A New Idea!

My friend Toni shared light to me once again. Well, I don't blog everyday. I do it whenever an experience strikes me or If I see some insights that I'd like to share. However, my friend said it would be better if I share some thoughts on leadership style and techniques which He finds to be my one of my strengths. I'm glad this "Genius" friend of mine still has faith in me.hahaha... But honestly, I realized that what he was suggesting was important. So as much as I can, I'll share all the Ideas on leadership and ministry that are stocked in my head. Wait for my future blogs! Stay blessed!

My Natal Day!

Another year has passed. Today I am starting another one. As I look back in the past years of my life, I cannot help but thank the Lord for He has been so good to me. Trials came and yet He never let me down. Blessings have already fallen and He keeps on giving me more. He gave me a chance to rebuild my broken relationship. He sent me people to help me in my ministry. He showed me His mercy when I overcame financial setbacks. And most of all, He made me feel that I am loved as I lived daily by His grace. I have been receiving greetings the whole day and I know there is a lot more to come. God’s love and blessings are so evident in my life. In my family, friends, loved ones, and the people who simply care about me.

Pastors Also Cry!

After my devotional this morning, I plugged my ipod in my audio speaker and listened to my favorite Christian songs. While drinking coffee, the song “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns caught my attention. This song is one of my favorites but I never got a chance to internalize the message of the song not until this morning. I was singing along with the song when I found myself crying. I've never cried that hard before. But as I was singing, tears continued to flow down my eyes. The message of the song really had an impact in my life and I know the lyrics are worth sharing.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

I hope this song would leave an impact to whoever may hear or read it. May it touch you just the way it touched my sinful yet open heart. Be blessed!

Leave Everything

Yesterday, after almost two months, I was given a chance to speak before my pastorate. I spoke an exhortation sermon, which is not like my typical sermon and probably one of the reasons why I was a bit hesitant to speak. Nevertheless God worked in me as I was preparing that sermon. I know many would be hit "bull's eye" when I speak. So I asked God to intervene and make my sermon as affectionate as it can be. I prayed that it would be able to leave an impact in someone's life. God has been so gracious to me, he guided me in my come-back sermon and the message was able to move the hearts of the brethren. After the service, I thanked God and gave Him all the credit for everything was due to Him. I know it will also work for you, If you LEAVE EVERYTHING to God and give Him all the credit.

My Laundry Experience!

I woke up this morning at 7 o'clock.I had my devotional and prayed after. Knowing that I have a lot of things to accomplish, I went right away at the back of my house and started washing my clothes. I was pressured to finish it as early as I can. So I poured out all the strength that I have to finish it. After 2 hours, I was able to finish it. When I went back in my house, I felt so exhausted and burned out. Then I realized that I forgot to eat my breakfast. No wander I ran out of energy. I felt that I will not be able to finish my remaining duties of the day. This made me realize that it is really essential for our physical bodies to take some energy by eating breakfast for us to be able to do our whole day tasks.
However, physical nourishment is not enough for us to survive the whole day. We also need spiritual food which is more important. I'm just glad I was able to feed my spiritual body before I started my tasks. One thing I have missed in my laundry experience.

Alone?

Life as a bachelor has a lot of advantages when you are in the ministry. Compared to a family man, it is easier for me to go wherever and whenever my service as a minister is needed. But behind those advantages is the feeling of emptiness that somehow says "I need a companion". There are times when I can't find someone to share my burdens with. I can't share it to anyone in my pastorate neither to my loved ones because I know they look high on me. I am afraid I might disappoint them if they see my weakness. My girlfriend has been away and out of the country for quiet a long time now. I long for her company and for the time when I could call her and share my burdens with her. However, I still believe that God sets a right time for everything. I just have to wait. For now, I might feel empty because I don't have a partner in my ministry, but am I alone? No! My Big Boss is behind me!

The Heart of a Great Pastor!

I have never felt as bored in my ministry as way I got bored these past weeks. I came to a point when I started asking myself again if I am fitted in the ministry. My ministry's momentum began to subside. My everyday routine of giving Bible studies and visitation has become senseless to me. That's why I started to doubt my 'calling' again. A week of sleepless nights began to bother me and eventually made me invisible in some of the church activities. I could hardly find myself strong enough to lead and be zealous enough to encourage the brethren in the services of the church. I just feel disconnected with God and so far from Him. After a week of struggling alone, I began to share my feelings with my mom. It was then that I realized that I have been struggling alone. I have been so fed up with the messages I preach that I have already lost sight of my own spirituality. How could I be a good pastor if I can't minister to myself? How can I push other people to have faith in God if I myself doubt my calling? When I began to realize these, God pointed me on reading some promises in the Bible and gave me a chance to encounter the book entitled "The Heart of a great Pastor". The Bible and this book helped me to regain my confidence in my calling. I'm just glad that God never ceases to remind me and revive me whenever I'm in doubt!

Somebody Help Me!

I have been pastoring for almost 2 years now. I have already faced many challenges in my ministry and I could say that I have overcome a lot them. From the failures in my programs, financial setbacks, up to the criticism I get from the brethren, these, I have already overcome. However, something has been really bothering me for more than a week now. It has been 4 nights already that I have not been sleeping well at night because that dilemma never leaves my mind. I think I am starting to be fed up with my daily routines. I can see that passion within me to work harder each day starting to subside. Am I really called? Will I be able to continue my ministry? Am I really fitted for this job? These are some of the questions that have been running in my mind. What causes these doubts? Is it part of the test of my commitment to the ministry? Or I am just starting to realize that I am not meant for this noble work? Somebody help me!

If Only He Could Hear

Our church has been undergoing renovations these past weeks. Yesterday I was able to watch some of the workers doing repairs in our comfort room. In one corner, there were two workers, of which one is deaf. I was amazed at how the deaf was able to manage working with the normal people. However, what really caught my attention was how they were able to work together and finish a lot of things despite of disability. If only the deaf could hear, they could have accomplished more things quickly. As I was looking at the workers, I asked myself, if they could work well together how much more we, who are normal and gifted with the sense of hearing. Often, we just need to listen to one another to accomplish more things rather doing our tasks alone.

Wondering about Wonders!

After fixing my senior pastor's PC, I headed to the house of my bible students. Smiles from young men met me as i enter the gate. Our bible study was full of interaction. That afternoon's bible study was about "Heaven". This topic opened the minds of these young men and made them wonder about the wonders the Bible revealed to them. One of them kept on asking about the angels. Some were silly questions, some were out of curiosity, while some were meaningful. I was able to answer most of the questions, but some, which are still mysteries remained to be mysteries. if God created everything, who created Him anyway? this is one of the mysteries only God can answer. For the unanswered question, I challenged them to keep their faith and wait til Jesus comes and ask Him these questions in person.

Like Paul to Timothy!

One of the youth in my pastorate has been going with me on my visitations for almost a month now. After the morning household chores, he would meet me in my house and together we would visit the houses of our brethren. Often times this young man would ask me questions regarding the ministry. I could sense that little by little, he is starting to enjoy what we are doing. He would also ask me personal questions like, why did i take up ministry? Who were the people that influenced me to go into the ministry? I feel that the passion for the ministry has started growing in the heart of this young guy. Whenever I see both of us doing visitation I remember Paul and Timothy. These men of God who became partners in the ministry have been a great inspiration to me. Just as Paul wanted Timothy to be molded in ministry, I also want this young man to grow in his spiritual life. And if he feels that God is calling him in to the ministry I would be more than willing to do whatever I can to help him. I just hope i will be like Paul to this Timothy!

Too Big A Task!

I went home really late last night. It had been a challenging evening. It was my second time to chair our church board meeting. The first time I did it, everything turned out well and we ended up early. But last night was so tough. I was stressed out compared to my previous chairmanship. Probably one of the factors was that in some of the agenda my name was involved. There was even one agenda that was all about me. Last night was one of the longest meetings we had. Members spoke out, some relevant, some superficial, some helpful while some were just for show-off. But despite the stresses that night, I am so thankful that God sent a big help for me, my senior pastor. He was beside me all the way, coaching me on how I should react to each circumstance, and he thought me when and when not to speak. He was like the Holy spirit at my side guiding me in all my decisions. I'm glad that God made me understand that there is no task too big if you are doing it for God's glory.

Beyond Our Grip!

The sun was about to set, yet we were still rushing to finish the church's newsletter. The Lay-out artist and I had both been busy in the past days, so we both did our best to get the newsletter done before the day ended. We were planning to release it tomorrow but everything didn't turn out well. A lot of pictures were still missing and one column wasn't finished yet. But we still persisted to finish it. We filled the blank spaces intended for the pictures with some graphics and eventually finished the lay-out and editing. We brought the files to the printing shop after the final editing but to our frustration, the printer in the shop was not working. Boy! What a day?! We did our best, but our best wasn't enough. One thing I've learned, some things are beyond our grip. We may not know why it happened but God does. It may seem so frustrating but in the end, it's for our own good.. We will be releasing the newsletter next week, so at least there's more time to finish the unfinished.Thank God.

When Everyone Stands Up!

I woke up at 4am yesterday and headed to church to meet pastor Gerry. We both went to Malabon to attend the workers' meeting at Central Luzon Conference. The meeting started with a typical devotional. After all the announcements, all of the Pre-interns, including me, met together and discussed the formation of our own organization. Ephraim Tolentino, one of the new pre-interns stood up and led the meeting. He proposed, that our group should elect our own officers and be organized. Many stood up and questioned the proposal. Many disagreed with the proposal and some even made their own proposal. While everyone else was standing up, I remained seated and whispered a prayer. "Lord help me to control myself, that I will remain humble when everyone else becomes proud, that I will remain seated when everyone else stands up!

Funny!

It was already raining when I started preparing for church today, so I decided to take a public ride instead of driving my motorcycle. I was the first passenger on the jeepney. Not so far from where I took the jeep, a man without a left arm joined me in the ride. After a minute, a man without a right limb also rode the jeep. Just before the jeepney took off, a cross-eyed man also got in. For a minute, I pondered on that funny experience. Was God teaching me a lesson? Or did He want me to realize something? When I got off the jeepney, I began to analyze what just happened. God probably wanted me to appreciate more the things I have. I am so blessed if compared to those impaired men. I just hope that despite the disabilities of those people, they would come to realize that they are still blessed in many ways!

Spare Some Strength Lord!

I've never heard my Praise team sing the way they sang last night at our final practice. It evidently showed that they were really tired. Most of them are students, probably tired from studying. Some are working and are probably stressed out with their jobs. I myself was tired the whole day, so I gave them some advice. I said, pray tonight that God will strengthen you tomorrow as you lead the worship in singing. We ended our session with a prayer, asking God to give us what we need as we lead the worship. I believe God will be with us as He used us tonight. But still, i'm praying that God will strengthen my praise team!

A Ride with my saviour!

I've never driven my motorcycle as far as I have today. Together with my senior Pastor, I explored the tourist spots of the province of Zambales. We didn't ride just for fun, but we looked for a good place to fit our church retreat on December. Of course, as pastors and people who trust God, we prayed before we left Olongapo. The sun was on its height on our way to the retreat places, but when we were already heading home, the rain started to fall. driving will always be dangerous when the road is slippery and so I felt a little nervous when the rain started to soak my jacket. As I was driving, a thought crossed my mind. I remembered Jesus' experience with His disciples while they were facing not only an ordinary rainfall but a wild storm. His disciples probably felt so nervous while strong winds were pushing and pulling their boat. But Jesus, in His capacity as a God, felt the doubting hearts of His disciples which made Him wake up and stand before them. He asked them, "Where is your faith?". I guess, if Jesus was riding with me in my motorcycle He would have asked me the same question.

Who Gets the Glory?

I am fond of watching “Pinoy Dream Academy” a musical reality TV show where contestants are trained inside an academy and have the opportunity to perform to the public once a week. One night I was watching one of the performances, a contestant named “Bugoy” conquered the center stage and the audience were all shouting and cheering for him. While watching, a thought struck me. Bugoy is so famous now, he gets all the attention and support from the public. But what about those who have been training him like the voice teacher, mentors and coaches? Do people care to know about them? After a while, I found myself relating this thought to our church experience. People stand up on the pulpit, rendering songs, giving inspirational messages and sermons, but the question is “Who gets the glory?”. Do we care if our songs lift the name of God, who in His power has given us our talents, or we just want to showcase our talents and be popular in our church? Do we ever think of saying “praise God” when somebody appreciates our performances? There is an invitation from Jesus Himself to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works(singing, speaking,praying,charity works) and glorify your Father which is in heaven". (Matthew 5:16) Mark the word “glorify”. Did you know that the word "glorify" or "glorified" appears in the Word of God a total of 25 times. There's one verse where God talks about bringing glory and honor to His house, His temple. And on one verse, Jeremiah 30:19, God says He will glorify His people. But in all of the other 23 references, do you know who the subject is of that verb "glorify"? It's God Himself.
Isn't it challenging that Matthew 5:16 encompasses our lives on a 24/7 basis, but it certainly hits the one hour on Sabbath at church. If the congregation applauds after your number at church--fine, acknowledge it. But pass it right along to God. If they say amen, or compliment you, or lift you up in any way, deposit the glory at God's throne. Remember that our first purpose on this earth is to bring honor to Him, to praise and worship Him and perform for His glory.
Notes: 1. The Four Faces of Jesus By:Robert K. McIver

Back-Biting: The Christian Way

I have been so discouraged these past months of my ministry in my pastorate. Sis. _____ has been winning a lot of brethren for her campaign probably to prove that I'm not a good pastor. I wonder what God wants me to do with her. I can't see myself confronting her, how then should I react? Should I remain silent?Should I tell someone about it?
Well, God has been so good. He led me to the right decision. I was reading my Bible yesterday on Mark 7 and He showed me the best way to approach such people. I was amazed on how Jesus treated the Pharisees. He didn't confront them, neither told His predicaments to other people. Instead, Jesus approached the back-biters in most just and kind way. He spoke and quoted from the scriptures. I think God is teaching me to love the unlovable. To care for them even if they don't care about me. And that's what I think God wants us to do with 'back-biters".