emet the frog

Buy Without Money?

They say “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”. Apparently, there is. I was looking for the meaning of “those who have no money, come and buy” and found this.

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The Bible is an “Eastern” book.  It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

Growing up I can remember on a number occasions my dad saying, “No one gives you something for nothing.”  He understood that even if someone “gave” you something, someone paid the price for it somewhere along the line.

In Isaiah there is a verse that talks about buying water, milk, and wine without money.  Understanding the Eastern culture gives great insight not only into this verse, but also what the verse implies.

It Is A Figure Of Speech

Buying without money and without price is an Eastern figure of speech.  It pertains to a merchant in the marketplace who sells his goods.  Those merchants would call out the price of their goods.  Shoppers would then stop and pay the price for the things they wished to purchase.

There are places like that today in some parts of the world. A few years ago, Kathy and I experienced The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with over 1,200 shops.  I can tell you they are not shy about calling out to you!

But there were occasions in the Bible times when the merchant would cry out, “Come and buy without money and without price.” When people heard a merchant crying out, “Come and buy without money and without price,” they knew it meant someone was grateful to God for reaching a milestone in their life.

Showing Gratitude To God

When someone in that culture reached a birthday, they celebrated it by doing something nice for other people.  They did this to show God their gratitude for being alive, for living another year.  Since you cannot see God, bestowing kindness or gifts to others was considered giving a gift to God.

It is really the opposite of our culture.  Today when someone reaches a milestone, say an anniversary or a birthday, they expect to receive gifts in honor of the event.  But the Eastern culture of the Bible was much different.  They celebrated by doing something good for others.

The Price Was Paid

One of the ways someone would do this was to go to a merchant in the marketplace.  He would then pay the merchant for all of his water, or wine, or milk. Once he made his purchase, the merchant in turn began to cry out, “Come and buy without money and without price,”

Those that hear the merchant crying out, and especially those who are needy, can come and “buy without money.”  It is free to them, but the price has been paid.  The benefactor would stay at the merchant stand as people came to “buy without money,” so that they could express their thanks to the one who paid the price.

A Deeper Meaning

In the days of Isaiah, everyone understood this Eastern figure of speech.  But it goes much deeper than selling water, wine, or milk.  Isaiah prophesied much about the coming redeemer.

Mankind could never pay the price necessary for redemption.  So, God gave His Son as payment for all of mankind.  The price was paid and all legal claims were satisfied.

Because of the completed work of Jesus Christ we can have salvation at no cost to us.  That’s why the Bible says that we are saved by grace.  Eternal life is a free gift to us.

My dad was right; someone always pays the price.  And just as those who “bought milk without price” expressed their thanks to the benefactor who paid the price for them, we too can express our thanks to God Who paid the price for us.

Isaiah 55:1

Ho, every one that thirsts, come you to the waters, and he that has no money; come you, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

By: Mike Verdicchio

Source: http://confidenceandjoy.com/buy-without-money/

9gag and Atheists

From time to time, I check-out posts in probably one of the most famous comical social media today called 9gag to have a good laugh or if I’m bored at work. I would have to admit that the user-uploaded jokes are really funny and creative. Nowadays, almost anyone can be an artist and a story-teller in their own way and the magic of social media makes it possible to share their contributions to the world.

But admittedly, there are posts that make me furious, particularly posts that ridicule the Christian faith, which is contributed primarily by Atheists. And to ridicule something that I have put my faith into, that have lighted and guided my life (the Bible), and call it “stupid”, “fantasy”, and whatever insulting word they want to call it, will definitely make me stand to defend it with all my might. It’s like throwing false comments about your mom or the people you love.

In reality, a lot of people, most especially the new generation, are seriously leaving and even insulting the Christian faith.  This is clearly exemplified in some of the posts in 9gag. The Bible and its principles that has been the foundation of the forefathers of influential countries like the United States of America, is now under scrutiny and serious doubt.

But at the heat of all these challenges against the Christian faith, I always remember these words, “Belief does not create truth. Unbelief does not destroy truth.” If I do not believe that there is oxygen, my belief does not matter even if I try to prove it by reasoning (I don’t see it, I don’t hear it, I don’t feel it, therefore, it does not exist). Truth will still be truth, regardless if I believe it or not.

The problem is that people claim that they can know and prove everything. Because of the ever so increasing knowledge of men about everything around him, he had the impression that he can prove and disregard everything simply because he is intelligent enough to understand everything. In reality, there are a gazillion (if that is even a word) mysteries on this universe that may never come into understanding and discovery by our finite minds. Why is the brain so complex? Where is the edge of the universe? What is the exact measure of all the water on earth? Why are the planets not colliding when mathematically, it should be possible (Colossians 1:17)? All these and many other questions that may forever remain as questions but we can accept wholeheartedly only if we’re humble enough to admit that not all things can be understood by our finite minds. Only God, in His majesty, glory, and wisdom, can fathom everything for He is the Creator and Maker of everything (Psalm 146:6).

Sadly, there will always be people in 9gag and out there that will still call the Bible “stupid” or “fantasy”. Yet at the core of their soul, they know that they can never really understand everything. And that outdated, dusty book in the cabinet, that alone holds all the answers to life, because it was written by the Author of Life.

If you have a new gadget, the ideal thing to do is to read the user’s manual, because that manual contains all the questions about the gadget. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t read the manuals. They just think that they can handle it on their own already and go straight to that gadget they’re so hungry for. And when it goes busted, they get confused and look for all the answers (from their friends, to internet forums, etc). When in fact, the answer is just right there in that ignored manual. No wonder, people do the same to the “user’s manual” of life (The Bible). No wonder, our lives are so confused and “gagged”. No wonder.

Lessons from Captain America

There are possibly thousands of blog posts already about the latest (or not so latest anymore) movie “The Avengers”. But for my own post, I’d like to focus on life and leadership lessons I’ve learned from earth’s mighty heroes, particularly from Captain America. The laboratory experiment, skinny soldier turned superhero has a lot to say about leadership and attitude.

On Proper Planning

Probably one of the most catchy phrases in the movie was when their plane was attacked and Iron Man was so furious to take revenge. Captain America tried to stop him by saying “wait, we need a plan of attack”. Then Iron Man replied, “I have a plan. Attack!” This reveals Iron Man’s impulsiveness when it comes to combat and it also reveals how Captain America values proper planning and strategy before making a move.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’                                                          

                                                                                                               -Luke 14:28-30

There is always a drive to make an immediate and impulsive action especially when you’re in the hype of excitement or probably rage (taking immediate revenge). But it’s always best to sit down, think things through, and make a proper plan, before making your first move on any major decision. 

On Actions before Words

There is a scene where Captain America tried to give orders to the chief police officer in the middle of chaos in New York City. The officer said, “Why the hell would we take orders from you?”. Then came a myriad of monsters and Captain America (C.A.) unintentionally demonstrated his combat skill, which wowed the policemen and eventually, the said chief officer obeyed C.A.’s instructions. At first, he was very hesitant to follow his command but when he saw him in pure action and was able to witness his ability, without a shadow of a doubt he executed C.A.’s orders. 

There are times when people will not follow your command simply because you don’t get your hands dirty on the job. They don’t really see the action part on you. This is probably because you do more talking than doing. But start acting more than talking, and a little talk would be enough to make your team or group function. Someone said and I quote, ”Your action speaks so loudly that i cannot hear what you are saying.”. This is cliche already, but action always, always speak louder than words.

On Attitude and Skill

In the midst of chaos in New York City, the Avengers finally united in combating the monsters who are attacking the city. Captain America stepped up and led the team by giving instructions to Thor to use his lightning power to strike the portal, together with other specific instructions that he gave to the rest of the team. I find that simple scene quite fascinating because C.A. was able to mobilize these other heroes that are far more skillful than him (Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Scarlet). This is probably because Nick Fury was so effective in motivating them to work together. But I think C.A.’s years of experienced leadership and great attitude during his army days was also a valuable contribution and became useful in that challenging situation. Although he cannot fly and he has other limitations, his leadership and his character rose above his limitations and became useful during that crisis. 

You may not be the most skillful person in the team. You probably have some skill and others are way better than you. But if you have the right attitude, that alone will make a world of difference. Don’t get me wrong, skill cannot be disregarded at all and is very essential. But we all know what will happen if there’s only skill but teamwork and the right attitude is missing. It will be chaotic and nothing will be accomplished. But if a leader with a concrete character and a right attitude leads the team, expect excellence and success. It may not come soon, but it will come. John Maxwell formulated this concept this way:

Abilities + Attitudes = Result 

Great Talent + Rotten Attitudes = Bad Team 

Great Talent + Bad Attitudes = Average Team 

Great Talent + Average Attitudes = Good Team 

Great Talent + Good Attitudes = Great Team

Attitude made a world of difference to Captain America and the rest of the team. And it will make a world of difference in the real-life teams as well if skill and the right attitude is planted on every team mate.

I guess that’s it. This movie is just awesome. Can’t wait for Part 2. That’s all, folks. :)

Strength in Weakness

“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

These words kept on ringing in my heart for the past few days and weeks. Strength in weakness. Boasting in weakness. Such is a complex paradox. Because as humans, we have this natural tendency to boast of our strengths. In a resume, you put your highest educational attainment (you don’t put Kindergaten Graduate in there anymore), your top skills, your flashy “accomplishments” and everything you can boast about yourself.

On the other hand, we also have the natural tendency to hide our weaknesses and put on this brave “ok” face as much as we can.

But these verses tell me that Christ works out things much differently. He wants me to show my weaknesses and frailties. And true enough, as much as I put on that brave face almost all the time, deep inside of me are myriads of weaknesses, failures, insecurities and shortcomings. But looking at it in a Biblical perspective, these weaknesses most of the time drive me to fully depend on God’s grace and that without His all-sufficient grace, I’ll be all the more lost and probably doomed because of these weaknesses. These weaknesses remind me that it is His strength and not mine that causes victory. It is His grace alone and apart from Him, I can do absolutely nothing.

I am not well-to-do in life. I am absolutely way behind the best people in my field. I am an average student with average skills. I am simple, volatile and weak in so many aspects. Nevertheless, I consider these an advantage in the light of Christ’s promises. His power is made perfect in my weakness. Hence, I will delight with my weaknesses all the more and that is still something I should be thankful for.

Mega, off-the-charts love

Why? Because he loves you. Because he loves you, that’s why. We have this weird compartmentalization that happens where you don’t think that God sees all that you are or that if he could have some how knew who you were going to be that he wouldn’t have gone to the cross. Uhm, listen, God knew you were going to be messy, Christ knew that you were going to be messy, God knows that you’re going to screw up often, he knows that you are going to be drawn to things that are wicked, THAT’S WHAT THE CROSS IS ALL ABOUT! THE WHOLE POINT OF THE CROSS IS THAT YOU’RE GONNA FAIL AND YOU’RE GONNA STUMBLE AND YOU’RE GOING TO FEEL DIRTY AND YOU’RE GONNA FEEL AWKARD! The whole point of the cross of Christ is that there be this mighty picture of His love and His pursuit of you despite you. So the cross is necessary because of you, but it’s also the picture we have of just how far God is willing to go because he loves you, you got to understand God’s deep and abounding love for you. The holy spirit of God by the predetermined weird will of God whispered in the deep part of our souls “I love you..” we think “WHAT!? Me!? But no, it can’t be me! Not me because I’m in the middle of homosexual relationships, you can’t love me! Me!? I’m a drunk, how can you love me!? Me?! I’m a reviler! Me?! I’m a liar! Me!? I’m a religious fake! How can you love me!?” In that moment all of a sudden, in that moment where he loves us, right in that place, and all of a sudden we go “I will chase you and pursue you and love you for the rest my life, with every breath, with every cell in my body, I will pursue you from this moment on.” and So we walk in here and celebrate not the fact that we are clean, but while we WEREN’T he loved us.”

2011 voyage

Life is definitely a continuing Everest. The expedition to the top seems endless. But in my heart of hearts, I know that I would reach it as long as I never give up the voyage.

2011 is another challenging, roller-coaster ride (year) for me. I tried, I failed, I tried again, I failed again. But it ain’t stopping me from trying, from hoping, from living.

bits and pieces of 2011 life lessons:

1. FOCUS IS ESSENTIAL. You can never ever accomplish something when you are juggling one thought after another, one interest after another. Make up your mind. Focus on one thing and run it like a horse with BLINDERS.

2. TIME IS LIMITED. Lost time can never be recovered. Note to self: There is no such thing as “a time machine” so quit fantasizing about that movie and start valuing time. Also, stop regretting on lost time and start valuing the present. I ain’t infinite nor permanent. Time is limited.

3. LESS IS GOOD. I always thought that more is good! More things to enjoy, more tasks to do, more items to have. But sooner or later did I realize that all the other things I thought I need are just excess baggage - baggage that brought more harm than good and more burden than comfort. So less is good. Contentment is great gain! 

4. STRIVE TO PRACTICE SELF-DISCIPLINE AT ALL COST. This is one of my greatest struggles. But I will continue to strive for this.

5. GOD IS GOOD.  There is just no denying this. A God that never leaves me nor forsakes me. A God who is just and loving at the same time. His faithfulness is always new every morning. And in this unstable, changing, and fragile world, He is my safe refuge. 

Happy New Year! (nuff said)