi maganda? O ang ginagawa natin ay hinahayaan na lamang ito at iniisip na, "Sila na ang bahala sa Diyos"? Nakakalungkot. Nakikipag-kompromiso tayo para huwag na tayong pagdiskitahan; ngunit hindi natin iniisip na nasasaktan ang Diyos doon.
Sa huling Linggo ng Building in the Power of Love, ine-encourage ko kayo na tumayo para sa Kanya dahil sa pag-ibig natin sa Kanya. Sana kung kailangan tayong hindi pumasok sa school o trabaho, o huwag munang gumawa, o masaktan ng magulang, o bumaba ang grades, o mapagtawanan, hayaan na natin--tulad ng babaeng ito--at least, alam ng Diyos na mahal natin Siya.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)