The Members of the Church of God International (MCGI) celebrated the second quarter of International Thanksgiving on July 29- July 31, 2016. Brethrens from different places of the globe, from the East to the West, gave thanks to the Lord in this 3 day sacrifice of thanksgiving for all His kindness and mercy. Singing praises, dancing, and loud cheers could be heard from Apalit, Pampanga where the event was hosted to different monitoring sites across the world.
The religious group is more known as Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) which is the name of the T.V. program hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano where different questions regarding faith are answered in detail based on the verses in the Bible. MCGI is a group that is incomparatively always thankful to God. Thanksgiving is held every week, while the 3 day International Thanksgivng is held quarterly. Profound topics of faith never heard from different religious organizations are taught to the brethren, resulting for more reasons to thank God for the rare wisdom heard.
Brother Eli taught that there are several reasons to thank God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In addition, being given the opportunity or the life to give the Lord thanks is another reason to be thankful.
The hastag #NationOfGodMCGI also took the top spot in Twitter’s top trending hashtags.
Meanwhile, a defender of another religious group also used MCGI’s hashtags #NationOfGodMCGI and #RejoiceNationOfGodMCGI to post his own interest, attacking the church.
Still, nothing compares to the God-given wisdom fed to the Church of God.
Luke 21: 15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
I am also personally thankful to God for all the unexpected blessings in my life such as getting the job I’m not even sure why I got accepted despite my disadvantage compared to other applicants. It is truly a blessing and a miracle of God.
I also want to thank Him for letting my beloved friend attend this day of thanksgiving with us. I really do pray to God that He always be with her and guide her in everything. I thank God for the opportunity to bring her. May God bless my friend always.
Thank you for reading!
To God be all the glory and honor!
I just want to save and share this poem way back when we were still in KNC. This is a really nice poem we used to recite in presentations. Author is unknown (coz it was way back) but I’ll have this updated if I know who he was.
To God be all the Glory!
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
Paalala ng Munti
Bata bata paano ka ginawa? Tanong ng manunulat na si Luwalhati Bautista Ang tanong ko naman ay ‘di lang sa bata Kapatid, kapatid paano ka gumawa?
Manatiling musmos sa kasamaan Ngunit matatag sa pakikipaglaban Magpakalalaki sa pangangatuwiran Gaya ng mangangaral dito’y nasumpungan
Walang katulad sa karunungan Sa salita ng Dios walang inuurungan Pighatiin ma’y ‘di papipigil Magtanggol ng katuwiran na sa tao’y kaligtasan
Sari-saring relihiyon ang namamayagpag Pawang kasinungalingan at pagliligaw lamang Abang puso ng tao’y nilihis sa katuwiran Mga bulag na taga-akay layon ay pakinabang
Pilit nilulugmok sa kapighatian Ibig pasamain ang Ang Dating Daan Mga palalo’t lilo kasinungalingan ay sukdulan Ginigipi’t sinisikil ating kalayaan
Kaya mga kapatid ako’y namamanhikan Huwag nating pabayaan si Bro Eli’y mag-isa lamang Tungkulin nati’y ating gampanan Makiramay tayong mga tinuturuan
Habang may panahon ating ipagsigawan Katuwirang dalisay sa buong sanlibutan Ang aming bahagi sa aming kaliitan Sa inyo’y paalala, huwag kalilimutan
Inspired sa lahat ng natutunan ko sa totoong Iglesia ng Dios, awa ng Dios at nagtry ako magcompose ng isang rap-poem na tungkol sa magaling na aral na aking sinasampalatayanan ngayon. Naaamaze lang talaga ako at salamat sa Dios! Ibang-iba ang turo na natutunan ko sa turo na alam ng marami. Biblical talaga at tunay na tunay!
Rap-poem siya kasi para siyang poem. Pero nung tinatry ko siya buuin, rap ang tono sa isip ko. So, para siyang may beat ng rap.
Salamat sa Dios and to God be the Glory!
ANG PANANAMPALATAYA KO
May iba’t ibang paniniwala sa mundo
Tanto nating sila’y hindi magkakapareho
Ngunit di mo ba naisip karamiha’y manloloko?
Kung iisipin mong isa lang talaga ang totoo
Hindi naman pupwedeng silang lahat ay tunay
Magkakakontra’t sa iba’t iba bumabatay
Laking salamat ko sa Dios at natutunan ko
Nagiisang aral na walang makakatalo
Nabuksan aking mata’t nalaman ko ang tama
Marami pala tayong maling paniniwala
Bakit di nalang pupuwedeng relihiyo’y irespeto?
Eh paano? Sabi ng Biblia may mga manloloko
Sa panahon natin ngayon tila tao’y walang pakelam
Kung anu-ano mali ang sa ati’y pinaalam
Inilihis ni satan ating prioridad
Hilig natin ay saan saan nangapadpad
Kung iyo ngang sinasabing Dios ang una sayo
Maalarma ka’t magsuri kung nasa totoo
Baka ang pinagmulatan ay wala naman sa Biblia
Upang maging malaya, wag na tayong padaya
Ang paskong pinagdiriwang magmula pa noon
Mali-mali pala pati ang bagong taon
Purgatorio at Rosario’y wala naman sa Biblia
Pagbibinyag ng bata at pagkain ng ostcha
Hindi pala sa pari dapat magkumpisal
Mali pala’ng paulit-ulit na pagdadasal
Hindi pala ilan ilan lang ang santo’t banal
Sa tunay na Iglesia marami talagang bawal
Hindi pala totoong pagkatapos mamatay
Nandun ka na sa langit habang ang iba’y buhay
Narinig mo na ba ang katotohanang ito?
Na ang hahatol pala sa mga anghel ay mga tao
Mali pala ang pagtawag sa sinoman ng “papa”
“Most reverend”,”father”at katulad nila
Walang dapat bayad ang pagpapakasal
Mula binyag hanggang lamay ay ginawang kalakal
Hindi lahat ng pagkain ay pupwedeng kainin
Ngalan ng Dios ay hindi dapat saan saan gamitin
Pagsamba kay Maria’y bawal naman pala
O pagdidiwang ng sari-saring mga fiyesta
Hindi naman tatlong hari ang dumalaw kay Kristo
Pati ba naman pangalan nila’y pinagimbento
Buhok ng Panginoo’y hindi naman mahaba
Ang sign of the cross, imbento lang pala
Wag dapat maniwala sa nagsisipanghula
Na pagdating ni Kristo mundo’y mawawala
Padasal pala ay hindi biblical
Speaking in tongues ay hindi kung anong daldal
Hindi pala sapat ang minsan lang magsimba
Mahabang pagkakatipo’y normal naman pala
Pangalan ng Dios ay hindi naman Jehovah
Walang matibay na batayan ang atheista
Biblical pala ang pakikipgdebate
Ineencourage pa nga ang maging mapagsuri
Sa dami ng mistranslation at maling interpretasyon
Panahon nang sa mali ay huwag na mabaon
Kung ika’y may malasakit sayong kaluluwa
Simulan nang ang mali ay iyong gawing tama
Subukang makinig sa aral na magaling
Sa Iglesia ng Dios na sa Dios mismo nanggaling
With the recent news about President Duterte, I have now completely made up my mind that I am proud that I wanted him to be president! And I want to share why. Why Duterte is my President.
Disclaimer: The things I say in this blog are only from my opinion, driven by strong feelings that I wanted to share to the world. Thank you!
Other than he has the ability to change the whole Philippines like how he fixed the now-lovely Davao City, how he can decrease the crime rate to make our country safer, how he has magnificent ideas about the Philippines’ economy, and how he is strict with the rules to discipline the citizens, what gave me a sense of certainty is that he is kinda like Bro. Eli Soriano.
Note: They don’t have any affiliations whatsoever but I find some things about Duterte similar to Bro. Eli.
He is not easily swayed by religions. He wanted to side with the truth and only the truth.
Unlike other politicians, who to get the favor or the good side of religious leaders will befriend them and will please them, Duterte is very bold to keep the church and state separate. I’m so tired of politicians accepting favors from different religions just to get on their good side. I respect Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when he told Quibuloy “I am sorry. My loyalty to my friend ends where my loyalty to my country begins.” And I salute him even more when he said that the most hypocrite institution is the Catholic church. It was very bold of him to expose the wrong doings and history of not only the largest religion in the country but one of the largest in the whole world! He is not a pleaser of people but he loves the truth. Pretty much like Bro. Eli who cares less that people will go against him as long as the truth is revealed. Both of them do not tolerate wrong doings and will abide by the law unlike others who does not understand the separation of church and state. Both of them received death threats because of exposing the truth and following the rules. That is one of the biggest factor for me. It’s about time that the Philippines have a leader who is not a people-pleaser but someone who sides with the truth even how ugly it is.
Bro Eli’s Tweet
2. Duterte is a front liner
Duterte is a front liner in catching criminals and getting rid of wrong doings. He goes to raids and I even watched a show where he said that he used to drive the taxi at night so he can check if there’s any wrong doings in the city. Pretty much like Bro. Eli who is also the front liner in exposing the wrong. Bro. Eli hosts the program “Itanong mo kay Soriano” where he himself answers questions about faith. He also hosts Bible Expositions in different parts of the globe. Aside from those, he is also very reachable through email and twitter. Unlike other religions where you can’t even ask the leader anything about the Bible, but they will send a minister who will debate for them, Bro. Eli is the front liner who will talk about faith with different religious ministers. At times, he is also the one who cooks for the people who attended the gatherings. Both of them are hands-on and is a pioneer/ good example to the people they’re leading.
3. Duterte is Humanitarian
Not just promises and flowery words, but works are what we can see with Mayor Duterte. It’s not just “Pangakong Napapako” or unfulfilled promises. Look at all the programs Davao has: 911 Central, Mayor’s Permit in hospitals, CCTV cameras in public places, free rehabilitation for drug users who wanted to change, free ambulance, etc. You can see where government funds go! Pretty much like Bro Eli who is also a pioneer in a lot of humanitarian projects with God’s help. Some projects are: Free College, Free Ride, Free train ride for seniors, daily medical mission, transient homes, etc. Both of them are not just saying words, but actions are very vivid!
4. God-fearing
Mayor Duterte just looks like he isn’t God fearing, but I think otherwise. He does not believe in religion but he said that he does believe in God. You can also observe it in his words: “with God’s help, if God permits me to, thank God”. Unlike other leaders who is always “I, I, and I”. It’s no wonder that Duterte doesn’t believe in religion anymore because of the wrong-doings of a lot of religious institutions. Hopefully, he’ll get to hear Bro. Eli Soriano and restore faith in religion again 😉
Personally, I think that Duterte has good rules and ideals. People who does not like Duterte does not see the positive side of his rules. Curfews, for example, are safety measures to prevent crime. People who are against it obviously are pabebes who does not want to change and wants to continue with what they are doing right now. It’s like they wanted change but they don’t want the strict rules that implements change and discipline. They don’t want to be disciplined! Death penalty for example is simple. Like Duterte said, if you don’t want to be under the death penalty, simply don’t do crime! That’s it. He does not punish the innocent. He punishes the criminals. And because of that, hopefully criminals will be the ones to be afraid than the innocent being afraid of the criminals.
I’ll also be looking forward to Mayor Duterte’s words:
“Brother Eli, this is Mayor Duterte. Kumusta ka? I am not campaigning but… I’m going around trying to explain to the people my program of government. Religious freedom will be upheld, democratic processes obeyed, and freedom to… to to to to choose your religion will be also given importance. That right under the constitution.
Mabuhay ka!” – Du30
My assessment on his greeting is that I think he knows that Ang Dating Daan is being oppressed. His words are about promises of religious freedom. Ang Dating Daan is being banned at times by influential religious institutions. Though it did nothing wrong but to expose the truth, it gets stopped over and over again. Not only in the broadcast, but also in partylists and etc. Also, accoring to Article VI, Section 28: Charitable institutions, churches, convents, mosques, non-profit cemeteries, lands and buildings and improvements – actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable and educational purposes (Tax Exemptions in the Philippines), but then Ang Dating Daan is still required to pay taxes.
So, I really really pray the Mayor Duterte is a blessing from God who will prevent the wrongs in the country and defend the oppressed. I really pray the God may guide him in everything and he gets seated as the President, despite the threats.
There’s a new catchy song called “Makikinig Nalang Ako (Kay Bro Eli)” by anonymous _ posted in Youtube. For those non-English speakers, it translates to I’ll Just Listen (To Bro Eli).
The song is very cute and very catchy. The visuals are very well-made, the composition and is very cool and relaxed, And the whole song just left me repeating it over and over again. Other the song being very cute and catchy, I want to focus on how true and relateable the lyrics are. I hope that a lot of people would someday feel the same way me and my brothers feel.
The first stanza:
Nanood ako ng TV ng masumpungan Ang isang taong may taglay na karunungan Sinasagot ang iba’t ibang katanungan At ito’y hindi hindi basta matututulan Wala pa ngang five minutes nang siya’y mapakinggan Marami na agad akong natututunan At magmula noo’y di na tinantanan Mga sikat na programa… ni BrotherEli
I remember my parents telling me about the first time they watched Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). They said that Papa’s office colleague introduced him to the program and since then, both of my parents were very interested in the program. They were feeling excited from the opening of the show ’till early morning when the program ends. Notes and Bible verses filled my father’s notebook which he reviewed after wards. You would be “addicted” if you may say to the program and you will feel that the question was answered just for you. That was the first time they saw a preacher who in every point he makes, will read a supporting verse from the Bible. Bro. Eli is not just all talk. When watching Ang Dating Daan, you can testify that the Bible Answers and Bro. Eli is just reading the answers from the Bible. Bro. Eli is the only preacher with a program who lets people ask questions regarding faith and the answer will be read from the Bible in a show called “Itanong Mo Kay Soriano” (Ask Soriano). The knowledge that you will acquire in just 5 minutes of watching Bro. Eli cannot be acquired by an hour of watching other shows. At the first time you watch his program, you can literally say “Wow, this guy knows the Bible from start to finish! And what he is saying is frankly true from the Bible!”. It’s true. Brother Eli does not use flowery words like other preachers, but he speaks of what is truly in the Bible whether you accept it or not. And there isn’t any biblical debate in which Brother Eli lost. Every debate shows that Brother Eli has the knowledge that came from God which is not in other preachers of false religions. You just need to open your mind and accept the wonderful explanation of the words of God that you won’t hear anywhere else. If you really want the truth that came directly from the Bible, watch Ang Dating Daan and compare what you hear from the teachings you hear in other religions.
Chorus:
Makikinig na lang ako kay Brother Eli
Manonood na lang ako kay Brother Eli
‘Di bale nang mapuyat sa sulit na palabas
Basta’t nasasagot lahat ng aking katanungan
Makikinig nalang ako kay Brother Eli
Manood nalang ako kay Brother Eli
Hindi ko titigilan kahit pa magdamagan
Sa Biblia lang ang kasagutan ni Brother Eli
If you are a person who is eager to seek the truth, and if you’re a person who is a lover of the words of God, you can literally listen to Bro. Eli all day. Like what is written in the Bible in Psalms 119: 103:
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
The words of God are sweet to a person who is determined to seek the true faith. Like what Bro. Eli always say, the Bible is like God’s love letter to humanity.
Love letters straight from your heart Keep us so near while apart I’m not alone in the night When I can have all the love you write
I memorize every line And I kiss the name that you sign And darling, then I read again right from the start Love letters straight from your heart
Like how a woman cherishes and treasures the words of her admirer in the love letter, such is the feeling of a person who loves God who also cherishes, treasures, and is delighted by the words in the Bible. More so if you hear the Biblical explanation for the true faith which you can hear from Bro. Eli, the more that you’ll understand God’s love in the Bible.
The second stanza:
Finollow ko lahat official na accounts niya
Twitter, Facebook Youtube mga blogs na kay ganda
At kay tagal tagal tagal na pala niyang
gumagawa ng public service na ibang iba
Pang international scope ang mga broadcast niya
From the east to the west at 24/7 pa
Mapa-Spanish Portuguese anomang wika,
sinisikap paglingkulan ni Brother Eli
Unlike other presiding ministers in other religions, Bro. Eli tries his very best to be approachable to everybody and for the broadcast to be easily accessible to all. Broadcast and Bible Expositions are not only in the Philippines, but also in other countries and in different languages. Not only does Ang Dating Daan run 24/7 in some channels, but learning the words of God is also accessible through the internet in forms of videos in Youtube, blogs that Bro. Eli have written himself like controversyextraordinary.com, and Twitter posts where one can actually consult and ask a question to Bro. Eli. The preaching of God’s words is non-stop from social media sites, blogs, television shows, radio, Youtube, to non-stop Bible Exposition, to weekly gatherings and thanksgivings, and it also extends to public services. In my opinion (and also my brothers’ opinion), if Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel Razon would become an elected public servant, there would be a lot of improvement in the Philippines. Why? Because they aren’t one and they have done non-stop public services in different forms. To enumerate them, there’s the: Libreng Sakay (Free bus ride), Clinic ni Kuya (free clinic consultation and some operation), Librang Sakay sa MRT (for seniors), Libreng Biblia, Libreng College (free everything from uniforms, text books, allowances), Transient Homes, Fund-raising concerts for the Fallen 44 for example, Brigada Eskwela, and etc. Encouraging people to praise God was also implemented in the form of a praise song writing competition called “A Song of Praise” (a.k.a. ASOP) which is open to amateur song writers. Now, those are non-stop services. Non-stop meaning all of them continues everyday and it costs money to do free Public Service. Now where do they get the money you ask? Other than the contributions of the members of the church (which does not suffice for the millions of dollars needed each month since according to our faith, we don’t force people to give tithes), Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel also have their ways to earn money through small businesses. They’re not like other preachers who does not work. I’m proud to say that our preacher is not only a preacher who after preaching, rests, but our preacher is a diligent worker even for his age. He never thought of ceasing a public service just to save money, but with God’s help, he always tries to find a way to continue preaching and to do good works.
Bridge:
Wala na akong pakialam sa naimbentong mga paninira sa kaniya Panatag na sa Biblia si Brother Eli’y may unawang wala sa iba…
What causes people to refrain from listening to Bro. Eli are the cases filed against him which were dismissed, rose back from the dead by unfaithful politicians who listens to large churches, and filed against him once again. None of the cases were proven to be true. They were just filed to stop Bro. Eli from preaching or for the broadcast to cease. But, if you are open-minded enough, you have to focus on the teachings and not some demonic lies. John 7: 17 says
“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”
Compare what Bro. Eli preaches with what other religion preaches? Which is more biblical? Which is true and which is just something the false preachers invented? Base your observation on the Bible and not just some traditions or teachings invented by man.
Dalangin ko na kahit nasaan pa man
si Brother Eli ay palaging maingatan
At sana nga ay marami s’yang maaralan
na mga taong hanap ay katotohanan
Naniniwala akong siya ay kasangkapan
masagip ang katulad kong makasalanan
Nang makilala si Bro. Eli aking naramdamang
magpasalamat sa Dios.. na buhay at tunay
We do hope that, if God wills, Bro. Eli be with us until the day Christ returns. We do hope that in his old age, God always be with him and guides him everyday. I hope that God also opens the heart of my loved ones and my dear friends so that when they listen to Bro. Eli, they would also have the same faith inside the true Church. And that they may feel that same feeling we had when we heard the God’s words. And maybe, they can also sing this song! 🙂
Sa karunungan at unawang bigay kay Brother Eli
Lagi kong masasabing TO GOD BE THE GLORY…
Because of Bro. Eli’s teachings, more people became thankful to God!
To God be the Glory! Thanks be to God for all of his love, blessings, and guidance! Amen.
Thanks be to God for all his blessings, reminders, and love!
On Sunday, April 10, 2016, the youth of the Lokal of N. Domingo had an outing at Bon Bon Aqua in Bulacan. To be honest, I didn’t know about the outing because I’m not really familiar with the activities lined up – because I’m not really checking at the advisories. Thank God that I was private messaged in Facebook asking if I’m coming or not. I took it as an opportunity given by God for us to be active in youth activities again. I grabbed it and found ways to participate in the activity. Thank God for giving and leading us to participate in Church activities for a few consecutive times recently!
Because of that, we got to be with our fellow youth, especially with our childhood “barkadas”, and bond with them. Our childhood barkada since I was 5 years old is in the Church where we were always active in different activities. However, since we grew up and life became busy, though it is very embarrassing to say so, I admit that I haven’t been very active. I didn’t want that to happen forever. My wish is to be and remain active in the church for as long as God permits me to. And that, like in the old days, my barkada is my brothers and sisters inside the church, where we can do God’s will together. That’s why I really thank God for such opportunity given.
Since I shared what I’m thankful for, time for the fun part!
The outing was simple in a very simple resort. There were only two pools: a kiddie pool and a pool for non-kiddies. Lol. The pools each had two slides which leads to different pool “feets”. The bathroom was small and had only a few cubicles despite the very crowded place. Crowded as in, I have never seen such a crowded pool in my life! Haha. We rented a cottage which also had a grill. There was also a snack bar there which sells swimming garments, junkfood, and ice cream!
We swam, we slide, we took selfies, we took groupies, we took underwater selfies, and we took underwater groupies. Some of us learned how to swim somehow. I finally learned how to float (as in a vertical position without my feet touching the pool floor). The food prepared by the older youths were tasty: Liempo, Bangus, and Egg. We also got to force some of our friends to answer an MBTI personality test. Afterwards, we talked about ourselves in regard to our personalities, which lead to other topics like when we were kids, and etc. Too bad we didn’t get to videoke, that would be awesome!
Here are some pictures:
Again, all I can say is I thank God for this opportunity and may He give us more to come! It was truly a blessed day, something to keep in the deepest of our memories. (Wow). To God be all the Glory!
Thanks be to God for all of His blessings and for all of the wonderful events we had for the last couple of weeks!
It was just last week, April 1-3, 2016, when the Church of God International celebrated the feast dedicated to the Lord and not to any other. Those three days of International Thanksgiving were truly a blessing for all of the brethren and to everyone who attended. Three different and God-inspired topics were discussed. My favorite one was about God’s Name, the Father, which was the first time I heard of it. No other churches have thought such wisdom about God’s name and I thank God from the bottom of my heart that He let it be known to His Church!
After a week, we now celebrate the 5776th Christian New Year which is also based on the Hebrew Calendar.
Exodus 12: 1-2
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
This is the same New Year celebrated by Christ and the early Christians. This is the same New Year Christians in our time should also celebrate if we are His followers. This is the New Year God the Father had declared to be the start and end of each year.
New Years in other calendars, namely Chinese New Year, Hindi New Year, Islam New Year, and of course the world celebrated Roman Calendar’s New Year which everyone knows about, all have different dates. But are they inspired by the Christian God? They aren’t. If there is a New Year Christians should celebrate, it should be the New Year which begun when Moises and the first Church of God where freed from Egypt.
Most people also celebrate New Year by having Fireworks display, drinking, and partying. This kind of New Year celebration often leads to dangers, accidents, chaos, and casualties showing that such celebration is not God inspired.
James 3: 15-16
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
The verse shows that where there is disorder and chaos, it is surely earthly and not from above. Unlike other ways of celebrating the New Year, Christians should celebrate it with prayers and thanksgiving to God, rejoicing for another year He had given.
I thank God for this heavenly wisdom given to us and for the, you can say “mind-blowing” teachings, which you can’t get anywhere, not even from the top universities on Earth! No other institution reveals this kind of knowledge when it comes to spirituality. And for me personally, I thank God because even though I have a lot of shortcomings and I’m not worthy, He had given me a chance to learn such knowledge only a few people on Earth knows. And I do feel His love and compassion everyday. I pray that He never let go of my hand until the end and that He helps me in all of my weaknesses that I may achieve my ultimate goal: to be with Him in eternal life. That’s my dream.
I also thank God because in addition to the celebration of the Christian New Year, He had also given another year of service in Christ to our dear preacher. Happy 52nd Birthday in the Spirit Bro. Eli! May God be with you always in times of joys and especially in times of hardships and sorrows when the world seems to go against you. Though you are the most slandered person on Earth with their lies and evil works, you are blessed and may God continue to bless you.
I couldn’t help but cry when the whole brotherhood sang “Salamat sa Dios sa isang katulad mo” (In English: Thank God for there is someone like you). I know how hard Bro. Eli’s situation is. Though he is speaking the truth, he is maligned in several ways for so many years. But with God’s help, he continues to do what is right and preach what is right. Even with his old age, he does not stop preaching his favorite subject: God’s word, and his schedule for Bible Expositions, church gatherings, etc are incredibly hectic and exhausting for someone his age and with his situation. I do pray that God always protects him and keep him away from harm, that he may always find joy in serving God despite the depressing and stressful life other people who maligns him gives him. And we all hope that if God permits, he would still be with us until the day Christ comes.
Lastly, I thank God for being given the opportunity to meet and sing with my fellow choir friends again! What a wonderful way to start the year!
And with that, again, Happy New Year to all the Christians and may we live to celebrate more if God permits. All the honor, the power, and glory be unto God forever!
* ~ Koi Miazaki ~ * 