Eternal Success Story in the Making

When I was a little boy I watch my uncles and relatives drink beer during their occasional drinking sessions. Due to my curiosity I had the chance to slip by and taste what they are drinking, much to my dismay I hated the taste. In my young mind I wonder why these grown men group themselves together and drink such an awful thing.

But when I became a teen, I was lead to believe that such activities are meant for socialization. Although my mother is against such activities because of the extreme effects of alcohol to the youth, I was not totally convinced by her nagging. I often argue that such activities when taken in moderation are just meant for socialization. But since I was raised in a Christian family I held the value of respecting and obeying our parents, thereby I refrain from such activities. From this “anti-social” behavior I was set apart (but not aloof) from my classmates and friends in high school. I was even called a “mama’s boy” by the first girl I courted. Lol

Then came the time when I was free from my parent’s control. I went into college in Baguio, far away from home. One time in Baguio City, the cousin of my cousin invited us into their Church (Baptist) and attended their Sunday service. After the service we were offered foods and beer. Though I am either pro or against drinking beer, for the sake of being a good guest I drank the beer. This strengthened my belief that drinking beer in moderation is not a big deal because even Christians do such thing.

Despite of the advertisement of beer companies that had cleverly made drinking beer synonymous with “family and friends togetherness”, there still remain doubts in my mind about alcohol because of my little knowledge of the bible. There are certain verses that seem to contradict themselves regarding the topic of drinking wine. Then came a certain point in my life wherein several truths about the bible were exposed to me by a group of Christians like no other religious group had ever exposed before. So let me start my lengthy view of the topic at hand.

It is my way of finding the truth by taking both sides of the coin in consideration and even take in consideration the middle side of the coin or the neutral side. I have considered the arguments of Christians who believes that drinking alcohol in moderation is allowed and the argument of Christians who believes that total abstinence in alcohol is necessary and a side that is somewhat neutral.

From the 75 warnings against wine to the “water to wine” miracle of our Lord Jesus Christ, there are arguments counter arguments and verses counter verses that I have encountered. Most even took the labor of looking up the Greek and Hebrew meaning of the English word “wine”. But I will no longer site the arguments of the side which failed to pass biblical truth for it will just confuse most readers who are babes in the word of God. But to those who wish to undergo the same process I went, I recommend the following links.

Christians should not drink wine: http://www.legana.org/studies/alcohol.htm http://www.scionofzion.com/drinking.htm

Somewhat neutral: http://www.tektonics.org/lp/nowine.html

Pro moderate drinking of Wine: http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=988

To start with, to my friends who read this must come to the knowledge that when the bible speaks of wine it either pertains to NEW or OLD wine (Luke 5:37-39). New wine is unfermented thus non-alcoholic it is basically grape juice. Old wine is fermented thus alcoholic. What is in question in here is the alcoholic wine. Alcoholic wines also nowadays are labeled with the percentage of alcohol it contains. For the sake of simplicity, when I say alcoholic wine I am addressing the kind of wine that has enough alcohol content that can cause a man to be drunk. The apostles and Jesus did not drink OLD wine. There are many verses in the bible that is against alcoholic wine though some are debatable; the following two are what I would like to present.

Prov. 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Biblically and statistically alcoholic wine is a cause of trouble, it is a mocker, it is raging. Watch the news and you’ll see “magkumpare” friends stab each other while on a drinking session, you will hear about a father who raped her daughter under the influence of alcohol etc. etc. The bible also says that drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6:9-10. When something in itself is described by the bible in a negative light, should we even think that we should take it in moderation, just enough of it that would not cause us to be drunk? If cyanide causes death when taken orally, should we take a little amount of cyanide that is just enough not to kill us? Certainly not! Alcoholic wine is a source of trouble and causes a man to do evil things. The bible commands Christian to abstain from every form of evil. Let me repeat that, Christians are commanded to abstain from EVERY FORM of evil 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 Abstain from every form of evil. The following is the second biblical reference that took away my doubts about the topic.

Prov. 23:31-5 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

The above reference goes even beyond from abstaining! The mere act of intentionally looking or searching alcoholic wine is prohibited. It is no doubt that the wine being mentioned in the verse is alcoholic.

Even some Christians, who believe that a beer will not send a person who practices moderation to hell, will agree that abstinence is proper. The following are what they have to say.

“In my experience in doing personal evangelism, I have made the observation that the fact that there are Christians who drink is a major excuse many alcoholics hide behind. God calls us to be salt and light to the world that we live in (Matthew 5: 13-14) and to avoid conduct that could cause others to stumble (Romans 14:21.) 

“One beer might not send me to hell, but it could lead ten people there who saw me, and followed my example.”

“If we really care about the souls of men, and if we are really in business for Christ, rather than for ourselves, then there seems to be no alternative to total abstinence-not as a matter of legalism, but rather as a matter of love”

Well as for me, as long as my friends know my stand about alcohol… that would be enough for me. If you would like to invite me to a wedding reception don’t forget a can of Cali for me! lol.

- Chaz St. Michael

Papuri Luwalhati

The first time I heard this song was during our National Thanksgiving way back in 1999. And everytime I hear it, untill now, I still feel what I felt during those days when I was with my parents, relatives and friends. We all gave thanks to God Almighty.

But that will just remain as a memory in the past… no matter how happy and sweet that memory was, I can never bring it back… for I was left by my loved ones in this old path that I have sworn to walk until the end of my journey in this world.

I feel that I am old whenever people come to me and ask advice. But I think it would be wrong not to share what I’ve learned. I do not profess that I know much, but I hope some people could use these tid bit thoughts of mine (sorry for the grammar and spelling). Here you go…

• Most people who are “fast talkers” and good in persuading others are the people you must not lightly give your trust.
• If a business proposal promises you to get rich quickly… it’s a scam. Never enter a business that is closely related to pyramiding… or any of its cleverly devised variants that seems to be legitimate.
• There is no elevator to success… you must take the stairs.
• 8 out of 10; Ang pinoy balasubas pag dating sa pangungutang - Tulfo
• Looks can be deceiving, even an innocent looking woman can do you harm.
• Thieves are real; never think that they will never do it to you. And don’t think that they are dumb ‘coz they are usually smart.
• If something did not turn out the way you plan… get over it and move on.
• If you can’t do something right… it’s your fault! Do it better next time.
• You can do it if you believe you can.
• Set goals early in life.
• Be passionate on what you do.
• If you hate your job… find another one. And don’t give me excuses like “Looking for a new job is hard” crap.
• As much as possible avoid having your friends or relatives as business partners, it’s not worth risking your relationship with them.
• Obey first before you complain at work.
• Your boss, no matter how wrong he was… he is still your boss.
• You can not choose your co-worker neither your boss… get along with them.
• If you are a boss, never treat all your people the same.
• If you’re a supervisor, always do things “by the book” if you want problems like sabotage and backstabbing. There are times that you need to use your heart…. “Lead with your heart and think with your mind”.
• If you reprimand/correct someone, you should have established a good “emotional bank account” with that person. Every sincere praise is a deposit; every feedback/correction/constructive criticism is a withdrawal. Never withdraw more than what you have deposited.
• It’s better to give than to receive.
• If you saw someone you haven’t seen for a long time… leave what you are doing and devote considerable time with him/her.
• The company you work for can easily replace you, but your family can’t and won’t leave you no matter what.
• A relationship not according to God’s will, won’t have a happy ending.