Encouragement from a Friend

One of my friends here in Manila, Ochelle, is the husband of one of my wife's closest friends. Whenever we get together Ochelle and I wind up talking about the bible and theology for a long period of time and after this most recent one he encouraged me to write down thoughts on some of the things we discussed about theology and the bible.

So here is one that I've been thinking about for a while (and will keep thinking about for a while): Covenants.

I have been teaching through Genesis with the church youth in Manila and when coming across the account of the rainbow and the Noahic covenant I tried to think of how to boil down the idea of covenant into a simple idea. What I know of covenants is that it is a common Ancient Near Eastern practice which used certain forms to make a binding relationship between people. And when God makes a covenant he seems to often link the covenant promise with some physical reminder (e.g. Noahic covenant to not destroy the world uses the rainbow as its sign), and that physical sign seems to be linked very closely to the subject of the relationship. So with Noah, the reminder that God will not destroy the earth with a flood is linked to something seen while it is raining. When Abraham had a covenant that his progeny would become a great nation, it is the physical bit related to having kids that gets clipped.

However there seem to be some aspects of covenants that are overstated/misunderstood. Some people think of covenants as a special spiritual contract invented by God particularly for use in spiritual things. But that doesn't seem to be the case. In what we know of Ancient Near Eastern cultures around the time of Abraham, there was already well established customs of contractual relationships referred to as covenants, and many regular people throughout biblical history used covenants for non-spiritual agreements. Now the first time we come across the term is Genesis 6:18 where God is initiating the Noahic covenant. And we have very little historical evidence of anything that far back so it is difficult to say anything for certain about whether God created the covenant and people used it or whether people made covenants and God used it. But what we see elsewhere in the Bible is that God goes out of his way to communicate his intentions and character in culturally meaningful ways. God communicates to people in their own language and culture his character and plans; and in this appropriation of popular culture He changes it. So it seems most likely that God appropriated a common aspect of the culture and used it for His own purposes rather than the opposite since we have evidence for that and not for the other.

Related to this is what seems like an unnecessary enumeration of covenants, in which theologians call every significant relationship of God a covenant. Here Genesis 3:15 is called the adamic covenant despite the term covenant never being used of this divine statement. This follows a well-defined "curse" form and despite grace being seen in the midst of the curse, it doesn't somehow become a covenant because God is promising grace. An even greater reach is that some theologians refer to the triune relationship of God, in particular the hierarchy of the Trinity (the Father sends the Son who sends the Spirit) as a covenant.

So why should this matter? After all God's promises will come true, covenant or not? And God's chosen relational hierarchies will be upheld, covenant or not? So why should we care? Well, when you understand something as an organizing element to scripture and apply those expectations to passages and doctrines that are not naturally part of that concept you add ideas and focus to scriptures and doctrines that weren't intended to be emphasised by God. And that is a dangerous skew of scripture. It can cloud important meaning, or even add meaning that is not there and thus create bad interpretations.

a series of unfortunate events

This series of unfortunate events started way back two years ago when my sister went to our Alma Mater to get a Transcript of record. Well she wasn't able to get it because UNFORTUNATELY it takes two months for our University registrar to print a copy of any records we want. And unfortunately my sister's vacation here in Philippines was only for three weeks so she can't possible wait for it. So she asked me to get it for her but when i was about to get it UNFORTUNATELY they just implemented a new rule that any representative should present a power of attorney before any documents can be released. So i wasn't able to get it. Then after a few months my sister send me the Power of Attorney but UNFORTUNATELY by this time i was in a far away city working and can't find time to go to the university. And at this time also i was busy getting to know Joshua (which i think a very fortunate event). Then two years passed and she needs the TOR now, so i need to get it for her. It took me a month of convincing myself to go and face the challenge of our University absurd system.

So last Friday (after josh has dragged me to do it) i went back to our old University. I arrived at the registrar and there was only a few people in line so i thought it would be easy, but UNFORTUNATELY when there were only two people in front of me the window closed for lunch break. So i waited for an hour and when my turn came UNFORTUNATELY the lady incharged of releasing the paper won't give it to me because request was so long ago already and send me to the other office where they keep old records. So i went there and asked for my sister's paper, but UNFORTUNATELY there was no light in that office becasue the electrical wiring was busted. UNFORTUNATELY our government gives little budget to state universities so they don't have fund to buy an emergency light, or i think it is just plain unresourcefulness so that employees has a reason not to work! Anyway, i tried to talk to them and explain that i live in a the province (technically our place is in the province already, so i'm not lying) and that it so hard for me to go back again to manila and that i don't have time to go back again etc. etc, just to at least stir their heart and be moved to help me, but UNFORTUNATELY they were not moved...

My sister need two copies but UNFORTUNATELY they will only issue one copy at a time. So i need to request for another copy and spent another UNFORTUNATE 4 hours to finish the process.

After my Unfortunate time at my Alma Mater I decided to meet my friend at a mall to unwind before i head home. By this the time i had enough of UNFORTUNATE events already but i think that day was really my bad day becasue while im trying to unwind my wallet was almost got stolen from me... well a little girl decided to get my wallet from my bag and keep it for herself, but FORTUNATELY i was able to catch her and get my wallet back... and this last event concluded my very frustrating and unfortunate day.

This series of unfortunate events will be continued after 2 months...

Churh activities that we been to...

(i know this is a very bad photo, but this is the latest picture we got together taken last June 7, 2008 during our church Family Day)

A couple of weeks ago Dr. Waters, our missionary and josh's professor in DTS came for a short visit at our church. I have known him and his family all my life and his ministry in the Philippines has impacted me a lot. We had fun talking to him and his wife, and we are so encouraged by their advice and encouragement. And of course josh and i got lots of teasing from them (as you all know Dr. Waters is the one that brought Josh to the Philippines couple of years ago to do mission work at our church and that is also the time we got to know each other). Actually last June 9, was the 2nd year anniversary of day Josh and I first met... not really romantic meeting but that was the start of our love story.


Mary Waters and ate Carol Quimson

We also had a family day last June 7. We went to small resort in Antipolo City, it is situated in a high area that has a nice view of the metropolitan.



Josh and I were in charge of the youth group. Josh talked about unity and harmony in the body of Christ and incorporated games to illustrate his points. It was a fun activity...



Then we also had a baptism and about a dozen got baptized... mostly young people.

and after the baptism all the children and young people got crazy in the pool playing...
Then June 8, My uncle Felix got ordained as a pastor. Uncle Felix Jacome is my Aunt Ceres' (my dad's sister) husband. I am close to this couple since I see them practically every Sunday while im growing up until now. He has been involved in the church for a long time and four years ago he left his secular job and just has a small business and studied Pastoring in a bible school. Now he is committing himself to being a full-time pastor.


My dad and his 3 other brothers are pastors. My dad was the first one to be called to be a pastor, then my uncle Melvin (who took over my dad's ministry in our town when we move to manila), then my uncle Levi who was a deacon of our church before then when he moved to Angono - he started a bible study there that eventually became a church, then my uncle Dante he was just helping uncle Melvin and leading a bible study, then this bible study also became a small church. There was a long running joke in the family that auntie Ceres, since she's next in line, should also be a pastor (but of course that wont happen)... but when uncle Felix decided to be a pastor the joke somewhat came true...

During the ordination josh was invited to be one of the ordinating council to interrogate uncle levi. He asked couple of question and then after the church service they lay hands and pray for Pastor Felix.

Our church has a new contructed area for the youth. In the photo below is the dedication of that area.

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE!!!!!

Some of the things i love about Joshua were his sweetness and his eagerness to make me happy even to the extent of being silly if that what it takes to make me smile(he is often describe serious but he can really be silly around me). Last Friday night i got a taste of it... it was a usual day for the two of us, just spent another 24 hours together and not doing anything interesting. we are about to sleep and were having some pillow talk that leads me to ask joshua to surprise me... well that was a silly request and just came out of no where. Then as usual that leads to series of silly conversation, starting from joshua asking when i want him to surprise me... after awhile we said good night and get to sleep.

Well I can't sleep right away that night and Josh was just quietly laying beside me (yes he can be quiet sleeping sometimes). Then just the time i was starting to slowly drowse off josh shouted "BULAGA" at the top of his voice... and of course it was surprised me to death! SURPRISE!!!!! my husband is just so sweet... doing whatever asked for... I was laughing so hard afterwards.

The next morning, i was into cleaning and josh was working in his office. He came out with a flying paper plane towards me. I picked it up thinking it was just a piece of paper he wants to throw to the pile of garbage that im ready to get out. He volunteer to take the garbage out and i looked at the paper plane and unfold it. It was actually a love letter. SURPRISE! SURPRISE!!!!! My husband is just so sweet and thoughful...

Yesterday, i was doing my usual morning chores. Josh is working on his office. I was all sweaty and starting to be annoyed with our floor because it still looks dirty even if i keep on mopping it, when i suddenly heard a knock on the door. I thought it was just the maintenance guy and will just ask me to remove the rug outside our door. But when i opened the door it's a deliver man holding a box of flowers.... SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE!!!!! I LOVE JOSH a love, he's such a sweet husband!

My growing family of teddy bears from joshy...

A funny note:

When i received the flower i admit i was not on my best appearance... now when I about get the box and sign the delivery receipt... the deliver man suddenly asked me doubtfully... "are you this girl, ms. joy crank?" and looked at me in half disbelief! that made me think, Do i look like someone who is unlikely to get flowers? he he... or maybe he is expecting an american lady because of my surname.

you know your married to an american if...

Last Sunday at church, a lady asked me how it is to be married to an American. I replied, “it’s a lot of work”. Later that day that question made me think of my husband 's peculiarity being an American married to me with totally different culture and living in my country.

Last year while Josh and I are researching about marriage visas I came across a blog entitled “You may be married to a Filipina if…” This has circulated on the internet for quite some time and I have no idea who originally wrote it, though there can be NO doubt that the fellow has a Filipina wife... I find it funny. So for good fun (I hope no one is offended by some of the broader generalizations here) I want to share this and I admit I’m guilty of some of it.

You may be married to a Filipina If... (written by an American guy who loves his Filipina wife in spite of the numerous irregularities):

* Your refrigerator is always full but you cannot find any food that you recognize

* Instead of a dowry, you got the whole bill for the wedding and honeymoon

* Most of the decorations in your house are made of wicker

* You are expected to be able to read her mind just by watching her eyebrows move up and down and by the way her lips are pointed

* All her relatives think your name is "Joe"

* The instant you are married you have 3,000 new close relatives that you can't tell apart

* Your house isn't really on fire, you've just got a very charred fish on top of the stove burner

* All the desserts are sticky and all the snacks are salty

* She eats her fruit with giant salt crystals and her fried chicken with ketchup

* Even the ketchup tastes weird...very weird

* You throw a party and everyone is fighting to chop the leathery skin off a dead pig

* All your kids have 4-5 middle names

* Your in-laws take 10 years to acknowledge your existence and to call you by something other than "that white guy"

* You try to call her up on the phone and someone tells you "for a while" and you want to know "for a while, what??"

* Your first Christmas present is some funny looking, baggy, see-thru shirt made out of leftover lace doilies (I think he’s referring to Barong)

* Your phone bills are composed mostly of international and calls that average 3 hours each

* She sweeps with something that witches usually fly around on

* The rice cooker is on 24 hours a day and uses up 50% of your electricity and food budget

* On your first trip to the Philippines, you have 18 giant boxes that weigh 1000 pounds each and your "carry on" luggage requires a small forklift truck

* The same luggage is over filled with things that cost an average of 15 cents each like old magazines and M&Ms -- the worst part is when you get off the plane, the same stuff you've been hauling around half way around the world is available in every store in the airport for half the price!

* All her pajamas look like they were worn by the Dalai Lama until they got too faded and he discarded them

* The first time she's pregnant you have to go out at 4:00 in the morning looking for some weird type of greasy sausages, green mangoes and bagoong

* You buy a new $500 freezer so she can store 200 pounds of SPAM and CORNED BEEF that was on sale

* Everything in your house was bought on sale, even if you don't need it ... that it was a "bargain" is all that matters

* She gets really excited by sucking the fat out of pig knees

* Your daughter gets her ears pierced when she's 2 minutes old but your sons are not circumcised until they turn 21

* All your postage bills instantly double

* The only "white meat" she likes is YOU. And that's if you're lucky...

* Her favorite sauce is called "patis." Americans call it turpentine

* She actually thinks that bowling and golf and billiards are real sports and are more important than baseball and football

* She prefers bistek to beef steak

* Her idea of new upholstery is rinsing the bagoong stains out of the slip covers

* She can eat and talk at the same time; in fact that's her specialty!

* Her favorite meal is leftovers, her favorite fancy dessert is Jell-O mold and for something REALLY romantic, she'll offer you a halo-halo with 2 straws

* You still don't know the difference between manong and manok

* She and the kids are always saying "Daddy made utot" and you still don't know what it means, but they think it's pretty funny

* Other than eyebrow raising and lip puckering, her next most expressive form of communication is grunts and pssst's

* She goes to the movies just for the AC

* Her homeland has more Megamalls than islands

* Before every holiday and visit, her sisters fax you a 10 page "bilins" list which says "suggestion only"

* Your kitchen table has a merry-go-round in the middle

* All the vegetables she buys at the Filipino store look like they were grown at Chernobyl

* Her friends are named Chinky, Girlie, Boy and Bimbo and NO, you are not allowed to smirk

* Her home economics course only taught shopping, eating and siesta; cooking, cleaning and sewing were not electives

* Her idea of edifying reading is gossip magazines

* All your place settings have the silverware backwards and there are no knives

* She washes her hair with a bucket and her car with a broom

* Her favorite book (she has 3 copies) is "1001 New Recipes for Pig Parts You Were Gunna Throw Out"

* You are the only family in a 200 mile radius with 2 Betamaxes, 3 televisions

* She's done her best job planning a surprise party for you if she manages not to tell you about it until a week or two before

* She "cleans" her closet by throwing all the crap into your closet

You may be married to an American if….

(My attempt to list of some peculiarity of being married to an American. Particularly to Joshua David Crank…)

• Prices of services and commodities instantly hikes when you’re with him.
• when you’re around him you get lots of attention and stares.
• when someone happens to know about your non-filipino sounding surname (even if he/she is a total stranger) expect a mini interview about how you met each other…
• you are asked a million time as to when you are going to America.
• Your relatives and friends are looking forward for you to have babies and predict that it will be super cute.
• you cook 2 pounds of meat and your husband finish it in one meal when you intend it for two meals.
• His idea of one serving of soft drinks is 1.5 litters.
• He can finish one family size pizza in one sitting.
• you speak English all day now and some days you’ll find yourself talking to any Filipino around (even strangers) just for you to speak Tagalog again.
• if you find yourself in the midst of mob of kids wanting to touch him, play with him and ask piso from him.
• When he refers to all the jeepney driver “kuya” even if he is much older than him.
• he is riding a jeepney, passengers are amused with him because he says “para”, “bayad po” in a funny way.
• you don’t use dictionary anymore because you have a walking dictionary in him.
• he eats with spoon and fork in a very amusing way.
• you live in house that requires you to wear thick clothings or else you'll freeze to death.
• Your husband spend 30 minutes to text a message that only takes 1 minute to text if you’re a Filipino.
• You can easily spot him in crowded mall.
• You hear the same 5 words of tagalog over and over and over again
• if you can talk about him behind his back with another person in front of him.
• if you are constantly mobbed by porters, vendors, and people asking for money if you go on vacation.
• if the most essential thing to bring in the beach is sunblock and still he gets burned.
• if other people will either talk to him for hours (to practice english) or they run off because they don't know the language.
• if he has at least 5 hi-tech gadgets that he can't live with out but his cellphone is the least trendy compared to the jeepney drivers.
• if he doesn't like Jollibee hamburgers, sweet spaghetti, chicken liver, and balut.

Our activities

Josh and i spend 24/7 with each other, and fortunately we are not yet getting sick of each other's company nor is he killing me with boredom. We are easily-amused people and were self-sufficient in entertaining each other for the first few weeks. Then we realized we wanted to do more activities other than staring at each other's eyes and flatter each other, so we think of things we can do together. Some of the fun activities that we do together that makes us the most exciting couple around... we love to watch CSI together (we have cable TV and i don't know why whenever we want to watch TV CSI is the one airing) and other detective shows, and while watching TV (gets boring sometimes) i will pull out a big book titled 1ooo puzzles and try to solve one puzzle, Josh being a nerd will of course join me and spend hours discussing and solving puzzles. We got bored with puzzles and decided to buy a new engaging game, and what can be a more exciting game than scrabble and chess. I love scrabble and i always beat josh in it... not that i know more english words than him but i know the game strategies better than him. And well josh will always beat me in chess, once i almost got him but i got so tensed that i loose my concentration... josh said i can be very competitive sometimes. Then we also love to go to movies, we are on our 5th movie together since we became couple.
Also I love to cook, and josh loves to eat what i prepared which is so awesome! I think we have the same taste since 98% of the dish i made (some from recipe books and others that i just made up) he will happy eat and i always get compliments. But sometimes i can't cook because i'm just lazy, tired or we run out of food to cook, so one enjoyable thing we do in this situation is is to dine out. We sampled almost all the possible restaurants and fastfoods near our area (yes that's how many times i got lazy, tired and run out of supplies). The past week we fancied Japanese cuisine, and previous to that Korean foods (we are patron of this Korean resto which is owned by some Christian Koreans). Then since we love to eat out, extra calories are stucked in our body so that leads us to another interesting activities, work out 3 times a week. Josh and I also swim (our condo has swiming pool so it is so convenient to go swimming) but these summer (march-may is Philippines summer season) we weren't able to swim a lot since the pool is always full of children, so full it is really hard to do laps.


Other worthwhile activities:


Josh has signed up at our church to do ministry. When he told our pastor that he wants to help the church ministry it took Pastor Joey just minutes to think of the list of ministries that he will turn over to Josh (we just so trilled that he can unload for awhile). Our desire is to really be used in the ministry so we happily committed ourselves to the following:

First, Josh teaches several pastors and church leaders one BEE Class. The course is Bible Study Methods. The class is very dynamic and his students are so actively participating.

Second is the Youth service in our church. He teaches in the youth service and helped giving structure to the program. I helped him in facilitating the games and translating for him when the youth seems not to get him.

The last one is the Young Professionals Small group meeting. It is held here in our house so i have a chance to play a hostess.