Juanita Bynum: Faith

Reinhard Bonnke @ Jesus Culture - Awakening 2011

Holding the Rope by Oral Roberts

Acts 9
²³ After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, ²⁴ but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. ²⁵ But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

Free Tibet: Self Immolation and Human Rights Protests

I was stunned. My friend at work told me about the self-immolation happening in Tibet. I was browsing the news on CNN because of another breaking news on North Korea and came across the plight of Tibetans.

I admit I haven't been paying much attention on current events. I was not as involved in the news as I was before in my university days. I thought there were only bad news that would leave people discouraged and disheartened. Now, I realized living and knowing is not about us anymore, it's about how we can voice out the pain and agony of those who can't shout and tell the world of their sufferings.

Having born in a democratic country, I am grateful to God for the freedom to live life just as we want it.  Unlike those in other places such as Tibet, they are protesting on their right to live as citizens of their homeland. Invaders have destroyed their shrines and monasteries. Political prisoners are tortured and their natural resources exploited.

What is heartbreaking is the desperation of children. There are teenagers taking part of the protests, some injuring themselves as they heed justice and freedom. Teenagers in our country enjoy lavish gadgets and lifestyles Tibetan teenagers just dream of.

They see, feel and experience the threat to eradicate their culture and heritage.  Imagine living in your country where your own flag and national anthem are banned.  Children are beaten, tortured, improsined and killed because of their awareness of the life they are now living.

A sudden increase in protests and self-immolations have been signs of their cry for help.  All I can do now is help their voices go across this country and the nations of the world. I am still a believer. I believe in the power we have in us. I believe in hope that is God-given and I pray for peace in Tibet.
I hope that everytime I am tempted to complain and whine on petty things, I see their images in my head and remember there is so much more to life than superficial vanity. I want to hope for them and pray for more people that they will soon enjoy life to the fullest just as God intended it to be for all of us.


KNOW MORE:
Free Tibet

"Kunchoek Phelgay, a monk, set fire to himself an hour later in front of Tragtsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery's assembly hall in Ngaba, Eastern Tibet. He died at the scene and his body is in the monastery where monks are praying for him."

(source: http://www.freetibet.org/news-media/na/two-young-men-die-protest-against-chinas-occupation-tibet)

Corrie Ten Boom's Testimony with Kathryn Kuhlman

It's amazing how a simple woman such as Corrie Ten Boom as such deep and great story to tell the world.

Her testimony about the life she had in the concentration camps with the Nazis, and how she lost her beloved sister in the  darkest hours of her life challenges us to  stand by our faith and believe that God's love for humanity can overshadow our hate and disbelief.

She has a compassionate heart, and how I pray each human being will capture the very essence of her life and influence the world to see life in the light of God's love.

Martin The Dreamer

When people are pressed down by injustice and stripped-off their selfhood, they may plunge down the grave, but faith and hope which are heaven sent will resurrect their lives and make them climb up from the pit of despair and inequality. The hope they breathe flowing with the breeze in the morning while waiting for the new sunrise will help them gather courage which is found in every heart determined to face and fight not just for oneself, but for everyone who has the right to be treated as equal, not just flesh and blood, but as human -- with soul, body and spirit.


Sir Martin was the embodiment of greatness found in every soul, converged into a person with deep convictions who is willing to fight not with violence but with a noble and valiant heart prepared to sacrifice one’s life for the redemption of everyone. Truly, his moving speech entered the lives, not just of those who were present in that fateful day, but dwelled in the minds of those who heard his words carrying the spear and fire of wisdom. I believe God did not plan such violence and oppression against his highest creation, that is why He would send people of higher calling to subdue this shockingly dreadful cruelty. His time here on Earth was not wasted. The words flowing from his heart became alive and gave stronger revelation rooted with passion and love for freedom and equality. The message was not just for the people in North America, but it represents every person who is under such disparity.


He lived by faith and not by sight. His heart was looking directly at the future, when his children will no longer be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. He may not live to see the fulfillment of his prophetic dream, but his children did and so his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and that is -- his life’s purpose… undoubtedly completed and remarkably divine. His life was a blessing to history. The life of Dr. King carries the fragrant atmosphere of freedom, that when people start dreaming, indeed, it will come to fruition. It may not happen in our time, but trust that in God’s time it will.

No Matter Where You are in the World

Going home is the best feeling of the day. It’s seeing the familiar faces, and being with souls who know your history. We may have traveled the world, some even went outerspace, but the best place and spot in this entire galaxy is that one spot with those closest to your heart. It may be the kitchen, the couch or a small little coffee shop just around the corner... but that’s where intimate conversations begin. Those are the moments when smiles and laughter resonate within your soul. These are then engraved in your spirit, something deeper which causes you to build sky-high memories you will cherish beyond these moments of immeasurable bonding.

No matter where you are in the world, still the best place is the place beside your beloved.

Thank you, Mang Dolphy

I was at work when I heard the news that Mang Dolphy passed-away. I grew up watching his old films, some were black and white movies. I remember watching and enjoying re-runs of John and Marsha on RPN 9 on weekdays after school. 

What makes him the King of Comedy in the Philippines?

I don't know much about his personal life. I haven't had the chance to see him personally. I just know him through TV commercials, Home Along the Riles, and other TV programs. But what fascinated me about Mang Dolphy is his simplicity. Whenever I watch an interview with him, he always sounded humble and down-to-earth.

Mang Dolphy is one of the few genuine actors who can make us laugh and cry at the same time. I saw some serious scenes he had and was amazed of the fact he can move you in a way and leave a twinge in your heart. That's remarkable. He knew his craft and he changed the lives of Filipinos by just making us smile.

They say doing comedy is more difficult than doing drama. I haven't tried any, but there is something special about comedy. Comedy brings joy to people and not grief. It's one selfless act of playing a role. It's noble for it eases the pain of the one searching for something that would hold and lift the weary heart, even for just one whole film.

I believe Mang Dolphy found his life's purpose in comedy. He was able the help and change the world through his gift of making people happy. Without a doubt, the sound of his name will always make us smile.

We are grateful. Thank you, Mang Dolphy.






Photo Source:
http://helloballoon.com/