I met a hardworking architect, Eran Birnbaum, in #2 Broadway office. Curious of the meaning of this Hebrew name I learned that Eran means awake or vigilant. We would go down to get our coffee, his is a double dose of espresso, and I don't really know the reason of him taking such a strong drink. But we all know that when one is  sleepy or drowsy, he or she could have a cup of coffee to remove such drowsiness. His drink is usually and decidedly stronger, and if I may have an educated guess, this is because he wants to remain completely alert for the rest of the afternoon's work. He has a passion for working very hard. As for me, my reason in drinking coffee is to also keep me awake, but the stronger rationale for this dose is that it goes perfect with the Stella Doros that I'd buy in the morning.

I met also a disciplined CADD operator, Christian Rodriguez, and we also sometimes go down together in the afternoon. But it is only I that would buy a "tall coffee" from the Starbucks next to our building. His choice is usually just to buy a fruit from the street vendor or to just accompany me outside the building. If I may have an educated guess here, he is happy to go down to get some "fresh" air outside. The fruit may be accidental but he'd eat it with gusto. His name though, is not accidental. He was named Christian based on the parents' choice to honor the name of Christ. 

Both the names Eran and Christian are perfect when placed side by side. Eran Christian means  "Awake Follower of Christ. The dividing wall between the two names (one Hebrew and another Christian) is non-existent when placed side by side because they blend so well in describing what a real Christian should be always - vigilant; awake: that is, spiritually.

Recently, I met Ariel Ochoada, a nephew - through the internet. What is very good about this is not just our meeting after so many years of not having contact with each other – but the fact that we both learned from each other that we were born again! Furthermore, I learned that Manong Jun, his dad, - and mom were also born again.

I was filled with joy with the news that more and more relatives have entered into the kingdom of God. It is only a matter of time before my other siblings will also embrace the light of the gospel of Christ. God is near and He wants to be near to each one of us. The reason why it is hard for others to be born again is that, like Nicodemus, they do not understand the new birth that Christ is offering. Like Nicodemus, they want to remain faithful to a religion that does not recognize or see the righteousness from God. Christ Himself is our righteousness. We do not have righteousness on our own that will bring us into fellowship with the Father above.  What will be credited to us as righteousness is the fact that we believe in the Christ that was sent for us – without faith in Him means that we have rejected what could bring us salvation and forgiveness of sins. Without faith in the Son of God is no faith at all. Under the New Covenant, faith in God really means faith in God and His Christ.  That means Christ is the only way to the Father. Only in His name can we enter God's holy presence. Christ is the only mediator between God and men. Rejection of the Son is rejection of God. Not believing that Christ is sufficient to save us or bring us to God is rejection of Him.God has sent His Son to be our Savior and Lord.  He said "Listen to him."

It is my first time to work here in One Penn. Orlando Osorio was the man who invited me here. It is also my return to working with AutoCAD after a long time with MicroStation.

I am planning to bring my camera tomorrow to shoot some pictures after my work. And tomorrow will be my last day here, because I will be working on the 17th floor of PB Newark come Monday.

Back to Orlando - He is your "fun" or "funny" guy. You would not be dull if you have his company. He is just the type of person who makes you feel at home or makes you comfortable. He is your ubiquitous "ice-breaker" so you can partly blame him for the global warming. He was very helpful to me when I first got on board with PB.

Signing off for now but I have this prayer for today:  "Dear God, I pray that you make my stay here in this office worthwhile. Shine on me brightly that I may exude your light and love in every way - in my work, speech, action - and to display the fruit of the Holy Spirit in me. Amen."

Today ends my temporary assignment here in NY.  I’ll be back in Newark next week. The Flips in NY office – Jim Jimenez, Danny Tarectecan, Amando Mendoza and Edgar Delfin treated me for lunch in a Chinese restaurant (Thanks, guys for everything. To each one of you, "You are the man!" You make a difference by your hard work and commitment to the job at hand. How you also made fun of the watered-down tea - and that was really funny). Earlier, in the morning, on my way to work, I took pictures of several buildings along Broadway Avenue. I was armed with Nikon D70 and yet this camera seemed to limit the scope that I wanted to include in each frame. The tall buildings were really beyond what my lens could accommodate.

I am just thinking right now if there is any spiritual significance of this assignment in NY. Well, someone had asked me a question about Jesus and I am going to answer him in due time. There was not an ample opportunity to discuss that matter given that we were quite busy finishing up the drawings. Of course, there are people that I met here who are in need of God and I need to pray for them. Personally, I tried to read the Word in this office during my lunchtime but my time was mostly spent in revising a commentary that I’ve been working on this week.

Harvey (Berliner) and Jim extended their thanks for my help in this office. It was a smooth sailing!

Today, I went to New York City on a temporary assignment. I tell you, just to walk in the streets of the city  is quite exciting! I never got bored as I walked down Broadway from WTC to #2 Broadway. It was raining the morning that I went there. But that did not dampen my excitement in seeing the city and breathing its air. I saw a glimpse of the ground zero. 

The workplace over there is nice too. It was also exciting to see some PB people from Newark now working there in Broadway office. Jim Jimenez is always so nice and accomodating. He was the one who invited me to work over there. Now, I learned from him that Mary told him that I could stay in this NY office for one more week. To which I welcome. Why? Because, I tell you, New York is quite a charmer. As I said, earlier, just walking in the streets of New York can give you the thrill, and at night at least today, the chill. It has gotten cold as I went home.

Beautiful in its own way and a charmer as usual, New York City is the City of cities. I live in Jersey City but New York is beyond comparison. 

To all of you who have not visited this place on earth yet, come and experience the most exciting city of all!

It is now 2:44 in the morning and I am about to write perhaps some mundane things but hopefully, not without relevance. (I decided to write because I couldn't sleep perhaps because of  the strong coffee I had at the Adega Grill in Newark last night.)

Last night, we took out our good friends, Marissa & Tristen along with their children and Mom, to Adega Grill in Newark. Adega Grill is a first rate restaurant for my wife and I, so that every time we have friends to take out for dinner, we would always think of this place in the Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey.  Our guests were all so pleased with everything - the food, the service, the ambiance- all these would make them want to come back for another experience with this excellent eatery. 

The last time I saw this family was a long, long time ago since our Fresno,California visit to their then new home. Now, I learned that they live in Austin, Texas. I also learned that their children liked so much their trip to Manhattan. When I asked them if they like NJ, they nodded.

I began to share with Tristan about the ministry that I am involved with in Peddie church. After all, we love talking about God and the ministries that the Lord has given us. Then, a little later, we all noticed the Christmas songs being played.  We were enjoying the fellowship, the food and now, the music that they were playing - Christmas songs with Christ in it.  So, our conversation shifted to the beautiful music in the air. I said to Tristan, "Thank God that they are not politically correct.  Thank God that they are playing real Christmas songs." Then, I said to Tristan, that this (Christmas holiday) is the only holiday where the world would like to greet each other "Happy Holiday!" Any other holiday has a name that they greet you with - Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, George Washington Day, Martin LutherKing Jr, Day, Easter, New Year. But for Christ's coming into the world, the greeting that you often encounter and received especially in governmental and corporate offices, is "Happy Holiday." 

Our night together in the restaurant ended with joy in our hearts. Yes, we were quite pleased with the food and the service. Everything was a delight,  especially, the music about our Savior, the Lord Jesus!  This holiday season is really about the Christ in Christmas.

I am writing this blog item early in the morning after Wednesday's teaching and preaching. I believed it went well and all that I wanted to present I was able to present. I thought it was going well during the time of my discourse only to see Pastor James signalling to me that my time was up. He explained later that the people had to be back at a certain time to their place. He cautioned me to spend 20 minutes on the Word deliverance.

Oh, well, I was apologetic to him because I went over my allotted time. But you know what was happening then is that I'd forget the time when sharing the Word of God. Is it weakness on my part or my love for God? The answer would be this: I love talking about the gospel and I want to make use of every opportune time to reach out to people.

Anthony, Ronnie and Kristen all came to help me minister in music, We had a wonderful time together. This was also the first time for all three to be with me in Peddie. My hope that the three have been touched by God.

Gloria en Excelsis Deo !

My day today is characterized by thinking, reading and meditating concerning the Word of God. I will be delivering the Word to Peddie Church in Newark at around 7:50 after the praise & worship.

I am somewhat bombarded with so much details and info. Why? Because I spend my time researching for the most part. The praying I have been doing for sure, but the meditating, not so much to be able to grasp the flow of things to discuss. So at the end of the day will I have victory? My Lord will grant success. But of course, it is not about me. God will minister anyway no matter what. As long as there will be listening ears there.

I got one emphasis though all throughout my readings, one verse kept on blowing up. "There is no peace,"says my God, "to the wicked." And my topic is about reconciliation, especially during these days of the holiday season. So that means that without reconciling to God through Christ, there will only be restlessness for the unreconciled.

I think God would be warning the wicked that will gather there, for sure, there will be, because he keeps on emphasizing this verse to me.

Well, let me scream it out to you, "THERE IS NO PEACE TO THE WICKED!" So, are you wicked? Then, be reconciled to God.