What is a "Worldly Dress?"

The apostle Peter writes, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Pet 3: 3, 4).

Here, Peter seems to be forbidding the wearing of ornaments or fine clothes. In the passage, does he mean that wearing of gold, braiding of hair, and putting on fine clothes are wrong?

I don't believe so. Peter is talking about an attitude in life here. I see no sin in wearing fine clothes or ornaments. We all have a right to look clean or attractive. God wants us to be beautiful, happy, and free.

The only sin that I see Peter is trying to point out here can be the placing of one's obsession on these. Some women are simply too preoccupied or overly focused with their external appearance. They allowed themselves to get under bondage.

A Christian woman's dress need not be ugly or so cheap. It simply should not be "fleshly" or extravagant. In 1 Timothy 2:9, the apostle Paul exhorted the women to "dress modestly, with decency and propriety ..." A woman must not spend money needlessly on extravagant things which could be spent meeting essential family needs or in service to others in distress.

Of course, God makes us free to follow our own conscience as we seek Him about our individual practice. Each individual situation can be unique or different. But all the time there will be at our hearts the tug of the Holy Spirit for us to be more focused on inner rather than outward beauty.

Lesson from Thomas Edison

You and I can learn a great lesson from Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison had only 3 months of formal schooling. Yet, he is known as probably the greatest inventor in history. His 1,093 inventions changed the world, including motion pictures (movies/theatre), mimeograph machines, phonograph, and electric light. His secret? He defined genius as "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Failure or hardship never discouraged him. One time, when asked about 10,000 experiments that he failed, he said: "Why, I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work!" Discouragement is of the devil. He wants us destroyed, finished. GOD WANTS US TO WIN AND DO EXPLOITS FOR HIM!

E412

Power-packed leaders' convergence evening. Also, ribbon-cutting of the new center. If you wish to know a secret of our Victory Ortigas home church, you can know it here. People are being pastored through the cell leaders. That makes the pastors and the church "burn brightly without burning out" even though there are thousands!

Main messsage (Ferdie Cabiling): "Paradigm Shifts in Discipleship" 1.) From sinner to believer (2 Cor 5:18; Mark 2:15-17; 1 Peter 3:18); 2. From infancy to maturity (Hebrews 6:1; Acts 9:22); 3. From following to fishing (Matthew 4:19); 4. From the few to the multitudes (Matthew 9:38-10:1).

Here's another helpful one shared during the convergence:
How to Kill a Cell Group (things NOT to do during cell group meetings): 1. No mixing of business; 2. No mixing of politics; 3. No private meeting/ministry
to the opposite sex; 4. No match making; 5. No borrowing of money; 6. No promoting of parachurch ministries and other outside events; 7. No guest speakers; 8. No receiving of tithe and offerings.

The evening excites and motivates the spirit.

What Does the Bible Teach About Self-control?

This one element of the fruit of the Spirit is a constant lesson to my Christian life: self-control. I need it in large doses all the time in this "game of life" where I'm always faced with pressures and challenges.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23)

""...add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control..." (2 Peter 1:5, 6)

"...but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled ..." (Titus 1:8)

Someone has defined self-control as "exercising of one's God-given strength in order to live the 'game of life' in God's way." Certainly, self-control goes beyond my knowing the truth or what is right. It involves intentional control of my desires and feelings in order to please God.

ENLI Day 3

Wednesday group, better-sized. Everything the class ever needed to know the class learned from pastor Sonny Oaman. Well, okey, maybe not everything, but one very important thing: spiritual disciplines. Regardless of what you think about Sonny's jokings, his humor always tended to spice up his lectures and made the learnings more enjoyable. You can see that in the faces of studes in the class, like popular actress Claudine Barreto (I mentioned her because she's a "celebrity" face there!), Gio (the next "celebrity"!), and others. Oh, my name was always called or mentioned by Sonny in class! Favoritism? Well, he didn't have to. He's already a favorite.

Ministering to Youth

Each week, I teach the Bible to about 100 young people/teenagers in a large campus in Antipolo City. I feel honored and it's a joy and privilege for me to serve God in this way. Young people are dear to the heart of God. I also feel much younger when with young people! As William Hazlitt said, "There is a feeling of eternity in youth."

Principle of "Downward Mobility"

I read of an interesting phrase used by Henri Nouwen. It's "downward mobility." In an article published in 1981, Nouwen wrote against people's uncontrolled drive for wealth, prestige,power, and ambition in today's world.

In other words, what prevails is "upward mobility." That's characteristic of lots of people nowadays, especially in the American, European, or materialistic cultures. In our Filipino/Asian culture, it's common to refer to those aspiring for upward mobility as "social climbers."

Nouwen wrote: "The great paradox which Scripture reveals to us is that real and total freedom can only be found through downward mobility. The Word of God came down to us and lived among us as a slave. The divine way is indeed the downward way."

To be honest, I, like everybody else, would struggle in this area. It goes against all natural instincts! When I think of my life, I think of two "poles": one is the pole that says I must accumulate wealth, power, prestige etc. in order to be successful, which appears to be the easier road; the other is the pole that reflects the sacrificial life of Christ lived for others, yet couldn't quite live.

Yet we are to choose the divine way for our own sake. It points to the true source of life. As Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

Meaning or Mission

It's not enough that I get busy or have work to do. It isn't enough to just enjoy myself in what I do. I want to have some meaning in my life and I want all my activities to furnish that meaning. The apostle Paul writes, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, not unto men, but do it unto God ..." (Colossians 3:23). Since I've got to work with my whole heart as unto God, I therefore need to find something that drives me on with a kind of sacrificial, burning passion. For artists, there's the saying, "Suffer for your art." But for me, as a believer, the saying is "Suffer for your Lord." That applies both in adversity and prosperity, in good times and bad times. If you know what I mean.

The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 is our family devotion this week. It states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Have you met someone who retort to you "That's just your opinion" or "You're all Bible!" after sharing Scriptures? They are proud, refuse to be instructed by God's wisdom. The Bible calls them "fools." They are the exact opposite of those who are wise because of reverential and worshipful "fear of God."

Memories of Grandmother

Grandmother "Lola Angge," my Dad's mother. I still remember distinctly that big house of Lola Angge in J.P. Rizal Makati. Old-fashioned, Spanish type of house. Antique furniture. It's filled with Catholic statues and images, like that of the Virgin Mary and Sto. Nino. From her house, Lola Angge would walk without fail to the Catholic church nearby where she attended mass each day (morning and afternoon).

My own father, mother, and brother and sisters and I lived just walking distance from Lola Angge's house. That partially explains why I'd often be with her. She's near. I was about 8 years old when I started to use my Lola Angge's house as my "refuge." I thought it better to be with my Lola Angge, especially when I'd be driven away from our own house due to my "unsaintly" behavior.

I particularly remember my Lola Angge walking with me during my grade one commencement. She's the one who pinned my first honor medal on stage. That felt nothing during that time. I didn't appreciate it near as much as I do now. I thought she was also my mother. I remember her feet protruding from her shoes. She had flat but fat feet with calluses.

By then, Lola Angge would gather all of us, her visiting "apo" (grandchildren) present in her house, to say the 6:00 p.m. angelus. She'd lead us to Rosary prayers every day and I can still remember how fervent her face was saying those same prayers over and over again. To be honest, I was number 1 sleeper during those Rosary prayer times! My undeveloped spirit can't grasp it.

Another load of memories during Lola Angge's days point to our family carolings during Christmas time. On Christmas eve, the children and grandchildren would already gather around the large terrace to practice singing. When 12 mn striked, we would all sing Christmas tunes as loud as we can so as to awaken our Lola Angge. For some reason, Lola Angge was always aslept before we sing each Christmas midnight! I wondered why.

The day Lola Angge died, I was still just a little boy. During her funeral, I was playing around with my other cousins. It was as if nothing happened. However, during one time, while going to school and passing by my Lola Angge's old house in J.P. Rizal Makati, I felt a strange tug into my heart. I was moved with much tears as I remembered her.

That route was the one I took many times in a hurried state to be with my Lola Angge. She was such a caring grandmother.

Three Books on the Way

I completed three book-length manuscripts ready for publication. They were written in different periods of time. One of the books I wrote, "Inner Healing for Filipino Pastors," is based on a dissertation I did the other year. The other two books are a collection on my series on "Life Reflections."

I'm still in the uploading and final review stage of my finished content, but it will soon be over in a few months. The good news is you will be able to order them online in either of two forms -- ebooks (electronic books) or hardbound/paperback books (ready for shipping) via an internationally-recognized web publisher.

Watch out for them! Click here to learn more.

I Met A Drug Addict

I met a drug addict yesterday. He shared a lot to me about his struggles. Presently, he is considered an escapee from a drug rehabilitation center. His wife, who works overseas, does not communicate to him. They got 4 children. He is jobless and could not function normally. He depends on the doleouts of his wife and relatives for his medication and his childrens' support. Interesting thing is he knows a lot about the Bible and can quote Scriptures by memory! Indeed, our life's transformation springs not from thought or knowledge alone. Repentance can prepare us for positive action and "readiness for responsibility." I prayed for him before we parted ways. Ultimately, it's God who will lead him the way to true rehabilitation.

Overcoming A Divided Self

Like all of us, I also experience life in a fragmented way. I desire the good, but often sow the seeds of what's not good. I want to do what's right, but make decisions that lead to the opposite road.

In this life, there seems to be a never-ending tug of competing demands: family and work, spirituality and worldly concerns, livelihood and self-fulfillment, distance and closeness, solitude and community, silence and words, and so on. Such only contributes to the inner difficulties already present.

It has nothing to do with how much education, possessions, talents, or status I have. Instead, it has to do with something within my being that seeks to find a unity. I wonder whether we'll ever find a complete integration of all of life's diversity. As for me, I find that such a wholeness or unity inside our being can only be attained as a form of hope.

Sometimes, crises do have a way of bringing us to better unity within our being with a fresh experience of God. These crises become good opportunities for God to minister to our fragmented selves or troubled souls. We get empowered to receive our identity, security, and significance from God. So, in the process, we gain strength to emerge whole and integrated within our being.

The Apostle Paul once confessed, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do; but what I hate, I do ... As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.... For in my inner being I delight in God's law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin ... Who will rescue me from this body of death? THANKS BE TO GOD -- THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!" (Romans 7:15-25).

Overcoming a "divided self" therefore happens when we live in truth and love that come from Him. By responding to the One who calls us to integrity and unity within our being, we can experience life as joyful and meaningful. All of us need to grow into that kind of stature.

Hospital Visiting, A Mitzvah

Imelda and I visited a client-friend of ours today at the Lourdes Hospital. We brought some cheers and prayed for her immediate healing from God.... Visiting the sick can be awkward. Often we are at a loss for something to say or kind of afraid we might say the wrong thing! ... For Christians, visiting the sick is not just a polite thing to do. But in the eyes of Christ, it is an important ministry. Jesus affirmed the care of the sick in His words -- "I came not to be served, but to serve and to give my life." "I was sick and you visited me." Thus, we visit to meet the needs of the other, not to meet our own needs.... Hospital visiting is "Mitzvah," that's a Hebrew word meaning "commandment for meritorious acts." It does good both to the one visited and the one visiting.

ENLI Day 2

Over 200 students. One Class, one big room. 1-2 teachers. That's a great deal to overcome! A foreign-looking guy approached the microphone and noted "crowd control" as the need of the moment! It's not exactly surprising that the students just sort of sit there, staring at the speaking teacher. It's likely to take them some time before they get their learning powers really circulating. Amazing response to ENLI, but I'm not sure how the problem of "quality instruction" can be immediately addressed here. I'm used to the academe, but I've yet to see a class that allows 200+ students to get in and really gain! Maybe this one will be different. After all, God is a God of the possible.

Musings on My Asian Seminary Life

A few musings on how I'd gone about my Asian seminary life. It's a mixed picture, both as a student and as a professor. Around a period of 15 years, more or less.



In my experience of seminary as a student, I noticed that things can be good. Good classes. Good books. Good teachers. Good formation for academics and spirituality. But at the same time, I found bad things. Seminary can be a messy place if you don't proceed with caution. Problematic characters. Incompetent teachers. Too easy or too hard a course.

In my experience as a seminary professor, I likewise found good things. Vision. Encouragement. Renewal. Impacting lives of students. But also, at the same time, there were bad things. Ungodly behavior (students and faculty). Crisis of confidence on the leaders. Bad examples.

To sum up, in the seminary, I had to choose what I look for. I discovered that things go better when I'd take responsibility and remain focused on God.

Persecution and Discipleship

"Don't share to the students."
"You are not allowed to disturb the students."
"Get out of the campus!"

These words were not addressed to the underground church in China. Or to Christian missionaries in a Muslim nation like Saudi Arabia or Libya. They were words heard by a group of Korean Christians while visiting a Catholic university in the Philippines!

Based on the kind of treatment we received today, from the moment we touched the soil of Ateneo, it seemed like we're already frowned upon and guarded by the guards and one "dragon lady" while the rest of the students and others were smiling at us! Now, if I could only figure out how much of the Bible was hidden and repressed during the over 300-year Spanish occupation of the Philippines. We got some traces of it today!

Jesus warned His disciples that there will be some persecution when you believe and share His Gospel. During His time, persecution was done at the hands of religious leaders. Persecution experienced by the early Christians were in different forms, such as physical, psychological, and emotional attacks. Like the early Christians, many in restricted nations today face violent persecution.

While violent persecution still exists in certain restricted nations today, I thought it's rare in a "free country" such as the Philippines. Some kind of verbal violence was the attack of choice in "civilized" places like in a Catholic university I visited today with some visiting Korean Christians.

Everyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus must accept that being persecuted may be part of the package along the faith journey. But we must remember that nothing, not even persecution, can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35,36). And also take note of Jesus' instruction: "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)

It is not easy to be persecuted, but hard, even though it can be rich with joy. It's a joy for we're able to share in the burdens of Jesus for those He came to love and save.

Korean Young People in Ateneo Gallery

Tomorrow, I'm taking a group of about 40 Korean young people to Ateneo Art Gallery. It's just a venue for me to give them orientation on the Philippines. Something I do over and over for Christian Korea-based Native Partners for World Mission organization. Koreans are the "new darling" of the Filipinos, not just in Christian missions, but also in the media, entertainment, and business.

Finding Safety in our Father's Love

Morning breakfast with Imelda and the kids. Family devotion and prayers. Saturday mornings appear to be a best time for us. We opened the Scriptures in 1 John, reminding us of the Father's love for us. In the midst of this life, we unavoidably experience pain caused by imperfect circumstances or people. We therefore need to heed the call of God's love, home to our heavenly Father's heart. It is from this center-point that we can truly experience a real home, a sense of belonging, a place to dwell, a shelter where we feel safe and protected. Only then, from the center of being loved by our Father in heaven, can we again enter our world with purposeful engagement and joyful detachment .... My 12-year-old daughter Christine asked, "What's your philosophy of life?" School assignment. She's interviewing me. Surely, I can give her a long dissertation on this! But I gave her a short answer only in the form of 3 questions: "Who am I?" (I'm a child of God), "Why Am I Here?" (I'm here on earth to fulfill God's will in my life), "Where Are You Going?" (I'm going to heaven in my Father's presence). There she had it. And she can get more if her teacher requires! Assignment accomplished.

Letter to my Dad this Father's Day

Dear Dad,

How are you? I pray and hope you're doing great and in good health.

These are days that I'd wonder in our open-air garage. At times, when airplanes pass by, I'll look up in the sky. And wish you'll finally come to our house. Visit me, my wife, your grandchildren. It's a daydream that won't come true.

I grew up not knowing you, Dad. I was always wondering where were you. Sometimes, I'd pretend I missed you. But how come, there were no fond memories of our times together?

I'm all grown up now, Dad. Have a family of my own. Actually, three children. I go out with them. I talk to them. I encourage them. All of these, I do often. As their father, I try as best as I can to give time and myself to them.

Dad, it's not really about money. Though it costs to live. It's not about having a big house, a nice car, or education in the exclusive schools. It's about showing the children they count. Paying attention to them. Giving them life-enhancing words and hugs. Building them up in their self-esteem. Nurturing them emotionally and spiritually. That's what it's really all about, Dad, and not giving dollar or peso amounts.

Sorry, Dad, if this letter reads like a "note to an absentee father." I apologize if it turns out that way. Just a reminder for me of what's positive to learn. I love you, Dad, and I understand why this happened to us. So, for us together, it's a past that still can be redeemed. It's never too late, Dad, if only you care to show yourself.

Wherever you are, Dad, here's to you. My heartfelt prayers, love and best wish for you this Father's Day. God bless you always!

Your son,

Angelo

"For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in." (Psalm 27:10)

BLUE

I just discovered this morning what the color blue means in Scripture. Israel's children were to make tassels on the corners of their garments with “a blue thread in the tassels” (Numbers 15:38). The tassels reminded them to “do all My commandments, and be holy for your God” (v.40).

The blue thread. Color of the heavens above. It speaks of His immeasurable power and saving grace. Blue is one of my reminders today. The color blue helps signify His presence and passion. I remember God’s unfathomable love.

When I see blue in the sky or somewhere in the garden, I see a sign of God in my life.

Simple Life

When Imelda and I got married, our home was pretty simple. And what it took to keep us happy was elementary compared with where we are now with 3 children. We faced only 10s of wants/needs before. But today, with our growing kids, we face 100s of them!

Like all families, we also face pressures and values of the "consumptive style" portrayed in the media. We also get tempted to buy things that we don't really need. Like the latest fashion, gadgets, foods etc. It's media brainwashing!

God promises to meet all our financial needs. To the Philippians, Paul says, "My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

God will do so for our family as well as for you. The promise covers our needs -- not our wants. Of course, something of the promise may be contrary to the habits we have developed today. But if we want the full blessing of God, we must turn our life according to His Word.

TV and Self Discipline

When I was a youth, I was a TV addict. I'd watch TV all day long. As a result, I'd find myself distorted in my values and wasting energies. I'm glad the Lord has delivered me from such! To achieve this, self discipline is necessary. And this involves saying NO to the things that so easily charm and entice the senses! God has better things for me to do to discipline my soul and senses. I pray for same good thing for the rest of my family.

"...with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience ..." (1 Timothy 1: 18, 19)

ENLI first day

Evening, 6:30 p.m. ENLI orientation. Two roomful of people. Too many for one class. Almost all pastors were there - pastors Ferdie, Luther, Sonny etc. I sensed that I'm taking on real life again. While in seminary before, I usually had very little left over actually to live. But this time, the approach is different. ENLI strives to make learners well equipped to live as Christians. Focus more on "being" rather than "doing." I enjoyed being myself again that night.

Walk to Save Your Life

Walking, I must say, has for me been an exercise of health and even joy.

Let me first talk about the health part. I used to think that exercise is effective only if it's strenuous or hard. Like playing basketball or swimming, workouts in the gym, and so on. But walking?

It can be puzzling to believe. When I checked the medical and health books, they rated walking as a "best" exercise. It prevents circulatory and heart diseases. It aids to digestion. It controls weight. It can remedy respiratory disorders. It aids in cutting down smoking or alcohol consumption. It helps to better sleep.

Praise God, I get these benefits when I take regular walks. Especially, the good sleep part.

Setting out on a walk is also a joy. Something good happens for the mind and spirit when I take a walk. It's like having a psychological and spiritual vacation.

A walk provides rest from the larger world and its madness. It gives me a break from my own immediate concerns. The household and its pressing chores. Computer, desk and papers. Meetings, conferences. Work. Children, spouse, relatives.

A walk can bring back energies or restore one's joy for living. Physicians tell that "action absorbs anxiety." They know it from both objective, medical evidences and personal experiences.

For me, it does not matter whether I walk near or far. I may be walking for a day or for less than an hour in the mall or in the nature park. While I am walking, I feel like a spirit separate from the ordinary world. I get freer then to be closer to God as I walk.

Friend, take a walk always to save your life. Listen to our two best doctors, our left leg and our right.

Albert Einstein's Paradigm Shift

Albert Einstein once wrote that "no problem can be solved by the same consciousness that caused it." This is an important lesson. It very much relates to the idea of a paradigm shift. Change in order to grow. For that to take place, the old consciouness needs to turn into new. We need to make room for purposeful change by emptying ourselves. For the empty place can bring forth new solutions to problems, new dreams that lead to new, productive beginnings.

The Little Story of the Pencil Man

I have a little story to tell you. From my dream. Once, there was a brown-skinned Asian seated inside a classroom. He pulled out a paper and a pencil and started to draw a picture. He drew a white-skinned, Western missionary taller and more handsome than himself, dining on fine food in a big luxury house, while he pictured himself back in the hills as skinny, balding, and starving to death. He whispers, "How could a missionary live and eat in luxury when there is much people around in poverty?" The penciled pictures reveal more than the words.

"Strongholds" of the Mind

"Strongholds" of the mind. An essential spiritual truth for me this morning at church. The mind has always been a major battleground between God and Satan.



Here are some of my favorite quotes and passages on the matter:

"The mind of man is the battleground on which every moral and spiritual battle is fought." (J. Oswald Sanders)
"A man is what he thinks all day long." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"If I knew what you think, I would know what you are." (Dale Carnegie)
"All mortals tend to turn into the thing they are pretending to be." (C.S. Lewis)
"Self-control is primarily mind control." (John Stott)
"Every kidnapping was once a thought. Every extramarital affair was first a fantasy." (Leslie Flynn)
"The most important things in life are the thoughts you choose to think." (Marcus Aurelius)

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:2).

"Why Doesn't It Work?"

For someone as insecure and riven with doubts as myself, it was hard to be disillusioned by leaders over the years. I mean, by those who fail to practice what they preach. When I moved to work with some leaders who profess to follow Christ, I thought I would learn to be a better Christian. Instead, like Philip Yancey, I found myself asking, "Why doesn't it work?"

When I think about individual Christian leaders I know, I experience cognitive dissonance. There's always a gap between the spiritual ideals of God's Word and the reality of those who profess it. In my own experience, I can remember pastors and overseers who are judgmental, proud, and envious. Like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, seminary president/professors who teach community are the very ones who show self-indulgence and very little love and warmth towards students/teachers on campus.

With such examples, my heart would naturally get oppressed. It was like a feeling of being in a strange land. There's this sense of isolation, fear, and betrayal of what is intended by God in His Word. At the same time, I could not silence the contradictions that also existed within myself. I knew that I too fell short. The examples I got exposed to simply contributed to the aggravation.

Jesus offers absolute grace to all of us. Not anyone of us, not even a Mother Teresa or our most "spiritual" pastors in the church, can comply with the perfection of God's standards. If that's our human condition, where else can we go? We return to Jesus in the safety net of His grace. We depend on His Holy Spirit to enable us to impart His ideals to others while never stop striving to cultivate an inner, godly character.

"...'My grace is sufficent for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

Abundance and Relinquishment

Abundance is good. There is much in our life where we desire abundance. Probably no other generation in human history has been so captive to it. Life for lots of people today is controlled by its relentless power.

Wealth, nice homes and cars, or abundance of any kind may in fact represent gifts of a gracious God. In themselves these things are in no way bad. They are given to us for our enjoyment. If our attitude and stewardship are right, such abundance in this life also get used by God to bless others.

But everything that is abundant is not necessarily good for us. I say this as far as God's will for our lives is concerned. This is not to suggest that God's plan for us may be something that is less than good. It is rather that God calls us not to desire the abundant, but to follow His will.

This could mean relinquishing the abundant for His greater purposes. It means that we do not conduct our lives simply by seeking abundance, but more out of a conviction to please God in everything that we do. Relinquishment is an essential step along the way of true life and abundance (Matthew 10:39).

We all wish that our motives related to abundance would be this pure. But they seldom are. It is not that we do not desire to obey God's will. It is more a matter of mixed intentions influencing our actions. Things such as our personal comfort, security, acceptance, power, fame, among others, play a role. These may not be wrong in themselves, but they often crowd or mix into our motives in seeking abundance for our lives.

The challenge for us is that, even where our own mixed motives and concerns crowd in, that which is God's will would still emerge in our quest for this life's abundance. Such gently prods us to go to God in prayer for Him to lead the way.

Writers' Club

I've been sharing my writings to thousands from different countries via the Faith Writers' Club where I'm a new Writer member. Take a look at some that I already added to their archives and listings as well as views/comments from new international writer friends and enemies! There is still much more to add, one day at a time!

Click here. Enjoy!

Delays

Delays. They can be irritating. Nerve-testing. A possible trigger of impatience.

Those late results, those delayed payments, those falling in lines, those disappointing takoffs. How hard it can be to accept delays graciously!

But as the expression goes, our faith is "fleshed out" at times like these. Ability to delay gratification. Acceptance of delays. Smile at setbacks. Refusal to be hassled by delays, remaining cool.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ... patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control .... (Galatians 5: 22, 23).

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father ...." (Colossians 1:11, 12).

Money

Eveywhere I go, money is an issue.

In this age of economic instability, talks about money can be emotional. But money is also a very spiritual matter. God calls us to wise stewardship. He reveals biblical principles that He wants us to apply in our personal finances.

Believe it or not, Satan is out to destroy individuals and families through financial problems. We all need to let God guide our finances.

Scriptures to read: Prov. 10:22, Luke 12:15, John 6:27, 1 John 2:15, 16, Prov 21:20, Malachi 3:10, 2 Cor 9: 6, 10, Phil 2: 3, 4,

All we have and ever hope to have is given by God.

Lonely Keannu Reeves

While waiting inside a Galleria coffee shop, I got to read this from a section of Philippine Star: 41-year-old, famous American actor Keannu Reeves says he's lonely and wants to get married and have children.



I copied a bit of some of what he told reporters: "I'm trying not to be alone so much. And man, it's a struggle. I want to get married, have kids... Life requires an act of reclaiming. You have to reject being overwhelmed. Life has to go on ... I've had a vagabond life. There's a bit of gyspsy in me ... I couldn't settle down... Then I turned 40. That birthday is hard, perhaps because you know you're grown-up."

There's a bit of his story in me. But that's over 13 years ago and I was much younger. I'm glad I got over it with a beautiful wife and three children.

Truly, you can't have everything in this life. Until you found the Source of it all.

Internet Addiction Resources

Internet is good. But anything good can turn to bad when there's no life balance. If you've already become an internet addict or "zombie," I found an excellent help and resource for you from Gospelcom. Click here.

Powerful Thoughts and Passions

Do you at times have powerful thoughts that come as a flash into your mind which you know are not pleasing to God? Sadly, those wrong thoughts and passions are a part of our lives. Usually they are in the form of fantasies. Sexual gratification. Hurting somebody. Conquest. Grabbing money. Escape or running away. Whatever it is, you know that these thoughts and passions, if carried out in real life, will only damage yourself or others.

Yet these seductive, destructive, and evil thoughts may still linger into your mind. It's evidence of how sin has deeply embedded itself into our human nature and condition. This is where James brings up the idea of "personal responsibility" when he writes, " ...each one is tempted when, by his own desire, he is dragged away and enticed." (James 1:14). Paul says we're personally responsible when he reminds us that the natural man gratifies "the cravings of our sinful nature ... following its desires and thoughts" (Ephesians 2:3).

However, those wrong thoughts and passions may also be instigated by the evil one and influenced by the values of the world. When we got married and onwards, my wife Imelda and I have faithfully devoted ourselves to vocational pastoral/spiritual work. But somewhere along the way, the enticing offers of the marketplace plus the advances of internet technology entered our home. The world and the evil one began to pounce on particular points of our personal weakness. We almost got sidetracked. It was at this point when the Lord has to teach us to appreciate the way our hearts and minds can be tempted or aggravated by "the ways of the world" (Eph. 2:2) and the devil.

Because of these negative spiritual influences around us, we therefore need God to protect our minds. We need to confess to Him our wrong thoughts and passions and replace them with what is true, pure, noble, and right (Philippians 4:8). We need to resist the devil and spiritually discern the influence of the "ways of the world" in instigating those wrong thoughts and actions. We need to walk by His Spirit so we will not gratify the desires of the flesh and the devil (Galatians 5: 22, 23). "...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).

My Own Pastoral Journey (Phase 1)

This piece gives an account of the first phase of my own pastoral journey and story. The first phase focuses on my pastoral years from the beginning to the present time where I'm in a transition. The second phase, a current "work in progress" in a new pastoral location, is yet to be lived out and written. Perhaps, I'd be able to give an account of it after some time in the future.



The beginnings of my pastoral journey can be traced to the earlier work I did with the Christian Brethren in 1989. I was with a Canadian couple, Paul and Alice Blackmore, then living in Pasay City.

During my association with Paul and Alice - who were later joined by another Canadian family, Jim Dods' - I taught in their assemblies (Caloocan; Balara Q.C.), taught the Bible with Paul to kids and youth whom I organized myself in our Makati neighborhood, and did evangelizing.

The Christian Brethren taught me the value of Bible teaching and humble service. By the very nature of their tradition, their services were conducted in a highly conservative manner, with suitably sober faces during worship. They did allow you to be yourself and experiment on exploring your gifts from God.

In 1990, I entered the Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) in Quezon City while continuing to do pastoral work in the Balara assembly. In Balara, I taught the weekly Bible service, provided pastoral care to the people in the community, and even had encounters of the "supernatural" kind in the area.

Two years later, a classmate of mine from ATS, Oscar Alcachupas, invited me over to preach and help him pastor at Word for the World in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. This was the place where I met Imelda who was to be my future wife. In the church, she was the one playing the keyboard and the guitar while I'd preach or worship looking at her!

I found myself simultaneously pastoring in two small churches (Balara and Tandang Sora). It was a "bare bones" pastoral ministry like what's experienced and described in the book of Acts. But I didn't mind. I'd been experiencing how to live my faith and just wanting to serve where God would want me to do something for Him.



Imelda and I got married in April 1993. During this time, we were already joined to another Word for the World church situated in Ortigas, Greenhillls. Pastor Junie Garcia, my classmate in our Old Testament class at ATS, was a pastor in this "megachurch" of thousands. I taught the Bible and led pastoral cell groups in this church.

But, in 1994, only a few months after, we were assigned to join the new Word for the Word churchplanting venture in Cainta with pastor Junie at the helm. From just a handful, the church grew to about 600-700 attendees with 4 worship services at 2 different locations in three years' time. I pastored one of the two morning congregations and was handling the discipleship program of the whole church.

In 1997, shortly after pastor Junie left for the United States, the whole Word for the World Christian Fellowship experienced a worldwide split of churches. Overall, the whole church was cut into 4 or 5 different newly-named churches and organizations. Leading the split was a group of Filipino pastors which was able to form a new worldwide organization where most of the former WWCF churches in the Philippines and in different parts of the world joined. The church where I was pastoring-WWCF Cainta-joined this newly formed group.

At this point, my wife Imelda and I found ourselves divorcing -- not each other, but a church we learned to love. We didn't take any of the sides. So for about over a year, we and the congregation I pastored were "independent" or without affiliation. Eventually though, we had to give up our hurts to start all over again and rejoin Word for the World where we originally came from. The congregation that I pastored now became Word for World-Marikina City after coming back.



In my opinion, "two sides" made mistakes that caused Word for the World to divide itself. On one side, there was this dangerous phenomenon of a "pastor who invites attack." Let me call it a case of "bullying," the problem of throwing one's weight around leaders who eventually lost their trust on him. The fallout of an authoritarian pastor, plus a mistake he made that resulted in denominational discipline, had left majority of his leaders and churches in a damaged condition.

On the other side, many of the local pastors and leaders exhibited attitudes and actions to the crisis that were already contrary to the life and principles of Jesus. I witnessed some of this to be true before and during the height of the crisis. Anger beget anger. Unforgiveness beget unforgiveness. Lack of repentance sowed the seeds of the church's split. Playing politics, jockeying for prominence and position made the situation worse. As the pastor goes, so goes the church.

From 1999 to 2004, I was pastor of Word for the World in Marikina City and a member of the WWCF National Office's pastors' council in Makati. During this time, I served as a trainor of pastors in our new Makati-based Pastors'Institute where I was one of the major pioneers, curriculum planners, and administrators. It was also during this time that I concurrently taught in the seminary (Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries) and worked on my doctorate (D.Min.) with the Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST).

In 2004, I asked our National Office in Makati for me to be relieved from my local church in Marikina City for one year, so I can better focus on finishing my doctoral dissertation. That was to be my final academic hurdle for the completion of the said degree. I turned over the local church I was pastoring to WWCF National Office and recommended to them an associate of mine to take my place. They approved my recommendation and my said associate has been pastoring the local church up to now.

Within this year of this "study leave," I began to realize that I had made some mistakes. No one told me this. I just simply discovered them later. And I also began to read the signs of rejection and lack of support for my leave. I requested for church-based support and clusters of supportive people during my study but they were all ignored. I could tell that my case was probably so unique or a "first time" in the church that it can be specially hard for them to know what to do. I did try to reach out but to no avail. Not one from the church called me or came by for a visit during the leave. I felt very much alone. What can I do?

For my own sake, I needed to forgive myself again for making some mistakes. I also needed to forgive the church again even though none said sorry. I choose to leave behind any hurts or grudges behind my last pastorate because I want to be free to serve again. To be honest, it took me a long time but I had to be determined for I did need to be free.

Therefore, my family and I had to move on with our life. During my study leave until completion of my degree up to the present, we sought rest and refreshment somewhere else. We found Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF) in Ortigas Galleria. When we entered VCF to seek refuge, there were pastors Rey Corpuz and Sonny Oaman who took care of us. We've been in this church for about over two years now since the beginning of my now completed doctoral study leave.

Today, my wife actively serves in the ladies cell groups and ushering ministries while my children (Christine, 12; Paul, 9; and Angel, 3) are growing spiritually in the Kids' Church. My eldest child, Christine, now has even become a kids church teacher and worship team member. On my end, I currently have four "outreaches" (one in Quezon City, one in Antipolo City, one related to my wife's biz, and one on the internet), do one-to-one discipleship/counseling, and am part of one of Victory's pastoral leadership teams. Finally, after spending time recovering from the pangs of another "divorce" experience, I feel ready now to enter Victory's ENLI. I'm glad our family and I are still in God's team; He merely changed our locations.

It's really time now to begin again. Start over. Back up and take a long, hard look at the big picture of my life. Everything that happened to me as a pastor has spiritual significance. Ultimately, it's God who called me and that calling is more than its circumstances. As I continue my journey with God, I trust the things He showed me will bring fruit that will last -- forever!

Starbucks Talk with Marsel

Starbucks. Afternoon tea chat with my friend and bro, Marsel. Among other things, we were talking about giving as a spiritual principle. I'm glad we both read the Bible about this... and pastor Joel Osteen's bestseller "Your Best Life Now" (see www.joelosteen.com). We both agree to dare to "sow a seed" in our time of need. Instead of thinking what we lack, we turn our attention away from ourselves and sow seeds of God's goodness by helping others. Intriguing, unnatural, isn't it? But Marsel and I know that God's principles and promises are true.

Women Tribal Missionaries

I met two energetic, Spirit-filled women missionaries over lunch in Antipolo today. One is an American; the other is a Filipino.



The American woman missionary has been serving in the Philippines for over 30 years now. When she first came to the Philippines, she was just a newly married 21 years old. Much of her mission work along with her husband were done among the tribes. Now, with the passing of her husband late last year, she now oversees different ministries -- churches, bible schools, pre schools, publishing and writing -- while serving in various places of the Philippines and Asia.

The Filipino missionary was also a woman. She's a native Ifugao, now pastoring in Antipolo City. According to her, she does not receive any salary or money from the church where she serves or from any work she's doing in her own country. She's been into America several times, preaching in front of murderers in the jails.



Both of these women are "one of a kind." I seldom see women like them. When I think of their example, I feel humbled. They represent the very essence of the Gospel and service in His kingdom.