I wonder why several Christian bible believer are celebrating Christmas
which they know that it not in the bible, are they blinded by tradition or
bonded? Some pastor tough that Christmas is not in the bible and if you are
bible believer you should be aware of it and will not do it. Maybe, you are
sleeping when pastor taught it; wake up my brethren, Christmas celebration is
not base on the bible.
Some reason why Christian-Bible believer celebrate Christmas;
They say, they just mingle with their friend who is not a believer, they
won‘t that their friend to call them killjoy, or they won‘t their friend to
keep bad feeling to them that’s why they join in Christmas celebration, Others
are saying their kids are jealous to other kids who have a Christmas decoration
in their home like Christmas tree, that’s why they also put the same. Some say
it’s just a tradition.
These are many reasons why some brethren join in Christmas celebration, if
we truly believe in the bible we follow God command;
“‘Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it
nor take away from it’” (Deut. 12:32 NKJV).
Christmas is not from what we believing, so, why we follow it. what we needs
to be follow is what God commanded in the bible, anything added to what He
commanded is extraneous and is, therefore, merely man-made. If a man’s worship
or follow a religious observance made by men, such worship is in vain. Jesus
made this clear during His public ministry when He quoted what God said:
“And in vain they worship ME, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”
(Matt. 15:9, Ibid.). They taught the teaching of man as teaching of God.
In the case of Christmas, this celebration has no biblical mandate. no specific instruction in the Bible, either from the Lord or from His
apostles, that Christmas is to be celebrated. Consequently, in the absence of
such a command, we also do not find in Scriptures any instruction as to the
manner by which it is to be done. There is no scriptural command or prescribed
procedure in connection to its celebration.
It’s difficult to see that our child got jealous to other children who
celebrating a Christmas, or our friend got mad on us if we did not join them, but as a Christian we should practice what the bible
say, this is a part of our faith that we should fight for, we are in the light, we should be the light of the world, an example of
truly Christian bible believer.
Last Nov. 19 2013, from the poll of Abs-Cbn “Umagang kay Ganda” program,
show that, 58 percent out of 100 percent of the voters didn‘t want to abolish
the PDAF or Pork barrel.
I’m not against the Ruling of the Supreme Court, I’m just expressing my
views as a citizen of the Philippines, I’m just wondering, why only now, after
long years, if this called PDAF scam or the pork barrel scam, which is
involving the alleged misuse by several members of the Congress of the
Philippines didn’t come out or the whistle blower didn't shout, it will not found by Supreme
Court unconstitutional? It’s been sensational for the months, a group of people
and cause oriented group march for it for abolition, maybe it was one reason
why it was declared unconstitutional, to avoid further issues, that involved
our elected politician.
Too many people got help from this PDAF of politician mostly the student who
sponsored by some politicians for scholarship, those who seek medical help and
many other people, like me when my brother confined in the hospital and we have
no enough money to pay the bill, our congressman in our town help us to pay our
bills, this is one reason why the poll from abs-cbn are higher than those who
want to abolish it because of the help they can get.
I’m not a lawyer but for me like any other people, it should not be abolish,
change the name, maybe.
I’m thinking the poor, in my view, the one who want to abolish it, is the
one who can’t get what he want despite of his act in paying the taxes, he
thought that his taxes goes nothing, but for the poor who benefited it, is not.
the best thing to do to avoid like this scam is transparency, some
politician can freely use the pork barrel wherever they want because there is
no transparency, in case of where is the pork barrel used by other politician,
there is no report to the public, to the people where they use it, or at least
to their constituent, people of the Philippines has a right to know where the
money go through, why don’t show a check and balance to the people?, so, they
may know where it goes, on the contrary the politician will think twice if he
want to use it on his personal because he know people will learn it.
We know that some politicians use it for their constituent and to help the
poor. I hope the lawmaker will make a law in exchange of PDAF for the sake of
the poor people who is nothing to turn to, but their elected leader.
Until now this is a topic, I’m not anti or pro, just in the middle. On the other hand, abolition of
this PDAF will lessen the corruption.
With a cup of coffee we talk about today’s Barangay election related
violence, it’s a history without solution, more severe than the national
election.
Before the Barangay Election and until it was done. The violence related to
barangay election happened in many provinces, even here in the city, like,
killing, extortion, vote buying and snatching of ballot boxes and various illegal
activities related to this election.
Because of this violence, 6,195 barangays or 14.74 percent of the 42,028
barangays nationwide were declared by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as
election watch list areas (EWAs) in the barangay polls.
(http://philstar.com/)
My question is, why several candidate are so eager to put themselves in the
position, they make everything to be sure that they will sit in the barangay
position, why? They want to help others, they want a benefit, or they want power?
What is the benefits’ of Barangay Official?
As I say, there are 42,028 Barangay in the country; each has a Barangay
Captain, seven (7) Councillors and Youth Council Chairman, election held every
three years (3) on the last Monday in October. Under Republic Act Number 8524
or the Local Government Code of 1991 created, they received a honorarium
allowance for Barangay Chair at least 1000 pesos and 600 pesos for Barangay
council and member, it may be increased under E.O no. 332. As I know, today, their
salary ranges up to 8,000 pesos for barangay captain. Payments however, are
subject to the availability of funds.
Aside from that honorarium they are also entitle for;
1. Christmas bonus in the form of cash gift at the rate authorized by law.
2. Insurance covered under RA 6942.
3. Medical care consisting of free hospitalization in government hospital,
but in extreme emergency, the same official may be confine in Private
Hospitals with expenses fund at not more than 5,000 pesos per officials.
4. Free tuition and matriculation fee for legitimate dependent children in
their area during their term only.
5. Conferment of civil service eligibility based on the number of years of
services in the Barangay
6. Preference in appointment to any government position after the term.
Umm! Good benefits.
What is the POWERS, DUTIES AND FUNCTION of Barangay?
1. Agricultural support services (e.g., the distribution of planting
materials, and the establishment and operation of collection and buying
stations for farm produce);
2. Health and social welfare services (the maintenance of barangay health
centers and day care centers);
3. Services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation,
beautification and solid waste management;
4. Maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and water supply systems
5. Infrastructure facilities such as multipurpose halls, plazas, sports
centers and other similar facilities;
6. Information and reading centers; and
7. Satellite or public markets, wherever viable.
Barangay Chair:
1. Negotiate, enter into and sign contracts for and in behalf of the
barangay
2. Approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of barangay funds
3. Carry firearm in the performance of his peace and order functions
4. Prepare the annual executive and supplemental budgets of the barangay in
coordination with the barangay development council
5. Administer the operation of the “katarungang pambarangay”
Barangay Council:
1. Enact annual and supplemental budgets
2. Provide compensation, reasonable allowances or per diems as well as
travel expenses for barangay council members and other barangay officials,
subject to the budgetary limitations prescribed under the Local Government Code
3. Solicit or accept monies; monies or properties donated by private
agencies and individuals belong to the barangay’s trust fund
4. Hold fund-raising activities for projects without the need of securing
permits from any national or local office or agency. Proceeds from such
activities are tax-exempt.
Many works...benefits are not enough compared to duties and
responsibilities.
Public official hold a big responsibilities, if we look in salary of barangay official, it’s too
low compared to other public official salary, despite of this they still want
to be a barangay official, they say, they want serve the people, well, it’s up
to them, people are the power compared to their position, with God who put them
in the position will also put them down if they do wrong against the people.
Remember this Quote of Franklin D Roosevelt for Public Official.
"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien
power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and
senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this
country."
Sorry for inconvenient? so, this is the reason why I got late in my
work, a road re-blocking conducted by Metro Manila Development Authority, in
the stretch of EDSA second lane, north and south bound. According to MMDA it
will last until Tuesday Oct. 29, 2013. It’s good for a better improvement of
our street.
Just one eye shot of the past, I remember the last time,
they conduct road repair at night, and in the morning you’ll be surprised there
is a new platform in the street. There is no traffic in the day. But now they
work at the day, also in the day where you are expecting a free traffic day
because it’s Saturday or Sunday. Sound like they don’t want to pay overtime for
the workers?
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| Edsa from Pasay Rotonda |
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| EDSA going to Magallanes |
A little patience my fellowmen, If you will go out within the day of
re-blocking, take extra time to reach your destination on time or Take alternative
route to avoid EDSA.
Every time there is an event of Church of Christ like what happened last Oct. 14, 2013, Evangelical Mission and Gift Giving activity of the Church, held at several area of Metro Manila.
This event causes a chaos, traffic jam and criticism from the people
and from social media, and I also received criticism in my twitter saying, no system and selfishness act. not all people but those who criticized this event, I think, they did not know what they are saying, this is just one day event, why didn't we let is fast without criticizing it, we just giving our-self a stress, in fact, we can do nothing about it, but creating a bad impression from the words of God.
In the Bible, God said, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put
darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet
for bitter. (Isa 5:20) ....Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can
deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” (Isa 43:13)
By His word, He said, they are the people who put evil in good, good to evil
and put darkness to light, light to darkness and sweet to bitter, bitter to
sweet, they can do nothing but criticizing, expressing that they are against God will, if they only knew the word of God
they will know what is God trying to show by this event.
Because, it is God will, He shows that He really love His people, He use
this Event to bring salvation for all people and to give their need. He wanted
all people to come with Him, to be with Him in Holy City, lead by His Son Jesus
Christ, the head of the Church.
God is Gracious, He is not a man who changed His mind, from the beginning He
already calling all men to be with His Son, until today He still calling us to
accept and enter to his kingdom.
