I first became aware of Church of God publications in mid-1962. It was then being advertised in The Philippines Free Press, of which my father was a subscriber and occasional writer. Being a second year college student then in Zamboanga City, I did not have as much time to seriously read those publications, unlike the rest of my family residing then in Kabasalan, Zamboanga del Sur. But the things I heard from my father back home seemed to make good solid sense.

While in college, I was then very active in the leadership position of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. Having been born and raised as Evangelical Protestants, we were taught to be careful about publications that contradicted its teachings. Thus, I found an inner struggle trying to reconcile what I was beginning to learn as truth with what I had been previously taught. An even greater problem loomed in my mind with the possibility of making drastic changes in my life—including a change in my religious affiliation. The idea was becoming quite scary then.

After graduation from college in 1965, I determined to settle nagging doctrinal questions once and for all. I then seriously devoted study into these teachings almost daily and deep into the night for months. Hungering and thirsting for truth, I tried to read every possible publication which shed light into those questions—wanting to know for myself and to my full and complete satisfaction the real truths on those topics, and their support with irrefutable proofs.

Eventually, I came to the point where even if I wanted to stay in my previous religious comfort zone and maintain the status quo of my long-established Protestant affiliation, I simply cannot in good conscience refute the validity and solid Scriptural accuracy of what I was studying in the Church of God publications. It now became a conscience issue to me. It came to the point where I either have to believe man and its corrupted popular teachings, or the plain teachings of the Bible (which of course, I cannot reject).

But it was not easy to make such decision at that time because of the emotional baggage that was firmly attached to it: What about my friends, relatives, associates, and our good reputation and standing as pillars in our church congregation? What will they all say? Have I gone crazy?

Then, there was the intellectual baggage as well. This Church of God under the leadership of Herbert W. Armstrong has no known ministers, missionaries, congregations, or Bible School even in all of Mindanao that I knew of then. The Protestant group we were affiliated with then had all of those. Since there was no Church of God congregation or even a minister in our community, how are we going to attend services? How can we be spiritually nourished? It appeared that our family were the only ones seeking to affiliate with the then Radio Church of God in our whole province. It was like jumping off a cliff, or into the unknown and an uncertain future. To a normal-minded man, that idea was plain risky, if not crazy!

But from a biblical and spiritual perspective, I wondered if it was like the call of the patriarch Abraham who had to leave his own comfort zone at age 75, from the notable city of Ur in the land of the Chaldees, to go to a very far, relatively unknown, and seemingly uncharted territory unnamed yet by God at that time of his call? (It was later revealed that the destination was Canaan, Genesis 12:5.)

That’s possible, but in this case, who am I to know? And how can I be sure it is really so? Nobody then can tell me what this possible move was all about, and what its future consequences will be? There has been no precedent at all in our community or anywhere else that I knew of then. Am I just assuming in my own mind that this is indeed the call of God? It was very hard to say, and I could irrevocably and regrettably be very wrong in the end.

Thus, to give me help in making that crucial decision, I decided to ask God for a sign. Taking a clue from a biblical account, I recalled the story of Gideon in the Book of Judges, who was also not sure whether God was sending him on such a mission or not. So, he asked for a definite sign from God, and in his case, asked for the reversed counterpart of that sign the following night to be doubly sure. That particular part of the story of Gideon’s call is found in Judges 6:36-40.

In my case, I thought of asking for a sign which cannot be explained in any other physical way—except by a direct act of God alone. If I just ask that a certain object be moved to a certain place, that could possibly be explained by someone unknowingly but coincidentally moving it, or perhaps even an animal transferring it by instinct. So, I rejected that idea.

Since I had at that time a very long standing skin disease (it had been my affliction for years), which was perhaps part of my skin allergy which simply won’t get healed by most known remedies, I decided to make that as a sign from God. In my mind, this was like hitting two birds with one stone. I will have a sign from God, and I will also finally be healed, IF God so decides. But I also fully recognized that what I was asking for was something impossible—unless God really does a personal miraculous act for me. Well, it was up to Him to decide.

After much intensive Bible study late into the night one Sabbath in 1965, I decided that this was the time I will ask God for a sign. Anyway, He already knew my personal spiritual struggles. So, I fervently and earnestly pleaded in prayer on my knees that night saying, that if indeed He is calling me out from my former religious (Protestant) affiliation, and wants me now to be called into the Church of God, and become one of His begotten sons, then He makes this very clear by a special sign. I asked that if by early tomorrow morning, when I wake up, all the skin diseases are cleared and gone, then, I know that He has definitely answered me in that regard.

I went to sleep soundly that night. Early the next morning, I remembered my prayer, and when I looked and examined, it was all gone and cleared as if nothing ever happened by way of skin disease before! I could hardly believe what I witnessed! It was impossible, unless God really did it miraculously! Right there and then, I knew that the Ever-living God has clearly and definitely answered me in a very special way, and possibly has other plans for me.

That miracle has strengthened my faith in God and made me steadfast in my calling since then, even in the face of doubts and uncertainties. Obviously, God has through the years taken care of all my questions and concerns at that time, and I have no regrets to this day. Rather, I feel most blessed and fulfilled in the work God has given me, and in all the truths He has revealed to me and ordained me to preach and proclaim as well.

My dad, Edmond Macaraeg, is a minister of the United Church of God in the Philippines, where he pastors 18 active congregations in the island of Mindanao. This article was published yesterday in the Davao Sabbath Bulletin, the weekly announcement bulletin and newsletter of the Davao City congregation of the United Church of God.

My life started on the night of December 11, 1985. My birth was a very happy occasion for my parents. Everything seemed to be wonderful until I was six months old and started having convulsions—attacks that occurred not once, not twice, but at least five times a day! I was brought to the hospital and multiple tests were performed. Even with tests on my blood, my heart, and the different organs in my body, the doctors could not determine why I was having the convulsions.

The doctor told my parents that every time I experienced a convulsion my brain was being denied oxygen—a dangerous situation. So he prescribed Phenobarbital—a barbiturate drug—to prevent the convulsions. It was believed that this drug would lessen my convulsion attacks but there was also a possibility that the drug would have a lifelong negative effect on my brain. The main concern of my doctor at that time was to stop the attacks and to keep me alive.

I took the medication for three days before my parents—through many prayers and counseling—made the difficult decision to take me off the medication and put me in God’s hands. The doctor disagreed with their decision since it was his belief that I would die within 24 hours of being taken off the medication.

This was a difficult time for my Mom and Dad but they also knew that there is a much more powerful Being who could intervene. They signed a waiver stating that it was their own decision to stop the medication and after that, they brought me home.

With prayers and fasting and with tears in their eyes, they appealed to our Almighty God. They told God that they were very thankful that He had given them a daughter after the death of their first son. They also told Him that if He wanted to take me from them, then they were willing to give me back to my Creator. Even so, they pleaded for Him to heal me instead.

Twenty-four agonizing hours passed and I was still alive! At this point, my parents believed that God had already answered their prayers. My convulsion attacks left me completely. Neither the drug that I took nor the lack of oxygen to my brain from previous convulsions caused any permanent damage. I’ve lived a happy and a normal life because of the love and mercy of our Almighty God.

I’ve shared this story of my life because my parents and I were deeply inspired by God’s intervention. While others may make different medical decisions under similar circumstances, the point is that God does hear and answer prayers.

I’m thankful for my life and for my parents who taught me to fear God and live His way of life. God also gave me fine brothers and wonderful friends! Most of all, He called me into His Church and gave me the priceless opportunity to be a part of His future Family!

Many, if not all of us, have our own stories to tell about the trials and tests that we have experienced in our Christian lives that really tried our faith. God promised us in the Holy Bible that He will not give us trials that we cannot handle. We need to entrust our lives to Him and believe that He knows what is best in every situation. Let us allow God be the Captain of our lives.

The next time you face a trial that seems insurmountable, remember to humbly ask our Heavenly Father for help. He is more than willing to help us fight and eventually win our life’s battles!

Audrey Ruth, 23, will be finishing up her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree in March this year.

Recommended Reading: To learn how to increase your faith in God, be sure to read, download, or request your free copy of the booklet, You Can Have Living Faith.

In an effort to promote peace, in December of 1986, then Philippine President Corazon Aquino declared a unilateral ceasefire for the government forces against attacking rebel organizations. In turn, the rebels took advantage of the opportunity to raid homes and establishments to acquire weapons and funds for their cause, and some such incidents were published in the newspapers then.

We were then renting a house in a subdivision in San Pedro, Laguna, owned by a Filipino family working abroad. Through their dollar earnings, they were able to make their house look nice on the outside because of the glazed tiles on the front walls, with glass and aluminum front doors.

Apart from pastoring congregations, one of my duties then was to be responsible for the repair and maintenance of vehicles owned by the church, all of which were second-hand. Thus, with expected troubles, various models can be seen parked in front of our house, including one imported computer-controlled car, a Buick Skylark owned by our American Regional Director.

Also, since our living room was spacious, all church activities (Spokesman & Graduate Clubs, DELS classes, choir practices, etc.) were held there and attended by church members, most of whom have their own cars. Thus the street in from of our house would regularly be lined up with cars most days of the week. Moreover, a vibrant late December 1986 garage sale with music and loud speaker was also done at our house garage.

Thus, from outside appearances, we were looked upon as wealthy. Unknown to us then, in the eyes of lawless elements, they spotted an attractive weakness. We did not then care to have any dog, or to maintain outside security lights because we know, we have no wealth to protect.

That Friday, I was not able to finish a repair job before the Sabbath, so the car parts were on the living room. Since it smelled of kerosene, we left all doors open and unlocked to allow fresh air.

The drama begins

That January 16, 1987, 6:30 pm, Friday, after praying for our Sabbath meal, we saw three masked men armed with weapons surround us. My eyes dimmed as I realized this was not a cruel joke.

They announced in Tagalog dialect the hold-up; they ordered everyone not to make any false move, or make any noise, not look on their faces, lest there will be harm or death. They then demanded: weapons, cash, and jewelry; and also ordered that we should all lie face down on the floor.

While my instinct to protect my family was triggered, I quickly assessed that it was futile to resist even if I knew some judo. I was the only adult male and any of us could get hurt or die. I reckon that material things can be replaced, but life cannot, and also, this is not the only day of vengeance. So, I ordered my family to cooperate and just pray. When their leader heard the word “pray” he taunted us and said, “You better pray because this will be your last.”

Since my wife was pregnant then and I abhorred such indignity, I requested that we be allowed to sit and bow our heads around the table, rather than be hog-tied on the floor, which they agreed.

Regarding their demands, I stated that we don’t have weapons (only an air rifle), and have no cash (except 300 pesos in my wallet), and no jewelry (except fancy ones).

The leader did not believe me since he was informed I was an official of a big company. So he pressed the nozzle of his gun against my head, and demanded that I cooperate. Not afraid, I said, I am a church pastor and that he can verify that from the letters on my desk. When he heard “pastor” he said, “Oh, you have plenty of money because your members give to you.” I said that may be true among others, but our organization is unique in that our members do bank-to-bank deposits (which was actually the case in Metro Manila then).

In an effort to prove me wrong, they opened every drawer and cabinet of every room. Seeing we have no such weapons, cash, or jewelry, the leader came back and pressed the blade or his diver’s jagged dagger against my throat and said, “You are making it difficult for us! You better tell us where you are hiding those things.” I said, I have already told you the truth.

Later, I heard him tell his companions, it is a shame that they can’t bring back anything on this mission. So, he commanded them to gather any appliance and tool of value which they placed in two of our suitcases. So they got my power tools, automotive diagnostic tools, camera equipment, our beta tape collection of Herbert Armstrong’s telecasts, our camping equipment, our wristwatches, and even the savings of our children in coins.

When I heard them talk about planning to molest my 23 year-old sister who was staying with us, I loudly and fearlessly ordered them not to touch her! For which thankfully they obeyed.

Then the leader came and said they have a problem. They were prepared to put into their shoulder bags weapons, cash, and jewelry, and then just ride a bus. But now, they need a car. I said they can get the key on my table. Since the car is insured, it will not be a great loss to us, I thought to myself. But he said they only know how to drive a carabao—but not a car.

They also attempted to take as a hostage our youngest daughter, Cheryl who was almost five years old then, but when she cried, they thought it will alert neighbors and will be added trouble for them, so dropped such idea.

After about two hours of ransacking our house, (also waiting for 9 p.m. when soldiers manning military checkpoints will go home), they demanded that we go and I drive. I protested that we have very little gas (less than 1/8 tank). He said they are ready to hold-up a gas station for gas. Also, not having tuned-up the car more recently, I said the engine is not reliable and (in literal Tagalog) can die. He retorted (perhaps knowing I knew auto mechanics from what he saw), if your car dies, you also die.

With his handgun stuck to the back of my head, he ordered me to rise and head for the door toward the car. I did not even have any chance to bid or say farewell to any in my family.

Showing ignorance with vehicles, the leader got angry when the dome light went on when the car door was opened. Also, when the turn signal light flashed, because by habit, I signal before making a turn. Likewise, they did not know about a car luggage compartment, so the two men at the back each had on his lap a suitcase, while their leader was beside me with his handgun pointed at me. He ordered me not to make any signals, contact, or pass by any police or military checkpoint. He also ordered me not to pass through the expressway because of the need to pass through the toll gate, and that we were going to Bicol that night following the old highway.

While I kept praying all along, I wanted to penetrate into their minds and with psychology hope to turn it around in my favor. As expected, the leader refused to carry out a conversation. But somehow, he revealed his anger with wrong data from his informer, making me a wrong target.

One of the men got off with one of our suitcases in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, as the leader told him to make a report to their commander. By about 11 p.m., we reached the town of Tiaong, Quezon, and I was surprised to find the gas station there still open at that hour! The leader asked if P200 worth of gas was okay? Unwilling to cooperate, I just nodded, though I know it won’t get us far. As we approached Lucena, Quezon, by past midnight, I told him we were low on gas, and there were no more gas stations open along the way.

I kept praying in my mind, recalling many of the Psalms, and God’s promises, and wondering what happened to those left behind. I entertained thoughts of crashing the car, since I had my seat belt and they had none; or hoping for a calamity of some sort to deliver me from them.

At almost 3 a.m. and we were already way into the Bicol region, I told them we definitely are near empty on gas, and that they better chose where to stop lest we be overtaken by pursuers and they get killed. They began to obey me, and chose a spot with a house. Before getting off, they wisely ordered me to make a U-turn to divert any possible pursuers (but it was also in my favor).

They got off with the one remaining suitcase, but then ordered me to get off and lie face down on the ground. I knew they will pump a bullet in my head. I boldly refused preferring to die at the wheels, and I was ready. When they did not insist, I knew I now had the upper hand, and commanded them to return my remaining money, which the leader threw into the back seat.

As soon as that was done, I sped off full blast like a bird out of the cage, calculating that if they fired any shots, they could hardly hit the tires. I said to myself that as long as the car runs, I’ll drive it, and if it stops for lack of gas, I will just abandon it and take a bus, and come back for it.

Miraculously, on an empty tank, the car traveled another six hours back to our home, arriving safely at about 9 a.m. the following day.

Events at the home front

I learned later that when we left by car, three other men stayed behind to disconnect our phone and hid the unit, then put off the lights, while they guarded outside the house until midnight to prevent anyone seeking help. (I also learned later that my two oldest sons, David and Daniel aged 15 and 13 respectively then, during the hostage situation were just waiting for my order to help attack the intruders, even if it meant death to them.)

When the lights were put out by the remaining intruders, my wife and children retreated to the most secure place in our house (bathroom inside the master bedroom) and locked all doors behind them. They prayed earnestly, while my eldest son, David, using my Bible attempted to conduct a Bible study in my place as our custom was on Friday nights. Everyone continued fasting.

Past midnight, my wife sent our two oldest sons to my ministerial assistant then in the same village to report by phone the incident to our American regional director, who in turn called headquarters in the United States requesting for prayers that night.

Final outcome

In the midst of such trial of faith, and crises, it is significant that not a drop of blood was shed, and not a single hair was lost. Not only that, God very realistically and dramatically manifested His miraculous divine power and presence by doing the impossible for all of us to witness! He lovingly caused our 2.0 Ford Cortina car to travel for over six hours on empty tank to bring me home! Also, within one year, all of the material things we lost were gained back one way or another. And as a bonus, in the afternoon of my arrival, due to the trauma, my wife labored two weeks prematurely and gave birth to our seventh gifted child, which we named Meryl Lynn. That was on the Sabbath afternoon, January 17, 1987.

On top of the character and faith built through that fiery trial, the most important thing to remember is that God did not fail in His promises, even if we had to pass through the shadow of death…

Ambassador College, Big Sandy, Texas, USA—It’s 10:48 p.m., November 24, 1993. I hate to admit it, but I think I’m beginning to feel a little homesick.

Thanksgiving break started at noon today. Everything seemed to come to a screeching halt. Everybody seemed to be heading somewhere—except me. Some of my friends have already left for home. My “booth-mate” David left a few hours ago. Here I am, alone in my booth, looking at pictures and perusing the most recent letters I got from home. I have in front of me the latest family portrait taken during Mom and Dad’s anniversary last month. Oh, those faces I have longed to see. Oh, their voices I have longed to hear.

I feel bad about not being able to write them as often as they write me…

It’s soooo cold outside (in the upper 30s), especially for a warm-blooded tropic-dweller like me. My heater is shuddering as if trying to tell me not to work it so hard. As I write, I have David’s floodlamp warming my icy feet.

This is about the time of year when students have reason to be homesick. When the autumn leaves begin to fall—when that last dry leaf falls from that once-emerald-now-barren tree—it gives you the signal: You should be home before the long, cold, winter (snowed in with all the people you love).

I’m glad it’s quite easy for some to drive home. Imagine—several hours on the road followed by a warm welcome to a familiar home, with familiar walls, floors, faces, friends, and pets, to share a nice, warm meal together.

But to others like me, home is that familiar place on the other side of the earth [the Philippines]—over massive mountains, endless plains, and lonely seas. At this point, only our memories can travel. Only the memories. (Unless I call them, of course.)

It is often said that regrets come at the very end. I am finding this true for me in some ways.

I wish I had gotten to know my brothers and sisters a bit more. I wish I talked with Dad a bit more and more deeply. I wish I could turn back the clock and give up a few minutes of my time to help my sister Laurie with her math homework. I wish I had accepted my brother David’s offer to play a game of tennis that one afternoon when I was so busy about my plans for AC—or so I thought. I wish I could have rolled in the lawn a bit more with Bravo, our ever-faithful canine companion. I wish I spent more time with my friends and family before I left.

Well, easy for me to say this now—who was even certain that I would be able to come here in the first place? I wasn’t.

The fact remains: I am here now. I can write them, but I can’t hear them. I can call them, but I can’t see them. I can look at their pictures, but I can’t touch them, relate with them, or simply be with them—well, at least, until I get back.

If you still have your loved ones within easy reach, then with these words take careful heed: Don’t take your family for granted. Don’t take your friends for granted. Don’t take anybody for granted. You’ll never know when you’ll leave them, or when they’ll leave you. Don’t waste any opportunity to show them you care.

In my case, I guess I’ll have to wait a few more years before I can again give everyone a big bear hug. But I might not be able to carry my youngest sister in my arms the way I used to when she was four. Nevertheless, I’ll try to redeem the time, for I have been remiss in my duty of loving them enough.

Relationships are our most valuable possessions. They’re like brightly-lit red coals. Ignore them, and they soon fade away, as their heat and luster begin to wane.

Live for the day and love for the day—as if it’s your last. You’ll never know what you have until you lose it.

My youngest sister Meryl is 22 now—while I’m strong enough to carry her like a baby, it wouldn’t look too good. But at least I can give everyone a big hug. To my family, friends, and loved ones who are far away, I will give you and your kids a hug when I see you again.

Why are we here? Just what is the purpose and meaning of life? That question has intrigued and baffled scientists, philosophers, and theologians—even ordinary men and women—for hundreds and thousands of years. Yes, the answer to what is arguably life’s ultimate question has eluded the world’s most brilliant and learned minds. Most of the 6.7 billion people living today are clueless about the right answer. In fact, USA Today once published the results of a poll listing significant questions on most people’s minds. At the top of the list was the question: “What is the purpose of life?”

If you will do a search on Wikipedia, under the heading Meaning of Life, you will find that the answers proposed are as varied and as diverse as the entire ideological landscape. Clearly, many have opinions, but few have conclusive or authoritative answers.

A Personal Quest

Fifteen years ago, I had two burning questions in my mind: “What is the purpose and meaning of life?” and “How should we human beings live?” I was determined to find the answers, even if it took me the rest of my life.

For many months, I was on a literal quest for the meaning of life. I was not satisfied with simply finding a purpose for living, but the real, true, and ultimate purpose for human life on this earth. I wasn’t all that interested in how people found meaning and purpose in their individual circumstances; I wanted to find the ultimate purpose for humanity. Just what is the whole point in living? Why are we here anyway?

The second question I asked myself was, “How should we (or I) live?” While I realized there were many roads I could travel, I only had one life to live. I didn’t want to embark on just any road. I wanted to find the way—the way to the best life possible. What was that way?

I spent many days and more than a few nights in diligent study and research. I acquired books, articles, tapes and other resources that could somehow shed light on my questions. I spent a lot of time in libraries and bookstores (yes, even bookstores!)—reading, thinking, and reflecting. When a flash of insight would come, I would write it down on my journal. The answer was simply too important for me not to do it. Finding the answer to this question—and sharing it with others—was a priority.

Why was it such a big deal for me?

The power of purpose hit me one night 11 years ago while reading a book. I no longer remember the title of the book, but I will never forget what I read: “Your life is like a coin—you can spend it any way you want, but you can only spend it once.”

That thought was so powerful I determined at that moment that one of the best investments of my time would be finding out what life was for in the first place! It made perfect sense to me! I realized that many people are entirely clueless about the real purpose of life. Most people pursue this or pursue that, without knowing why. I asked, “Why do they do the things they do?” Is it right? “Why do they believe the things they believe?” Is it true? It seemed to me that it never occurred to most people to ask those kinds of questions. What a waste of that one precious life! As Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

For me, to continue living my life without a clear understanding of the purpose and meaning of life is like taking a ship to the open sea without a clear destination. I didn’t want to become another ship lost somewhere in the ocean. Before I leave port, I want to know my precise destination. Otherwise, I would be wasting precious time and fuel.

But where do I go for the answers? Can the real purpose of life be discovered? Does God even exist? Is there such a thing as absolute truth? Can it be known at all? If so, why are there so many religions and belief systems? Are they all equally valid and true?

I had to know the answer to all of these questions. And I was determined to find the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But can one actually learn or figure out the purpose and meaning of life? Can one “figure out” the way to live? Interestingly, the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre once said, “Everything has been figured out, except how to live.”

Laying the Right Foundation

To get to the right answers, I realized we must look outside ourselves. If you want to know why a certain car exists and how it works, you don’t ask the car. You ask the manufacturer. I realized that we must carefully examine and look at our origins. Where did we come from? Only then will we find our purpose. If indeed we were created, we must look to our Creator for the answers. We cannot reason out the answers on our own.

I learned that many things can be discovered by science, but some things cannot—they must be revealed. The purpose and meaning of life is one of them. No wonder very few, it seems, have found the answer to life’s biggest question. Knowledge about our material universe can be discovered—by the use of our five senses and through observation, experimentation, reason, and the tools of modern technology. But knowledge of spiritual things—the things that existed prior to the inception of the material universe approximately 15 billion years ago—is beyond science. It must be revealed, or else we cannot know it.

Today, it is not intellectually fashionable to believe in God. Some are even embarrassed to admit we were created by Him, and that we owe Him our allegiance, our respect, and—I dare say—our obedience. As human beings, we want to captain our own ships. We don’t want anyone telling us what to do or how to run our lives. We want to be the masters of our own destiny.

So what have we created? What does our track record look like? We’ve created a world of awesome progress. But at the same time, we’ve created a world of appalling evils. We can send man to the moon and back. We can move people from point A to point B at supersonic speed. We can interconnect computers and share knowledge from all around the globe. But we still fall flat on our faces when it comes to addressing our very own basic problems—both individually and collectively.

We have messed up the environment. We have messed up the economy. We have messed up our health. We have messed up our marriages and our families. We have messed up our lives!

Science and technology cannot address our deeper issues. Human governments don’t possess the solution. Higher education doesn’t know the answer. Even religion, which many look to for moral and spiritual leadership, is hopelessly divided—plagued with disunity, doctrinal disagreements, competition, confusion, strife and war.

Why?

Because we have rejected the true God and the true knowledge of the Bible. We have rejected His righteous laws and His holy commandments. We have taught the “scientific” theory of evolution in our schools as a way of explaining how everything got started without a Creator. We have bought a lie and marketed it to ourselves and to our children. Now we are reaping the consequences.

Growing up, I had always been taught to believe in God. However, when I was 19, I left my home in the Philippines to study in America. I began to unpack my cherished beliefs one by one and studied them objectively for the very first time. I questioned the existence of God. I questioned the veracity of the Bible. I looked at the theory of evolution. In my free time, I hit the shelves and studied volumes on philosophy, metaphysics, ontology, cosmology, epistemology, ethics, and Christian apologetics. I felt I had to personally re-study and reexamine everything. I didn’t want to believe in something just because my parents or my church always believed it. I wanted to be convinced by logic, proof, and objective criteria. More than anything, I wanted to find absolute truth.

After a long and thorough study, I found PROOF of the existence of the Creator God—the One who reveals Himself in the Bible. I also found EVIDENCE that the Holy Bible, the #1 bestselling book of all time, is true, and that it is, in fact, the authoritative Word of God, the Creator of the whole universe.

The Purpose and Meaning of Life

I finally came to understand, from studying the Bible, that our destiny is to become the children of God—divine, spirit-composed members of His immortal family. Unknown to most, God is reproducing Himself through willing and obedient human beings. The desire of God is for human beings to first become as He is in character (righteous, faithful, loving, giving, serving, compassionate, just, etc.) and then also to become as He is in composition (spirit, invisible, all-powerful, immortal, divine). Once we grasp that incredible truth of our true potential, our lives will never be the same!

God is real, and He is the uncaused Cause of the whole universe, including all of life—including human beings! But human beings are unique in all creation. Animals were created after their own kind…

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:24-25, NKJV unless otherwise noted, emphasis added throughout).

… but human beings have been created after “the GOD kind.”

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all [the wild animals of] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:26-27).

We humans were patterned after God. From the beginning, it was God’s intention that human beings be a special creation. It’s only human beings who are patterned after the Creator Himself!

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:1-2).

Our destiny is to be like Jesus Christ, in spiritual character and in spirit composition. Now who is Christ like?

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15).

…who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3)…

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9)

Jesus Christ is just like God the Father—like Father, like Son! Now, if we will be like Christ when He returns—and Jesus Christ is exactly like His Father—then we will also be like the Father. Therefore, God has reproduced Himself in us! Therefore, we are called, and shall actually be—literally—God’s children! Here is further biblical proof:

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family [the family of God]. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (Hebrews 2:11-13, NIV).

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).

Jesus Christ will have many brethren, but He will always be the firstborn. God the Father will always be the Father. Nothing can and will change that. But we shall all be Christ’s younger brothers and sisters, and we shall be conformed to His image—we shall be exactly like Him and like God! Of course, God the Father and Jesus Christ will always have greater authority and power than any of us.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).

That is God’s purpose for sending His Son Jesus Christ to come and suffer and die for us—He is bringing many sons [and daughters] to glory.

Glory involves a transformation of our bodies, from a lowly flesh-and-blood composition to a glorious spirit composition!

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21).

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4).

When Jesus Christ came to this earth as a man, he divested Himself of all the glory that He shared with His Heavenly Father. Christ later prayed to His Father to have it restored back to Him.

“And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5).

Then later, His Father did answer His prayer and restored it back to Him.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go (Acts 3:13).

We can see a description of how the resurrected, glorified Christ looks like in Revelation 1:14-16:

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength (Revelation 1:14-16).

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3).

…by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4).

Yes, that’s about as clear as it gets! We shall all share in the same nature as the Father and Jesus Christ. We shall be glorified—we will be transformed to immortal spirit, with power and great glory! We will then have a divine and godly nature! That’s our real destiny. That’s the reason why we were born—to be part of the very family of the Almighty God!

You Always Have a Choice

Let’s not forget the big picture. God created you and I for a great purpose! Our life is valuable beyond compare. A loving and merciful Creator God made us, fashioned us, and gave us the greatest destiny and potential there could ever be. God patterned us after Himself, and put a spirit inside of us that would serve as the link to Him—a bridge, if you will, from the finite to the Infinite.

The greatest feat of accomplishment for such a loving Creator God is the creation of holy, righteous, character in us. But God will not “cram his religion down our throat.” God made us a free moral agent, and He gave us the power to choose. We could either serve Him or reject Him. Of course, the way of rebellion against God and His laws is the very cause of all the evil, unhappiness, pain, heartache, sorrow, and suffering that has plagued our world today. On the other hand, the path of obedience to God and His revealed Way causes all the happiness, peace, contentment, joy, abundance, and fulfillment that can ever come upon a human being. Still, God allows us to choose!

How It Changed My Life

Since I have learned the real purpose of life, my life has been richer and more meaningful. I used to be really aimless in life, not knowing what to do with my life. I wasted a lot of time and energy. But the greatest waste was the psychological stress of not knowing who I was and what my life was about. But now I have the peace of mind knowing why I am here, where I came from, and where I am going.

I now know what I want to be. I want to become like Jesus Christ. His character is the character I want to develop in my life. His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the quality traits I would like to develop in myself. Right now, I am still a long way off from becoming like Him, but my purpose is to develop the character of Christ and to be like Him. I want to be found pleasing to Him. As a human, I still sin occasionally, but through the power of God’s Holy Spirit in me, I am slowly overcoming my bad habits, sins, and faults, and trying to be in conformity with God’s will.

I now know what I want to do. All I want to do now is God’s will, and not mine. I used to be self-willed, thinking what I want to do. Now, I care about what God wants me to do, and my desire is to please Him and to glorify Him with my life here on earth. I know I still occasionally fall and do my own will, but when that happens, I pick myself up, dust myself off, and strive to walk more carefully next time. I want to exercise the gifts that God has given me in order to help others grow. My passion is to teach people the purpose and meaning of life and how to live the best life possible. I want to tell people about the hope of God’s soon-coming Kingdom as the only lasting solution to all the world’s problems of today. I want to tell them that Jesus Christ is coming again soon, to correct all wrongs and to bring His wonderful rule on earth. The Bible prophesies a wonderful world coming, when all war, crime, poverty, corruption, deception, injustice, oppression, disease, sickness, suffering, and death will vanish from the face of the earth. Ultimately, God will wipe away all tears from people’s eyes, and pain shall be a thing of the past.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:4-5).

I pray, prepare, and work daily in anticipation of that soon-coming Day.

Finally, I now know what I want to have. All I want to have is God’s promise of everlasting life, or salvation, in His glorious Kingdom along with my family, friends, loved ones and with as many people as I can touch and reach with this my one and only life. I don’t need earthly riches. I don’t care if I’m not rich or a millionaire in this life. All that matters to me is that I gain the eternal riches and rewards in the coming Kingdom of God. I count as far more valuable the authority, power, rulership, and responsibility that I shall be given (if I qualify) when I will be sitting with Christ on His throne.

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).

I am seeking for glory, honor, and immortality, which will all be given as I endure and hold fast, persisting in doing good until the end. I know I will face a terrible struggle in this life, since this whole world is under the sway of Satan, the wicked one, and under the Devil’s deception and opposition to God. This world will have to be replaced by the soon-coming Kingdom of God. Thank God a much better world is coming!

How Then Should We Live?

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is [the whole duty, or purpose, of man]. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Revelation 14:6-7).

We need to fear God, love Him, serve Him, and obey Him. God is alive and we cannot pretend that He doesn’t exist or care about sin. There will be a day of reckoning for every single human being.

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).

We need to take stock of our lives now and ask ourselves some important questions: Do I really have the right respect and reverence for the God who made me? Am I faithfully obeying Him and keeping His commandments? Make no mistake, God is alive, and one day, we will have to face Him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Summary

So, why are we here? What is the purpose and meaning of life? God created us after His own image and likeness—we are created after the God kind! His purpose is to reproduce Himself. The glorified Jesus Christ is the firstborn among many brethren. God is in the process of bringing many sons to glory. God is creating a family—His own Family—filled with sons and daughters who share His holy, righteous, and perfect character. Our definite chief aim in this life should be to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all our physical needs shall be added to us as well (Matthew 6:33).

That is the true purpose and meaning of life—the reason we are alive today!

Recommended Reading: For a more detailed study of this fascinating subject, please read, download, or request your free copy of the booklet, What Is Your Destiny?.

Have you ever looked closely at a diamond? Nothing quite compares to its dazzling beauty, sheer elegance and fiery brilliance! It is the hardest natural substance on earth. It is, in fact, 40 times harder than a sapphire or a ruby, the next hardest minerals. Only another diamond can scratch a diamond.

A diamond is the greatest conductor of heat, is transparent over the greatest number of wavelengths, has the highest melting point (4,090 degrees Celsius—2 1/2 times greater than that of steel!) and has a refractive index greater than any naturally occurring gemstone—giving it its characteristic fire and brilliance. Diamonds are among the rarest and costliest of gemstones.

But you may ask: What magical substance is a diamond made of? Ironically, just about the same substance found in one of the softest of all minerals—the graphite in the lead of your pencil! Diamonds are pure crystalline carbon formed 200 kilometers deep within the earth millions of years ago. The elemental forces of heat and pressure transformed the carbon into diamond in the cauldron of boiling magma that lay deep below the surface of the earth. The volcanic mass in which this crystallization took place then thrust upwards and broke through the earth’s surface to cool in kimberlite pipes. It is in these pipes that most diamonds are found today.

The diamond derives its name from the Greek adamao or adamas, which means “unconquerable” or “invincible.”

A Diamond’s “Four Cs”

But what determines the value of a diamond? In 1939, De Beers, the world’s leading diamond company, popularized the “Four Cs”: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

1. Cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. A diamond’s cut is what gives it sparkle and fire. The better the proportions, the better the diamond is able to handle light, creating more sparkle and brilliance.

2. Color refers to the degree to which the diamond is colorless. The majority of diamonds range from those with barely perceptible yellow and brownish tints up to the very rare pinks, blues and greens, which are known as fancies. The best color for a diamond, however, is colorless.

3. Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond. Most diamonds contain tiny inclusions or feather-like spots or imperfections, not discernible to the naked eye. The fewer and smaller they are, the less likely they are to interfere with the passage of light through the diamond, and therefore the more rare and beautiful it will be.

4. Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat is divided into 100 points so that a diamond of 75 points weighs .75 carats (1 carat equals 200 milligrams). Two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values, depending on their cut, clarity and color.

The “Four Cs” of God’s Jewels

In the Bible, God calls us His jewels (Malachi 3:17). I would like to share with you the “Four Cs” of a spiritual diamond—what we should be striving to be as true Christians. These Four Cs are Conviction, Commitment, Courage and Character. They are all important—they all build upon each other.

1. Conviction is the degree to which one knows and believes the Word of God.

Conviction is being absolutely certain of what you believe. In Hebrews 11:6, we read: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We must believe! We must be fully persuaded! We must not leave room for even a little doubt! That is conviction!

Such was the conviction Daniel’s three friends had when they were confronted about their refusal to bow down before King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. They said, “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17). They had faith—they knew their God and fully trusted in His power to save them!

Now where does this faith come from? Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We must anchor our beliefs solidly on the unchanging authoritative Word of God, the foundation and wellspring of truth (John 17:17). This is what will give us the same faith that the patriarch Abraham had. In Romans 4:20-21, we read that “he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” That is what conviction is—being fully convinced!

Do you recall what Joseph did and said when he was being seduced by Potiphar’s wife? What made him strong enough to resist? Conviction! In Genesis 39:7-9, we read: “And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’” There it is! Joseph called a spade a spade. He knew what was right and what was wrong! And he took action—he got out of there!

To deepen our conviction, we need to study and meditate on the words of God. Without conviction, we cannot move on and possess the second quality of a spiritual diamond.

2. Commitment is the degree to which one consistently acts on that knowledge and belief.

Here’s another way of understanding commitment—commitment is making a firm decision way in advance of the circumstance you will be faced with. It means binding yourself to a certain course of action, based on the truth of your conviction.

Let’s look at an example from the Bible of one who had commitment. Read Daniel 1:8: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

He purposed in his heart—he made up his mind—he made a firm decision and bound himself to that certain course of action! That is commitment!

Do you remember the showdown of the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel? Elijah called for commitment! He said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

We need to take a stand and be decisive. But we cannot do that if we do not have sufficient conviction. And conviction comes from faith, and faith comes from hearing—and heeding—the Word of God! Unless we have this kind of conviction, we will be compromising left and right. But if we drink in and meditate on what God says in His Word, we will be able to say, along with Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

3. Courage is the degree to which one is able to persevere in the face of trial or difficulty.

Unless we have conviction and commitment, we will not have courage—the strength and boldness to stand by our commitment no matter the cost. Why were Daniel’s three friends bold enough to risk death in a fiery furnace heated seven times? Conviction. Commitment. Courage. How about Joseph? For doing the right thing, he lost in one day his job, his freedom and his “good reputation.” He was willing to go to prison and to suffer ridicule and abuse because he was convicted, committed and courageous.

Look at all the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 beginning in verse 30. Why were they able to risk so much? Why were they able to face danger without flinching? Why did Daniel still pray even after knowing that the law was signed authorizing the death of all who prayed? Why did the apostles still preach Jesus as the Christ even after being arrested, beaten and thrown into prison? Conviction. Commitment. Courage.

Today, we easily become afraid at the thought of losing our recognition in school, the acceptance of our peers and perhaps our job security. We are not even threatened with death and torture like these heroes of faith were. Notice what was said of them in Hebrews 11:38: “Of whom the world was not worthy.” Why? Because they were spiritual diamonds. Only God knew their true worth.

4. Character is the degree to which one is conformed to the image of God’s perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

This is what God is forming in us all along. Picture these Four Cs as levels of a pyramid. The base is conviction, followed by commitment and courage. The capstone is character.

Character is the only thing we can take with us into eternity. Not our houses, our clothes, our appliances or our cars. And character is so precious because even God cannot create it by fiat! Just imagine several robots walking around following and obeying God saying, “Yes, Master!” just because they were programmed to do so. God is not interested in robots, but in children—in sons and daughters—who follow and obey God because they love Him!

No wonder God calls His people His jewels: “‘They shall be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him’” (Malachi 3:17).

There is a Russian proverb that says, “A gem is not polished except by friction.” None of us enjoy the grinding and the heat and the pressure of the trials and difficulties of everyday life. But it’s precisely those very things—the heat, the pressure, the grinding, the cutting and the polishing—that transform ordinary carbon into a precious glittering diamond! The rest who despise the process remain the graphite to be made into cheap lead pencils.

We need to submit to God, the Master Craftsman, to develop in us the Four Cs of a spiritual diamond: conviction, commitment, courage and character. When the process is complete, we will be more brilliant than a diamond. As Daniel 12:3 states, our destiny is to be more brilliant than even the stars shining in the heavens forever and ever! One day we shall become spiritual diamonds—God’s most precious jewels! God can then exclaim: “This is my beloved son [or daughter], in whom I am well pleased!”

Let’s all strive to be spiritual diamonds of unshakable conviction, unwavering commitment, unflinching courage and Christlike character! For a diamond… is forever!

Recommended Reading: What does God have in store for you, and how can you prepare for that future? Order or download a free copy of What Is Your Destiny? to learn more about this fascinating subject. The above article was published in the April/May 2004 issue of Virtual Christian Magazine, under the title, “A Diamond is Forever.”

I don’t know exactly how far away You are—how many light years Your throne is from where I am. I just know you are somewhere behind those brilliant, beautiful stars in the sky tonight. Maybe farther…

The gentle wind blows cold out here in the open. It is so quiet, I cannot hear a sound but the chirping notes of the crickets.

Almighty Father, the world is getting more and more evil and dangerous with each passing day, although it seems to be very peaceful and quiet tonight. I wonder how most people feel, unaware of Your Master Plan. But I know many think the world is marching slowly into the path of a chillingly dark, ominous future. I can imagine people struggling to stay afloat in a Herculean vortex swirling the world down to its deepest, darkest trench.

I could very well be one of those people, were it not for the calling you have extended to me through my parents. And so, we know that even as the world trudges closer and closer to its apparent destruction, it also draws closer and closer to that hopeful, climactic time of Your return to this earth, to usher in the most awaited time since the beginning of the world.

I treasure, beyond words can express, this privilege You have given me, to qualify to help call those living in the Millennium, and beyond. It is, to me, an indescribable feeling, more than unspeakable joy, to be chosen from about 50,000 people, and prepared for a position of rulership and service in that soon-coming world.

This realization often makes me wonder: “I am a nobody.” There are people, like my classmates back in school, who are more rich, more popular, more handsome, more powerful, and more intelligent, than me. But even if it were possible, I will not trade this priceless opportunity for riches, popularity, looks, power, or intelligence.

I realize it is perfect character that You are after. With your Spirit leading me to understand Your plans, purposes, and truths, I am striving to overcome and resist Satan, his present society, and my human nature. Probably Satan snickers every instant I would slip, but I will never give up. I am preparing for that time when Your Spirit will finally be dwelling within me, after baptism, to strengthen me to do Your will, and to develop Your perfect character.

As the days grow more and more evil and dangerous, please remember Your Church, Your called-out ones. Please give us the drive, the means, and the urgency to support the preaching of the gospel of Your kingdom to this sick and dying world. Finally, please abundantly bless Your Work through the increasingly difficult times ahead.

In three more hours, a new day will dawn. Please help me, Father, to make this day—and every day—a day of preparation and growth, toward Your glorious kingdom.

January 16, 1987, San Pedro (Laguna), Philippines — “Close your eyes! Nobody moves, screams or looks at us—or I’ll blow his head off!”

My family had barely finished asking the blessing on a Friday evening meal when we were faced with four masked, shabby-looking men brandishing handguns, an M-16 rifle and a dagger.

How did these people get in here? What do they want?

“I said shut your eyes!” the leader barked, pointing a revolver straight at Dad.

Dad glanced at my two little sisters, my mom (almost nine months pregnant), my three brothers and me, and said, “Just bow your heads and pray.” My eyelids trembled as I tried to keep them shut. My knees were shaking. I wanted to do something, but if Dad was powerless right now, what could a 13-year old do? I prayed that my five-year old sister wouldn’t open her eyes or cry.

“We need cash, jewelry and guns—and we need them right now!”

We didn’t have what they wanted, and Dad told them so. All the money he had was 300 Philippine pesos (about $6.25), which he gave them.

“You liar!” the leader shouted as he spat on the floor. He pressed the knife on my Dad’s throat and demanded that he tell the truth. While the two men stood by, the other two searched every inch of the house. Finding some drawers locked, they came back furious. I cringed as I heard one of them whack Dad with the butt of his gun.

“Give me the keys! You’re making things difficult for us!” With the gun against the back of his head, Dad led the man to his study. The thief grabbed the keys and brought Dad back to his seat.

After more than two hours of vain searching, the men settled for other valuables: VCR, camera, radio, power tools, camping gear, watches—even my brothers’ and sisters’ savings. They grabbed our suitcases and stuffed them with the loot.

The Escape

“We need the car,” the leader said. Dad offered him the keys, but the leader said, “No, you are driving us.” Dad explained that the car had little gas left, and that there were no gas stations open that late. “That’s no problem—we’ll hold one up if necessary.”

Dad had no choice. He glanced at his family, not knowing whether he would see us again. We weren’t even allowed to look at each other to say goodbye. We comforted ourselves thinking Dad wouldn’t have to drive them too far. Dad didn’t have his wallet, driver’s license or any identification. He could easily be dumped anywhere and no one would know who he was. We’d read about similar cases where the victim never returned alive. We prayed Dad would be an exception.

The leader stuck a gun against Dad’s temple while another held a dagger to his throat. Dad was told to look straight ahead, not to pass by friends or the police and not to stop at military checkpoints. He was not to make any signal or operate any communications equipment. He was even scolded for signaling a turn.

The men took turns guarding Dad while the rest ate or slept. The leader told my Dad that he could go home if he took them safely to their destination. But he threatened to finish us all off if anything ever went wrong.

After two hours, Dad mentioned the gas tank was nearly empty. The leader directed him to an open gas station, and after the attendant pumped about four gallons, they took off again.

While driving farther and farther from home and sources of help, my Dad prayed. He recalled God’s promises and the many miracles in the Bible. Dad asked God more than once to intervene quickly. He expected a drastic solution, such as the car being swept away in a flash flood or zapped by a lightning bolt with him as the lone survivor—anything that would get these men off his back. When it didn’t happen, my Dad briefly entertained the idea of running the car off the road to “end it all.” He then thought about his wife and children, now potentially fatherless. He asked God to hear their prayers and to take care of them. Helpless, he entrusted everything to God.

After five hours of driving, the gas tank was nearly empty again. As the desired destination was still about five hours away, Dad suggested they choose a place to stop for the night.

Sensing Impending Danger

Finally, on a lonely stretch of road, the leader ordered Dad to make a U-turn and park. Dad sensed impending danger. As the men started to get out, the leader turned around and cocked his gun. He ordered Dad to get out and lie facedown on the roadside. Dad refused. He reminded the leader he had promised to allow him to return. Dad was determined that if he was going to die, it would be in the car so there would be evidence. Having prayed and prepared himself the whole night, he wasn’t afraid to die. The leader lowered the gun and started to walk away. Dad requested some money for gas and the leader threw the stolen money on the backseat and closed the door.

Free at Last!

Dad jammed his foot on the gas pedal, flinging dust in the air. As he headed home he gave an audible prayer or thanks and a loud cry of relief!

It was now 3 a.m., and he knew no gas station would be open for miles. He also knew that to travel all the way back on a drying gas tank would require nothing short of a miracle. But his priority was to get as far away from the men as possible. So, on a full tank of faith and an almost empty tank of gas, he sped toward home.

Back at home, it was already sunrise, and Dad still hadn’t come home. We hardly slept—we worried, prayed and waited for any sign of Dad. But about two hours later, I heard the car’s familiar horn. We all rushed outside. It was Dad! With tears streaming down our faces, we hugged.

Through that experience, I have learned that God does hear our prayers, though in His perfect knowledge, He doesn’t always answer in the time or way we expect. Sometimes, we cry out to God and wonder why help doesn’t come. If only we had the eyes—the eyes of FAITH TO SEE—to see Him lovingly hovering over us, always in control, making sure that nothing happens beyond what He would allow.

(My mom gave birth to a healthy baby girl, my youngest sister Meryl, the day my dad returned. She’s now 20 years old.)

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

—Psalm 34:17-19

This article was published in the April-June 2002 issue of Youth United E-Magazine (now renamed Vertical Thought, A Magazine of Understanding for Tomorrow’s Leaders).

“Thank you for that kind introduction; good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Being from a third-world country, I liken coming to America, much less studying at Ambassador College, to winning a million dollars in a sweepstake. Distance was a problem, money was a big problem, immigration was a big, big problem. But I had a dream—a dream to span the Pacific and come to this college.

Like many of you here tonight, I was excited to learn about my acceptance to AC. Little did I know what was to befall me within 12 weeks: three nightmares—three humongous pitch-black monsters—that would threaten to snuff my dream from existence.

To leave the Philippines, I had to obtain a student visa from the United States Consulate. Only three chances for a visa interview is allowed at any one time. If my application is turned down thrice, I would not be able to leave, no matter how much I wanted to go.

Since the Consulate is in another city, in another island, my trip would start the day before the interview. I would leave home in the morning, and arrive there at about sundown. I would spend the night at a friend’s house, be up at five, rush to the Consulate before six, and find about a dozen people ahead of me in the line. For the next three and a half hours, I would plan, hope and pray for a positive outcome. The seconds become minutes, the minutes become hours.

Finally, 9:32 a.m., June 24th, 1992. A voice cracks: “Number 16 to window two please.” With my documents ready, I get up, say a silent prayer, and walk to the window. Pulse: About 120. Blood pressure: 200/130.

The curtains close—and open. I walk out of the Consulate. Reaching the door, I noticed that the sun seemed to be sliding behind the dark clouds.

The outcome I feared most had happened. I was turned down. But never did I realize that this same horror video was to be played back before my very eyes a couple more times: 22 days later, and again, 11 days after that.

My visa applications had been rejected—not once, not twice, but three times. After the first rejection, I was disappointed, but I was hopeful—I had two more chances. After the second rejection, I was upset, but still hopeful—one more chance. But after the final rejection, I was hopeless—no more chance. I said to myself: “That’s it, I’ve had it, AC is not for me.”

Family and friends knew I wasn’t coming. Friends called to encourage me. My parents tried to comfort me. And I thanked them for their concern. But deep inside, my dream wouldn’t want to die.

Many a night I would lie on my bed and gaze at the wall, trying, vainly, to still capture and paint my beautiful, colorful, but dying dream out of the cold, bleak, blackness of rejection, despair and discouragement.

I wanted to let go, but I still wanted to hold on. I was torn between reality and possibility. In my ear Reality shouted, “Don’t waste your time, kid, AC is unrealistic! Haven’t I proven it to you three times already? “Shut up,” Possibility interrupted. “When proof is possible, faith is impossible. Go, Danny, give it ONE MORE SHOT!”

One more shot? I knew that the chances of the three decisions being reversed were next to impossible. They were like layers of steel and concrete reinforcing each other. But at that point, I had nothing to lose. So I wrote a short but forceful letter of appeal to the Consul General and sent it to the Embassy.

Days passed, and not a word from the Embassy. I said this is it. I have failed, but I was happy I was brave enough to try. That night, in utter desperation, I pleaded with God saying, “if it be possible, let not this cup pass from me—please don’t let my little dream die,” I begged, as my pillow received about five millimeters of rain.

As I was having breakfast the next morning, I got a long-distance phone call. The secretary from the Embassy asked me when I could come for a special interview with the Chief of the Non-Immigrant Visa Section. Wow! Either she’s got the wrong number or I’m insane, I thought for a moment. But confident that she was not kidding and I was not yet insane—I finally said “Monday morning at nine.”

The curtains close—and open. I start out the Embassy with passport in hand. Turning to the last page, I read: “United States of America, visa, issued August 10th, 1992, Manila, Philippines.” Reaching the door, I noticed that the sun seemed to be coming out from behind the clouds.

My dream, with God’s help, has just become a reality. Mind you, I have come just this close to “throwing in the towel.” Frankly, I never thought I would be able to come here, let alone speak before you tonight. But in the midst of what I reckon to be the darkest chapter in my life, I heard a faint voice, urging me to persist—to give my dream of coming to Ambassador College ONE MORE SHOT. Looking back, I think it was well worth the effort, and the trouble, for here, on the other side of the globe, I have met some of the most encouraging—not to mention, beautiful and talented—people in the world.

Dear students, faculty, guests—When the path to your goal is blocked from seemingly all directions; when your dreams suddenly transform into ugly nightmares; when you aim for victory but achieve defeat; when you ask and do not receive; when you seek and do not find; when you knock, and the door has not been opened; yes, when you try and try and don’t succeed—persist, knowing that it is often the last key in the ring that opens the door. Bounce back after every defeat, after every rejection.

Give it ONE MORE SHOT, before you bury your dream!”

Published as a Vertical Thought commentary on June 1, 2007.