That's not Fair!

(Speaking regarding the parable about the story of workers in a vineyard who were hired at different times but paid the same amount, Bryan Chapell quoted Martin Luther. Visit http://www.livingchrist360.com/ for the whole edition.- Che)

“When you go before men, ask for justice. But when you go before God, do not appeal to justice, rather appeal to grace.“ – Martin Luther

“Don’t ask God to be fair. You don’t want God to be fair. You want God to be absolutely gracious.” – Bryan Chapell

Forgiveness and Pardon

(Just want to share with you the links. It encouraged us. It may encourage you too.)

Forgiveness audio 1

"God has lavished forgiveness upon us, even though we don't deserve it. Yet, having received this grace and mercy, we often struggle to extend it to others. Today, Dr. Chapell continues to look at the parable of the unforgiving servant and its practical application for our lives. "

http://www.livingchrist360.com/dailymessages/today/

Forgiveness audio 2

"Forgiving others is one of the hardest things we'll ever do, especially when we have been deeply wounded. When bitterness rules in our hearts, the power of the gospel is hindered. How do we forgive when we have been wronged? Find out in today's webcast."

http://www.livingchrist360.com/dailymessages/today/

Why RP, home to IRRI, is now the world's top rice importer?

(This is a question I came across in the net while reviewing some literature. I know we import rice, but I didn't know that we were elevated? to the top position since 2008! I have no time just yet to blog about this, but just posting the question to encourage every Filipino to ask the same question or related questions, search for answers, and in our own little worlds, in our own little ways, help the Philippines be more food secure, not necessarily 100% self-sufficient. Here are some links to some reasons or attempts to answer the question:)

from Inquirer Analyst Tina Arceo-Dumlao (see links for the full article)

• Government's Neglect of Agriculture. The government is alloting only around 2% of its total budget to Agriculture even while the agriculture sector accounts for close to 19% of the GDP and employs 35% of the labor force.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080425-132556/Why-RP-home-to-IRRI-is-now-the-worlds-top-rice-importer

http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/riceproblem/index.php

from IRRI website (see links below for more information)

• Land Area: The Philippines has around 300,000 square kilometers, of which around 43,000 square kilometers of harvested area are used for rice production. As most of the country is very mountainous and consists of many small islands, suitable land is limited to expand rice production into without affecting wetlands, forests, or areas producing other crops. Urban areas also continue to expand rapidly.
• Population growth: The population of the Philippines is estimated at 97 million. Its annual growth rate of around 2% – among the world’s highest – means that just to keep pace with growing demand the country would have to increase rice production and yield at rates rarely seen in history.
• Infrastructure: Irrigation infrastructure is not used and maintained as efficiently as it could be, thus reducing productivity potential. Transport infrastructure, particularly good-quality roads, is lacking in the Philippines, which affects the transport of rice and hinders the rice trade.

http://beta.irri.org/test/j15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=393&Itemid=100104

http://books.google.com/books/irri?id=stemcfAZ8UwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=&sig=ecPVDrqcBXDMFeFz79tSoCCtkiM#v=onepage&q=&f=false

from PhilRice website (see links below)

• Population over-explosion - high annual population growth rate (2.3%)
• Increasing rice demand - rice is the staple food for more than 90% of the country's population; rice accounts for 41% of average calorie intake (IRRI World Rice Statistics)
• Deceleration in growth rates of palay production - declining land; seasonality
• High cost & risk in production - high costs of inputs; pests & diseases, problem soils, droughts & floods
• Insufficient knowledge on modern technologies - high fertilizer & seeding rates;
• Market constraints - price disturbances; poor farm-to-market roads

http://www.philrice.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=73#import

Edited!

(edited! original shows mama and daddy older; khane younger)

My Experience of a Real Satisfied Life

“Before Christ came into my heart, I had an empty life. Only when He came into my heart that I had joy in life.”

I was born in an ordinary family. However, I had many of the things a teen-ager in my province wanted to have such as girls (who were ordinary like me), many friends, and popularity (at least within my very small and ordinary world). Because of these things I was very happy. However, deep inside me I felt empty.

Despite the pleasure of sex, security of having many friends, and nice feeling of having fans in those days, my life had no meaning. If there is a tree that looks nice in the outside but has a hollow trunk and branches, I was like this tree.

I say this because although I was happy, I had no joy. I had joy only when Christ came into my heart. This joy is real not only when my circumstances are good, but also when my circumstances are bad. The happiness I once had existed only during good times but not during lonely moments.

Joy is an experience the common mind cannot understand because it can only be given by Christ to those He indwells in the heart. Surely, there are many things the world can give us. Joy is not one of them.

(This is a testimony I shared last December 18, 2009 at a Japanese women's fellowship, at the request of their leader.- Marlon)