How Can a Man Fall in Love With Someone He Had Never Seen?

Dear reader,

It boggles my mind to find this unexplainable feeling in my heart. I cannot sit and try to comprehend the possibilities for a man to actually fall in love with Someone that he had never seen face to face?

I am a visual person, who loves to see things in different views to completely understand it and perhaps fall in love with it. Through this boggled mind, I felt as if the word “love” is a rhetorical word in its own nutshell. Those four-letter word somehow can touch a human's heart in a way that is unimaginable, which often becomes a source of joy to a recipient or the one who is giving it away.

Is it possible for a son to love his father? Is it logical for a daughter to love her doll? Can it be understood for a man to love a woman? These are just some of the feelings that dwell within that four-letter flowery word of love. Poems stood around it, business empires staggered because of it, nation is born from it, and due to love hatred crumbles. But how is it possible to love someone that you’ve never seen before?

Long ago, perhaps about a couple of years in the past, I’ve gotten to know a special someone who is undeniably the most humbling and God loving individual. At first, she was just another “friend” that I’ve met in the matrix of World Wide Web. Yes, I said it, “matrix,” an environment that is illogically formed and impossible for me to comprehend. Yet, after knowing this individual, with the heart that she holds, and the humbling goal that she is trying to attain, and even though I have not seen her face to face, there ignited in me this complex feeling that I tried many times to defuse. Is it love?

After getting to know Jesus, I’ve gotten to see the immense love of this Individual that I still am longing to delve upon and whom I am trying to wrap my mind in.

I read His biography, tried to picture myself in His position, tried to understand why a Deity would come and die for His creatures that is worth less than an angel, and to see the true love that He possesses revealed through His action and His death on the cross. It’s mind boggling!

I then ask myself, how can God love someone that He had never seen?

How is it possible that the plan of salvation that was created thousands of years ago have been planned for you and I today? How is it possible that a sinful being, born about two millenniums after His death, would be loved by a Son of God? Had He seen me in His complex mind as He hung on that cross? Did He visualize my deterred state as His body was thorn, whipped, and beaten? Is it possible that as I sin today, He had already seen it as He stumbled while carrying the burdensome cross on His beaten and blood littered body toward the hill of Golgotha? Is it true that because of His love toward you and I, placed Him, an unblemished sacrifice, to die on that cross for our sins? Could it be love?

I read and read His story, and at first I do not see it. I mean a Devine being, who sent His begotten Son to be 100% human to die for someone such as I. How could it be possible? Can a man fall in love with God whom he had never seen face to face? How can a man fall in love with Someone he had never seen?

It suddenly hit me that men sees with their eyes, while God sees with His heart. It suddenly struck me that love does not come from the eyes, but it comes straight from the heart.

Could it be that I’ve seen what I have not really seen?

Love is a wonderful mystery to me. It’s not just a four-letter, awe-struck, "girlish" kind of word, but it’s a word that means so much more than just that. It’s an unexplained feeling that exists for a reason.

It is love that placed our orbit in its celestial space. It is love that has kept me alive. It is love that mends my broken heart. It is love that broke me down to tears to know that the Someone I’ve never seen, have died for my sins.

How can a man fall in love with Someone he had never seen?

Easy, keep your eyes shut and let your heart do the seeing.

Now, you may ask, how about that “she” you were referring to earlier in the so called matrix of the World Wide Web. All I can tell you is this, God knows my future. I don’t. All I have to do is to work for Him with all of my heart and lean not upon my own understanding, and He’ll provide the rest.

You may not understand what I've wrote, but I hope you can understand one thing; it does not take two eyes to see true love.

May God bless you all.

Much Love,

Assdhy.

Journal - May 05, 2010

      Life have been tough for me. Right after finding out that God's hand is still working, I fell into temptation yet again.

      My untitled heart spoke, "I've done that stupid temptation over and over again that I felt as if the Holy Spirit have left me. I felt as if God has turned His face from me and His ears are plugged. I compared myself to the Israelites and I felt that I am those that could not leave Egypt behind. I was those that died through the journey and have never made it to the promised land. I felt terrible coming to Christ. When I knelt and prayed, my untitled heart spoke as if it is uncertain in its loyalty and its pure love for God. I kept asking God, can You please speak to me, let me know something, let me know a little bit more of You.
Prior to posting this, I found this at the perfect time:


      No, I will not be going to Philippines as a missionary just yet, but the message that God wanted me to hear was in the video itself, and that's when I came up with this quote; 'I am a failure, yet, with Christ, I will overcome.' God helped me realized that since I was born, I am still a failure, I am still incapable of standing on my own, and that I needed Christ to help me stand. Now, don't get me wrong, this is not saying that God made me a failure, but God allows failure to happen so that I can depend on Him. I just could not believe of His subtle message."

Thank You Lord, for taking the time to look after your adopted child. A child that is yet mature in spirituality, who failed, and have fallen, yet you came and picked me up though my face have planted to the ground. You cleaned the dirt off of my face and you cleansed me with your own robe of righteousness. You gave me comfort to let me know that through the falls, there will be One that will always lift me up. Lord, thank You for Your Son. May this quick prayer of my untitled heart, be acceptable in Your loving heart. Amen.

My Love for Christ - Romans 8:34 - 39

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?       As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deleting Social Networks like Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster.

I find this to be addicting.

So I prayed, and prayed.
Struggled here and there, and I've committed to delete all my accounts including Facebook with God's help.
Well, I did deleted FB. But someone on FB sent a message to my sister's account...
Anyway, Hector, if that was you, let me know what you need brother...
LOL...
No, I'm not deleting my account because I've had any confrontation with any of the people on FB, but I don't know why, I just felt as if God is sweeping my life off of the gutter.
I just feel at ease now without these Social Networks and other addictions. Now I'm focusing more on the Bible, and I'm getting to see God in a different point of view now. I've stopped watching TV, I've stopped listening to worldly musics (except classical or instrumental with piano or violin), I've stopped eating meat, I've stopped checking out girls (I'm leaving that to God. I know that a special someone for me will be provided by God. Just let Him lead you), I've stopped speeding, and so many other addictions that I was facing. It's just like God took it away when I asked Him to. I know God told me to keep quiet, like what He have told to Legion the possessed man, and the paralyzed man, but I just can't keep this shut.
Now, Instead of being in front of the TV, I'm reading sections off of The Great Controversy (Chapter 30, "Enmity between Human and Satan" is a good one... I love it.), sections off of The Message To Young People (I love reading the section on Service and Prayer... Very strong message there. Sigh.. Took my breath for a second there. Oh, I did read about courtship too. If you're planning for courting, I'm encouraging you to read it first before you ask that special lady out ~.o) I'm also reading the Bible more and just diving into it, while asking God to open up the mind. I've always done morning and evening devotion, but this time, it's just like, I'm spending 10 - 20 minutes more on one devotion to understand it deeper, I'm also learning piano via YouTube on my spare time :). Cleaned the apartment more often. I mean, I feel different with these worldly stuffs off of me. And man, if you really surrender your life to God, God will give you the Holy Spirit to fight the temptations. Remember this that Satan has no right to take your soul. That's the reason why God have given you Enmity toward Satan. We were born a sinner, but Jesus have died for our transgression. Anyway, I'm just sharing my testimony.
But if you have any addictions, something that took your time from reading His word, than I encourage that you talk to God sincerely. First, ask for repentance, humble yourself, ask God for humility. I had to go through humility and trials. If you are facing some trials, don't blame God. NEVER blame God. That's Satan's wish that you would blame God for it (the oldest trick in the book). God knows how much you can handle and He wants to see how much of your life that you would surrender to Him.. Anyway, ask God for anything you wish for the glory of God. Only for the glory of God. If it's for your own glory, than forget about it.
Anyway, I hope you guys would find encouragement through this last note.
I am deleting my Facebook after Hector tells me what he was going to tell me. :)

Alright, this is Assdhy F. Lolowang.
If you need to contact me, my e-mail is
A.F.Lolowang@gmail.com
I don't check it periodically but you can send one or two.
If you have AOY...
http://www.armyofyouth.org/soldiers/connect/viewprofile.aspx?sid=2500
and if you have blogspot...
http://azdhyxt.blogspot.com/

Anyway, my last note...
I wish you guys would have the same blessings as I have and if you need prayer, send me an e-mail. :)
I don't mind praying for you.
I'm leaving this post until Friday.
So, I'm deleting this account on Friday.
And hopefully no one would be sending me messages through my sister or brother. :)
Anyway, I love you guys.
Just surrender your all to God, and He'll provide. That's not my promise but it's God's promise.
God bless you all.
And have a merry Christmas. Go celebrate the reason why God came to this world. :)

posted 12/22/08

An Awesome Time With God

I couldn't tell you why, I couldn't describe you how, but when I am with Christ and Christ is in me, the feeling is just different. I feel this internal joy that I've never felt before. God will always give you a comforter that will help you in the hard times, and I know, He will do the same to you if you let Him.

Short Personal Biblical Journal

This is base upon the creation of the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19. -KJV

14. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18. And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
19. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

As I was reading this, I wondered, could it be, that the two lights described in Genesis 1:14-19, the two lights that were given to us, the "greater light" and the "lesser light," are the lights/teachings of Jesus and instructions of Ellen G. White.

Why? How did I come up with this? Verse 16 hits me hard. "Greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night." If we think about it, Israelites, at the time of Jesus, possessed the knowledge of God that was kept in their land. They had the law of God; they knew the instructions of God, they were aware of the wisdom of God, yet were not capable of understanding about the "brighter light," which is Jesus. They had the knowledge of the Bible, but they were not shone, the brighter light until Jesus came. We do know that "brightness" symbolized the presence of God that brightens the mind of His chosen people. Israel was living in the "day." They knew about God but were not aware of the coming of the Messiah and refused to accept the teachings of the Brighter light.

Lesser light. E.G.White is known to be a "lesser light." "The Lord has sent his people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. O, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth." {The Colporteur of Evangelist p.37 paragraph.1} Darkness. Isn't it true that at this time of age, God's people have been astray from the brightness of God? After the Dark Age, the knowledge of God has diminished until the "lesser light" brings out the "brighter light" into awareness for His people. I still believe that we are living in the night. Darkness still fills the people of God, because in observance of God's people, we can see that many are still slumbering and perhaps dreaming. I don't think that E.G. White is the only lesser light. If we read through the Bible, only when God's chosen people are drawn apart from the wisdom of God that God sent a messenger, a "lesser light" for His people to gain a better understanding of God's message. Could it be?

Not to forget, "He made the stars also." Genesis 1:16b -KJV Could that identify God's "stars" who are diligently studying the light of God in helping to brighten this darkened world? “And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” Is it possible that God is truly asking His people, the “stars” to drawn apart from darkness et lighten the darkened world?

I know these teachings have been thought by many Adventists, but knowing this personally opens up a new perspective on the “brighter light” and the “lesser light.” Thank you Lord for showing me a little glimpse of the knowledge of Your word. Amazing!

God sent me a text message.

James 1:1-13 and He brought me to Genesis 22:1. Here's the message.

What is temptation?—It is the means by which those who claim to be the children of God are tested and tried. We read that God tempted Abraham, that He tempted the children of Israel. This means that He permitted circumstances to occur to test their faith, and lead them to look to Him for help. God permits temptation to come to His people today, that they may realize that He is their helper. If they draw nigh to Him when they are tempted, He strengthens them to meet the temptation. But if they yield to the enemy, neglecting to place themselves close to their Almighty Helper, they are overcome. They separate themselves from God. They do not give evidence that they walk in God's way. (ST March 12, 1912)

I choose the self-pleasure of this world. I put God away, refusing to accept His message. But this morning He told me to answer His call, and there, in the Bible, He showed me the treasure that I long to find.

May God bless any that takes the time to read this short note. GB.

Youth For Jesus

Youth For Jesus

To those that are reading this message, especially the youths involved, with praises to God, I humbly beseeching you to please pray for the 9 days of Youth Revival / Youth Crusade program entitled “Youth for Jesus” that will start this Friday, the 17th, and ending on the 25th of July, 2009. This program does not benefit our church nor should it benefit any individual involved. However, with earnest prayer and surrendering of self, may it only benefit our Savior, Jesus Christ, through the worship and the lives that we’ve brought to Him.
This program has gone through many miracles. I see God putting His hands down to show His children, His young people, the ultimate power of God.
I still can recall on May 30, 2009, our first elder, told me of his vision for the young people in the church, working their best for Christ. He wanted to take the advantage of the summer-break to reach the young people who knew not of Christ. He asked me to be involved, and I turned it down, however, he explained to me the joy and honor it would bring to God. At that split moment, I recalled at the many rejections of the work of God that I have put to rest. At that moment, my conscience tells me that this is something I cannot turn down and this is something to give God all the glory and honor. As I sat there with our first elder, my heart ached, knowing that this was an impossible task to grasp. As we wrote the names of the coordinators and associates down, I prayed in my heart that the young people, who have the potentials in doing their best for God, can do just that, their best for God. As we draw to an end, we closed with a prayer, asking God to put His hands down on the names listed, to bless this immense work, and we prayed that none of it be glorified to humanity but may it only bring glory to God.
On the 13th, as our church congregation glorified God through praises of songs in California, I stayed struggling with the question, “what is God’s will for me?” On that evening after the church service, I experienced God’s presence through nature on the mountain. He spoke to me through the water’s creek, He touched me from the breeze blown through the Evergreen trees, and He filled my soul with the fresh mountain water from its source. I then stood still at the top of that journey to see His awesome, astounding, overwhelming, grandiose and majestic presence. It was breath-taking. As I humbly stood there, observing the panoramic view from east to west, surrounding me were dark clouds with thunder and lightning, yet, it soaked me not. I then look up to heaven and smiled, thanking God for His abundant guidance and mercies. As I hiked down, on one of the cliffs I noticed a tree protruding out of the cliff above my head. I climbed that cliff, and stood at its branch, which overhang out to the “bottomless” pit. There, I look up again to heaven and knelt on that branch. Tears dripped from the sinful eyes, uttering my prayer, recalling the great things that God have done in the past and what He, with His mercy, will do for me in the future.
Following that day, I found out from our first elder that our main speaker will not be able to attend for a certain reason. I also discovered that we have not found a place to do our crusade. I’ve contacted many speakers to replace our main speaker. From phone calls, to Facebook messages, only one speaker replied to me with good news. Yet, I couldn’t respond to him due to our youth elder whom have contacted an evangelist to be our speaker and have also booked a place for the meeting prior to getting-in-touch with me. Questions and doubts rose in my mind, however, I put it all aside and trusted everything to my living God. I looked on the opposite side; perhaps, this was an answer that I was looking for.
As plans are advancing, I stumbled again at many more problems such as “inability” for young people to do God’s work and perhaps, a lack of confidence. It seemed that these young people are unable to compare God’s work and a mere human’s work. If something is to glorify a human being or a church, than it is simply a human’s work. However, if the work focused and maintained only in glorifying God, than for certain, you should not worry. Instead, have faith young people, you will gain blessings from the Almighty God in doing your part. Do also understand that God’s work is unstoppable when you and I work our best for Him and letting Him do the rest.
I would like to remind you, young people, our talents are entrusted by God, and it is time for us to be mature and to use that talent entrusted for the glory of God. I will tell you this, if you do not and refused to use your talent for the glory of God, God Himself will take it away from you the way He took away mine.
Young men and women whom are involved in this ministry, “Youth for Jesus,” may each one of us consecrate our life fully to Christ. Leave the world behind us and take up the cross daily. I hope from my heart that this message is not just a message to bring you joy and to elevate your faith, however, I hope that this message can be a message of revoke and reproof of our daily character prior in doing God’s work.
It is impossible for a flesh, a human mind, to understand what God’s work for us to toil, until he or she have given them all to Jesus.
My friends, it is an abominable for you and I to call ourselves Christians, while we live fully in the world, longing to be comforted by the world, and wanting to be pleased by it. It is likewise breaking the third commandment of God, putting His precious name in vain.
Please do pray daily throughout this event for everyone involved, including myself, and for souls athirst for the living water, because Satan is willing to keep the children of God in deep asleep.
Do we all remember the story of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13? God’s people will all fall asleep. Not just five, nor three, nor one, it says, “They all slumbered and slept.” However, when the bridegroom cometh, who would still have the faith in keeping their fire burning? Young people, the midnights cry for our Jesus Christ’s soon return has come. The destruction surrounds us, the frivolous, and the self exaltation is around us. Increasing numbers of earthquakes, mud slides, twisters, tsunamis, economy downfall, death tolls, changing of weather, famine, pestilences, many false Christ, wars, rumors of wars and other calamities, to name a few. Open your eyes Christians. Wake up and keep your faith burning for the bridegroom is coming soon.
God bless.

Differences Between Graduate Nurses and Experienced Nurses

A Graduate Nurse throws up when the patient does.
An experienced nurse calls housekeeping when a patient throws up

A Graduate Nurse wears so many pins on their name badge you can´t read it.
An experienced nurse doesn´t wear a name badge for liability reasons

A Graduate Nurse charts too much.
An experienced nurse doesn´t chart enough.

A Graduate Nurse loves to run to codes.
An experienced nurse makes graduate nurses run to codes.

A Graduate Nurse wants everyone to know they are a nurse.
An experienced nurse doesn´t want anyone to know they are a nurse.

A Graduate Nurse keeps detailed notes on a pad.
An experienced nurse writes on the back of their hand, paper scraps, napkins, etc.

A Graduate Nurse will spend all day trying to reorient a patient.
An experienced nurse will chart the patient is disoriented and restrain them.

A Graduate Nurse can hear a beeping I-med at 50 yards.
An experienced nurse can´t hear any alarms at any distance.

A Graduate Nurse loves to hear abnormal heart and breath sounds.
An experienced nurse doesn´t want to know about them unless the patient is symptomatic.

A Graduate Nurse spends 2 hours giving a patient a bath.
An experienced nurse lets the CNA give the patient a bath.

A Graduate Nurse thinks people respect Nurses.
An experienced nurse knows everybody blames everything on the nurse.

A Graduate Nurse looks for blood on a bandage hoping they will get to change it.
An experienced nurse knows a little blood never hurt anybody.

A Graduate Nurse looks for a chance "to work with the family."
An experienced nurse avoids the family.

A Graduate Nurse expects meds and supplies to be delivered on time.
An experienced nurse expects them to never be delivered at all.

A Graduate Nurse will spend days bladder training an incontinent patient.
An experienced nurse will insert a Foley catheter.

A Graduate Nurse always answers their phone.
An experienced nurse checks their caller ID before answering the phone.

A Graduate Nurse thinks psych patients are interesting.
An experienced nurse thinks psych patients are crazy.

A Graduate Nurse carries reference books in their bag.
An experienced nurse carries magazines, lunch, and some "cough syrup" in their bag.

A Graduate Nurse doesn´t find this funny.
An experienced nurse does.

Random thought... What does it take to be with God?

Matthew 14:22-33 NKJV - Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

On this story of “Jesus walking on the lake”, I found a great lesson in it that I wish to share toward young people who walk with Christ.
Let's look at the scenario in the disciples' point of view. Jesus has made His disciples to go ahead before Him. It is night time, and they were tossed by the wave to the middle of the sea without Jesus’ presence in their boat.

I believe that in our Christian life, like the disciples, Jesus let trials and tribulations to come into our life and we often have to go through darkness, tribulations and trials, until we found ourselves living in the middle of nowhere, being tossed by the media and the influence of this world until Jesus walked on water to meet us and even when we’ve found Him, fears and doubts came, like the disciples that they could not even recognize Jesus.

Once Jesus introduced himself to them and assured them to not worry, Peter asked Jesus if he can come to Him on the water and Jesus said, “Come.”

I really love this story and the statement of Jesus. “Come.”
When we get to know Christ, and when Christ enters our life, we are tried through the waves of the world to see our dedication for Him. Are we really committed to serve Him? So when we are committed to go to Christ, Jesus opened up His arm and tells us to “come.” Isn’t it exciting?
As Peter walks to meet Jesus on the water, the Bible says that the wind was boisterous (rough and stormy) and Peter was afraid and he began to sink.
What does it take for young people to walk with Jesus?
Call on Him, get out of your comfort zone, and even though you will be doing something impossible like walking on water, with Jesus, you can do it.
We got to understand that working for Jesus enrage Satan and he will send us rough and stormy winds in our life to keep our focus away from Jesus and he’ll causes us to be afraid.
Jesus does not promise that when you come to Him everything will be wonderful but He promised He’ll be there, just come to Him. Peter, with no hesitation took the chance to do something impossible, to walk on water for Jesus. Peter, in his walk with Jesus had fallen more than once, he betrayed Jesus, yet, Jesus opened up His arms and told Peter to “come.” No matter how far you’ve gone from Christ, with open arms, nailed on the cross, he asks us to come to Him.
That's the thought of my day. May God bless you in a way that you can not imagine, for His thought surpasses yours and mine. :) God bless.

01/31/2009 - My Random Thought... :)

Rome 1:20 NLT - For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Where there's an art, there is always a creator of that piece of art. Whether it's a drawing, a drama, or a piece of music, there's always a creator behind it.
This world that we are living in is a beautiful piece of art with its intrinsic design and splendor. But who is the artist behind it other than the all loving God Himself. The nature of this world have become a silent preacher in speaking of the awesome work of our God. Even the best surgeon in this world admit of a living Creator that have created this intrinsic design of our own physical body.
From the beauty of orange sky at the setting of sun, to the trickling sound of a rain fall, to the blossoming of a rose, and to the complexity of blood flowing through our veins, this world had been created by a Creator, and that Creator my friends, is our awesome God.
That's the thought of the day. May God bless you in a way that you can not imagine, for His thoughts surpasses yours. :) God bless.

- A. F. Lolowang

Christmas' Origins and my opinion about Christmas.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

For many centuries, Christian writers accepted that Christmas was the actual date on which Jesus was born.[9] However, in the early eighteenth century, some scholars began proposing alternative explanations. Isaac Newton argued that the date of Christmas was selected to correspond with the winter solstice,[7] which in ancient times was marked on December 25.[10] In 1743, German Protestant Paul Ernst Jablonski argued Christmas was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a "paganization" that debased the true church.[6] In 1889, Louis Duchesne suggested that the date of Christmas was calculated as nine months after the Annunciation on March 25, the traditional date of the conception of Jesus.[11]

Winter festivals

Main article: List of winter festivals

Mosaic of Jesus as Christo Sole (Christ the Sun) in Mausoleum M in the pre-fourth-century necropolis under St Peter's Basilica in Rome.[12] Christians consider Jesus to be the "sun of righteousness" prophesied in Malachi 4:2.

A winter festival was the most popular festival of the year in many cultures. Reasons included the fact that less agricultural work needs to be done during the winter, as well as an expectation of better weather as spring approached.[13] Modern Christmas customs include: gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; and Yule logs and various foods from Germanic feasts.[14] Pagan Scandinavia celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period. As Northern Europe was the last part to Christianize, its pagan traditions had a major influence on Christmas. Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul. In English, the word Yule is synonymous with Christmas,[15] a usage first recorded in 900.

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti

Main article: Sol Invictus

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti means "the birthday of the unconquered Sun." The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god; Sol, the god of Emperor Aurelian; and Mithras, a soldiers' god of Persian origin.[16] Emperor Elagabalus (218–222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.[17] This day had held no significance in the Roman festive calendar until it was introduced in the third century.[18]

The festival was placed on the date of the solstice because this was on this day that the Sun reversed its southward retreat and proved itself to be "unconquered." Several early Christian writers connected the rebirth of the sun to the birth of Jesus.[3] "O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that Sun was born...Christ should be born", Cyprian wrote.[3] John Chrysostom also commented on the connection: "They call it the 'Birthday of the Unconquered'. Who indeed is so unconquered as Our Lord . . .?"[3]

Patristic developments
Adoration of the Magi by Don Lorenzo Monaco (1422)

The New Testament does not give a date for the birth of Jesus.[19][3] Around AD 200, Clement of Alexandria wrote that a group in Egypt celebrated the nativity on Pachon 25.[3] This corresponds to May 20.[20] Tertullian (d. 220) does not mention Christmas as a major feast day in the Church of Roman Africa.[3] In Chronographai, a reference work published in 221, Sextus Julius Africanus suggested that Jesus was conceived on the spring equinox.[21] The equinox was March 25 on the Roman calendar, so this implied a birth in December.[22] De Pascha Computus, a calendar of feasts produced in 243, gives March 28 as the date of the nativity.[23] In 245, the theologian Origen of Alexandria stated that, "only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod)" celebrated their birthdays.[24] In 303, Christian writer Arnobius ridiculed the idea of celebrating the birthdays of gods, which suggests that Christmas was not yet a feast at this time.[3]

Feast established

The earliest reference to the celebration of the nativity on December 25 is found in the Chronography of 354, an illuminated manuscript compiled in Rome in 354.[25] In the East, early Christians celebrated the birth of Christ as part of Epiphany (January 6), although this festival focused on the baptism of Jesus.[26]

Christmas was promoted in the Christian East as part of the revival of Catholicism following the death of the pro-Arian Emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. The feast was introduced to Constantinople in 379, and to Antioch in about 380. The feast disappeared after Gregory of Nazianzus resigned as bishop in 381, although it was reintroduced by John Chrysostom in about 400.[3]

Middle Ages

In the Early Middle Ages, Christmas Day was overshadowed by Epiphany, which in the west focused on the visit of the magi. But the Medieval calendar was dominated by Christmas-related holidays. The forty days before Christmas became the "forty days of St. Martin" (which began on November 11, the feast of St. Martin of Tours), now known as Advent.[27] In Italy, former Saturnalian traditions were attached to Advent.[27] Around the 12th century, these traditions transferred again to the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25 – January 5); a time that appears in the liturgical calendars as Christmastide or Twelve Holy Days.[27]
Excerpt from Josiah King's The Examination and Trial of Father Christmas (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England.

The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned Emperor on Christmas Day in 800. King Edmund the Martyr was anointed on Christmas in 855 and King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066.

By the High Middle Ages, the holiday had become so prominent that chroniclers routinely noted where various magnates celebrated Christmas. King Richard II of England hosted a Christmas feast in 1377 at which twenty-eight oxen and three hundred sheep were eaten.[27] The Yule boar was a common feature of medieval Christmas feasts. Caroling also became popular, and was originally a group of dancers who sang. The group was composed of a lead singer and a ring of dancers that provided the chorus. Various writers of the time condemned caroling as lewd, indicating that the unruly traditions of Saturnalia and Yule may have continued in this form.[27] "Misrule" — drunkenness, promiscuity, gambling — was also an important aspect of the festival. In England, gifts were exchanged on New Year's Day, and there was special Christmas ale.[27]

Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival that incorporating ivy, holly, and other evergreens.[28] Christmas gift-giving during the Middle Ages was usually between people with legal relationships, such as tenant and landlord.[28]

Reformation into the 19th century
Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present, by John Leech. Made for Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol (1843).

During the Reformation, some Puritans condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast."[29] The Roman Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in a more religiously oriented form. Following the Parliamentarian victory over King Charles I during the English Civil War, England's Puritan rulers banned Christmas, in 1647.[29] Pro-Christmas rioting broke out in several cities, and for weeks Canterbury was controlled by the rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and shouted royalist slogans.[29] The Restoration of Charles II in 1660 ended the ban, but many clergymen still disapproved of Christmas celebration.

In Colonial America, the Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas. Celebration was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. At the same time, Christian residents of Virginia and New York observed the holiday freely. Pennsylvania German Settlers, pre-eminently the Moravian settlers of Bethlehem, Nazareth and Lititz in Pennsylvania and the Wachovia Settlements in North Carolina, were enthusiastic celebrators of Christmas. The Moravians in Bethlehem had the first Christmas trees in America as well as the first Nativity Scenes. Christmas fell out of favor in the United States after the American Revolution, when it was considered an English custom.[30] George Washington attacked Hessian mercenaries on Christmas during the Battle of Trenton in 1777. (Christmas being much more popular in Germany than in America at this time.) By the 1820s, sectarian tension had eased and British writers, including William Winstanly, began to worry that Christmas was dying out. These writers imagined Tudor Christmas as a time of heartfelt celebration, and efforts were made to revive the holiday. Charles Dickens's book A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, played a major role in reinventing Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion as opposed to communal celebration and hedonistic excess.[31] In America, interest in Christmas was revived in the 1820s by several short stories by Washington Irving which appear in his The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon and "Old Christmas", and by Clement Clarke Moore's 1822 poem A Visit From St. Nicholas (popularly known by its first line: Twas the Night Before Christmas).[32] Irving's stories depicted harmonious warm-hearted holiday traditions he claimed to have observed in England. Although some argue that Irving invented the traditions he describes, they were widely imitated by his American readers. The poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas popularized the tradition of exchanging gifts and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance.[33] In reaction, this also started the cultural conflict of the holiday's spiritualism and its commercialism that some see as corrupting the holiday. In her 1850 book "The First Christmas in New England", Harriet Beecher Stowe includes a character who complains that the true meaning of Christmas was lost in a shopping spree.[34] Christmas was declared a United States Federal holiday in 1870, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant.

I strongly believe that Christmas is an origin from Pagan ritual and I do believe, even during Jesus' time, Jesus did not celebrate this Roman's celebration, which was called Saturnalia at that time, because it was to worship the God of Saturn..
I know some Christians don't celebrate Christmas and some do celebrate Christmas. I personally really don't mind celebrating it or not. I don't find anything wrong with both. I mean, it's not like we are taking the trees and worshiping it or worshiping Santa Claus. If you do, than, I would think that you're not a Christian. Because the Bible prohibited worshiping such things other than God Himself.
Anyway, if it's just a type of decoration, and a way to bring family together to learn about the birth of Jesus and His mission, then I don't find anything wrong with celebrating Christmas.
Now of course I got to throw in some verses here.
Jeremiah 10:1-6 (NIV)
"Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel. This is what the LORD says:
'Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.

For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.'

No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power."

Again, this is about idolatry. So if you are worshiping the ornaments, and you make it a focus in which the decorations (tree and all Christmassy stuffs) to be an awe to you, something that you put glory to and it bring your mind away from God, than I suggest to not do it at all. I even suggest that you burn it. For nothing should be more glorified than God. He is a jealous God.

The second text is Mark 7:1-23 I'm not going to post that text here. I believe that you can find it yourself on-line or out of your own Bible. But on these texts, God talked about traditions and your heart. I mean you can not be a hypocrite.

Anyway, you can say anything you wish about Christmas or my opinion here, but if you're doing it in a way that brings dishonor to God, I'm going to leave that with you and God... :)

So is it OK to celebrate Christmas? In my personal opinion, yes. But to what extent?

Remember that anything you do should glorify God.

PS: When I was in Indonesia (98% Muslims), I celebrated Ramadan. I didn't worship their god, but I celebrated with them. They made awesome food with "halal" meat. And when they pray, I pray to my God in my heart to bless this food and hoping that there was no pork or anything that's against my believe. :) Anyway, remember that in the end of time, it all will be about worship. Who would you worship. God? or the world?

Brief History of Days of the week...

Some may have said that our week days have been evolved from the Roman Gods. That is partly true we will learn why.
Jewish system of weekly days have been put in place way before the Romans set the standard in around the 4th Century C.E (Common Era) or A.D (Anno Domini). Basically God had place it in order in the time of the creation.

The Jewish daily system starts from dark (evening) and end at dark (evening). This is due to the believe that at first, the world was without form, dark, and void, and God created light during the first day. After the light, the next day starts with darkness and God created water and it ends in the evening again like the first day (read Genesis 1). Jewish daily system, which have been adopted by many languages also are numerical and they are as follow:
1st Day = Yom Ree-Shon
2nd Day = Yom She-Nee
3rd Day = Yom Shelee-She
4th Day = Yom Re-Ve-ee
5th Day = Yom Hah-Mee-Shee
6th Day = Yom Shee-Shee
7th Day = Yom Sha-Bat

The seven days concept of the Hebrews were then adopted by the Arabians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians and later the Greeks. Then numerical concept was transformed into astronomical by the Romans. In the Roman era, Pagans, who worships the sun, moon and the 5 known planets that were named after their gods, made a new names of the days of the week.

Here they are, in Latin:
1st Day = Dies solis - "Day of the sun (Roman god called Sol or Sol Indiges, which counterpart Helios god of Greece whos brother is Selene the moon god)"
2nd Day = Dies lunae - "Day of the moon (Roman's goddess of the moon called Luna, which counterpart Salene, Greeks god of the moon)"
3rd Day = Dies Martis - "Day of Mars (Roman's god of war and agriculture, second to Jupiter and father of Romulus and Remus. Mars counterpart the Greek god Ares)"
4th Day = Dies mercuri - "Day of Mercury (Roman's god of commerce, travel, and thievery. Mercury is a messenger of Jupiter and other gods. His counterpart is Hermes of Greece)"
5th Day = Dies Jovis - "Day of Joves (Roman's supreme god of Jove or Jupiter aka sky god, which counterpart Zeus the supreme god of Greece)"
6th Day = Dies Veneris - "Day of Venus (Roman's goddes of love, beauty, and vegetation, also the daughter of Jupiter counterparts Aphrodite of Greece)"
7th Day = Dies Saturni - "Day of Saturn (Roman's god of agriculture and vegetation, which counterpart Cronus of Greece)"

After the Romans, the Anglo-Saxon came into place. Here they are:
1st Day = Sunnan daeg - "God of the heat and light ball in the sky."
2nd Day = Monan daeg - "Mona - god of the light ball in the night sky, and tide maker."
3rd Day = Tiwes daeg - "Tiw lived on a high mountain and guided warriors who worshipped him. If a warrior died in battle Tiw would come down to Earth with his angels and take the dead warrior to heaven. Tiw's counterpart is Zeus of Greece."
4th Day = Wodens daeg - "Woden's day (King of the gods). Woden was the god that controlled all the other gods. His number-one mission was to gain all knowledge and wisdom. He visited all four corners of the world to gather information. Nothing could be hidden from him. In fact, he even wore out one of his eyes from seeing so much wisdom. To cover the rather messy dead eye, he wore a large floppy hat and compensated for his sightlessness with blackbird on each shoulder. These birds were his extra eyes and could fly off to spy on people, and then report back to Woden. In this way, Woden knew everything that was going on and people had to be very careful how they behaved in case Woden was watching. After all, as king of all gods, he could wreak havoc on dissenters in any way he chose."
5th Day = Thurs daeg - "Thor's day (god of thunder). Thunder was the sign that Thor was angrily throwing his large hammer across the sky."
6th Day = Frige daeg - "Freya's day (goddess of love). Frigg was a kind and beautiful Norse goddess and wife of Odin, the most powerful god. Their job was to oversee everything that happened in the world and Frigg's specialty was love and marriage."
7th Day = Satern daeg - "Seterne's day (god of agriculture). People believed that the god named Saturn controlled the weather and hence the success or failure of crops. Sacrificing a farm animal to Saturni would increase the chances of pleasing the god, resulting in favourable weather and a good crop."

FINALY friends, after wars, conflicts, and "unity", which is a little after 600 C.E or A.D, Old English came to play as the main language in the Northern part of Europe. During the 1100 to about 1500, Middle English was spoken and from 1500 to now Modern English has grown into the greatest spoken language in the world. So after learning the concept of the origins of the days of the week, we have the days in English:
1st Day = Sunday
2nd Day = Monday
3rd Day = Tuesday
4th Day = Wednesday
5th Day = Thursday
6th Day = Friday
7th Day = Saturday

Before conclusion, I forgot to mention one more newest language in the world and is used Internationally. ISO or International Organization for Standardization language especially the ISO-8601 (date and time notation language) was available since 1971 for a numeric representation of information regarding date and the time of day. It is based on the Gregorian calendar and it is used on almost every technology available in the world.

Here's what it has on the 7 days:
1st Day = Sunday = 7
2nd Day = Monday = 1
3rd Day = Tuesday = 2
4th Day = Wednesday = 3
5th Day = Thursday = 4
6th Day = Friday = 5
7th Day = Saturday = 6

So basically when others state that Sunday to Saturday are the days of the Pagan gods, they are right and yes, many will say that the 7th day is not Saturday but Sunday. However, as Christians and Adventists, we strongly believe in the Bible. And because the creation were thought based from the Bible, we do believe that the 7th day is the holy day of rest and yes, Yom Shabat or the "Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." - Mark 2:27.

I hope learning a little bit of history can expand our mind and thought that this world have been greatly influenced by Satan and his works. Therefore, as Adventist Youths, we need to put on the whole armour of God. Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world, and against wicked spirits in high places. - Ephesians 6:10-20.

God bless...

The Day I Decided to QUIT! (The Fern and the Bamboo)

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. ..
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.” He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said. "The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
............

God will never ever give up on you.

For the Christians, prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, instead, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heaven’s door open this morning, God asked me... “My CHILD...
what can I do for you?” and I said “Daddy please protect and bless the one reading this message.”

God smiled and answered ... "request granted."
............

Good days give you Happiness.

Bad days give you Experiences.

Both are essential to life.


Keep going...


Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong,

Sorrows keep you Human,

Failures keep you Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only God keeps You Going!
............

This message is now in your hands.
What will YOU do with it?

Words for the Adventist Youth

"Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.

And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."
Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets."
When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink." Luke 5:1-7 - NASB

How awesome is God? He stepped into the boat, He made Simon to get back in the boat and to move the boat away from the land so that He can share the good news to Simon and the others. He told Simon to do something that Simon knew is impossible due to his experience and even though of Simon's past, Simon followed what Christ told Him, and because he listened and do, God blessed these fishermen abundantly until they began to sink.

Adventist youths, Jesus took the chance to step into your boat, share you the good news, and tell you to be a fisher of men. God is asking you to step out of your comfort zone, and if you do His will, you will be blessed abundantly.

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.' Amen." Matthew 28:18-20 - KJV

Adventist youths, you know the message. I don't need to explain to you what Matt 28:18-20 talks about. But what I truly love from this verse is God's promise. "... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." - Jesus.

He will be with us until the end of the world. May we do our parts in our daily life.

Anger toward Adventist Youths

Dear Adventist Youths,

I happened to turned on the radio and heard how Facebook was used to get in-touch with criminals about their court date. The judges and the authorities stated that people respond better on Facebook than calling them through their phones.
Like books, radio, television and internet, Facebook too is a tool in spreading a message. Why can it be a message about Jesus? Jesus stated that if you deny the Father before men, He will deny you before His father.
What upsets me the most is what many of the Adventist youths are doing with their own Facebook page? Yes, Facebook is for you personally. However, isn’t it true that Facebook is used to share to others a little more of you that others may have not seen? If God is not on your Facebook, wouldn’t it be true that God is not in your personal life? There are millions of Facebook users that have not known about Christ yet. Are you going to keep silent of the word of God? Are you going to sit still in front of your computer and alert people of how you dislike this person, and that idea, and the fun you’ve spent with friends and disregard, perhaps, one of your friend who has no knowledge of Christ ending up knowing how your malicious, or frivolity, or even your levity egoistic idea that are revealed through Facebook? Do not be influenced by others. Use this chance to proclaim your God, testify about His love, share a testimony of what He has done to you through the notes application, and maybe share a text that can inspire others.
I read an advertisement that said something like this: “If you’re reading this, than there’s a great chance that others are also reading this. Please call ###-#### to post your Ad” I strongly feel that Facebook is something like that, it’s like an advertisement of your own life. You can definitely advertise your personal life on Facebook, also, you can interchangeably share Christ so that others may see what Christ have done to you. Isn’t it possible? I believe so.
Hasten God’s second coming my friends. Let anyone that spent hours on Facebook, instead of the Bible, to read your testimony and be blessed. Also remember this; if they are criticizing you’re way of testifying God, know that they are certainly criticizing God.
Imagine this, you have the chance to bring hundreds of souls to Christ through the people that you’ve added from Facebook, yet, you choose to keep silent. What can a bright flashlight be if it’s hidden behind the thread of your pocket? How can your pizza taste like pizza when you restricted the amount of cheese that it should have? Shout the message on top of the mountain if you need to, but wouldn’t it be pointless if you’re screaming it to rocks and trees? My friend, God is giving you ways to share His message to others. Are you going to just sit there and talk more about yourself? Or is it time to make Facebook a tool to introduce others to Christ?

Sincerely,
- A. F. L.
A youth for Christ. :)

PS: Facebook has more than 140 million active users, average user has 100 friends on the site, 2.6 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day, and more than 13 million users update their statuses at least once each day. (http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics). What are you waiting for? Are you going to let pastors and missionaries do all the spreading of God’s news? It’s about time that every Adventist youths, young and old, to share His good news to every corner of the world, including the World Wide Web. So pass this message on to your Adventist friends and share His message and see the life that will be touched.