Buying books at Lazada (an e-commerce platform here in the Philippines) wasn’t on my scheduled to do but I bought books at greatly discounted prices from OMF Literature. One is for a ministry and the other is for my personal use.
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Last time I reviewed “Usapang God’s Will”, one of the books of John MacArthur that has been translated into Taglish. Now we move to the second book (and I’m praying this won’t be the last of it) which tackles anxiety. The book is titled “Usapang God’s Peace.”
Chapter 1 tackles the ground work of getting peace through prayer. Finishing this chapter you can say that this part is already a full course meal. I think we can already put it down and absorb the messageSo if this chapter already gets the cake, how much more are the succeeding chapters? MacArthur did an amazing job in this brief book. Rich, deep and practical answers for an anxiety free situation.
The second chapter is a solid as the first but it comes with an intriguing inquiry. How does being humble bring about cure for anxiousness? It feels that it doesn’t connect. Well that’s for you to read by getting this book. The book ends with key Scripture passages about anxiety.
“Usapang God’s Peace” is a must read book for who doesn’t settle for less. Well it’s a John MacArthur book so you’ll know it’s a winner. Highly recommended!
My verdict:
5 out of 5
At muli pong nagbabalik ang Filipino edisyon ng “The Quotable Round-Up” at akoy natutuwa dahil sa aking ibabahaging quotes. Mula ito sa kilalang pastor at teacher na si John MacArthur hango sa kanyang aklat na “Usapang God’s Peace”. Isinalin at nilimbag ito ng OMFLit at mabibili ito sa PCBS, NBS, Pandayan Bookshop at online. Nawa pagpalain kayo ng mga quotes na ito at bumili ng kopya ng aklat na ito.Bilang disciples ni Christ, kailangan nating tanggapin ang katotohanan na nadito tayo sa isang imperfect world at hayaan nating gawin ng Diyos ang Kanyang perfect work sa atin. Bibigyan tayo n gating Panginoon ng Kanyang peace habang ipinagkakatiwala natin ang sarili natin sa Kanyang pangangalaga.” – John MacArthur Jr. “Usapang God’s Peace” #anxiety #worry #Godspeace #johnmacarthur #omflit
“Ang maling paraan ng paghandle ng mga stress sa buhay ay ang mag-worry tungkol sa mga ito. Tatlong beses sinabi ni Jesus, “Do not be anxious” (see Matthew 6: 25, 31, 34). Later inulit ni Paul, “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6, NASB). Kahit kalian ang pagwoworry ay isang kasalanan dahil nilalabag nito ang malinaw na utos ng Bible.” – John MacArthur Jr. “Usapang God’s Peace” #anxiety #worry #Godspeace #johnmacarthur #omflit
“Ang akala ng ibang tao ang worry ay result ng labis na pag-iisip. Actually, result ito ng hindi sapat na pag-iisip sa tamang direksyon. Kung kilala mo kung sino ang Diyos at naiintindihan mo ang Kanyang purposes, promises and plans, makakatulong ito sa iyo para hindi ka mag-worry.” – John MacArthur Jr. “Usapang God’s Peace” #anxiety #worry #Godspeace #johnmacarthur #omflit
“Being thankful will release you from fear and worry. Ito ay isang tunay na pagpapakita na ipinagkakatiwala mo ang iyong sitwasyon sa sovereign control ng Diyos.” – John MacArthur Jr. “Usapang God’s Peace” #anxiety #worry #Godspeace #johnmacarthur #omflit
“Ang mananampalataya na hindi nagtitiwala sa sovereignty ng Diyos ay mawawlan ng kapayapaan ng Diyos at mapupuno ng kaguluhan ang puso.” – John MacArthur Jr. “Usapang God’s Peace” #anxiety #worry #Godspeace #johnmacarthur #omflit
Isang mapagpalang araw sa ating lahat. Ito ang unang Filipino edisyon ng “The Quotable Round-Up” at akoy natutuwa dahil sa aking ibabahaging quotes. Mula ito sa kilalang pastor at teacher na si John MacArthur hango sa kanyang aklat na “Usapang God’s Will”. Isinalin at nilimbag ito ng OMFLit at mabibili ito sa PCBS, NBS, Pandayan Bookshop at online. Nawa pagpalain kayo ng mga quotes na ito at bumili ng kopya ng aklat na ito.
“Huwag mong i-water down ang gospel. Kung nakakasakit ang katotohanan, hayaan mong makasakit ito. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; hayaan mong sila naman muna ang maoffend.” — John MacArthur, “Usapang God’s Will”
“Alam mo kung ano ang Spirit-filled life? It is living every moment as though katabi mo si Jesus Christ!” — John MacArthur, Usapang God’s Will
“Hindi nila pini-persecute ang Christians dahil ayaw nila sa mga ito; pini-persecute nila ang Christians dahil ayaw nila kay Jesus.” — John MacArthur, “Usapang God’s Will”
“Kasama sa evangelism ang pamumuhay ng isang godly life sa gitna ng isang ungoldy world. At dahil diyan, magkakaroon ng persecution, dahil ayaw ng mundo kay Jesus.”
— John MacArthur, “Usapang God’s Will”
“Kung hindi mo pa ikino-commit ang buhay mo kay Jesus Christ, wala kang maasahan sa Diyos. He owes you nothing. Wala Siyang ni katiting na obligation sa iyo.”
— John MacArthur, “Usapang God’s Will”
My wife bought this book yesterday and I feel hesitant to check it out. With the title “Ba’t Di Ako Rich?” (Why Am I Not Rich?) I thought Pastor Girao succumbed to the prosperity gospel. That’s why I ignore it in National Bookstore and PCBS. However reading the sub title “and other questions about everyday faith” it dawned to me that this is a Q and A sort of a book.
It was previously published with a different title (the former title wasn’t that catchy) and instead of 37 questions they narrowed it to 20 (which I think represents Pinoy Christian most asked questions). The book aims to answer questions that are very important to the Christian walk. These questions will assist Christians to live out their faith without hindrance. Written in Taglish, this book is surely easily understood by ordinary Pinoys.
Checking out the list of questions we find the usual (but nevertheless important like homosexuality, lust, horoscopes etc.,) topic discussed. Stand out topics for me are Filipino time and God’s will. These 20 questions represent as 20 chapters and in every chapters/questions there are sub questions to further analyze the topic.
What I like with this book is the topic of giving time for God in the form of quite time, prayer and attending church extended to 5 chapters (16-20). For me this is crucial for the Christian walk and will further help the inquiring Christian.
If you want a book that will answer those questions leaves you wondering how to please God, get this book. “Ba’t Di Ako Rich?” is a helpful book and will encourage you walk by faith everyday.
My verdict:
4.5 out of 5
Written in Taglish this book explores four lessons on living wisely in this fleeting world. Ptr. Girao digs the book of Ecclesiastes and unearthed valuable gems out of that dark book of the Bible. If you have heard preachers giving messages from Ecclesiastes, so of it is gloom and doom. Not that it’s like Revelations but Ecclesiastes expose the life that is a dead end street which sometimes forget. We rather go to Psalms and Proverbs to find nuggets of wisdom for living that matters. Yet Ptr. Girao made much of this part of the Bible to lead us on what it means to have a meaningful life.
“Life is Short: Enjoy Mo Ang Buhay “is a brief book for you enjoy and share to friends. Ptr. Girao wrote something short but indelible to the heart. Short but definitely shake you to the reality of life. The book ends with a sinner’s prayer which I totally disagree in presenting the gospel. For me its anti climatic for a book that is well written. Other than that the book is a great read.
My verdict: 4.5 out of 5
Buy the book online: https://tinyurl.com/yb8ufy3b
It seems to me when we talk about nationalism, we as a Filipino Christians sometimes can’t point our finger on it. We might see it on how blind nationalist cults like Iglesia ni Cristo, Ang Dating Daan or a Filipino church like Aglipayan built a religious group that is Pinoy. Some might not look far than to see how Ed Lapiz promotes it or the recently the resurgence of an evangelical movement that promotes the social gospel coined as “neighborology”. But what does the Bible really says Christians being a nationalist?
The book “Can A Christian Be A Nationalist?” answers it with a resounding “Yes”. Dr. Magalit who wrote some books on sticky issues like homosexuality and family planning, tackles a topic that some of us are confused of. We know we are heaven’s citizen and pilgrims just passing through but do we care to promote nationalism? Dr. Magalit first answers the case against being nationalist which is for me impressive. Then he sites Paul and Moses as examples. He included a sort of survey and ends with his vision for the nation.
The book is definitely short and you might say its “bitin”. For a topic about nationalism there is much to be said. Then again this book is enough for Christians to open further discussion and do some actions. This book is superbly done and a must read.
My verdict: 4.5 out of 5
Fresh from #SuperEpic” Mighty Rasing delivers another book about a subject he really really knows. Social media is going leaps and bounds. Then it got out of control (sort of). And what better way to sort it all out by reading “Get A Life…Online”.
This book packs lots of meat to enhance you digital life. It has everything for the novice to the hardcore netizen. Mighty not only wrote a book that is readable because its Taglish but grasp the Pinoy context of being online. He knows the Pinoy culture, ethics and behavior that affect how we use social media. He tackled topics like useful apps, how share your talent online, how to use social media for a good cause. The serious issue of privacy and cyber bullying were discussed. All of these topics and much more for a 75 pesos book!
I enjoyed reading because knows well the online culture of Pinoys or making much of social media but also he shared his personal experiences of being a netizen. For someone who’s been there as one of the popular new media practitioner, stories of failures and success is inspiring to people who wants their voice be heard.
This great book helps us understand and engage the online (and also offline) life for every Filipino. If you love “#SuperEpic” then you’ll love this one too. Embrace the digital explosion Pinoy style with “Get A Life…Online”.
What book are you reading today? Are you enjoying every bit of it? If you don’t have anything to read at this moment let “The Quotable Round Up” gives you ideas on what books or topics to read. We have a variety of quotes from different authors. I hope you’ll check it every Tuesday and enjoy these gems. So here’s our quote platter to feast upon:
“Overstating the importance of the word of God in the life of the Christian is impossible. A direct correlation exists between a person’s intake of the Scripture and his conformity to the image of Christ.”
–Matt Rogers
“The forgiveness that comes as a result of faith in Jesus is a means to the greater prize that we can know God and can possess perfect peace with God, which was present in the garden and was destroyed by sin. So, the entirety of the Christian life revolves around growing in an intimate knowledge of this great God that consumes our whole person.”
–Matt Rogers
“Those who refuse to bow to what God has revealed in His Word always cavil with the notion that a sovereign power governs all things. Only those who have learned the grace of submission can appreciate the beauty of divine sovereignty. We recognize its truth and respond in gratitude once we have experienced the grace of the gospel. God sets His love upon us and predestines us.”
–Derek W. H. Thomas
“Only Jesus can give us the right spiritual taste buds when it comes to our pursuit of holiness. Moralism won’t cut it.”
— J. A. Medders
“It is not enough for us simply to accept a biblical truth; we must apply it personally in everyday life.”
–Warren W. Weirsbe
“Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ.”
–Warren W. Wiersbe
“The ultimate purpose of our salvation is the glory of God.”
–Warren W. Weirsbe
As part of NCBD 2015 Blog Tour, I would like to share my wish list of children’s book I want to read. I’m praying that our local Christian publishers and authors will consider this as a challenge as we Christians are called to be the light of this world through the gospel of Christ.
1. Gospel centered children’s book. Now more than ever we need a presentation of the gospel in children’s books in a clear and explicit way. We should indeed have Bible stories, but these stories are not just stories that we can compare to the children’s stories put out by secular companies. They should always point to the cross. Bible stories should point to the big picture: Jesus Christ died for our sins, the salvation God is offering to the fallen humanity and God’s love for His elect. If we dont then we as Christians missed the point. Let’s also not forget fictional children’s stories should carry this theme.
For more of the gospel please click here: http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/a335
2. Biographies of Christian missionaries, hymn writers, preachers, theologian, philosophers and prominent figures in Christian history. Would love to see children’s book of John Bunyan, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Fanny Crosby, Jim Elliot, William Carey etc., locally produced in English and Tagalog. I like what Hiyas did with Hudson Taylor. Great story and artwork. This biography books for kids is badly needed today. Kids tend to look for heroes. What better way to introduce them to the real heroes that has made an impact to the word with the gospel.
3. Doctrine. Well this will be a very difficult one for any author or publisher. But it is essential for the kids to know about doctrine. Doctrine like Trinity, Salvation, God, ect., explain to the level that kids will understand. I think this will push anyone out of their comfort zone. Also this will be a challenge and a chance to get to the next level of children’s book.
4. Ethical issues. Another challenging topic for authors. Issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, racism, suicide, mercy killing etc. with a Biblical perspective.
5. A children’s book about books and hymns. An extension of the biographies for kids that I have mentioned in number 2. It would be awesome to read the stories behind great Christian books like Pilgrim’s Progress or hymns like All Is Well, why they were wrote and the impact that it made. I would like to add Reformed catechism and Bible translations.
6. A kiddie journal. Sort of like those books by Keri Smith (Wreck this Journal, Tear Up This Book) in which kids are prompted to do things. That will be super fun! I have a couple of idea. To teach kids to evangelism, the journal should have a page that they can tear containing the gospel message. The book can ask to write down a Bible verse to memorize or ask them to write others life verse on the journal.
7. Evangelistic, gospel tract-like children’s book. A book that contains the gospel that adults or kids can giveaway. It should have balance between having filled with fun activities and a serious tone over Jesus sacrifice on the cross. Handy, pocket sized but a little bit thick, colorful, attractive artwork and it comes with a freebie (well like a pen). Make it so good that its hard for kids and adults to let go of it 🙂 Plus it should be inexpensive. I imagine kids and adults alike eager to hand those evangelistic books to children.
Delighting Grace 