The reality of Christmas

Truth hurts. Speaking of truth during Christmas spoils the joyous spirit of the season. Certainly. So we try to keep mum about or avoid reading anything truthful. Then, the "Vinta" flood and NCCC Mall fire came at a time just before we are to celebrate Christmas Eve. We never speak of truth as "respect" to the season. But, in the real sense of the word, Christmas itself is truth. Only we, through the years, have made Christmas a fancy celebration, way different from the reality of the First Christmas. The First Christmas taught us to be simple through the example of the Infant Jesus born in the Manger. He came to the world to Suffer for, to Serve and to Save mankind. The dual disasters have taught us to beat our breast, call on God and hopefully this leads us to forget the fancy we have made out of Christmas. Let's be sober because Christmas is just the beginning, not the culmination, of Man's Salvation History.

Attachment to God or money?

"...WHOEVER DRINKS OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY..." -John 4: 14

Indeed, when man realizes the purpose for his existence, he will no longer pursue the trifles of life -- but to KNOW THE ONE WHO CREATED HIM FOR A PURPOSE.

And that is the purpose for his creation: TO PLEASE GOD AND GOD ALONE.

When he strives to please God, he is no longer a people-pleaser and a self-pleaser. 

But a God-pleaser alone! 

When one is a God-pleaser, he becomes a lighted object, as the moon lighted by the sun. 

And people will begin to take notice of him because he is different. 

Most regard him as deranged or someone as attention-seeker or even as wallet-snatcher. 

But people will eventually love him, for wisdom is proved true in its time. 

Time will also come when people will no longer look up to him but to the Source of his Light -- GOD. 

Then, they too will become like him -- even more. 

He is pleasing to God when he believes His every Word and does them; and His Words are found in the Book of Life. 

Here, man's secrets are revealed -- like his secret yet familiar attachment to MONEY. 

Money is the "isaacs" of modern "abrahams" -- us. 

This is where we are tested everyday: If God is our God -- or if money is our God. 

Or: 

Can we give up money for our God -- or God for our money? 

This is the gauge, the measuring stick for our leaning. 

-Diary entry of 28 February 2008, 11:10 p.m., Thursday