Guidelines 101.1 by Harold Sala

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY GRANDCHILDREN

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD'S love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children.
Psalm 103:17

When you were born, William, as the first grandchild, I made a vow before God that I would be the best grandpa I knew how to be. That was more than 20 years ago, and over the years I have rejoiced over the birth of each of you who now calls me grandfather. I'm planning on seeing all of you finish college and some day marrying someone who reflects your integrity and values; but if, for whatever reason, should I not be there, I want you to know there are seven things I desire for you--things that only you can do.


Desire #1: Always walk with your face pointed towards heaven.

I'm not satisfied for you to just "know who Jesus is and call yourself a Christian," but to be fully committed to Him. If Jesus is God (and He is), then give Him 100%. You've come from a long line of men and women who believe God and are committed to Jesus Christ. But God has no grandchildren. I know you are all on the right path—stay with it.


Desire #2: Know right from wrong and choose the right.

Sure, we all make mistakes, but don't make the same ones twice. Learn from your mistakes. You've grown up in Christian homes, but the time is going to come when you've got to choose for yourself. Two simple words, "Do right!" are powerful. Ask yourself, "What's the right thing to do?" then be brave enough to choose the right thing, no matter how unpopular or how difficult it may be.


Desire #3: Be tough enough to stand alone.

It's never easy to be different, but the time comes eventually when you have to draw a line and say, "Look, I can't do that." Choose your friends wisely because they influence you. But never forget, "It's OK to be different, to march to the beat of a different drummer.”


Desire #4: Find out what God says about issues, and then consider the issue settled.

I know you have already settled the issue that the Bible is the Word of God. Memorize it, and let it be your guide as it has been for your parents, for us, and our parents before us. Read it each day, memorize it, and it will give you guidance and light.


Desire #5: Choose your marriage partners carefully.

Life is a long time, and I believe God has a special person for each of you. Trust Him. Don't just marry another person "who is a Christian," but marry someone who shares your values, your commitment, and your determination to make your marriage work. Don't be in a hurry to marry, and until you find the right one, keep yourself pure. What God asks you to do, He will help you to accomplish.


Desire #6: Find God's will for your life and make your life count for Him.

Yes, I hope you will always be involved serving the King. Nothing pleases me more than to see you involved in His work now! Keep it up!


Desire #7: Never forget who you are.

Each of you is different and your gifts and talents are unique. You're one of a kind, God's masterpiece, and you're a chip off the old block. Never forget, you are God's child and lift your head high. You are cut out of good stuff—tough stuff, too. That great cloud of witnesses Hebrews talks about may well include our great grandparents--perhaps, me too, someday, and we'll all be cheering for you. Keep walking in our tracks.

Resource reading: Psalm 103

JAMES OUTLINE

no matter how tight my schedule will be this semester, I will not set aside meeting with the Bible Study (BS for brevity) Group specially when I commit to teach :) This calling was affirmed when i read Jeremiah 20:9 (NKJV)

Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.

I cannot ignore the natural tug and peaceably sail through the seas of my other concerns for when i do, the storm in me will surely strike my focus and make me less productive on those which i prioritized over the clear instruction from the Lord to meet and share His word. I remember Jonah staying inside the "fishy belly" for three days when he tried to run away from what God has asked him to do and i think I'll find myself in the same situation whenever i entertain the thought of postponing the BS to have more time to study for school. It does not feel right to procrastinate specially when you know James 4:17 NKJV)

Therefore, to him who knows to do good
and does not do it, to him it is sin.

I believe it is best to treat the BS as a two unit subject that it will be accorded ample time and attention. What I and my BS mates should keep in mind is that the BS is for our own benefit and pleasure:

1.) the Lord is blessed when His children gather to learn from Him
2.) we are energized whenever we hear victories over temptations and trials
3.) we have constant friends to laugh with or even cry with
4.) we can lend ear to the one struggling and extend comfort to him
5.) we play, sing and EAT together (thanks to ate Nat's house where we gather)
6.) one of them could be your companion to go malling and jogging (mine is Faith Go)
7.) we corporately pray for our friends, churches, family, teacher, gov't and school
8.) we are connected by a bond established by God and nourished by the Spirit
9.) we also share law school notes :) -thanks ate jazzie, dana, marian, gia, janey
10.) we encourage one another to practice faithfulness, love, mercy and grace

We are going through the book of James which is a very practical book written by the half-brother of Jesus. Taking the verses piece by piece, going pretty "slow" that we have covered upto chapter 3 only since the start of the semester and the following are those we emphasized in our study:

1. In chapter 1 we learned that trials are necessary to our maturity like fire in purifying gold but when we face them God said that we can ask wisdom from Him that He freely gives without reproach. Also in this chapter that we are reminded of the ROYAL LAW (love your neighbor as yourself) and warned as well that sin leads to death.

2. Further in chapter 1, James exhorted the believers to be doers of the word and not merely listeners thereof for it is foolish to remain dormant after knowing what is good and bad. He also said that our wrath does not produce God's rightheousness therefor we should be slow to anger and abound in grace.

3. Chapter 2 dissuaded favoritism or prejudice in the treatment of a brother and called our attention again that our deeds are evidences of our faith.

4. However, James said in the 3rd chapter that while we should be doers of the word it does not mean that we should pay less attention to our speech because words have the power to heal or destroy. Indeed the wild has been tamed by men but we never succeeded in taming our tongues that is why we should constantly ask God to season our words with salt and grace that it may bring healing and not curse. Coming with the right words to say requires a conscious effort unlike with malicious imputations where there is no need to try because it is our natural bend. Not listening to gossips is better than simply withholding your personal opinion while on ears to the source.

I have more to share but for lack of material time I will stop here. I love the idea that even if i will not be a pastor's wife, God can use me to share His word.
God bless you my readers.

All glory and honor be unto our faithful Lord :) happy shalala

On Board

picture by: addwallper.com


Only when i take my eyes off you
that I feel the waves
The anchor seems loose
when temptation comes my way

I'm starting to shrink
oh Lord please help
Call me of little faith
but I'm glad You've reached out for my hand

These doubts lead me nowhere
but right on my knees begging for grace
Establish my steps Father
lead me to Your perfect way

May a Songs of Dux i will have in my heart
treasured times worth remembering back
Spend with me sweet moments
that will last like Your promises

Merciful Lord stand by me
uplift me higher than my troubles
Oh loving Jesus be my bestfriend and Lord
be my world, my all

perpetual

picture by flickr.com



there is nothing constant in this world but change, choice and God to which i am grateful because:

1. i don't want trials, illness or the climate to be lasting. problems should only for a season that is enough to bring about the value intended for it.

2. when circumstnaces change such as church transition, different professors handling review subjects or recitations in 4th year, the choice to adapt remains

3. why fear the unknown when Someone is good, gracious, faithful, omniscient and omnipresent to guide you in meeting every tomorrow with confidence and joy. He gave His son to die for our sins, what good thing then that He cannot give to us whom He loves with an everlasting and unconditional love.

it is an acceptable fact that life is short so why don't we spend it on something that will impact eternally like:

1. praying- answers may come after our lifetime

2. sharing the gospel- we are responsible on the awareness part and leave to God the awakening point. this we do because we share our Lord's heart to have everybody in heaven (hell was intended for Satan and his angels)

3. living a godly life- we do not only make God happy but it benefits us personally and primarily. life is indeed good if we do not carry baggages of bitterness, hatred, envy and impure motivations. if we are forgiving, helpful and kind to our brothers we will enjoy peace of mind and love will never leave our side.

together

http://nhvtwelldrilling.com/images/overflowwell.jpg

Annie said “in law school you learn more about life than law itself”. To me, law school is like Paul or Joseph’s prison cell which hinders mobility but never the ministry. Here are some of my writings which are directly related to His present work for me.



1.
The “C”

God wanted to rule over His people but men demanded for a human king.
1Sa 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD.
1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

In our study of the 1987 Constitution we encountered Article II Section 6 which provides “ The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.” When I searched the Bible i’ve found that God taught us to submit to the government while we keep growing in our faith where church and the state are independent entities.

A. Matthew 22:21 (NKJV) xxxAnd He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
B. Romans 13 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Nothing is more comforting than to know that Jesus is our Creator, Chief, and Christ. Our Creator knows our framework for He formed us in His hand and with that we can commit our lives to Him for He surely knows what to do with us. The Chief of the heavens is the most powerful one who could kill not only the body but also the soul. Heaven is on earth when every soul is God-fearing. Nobody is perfect which means that we are all destined to go to hell but we have Christ who provided Himself as the sacrificial lamb for the remission of our sins that we may join Him in heaven for eternity.

I gladly join Joshua in declaring “

Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”




2.
Election Day

Cover what you can when you read without missing a meal or sacrificing sleep because God knows when to spare you from trouble. Keep the discipline and calm yourself from unread cases for who knows the teacher is out or a classmate saves it for you. (Proverbs 2:7)

However, only God knows also when to withhold rescue for the sake of a new life lesson. I remember running out of time to read the last case assigned in Election law, alas!, I got the remark: “You are not responsive to the question. You read the case, didn’t you?”. Who’s a 2nd year will waste his seconds not reading? Count me in to the NOBODY list. But, that moment was perfect to learn: accepting joyfully my portion for the day. (1Thessalonians 5:16 ;Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:34)

Law school is a good ground to grow your faith.



3.
Heavenly Rules of Court

We learn from our remedial law subjects the procedure on how things should be done in court. We also know a number of cases dismissed in defiance of the rules such as when there is failure to attach the certificate of non-forum shopping, filing outside the reglementary period, or non-payment of the supersedeas bond when required.

Indisputably our Father in heaven is loving, forgiving and gracious but we should not forget that He is also a just God. The general rule is that the wages of sin is death (hell)(Romans 6:23) but by the blood of our defense lawyer, Christ, redeemed us from it (Ephesians 2:8).

A good warning from John 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? 23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!

Don’t let the lies of Satan (the accuser) fool you and be denied for admission in heaven. Know God’s Word, His rules and stay close to your counsel pro bono named Jesus.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the




4.
Choose your battle

How many vacation trips did you miss for school? Do not fret while you count because I believe the pasalubongs make up the stay. The fuss actually is choosing a piece from an array of memento.

Needless worry is what you get when you do not how to choose your battle. Surely cold-sweat recitations, mind-breaking exams, even grief-coated newscast can send us to the institution next block. However, with wisdom and faith we can rest our souls. We need spiritual senses to trade off the unnecessary load for the light yoke. (Matthew 11:28)



5.
Gummy School

Nobody would be brave enough to hug a bear or step on a crocodile when they are real and bigger than your refrigerator but when they are in the form of stuffed toys then you can even have them while you swim through your fantasies. Can you imagine eating a whole shark, worm, croc or bear? I do when they are “gummy”.
Law school seems to be “scary” that would suck all your energy and confidence but it could be “gummy” if you implore the help of the Almighty. There is no short cut in thorough learning where you need to spend the whole semester reading that at the end of the period you will be amazed how you’ve managed to finish the “thick” text books and the fat pile of photocopied cases. You can even tally the times you stand up to look into Black’s the meaning of this and that. Pray for discipline, wisdom, joy in your studies and for true friends.
Luke 18:27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."




6.
Calendar

Las night, my sister gave me a 2009 calendar which I pinned on the door. I made marks on the special dates (exam schedule)  that I shall cross out once over. The calendar reminds me on how short is a lifetime and how awesome is the paradise promised by the Lord where every believer shall live for eternity. Actually, In 2008 I bid “see yah” to my grandparents and I shed tears for the temporal separation from them but remained joyful and hopeful knowing that in Christ there are no goodbyes.

We change our calendars after 365 days, it is profitable to know that God remains the same. If you believe that God made you finish pre-school, grade school, high school and college then don’t doubt that He is able to make you finish law school and in time make you a lawyer for His glory.

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written:"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom




7
Do not miss the Savior

Recently, we have a stormy weather where I am most tempted to sleep more than usual. Such weakness wrecks my time table, heightens school pressure as a consequence. I have to go to the library or somewhere I can do my readings to be delivered from the trouble of laziness but there are really times where I fail to take heed the wisdom of self-control.

We are now in the BER season, we remember the story of Joseph. Joseph was guided by the Lord in three decisions, 1) Proceeding with the wedding, 2) Fleeing to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, and 3) Moving to Nazareth (Matt. 1-2). This encourages me that God leads and guides us in details of our lives. Each time God may use a different method, but He always guides. May we always be in obedience for our Guide knows everything.

Psalms 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.




8.
T or F

Do you love a true or false exam? To do well at it requires mastery of the law. One had advised that mastery is achieved thru reading the codal provisions at least 5 times before the exam as cows do the “chewing the cud”.
More often than not in re-reading you would scold yourself for missing so many points in your first reading. Take heart therefore to master God’s word that you’ll have a quick recognition of what is true and to use the same to be on guard against Satan’s deceptions.
Somebody wrote in my bible this, “the bible will keep you from sin but sin will keep you from the bible. Lastly, please live out the Word of God for it is application that distinguishes wisdom from knowledge.

Psalms 119:128
Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.

To God be all the glory.