Comments on: Why I am Going to the Philippines http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/ for friends of University Bible Fellowship Wed, 21 Oct 2015 04:34:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.1 By: Hershey Hope D.R http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-4094 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 04:53:04 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-4094 God is Amazing. Dr. Ben for showing His Purpose to your LIFE. we keep on praying for you.. And also to your Mission.. God bless

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2531 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:49:59 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2531 On Sat we had a remarkably joyful and gracious wedding between Andrew of U of C UBF and Arlene of Philippines UBF. I gave the welcoming wedding address (Isa 52:5); Joshua Hong gave the wedding address (Rom 1:5), and William Altobar officiated the ring exchange and marriage vows.

On Sun I gave a sermon on Gen 4:1-16 entitled “Sin, Grace and Salvation”: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-cain-killed-abel-genesis-41-16.html

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2530 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:28:12 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2530 About 25 people participated at a Bible study at the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), the top university in the Philippines. Andrew Jaegers, the bridegroom led a gracious Bible study. His bride Arlene Miranda has been serving at UPM for the last 5-6 years.

The Bible study was held outdoors and ended when it had become dark. But after Bible study no one wanted to leave! Everyone just stayed to chat with joy and laughter. What an amazing work of grace among our Filipino brothers and sisters!

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2529 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:46:44 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2529 Our coworkers from U of C UBF arrived Wed (Joshua Hong, Renato and Joanne Zapata, Andrew) for the wedding on Sat between Andrew and Arlene.

On Wed evening, I led a group Bible study with 27 people on the 3 chapters of Zephaniah. Though Zephaniah is regarded as a minor prophet, it contains a major message of the gospel: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2011/08/god-heart-of-love-zeph-11-320.html

]]> By: Lyndon http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2528 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:32:05 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2528 Dr. Ben, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your assistant (leader) to last Saturday group Bible Study. Though my astigmatism killing me during the bible study, I was surprised on King David’s kindness toward his enemies. But I hope and I’m praying that I will learn to give more importance to Jesus Christ kindness. And thank God that you will stay with us for 3 months…:)

By the way I’m at our province right now. Trying to find a way to materialize the brothers gift to Ate Arlene’s and S.Andrew’s wedding. Sorry that I didn’t told you that I’m leaving to province last Monday, because someone said to me that you are sleeping and I don’t want to bother you. I’ll be back this Friday. Thank You Dr. Ben and God Bless

]]> By: josh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2527 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:11:56 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2527 dr. ben, get some of the brothers to help you stay awake during the day — watch a movie with them, play soccer, etc.. and then maybe jack can help you sleep at night.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2526 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:32:12 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2526 Slept for 2 hours plus last night from 11 pm to 2 am. What a great progress from no sleep the 1st 2 nights!

Kyra, a nurse, couldn’t attend the morning worship service because of work. She came after work in the afternoon, but I was asleep. She waited until I woke up at 7 pm so that I could share the Sun sermon with her. When studying with her, it inspired me to write this post: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-jesus-said-scriptures-are-about.html

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2525 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 19:45:36 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2525 Yup. But it only feels like love. Thank God!

]]> By: John Y http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2524 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:24:03 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2524 Ben, when you mean your wife rebuked you, do you mean that she “socked” it to ya?

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2523 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:36:12 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2523 Thanks Brian. Finally found all 3 mp3s hidden in my sock in my bag!

2nd night of no sleep at all from jet lag.

2nd morning daily bread with 11 brothers at 6 am.

Gave the sermon on Gen 3:1-9 half awake. So sleepy from sleep deprevation that I could not concentrate or focus, and failed to make half the points that I wanted to! http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2011/05/understanding-gospel-from-fall-genesis.html

]]> By: Nathan Turner http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2522 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 05:54:07 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2522 Ben, it’s great to hear that you made it safely and didn’t actually lose your mp3s. :) I hope your trip is blessed, and I look forward to hearing more stories.
-nate

]]> By: Brian Karcher http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2521 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:47:35 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2521 Awesome to hear your journey details, Ben! I’ve found those gremlins to be terrible thieves too!

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2520 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:21:32 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2520 It’s 5:30 am, Sun morning, and I have been up all night, since it is 4:30 pm Chicago time. The first happy comical delightful moment: The mp3s were not stolen!

When I spoke to my wife via internet, she rebuked me for forgetting that she had carefully tucked the mp3s into my socks, which she tucked into my dress shoes, which then she packed in my bag. So I found 2 of them, and am yet to find where she hid the 3rd one.

Thank God for such a good helper!

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2519 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:02:51 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2519 Ist day evening: We had a group Bible study with 24 people. I led a Bible study on how David’s “hesed” loving kindness for Mephibosheth mirror’s God’s unfathomable love for us in 1 Sam 9:1-13: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2011/07/surprising-love-1-samuel-91-13.html

Lots of mosquito bites. They seem to prefer foreigners’ blood for whatever reason.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2518 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:02:08 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2518 Hardly slept because of jet lag. Woke up at 6 am for Daily Bread on my first morning in Manila with 6 other brothers. Discussed Jesus’ crucifixion and death from Mark 15.

1st rude awakening was that the 3 MP3 players that I brought with me in my checked in luggage was MISSING! It cost $70 each as a gift from West Loop UBF, and Rhoel loaded it with 26 Genesis sermons and 9 marriage sermons on Eph 5:21-32 by Tim Keller.

Hopefully, whoever took the MP3 listens to the sermons and becomes a Christian.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2517 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:51:17 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2517 Since I have free Wifi at Nagoya airport, this is my travelogue. I’m a few hours flight away from Manila, arriving at 10:30 pm, July 29, their time, which is 9:30 am Fri Chicago time.

I’m reading Turning Points by Mark Noll on the plane. Mother Barry gave me the book yesterday before I left. It about a dozen decisive moments in the history of Christianity. Truly God is great in accomplishing his plan and purpose to perfection, despite all of our screw ups!

]]> By: Joe http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2516 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:41:51 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2516 God be with you.

]]> By: Darren Gruett http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2515 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:59:26 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2515 May God bless you and use you to be a blessing to the people there.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2514 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:18:19 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2514 I will be heading out from Chicago today. I was full of excitement a few months ago when I first made the decision to go for an extended period of time. But as the time drew closer, and now that it is a reality I have butterflies in my stomach.

At best I have some uneasiness, discomfort and trepidation.

At worst I am freaking out.

I also feel a little sorry for my wife, since I will not be with her for 3 months for the first time in 30 years of marriage.

But I am at peace with God and with myself. I am living by faith in His goodness and love.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2513 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:51:22 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2513 I have not been covering every passage in Genesis, but I do hope to eventually. Genesis 24 probably requires a lot more thought, because I have applied it in ways in which the author never intended, such as “be a servant like Abraham’s servant,” and our favorite one in UBF: “marry by faith like Isaac and Rebekah.”

Sorry to say, but though the above teachings are not unbiblical, it is not at all the intent of the author of Genesis, nor is it the correct exegesis of the Bible passage.

Yes, Oscar, I will continue to comment in the Philippines, since we have good internet access in the UBF center where I will be staying.

]]> By: Oscar http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2512 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:56:31 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2512 Did you post the message on Gen 24 on the westloop website? I’d like to read it. Will you continue to comment on this website while you’re in the Phillipines?

]]> By: David L http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2511 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:47:22 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2511 Going to miss ya doc! Give em Heaven!

]]> By: Jason Roth http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2510 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:31:16 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2510 This sounds like God’s leading. You’ll surely be blessed. May God bless your time in the Philippines and also your family who stays in the U.S. Praying for you.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2509 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 02:11:24 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2509 This Sun, July 17, I am still on Isaac and Rebekah, but not the romantic Genesis chap 24, but the nastiest Genesis chap 27, where everybody deceives everybody else: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2011/07/problem-of-blessing-gen-2718-34.html

On my last Sun, I will speak on Genesis 28 on the stairway to heaven, which I am currently still working on.

]]> By: Oscar http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2508 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:00:57 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2508 I didn’t know that! Aw, I wish I could have been there for the sermon on Isaac and Rebecca, guess why, hahaha. I might be able to catch your last one next week.

]]> By: Darren Gruett http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2507 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:08:21 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2507 It is interesting you should mention that, because I was just thinking about that the other day since I have never been to the Philippines. Perhaps in the next couple of years I will have the opportunity to do that.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2506 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:24:22 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2506 Thanks Darren. After visiting Venezuela a few times, perhaps you could come by to Manila.

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2505 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:22:52 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2505 Thanks, Brian. I did what I did at West Loop primarily because I felt that our “middle tier leaders” (not new Bible students, and not the top leaders) seemed to be left out. It was just my feeble attempt to encourage our “middle leaders” to go ahead and grab the bull by the horns, which everyone has done so far better than I could have. A subsidiary reason is that I really didn’t want to hold the ball all by myself!

]]> By: Ben Toh http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2504 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:18:14 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2504 Thanks, Oscar. Actually, for the 1st time in my life, I will be giving 8 sermons on “Genesis from a Gospel perspective” in 8 consecutive weeks. I have done so for the last 6 weeks, with 2 more Sundays to go, before I leave. My sermons are based on Tim Keller’s Genesis sermons and they are blogged here: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Darren Gruett http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2503 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:47:23 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2503 Thanks for the candid remarks regarding your job and ministry. Your humility and joy are inspirational. May God bless you on your trip.

]]> By: Brian Karcher http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2502 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:51:54 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2502 Thanks for sharing this Ben! I am really gald for you and your family. Skype might be a good way to keep in touch with people, if you can get a connection.

And your explanations of West Loop Church are like living water to my soul. I really wish other directors and pastors would follow your example.

]]> By: Oscar http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/07/13/why-i-am-going-to-the-philippines/#comment-2501 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:56:07 +0000 http://www.ubfriends.org/?p=3493#comment-2501 God be with you! Will you be giving a message at West Loop before you leave?

]]>