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?

Shepherding

When I joined staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, this passage spoke firmly in my heart. 

1 Peter 5: 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

It's my 9th year serving as a missionary on campus and in those 9 years of helping Christ known in campuses through evangelism and discipleship, shepherding is vital to effectively lead well. We can lead not because of the position that we have but by being a good example that influences the people around us. Position is strategic and yet without influence, you can't help make changes happen. 

I have learned that effective shepherding means ministering a team from the Word and his own example of spiritual growth and exemplary ministry. It's very important that we help members of our team focus on what the Word says rather than our own opinions. We journey with them in their situation - whatever it is. We may not offer advice but we can always pray for them and let them know that we care. I asked a fellow team leader one time how often does he spend time with his teammates. By simply asking this question, I would have an idea if this person is leading well. In shepherding, we need to pause for a while and ask a question, "How are my teammates?" 

When I had a bigger team, to ensure that I'm updated on what's going on in every member of my team, I asked them to give me a semi-monthly report that I also created for me to lead well with the right information. This report contains  both statistical and narrative data about their journey with God, family, teammates, disciples as well as some items related to their numerical goals. By reading this report, I have a picture of how our team really is. To reinforce leading with information, I would take time to be with each one of them at least once a month (except for women where I meet them in pair or my wife is with me). How will you do that in a team composed of at least 10 members? This is a great challenge, but there's always a way if we love to do it or choose to do it. My wife and I help one another by having all the women met by her while I meet all the men. We also maximize Men's time or Women's time to bond in whatever leisure things we want to do and yet making sure that we discuss topics that could help benefit each one. 

The shepherd's role is to oversee, lead, feed and protect.

He is characterized by eagerness to serve. He is loving. He provides for them rather than lording it over them. He is not greedy and is a good example. A leader that leads as a shepherd will feed his team from the word, he will provide direction, protect them against heresy, and unnecessary trails and he will be a servant and example.

The shepherd's role is to display a sense of mission and help motivate a team to get there--- making Jesus known in our campus, city, nation, region, world.

Paul in Colossians 1 said, "25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

Paul had no doubt at all regarding to what his mission in life was. In the same way, we leaders must be reminded that God has called us to help fulfill the Great Commission in this generation and to live for His cause. Every aspect of our life must be lived in relation to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. As we lead our team in helping accomplish the mission, are we leading side-by-side with them, modeling what does it take to see this mission keep going?

A powerful team is a team that is shepherded well. A team that is shepherded well feels valued and motivated to work as team in accomplishing the task, even if the task may seem impossible to attain. 1 Peter 5 is a good reminder of a true leadership. A true leader leads like a shepherd.