Bible Verses to Ponder Upon this Holy (Maundy) Thursday

Here are a few Bible passages to think about today, Holy Thursday. As many people sincerely want to make it up to God today, God also tells us the ONE WAY to come to Him - through Jesus alone. Our sacrifices that we try to offer to cleanse ourlseves are not acceptable since they come from sinners hearts.

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Jesus is one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man and this made Him the only acceptable sacrifice that wil cleanse our sins.

Hebrews 10:11-14 " Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest (Jesus) had offered FOR ALL TIME ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, 14 because BY ONE SACRIFICE HE HAS MADE PERFECT FOREVER THOSE WHO ARE BEING MADE HOLY.

Hebrews 7:24-27 "But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore HE IS ABLE TO SAVE COMPLETELY THOSE WHO COME TO GOD THROUGH HIM, because He always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a High Priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. HE SACRIFICED FOR THEIR SINS (and everyone else's) ONCE FOR ALL WHEN HE OFFERED HIMSELF"

God offers a relationship with Him through Christ alone. We can come to God simply by repenting of and confessing your sinfulness, asking forgiveness from Him, trusting Christ to cleanse you of sin and save you (give you eternal life) and finally make Him the Master and Boss of your life.

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Relaxing Earlier than Usual

For the past few weekends I have been so very busy that I had to cram for other important things in church. Praise God because this weekend I was able to make adjustments and have successfully improved. Although I did not reach my goal of having my sermon outlines prepared by Wednesday, I was able to do them yesterday which is a lot earlier than the past weeks. Tonight, I will be able to sleep more relaxed and get rid of dark circles around my eyes as I get to bed earlier. I’m looking forward to worship in church and preach tomorrow.

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BPI Family's Auto Madness at the 2011 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS)

Weekends have always been very busy for me but with the 2011 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) all geared up from Thursday to Sunday (April to 10, 2011) at the World Trade Center, co-presented by BPI Family Savings Bank, I think I might just try to squeeze this one into my schedule. The car we bought May last year may well be fully paid within the year and MIAS will be a great venue to window shop for a prospective second vehicle.





Although I am expecting fully detailed and beefed up cars at the 2011 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), I am also expecting car launches from more than 25 participating car brands and as BPI Family’s Auto Madness Metro Manila leg will also be held at the MIAS, during which the bank will be bringing back its Free GPS Real Thrills Promo to complement brand new vehicles for personal use with a minimum amount financed of Php 700,000.00 and a loan term of 36 months, it will surely be tempting to scout out a new vehicle, preferably a van, that we can use for family trips and ministry as well. The Auto Madness has gotten bigger and is going to be at the Manila International Auto Show.



As a family man and a pastor, a common thing I encounter is planning out-of-town trips with the family or sometimes with church ministry volunteers but not having enough space for transporting everyone that is why getting a van may not be too far ahead for us. Our dream van is a Hyundai Starex and I am looking forward to this weekend’s auto event to check out this ride. If this weekend is too busy for you to visit the MIAS don't fret because you may apply at over 800 BPI or BPI Family Bank branches nationwide or at any of the more than 200 participating dealers to avail of the Auto Madness promo. You can also apply online via www.bpiloans.com

At the 2011 MIAS, clients and prospective clients like me can experience the convenience of onsite approval, free Petron-BPI MasterCard with free fuel and fuel rebates, and flexible payment terms over a wide range of channels such as, auto debit arrangement, Express Online, Express Phones, ATM and through over the counter payments at the 2011 Manila International Auto Show and BPI Family’s Auto Madness which began 13 years ago in Cebu. You can also take advantage of the FREE GPS promo pioneered by BPI. BPI Family’s Auto Madness is also being held at the Ayala Center in Cebu from April 1-3, 2011 and will be held at the Lim Ket Kai Mall in Cagayan De Oro from April 4-16, 2011.

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Amplitube iRig via Amazon and Johnny Air Cargo

It has been five days since I ordered an Amplitube iRig from a seller in Amazon and had it shipped to Johnny Air Cargo in New York where it will then be shipped to Johnn Air Cargo in SM Megamall where I will be picking it up. I was tracking my package and was excited to see this morning that it has arrived in its destination in Woodside, New York.



Purchasing the Amplitube iRig online using Johnny Air Cargo's online service and shipping has made shopping online from the US possible and much cheaper. You can shop online while lying on livingincomfort adjustable beds. The principle is you have your online purchase shipped to a US address and then utilize Johnny Air's service to ship it to the Philippines. So far, upon searching online stores I have found that it is easier to purchase via Amazon because I can use my credit card and have a different shipping address from my credit card's billing address. In most online stores, you can only use your billing address as the shipping address.

With this system, shopping online from the US can now really be cheaper. I will be contacting Johnny Air Cargo in SM Megamall to follow up on my order which is now in their branch in New York and will make another blog post about it which will contain the prices for the product and the shipping for additional reference. I am really excited to get my hands on the iRig Amplitube that I bought online via Amazon and using Johnny Air Cargo's online service and shipping. A Taylor guitar might just be next in line.

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Buon Giorno! Caffe and Bistro at the Rockwell Business Center

Just recently, the new Buon Giorno! Caffe & Bistro opened at the Rockwell Business Center in Ortigas and I had the great opportunity to try out some of their specialties. The place is very cozy and is perfect for people in business who are looking for a place to relax and enjoy good Italian food, and for families who want to dine out and get a taste of Italy.



During my visit to Buon Giorno Caffe and Bistro at the Rockwell Business Center in Ortigas with other bloggers and family I started with a soup (zuppe) - the Minestra Di Spinaci which is fresh spinach (PHP 140). I was very satisfied with the creamy taste and how delicious it was.




I tried out two of their best selling pizzas, the Margherita and the Mare Pesto. The pizza Mergherita is simply pizza with tomato, mozzarella and basil while the Mare Pesto has mixed seafood with lots of basil and pesto (both cost PHP 265 each, ordered by pan).





For bevanda, I got an Orange Cream smoothie which is priced at PHP 140 and loved it until the end of the meal. What I particularly liked in the main course were the Beef Wagyu with Shitake mushroom gravy and the Cream Dory fish.



The overall experience was very good and enjoyable. I left pretty suffed and felt like I just received those Gift Baskets for Men inside my tummy but enjoyed every food and drink I tasted. So if you happen to be in the Ortigas area near Medical City, drop by the Rockwell Business Center and try Italian at the Buon Giorno! Caffe and Bistro.

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