Long time since I updated my Xanga thingy.

I missed the testimony meeting at church this past Saturday but I actually wanted to give a testimony except I had too many things planned for that day. I had to finish working on my Sunday School lesson, go to church to pick up the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child (128 boxes...yeah!! Thank God and CBYF), then I had to head up to Boca for a funeral. Which brings me to my testimony. Don't worry it's pretty short but REAL!!!

Last week I happened to be speaking to my Mom about church and God. I was encouraging her to go to church and to take my Dad as well. She has been realizing the need to seek God more fervently. So I mentioned the idea that it always seem that old people are the ones that feel the need to seek God. Perhaps its because they are closer to dying. However, I immediately pointed out the fact that death has no discriminatory factors, including age. That being said, everyone no matter what age should be seeking God because you never know when He will call for you. That being said, one of my old friends that I used to work with and was pretty close to, lost his son in a car accident on Tuesday gone. His son was only 19 years old and he was late for school and apparently he was speeding. He died instantly in the accident but this of course came as a blow to many including myself. Talk about a tragedy.

My immediate thoughts ran to the idea of whether he was saved or not. On hearing of his death, I was somewhat dumbfounded and had to take a few minutes to recollect myself. After saying a short prayer for my friend and his family, my next thoughts went out to my immediate family and friends. I felt this urgency to reach out to my nephews and nieces to guarantee their salvation. I already know the future of my brother, sister, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, parents-in-law, parents, and most importantly, my wife (and I thank God for that!)

On returning home from work, I immediately wrote an emial to my brother telling him of my friend's son's death and expressing my concern for his children, especially his son who is close to my friend's son's age. The difference is that my brother and his family is in Singapore. I spoke to my sister the following day and did the same making sure that she knew where her children are going. In the mean time, I spoke to my friend, who's son had been killed. It was not an easy thing for me and he was not in the best shape judging from his emotions. Yet, I took the time to ask him if he went to church. He told me that his wife went occassionly but he didn't go that much. He then went on to tell me, specifically, that his son did not believe in God. His consolation was that although he didn't believe in God, he was a good boy, who did good things and everyone liked him. Oh no! I thought to myself.

Well here it is...being a good person does not get you into heaven. Let me repeat that. BEING A GOOD PERSON DOES NOT GET YOU INTO HEAVEN!!!

There is no consolation that I could share with my friend. However God pointed something out to me as I am pointing out to you. If you care about anyone at all, you need to make sure they know who Jesus is and what He will do for you. There is a huge urgency to share the gospel with everyone you care about, especially family and close friends. You have no idea when you will be taken from this earth as seen from my friend's young son, who seemed to have his whole life ahead of him. Make sure that you know where you will go if you die tomorrow. Make sure that you give the opportunity for your family and friends to know the same. If you cannot be sure of where you will go after you die, then you need to talk to me or one of your Christian friends.

Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, to eternal life, and ultimately to God. Here are a few verses to clarify things:

^{JN 14:6} Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Being somewhat computer literate, I decided to see what I could do with my Xanga site and it's appearance.

Hmmm...I said, I don't want to spend the money to upgrade to Xanga premium so here's what I will do. I will borrow a new skin from one of the other sites.

An hour later...hee hee. Xanga won't let me customize my skin without upgrading. Well, if anyone of my Xanga-smart fans out there know how to get around all this, let me know. 

In the mean time, all is well with me...well sort of. I still have the usual allergy congestion and stuffiness. A little coughing but thank God, no headache right now (yeah it still comes and goes.)

Just waiting for Iva to come home with some food (yeah, once a week she does that for me, but I don't mind.)

Saturday's are dedicated to catching-up. Sunday School and any other planned activities are done then. Not much time to get stuff done as Saturday nights are back to work. So much to do, so little time to do it.

And by the way...when school is all said and done, your time still goes away! What does this mean to you? Well, once you start working, it seems your time is sucked up even more so than when you were at school. This means...enjoy school. In the words of the famous actor Rodney Dangerfield from the movie, "Back to School", "Stay in school forever...it's a jungle out there!!!"

All joking aside, God cares for us regardless of how stupid we are or think we are. He also cares for us regardless of how smart we are or think we are. We are much too proud to even deserve what God has given and will gove to us. Whew...thank you Lord for not loving us on the basis of merit or actions. Help us to see others the way You see us.

Okidoki...gotta go.

Hasta la vista...baby!!!