Reflections on Christmas Camp Programs

This camp seems to be unique in one sense because we have subdivided the whole program to three sections.  The morning is focused on advancement, afternoon are all physical activities and evening are light activities.  I saw that the camp program was well-balance in a sense that people can get what it important (the advancement), physical (strenuous activities), and enough rest activities (light activities).

I praise God, we had advancement activities for the Scouts to go through.  The whole morning was dedicated to advancement.  We had lectures, and later board of review.  What is most amazing was during the last day we had Court of Honor, awarding them their cards.  It was so cool.  It is the first time that we were able to complete an advancement program in our camp in the council where formal Court of Honor was held.  The boy experience a complete cycle of advancement.  This is really amazing.  Even the adult leaders were exposed what needs to be done in advancement which has been the council's problem ever since.

The afternoon activities were also great, we had the challenge valley, the exploring nature, and the water challenge.  Each activity stresses the kids to do their best and do an extra mile.  The three activities were really good challenges for the boys even for the adults.  The adults were even getting more involve to participates in the Scout's activities.   It was great!  Everybody really had fun.

We also had morning exercise, during our last night when I announced no exercise the next morning, everybody was so happy.  It was not that they were not enjoying but waking up at 6 am for an exercise was not really easy even for me.   Btw, I was not able to participate in any of those exercise activities.

The light activities were great.  We just focused on Christmas stuffs at night.  We were hoping that we can highlight Jesus throughout the camp by inserting light activities at night.  We had the Belen making in their respective campsite during first night.  We had a different sub-camp campfire because we move away from the regular campfire activity to a portrayal of the true essence of Christmas, which is again focus on Jesus.  The grand campfire was only a summary of the best performance in each area, which again re-emphasizes the spirit of Christmas.  On our last night, we had a film showing on "Facing the Giants" for the boys and Scouters social for the adults.

I praise God!  So much opportunity to draw people closer to God.  So much more…

Reflections on Christmas Camp Staff and Weather

The Manila Council Christmas Camp was indeed blessed by God.

I am blessed for being appointed by the Executive Board to be the Camp Director for the annual Christmas camp.  It was a challenge, I was so pressured but I know God wanted to me make a difference.  Though there were frustrations in our preparation, as my previous blog would tell, still sponsors poured out in preparation for this memorable camp.  I praise God and give Him all the glory.

The camp staff was superb.  We had staff that are most senior like Sir Cesar, Sir Abner and Sir Teddy, we also have the seasoned leaders to be our staff, and we also have neophyte staff this year.  The chemistry was just right as we see new generation is filling in the needs of more leaders for Manila Council.  The camp staff was so energetic and dynamic, this is the first time, because we are trying to cut the number of the staff that we were doing different things in the morning, afternoon and evening activity.  As if we change roles as the program changes.  Everybody was very much involved.  I really praise God for a good team who help managed the camp.

The weather was so cool.  The place has strong cool winds throughout the camp.  I was praying for good weather.  Since for the past week, it poured out rain in Batangas.  I was so worried about it because bad weather will only dampened the activities.  But praise God though it was raining hard days before the camp, we did not experience heavy rain during camp.  Only one small rain and two drizzles.  The small rain was before the area campfire.  But miraculously before the campfire activity started, the rain stopped and the ground was totally dry.  According to Sir Ed, the owner of the campsite, heavy rain poured after the last bus left the campsite.  Wasn't that amazing.  How God really hold rain for us, He answered our prayer request.

I am much overwhelmed with my experience in this camp because in every step of our camp, God is glorified as the camp staff joined me in giving more time to pray and emphasis on the provision of God.  It is so funny though majority of them were not of the same religion and yet they were telling me that the camp was so different and really felt the presence of God in everything they do.

I praise God for allowing me to contribute in introducing them Jesus and helping them get closer with Him.  I hope that the seed planted would grow a hundred fold.

I also like the windbreakers given by the Nua family.  It has a passage on Luke 8:8 sewn on it.  I read the passage to them, and told them that the sponsor really wanted to be a blessing that we may really bless others a hundred fold.  We were all so blessed by that passage.  It challenges the staff to give our best and the same time we really felt this is what God wants from us.  Isn't that wonderful.

I praise my God Almighty.  He is indeed great and might!  He was in camp!

BOB InC, A New Level of Friendship

I was so blessed with the Christmas party I attended.  It was organized by my last discipleship group in UECP.  They are called "BOB InC." for Bond of Brothers in Christ.  This name was given by if I am not mistaken Jaspher.


This group has journeyed for the last six years as a barkada.  Remembering our roots when they were still third year high school.  They came from diverse groups and through my discipleship group in Student Fellowship, a new promising group was formed.  The group decided to be a special group where each would be training to become promising leaders of the church and the society.  There were a lot of ups and downs through these years, but one thing that is interesting, the group though very very diverse manage to go through each storm victoriously.  Each is successful in their own field in one way or another.  Each one has manifested their strength whether in church ministry or in school academic and non academic areas.  Though we do not meet weekly now a days but on some occasion we gather as a group.  Each years we also enter a least a quarter of weekly spiritual updates.  So many things can be said about this group but space is limited.  I am happy and blessed to be part of this team.

As we celebrate Christmas, the group has organize the first public Christmas party with the sole intention to raise funds for the mom of one of our members.  I believe this is very interesting.  This has not happened before and I believe the friendship has really gone into another level.  This kind of camaraderie is a significant milestone for the group because it has enter major concern among one another.  This is true friendship.

Congratulations to the members of BOB... I praise God for such wonderful friendship.

Life in a Plateau

For almost a year now, it seems my life is meaningless.  I tried every area on how to improve my life but it seems I am in a plateau.  Even my spiritual life as a pastors seems to get meaningless.  It seems I am at a lost again.  I really wonder the meaning of life for me.

Recently, I took the challenge of teaching in ATS.  I enjoyed my class a lot.  But still I am not able to find what I am looking for in life.  Church work seems not challenging for me anymore.  There were times that I am tempted to quit as a pastor since it seems I am already a liability rather than an asset to the ministry.

I have observed my attention span has decreased a lot.  I cannot focus on anything.  Even my prayer time is chaotic since so many things pops up while I am praying.  I am trying to put my prayer life in order but it seems I really do need a lot of work.  It seems the Lord has been too quiet to me or it has been too loud that I am not able to hear Him well.

I still wanted to do so many things for the Lord, but I am not doing it.  I wonder what really hinders or bothers me.  I know there is something wrong but it seems I cannot discern what is it all about.  There are still so many other opportunities knocking at my door but I seems I would fail them because I am not the same person they knew in the past.

So many things in life I get bored easily.  Am I undergoing through midlife crisis once again?  Is my depression recurring?  I hope not.  My mind seems to be always confused.  I had my check-up and it seems everything fine as of the moment but I am always bothered with my health status.

For the past few weeks, I have intentionally been using so many encouraging reminders to other people but in reality I was actually reminding myself intentionally about those stuffs.  I wanted to declare my God Almighty and His role in my life.

Maybe I am not really ready for the task ahead.  God is continuing to teach me new stuffs in life that will be beneficial in the future.  But these are still maybe(s), hunches without basis.  I really wonder about my life.  It seems so sad and pathetic but there are time that I am so blessed and happy.  The happiness is being overshadowed by my sadness.  Weird...

There are still lot of work to be done, and it seems I have exhausted all means and has reached the walls of life.  Someone said, if doors are closed, God opens windows.  But it seems even the windows are closed for me.

I do not know what I want in my life.  All I know I have become lazy in all things.  Am I not enjoying life the way God structured it.  Am I self-pitying?  or life just sucks!

In the final analysis - what do you think life really is?

Finally Bowing Out of Senior Choir

I have loved music, and it has been my dream to be part of a choir.  After two years of active participation, I have decided to bow out of the choir.  I think part of me is searching with what I wanted.  And part is some petty disappointment.  

Anyway, I enjoyed singing to the Lord, but it seems most of the Sundays I am out preaching in other churches that I really do not have much opportunity to sing with the choir.  I am more of practice only.

Singing in choir seems therapeutic.  It releases stress and I really enjoy it

I Give Thanks for Supporters

In preparing the council Christmas camp is not easy for me as a former District Commissioner.  I know how hard it was to really recruit people, put each school to work together as a District and the District always lacks equipment and etc to work as a team.  This camp, I was appointed as Camp Director by the Executive Board.

I praise God that I have lots of supporters from in and out of the church.  Many gave goods to support this camp.  I think we are already totaling so much worth of goods that would put this camp in order and memorable for everyone.  Without these external support, it would be very uneasy to manage the camp since most participants come from public schools who have financial difficulty.

I thank God for all His goodness as I prepare for this camp, together with my energetic staff.  I think the Council is adjusting to my involvement in the camp.  It has been a tradition that a principal who is a member of the Executive Board to be appointed as Camp Director.  And since most of them are very busy in their school, the staff does all the work for them.

But since I am a true Scouter that rose from the ranks starting as a Scout myself, I am deeply involve, which according to them is historic, since they have never experience a camp director with so much hands on.

I praise God for sending supporters to help me in providing so many materials and things for the camp.  Roel Can Corporation gave the cans for our Thrifty Program, which was introduce by my former boss Mr. Tan Tay Cuan of Permex Tuna.  Ed Delgado providing the seedling for our tree planting program.  David Lim who provided coolers for each District and the Council to use.  Dexter provided the needed tarpaulin materials and button pins.  Gideon Bendicion provided all the stickers we need especially the decals of the each activities.  Allen Lim of Pamco provided all the school supplies we needed.  Efren Edgard Dieta who provided new facilities in his campsite specifically on our request.  Robby Raymundo and Johann Gohoc provided two petromax for each district.  Lito Caronan for the 10 units of megaphones.  Charlton Chan provided snacks through Rebisco.  Jonathan Lim for designing the "Scout is Reverent" button pin.  John Paul Deloso for creating all the tarpaulin designs we needed.  Michael Torres for creating a camp layout, measuring the whole campsite inch by inch.  John Paredes provided our coffee maker and rice cooker.  Soledad Chiong provided the Manga Messiah for evangelism.  Luke Roxas provided the gospel card also for our evangelism activity.  The Nua Family provided windbreakers for the staff.  Elizabeth Chiong provided the Daily Bread for the adult leaders.  UECP staff and pastor like Tony hia, Rosita, Josy, Zeny, Joco and Peter who help me create the camp booklet. So many I hope I did not miss anyone.

I am mentioning these people not to highlight their contribution but I praise God for these people who always trust my effort to lead more people to Christ.  I praise God for being the God who is great and mighty.  Trusting in Him is always the best and full of assurance.

Though the number of participants is low as of now as compared to our target.  I still believe God is in control and calls the right people to be part of this camp.  Whether how many people participated, this is still a question mark.  But I know God surprises me always.  I would just trust and hope for the best.

This is the first council camp that integrates a lot of spiritual things.  I pray and hope that God would grant me the opportunity to lead more to Christ especially this Christmas.

The Camp Will Push Through Despite

Meeting with my camp staff today, everyone was requesting that we push through with the camp no matter what number it maybe.  So far registration is only 189 and including pledges is only 280.

If I was to decide, I will cancel this camp because it was too stressful.  The lesser participants the bigger the cost.  And where will we get the money to feed and accommodate the present number of staff.  Some suggested that we reduce the staff, some said that we send the staff to eat with their District.  Finally, I said, "If we will push through with this camp, we will not reduce staff, nor send our staff to eat in their District.  I would want my staff to consolidate its effort and develop camaraderie so that we will experience a wonderful partnership with one another that we become advocates for the council in the future."

In the past, it has been a problem when the council disperses some staff because of low budget or something.  This concept demoralized the leaders that so few are willing to sacrifice for the Scouting movement nowadays.

This will not happen under my watch.  Those who have worked with me knows my conviction with this matter.  Everyone is always well taken cared of.  I hope that after this camp more of these staff under my supervision would love the movement and the council.  Though we will not reach the target of 720 participants this time.  But I still hope that after this camp, the leaders would be more committed like during our time when we were in their position.

In the past, our council camp can easily gather 1,400 people.  I still remember that during our time, when I was District Commissioner, each District can gather 120 participants to the Council Camp easily and there were 16 districts as compare to our present setup with only 12 districts.

I was surprised that we even have Commissioner who were even advocating to their district not to participate because they themselves cannot attend.  I already gave orders that these people be stripped off their positions as the First Vice Chairman of the Council.  I hope this camp will create a new culture of leaders who are committed and willing to sacrifice for the formation of the boy.

So far we have extended the deadline of registration hoping that we can get more people in.  The final target is to have at least 400 participants.  This is at least more than half of our target.

I pray to God for mercy, since we have integrated a lot of evangelism opportunities.  I hope the God will bless each participant to come to know Jesus to be their personal Lord and Savior.

For His glory...

A Long Two Weeks

It has been a long two weeks for me.  Two weeks ago, I just remembered that my doctor has asked me to look for a second opinion with regards to my liver that I totally forgot since I was advised to do it last September.

I found his letter in my files, I called up his office and tried to set an appointment but he was not available.  For two weeks, my life seems weird because Betty buzz me telling me in her dream I died, and was reminding me to go for check-up with regards to my liver.  Then, suddenly, another person was reminding me also about I have to take good care of my liver.  Then, another one; until yesterday afternoon.  I was watching the puppet show in NMEC, when Daryl, the son of Cherrie (my good friend) suddenly was saying "hepatitis."  It alarmed me more.  I thought I am going into depression again. After the show, I went to watch a movie and all of a sudden it seems I am experiencing pain on my right side.  The more I was alarmed.

I took my blood chemistry a week ago, and it seems everything is normal.  I ask my friend Rio to ask Dr. Lu if I should still go for a second opinion and he said "yes."

Today, I finally went to see Dr. Stephen Wong in Chinese General Hospital.  He was nice and kind and also a member of CBCP.  He explained to me many things about my liver.  And he told me that so far I am still in good condition.  I just need to keep my diet and daily exercise to remove fatty liver since there is no medicine or cure for fatty liver.

I praise God, maybe God knows that I have been worried about my fatty liver since my good cousin Jorge died of liver complication which maybe still affecting me very much.  I also had liver issue a year ago, but my blood chemistry and ultrasound this year has cleared me from previous diagnose of the doctor.  At least, now I know that I am healthy and not to worry about my liver.   I can serve God freely this time without other worries.

Now, I just need to have a hepatitis b vaccine and hepatitis c check-up to be sure.

Praise God and To God be all the glory

Done My Best

It has been week that I have been overwhelmed in the preparation of the Manila Council Christmas Camp.  I only wanted a wonderful camping experience for the young people who would attend.  I have been going around soliciting for the camp so that the cost would be lighter at the same time the freebies and the activities are all in excellent opportunities for the Scouts to learn Scouting in a different level and perspective.

As of today, one district confirmed not participating.  And the council reported one adult leader and a boy just registered.  One week to and and we still are in need of 599 boys and 120 adult to go... hehehe

Maybe, because I have included so much gospel presentation throughout this camp that it is experiencing hostility from our enemy.  Pray na lang talaga.

If the camp would not push through, at least I did my best to put it in order.  Still, sadly, it seems the council staff were not doing enough to compensate my effort in promoting and recruiting people for the Christmas camp.

God Sends the Right People at the Right Time

I praise God for His goodness, despite of my busy schedule this week.  I was incredibly powered up to preach in our three services.  It seems the Holy Spirit has given me much strength today that I was able to speak and deliver my sermon well.  I believe God has used me to speak to our congregation.  I felt so much conviction in each word I uttered.  I pray that our congregation whether young or old would have the conviction to share the gospel always.

The first service where I usually would falter or would have a poor delivery was fine as compared to my past experiences.  I also praise God for giving me opportunity to really brush my Hookien language that I have been consistent so far to speak in Hokkien to our Hokkien congregation, and speak in English to our English congregation.

I think the SPA during Saturday night helped me to get well rested for the next day's preaching.  My godson and goddaughter convinced me to go for spa with them, which I was hesitant at first because I have not really gone through my messages.  After the SPA, we ate and I was able to go through my message in both languages and had a good sleep.

Also another good thing in our church, we have good people who help me with my Chinese, with Cathy chi helping me with my Chinese characters and line of thought as I translate my English manuscript to Chinese manuscript; Siu Wan chi who makes precise and adjust the translation of my published outline, she even make sure that my point really connects with the passage I have chosen; and of course Leonida chi who will listen to my delivery to help me correct my line of thought making sure they are understandable by the congregation.

God is in control of our life.  He provides the right people around us to support us in our ministry. I praise God for He is real in my life, always taking care of me and my needs.

To God be all the glory!!!

Poor Memory

As I was preparing for some logistics of the Christmas Camp, I discovered that the campsite we have been using for several years has no camp layout.  I called up Architect Ponson to help out but he was not available.  Anyway, we still have many architects in the church so I decided to called others who can be available.  Finally, Michael Torres was available to help out.

I called up Jay to help out as well.  So we scheduled the visit and done a lot of preparation, only to find out today that I have class the next day where I personally scheduled the visit.  I am really getting old.  I have to ask them to go without me.

Maybe I am really quite pre-occupied lately that I do not know which is which.  But still it seems that I am confuse with so many stuffs.  So many things to do and do not know which to do first.  hehehe…

Worse Preaching Ever

It seems I have been too loaded with so many things lately that I cannot cope up with my schedule.  I was so busy writing my sermon the whole week, I was really cramming since the passage they gave is really so difficult to preach.  I spend so much time preparing the English version, then translating it to its Chinese version.  I was also in our young professionals' retreat in Mt. Sea Resort.  My schedule was so loaded in translating and typing my manuscript in Chinese that I was not even able to go around and see the beautiful place, not even a dip in their beautiful pool.  I was just going around the session hall, my room and the dinning room again and again.

After finishing my Chinese translation which is taking so much time to translate and type, I discovered that I was only preaching one session instead of two.  I would only be preaching in the Chinese service, and come to think of it, I spend tons of time doing the English version. I should have made the Chinese version of the sermon directly if only I have checked my schedule.  I would have saved so much time and prepared well.  

Anyway, comes Saturday night, my first reading for my Chinese sermon.  I discovered that it was not readable.  I can't even understand myself as I read my manuscript. Grrr...

So, I started to revise my manuscript until 2:00 am.  I woke up at 7:00 am and start doing my PowerPoint presentation.  I finished it almost 9:00 am. Rush rush rush... I read my manuscript only once, which has never happened before.

As I deliver the message to the congregation, I was lost several times with my thoughts, and in several incidents I was not able to say correctly the pronunciation of the Chinese words. I was so frustrated.  ahhhh!!!!

I prayed and prayed as I prepare my sermon, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  I really lack sleep and indeed lack time to prepare, review, practice and internalize my message.

I asked the Lord to forgive me for not able to deliver His message well.  And come to think of it, I am rushing another message again for this Sunday to be delivered in my church in UECP, and it will also be in English and Chinese.

Please help pray for me...  It was really my worse preaching ever.

The La Sallian Prayer

In my class this week at ATS, we covered innovation and change.  Youth Ministry is full of changes as we try to meet the fast shifting cultures of our young people today.  Reviewing how to manage change has renewed the challenge to keep up with the changes in the needs of our young people in the youth ministry.  Sometimes, I wanted to surrender for new innovations are always around the corner these days.  But I praise God, though there are many changes that happens in this world, I am reminded that my ministry with young people has not change, and the Word of God has not change either.

I remember our La Sallian prayer... seeking God for us to be continually a catalyst of change and make this world a better place to live in.  This prayer has reminded me the importance of change and it starts from with me.  All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me...

Let me be the change I want to see
to do with strength and wisdom all that needs to be done
and become the hope I can be

Set me free from my tears and hesitations
Grant me courage and humility
Fill me with Spirit to face the challenge
and start the change I long to see

Even if I am not the light
I can be the spark
In faith, service and communion
let us start the change we want to see
The change that begins in me


Live, Jesus, in our hearts FOREVER

Manila Council Christmas Camp

It has been years since the last time I participated in a council camp.  We always have a Christmas and a summer camp done annually.  I still remember having more than a thousand people attending this camp.  So much activities, fun and camaraderie among boys and adults coming from both public and private schools.  Even the Chinese schools have actively participated in these camps.

Months ago, I was appointed by the Council Executive Board to be the Camp Director of the upcoming Christmas Camp.  It will be held in Cogeenick Scout Camp in Taysan Batangas from December 26 to 30.  As we prepare for the camp, I learned that camps for the past years have less than 400 participants.  This is a very big drop since my last camp with Manila Council.

As the country face recession, it has been doubtful if we can reach more people to join this Christmas camp.  Anyway, our staff is very optimistic that we will target 61 per district and that would be around 720 participants plus 40 staff.  So, all in all 780 to 800 people.

As a pastor and the camp director, I am strengthening the spiritual aspect of the council camp by adding worship service, mass, film showing, scripture memory, track distribution and a button pin "Scout is Reverent."

As we investigate issues and feedbacks from previous camps, it has been a common feedback that the Scouts are often short-changed, the staff has not enough food, and other complains.

This year the Scouts and Scouters are all in for a surprise because the camp will be flooded by equipment for their district and tons of souvenirs for each individual.  The camp will be of so many things for people to remember, take home and enjoy.

So far, I praise God that for His provision.  For the district equipment we have already received and will be distributing cooler and Petromax light for each districts use, and hopefully a memorial tent.  For the Scouts, the lantern, neckerchief, Manga Book, coin bank, stickers and buttons, bauler and many other things for them to take home all through donations coming from wonderful donors.  I am still coordinating snack for each day.  I hope the Scouts and Scouters in Manila would indeed have a very Merry Christmas.

 For donations: you can contribute raffle prizes for the Scouters night - any item will do

First Day in ATS

It was a wonderful experience going to my first class in ATS last Thursday, where I started to teach a course in Ministry to the Youth.  I rate our discussion good since there was lively exchange of ideas and I hope it could go better in the weeks to come as we get to know more about each other.

I only have five enrolled students but only four attended.  I was so focused on my lesson plan that we ran out of time.  We did not finish was we are suppose to finish because I have to introduce to my class how to use Multiply, which is part of my requirement to pass the course but not in our schedule.  I also failed to include the grace period of 15 minutes for late comers and I was not able to set any break time in my prepared schedule.  I really need to make some adjustments to make sure that all areas of concern will be well met.

At first, I was having a problem of how to facilitate the games and discussion sessions I prepared since we are so few.  But anyway, I believe we would have more meaningful exchanges of thoughts with few people.  There is a real need to shift the games I have prepared.  Hmmm, I still wonder how?

Let see what comes next.

The Longest Week in My Life

It was amazing that for the first time in my life, I was not able to keep track of my appointments this week.  This is the first time it happened to me that one appointment is clogging my schedule after the other.  I was surprised, I missed recording  so many things that I need to do for the week.  

Monday to Wednesday, I was in Makati Hope teaching a module on Organizational Management.  This went more than six hours a day.  And I still have to do church work and have to attend meetings at night.  I was also busy trying to shift my module to better suit the needs of the students.  I was so busy that even missed going my Bible Study with Hope's Volleyball team that was suppose to meet with me after school hours.  This one really slipped my mine.

I was too tired Monday night that I need a massage and luckily I had one.  Tuesday night was prayer meeting in church and Wednesday night, I need to finalize my lessons the next day and finalize my message for Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday morning was my first day in ATS with my course on "Ministering to the Youth."  I had lunch with a friend and a meeting with the spiritual coordinator of our Christmas camp for the boy and senior Scouts in Manila.  At night time, I had an important meeting that lasted until 11 pm.

Friday, I was so exhausted that I have to stay home in the morning and rest.  But in the afternoon, I have to rush for Student Fellowship where I need to facilitate my group for an activity.  Here comes evening, I have to finish my powerpoint for my message in college fellowship and went to Midtown around 8 pm to buy a camera bag, and I had a cup of coffee in UCC where I tried to finish reading my book for the week titled "Microtrends."  To my surprise, I forgot all about that I was suppose to teach the last two lessons in our EE Training the following morning until Fred reminded my about it.

I spent the whole morning teaching the last two lesson of our EE training in church, as well as facilitating the written and oral exams.  Then, I have to rush to meet and finalize with Sandra with regards to the ATS extension class in the afternoon, where she is helping me coordinate.  Then, I sat in the first extension class of ATS in our church for an hour and a half, just to take a look how our church members are doing.  Then off to Hope for the Senior's Retreat Camp Staff meeting at 4 pm.  Then, rush back to church to speak in College Fellowship at 7pm.  Afterwards, rush again for a meeting with our marketing team on our film project "Lumpia."  And the day is not over, I have to rush for choir rehearsal.

The following day, which is today (Sunday), I have to preach in San Pablo.  Rush back to Manila for the Consistory meeting at 1 pm.  At 3 pm, I have to leave to preach in Living Water Fellowship.  Rush back to the meeting to facilitate our Consistory's FGD.  After the whole tiring week, I thought after the meeting, I wanted to watch a movie, just to relax myself.  Upon reaching the door of the board room, I was being called again and being reminded that people are waiting for me upstairs in one of our mini-conference for another meeting about the possibility of starting a new ministry near Ateneo that lasted an hour.

I was so tired that I have to let go of watching a movie.  I went home and try to watch a film, but I am too tired to do so.  Had a little chat with my friends and now trying to reflect what happened to me throughout the week.

I was really exhausted... I will sleep till late tomorrow morning to refresh myself.  I thank God still for allowing to minister to a lot of people this week.  Though it was tiring, I still believe it was fruitful.  All for the glory of God.

Teachers Deserves to Be Paid More

I just finished a three day module in Makati Hope Christian School on Organizational Management.  This is an alternative class conducted by the student affairs to better prepare students from all high school level to get a bird's eye-view on their career preference.

My goodness, with the constructivist and innovative approach in my module.  I am really drained to the last drop.  How can a teacher teach such long hours?  My goodness, it was so exhausting to teach the whole day and the students are very very active and engaged.

It is better talaga to teach graduate school.  But I really do not know that - hehehe.  But will know by tomorrow since it would be my first day of class, teaching in Asian Theological Seminary.

Now, I know that teachers needs to be paid more.  With such effort, stress, and so many stuffs.  I salute all the teachers of the world... they deserve all the praises for such stamina and contribution to the formation of the minds of this world.

Praise God, its over!!! hehehe…

Help Me Out and Vote

I wanted to buy an iPhone since my Treo 650 is already five years old and doesn't want to sync with my macbook.  iPhone really works well with macbook.  It will sync my address book, YM, and emails.  Change one area and it automatically changes the information in all applications. And iPhone gives 0% interest on 12 months installment.  I can slowly pay the amount, through staggered payment.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/


I wanted to buy a BOSE SoundDock, not SoundDock II.  I wanted to buy the one with the battery.  I have not maximize the use of my ipod because my ears are not comfortable with earphones.  And with the small group ministry shifting to another level, music seems a necessity for worship within the group.  I was thinking, since I do not play any instrument, playing music through my ipod with beautiful speaker sounds can help in my small group's worship.  The SoundDock is handy and has battery to run it for hours.  It has a companion bag, where I can bring it to places safely.  And the best part is, I can get it through my best friend with more than 25% less the price in the market.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/sounddock_systems/portable_music_package/index.jsp

Both are needed and useful for my ministry.... so what do you think, which should I buy first?  or should I just not buy any of them... (",)

Vote now and help me decide... of course I am open for contribution since Christmas is fast approaching… hehehe

World Economy - A Monkey Business

I got this article from Sister Joy... to lighten us up at the same time to reflect on some realities.

     " ... this monkey story is a good analogy for what's happening on Wall Street and other financial markets in the world at present.  It is all about greed, and losing one's common sense when one is faced with material temptations that can potentially give him much profit without much work..."

If you have difficulty understanding the current world financial situation, the following story might help---------

Once upon a time in a village in India, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10.

The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts.

The man further announced that he would now buy at $20.  This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms.

The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!  The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50!  However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf.  In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50.'

The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys.  Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere!

Welcome to WALL STREET.
If you have peanuts, then you will get all the monkeys that you don't need.
Have a nice monkey day!
Note: If you don't have peanuts, the monkey will eat you.

Moments with Vigan Church

I went to Vigan to minister to the members of our daughter church for five days.  We had Bible study, worship seminar, fellowship, film showing and worship service.  I enjoyed the fellowship with the members of our church.  They were warmth and fun to be with.  The atmosphere during my stay was light and simple.   They were very generous and accommodating.  They provided for my needs within the new parsonage where I stayed.

There is a great need for a fulltime worker in our daughter church since members are scattered as far as Laoag, Batac and Abra.  I am blessed with their faithfulness to travel so long distance just to worship the Lord.  I also had mixed filling with their hunger for the Word and complacency with the church.  Hunger because you see their eagerness to learn and listen to instruction. Complacency because I felt their spiritual life just plateau focus only on listening, maybe this is a side effect from not having a fulltime pastor that would bring them deeper into the Word of God and help them explore their spiritual gifts for church ministry use.

The church had a wonderful team of young leaders.  I felt their dedication and love for the Lord. They are spending much of their personal time in putting the different ministries in functional state.  They need more workers to help them out.  I am glad the older church leaders were just glad and willingly support their ministry especially on the financial aspect.

I really felt convicted to help this church but still need to pray how.   There are too many things that can be done because the church really has a big potential with a congregation of 70.  This is big compared to most of our daughter churches that does not exceed 40.  And there is over a thousand Filipino-Chinese in Vigan alone.  This does not include the nearby places like Batac, Candon, Abra…

I pray to God for right direction and conviction on how to continually and effectively minister to their people by the mother church.  I also pray for the spiritual nourishment of our members in Vigan.  May the name of the Lord be glorified and praised in this place.

Moments with Vigan City

It was my first time to be in Vigan.  I have always dream to visit the place.  I like old houses; maybe I am a more sentimental person – hehehe.  The night we arrived, I saw how beautiful the place was with yellow lights all over, matching with the old structures everywhere.  It was a bigger and better version of Intramuros.

We arrived in our daughter church that is located in the center of these old structures.  We actually got lost because we can’t find the cross; churches usually have a cross in front of the building.  After asking several Tanods, we finally found the church; it was 4 am in the morning. And there was no cross.  No wonder we can’t find it.  The front of the church is part of the old structures that are preserved by the government.  I thought the church was like a haunted house.  When the gate opened, it was the only time I had a sigh of relief, our church actually have a new and beautiful structure behind those walls –hehehe.  And there was the big cross inside.

The first thing in the morning I did was to try finding a Starbucks… no coffee shop in Vigan. Immediately, I thought maybe this would be a good investment since the church is located in the tourist spot and Starbucks would definitely be a hit in that area for the tourist.

I was able to go around and saw Baluarte, heritage, and hidden garden where they have exotic plants that cost around 150,000 to 300,000 a plant.  I missed the pottery and weaving places due to lack of time.   But anyway, I believe that I would still have future opportunities to visit them.

Life in Vigan is slow, it seems all shops are close before sun down and people in their respective houses early for family dinner.  The streets would be clear by 8pm.  Vigan is a very safe place to live; we even just left the church doors open the whole day without any fear of robbers or thieves.  People are warmth and hospitable. We were greeted by people who we do not know as we walk along the streets.

The historic landmarks were amazing.  I just felt sayang… the government should have invested in restoring the structures rather than just leaving those untouched and a law that prohibits its improvements.  I remember the time when I visited Russia.  When Russia fell into the hands of the Communist, the Communist tried to destroy their heritage including destroying and burning down to the ground both Winter and Summer Palaces of the Czars.  After Russia was liberated, they restored both palaces in full, including the original paintings; wallpapers, woodcrafts and every inch and corner to its original structure using its original components and craftsmanship. Now, the Russians can recollect their heritage and learn from history through these palaces of the mighty Czars who once ruled them.   I personally think the government of Vigan needs to restore those structures so that it can last for the next generation to learn and appreciate our heritage as Filipinos.
I had an opportunity to enter some of these houses; actually they are houses of some of our church members.  It looks elegant as well as creepy… hehehe.   It is elegant because of its history and vast space in every section of the house.  It really represents the house of the affluent during the Spanish Occuptation.  It is also creepy in the sense because they were not allowed to renovate, so as you make your steps around the house, you are thinking the possibility of your foot getting stuck on the floor as it squeaks and cracks… hehehe.   But they are very very nice places to visit, I do not know about living in one, since I have not tried it.  I heard many mystical things that are happening inside these houses… hehehe.

Moments in Ilocos Norte

It was my first time also to visit Ilocos Norte.  I happen to drop by the resting place of President Ferdinand Marcos and paid my respect to him.  His old residence were now off limits to visitors and these are deteriorating fast.  I hope the Marcoses can invest on their old houses and restore these for people to visit.  Maybe converting it to museum of Apo Marcos.  The Marcos charm continues to exist as many visitors comes to pay respect to the great leader everyday.  All the while I thought the mausoleum was at a top of a hill surrounded by a beautiful garden... hindi pala hehehe... it is just located at the backyard of the old Marcos home.

Batac and Laoag were the two places we visited.  We went to visit several very old Roman Catholic churches like the church in Paoay, Sta. Monica and another one which I forgot... but we have pictures so no worries.

It was a long drive going to Ilocos Norte from Vigan.  It took around one hour and a half going there.  The towns were small, but the road going to these places were a great blessing.  We enjoyed wonderful sight seeing of harvesting rice by the farmers, everything was green and beautiful.  The stalks were orderly, and the people by family male, female, young and old were all together for the harvest.  It was just how we read it in book during our elementary years.

It was indeed a blessing being through these places... it seems to sooth my soul with the workmanship of God.  I think I am really getting old and enjoying these slow pace of life... hehehe...

We visited Fort Ilocandia, it is really a very nice place to have photo shoots.  The place is complete with amenities that just being there is enough to relax and enjoy.  As I have said, a great place to get married.

I did not go to Pagudpod since I am alone... corney naman if I will go to the beach alone.  hahaha... it will be another one and half hour ride going north of Laoag.

Ilocos is really rich with culture and heritage of the Filipinos... everyone should visit.

FInd Us Faithful

In my message this morning on Gospel Fever using the Book of Acts.  We discussed about the early persecutions.  The apostle were beaten up, arrested, and imprisoned and yet they stayed faithfulness at all cost in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  How come the apostles and early disciples were very much willing to sacrifice even their life for the gospel?  And in our generation, where there is freedom of religion, we are so complacent to share the gospel to our own love ones?

I concluded my messages with a challenge by using the song Find Us Faithful.  I praise God for the whole congregation responded to the call to become faithful followers of Jesus in preaching the gospel at all cost.  I pray that our church would really be able to share our faith with more urgency and steadfastness so that more people could come to know the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Find Us Faithful
John Morh

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful


After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

REPEAT CHORUS

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

The Hassle of Virus

My PC got hit by a virus and it was really terrible since no anti-virus software was able to kill the virus.  The only solution is for me to reformat my computer.  After reformatting, I was trying to install all softwares and files back to its place.  But the audio won't work.  I was really disgusted since I have spent more than a day just to make my computer work again.

I needed to reformat my computer the second time around, and this time after reinstalling all softwares and files, it finally worked.  But I was so frustrated about this since I am quite busy preparing my message for tomorrow and I lost so much time.

After all of these hassle, I decided to exile my PC to my house and give it to my mom.  My mom has been asking for a computer for more than a year now.  So, finally she will get one.

As for me... talagang Mac na ako - no virus, no need to reinstall anything, no tons of wires... grrr talaga…

Missed the Series

I have not watched any series for so many months now.  I have been very busy preparing messages that I have neglected my social life, some ministries and even my leisure time in watching Chinese series.  I prefer to watch Chinese series than Korean series.  For action, the best are from Hong Kong, while for drama, the best are from Taiwan.

I came home the other night, and my mom was watching this new series that my sister just bought.  It was good, and every single moment was not boring.  So, I decided to watch it, though I am more fond of kung-fu series.  I enjoyed the whole film and recommended it to people who love to watch series like me.

It was a mixed love story, comedy and drama.  There was a drama part that actually moved me to cry.  After crying, I seem to feel so light and released from all the burdens in my life.  I discovered that crying is a form of therapy.  All the stress and pressures and burdens within me suddenly disappeared.  I felt more joyful and started to have a more positive outlook in life again.

Buti na lang... it seems life is really a drama.  The two faces that represent the theater arts speaks how life should be to make it wholesome, I supposed - sometimes we need to laugh and sometimes we need to cry.  Hehehe

Anyone wants to borrow?

I Knew It... New Macbook

I was really hesitant to buy a macbook last July because I have a feeling that Apple will finally release a new version of Macbook.  Anyway, no regrets since I am very much comfortable with my present Macbook.

It could have been a better if I waited awhile with this new version since the new Macbook seems to be much slimmer, aluminum and NVIDIA... oh wow!

I am well adjusted with my mac after doing several sermons including my Chinese manuscripts using Pages and presentations through keynote.  Still need to learn much but at least I am able to cope up with the changes of moving to a new software.

Meeting My Cousin for the First Time

I met my cousin Joseph for the first time during the funeral of his mom this morning.  Maybe we met when I was a kid but I really do not have any recollection.  But it was good that I finally met him and was able to talk with him.  Heard so many good things about him and his family but they have been living in the States for 31 years.  He looks like Tony Abuel hehehe... I think he is a carbon copy of his dad, as I remember his dad's picture.

At least we were able to get acquainted and hope it can be a start of a fellowship for him and our family.

And Now One

From two and now down to one...

It was a tragic event for our family once again as we see another older generation go.  My Auntie Viring passed away yesterday and it was a tragic incident because she was burned to death.  A fire that broke out of her room when her television exploded, and the breaker failed to trip.  It was less than an hour when the whole house was burned into ashes.

I saw the sadness of my dad, when I told him the news.  Auntie Viring has been bed ridden after her stroke for the last eight years.  My dad was saddened and anger because of the so much sufferings she went through and to die in such away is too much.  Life is really very much unfair.  Now, my dad is left alone in their generation.

Maybe the only good thing is, she being a professed Christian.  Both of my Aunts came to know Jesus through the perseverance and work of Pastor Helen Tam.

I remembered my auntie Viring as a tindera.  She has a sari-sari store in Arranque market when we were little kids.  I remembered my mom or my lola used to bring me to her store and I can pick all the toys I wanted.  I can still remember getting a small basketball, a gun, and of course not to forget the candies, were only some of the things I got from her store.  It was really fun going to her store.

She was a kind-hearted woman.  I remembered she is the refuge of all her siblings when they are in need.  She takes good care of them and of course us since most of her siblings were not that fortunate in business and profession.  She makes sure that everyone has something to spend.

She was my Tua-kho who loves to play mah-jong and enjoy the company of her children and grandchildren, plus her nephews and nieces.  She is like a mom to all.  After her stint in Arranque market, she transfered to Divisoria and had a store that sells cloth.  I also remembered rolls and rolls of clothes in her store.  She was also known around Tabora (If I am not mistaken) as a very good person.  Once I  visited her store, all her neighbors were good to her and very much accommodating when the cloth I needed was not available in her store.

When we were young, we would often go to her house during New Year's Eve because she wanted all of us to be together.  To have some fun and reunion as one big family.  She truly had done her part as the eldest among the siblings, she always make sure that the family was well in tact.

The last time I visited her was around a year ago, I think.  She can't speak but was able to recognize me.  Once I brought along my father to visit her.  I went there twice.  It was only this year that I was not able to see her because as I was knocking at their gate for a long time and no one was there to respond to my knock.

We did not tell her that most of her siblings have passed away.  Maybe she would be very surprise to see them in the other life.  Truly, unless all of us accept Jesus to be our personal Lord and Savior, it would be impossible for our family to have a grand reunion in heaven.  But I thank God that each one of them has put their faith in Jesus before they passed away.

I am sure to see them in the very near future.... naku dad ko dapat talaga ievangelize na... matigas ang ulo, I need prayer support or else it might be too late and a thing I will regret for life.

Biblical Management of Worship Ministry

The seminar tonight was attended by more than a hundred church member which was only half of the number I was praying for.  But the good side of it, the participants representing our three worship services got the opportunity to talk and mingle in small groups.  I hope this will help boost our worship ministry.

The seminar by Rev. Robert Casas was a big bang for many of us as the emphasis of people who are not right with God has not business in leading worship.  The role of the pastors in the worship ministry was also one of the highlight.  I think some got it and some still has not.

The seminar is some sort of cracking the whip and strong emphasis on discipleship and discipline that goes hand in hand in our church ministry.

Pastor Casas was credible enough as he shared his experiences in cracking the whip in his own church; a whip that is full of love and compassion that restores the leaders to the position that is Biblical and God glorifying.

Sayang, so many people missed it.  But still, God works in mysterious ways.

Lost Shepherd

Have you ever heard of a lost shepherd?  I was thinking of this concept lately.  All of us have heard of lost sheep but not  lost shepherd.  So what is a lost shepherd?  A lost shepherd is a pastor who have done all to love and care for his sheep for a decade and still the sheep fails to recognize his voice.  Sounds weird but it is very very possible.

The lost shepherd is a person who is a voice in the wilderness.  Maybe some people will say that the shepherd has not done enough to earn his right to lead.  For some, I think this is true but only in some cases?  Especially if the shepherd is already too frustrated with his sheep.  But to many, I do not think so.

Since being called to fulltime ministry, it is already a great sacrifice on our part to leave everything to follow Christ.  This is because of our desire to serve God.  And to serve God is to serve His sheep to know Him more and to worship Him; to disciple them.  It is our role to guide the sheep towards righteousness.  Or else, we have no business to be a pastor, we should just go back to our secular work and life.

So, when the sheep does not listen to the shepherd's instruction on Biblical righteousness, he is indeed lost.  Sheep needs to listen to the shepherd's voice.  If the sheep does not want to listen, it is either they are not sheep but goats.  Or the shepherd might be serving in a wrong sheep pen.  Hehehe...

So what's your conclusion?  Baaahh... baaahh... baaahh... or meehh... meehh... meehh…

Personal Thoughts of Bangkok

The place was nice very like the Philippines.  They have their own version of jeep or pedicab called "Toktok" or taxi for them.  It is open air driven by a motorbike in front.  The people are friendly and accommodating.

I was impressed by their deep religiosity as the picture of the king and queen are place in every corner of the street.  They revere him as the son of God.  They would hold their hands together and give a bow as a sign of greetings.  It is very similar to our country when Roman Catholic drivers who happen to pass by a church while driving will make a sign of the cross.

The power really lies on the king, though he is not a political figure nor involves in politics.  But he has the power to stop the squabble among politicians and put the country at peace.  Many people were concern about the political crisis in Thailand when I was about to go there.  But actually there is nothing to be afraid of because when problems escalates to a certain degree, the king steps in and remove the prime minister in office and all is done.  Peace is restored.

The things in Bangkok are really cheap.  Even branded clothing are less expensive.  My friend who went with us bought so many branded clothing that I thought we were in Divisoria as he would really grab anything that passes by his hand.

They also give tax refunds with items bought by foreigners.

The Kau Kheow Open Zoo is nice so far among the zoo I visited in many countries.  It can be compared to Tarongga Zoo in Sydney.  The animals here has more freedom to roam around.

Pattaya has a nice beach though we did not have any opportunity to have a swim due to lack of time.

Tiffany was also an interesting place where we were brought by the host country for free.  These performers were all "she-male" as the Thai people call them were really much beautiful that actual women.  You cannot distinguish them except that they are more taller and has still maintained a rough voice. hehehe...

I also got to visit the Grand Palace.  It was nice, the building were made of pure gold according to the tour guide, but was in a hurry since we arrive there late.  One hour is not enough if you like to take pictures.  There were ten palace but only one or two are open for public viewing.

I was hoping to buy in their night market but rain poured during our last night in Bangkok.  Sorry na lang talaga walang pasalubong.

The airport is big and pattern like in Hong Kong.  They have no hassle security checkpoints.  Our bags did not even undergo security scanner.  We just went and checked-in smoothly. Without any hassle of removing our belts and shoes.

Bangkok is a nice place to visit.  For my personal opinion, good for one time visit is enough.

Original Beads

For Scouters like me, it has been a lifetime curiosity what the original beads Baden-Powell got from Chief Dinizulu.  This necklace was the surrender token of Chief Dinizulu when Baden-Powell conquered his tribe during the war.

After the conduct of the first Woodbadge course (Training Course for Scoutmasters), Baden-Powell did not know what to give to these leaders as a token of accomplishment.  And he came across the necklace of Chief Dinizulu who have worn this necklace as a sign of authority, leadership and the priceless possession of their tribe.  Baden-Powell took a bootlace and made it into a necklace with a bead from Dinizulu necklace in each end of the thongs that becomes the symbol of Woodbadge.  This becomes the first badge that is a necklace and not a patch.

I happen to come across an original bead being worn by the National Training Commissioner of Australia Paul Parkinson.  According to Paul, the four beads he is wearing is being passed on from one National Training Commissioner to the next and it includes one of the original beads from the Dinizulu necklace.  And there are still four pieces of such original beads in Australia.

Surprisingly, the original beads were much much smaller than expected.

Vajirabudh Scout Camp

Vajirabudh Scout Camp here in Thailand is the counterpart of our known Mt. Makiling Boy Scout campsite in the Philippines.  I am here for the World Scout Bureau, Asia-Pacific Region on the Latest Innovations in Teaching Methods and Techniques.  We have delegates coming from various countries in Asia-Pacific.  We are 6 Scouters representing the Philippines.

My first impression of the Vajirabudh Scout Camp was excellent.  The campsite was named after their king who introduced the Scouting movement to Thailand.  The whole place was like a very clean park. You are close to outdoors at the same time a clean park mixed together.

The sleeping quarters were in octagonal shape that accommodates eight persons.  Each having a place to hang their clothes both wet and dry, very very clean bathrooms and toilet, each have reading table and most important of all, it is fully air-conditioned.  Each room has two 5 tons air-conditioning unit.

The session hall was well carpeted at the same time we have Wi-fi in the campsite with very good reception.  The session rooms are also air-conditioned and fully equipped with motored giant screens and high end LCD projectors.

I also notice around the camp site has several structures for prayer, there was a mosque, a Christian church, a temple; accommodating different religious needs of the people.  Their menu can also accommodate vegetarians etc... It was really well thought, simple, practical and a balance between modernity and outdoors.

Very nice place.

Is It Really About the Money?

As a pastor for eight long years, I have concerns how people gave harsh comments against pastors especially funeral related activities.  Some people would say how come more people go to a church member's funeral as compared to others?  The always reason is that because the person where more people go is RICH!  The poor nobody cares because they have no money at all.  Is this really true?  How come some people look at us so lowly?  I think this is unfair for us who serves the LORD fulltime.  We have dedicated all our life to the ministry and this is the payback we return.

In our church, since we have lots of pastors, we agree to set ourselves into four groups in order not to overburden anyone from funeral ministry which oftentimes we have once a week and sometimes twice a week.  But in some instances you would really see a full force of pastors attend and a full force of church leaders in a person's wake or a wake of a church member.

In my grandmother's wake more than a month ago, it was filled with church members and pastors though all my relatives are Buddhist.  So what does this tell me?

More people attend a person's wake or a relative of church member's wake is based on what the person has done for the Lord.  How can you expect people to attend your wake when you only come to church once in a blue moon?  Who knows you?  What have you done for the Lord?  How can you be recognized?  Another is what do you expect from your church if you only come on Sunday to worship and always in a hurry to leave as if you do not exist.  How can you have connection with people?  And yet, you accuse the church is not loving, while you have not really loved anyone or shown compassion to anyone inside the church.

It is not that they are rich, but they have touch lives and contributed to the formation of the church.  I think it is so immature to never come to church and expect everyone to know you and should attend your funeral wake.  We should ask ourselves instead, what have we done for the Lord?  How have we serve the Lord in the church?  Have we really expressed our concern and love for our churchmates?

If a person dies and you know he or she has touched your life, I believe you will definitely go to his or her funeral wake.  The same if this person who has helped you experience life transformation and he or she is in grief, I believe you will be there to comfort.

So if you have never touch anyone's life, lead anyone to Christ, or discipled anyone to grow in the Lord, don't expect anyone will mourn for you because you are insignificant.  Insignificant even in the eyes of God.  Yes, God loves you, but our fruit can only be the evidence of His existence in our life.

I think every believer needs to think how they serve and love the Lord.  The legacy we are leaving behind.  If you have never serve the Lord and love God's people please do expect people to return the same favor to you.  The Scripture says, "Do unto others what you want others do unto you."

What are They Drinking?

I am quite curious and a little bit concern especially I am now more health conscious in many aspects of my life.  But I can't think of any other reason for the past months I have been hearing people having kidney failure.

I think kidney failure is normal as we grow old and as our body gets weaker and used up.  But these recent news of friends, they were athletes, active jolly and they were only teenagers.  I think this is a little bit surprising.  Teenagers having kidney malfunctions and have to go dialysis since both kidneys has been ruined.

Is this have something to do with intentional viruses?  Some people say that some group intentionally launch this kind of sickness so that their medicine will sell.  Whether this is true or not, we do not really know - gossips lang ito.  I do not think people in their right mind would do such a thing.  But of course, this world has too many people who are not in their right mind, so to speak.  Anyway, my only conclusion was asking the question, "What are they driinking?"  Maybe the juice or softdrinks or other liquid stuffs may have too much chemicals that are not good for our body.

The best is still water... I have started my water therapy, whether this is realy or not, well, water is still the main component of our body, flushing our body with clear and new water, I believe refreshes the body.

Check this out... I think it is worth a try.

http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-113.html

 http://www.lifespy.com/2007/the-good-and-bad-of-water-therapy/

Influenced By Conservative Style of Worship

Preaching in St. Stephen's Parish for the last three months has allowed me to experience a different kind of worship service.  It seems too box and conservative and yet I observe that participation of worship is more evident than conservative attitude in a modern, hi-tech and innovative worship in the Filipino-Chinese community.

I was able to remember how we use to worship in the old sanctuary in my church.  And there has quite many resemblances and flashback on their worship with ours.  I think our church was trying to cope up with the changes of time but was not able to do so due to many areas we failed to educate our congregation as well as we have too many senior citizens in our third service that has confused the whole worship ministry.  We were not able to create a clear picture on how our worship and liturgy needs to be done.  This is beside the lack of pastoral leadership.  What I mean in pastoral leadership is its lack of pastor's idea, concept and identity on the liturgy for such particular worship service that can effectively minister to our congregational age and needs.  Even the pastors are confused how to do about the worship.

I have observed that whenever we have big celebrations and going back to our conservative style of worship service like what happened yesterday during Sacred Music Sunday.  Many people commented that they were so much blessed with the whole worship service.  This can only mean, that the main congregation would really love the conservative style of worship but this worship is being managed by contemporary people.

The solution I think is that the leadership needs to take another look on their personal theology and philosophy of worship. If it does match with the present needs of the congregation in order to effectively minister to our people, then they are in the wrong worship service but if they do match, then we have to enhance our learning on the so called conservative worship and be able to bring our people to worship God in spirit and in truth.

You Can Choose Your Friends But Not Your Families

I was in my cousin's wedding, and his best man quoted, "You can choose your friends but you cannot choose your relatives."  Everyone broke out laughing.  It is very true, you can choose your friends but you are stuck with your family forever.  Whether they are good or not, you don't have a choice and needs to live with it.  Whatever... hahaha

Thinking about this seriously, it all the more boils down learning to accept people they way they are and continue to show kindness in order to maintain the peace, harmony and balance within the family.  I guess, I am stuck with my family hahaha... no choice but to accept them and thank God for them, no matter what... hahaha.  So, let's move on and stop complaining about our families.  hehehe

The same way how Jesus has shown grace and kindness to each one of us, should be the way how we should do it especially to our own family.  It is easier to accept people who are not members of our family because we are different with them.  But with family, we are each other's images, which means we have difficulty accepting each other because they are very much like us.  hehehe... Notice siblings non-stop bickering, you would notice they have the same behavior.  The same is true with parents complaining about their children and vice versa.  They are carbon copies, which is difficult to live with.

Such realization should enable us to accept and adjust with each other especially through the love of God in us.

Buti na lang meron tayong Jesus to mediate for us and transform us towards righteousness.

A New Hope for Our Family

I praise the Lord, after a long wait, he has arrived - Nigel.  After too many deaths in our clan and now we have a new generation adding to the vacuum.  This gave us hope and now a new generation especially for our family line at long last.

Celebrate for the Lord is good.  Nigel means the champion... my brother has dedicated him as the champion of God.  He is born today  2 pm at Manila Doctors Hospital, 5 pounds something... hehehe... Both Nancy and Nigel are safe.  According to my mom, he looks smart and very cute.  I have not visited them, too many stuffs and loads of work, I think, even tomorrow, I cannot dropby... haay, but still at least I am now officially - A-peh. hehehe

Immediate Charge for Asking the Price is 500 Pesos

I accompanied my father to another referred doctor with regards to a possible angioplasty.  So we made the appointment and waiting so long to meet the doctor.  After meeting the doctor, he did not even listen to my dad's heartbeat or something, but started to talk about the angiogram procedure and cost is around 60 thousand pesos.  Then, the list goes on, if it will include immediate angioplasty procedure, a stent for the first which includes hospital and professional fee was 350,000.  Additional stent is 120,000 pesos. Then after that, we were asked when we wanted the procedure to take place.  We shake hands then charged with 500 pesos for asking those prices.

Grabe noh... pati asking the price lang 500 na… hahaha

How to be a Pastor and Effectively Serve God?

How can I be a good pastor that effectively serves God?  This has been a question that I have been trying to answer for the last 8 years as a fulltime pastor.  It seems so difficult to really serve God and be a pastor of a church at the same time; there seems too many aspects to cover and it can't be covered in a lifetime.

I still remember my prayer during graduation in seminary that God would indeed bless the work of my hands.  I would definitely testify that He has blessed me with so much these 8 eights serving Him as a fulltime pastor.  I saw all things went well, everything done according to His will.  Actually, I am quite fulfilled with what I have contributed to His ministry through this years of ministry.  But still, it seems God is calling me to do more.  I am fulfilled and at the same time dissatisfied with what I have done for the Lord.  I have used my gifts fully for His glory, but I still know that I can do more and He demands more from me because of the blessings I have been receiving.  These are evidences of His presence in my life and so I am blessed.

So what next?  As time flies, I just wanted to serve God but it seems many opportunities are lost because of red tapes and uncooperative co-workers.  The question on the needed awakening is at the door?  How do we really awaken a sleeping giant like my church?  Eight long years of service and still the giant remains asleep.  Many things has been done, but she continue to sleep.  It seems it is so difficult to balance things to be a pastor of a church and effectively serve God.  It seems both are always in conflict.

Flattered...

This afternoon, I received a text message from John but it was blank.  It was weird, I thought maybe it was just a forwarded message or a graphic message which my good Motorola phone can't accept.  But it was very late tonight that I actually received the update and the text appeared.

It read, "Hi Leo-hia, I'm in a two day workshop about developing a leader of John Maxwell.  We are discussing about mentor-mentoring, and I thought of you, how your poured values and wisdom to me.  Let me take this opportunity to thank you and I really appreciate it. God bless."

As I read this message, I was so flattered and encouraged.  I praise God for using me to touch people's lives.  I think this is the greatest legacy I can and wanted to leave behind.  Equipping God's People for Every Good Work has been my life mission.  Being able to fulfill this with one person at a time is worth the effort.

I praise and thank God that I was able to make a difference in a person's life.  To God be all the Glory!

A Necessity in Church Discipleship

Discipleship is all about learning, personalizing and passing on the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The vibrancy of the church often boils down to the issue whether the believer is really growing in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The problem is many Christians today are too lazy and often have tons of excuses when they are asked to attend growth opportunities.

Christians are lazy to find opportunity to further their knowledge with Christ.  Even if you get good speakers to preach the Word of God, it will be useless because the Holy Spirit can't work in a heart that is numb and closed for the gospel.  So, no matter what you do, they cannot be awakened.  I think it is so difficult to help people who does not want to help themselves.  At the end, they often blame God for their personal issues because at the first place they do not want to listen to God.

Education is one important in the ministry of the church and this is what discipleship is all about.  If we are not learning new things about God by the day, sooner or later we became stagnant and mediocre.  No wonder the church of Christ is not growing today.  If we do not have the desire to seek God; learn His ways, we cannot grow; the whole church cannot grow.  And so the church suffers.  Unless the spirit of God fills the church, the whole church remains lukewarm.

Let us learn and nurture our faith in Christ - the only way to we can grow and for our church to grow.

He Never Left

As I was preparing my message on a section of predestination, I learned and realized further how many people always look down on themselves and thought that God does not love them anymore and has left them to rot because they have sinned against God; they were unworthy especially of those habitual sins.

The truth is God has never left us.  Sometimes, I would hear people were surprise how God response to them or to there prayer.  Sometimes, I would hear they felt they are very close to God because of what just has happened.  Whether good or bad things happen in our life - God actually never left.  It was our emotion and our mind that dictates that God has left.  It is the work of Satan to use our mind to condemn ourselves.  So, we really need to fill our mind with spiritual things especially those who has earphones always plug in their ears, at times add to your music library Christian songs or even the audio bible, it will help a lot for our minds to focus on spiritual things.

Remember, whatever our mind or our heart dictates - God never left us; it was his promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hardin ni Maria

It was around ten years ago, I was able to go to this place in Tagaytay, called Hardin ni Maria.  The pastors of YWC had a retreat there and I was just a seminary student.  It was a very very beautiful private rest house.  It was full of beautiful flowers and plants around the 2 hectare land.   There was a house made out of wood at the middle of the garden.  It was guarded by large dogs at night.   I have wonderful memories, because just sitting along the porch give you a sense of peace within as you enjoy the beauty of God's creation and feel the cool breeze of Tagaytay.  I love the sound of the bamboo leaves singing its song as the the wind passes by.

Today, we had our overnight stay in this place once again.  The place was very much improve it has now an extended house where a big kitchen and dinning area was build.  It also has a recreation room upstairs.  Beside it has a big roofed area for activities.  The north side of the house near the gate has a waiting shed.  All of these architecture added beauty to its place.  Beside the beautiful garden that has been well maintained, these areas were actually added attraction for your extended relaxation.

I was able to feel so close to God, read a book, pray and meditate.  It was really a refreshing time for all of us.  Sayang, we only had an overnight stay because all of us have appointments the following day.  I was able to read at least 70 pages of my book and enjoyed a good night rest.  We also have fun and good fellowship among the pastors.

Sadly, I can only describe the place since I forgot to bring my camera.  I was really prepared to bring my camera for those lovely flowers in the garden that has been stuck in my mind for the last 10 years.  And because I was in a hurry to leave the office I left my camera.  Maybe the place is best in my mind and heart for it is well kept safe.

I wonder when I can have a retirement place like that... it really felt very close to God.

Not Big Enough

I was able to share with some of my mentees about my recent struggles in life.  Actually, we all agree that I have achieved so much in my life that recent new things do not really challenge me anymore.  It seems my life lacks something that has caused my loss in my direction in life.

Then, one of them told me that my recent plans are not big enough for a challenge.  I do develop new ministries but they are more just to help improve our present ministry but does not challenge me because I am much aware what needs to be done.  There seems to be less reliance on God in doing these stuffs.  Though I do rely on God much in everything I do but it seems he is right, because God has been blessing my ministries so much that I need to move to another level of glorifying God as I plan out for new ministry.  I need to do something bigger and more important in expanding the kingdom of God.

As we were discussing this, it suddenly dawned on me, some years back, we have a visiting pastor from another country who spoke in our revival meeting.  All of a sudden, he pulled me by the side and told me strange things.  We have been introduced but we were really not well acquainted.  He said to me, listen carefully, I have an important message for you. God has revealed to me some things God wanted you to do.  After listening intently, we prayed together and as we pray he told me a word came to him and that was "transformation." Then, we ended our conversation.  Actually, what we discussed has been impressed in my by God some years ago, it seems it was a confirmation coming from God through this pastor.  But I was so afraid to do it, because that would be entering a new playing field where I am not familiar with, which I felt I was not really ready.  It demands complete reliance on God.

It seems this is the new thing God wanted me to do... it will definitely rip all of my comfort zones and a real big challenge in my life.  Should I go for it now, since God has spoken and this loss of direction stage in my life seems to be pointing to such direction?  My faith in God has been very big, but this new challenge demands ten times the faith I have today.  It is really a big leap of faith.

Dear Lord, if you really wanted me to do such ministry, please give me the strength and courage to put my trust in you and fulfill the plan you have sketched for me, even before the world began.  In Jesus name... Amen.

I Do Not Know What to Write

It has been a very busy day, and as I calm down to reflect on my day, I really do not know what I want, I do not know what I hate, I do not know what I love, and I do not even know what I want to write.

It seems my life is back to uncertainty.  I do believe my performance at work has not deteriorate nor I have been unproductive but I am not motivated to what I have been doing lately.  Tonight, I even discovered that for the past three months though I have been preparing messages to preach, I have also wasted so much stupid time with my Neopet just to keep myself busy.  I am determined to remove this site out of my bookmark.  Maybe I really do not know what lies ahead of me and I have entered another moment of uncertainty.

Sometimes, it is really difficult to be stupid, it is difficult to be dumb, it is difficult to be foolish, but it is also difficult to be great, it is difficult to be good and so difficult to be blessed.  It is indeed hard to please ourselves.

Am I loss?  Oh, God, please do tell me what to do next... I am lost...

A Second Look at the Inner Healing Framework

Pointers of Second Diagram

1. Our life is our journey on earth.

2. The first cross is when we accepted Jesus to be our personal Lord and Savior.  While the last cross is our physical death here on earth.

3. Before we were sinners, lost, and sick.  But through Christ I am now free from the bondage of sin and death by choice, and by the continuing transformation power of Christ in me.  Healing Work.

4. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Searcher, Helper, Comforter, Brooding us, etc.

5. The heart is the love of God that covers us in our journey here on earth with Christ as its center of reconciliation.

6. We are focus towards the direction on continuing to know God, who is faithful, compassionate, almighty, loving, forgiving, hospitable etc...

7. The small “x” are the different challenges and trails we face in life where God continue to help us

get through.  Places of death - wherever we experience death.  DEFINITION OF DEATH - all loss, sadness, burden, awareness, choice and experience of sin.  As we move through these challenges, we turn to Christ in each of these and we come to know more about our God and his desire to heal.  We experience healing in the places of  death.  We develop a right concept of God.  Death and fear of death loses its sting.  

8. As the experience of grace builds us, we continue to know God more and because of this even though we experience of death, sadness, loss, we fear less; death has less and less power.  While our concept and understanding of God widens which leads us to freedom until we face our physical death.  And we move to being with God.

9. The journey of life is a continuous development of our spirituality which involves our continuing broader knowledge about God.  This helps us overcome more on our challenges in life as we acknowledge God’s presence in our journey.  Then, we become more and more Christlike.

10. Our life should not focus on separating each situation as distinct and separate but as if it is on the same journey in order to give us life abundant and to build on our knowledge about God.  Then God can grow his kingdom (the kingdom of heaven come to earth through Jesus).  larger and larger in us and through us.  If we do not do this, we always go back to the cross and failing to develop and better understanding of who our God is.

The Power of Strengthened Faith

Today, is the first day for our lay leaders' "Inner Healing Seminar."  It has been raining hard all morning and the pastors have been praying for God to intervene.  Many places are very much flooded.  We were foreseeing that the seminar will have difficulty in gathering attendance since it will be difficult to come to church with such situation.

By God's grace; He answered our prayers.  The typhoon has left and the rain suddenly stopped in the afternoon.  The roads were cleared up and we even overshoot our target of attendance.  There were more than 100 people who attended the Inner Healing Seminar.  I also saw so much church leaders attending this seminar.  The Power of Faith is at work among us in this spirituality session as God answers our prayers, so as our faith in Him is strengthened.

We now just need to pray that these people who attended that they would be able to chew on what has been discussed.  It really needed deep reflection and thinking in order to understand the process of Inner Healing.

Since God has called so many people to attend, I believe that God is going to do it again - to send revival to His church - in UECP.

Inner Healing: A Spiritual Formation

We have invited Mrs. Mary Lynn Dickau for an Inner Healing Seminar for UECP.  We have separate sessions for Pastors in the morning that runs for three mornings, while the lay leaders for two nights.  Afterwards, the pastors would have one on one session with her and an overnight prayer retreat in Tagaytay.

The difference between our session with the lay leaders was only the pastors are being prepared to equipped on how to really pray for healing as we minister to the people in the church and praying for the healing of the church as a whole.

I was impressed with the insights brought forth by the framework which was presented to us this morning.  Though I have preached on such topic on sanctification.  The insights were far beyond my knowledge of explanation.  I was able to understand better the doctrine of sanctification.

Inner Healing was actually about our journey with God towards Him.  Most of the time we have a wrong concept with God which causes hurt, frustration, anger and revenge.  We are hurt in our journey here on earth by different external forces.  We are healed when we accepted Jesus as our personal saviour but the process of healing is an ongoing process.

Death is suppose to include sadness, fear, and other negative elements that causes emotional and spiritual drought in a Christian's life.  We face such challenges everyday that we treat each situation as a stand alone item.  Whenever, we are done with such challenge in life, it becomes a close book.   But actually this is a wrong concept.  We should build on our victories so that we death becomes smaller because Jesus has overcome death, and holy living should get bigger as our experiences of grace from God multiplies.

We are continually walking out of this darkened world.  As we walk towards the light, our surrounding gets brighter.  In every stage of this walk, when we are drawn to God or our knowledge and experience of God increases, our surrounding gets even brighter out of the darkness of this world.

 Inner healing involves our spirituality, emotions and physical healing.  So that as we journey life here on earth, we get to know God more and be drawn closer to our Creator until the time comes.  It is walking not towards death but home.

Zoobic Safari Experience

I was invited to join a group of young people to Subic's Zoobic Safari.  It was a long drive going there and a long drive coming back to Manila.  The main highlight was really about the tigers.  Nothing special actually.  I brought my camera along but has less than 25 shots for 6 hours.

I really felt the show they had in the first part of the tour was a little over.  It seems they are cruel to those animals performing to entertain the public.  I did not clap my hands because I notice whenever the monkey did not follow the trainer, the trainer would pull the cord around its neck to force it to follow.  I think this is animal cruelty.

I think there is no suitable zoo park here in our country though I have not gone to all.  My next target is the zoo in Vigan, hope that place, animals are well kept and are in suitable cages.  I think the government should spend a good place for this kinds of parts for the Filipino kids education on live animals and proper care for such living things.

 I think Taronga Zoo, was the best zoo I have visited but this is located in Sydney.  Also for the underground sea experience, the one in Sydney was also well maintained.  Lastly, the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore are also a nice place to look at thousands of species of birds and they are well kept and maintained.

Preaching in NMEC Prayer Meeting

It was really a blessing as I was invited by Jean chi to preach in their English Prayer Meeting tonight.  I was so happy because I saw a lot of good old friends whom I have not have worship with for the past eight years.

The prayer meeting was well attended, I think this has always been the strength of Rev. Huang's leadership.  The whole atmosphere was really warmth and loving... I think that is the best description I could think of.

I hope and pray that the exchanges of fellowship between the two churches can continue to rekindle old friendships and partnership for the glory of God.  I think it is really time to move on and shake hands and bless one another and be reconciled as a church.

I know that people continue to have strong acquaintances with one another through these years but I pray and hope that such strong acquaintances will not only be on the individual level but on a church level.

 God is good - all the time.