A Journey in January 2014: An Open Letter to ASEA SLM Team

As I took time to ponder upon what took place lately, I felt bad that I missed the Former National Directors' Conference. How I wished to be hearing stories from them--- be it their successes or failures. I longed to be hearing life's precious lessons directly from them. Then days passed and it's over, but my passport didn't arrive yet. So I settled in my heart that I already missed the conference. I prayed that my passport will arrive soon so I can fly on time for the LT Forum. 1st day...second day of the forum...I kept following up the agency for my passport. Still, no update from the Zimbabwe Embassy in Malaysia. Third day...FedEx courier updated our agency that they already picked up my passport with Zimbabwe Visa for my Feb 2 Global SLM Meeting.

Looking back, few weeks before the Former NDs Forum, I struggled in my heart the thought of going away from home--- that means missing my family for 12 days! I have been traveling the past few months, having accumulated about 68 days of trips. Every time I travel outside, there's a mixed emotion of joy to see our co-missionaries across SEA and sadness in my heart to be away with family again. Fear sometimes if I can still be with them. I learn to continually surrender these struggles to the Lord. I'm all the more experiencing His grace for me to endure and enjoy what He has called me to do.

I remember Dana praying, "Lord, please don't let daddy go." God knows her heart. God knows what I'm going through. I missed the NDs Conference. This ASEA LT Forum
will end in the next two days and I'm still here waiting for my passport. I would want to go, but I think I need to let go and let God take control. He is our Sovereign God, He takes full control. He lets me stay here. But I'm glad that he is raising up leaders who can continue with the task even in my absence. I appreciate their leadership in helping grow student-led movements across SEA. Above all, God is our Movement Leader and He will lead us all in seeing stronger student-led movements for His glory alone.

Pause & Ponder

Nowadays, almost everything is instant. Instant coffee. Instant noodles. Fast-foods. Quick & Easy Apps in tabs & computers. Fast-paced strategic planning at work. Easy and convenient purchasing of items through credit cards. Almost everything is easy, instant, fast!  Our thoughts, if we are not careful to filter what needs to be captivated, are filled with so much instant, quick, convenient ideas!

How do we cope with the busy demands of work & life as a whole?

The way we live our lives at present is likewise driven by any demands to beat every second of the day to keep things done 24/7. We wake up early morning to get prepared for work & complete the 8 hour duty to be ready for home or time with friends. We go home tired and sleep late at night. Then prepare for another day. The cycle of life goes on and on. Tired. Demotivated. Happy Now. Lonely again. Hungry. Angry.

Is this the kind of life we want to live? Isn't it tiring?

Why don't we take time to PAUSE & PONDER, search ourselves and seek Him who gave this life?

Psalm 139 says:
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Let's take time to SLOW DOWN and take time to be with ourselves, family, and unhurriedly spend time with God who has a wonderful plan for our lives (John 10:10).

I remember one time while driving slowly, I noticed a beautiful house along the road. Then I literally parked my car across the street at about 50 meters away from that beautiful house, appreciating the design, the structure, the landscape. I haven't noticed it before until I slowed down from driving and eventually stopping somewhere. I guess, the same thing with our life's journey. Why don't we take time to PAUSE every now and then? For sure, we will see God's goodness and faithfulness in every situation. We will continually be in tune to His presence. We will continually be experiencing His peace even in the midst of life's greatest challenges and move on to the direction He has set for us.

The next time around you feel like the world is too busy to revolve around you, take time to PAUSE & PONDER.

Birthday Blessings

How are you celebrating your birthdays? 

I have different ways of celebrating this life my God has given me. This year, specifically today, I chose to celebrate my day with my wife and my two lovely kids. We had our simple breakfast --arroz caldo with boiled eggs, steamed hotdog and veggies. We had our simple lunch--chicken adobo and steamed veggies. We dad our merienda--durian and ube ice cream banana split. Besides having meal together, we had a story telling and a time where Dana and Mommy prayed for me while Ardi was agreeing with his "hmm...hmmm..ahhhh..."

They also agreed to leave me alone in the room for an hour where I had my time with the WORD. What a refreshing b-day reminder from God through Psalm 1 that says,

"1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 

6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

Another blessing I'm thankful to God is genuine friendships with real people He has brought to my life and my family. Friendships that is far beyond the structure of the organization I'm involved with. 

I'm blessed to know that about 200 of you took time to text and send greetings and prayers through my FB Timeline. Amazing! I praise our God for each of you--a reflection of God's wonderful gift of love.

I am eternally grateful! 

Wisdom

Wisdom. What you can pray for me too as I celebrate life from the Giver.

The main purpose of Proverbs is to help the reader “…attain wisdom and discipline.” (Prov. 1:2)

Wisdom as mentioned in Proverbs is not about acquiring a deep set of knowledge or having some mystical understanding or insight. It is about learning to live in a responsible, productive and meaningful way. The original Hebrew word used for wisdom means “skill in living.” It is similar to what we would call being “street smart,” or common sense - an understanding of how things work in this world. It is about applying knowledge of such truth in our day-to-day lives. It is about observations and principles about how life works.

Israel’s leaders, foremost among them Solomon, wrote Proverbs to help their people succeed in every aspect of their lives - relationships, family, work and business, community, government, personal growth, etc. (NOTE : To succeed or “success” here does not refer to what the world views as success - fortune, fame, power, position, etc. but success in a biblical or godly perspective.) The end of Proverbs is to help people attain full, meaningful and abundant lives (John 10:10). Wisdom is ultimately attained by fearing or honoring God, understanding His will and doing it. (Prov. 1:7)

The wise person pursues good and avoids evil because he has observed what others have chosen and then has made decisions based on the outcomes. He may have an intellectual understanding of what is good and what is evil but observing the consequences of decisions made (either by others or by himself) reinforces his ability to make the proper choices.

Another Year

As another year counts, I would feel better

God's faithfulness in my life, I would always remember

Life's full of lessons as I continue to adhere

To His precepts, I long to linger.

As another year counts, I would feel sharper

Wisdom that comes from Him is in my prayer

Life is meant to be lived for His purpose

Loving Him above all else I desire the most.

As another year counts,  I'm amazed by His presence

34 significant milestones He allowed me to experience 

May my worship to Him, my Life giver,  never cease

Until one day, He will call me home to see Him face to face.

As another year counts, Oh, my b-day again?!

I am reminded of His love and power that remain

April 6 came then, He brought me out to be in this world

So that more lives will hear His stories to be told.

Listening Before Speaking

It's not easy for most of us to listen. 

The Bible refers to people who like to speak without first listening and seeking to understand others as “fools.” Wise people listen first before voicing their opinions (Prov. 18:2). Stephen Covey vividly captures this principle in one of his 7 habits : seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Sometimes it is best to keep quiet or to weigh our thoughts and words carefully (Prov. 11:12; 17:27-28). We need to watch what we say and state our opinions on a matter only after we hear the facts (Prov. 18:13). Timing is also important. We can say something that sounds harmless at the wrong time and still do a lot of damage.

To evaluate ourselves in this area we may want to ask others for an honest opinion. We can also ask ourselves when was the last time someone came to us for our counsel.

One action point that helps me, during the meetings, I would take down notes on follow-up questions and summary of what I heard. 

We can grow as a listener. We can be more sensitive to those around us who needs listening. 

What is Success to You?

When I was in grade school, it was inculcated in me to study hard and excel in my acads in order to be successful, yet this mindset turned around when I knew Jesus in a very personal way---having Him as my personal Lord and Savior by faith.

Many Christians abhor referring to the word “success.” They see success as a worldly thing and indeed it is - if their definition of success is the world’s definition (acquiring money, possessions, position, power, prestige, pleasure, etc.). However, success can also be defined in a biblical and godly perspective such as understanding and doing the will of God so that we live life in a full, meaningful and abundant way, loving God and others by contributing to the betterment of their lives, etc. The bible mentions success several times in a positive way like what Joshua 1:7-9 says:

"7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

How successful are you?