(Interview) Alistair Chalmers

In Luke 24:13-35, we read the story of two disciples encountering the risen Savior. This happened while they were walking on a road called Emmaus. There they met, unknown to them, our Lord Jesus Christ and joined their conversation that became a pivotal to their understanding of who Jesus is. On verse 27, we read that Christ explained to them from the Old Testament concerning himself. The passages that Jesus used were not mentioned but it did help these discouraged disciples to know who Jesus really is.

In his new book, Road Map To Jesus, Alistair Chalmers, shows us passages in the Old Testament that Jesus might use as engage to the two believers. These passages reveal who he is, his mission and the gospel. They are helpful too for us believers living two millennia after that crucial event.

I reached out to Alistair Chalmers, blogger, pastor and author, to talk about the Old Testament and his book, Road Map To Jesus.

Before we dive in with the interview, you can read my review of Road Map To Jesus here and also check out my favorite quotes from the book here.

Now, on with the interview!

How important is the Old Testament for today’s believers?

The Bible should play a big role in the life of every Christian because in it we have the revelation of who God is, who we are and God’s wonderful plan of salvation. All of that information is contained within both the Old and the New Testaments.

8 Favorite Quotes From The Book “Reign; The Church in the Middle Ages” (Luke H. Davies)

Kindly pray for my mother. She had high blood pressure and felt dizzy. We rush to my parents house and check her out. Pray for her full recovery.

Anyways, enjoy these quotes from this excellent book, Reign; The Church in the Middle Ages by Luke H. Davies, published by Christian Focus Publications. Grab it on digital or physical copy here.

“At no point does the Bible define the Church as being under the control of popes and priests. Always we submit to Christ, a people who—as the true church—are chosen for and granted salvation by the undeserved, free grace of Almighty God. The Church is not the Pope’s treasure chamber; it is the assembly of those treasured by Christ as His elect sheep.”

8 Favorite Quotes From The Book “The King, The Cross, And The Meaning of Easter” (Jonathan Griffiths)

Thank you for all your prayers! My family is well now and we’re back to the usual thing we do. I do have another prayer request. I covet your prayers for my wife for her upcoming breast operation. Praying that God guide the doctors and fast healing of my wife after the surgery.

Anyways, here’s some quotes from a recent book I have finished. The King, The Cross, And The Meaning of Easter by Jonathan Griffiths published by 10 Publishing. Get your copy in digital or physical format by clicking this link.

“Jesus the Messiah did not come into the world wielding a sword or a sceptre, but proclaiming a message of truth. He spent his earthly life telling others that message—that humanity stands guilty of ignoring and side-lining God, and that only he can bring forgiveness and life to this needy world.”

Book Review: “Is Easter Unbelievable?” (Rebecca McLaughlin)

I’m excited to read something from Rebecca McLaughlin and I’m glad The Good Book Company provided something short and slated for Easter. It would be nice if you could consider getting this one for you or your unbelieving friends.

8 Favorite Quotes From The Book “Is Easter Unbelievable?” (Rebecca McLaughlin)

It’s a bit too early for Easter but it pays to prepare for that season. So The Good Book Company will be releasing this new book by Christian apologist, Rebecca McLaughlin. The launch date is on February 1 but I’ll share some quotes from the book to excite you and help you consider grabbing this book. If you set out to buy it, you can pre-order by clicking this link.

“The Christian message is that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died to take the punishment for the sins of any who will trust in him, that he rose from the dead, and that he welcomes all who will repent and believe to live with him forevermore. It’s not a story that can stop halfway.
Christianity without the resurrection would be like Disney’s Frozen without Elsa. The resurrection isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s fundamental to the Christian package.”

Philippine Book Fair at Outlets Lipa

It was a rainy Friday of August 5th and I set out to attend the Philippine Book Fair at Lipa. The Outlet is a perfect venue for this event and added to it is the already cool climate of Lipa City. It’s a 40 kilometers journey from my place to that location. On top of that is the usual traffic, so it took me almost two hours of travel. I came late at the venue and the guest, National Artist for Literature, Virgilio Almario is wrapping up his opening remarks.

Comicbook Review: “Perpetua” (Art Ayris and Jeff Slemons)

Summary: Perpetua is a story of one of the earliest Christian women recorded outside of Scriptures that suffered persecution because of her faith. Little was known of her but here death under the hand of Rome is an incredible story.

Cover Art: Similar to cover the of Martyrs comicbook but Slemons gives a sweeping cinematic look that you’ll always want to stare at. While that comic is minimalist cover, this one is masterpiece in itself. If this comic is on the shelf with other comics, surely this is an eye grabbing cover and you’ll be picking it up and read it on the spot. Slemon rendered his art on the cover (and interior) that can only be called epic.

National Baptist Day: Milestone or Millstone?

Recently, Senate Bill No. 2252 passed third and final reading which ensure the National Baptist Day to be celebrated annually every January 16. It is sponsored and co-authored by Sen Win Gatchalian. This is considered a milestone for the Baptists here in the Philippines as the government considers our group as partners to nation building. You can read the about it here and on congressman Benny Abante’s FB post.

I have no problem with folks celebrating an event nor I’m not proud of being a Baptist. I’m 100% proud of being a Baptist and we should observe this annual event in our church. However, when these kind of religious activities are mixed with some sort of politics, then there is a need of discernment.

3 Things I Did This Morning After Election Day

I’m so excited to vote this 2022 election. My chosen candidate has a great reputation and qualification to fit the highest power in this country. I’ve seen the rallies and support. I’ve seen transformation brought by this political brand. This will change to course of history. Unfortunately, my mother in law was admitted in the hospital in Manila so I can’t vote. We spend the first week of May preparing her for her surgery. This is the first time I missed out the presidential election.

Nevertheless, I waited for the results. Then it came. The results are in. And it was disappointing. I was hurt. I can’t believe what just happened. My heart sank. I want to shut myself from social media. There are lots of things running in my mind. Its one of those days that I don’t want to go through. The following days will be rough for me. I know I can be all gloomy. I need to lift me up. I had to. This morning, I did three things:

Judging A Digital Comic Contest for the “Day of Valor”

I’ve been busy since the beginning of April. Deadlines and back logs kept me up. Whether it’s offline or online, day job or sidelines there is something that needs my attention. I think I need a break or a sort of diversion. Something new and fresh. But that got me thinking: do I have time for that?  When a FB friend who is a VP of Veteran’s Bank (here in the Philippines) asked for volunteers to judge in an upcoming event, I quickly raised my virtual hand 😁. The event is a digital comic contest for the “Day of Valor”.  I love comics and any opportunity to represent my hobby or the comic community to others is something that I don’t want to pass. This is my first time to be a judge for a competition and it’s online through Zoom meeting.