Exodus 16: 1-12

Exodus 16: 1-12

1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.” 9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ” 10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud. 11 The LORD said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”

Title: “If only…”

Message: We cannot keep our thoughts and emotions from God. Even the littlest of details in us is known to Him which is why He responded immediately as the Israelites complained on food.  Here, regret and pessimism were demonstrated by the people as they underwent difficulty in finding food. They wished to go back to their old miserable state rather than pursue what they have started, an expression which is quite similar to ours. I used to say the same whenever I encounter rejection or problems especially where my faith is concerned.  However, as God has been wanting me to go on, He brought me to a place where I found people who positively influenced and encouraged me to proceed with what I have been longing to do. Yes, just like what he did for the Israelites, God has accordingly replied to my complaints and provided me more than I expected.

Promise to Claim: God sees our situation and He knows our needs. He responds not only to prayers but to complaints as well.

Command to Obey: Be still. Trust God’s word. Listen only to Him. Let us follow His instructions and we will never go astray. Let us confront the challenge for us to attain spiritual growth and salvation.

Warning to Heed: Regrets and desire for comfort will never bring us spiritual enlightenment. Fear of hunger and thirst will hinder our attainment of the desired salvation.

Application: I will go out of my comfort zone to share God and His plan for all. I will face difficulties and take life’s challenges as destined by God because I know He will not forsake me. 

On Studies

Exodus 15: 22-27

Exodus 15: 22-27

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the LORD issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

Title: Obedience draws Healing

Message: Physical scarcity is most often than not the root of our doubts on Divine Providence and disobedience to God's commands. Insufficiencies about our basic needs draw out our complaints to God especially when we are physically tired. We tend to forget that God knows our needs and that He provides. Three days of traveling without drinking drew out complaints from the Israelites. Physical fatigue overcame them and they had to quench their thirst. Thus, God led Moses to a piece of wood that purified the undrinkable water and everyone drank. Then, they were brought to a place where 12 springs for 12 tribes (of Jacob) and palm trees that would provide them shelter were located.

Promise to Claim: God promised healing to those who will obey Him. The diseases brought about by plagues which were experienced by the unrepentant Egyptians will not be undergone by those who will carefully listen to, understand and follow His instructions. God vowed restoration in every aspect of one’s life so long as obedience is observed.  

Command to Obey: Obedience is a must to every Christian. Let us “listen carefully to the LORD” and “do what is right in His eyes”. Let us “pay attention to His commands and keep all his decrees” for us to experience His blessing of healing and joy of living (verse 26).

Warning to Heed: Not listening to God’s voice leads us to ignorance of His commandments and misunderstanding of His messages, thus making us commit sin.  Rebelliousness and disobedience will bring us to the same difficulties and sufferings that we have been trying to avoid all our lives.

Application: I will obey God and manifest obedience in my daily life.  I will seek God first every day, carefully read the Scripture, meditate on His word, listen to His voice in my prayers, and do what He dictates that I may experience the kind of healing that He promised. Also, that I may influence my children and my fellows. 

On Devotional Reading

Exodus 14: 21-31

Exodus 14: 21-31

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Title: The Passage to Conversion

Message: Those who repent and believe in God will be saved and those who resist and maintain unrepentant hearts suffer. The first happened to the Israelites who believed in God and followed His instructions through Moses and the second thought occurred to the Egyptians who refused to acknowledge God and held on to their conviction. The division of the seawater as the Israelites went through it was witnessed by the unremorseful Pharaoh and his men and they themselves got dumbfounded. This wonderful act of God strengthened the faith of the Israelites and renewed the belief of those who had not accepted God yet as proven in verse 31. Those who witnessed everything were converted. Truly, unpleasant circumstances in our lives are God’s means of letting us know that He is LORD who is capable of performing miracles, of saving us from seems to be immeasurable difficulties we are into.

Promise to Claim: God is miraculous and he performs miracles as needed. He chose us and He will do all He can to save us. Thus, there is triumph in God.

Command to Obey: Repent and heed God’s instructions. We are prompted to believe now before it’s too late.

Warning to Heed: Vengeance is God’s. The Egyptians were drowned and died just how the infants of the Israelites gasped for breath and eventually perished in the waters of Nile. All the sufferings the Egyptians caused among the Israelites paid off as God poured out His wrath upon the former.

Application: Just like Moses, I will live by faith. I will keep in mind that I am a daughter of God, vowed to share His word to others especially to non believers and be a manifestation of His great love to all. 

Exodus 14: 15-20

Exodus 14: 15-20

15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.

Title: In Response to Silent Prayers of Faith

Message: A silent prayer of faith is powerful. It draws God’s attention and makes Him respond to a person’s call for help. Further, God identifies the believers from non believers and He extends Divine providence for those who deserve it.

Promise to Claim: God is omnipotent. God listens and responds to prayers. Protecting the people through the angel and the pillar of cloud had been possible, so will God’s provision of my needs and of a solution to my every problem.   

Command to Obey: Seek God and glorify Him, utter prayers of faith, these I need to do for me to obtain His Divine protection and provisions, and above all His promise of deliverance.

Warning to Heed: God will gain glory through hardening the hearts of those who refuse to accept and believe in Him. Just like what happened to the Israelites and the Egyptians, He will bring the believers light for them to see the path they walk on but darkness will envelope those who reject Him. These people will suffer until they acknowledge God.  

Application: I will keep my faith in God, pray to Him unceasingly and glorify His name in each thing I do. I will share His word to those who, until now, are doubtful of their faith. 

Exodus 14: 9-14

Exodus 14: 9-14

9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Title: Doubt breeds Fear

Message: Trials come to those who heed God’s instructions but God is faithful that He will never let them suffer. He provides means for their survival, that He assures everyone. This is what happened to the Israelites and I can relate this to my experience. In times that I am determined to do what God wants, people whom I deal with start doing the opposite. They act in such a way that my faith is tested and that I basically end up angered and asking God, “why?” in my prayer.  Yes, my tendency is to pray and entrust God everything especially when I feel and know that matters are getting out of my control, an act which I think is favored by the Father for things basically end up well afterwards plus the fact that I get freed from anxieties as all are ironed out by Him.

Promise to Claim: God assures me of deliverance from sufferings, from trials, from all that cause me pain.

Command to Obey: In times of trials, of difficulties I need to keep still. I need to be composed and believe that God will fulfill His promise of deliverance.

Warning to Heed: I am reminded to never doubt God’s promises and to depend solely on Him for safety and protection for if I do otherwise, then fear will conquer me something which may bring me to ruin.

Application: I will entrust all to God. I will present all my concerns to Him and will never doubt His promises. I will claim “treasure” at the end of every “journey” I take knowing that I walk with Him and for Him.  

Psalm 40:5

I attended a 2-day Encounter God Retreat at The Messiah Community Church (TMCC) in Taytay, Rizal. I had my most extraordinary spiritual experience that I am out of adjectives to describe it. Further, I learned a new pattern of recording my daily devotion which I'm sharing on this page and the pages to come. I'm praying and hoping that through this, I'll be able to share God's word and how I have been changed by meditating on it regularly. 

Psalm 40:5

5 Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Title: The Omnipotent, God!

Message: God is marvelous. He is incomparable. His wonderful acts cannot be numbered and he alone knows my past, my present and my future.

Promise to Claim: God has proven His immeasurable might. He has set my direction; thus, I don’t have to be anxious of tomorrow.

Command to Obey: I feel the need to declare God’s wonderful acts for everyone to know that He is LORD and I should avoid worrying about tomorrow for God holds it.

Warning to Heed: God is the mightiest of all. He cannot be compared to anybody or to anything; hence, I must not make any duplicate of him. I must not worship anything which is assumed to represent Him. He alone is my God and the LORD of all lords.

Application: I will share God’s marvelous acts to others especially to non believers for them to know Him and realize that He is the only One they can depend on. Knowing that nobody and nothing surpassed God, I will not make any representation of Him. I will relate to Him as He is presented in the Bible and will put Him on top of my priorities. 

Exodus 13: 17-22

Exodus 13: 17-22

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Message:

I’ve learned two ideas here. First, trials experienced by a person depends on his strength or capacity. God knows that the Israelites would encounter war against the Philistines who were stronger and better. Thus, He let the former undergo circumstances that would prepare every aspect of their being. Next, because Moses and Aaron depended on God for everything about the Israelites, He provided them what they needed in their journey to the Promised Land.

Application:

I will be more dependent on God because I have the assurance of His company and provisions whatever the circumstance is and wherever I go.

Prayer:

Dear Lord thank you for the assurance of Your protection and provisions. You have been making me experience all these God and I got the message. Lord I can feel Your outpouring grace, I can feel Your presence in my life, I see the results of my obedience to You Father. Lord, continue to use me. Guide me Lord every step of the way. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Exodus 13: 11-16

Exodus 13: 11-16

“After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.  Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.  “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’ And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”

Message:

These verses further the ideas – dedication, sacrifice, redemption and the spiritual education of the children by the parents. Here, dedication of each Jew’s firstborn was made necessary, just like what is generally practiced by believers of God.  Animals were used for sacrifice during the remembrance of deliverance. Those that cannot be sacrificed were redeemed with lamb. I wondered why, and further reading made me understand that the donkey referred here is the “ass” which is included in the list of unclean animals; thus making it unfit for sacrifice.  So, the lamb here which apparently a metaphor for Jesus Christ is a redeemer for unclean animals that may represent the sinners. Further, I am reminded that as a parent, it is my duty to teach my children the word of God, the practices of our faith and their significance not only to people but above all to God.

Application:

As a parent, I will keep in mind these instructions especially the teaching of God’s word and wonderful acts. I will do what needs to be done so that my children will not just be taught of concepts but will have concrete ideas of each matter being dealt with, thus making them attain full understanding of those. As it is said, application comes easier when matters taught are understood well.  

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me again my duties and responsibilities to my children. Thank you for making me understand that my parenting obligations include the teaching of Your word, works and practices of the church. Lord, had there been times that I missed doing such, forgive me. Lord, I just can’t get enough of You. I’m learning something new each and every day. Thus, I ask for your guidance Lord. Lead me to the people and the materials that will aid for my greater understanding of your word and You as a whole. Father, I also pray for my emceeing job today. Be with me Lord before, during and after the ceremony. Let the Holy Spirit guide me and my partner, sir Cris Lord as we do the task. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Exodus 13: 1-10

Exodus 13: 1-10

The LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving. When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the LORD.  Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.  You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

Message:

Here, I learned very significant points which before were just part of religion to me. First is the declaration of the seventh day Sabbath, the day that God’s people must hold  a festival. Second point is that the commemoration of Passover every year. Third is the emphasis on teaching the observance and its significance to the children, not only for them to be aware of the practice but above all for them to realize that the God of their parents is a mighty God and it is He who delivered them from bondage. And the last but I considered the most significant is the dedication of each firstborn to God. As a Christian who has just started to really read the Scripture and set focus on its message, I got enlightened. Now I understand that:

1.     dedicating our children to God

2.     observing the Sabbath

3.     teaching our children religious practices and their significance and

4.     sharing God’s word

are not just policies or rules set by any religious organizations but ordinances set by God Himself and that each of these must be observed for God’s glory.

Application:

I will make it a point of conforming to each ordinance mentioned for doing so will please and glorify God above all.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for letting the Holy Spirit work in me, that I was prompted to cease working on the script and browse the pages of my off line bible Lord. Had I not done it, I would have not learned Your message for me today Lord. Father, I ask forgiveness for the days that I missed reading the Scripture, for the days that I got absorbed by duties relating to work. Lord I know, above all You are supposed to be my priority, reading Your word is supposed to be the first in my list of priorities every day. Thus, I ask for your guidance God. Teach me to manage my schedule so well that I will have much time communicating with You and doing what You want me to. This is my prayer, in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

English Congress 2016: Equality and Equity at TUMCSI

My Unit Plan for the Fourth Qurater indicates:

Content Standard:

The learner demonstrates understanding of how world literature and other text types serve as sources of wisdom in expressing and resolving conflicts among individuals, groups and nature; also how to use evaluative reading, listening and viewing strategies, special speeches for occasion, and structures of modification.

Performance Task:

The learner proficiently presents and defends a research paper on prejudice through utilizing effective verbal and non-verbal strategies and ICT resources.

Trasfer Goal:

Students on their own will be able to skillfully deal with issues of prejudice and come up with a research paper in attempt to prove or disprove any claim of prejudice in TUMCSI high school department.

Trasfer Task:

You are a group of students advocating equality and equity in the campus. To promote the advocacy, you need to prove or disprove first your and fellow students’ claim of inequality and inequity through a research paper to be presented and defended before a panel of judges in the English Congress 2016. Your paper must be in IMRD format and should meet the criteria presented in the scoresheet.

The following pictures were taken during the event.

The Emcees - Jasper Lorenzo Noveras (Grade 9 Ruth) and Sophia Ocampo (Grade 9 Leah)

The Judges - Miss Monique Tiongco (Journalist who graduated from University of the East, Manila), Miss Mercy Francisco (Statistician from University of the Philippines, Diliman), Miss Mary Grace Tepace (Physical Therapist from University of the Philippines, Manila) and Miss Rose Vida Ann Arocha (M.A. Ed. ELT from University of Rizal System, Morong)


The Researchers:

Franchette Dantoc, Angelique Montivez and Rommel Garcia presented the paper entitled

"Academic Achievers and Underachievers: Treatment by their Fellow Students"

Peter Pardo,  Rose Michelle de Leon and Derrick Vigilla had

"The Effects of Teacher's Standard to Students"

Rowie Mae Diocares, Alliah Bernice dela Cruz and Isabella Ventura presented

"The Effects of the Teachers' Teaching Strategies to Students' Learning Behavior"

Alohra Collin Febrero, Rein Kelsey Reyes and Sydney Udag presented  their study

"Colorism at TUMCSI High School Department"

Meryll Hazel Bienan, Abiegail Estacio and Ric Kenneth Garcia proved that there is

"Discrimination among Students who Transferred from Public Schools to TUMCSI"

                                    

Gicelle Bianca Regacho, Abigail Talamabayan and James Omlang proved that there is

"Equity in the Treatment of the Librarian between Grade 7 Readers and Non Readers"

Jashmine Nell Bautista, Jan Macy Marcelo and Rhee Francesca Enriquez disproved that there is

"Inequity in the Assignment of Airconditioned Rooms among Students of TUMCSI High School Department"

6

      After the deliberation by the judges, the winners were:

      

      for the Research Paper category: 

      "The Effect of Teaher's Learning Strategies to Student's Learning Behavior" - 1st Place

      "The  Equity in the Treatment of the Librarian between Grade 7 Readers and Non Readers" - 2nd                 Place

      "Discrimination among Transferees at TUMCSI High School Department" - 3rd Place

       for the Presenters category:

       Best Female Presenter - Rowie Mae Diocares  (Grade 10 David)

       Best Male Presenter - Ric Kenneth Garcia   (Grade 10 Solomon)

       

The Researchers with the Judges after the event

                                                                         The Audience

7  

Exodus 12:29-30

Exodus 12: 29-30

At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.  Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.” The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

Message:

God fulfills His promises. This part proves such. Pharaoh had the worst of the plagues and finally surrendered. The Israelites were freed.

Application:

I trust God and will hold on to His promises.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for the assurance of deliverance. Thank you for making me read Pharaoh’s experiences as these furthered my understanding of Your power over those who go against You and Your incomparable love and protection for those who believe in You. I love You Lord and I depend on You for my protection and safety. This is my prayer, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Exodus 12: 15-28

Exodus 12: 15-28

For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat; that is all you may do. “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And anyone, whether foreigner or native-born, who eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.” Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.  Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.  When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants.  When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’  then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ ” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.  The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron.

Message:

When I first read this I could not understand why God would prohibit people from eating leavened bread. What’s with the yeast? I thought. Thus, I read further and found an explanation "Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt" (Deuteronomy 16:3). Hence, I surmised that God as my deliverer wants me to remember the day of my deliverance. This I can relate to remembering my spiritual birthday January 2, 2008 the time when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. That acceptance was my day of deliverance from unbelief and sinfulness. Unlike the Israelites I was not made to eat unleavened bread that night in the Aldersgate but I remember it because I found incomparable satisfaction and peace henceforth.

Application:

I will never forget my spiritual birthday and I will devote time in causing others achieve theirs.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I thank you for letting me be born again, for making me realize what’s it like to be a real CHRISTIAN. God, I underwent trials and still undergoing those even after I accepted You. However, as I have attained understanding of your objectives in letting me experience those, I learned to deal with them positively and eventually have become dependent on You. Lord, now I know it’s my deliverance that enable me to experience Your blessings and promises.  I pray for spiritual strength Lord as I go on living my faith and sharing it to others. This I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Asian Parliamentary Debate at DHIC

I teach English 2, Oral Communication course at Dae Han International College of Business and Technology and I indicated in the course syllabus that students will write a reflection paper of a case study on oral communication, something which focuses on either difficulties or overcoming difficulties in the said aspect. However, a sudden change of plan occured to me that I presented my students Debate as their final examination. Most of them agreed; thus, we discussed lessons on debate for the remaining sessions of the semester. I let them suggest topics for Debate a week before the presentation. However, they were not able to give any. I sought my fellow teacher's suggestion and surveyed the internet for debatable issues. Then, as we met I gave them the list of topics and let them rank those depending upon their preference. The topic chosen was "Do students get smarter because of the internet?". I chose Asian Parliamentary format and had them understand the matter before the Debate proper. And here's the outcome.

The Government Team - Jhomyrlyn Bernardo as the Prime Minister, Ronald Morales (in white) as the Deputy Prime Minister and Joel Gepega (in red) as the Whip

The Opposition Team - John Frederick Bernardo as the Leader of the Opposition, Cheska Bien Saavedra as the Deputy and Paul Bernard Ermitanio as the Whip

(L-R) Juan Agtalao as the Moderator, Kezzia Grace Baling as the Debate Coordinator and Kelvin James Reyes as the one in-charge of the time

Karlo Marinas (in black) was the videographer

The rest, Audience


The judges were Dr. Oliver Jentenilla (DHIC's Career Counselor), Mr. Eduardo Manalac (DHIC's Librarian) and I.  As the activity concluded, the Government emerged victorious as their Whip and the Prime Minister did exert efforts in defending their arguments to the best of their abilities.

The BEST DEBATER was awarded to Joel Gepega.

As a whole, the activity went fine despite the deputies' lapses of conscious awareness and because they made me see that they can do more than what I expected from them, I got impressed. The following are the pictures taken before, during and after the activity.

The Government Team

The Leader of the Opposition

The Opposition Team

Deputy Prime Minister of the Government

Deputy of the Opposition

The Opposition's Whip

Mr. Manalac, one of the Judges with the Debate Committee

Debater of the Year, The Whip of the Government Team