Cross of the Week: Open Your Eyes

"Buksan ang Iyong Mata"

This wooden cross is a shot from Jen Cas in La Roca Resort in Los Banos. Jen says that,

Kahit saan tayo tumingin there is always a cross signifying God is everywhere. We just need to look around and we will find it, even in simple things :) Minsan kasi, nakakalimutan natin na nandiyan si God kasi natatakpan ng kung anu-ano like problems, happiness etc. Pero kung pagmamasdan lang natin ang paligid, si God laging nakabantay lang.

(God is present in places if we choose to look for Him. It is hard to find Him if our hearts are not in tuned in finding Him.) 

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The Anonymous writer to the Hebrews says, 

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." 

-Hebrews 12:2  The Message

Kapag 'Di Ka Nag-Church, Di Mo Mahal si Lord

I was talking to a young people this afternoon. He confessed that he didn't attend the church service this afternoon. Bakit? "Naglaba kasi ako" was his reply. Adding, "Sabi ng guest speaker, 'Kapag hindi ka nagchurch, di mo daw mahal si Lord...' " Jokingly, my reply was, "Di mo pala love si Lord eh..." I know he got my point.

(Pic from www.oldmp.com)

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Question: Since when did going to church became the measurement of our love for the Lord? Para sa mga kababayan at kapatid sa Panginoon, "Kelan pa naging basehan ang pagsimba/pagsamba  ng ating pagmamahal kay Hesus?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against going to church. But to make it the measure of my love for God... means our janitor loves God more. 

WATCHATINK?

Cross of the Week: Let Your Cross Shine

This is the first on the theme CROSS this May and June. Every Monday we will feature a cross so stay tuned.

"Ang Iyong Krus ay Paliwanagin"

After 724 steps climb you will be welcomed with the huge steel cross on Mt. Tapyas, Coron, Palawan. This cross can be seen by navigating ships even from afar. A guide to travelers that Coron Island is already near.

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Interestingly, you cannot find the word "CROSS" in the Old Testament. There are 33 "cross" but are used as a verb (to cross, cross over Jordan river). 

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Photo Credits: Jeca Betco

Atheist Meets the Church Sound Technician.

Joketime muna after the serious Sunday Service.
Note: This story was in Tagalog but for the sake of foreign readers we will try our best to convey it in English. This happened in real life

Last Sunday after the worship service with the guest speaker preached for almost an hour (the battery in wireless microphone was drained because of the looooooooong message), the church technician in our church started to crack some jokes. So while waiting for our lunch I started to listen (Erap jokes first and then some jokes on Christianity). Hmmmm, I guess the looooong message was not yet enough for me- I was still looking for “the Message” now from the kwentuhan after the church service.

Our church technician (aka Mic) told of the story about an atheist (an atheist denies that there is God). Here it goes: The atheist was proud telling others that there is no God. He doesn’t believe there is one because he cannot see it. Then one of the listeners asked, “Why don’t you believe that there is God?” The atheist replied, “To see is to believe!” and added more proofs that God didn’t exist.

So the man made 3 illustrations (maybe he is a Baptist, he likes the 3-point outline).

He looked to the sky and saw an airplane. He asked the atheist, “Is there a pilot in that plane?” Without thinking twice, the atheist replied, “Yes there is! It will not fly without one.” “Good thing you know, even if you do not see the pilot” said the man.

“I bet you never doubted your mom as your true mother, that you really came from her,” the man added his second point. To which he replied, “Yes, without a single doubt, I came for her.” “But you didn’t see it, right?” said the man.

Lastly, the man asked the atheist, “Do you have a brain?” (Scratching his baldhead) The atheist replied, “Of course, I do!” The man said, “I don’t believe you! Because as you said to see is to believe.

Lesson: Not everything is experienced by our five senses, the air we cannot see but because of the breeze we believe it. The sun we cannot see, but because of the sunlight, we believe. Love we cannot see but because we feel it, we believe. God we cannot see, but after we believe we see.

Funny it may seem that I heard “The Message” from our sound technician. 

JeepneyJesus Needs Help...

Calling contributors, writers and photographers. I would like to share this blog to people who are with me in this journey called "life." It would be great to publish online your works, reflections, stories, drawings or anything you think will be of help, encouragement to others. Any idea is very much welcome para marami sumakay sa "jeepney" na ito.  Just ask the BARKER for more details. 

My Working Theme (What to expect in the future posts?)

JeepneyJesus or jeep ni Jesus aims to know more of the Jesus who walked and lived among us (John 1:14) 2000 years ago. 

The owner of this blog believes that Jesus can be known when viewed from an Asian perspective, applying our Oriental eyes and learning from the culture of His day. 

He himself is the Way in this crooked generation, the Truth in this pretentious world and the Life in this hopeless planet (John 14:6).  

Jesus is a rabbi, a prophet, a son, a brother, a carpenter, a friend, a simple man with a powerful life and message that turned the world upside down. The King who spoke of a Kingdom which cannot be seen with human eyes, a revolutionary leader who made his followers stout in sharing the good news that Jesus is the Savior, God of all. 

His uniqueness is unquestionable, his character irrefutable, his message unfathomable, his reign indisputable, his power immeasurable, his truth undeniable, his blessings uncontainable, his grace overwhelming, his love irresistible, and his kingdom unending.

got Jesus?

Prayer for the Remaining Journey

Silence my heart, Lord. Let me hear Your voice, let me feel Your touch. The day is about to end and I don't want to go another day without experiencing you today. 

My mind is busy, I think of a lot of things and focusing on you is so hard to do. I miss spending time with You as like before- no boundaries, not boxed, free-flowing, not bothered by time. When will that season return? 

I long for You right now. It is You that I desire. I have gotten this far to understand that You alone can satisfy the deep cravings of my heart. Take away my earthly desires, let me focus on You. Enable me to say 'no' to the things that make the journey burdensome. 

May I apply the richness of Your grace in my life and in every conversation that I will have. May I represent Christ to every people that I will meet. Spare me from the barrenness of a busy life. 

May I be found intimate with You in my continuing journey of becoming like your Son, Jesus Christ.

a heart's prayer  I at freedom park  I  6:30pm  I  by james betia

21 Years of Journeying with Jesus

Two decades plus one year ago I was on my knees praying these words, "Lord, forgive me I have sinned against you. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and I accept him as my personal Lord and Savior..." The Apostle's John famous words were instrumental to my conversion to Christ. My father led me to the Master- Jesus Christ. As I look back I cannot help but be thankful to the grace, love and mercy God has bestowed upon me. This blog is a reflection, a discussion, a series of stories, a photo journal, a prayer, a testimony, a continuation of my journey with Jesus.


This is my way of saying "thanks" to Jesus for being there, for the unlimited grace He has shown through the years. My 26 years of journeying with my Master is not an easy one, it is marked with struggles and successes, pains and comfort, cries and songs, laments and psalms, of downs and more downs and eventually ups, burdens and blessings. If I would to summarize it, this blog won't be enough to thank Him for the abundance of His goodness and love.


To my Master, Jesus Christ -I'm forever grateful for the saving and sustaining grace you provide each day.

To my parents -Roel and Tina, thank you for leading a life that is Christ-like. I could not ask for more, your love for the Lord reflects your love for each other and your care for your family.

To my sisters Kit and Jireh, thanks for your understanding and for the things we have learned as we grow old. I develop my patience with both of you.

To Encounter SouthEast Asia Staff, I'm with you all the way until Christ comes or my time comes. hahaha Life and travel is sweeter with you guys around. Tugs, tugs, tugs... Ptr. Runnel and Ptr.Jerem (aaaayyyy, wait "bok" is better), mga 'bok' 'buong-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong pakikibahagai sa aking mga kahinaan, kalakasan at paglago sa aking calling.' Kelan tayo ulit mag-SOTB? hahaha

To Fusion Youth Ministry, thanks for having the opportunity to minister with you for the past four months. I have learned a lot and as I always say, I am blessed with your commitment to serve the Lord. Thank you Elder Laverne and Arnold- both of you are "real" brothers in Christ.

To YouthLink Ministries, I cannot explain how thankful I am to be guiding you during your pioneering stage. I am most blessed to see you continuing the ministry and multiplying disciples.

To all my friends, I cannot mentioned every one of you here. But I can assure you that each one of you has been of help on my journey in becoming more like Christ.

To my future disciples, this will be a testament of how God works meticulously in one's personal life. May you learn valuable lessons from this simple journey of mine.

To my dear readers, followers on facebook and twitter, people from around the world, thanks for reading my first post. May you patronize this blog. Let's have coffee sometime, okay?

Countdown Begins

What's happening on May 5 (Wednesday)?

JeepneyJesus will be officially launched online. Countdown na!

For now, you can subscribe, bookmark or share the blogsite. Thank and I will see you on Wednesday! Inaasahan kita sa Wednesday ha, share the site and let's enjoy coffee together. Thanks a lot!