I just finished watching the movie, “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, and Sean Hayes (of Will and Grace).
It’s about two terminally- ill men in their fifties who formed a friendship while stuck in a hospital room.
The Bucket List was started by Carter Chambers (Freeman), a car mechanic, which is actually a list of things you want to do before “you kick the bucket”.
Chambers started with “Witness something really majestic” then “Help a complete stranger”.
Edward Cole, an eccentric hospital magnate, was fascinated with the idea of a “bucket list” but his was more of worldly adventures like sky diving, having a tattoo. He also added, “Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world”.
They agreed to go on an adventure trip all over the world and in the process they got to know more about each other and discovered other things about life. Cole told him about his only child, a daughter, who is estranged with her because he had her husband killed for beating her. Chambers advised Cole to “Get back in touch” and even brought Cole to his daughter’s house. But Cole was not ready to see her again.
There’s a lot of reflection between the two. Every time they accomplish an item in the list, they cross it out.
One time, Chambers told Cole about a scenario in heaven. They would be asked, “Have you found joy in your life?” After a few moments of thinking, Cole answered, “Yes”. Chambers said the next question would be, “Have you brought joy to other people’s life?” Cole declined to answer it and replied, “Ask other people.”
Chambers had a relapse and when he was in the hospital, he told Cole “Find joy in your life.” Cole mustered the courage to visit his daughter and bonded with his granddaughter. He then crossed out “Kissed the most beautiful girl in the world” from the list.
At Chambers hospital, Cole paid his tribute saying, “The last moments of his life were the best of mine.” Then he crossed out “Help a complete stranger.”
He expressed the hope that when he dies, Carter would be there to meet him.
Cole, who was in remission, lived on for a few more years. When he died, his trusted secretary, Matthew, whom he calls Thomas (Sean Hayes) brought his ashes contained in Chock-full-of nuts can on top of Mt. Everest and laid it beside that of Chambers.
Chambers, who was narrating the story said, “I know that when Edward died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open.” He also said that he knew Edward was happy because he was buried on top of the mountain and “that’s against the law.”
Then Matthew crossed the number one in the list “Witness something majestic” and put the list between the two cans of ashes.
I’d like to think that the last item in the list was Matthew’s testimony.
Having survived cancer, I identified with the fears, the anxiety shown in the movie. I also felt the inconveniences of chemo. The scene where Cole was lying very weak in the hospital, I felt it because I had gone through that.
The movie also underscored the deceptiveness of cancer. It was Dole who was in a bad shape in the beginning of the movie. Yet, he was the one who survived it for a few more years.
It’s a beautiful, poignant movie. Life is uncertain and it’s never too early to make a “bucket list.”
Hi Ellen
Speaking of the big C here’s the story of another kababayan in NZ who’s in the same predicament. Please pray for him. Here are the links: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10496889 and http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=500846&objectid=10497848
He will be featured on a current affairs programme tonight on TV and hopefully he can raise the necessary amount for his chemotheraphy. Happy Easter to all.
Ellen, my friend watched this and she is highly recommending it! It is wholesome, she says.
and very funny too at times!
Nice movie, one of the very few I viewed last year (and enjoyed).
ha ha ha…you wouldn’t believe this, but I just got me a copy of the movie an hour before I logged in here…
I haven’t watch it yet but just to find out it is being talked about it here now, makes it more interesting…
Ellen,
maybe you should also talk about how you won the battle with the big C, maybe, just maybe, you can inspire other bloggers not to easily give up on life…
We are all now at ringside watching something majestic, Ellen’s courage.
Thanks. I have done some articles on that but on chemo, para kang kandilang nauupos. That’s the exact feeling.
I believe it’s all up to the Lord. If he feels it’s not yet the time for your final journey, he will make you stay.
I keep in mind the words of Haydee Yorac, who also died of cancer: “we will all die. it’s just a difference of time for each of us. What is more important is how you spend the days before your time comes.”
That’s why I loved the movie because of the healthy and positive way the two characters faced their death. I pray we all have their strength and vivacity to carry through to the end.
Ellen,
I didn’t realise that you went through chemo therapy.
I did Anna. My cancer was stage 3A. I was bald for more than six months that I was undergoing chemo. As I mentioned in the past, that was the time in 2004 that preliminary investigation on Mike Arroyo’s libel suit against Malaya editors and reporters was being conducted. I had to be in court and it was such a hassle.
The first four to five days after chemo are difficult because that’s the time that you feel very exhausted and weak. You cannot sleep but also feel very weak. para nga talagang kandilang nauupos. I took the attitude that, “tomorrow will be better” . That helped.
“we will all die. it’s just a difference of time for each of us. What is more importance is how you spend the days before your time comes.”
Ellen,
These are very true statements that should remind us as we go through with life. I do believe that if our time comes, we can’t ask for a bargain or extension . Only God knows when and how it will be.
I had a near-death experience several years ago. I was comatose for 5 days and nobody in my family believed I would still survive. Doctors gave me a 50-50 chance . They said that if ever I survived, I might be invalid. To make it short, (siguro masamang damo ako), kasi He has given me another chance, and with a Purpose!
Kaya, HANG ON lang tayo sa KANYA, in times of pains and joys!
Wow. Five days in coma! You are on your second life.
Kanina my parish St. Aloysius here in JC had our yearly outdoor stations of the cross..it was freezingly cold..but there were almost a thousand who walked..school children with their costumes as Jesus, etc. braved the cold..a reminder that one day we all will died..isn’t it said that “death comes like a thief in the night?” and remember the story of the brides waiting for the groom? the message is simple..we have to be ready always..kung baga sa Boy Scouts be prepared..The last talk I had with Evelio J. before he went home and I asked him “why do you still want to go home? Like Ninoy you might just be killed.” and he said to me “Manang, it is not the number of years that you lived that counts, it is the way you live your life that matters.”
addendum: But on the third day He rose from the dead..We too have hope and our hope is in Him..and sabi nga “it is dying that we are born again.” Happy Easter!
dagdag pa! kanina nakita ko ang picture of soldiers leading the station of the cross in Fort Bonifacio..I am sure they are reminded of the story of Christ and in themselves developed a true relationship with Him..we have Hope in our Military…We have hope for a resurrection of a better tomorrow..with our renewed soldiers and officers..
Im sorry to learn you had cancer, Ellen.
I think people are blessed not knowing when to die which makes them invincible or in abandon like a teenager. Old age gives us the sense of relief from a very long journey.
Cancer is totally different animal. Suddenly you are plunge from long term contract into day-to-day rental like you said “kandilang nuupos”. We can’t question God, can we? The “why-me-question” is harder especially when you feel you have been good and have done your part. It is always answered by deafening silence. Prayer helps. The funny part men reacts the same way as women with tears though not crying out loud. But that make us human.
We fear the unknown, face the greatest uncertainty realizing the wonderful beautiful souls we will leave behind. In cancer, we pause for a moment and ask for more time – I wish. Life is so beautiful regardless how ugly it is in the real world. I think that is the greatest irony so far and probably the premium of getting courtside ticket. Premium because that would have been easily taken for granted without the knowledge of impending death. Premium because every moment with the family is so precious, time is precious, everything around us is fragile and nobody can understand that except you.
I recall the bible said that the Lord found everything beautiful. Maybe just maybe that is how we are allowed to see.
our lives are streams flowing into the same river towards whatever heaven lies in the mist beyond the falls. find the joy in your life, edward. my dear friend, close your eyes and let the waters take you home. — chambers to cole.
the movie is indeed very nice. makes us wanna re-think our priorities in life. are we doing what really matters to us? sabi nga natin, we are all gonna die, it’s just a matter of differences in time for each of us. it hurts me to admit sometimes that i cannot yet say that i am ready to die. this is not just a simple matter of not having achieved what i desire; or not having traveled where i want to go; and so on. it’s more of i haven’t done what i think really matters. (ironically, this is sometimes as simple as letting your mom know that you love her, your brother and sister, taking care of your child when he/she needs you… sorry if i am becoming a bit emotional…)
sana, the lenten season has provided us with the window to think and ponder on things that matter…
long live and god speed, ellen.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL….
I will be renting a dvd shortly and I will be watching this with my sister-in-law who has leukemia and had just been out of the hospital barely a week ago. She may be going into the hospital again for a second set of chemo. Adult setting leukemia is tougher to treat. Younger patients have more chances to recover because they can grow more cells and their immune system is stronger.
Ellen, Be strong and don’t give-up.May you have speedy recovery.Kayang kaya mong labanan iyan.
ellen,
How about the family, their reactions, their feelings, their hopes, their frustrations if ever there was? tell us please…
Elvira,
maybe you should share us your story too with a few more details…not neccessarily to draw sympathy from other bloggers but for them to draw courage from your story…
There is nothing permanent in this world, we will all go to that same path of death just like anybody else. The thing is you should do good deeds when you are still breathing, for when you die, your good legacy will still lives on and on, the living will love your memories and will not forget you. For those cheaters, liars, thieves, etc. when they died, people tend to say MAY THEY BURN AND ROT IN HELL. Happy Easter to all and be safe. Remember, life is short and make every time of it worthwhile for the good cause.
My Easter Gift to you all: Political Humor
I was traveling between home and work when a tire blew out.
Checking my spare, I found that it too was flat.
My only option was to flag down a passing motorist and get a ride to the next town.
The first vehicle to stop was an old man in a van. He yelled out the window, “Need a lift?”
“Yes, I sure do,” I replied.
“You a Republican or Democrat,” asked the old man.
“Republican,” I replied.
“Well, you can just go to Hell,” yelled the old man as he sped off.
Another guy stopped, rolled down the window, and asked me the same question.
Again, I gave the same answer, “Republican.”
The driver gave me the finger and drove off.
I thought it over and decided that maybe I should change my strategy, since this area seemed to be overly political and there appeared to be few Republicans.
The next car to stop was a red convertible driven by a beautiful blonde.
She smiled seductively and asked if I was a Republican or Democrat.
“Democrat!”, I shouted.
“Hop in!”, replied the blonde.
Driving down the road, I couldn’t help but stare at the gorgeous woman in the seat next to me, the wind blowing through her hair, perfect breasts, and a short skirt that continued to ride higher and higher up her thighs.
Finally, I yelled, “Please stop the car.”
She immediately slammed on the brakes and as soon as the car stopped, I jumped out.
“What’s the matter?”, she asked.
“I can’t take it anymore,” I replied. “I’ve only been a Democrat for five minutes and already I want to screw somebody.”
Only the Lord God above knows when it’s time to go, but it surely takes a great will power to live. Truth is that we are here on earth for a purpose, and I firmly believe that it’s worth finding out what each one of us has been foreordained to fulfill during our lifetime in accordance with the Will and Plan of God.
As they say, “Death is just a fleeting moment.” There is another death that we must in fact fear, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6: 23)
This is an absolutely incredible interview with Rick Warren, “Purpose Driven Life” author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California. His wife now has cancer, and he now has “wealth” from the book sales.
In the interview by Paul Bradshaw, Rick Warren said:
“People ask me, what is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body– but not the end of me.
Click here for the rest of the article.
MacarioS.:
Much as I would like to share “my story,” am afraid this isn’t the right venue. For one thing, it’s too long, doing s short cut might not justify the end! However, there’s one thing, I won’t forget before I fell in coma; I was reciting (in my mind) Psalm 23! I only realized it was Psalm 23 because while I was recovering, a former colleague sent me a get-well card with the Psalm 23 in it!
Go ahead, open the Holy Bible and read Psalm 23! Truly, He is our Shepherd and we are ONLY His Guests!
Whenever, I am drifting, I SING this Psalm and it lifts up my spirit and builds up my strength to face life’s (sometimes) harsh realities!
aling pamunuan pa ang masasabi na hihigit kaya
sa pagkagahaman, pagkaganid, pagnanakaw at pagkasugapa
tulad ng ngayo’y salot na kalat at namamayani sa bansa
isang administrasyong walang pakundangan at walang pagkasawa
sa tuwirang panilinlang sa paniniwala at tiwala ng madla?
kanyang sinisimbolo ang isang tanyag na alamat
na sa ating kasaysaya’y minsan nang tumanyag
kanyang tinuntunton sinusundan ang yapak
ng isang traidor at lilong katulad ni hudas
nagkanulo kay hesus sa tatlumpung pirasong pilak.
bawat bukas ng kanyang bibig ay pawang kasinungalingan
bawat bitiwan niyang pangako’y malayo sa katuparan
anumang paghingi niya ng pang-unawa’t pagdamay
kapalit ay pagbabalatkayong sa taong baya’y panlilinlang
upang maitim n’yang balak ay lubos na maisakatuparan!
kayrami ng buhay ang nawalan ng direksiyon
kayrami ng tahanang sa dusa ay nabaon
hindi na magkamayaw ang sigaw ng layon
buwagin ang rehas ng ating pagkakulong
sa kuyom ng palad ng sukab at buhong!
magkaisa tayo kalimutan na ang hidwaan
ituon ang lakas at pansin sa ating ipinaglalaban
isaisantabi muna personal na alitan at away
pagkat balakid itong sa ating lahat ay magbubuwal
sa pamamayani ng namumunong ganid at gahaman!
halina, halina, mga katoto ko’t kapatid
magsamasama tayong lahat at magsipagkapit bisig
ipagpatuloy ang simulaing sa ati’y nagbigkis
buksan ang pinto ng unawaang kaytagal nang napinid
sa iisang adhikaing ipaglaban ang tama’t matuwid!
EQ POLL:”Pagkaraan ng pitong taon ramdam nila ang pag asenso!” Sabi ng mga TV ads ng GMA administration ay ramdam na ramdam daw ang pag-asenso ng ating mga kababayan. Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?
OO naman!6%
Ano iyun?11%
Pwede iyan sa joke of the day!81%
No comment na lang!2%
Votes cast so far:226
Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?
FYI..Col. Querubin is currently at the ICU. Let’s all pray for his quick recovery.
Rose, it’s okay to open your bible and discuss religion in the spirit of Easter. Resurrection is for everyone to celebrate. I just want to pose this question: Some do not believe in the deity of Christ. We argue by saying if Christ is not God, why is there resurrection. Ordinary man does not rise from death. That’s why St. Tomas was surprised to see Jesus alive. However, non-believers of Christ’s divinity argue that Christ did not resurrect by Himself. It was God or the Father Who resurrected Christ. If Christ is indeed God, why should another resurrect Him and not resurrect by Himself. Another strong argument from non-believers of Christ is that Christ is now sitting at the right hand of God. If Christ is also God, then there are two Gods sitting beside one another. Ridiculous argument but makes sense. Your take on this? Happy Easter to all !
bitchevil: We catholics believe in Jesus, the Son of God, Son of Man. We don’t really have to prove anything on this as this written clearly in the Bible..particularly in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John..The story of Jesus is all in the four..and we just have to read in the perspective for whom it is written..Matthew wrote his story for the Jews..thus if you will notice his accounts talk much of laws, taxes, etc. Luke wrote his for the Gentiles..Mark was said to be the first writer while John was the last..thus he has good account of the Passion of Christ..
to cont: In the story of Annunciation..the conversation between Mary and the Angel..tells of the divinity of Christ and when Mary said “Thy Will be Done” tells of Jesus,Son of Man; In the story of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple..as a Jew they went to observe the tradition..and He talks of the Temple as My Father’s House, & when Mary asked Him “Son why did you do this to us?” HIs response was “didn’t you know that I must be in My Father’s House? And didn’t He ask “Who do you think that I am?”
..On His death..at Gethsamane didn’t He say “Father, not my Will but yours be done?” The Gospel of John has a very good account on His death and Resurrection..
..On the arguments of those who do not believe in Christ..they have not understood the New Testament because they don’t believe in Jesus..so what can we expect..We, Christians who believe in the Mystery of the Trinity and the Paschal Mystery believe in Him. It is just unfortunate
that we, catholics were not really encouraged to read the Bible. I think it was only after Vatican 11 that we started..St. Francis’ style in preaching is what I try to do..as he said: “preach, if necessary use words.” He is more on living the gospel..from gospel to life, life to gospel.” Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share with you what I believe..Happy Easter..! sorry of the glaring errors in my sentences..corr: above “as this was written..” The Franciscan way ..is listen and dialogue..
Rose, what about their argument that although the Bible says Jesus is the Son of God, nowhere does it mention that He is God the Son? They claim there’s a big difference between Son of God and God the Son.
bithevil: Matt: 16 Peter’s declaration about Jesus will help us understand this part of our faith..Golberg in the other thread referred these verses. I am quite partial to Luke kaya mas madalas doon ako naghahanap ng mga answers..but these were the questions of those who follow the Judaism, and Matthew wrote his gospels for the Jews..kaya mas direct ang gospel niya on this..I find our dialogue interesting..because I learn..
bitchevil: This is my personal opinion, while I am very thankful of the fact that Spain “evangelized” us..I now realize that somewhere along the line, for their personal advantage, they taught us what the only want us to know. In Antique, during the Holy Week our form of entertainment was the “comedia” what I think you call sinakulo..All this time until yesterday I thought that the theme in the story, just like the Japanese Noh or Kabuki was on the good vs. the evil. Because a good friend of mine who’s interest is on Phil. studies wrote me that she was going to Antique for her research asked who the historians of Antique are..and in my own questioning I learned that the theme in Comedia was the Muslims vs. Christianity..I found this strange but I realized that this was the main issue with Spain..kaya na man pala hanggang doon lang tayo in our understanding of our faith!
Rose, you’re thankful to Spain for introducing Catholicism to the Philippines. If another country with a different religion came before the Spaniards, would you be also thankful to this country?
bitchevil: Yes I am thankful to Spain for our Catholic faith. What I can not seem to understand is dapat ang mga bishops natin would enlighten us more particularly on the latest pronouncements of the church..They should also inform us of the teachings of the church particularly in this day and age..Noong araw we just do what the priest tells us..kasi sabi ng pari eh..but now it is a different world..yes the basics and fundamentals have not changed but things are different..e.g sinabihan tayo lahat na masama magnakaw..and in particular corruption, greed, etc. are against the teaching..so dapat may pagbabago tayo na ma asahan..sana nga but let’s wait and see..I am thankful to Spain in many other ways..kung wala sila iba seguro ang apelyido ko..as our great great grandfather came from there..I am really hopeful that there will be a change. for tomorrow is another day..
..Just wondering..do our Churches have Bible studies..kasi dito we have a lot of programs offered to help us in our faith journey..Why Catholic, Non Violent Peacemaking, the Encyclicals..and it is available but it all depends too on the individual..if they want to learn and grow…
The Lord had risen from the dead that we may have life again. Ano mang pagsubok niyan ang ating dinaranas tanging ang ating Panginoong Hesu Kristo lamang ang siyang tunay na gabay at lunas. Ang manampalataya ka Kristo at sumunod sa kanyang banal salita ay siyang tanging tanglaw na nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa; “I am the truth, the way and the Life.” Walang imposibli sa kakayahan ng Diyos na magpagaling sa ating mga karamdaman. This is our prayer na sana hipuin ng ating dakilang Diyos ang iyong karamdaman at manumbalik ang dating sigla ng iyong buhay. Ako’y nanalig na kahit ano mang bagay ang ating hihilinging sa ating makangpayarihang Diyos at tagapagligtas na si Jesus, kung ito ay may kaakibat na pananampalataya, tayo’y kanyang pagpapalain.
Funny how all the countries occupied by Spain now share the same kinds of social, political and economic problems. It must be because of the wrong interpretatjons of the Words of God somewhere, somehow.
Kung sabagay, we know for a fact in History that a lot many of those who wore the cloaks were more often than not fugitives from the law who pretended to be men of God when they escaped to the territories of Spain around the world, lalo na to faraway Philippines. Kaya nagkaroon ng maraming Padre Damaso sa Pilipinas, where Catholicism thrived kasi wala namang pinag-iba doon sa idol worship ng mga pilipino noong panahong sinakop ng mga kastila ang Pilipinas.
Rose, Spain has introduced good things to the Philippines as much as bad things. The bad customs and traditions that continue up to these days. I need not elaborate what they are. You asked why the Catholics don’t hold bible studies. They do now. After the so called Born Again Christian groups became popular in the 80s, the Catholics came up with their own calling themselves Born Again Catholics. This was the time when El Shaddai, the Catholic Charismatic Group began to attract lots of Catholics. Mike Velarde was so smart to combine traditional Catholic style with that of the Protestants; and it clicked. When I was young in school and attending Mass, I seldom if never saw the Priest or my religion teacher opened up the Bible. At Mass, the Priest read one verse..closed the book and began to talk about other things including politics. Years later in my association with the Protestants (they prefer to be called plain Christians today), I was told that the reason why the Priest avoided using and reading too much the Bible was because the flock would find out the false teachings and beliefs the church has been preaching for centuries. Today, I find such explanation true.
Everybody in this world wants to go to heaven when they die but nobody wants to die.Apparently this is the same feeling we share that’s why many cancer warrior survives their ordeal,The will to live and share that experience so others may live.Many cancer victims gave up their professions,businesses and even wealth to prepare themselves to a long battle with the disease,they enlist friends,family and even their church to guide them on their quest.And its good to hear when one won his or her battle for life.I am waiting for them here in the blog to share their experiences.
Those who don’t want to die and afraid to die are not certain of salvation. They are not ready to meet the Lord. If one believes he’s saved, death is like resting and sleeping. When the day of judgment comes, he shall meet the Lord and be with Him in the Holy City. Happy Easter to all !
Ebvmart, one of the worst diseases these days is cancer. While the research is ongoing to seek for its cure, it’s still a long way. Once, a friend in the medical profession confided to me that everyone of us has cancer. Most often, we don’t know we have until it’s already in its advance stage. It’s due to the foods we eat and the environment. For the cancer survivors, their prolonged life is just temporary. They would have to go within five to 10 years. If they think their cancer cells have disappeared, they are wrong. Cancer cells travel from one part to another in our body. These are not completely eliminated. The small cancer cell would again become big and then the person is very sick again. In the future, there could be a cure for cancer given the modern medical technology. Who would have thought that tuberculosis is curable today when this was like cancer in the past? Another great concern is the AIDS that have no cure yet. Assuming that cancer and AIDS finally have solutions, there will be another disease that will appear that’s not curable. It’s like a cycle. That only proves that human beings have beginning and end. All will die one day. This is clearly written in the Bible. Rich, poor, powerful, weak, righteous, corrupt…all will die. The question is not the physical death that we all go through in this life. The question is the second death…which is more painful and everlasting. That’s where Arroyo and her cohorts belong…
bitchevil, & other co-bloggers,
Maybe the following verses from the bible (NIV) will help explain the Deity of Jesus Christ:
John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth
John 17:5
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 17:24
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world
John 20:28
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Colossians 2:9
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
Romans 9:5
Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Philippians 2:5-8
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
1 Timothy 3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He [God] appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Also, our God the father has given His testimony regarding His Son Jesus:
Hebrews 1:1-10
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he
will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
In speaking of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”
But about the Son He says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of
your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your
God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. “He also says,
“In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the
work of your hands.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL! JESUS IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE!
Luzviminda, thanks for citing those verses to prove Christ’s divinity. You need not convince me since I’m a Catholic (but not practicing). But do you know INC has all the answers to all the verses you mentioned? You would be surprised to know that INC can explain each verse. Take John 1:1 for example, INC argues that the Word is not Christ but a plan/concept of God from the very beginning. INC argues that even if Christ is not God, He is no ordinary Man. He possessed all the special qualities given by God. If He was able to perform miracles and raise people from dead, the power all came from God because God annointed God with power. Christ is called Lord and being worshiped not because He’s God but God commands us to call Christ and worship Him. INC argues that there’s a sender and one being sent. A God cannot send another God. In the end, Christ shall submit Himself to God. Christ was born a Man, grew up a Man, suffered as Man, died as Man and shall return as Man.
If Christ is God, how come He doesn’t know the day of His return? The Bible states Christ does not know and the Father knows. INC cites a very strong verse using John 17:1-3. This was when Jesus was praying in the Garden. He lifted His eyes and said “That they may know You as God and Me thou has sent”. If Christ is God, that would be the best opportune time for Christ to declare that He is also God. INC further argues that Christ’s divinity only began long after He and His Disciples died. It took a Emperor whose name I forgot to decide Christ’s divinity once and for all after two groups argued about His divinity. The decision to make Christ as God was influenced by politics even those times. Anyway, the above are just the many arguments you can hear from INC. The Jews and Muslims do not believe Christ is God too. To them, Jesus was a prophet. There is only one God, the Father in heaven. There cannot be two, three or many gods.
Correction above: “God anointed Christ (not God) with power”.
This makes sense because how can God anoint another God with power. Luzviminda, I don’t think Ellen would agree us discussing religion and Christ’s nature in this blog. I just happened to respond to Rose and now to you. But if Ellen and the rest welcome such exchange, then fine. The problem is instead of learning from one another, religious debate might result in misunderstanding.
bitchevil,
Siguro naman di tayo babawalan ni Ate Ellen na i-discuss ang tungkol kay Jesus Christ. Our salvation is important. Sabi nga ng bible dapat natin makilala kung sino si Father God at Jesus Christ. Actually sometimes you don’t have to interpret the bible but to just understand what it is plainly saying. As I cited in in in Hebrews 1 especially verses 8-9 (which are originally from the Old testament and the Psalms). It is Father God who is testifying about the DIVINITY of His Son. Father God is calling Jesus, GOD! So dapat pa ba tayong umapila? Ito rin ang sinasabi ni Apostle John na testimony of our Supreme Father GOd about Jesus the Christ in verses 1John 5:9-10 at John 5:37. Sabi nga ni Apostle John, if we DO NOT believe in the testimony of Father God about His Son, we are making Him a LIAR, which we know Father God is NOT A LIAR. So kargo na ng sinoman kung gingawa nilang sinungaling ang Diyos. As for me I believe in the testimony of Father God that Jesus Christ is GOD!… GOD BLESS!!!
I’m not an expert in theology and bible, Luz. I can only use my common sense in explaining Christ’s divinity even though as a Catholic I was taught to believe Him as god. If Father God is calling Jesus God…how many Gods are there? The bible is clear in teaching that there’s only one God in heaven, the Creator of all things. Being Creator, there is no one above or equal to Him. How can Jesus be God when Jesus is God’s creation? Jesus was born as a Man even if He was conceived by the Holy Spirit through Mary. And if God came down on earth as Jesus, then there are two Gods…the One in heaven and the One on earth. When Jesus was dying on the Cross He cried to God. At that moment, why would He called God’s name if Jesus was Himself God. When I’ve the time, I may research on some of the verses proving Christ is Man and not God. I hope our friends here won’t think I’m anti-Christ. This is just a discussion. As you said, at stake is our salvation. Then, we need to know Christ’s true nature. Otherwise, we might be worshiping a different Jesus as warned in the Bible.