Friday, February 12, 2021
Does Your Lifestyle Allow for Generosity?
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. Proverbs 22:22-23
William Borden was born to a wealthy family, but when he was challenged by a friend at Princeton University, he gave away his millions. Years later he wouldn’t even allow himself the luxury of a car, when he rode through the teaming streets of Cairo, Egypt on a bicycle. His desire was to reach people at their level, and he did just that. His motto: No reluctance, no regrets, no retreat.
In all probability you won’t arrive at this kind of lifestyle overnight. It may be a slow journey from the hills of suburbia to the inner city where people are hurting, or from where you are to a simple path of service. Rarely does a person wake up and say, “I’ve been living for myself and I’m going to get rid of the big house, the expensive car and go live in the slums, working with the poor.” But at some point a wise person is forced to consider God’s will and purpose for his life. I hasten to say that God deals with each of us on an individual basis, and what may be OK for some is not necessarily OK for others.
Take, for example, Renny Scott. Haven’t heard of him? Probably not, but Scott said it’s time we began to look at the needs of our world in light of the trust of our possessions. Scott is an Episcopalian priest, and during his first stint in a parish, he began wrestling with the issue of materialism and how much is enough. He said, “I just couldn’t resolve the tension of living in a peaceful bedroom community while hell on earth was all around us in the form of hunger and poverty.”
He went to Africa with a World Vision group, which was the beginning of involvement with the needs of other people. He sold everything and went to Africa–right? Wrong! But he did move into the inner city where he lived, and began thinking about those who were less fortunate than he. That was the second step. Then he took a church, a struggling one with a congregation of about 50 which met in a school cafeteria. A year later he invited a Ugandan pastor to speak about the genocide which was taking place in Uganda under Idi Amin. The pastor borrowed the story of Jesus with the loaves and fishes and challenged the people to do what they could.
Afterwards a deacon suggested they give the entire Sunday morning offering to help. Scott swallowed hard because that meant his salary was included. Eventually, Scott and his wife, Margaret, came to grips with their lifestyle and did something which I have challenged many to do: put a cap on your lifestyle and say, “This much and no more”; and everything above that was given away no matter how much they received. The little church of 30 people grew into a body of people which averaged over 1800 in attendance and matched money given for buildings with money given for missions.
Then Renny Scott took on a new challenge: that of helping homeless people find housing which is affordable. Scott said, “I had to pause and ask myself what I would want to be doing if Christ returned today. And I found myself answering from Matthew 24 and 25. I needed to take my talents and invest them in the poor, the sick, and the naked.” Hats off to Renny Scott who discovered there is more to life than a good income.
Can anyone afford to be indifferent to the needs of others when the very example of Jesus dictated drawing a line somewhere and saying, “This much and no more”? You are the one who has to answer for your choices.
Resource reading: Proverbs 22:17-29.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/does-your-lifestyle-allow-for-generosity/
Duterte checks new military air assets
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday inspected 23 newly-delivered air assets for the military.
The new aircraft include a C-130H cargo plane, six S70i Blackhawk utility helicopters, six A-29B Super Tucanos, six Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and 4 Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. These "will play an indispensable role in safeguarding our nation," said Duterte.
"Our efforts to strengthen our military have been vital in ensuring that we are able to fulfill our sworn and shared duty of protecting our sovereignty and safeguarding the welfare of the Filipino people," the President said in a speech before troops.
Duterte has approved the acquisition of 15 more helicopters for the military after a Vietnam war-era chopper crashed in a southern province last month killing several soldiers.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/12/21/duterte-checks-new-military-air-assets
After shutdown, My Only Radio returns as MOR Entertainment
Eight months after its radio broadcast was forced shut, My Only Radio For Life, or MOR Philippines, is set to return with a rich library of digital content as the newly rebranded MOR Entertainment.
MOR Entertainment will feature daily, live programs on Facebook and Kumu, podcasts on Spotify, and exclusive content on YouTube starting Sunday, February 14.
Well-loved DJs and hosts from MOR 101.9 and their nationwide counterparts will continue interacting with Kapamilya viewers.
MOR fans can look forward to programs hosted by Chico, Chinaheart, Kisses, Nicki Morena, Onse, and Popoy from Manila; Ateng Jeri B, Erick D, Bong Bastic, and Tito Son from Luzon; Daddy Sarge, Jacky G, Macky Kho, and Master James Spider from Visayas; and Betina Briones, David Bang, Kokoy, and Mary Jay from Mindanao.
The signature show “Dear MOR” is due for revival, and will be joined by new offerings like “Good Time To,” “kumuKokoy,” “MOR Barkadahan,” “Lagot Ka Kay Medem,” “143 For Life,” and “MOR Playlist” that cover lifestyle, showbiz, relationships, and of course, music.
Viewers can access MOR Entertainment through its channel on YouTube; @MORe on Kumu; “Dear MOR” on Spotify; and MORe Manila, MORe Luzon, MORe Visayas, and MORe Mindanao on Facebook.
MOR Philippines had broadcast on radio with different stations across the country until mid-2020, when a congressional panel voted to reject the network’s bid for a fresh broadcast franchise.
The country would keep Barangay FM as the sole FM radio network.
Religious activities in GCQ zones eased starting Feb. 15
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has relaxed the restrictions on religious gatherings in areas placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning Feb. 15, Malacañang announced on Friday.
“Specifically, religious gatherings in GCQ areas shall be allowed up to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, said in a press statement.
The easing of restrictions came ahead of the country’s observance of Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17.
At present, a 30-percent and 50-percent seating capacity for religious activities are allowed in areas under GCQ and modified GCQ, respectively.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, co-chairperson of IATF-EID, said Wednesday the existing health and safety protocols will be followed in the observance of Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.
Instead of the traditional marking of a cross on the forehead, Catholic prelates just sprinkled the blessed ash on the penitents’ heads last year as part of the preventive measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Catholic faithful will be allowed this year to burn palms at home and use the ashes to sprinkle on family members on Ash Wednesday, according to the Archdiocese of Manila’s Circular No. 2021-05.
The circular also authorizes parishes that will have difficulty finding old blessed palm branches for this year’s Ash Wednesday to use dried leaves of plants or trees as an alternative.
Traditionally, the palm branches blessed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday mass are donated by parishioners to their parish.
The Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in a Jan. 12 note, directs priest to say the formula, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” once to all the present devotees rather than to each person.
The note also provides that the priest should cleanse his hands, put on a face mask, and distribute ashes to those who come to him, if appropriate, go to those who are standing in their places.
Ang Dating Daan televangelist passes away at 73
By Ferdinand Patinio
Ang Dating Daan televangelist Bro. Eliseo "Eli" Soriano has passed away. He was 73.
"It is with deep sadness, yet with full faith in the Almighty, that we announce the passing of our beloved and one and only Bro. Eliseo "Eli" Soriano - a faithful preacher, brother, father, and grandfather to many," according to a post on the religious group’s Facebook account on Friday.
Soriano's cause of death was not revealed.
"The life story of Bro. Eli is an open book to many of us. We are witnesses to his dedication and tireless efforts to propagate the undefiled words of God in the Bible,” the statement read.
According to the religious group, Soriano’s work started as a preacher in Guagua, Pampanga. He then went to Brazil and other western countries.
“His fame and reputation of being the most sensible preacher of our time has gained international attention,” it said.
The religious organization assured that the programs and projects started by Soriano would continue.
The radio program “Ang Dating Daan” started airing in 1980. Three years after, it was launched on television.
Metro Channel sked (February 12, 2021)
6 am - Good Morning Hong Kong
8:30 am - CMG New Year's Gala 2021
2:48 pm - Climate Change by Numbers
3 pm - Food: Delicious Science
4 pm - Chopsticks! Diversifying the World
5 pm - The Furchester Hotel
5:30 pm - Thomas & Friends
6 pm - News
6:10 pm - Flower China
6:30 pm - TV Patrol
7:30 pm - Scoop
8 pm - Innovation Nation
8:25 pm - 101 Easy Japanese
8:30 pm - Britain's Got Talent
9:25 pm - 101 Easy Japanese
9:30 pm - Get Rich
10 pm - Finance at 10
10:30 pm - Nature Wonder Land
11 pm - The World Tonight
11:30 pm - Studio 930: Season of Love:La La Land
1:40 am - News Roundup (Pearl)
1:55 am - Weather Report and Earth Live and Today In History
2 am - Entertainment Tonight
2:30 am - Innovation Nation
2:55 am - CHINA 24
3:45 am - Market Overview
3:55 am - Fireplace
‘2022 elections to forge ahead, COVID or not’
The Commission on Elections gave assurances Thursday the 2022 national elections would push through even if the threat of COVID-19 remained.
Comelec Chairman sheriff Abas said the Comelec had set the filing of Certificates of Candidacy from Oct. 1 to 8, 2021.
“The May 2022 elections – which would still be automated – will definitely push through. It is Comelec’s mandate to conduct the May 2022 elections. It will push through. The commission is busy preparing,” the poll chief said.
“While the pandemic may not be over by next year and health and safety protocols still to be followed, the elections will push through. In fact, we already have the calendar of activities,” Abas said.
Voter registration for the polls is ongoing and will end on Sept. 30, 2021.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for the March 13, 2021 Palawan Plebiscite has officially started, the Comelec said.
In Resolution No.10687, the Comelec set the Information and Campaign Period from Feb. 11 to March 11,2021.
A total 490,639 voters in Palawan, except Puerto Princesa City, are expected to participate in the plebiscite for the ratification of Republic Act No. 11259, said Comelec Director Teopisto Elna.
Some 8,877 public school teachers will man 2,959 polling places, while 487 support supervisors will serve as marshals in voting centers, Elnas said.
Prohibited acts during the Information and Campaign Period are the removing, destroying, or tampering of lawful plebiscite propaganda; appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions filling of new positions, or giving of salary increases, remuneration, or privileges; construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices; release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds; raising of funds, thru dances, lotteries, cockfights, etc.; and use of armored/land water/aircraft.
For her part, Senator Imee Marcos has called for the swift passage of a law on early voting to complement the government’s mass vaccination program and ensure the smooth and safe conduct of national elections next year.
Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, said the roll-out of vaccines alone was “no guarantee that the 2022 elections would not become a multiple, super-spreader event.”
“Planning for elections has become more complicated due to the pandemic,” said Marcos.
"As our committee report shall be completed shortly, may I urge President Duterte to certify the urgency of passing an early voting law and make a smooth and safe transition of leadership part of his legacy,” Marcos added.
She said the delay in passing such a law denied the Commission on Elections ample time to plan pandemic-related measures and fix a proper budget to put them in place.
“Run-throughs may be needed. Haphazard preparations and resulting voter confusion will undermine the legitimacy of the elections,” the senator added.
Marcos filed Senate Bill 1104 in October last year to allow early voting for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) but said she intended to include health workers, military and police personnel, poll watchers, and the media when the bill is taken up in the Senate.
“Expanding the list of groups eligible for early voting will reduce crowding on election day and further mitigate the health risks in next year’s polls,” Marcos explained.
“Moreover, new voting precincts that will accommodate fewer people will need to be created and new voting venues identified, to comply with social distancing and other safety protocols,” the senator added.
Arrangements for about 400,000 Filipino seafarers as well as voters returning to the provinces amid the differing quarantine protocols of local government units will also need to be settled, she also said.
Marcos expressed optimism that the “sluggish registration of new voters” would also improve before the September deadline, if a law for early voting is passed.
In 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded more than eight million senior citizens and PWDs who chose not to cast their votes than flock to polling precincts with the general public.
https://manilastandard.net/news/national/346809/-2022-elections-to-forge-ahead-covid-or-not-.html