Friday, August 29, 2008

spotted: love is all around

Good thing I found a little window of time to write my thoughts down before LIFE PURSUITS Conference begins in three hours.

As I was having lunch at Virramall a while ago. As I waited for food to be served, I found myself in the middle of a section comprising five tables, mine being at the very center. All four tables on my both sides were occupied by dating couples! It felt a wee bit weird for a time because I thought any one can spot obvious the difference! And so, I figured it wasn't a big deal that I was eating alone in what seemed to be a couples only section, I observed. I observed love.

There is no doubt that many of us could provide a working definition of love. We would say something about being selfless, we might describe a feeling, we might even say something of a romantic nature if we’re talking about our partner. Maybe, someone would quote a scripture verse or two about God's love and love for neighbor.

I always believed that the best way to know what someone believes about love is to watch that person love. If you spend some time around a couple you begin to understand something about the nature of their love, or lack thereof. Watch parents with their child and you will have a sense of the quality of their love. If you spend enough time with two friends you will know intuitively whether love exists in their relationship or if their bond is about something else.

Observing love may be a limited way of defining the nature of love. After all, a couple may act differently around others than they do when their alone. In some sense, that's good. We might say that emotions aren’t always observable. We cannot determine what someone is feeling generally by observing them occasionally. Furthermore, some people can fake it really well. But when we really spend enough time around someone we can begin to determine something of the nature of their relationships and commitments. In other words, if you want to know what someone believes or values watch them love.

I love to see love all around. But like they say, "there's more to life than just watching people live it!"


THOUGHTS IN THE WEE HOURS

It's been two hours since I arrived home from a concert and late dinner. Over dinner, I began to feel so sleepy-- my eyelids were way heavier than they normally felt and chewing was interrupted occasionally by embarassingly big yawns! My day had been quite full, and I figured that I am no longer accustomed to spending more than an hour in a cab on heavily trafficked roads on the way to one of the busiest sections of the city. I must say however that the amazing choral music at the concert made my evening (Boublil and Schonberg's One Day More keeps ringing in my head)!

I hate it when it's past 12 midnight and I am still not asleep. And so, for no other reason aside from merely wanting to doze off to the sound of a bunch of Britons conversing with their cute English accent, I'm watching, yet again, Pride and Prejudice! Watching it always makes me sleepy...well, it should, and I'm wondering why the chick flick's magic of making me fall asleep isn't working!

Anyway, just a thought I feel I have to write down.

Over the last several days, I have been learning a truth someone I know dreaded to come face to face with. Truth is something we all need to face no matter how dreadful they may be. Embracing truth unlocks the doorway to a life expressed in joy and profound gratitude despite the obstacles that confront us.

How do we finally come to acknowledge this? We reach a point when we can no longer pray with words because we get lost in them. But through the Spirit’s inward intercession with sighs too deep for words, He gives us peace. If we allow ourselves, we can receive this great gift of God in which His Spirit is that one interceding for us.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

PREACHING IN CHAPEL

It isn't very often that I get to be invited to speak at my alma maters' chapel services.

A couple of years ago at the university where I studied, I delivered a sermonette followed by a silent meditation at the Chapel of St. Andrew to a group of students of liturgics and some seminarians at a solemn evensong in the Anglican tradition where I had to wear an alb. The songs were sung in the tradition of high church Anglican chants that made me have goosebumps; the worship mood was so solemn that I felt like I was talking to myself. Good thing the students came up to me at the cloister coffee time to say they were blessed, otherwise...

chapel

A few weeks later, I was asked to preach in community chapel in Bible College. Speaking on The Burden of Nehemiah, the energetic Wesleyan-Methodist chapel service was invigorating to say the least- perhaps because it was closer to my Baptist tradition.

02052008167

On Thursday, I will yet again deliver a message in chapel at the behest of the Bible College chaplain. The chaplain sent me a text message asking if I could preach on "Don't Just Do it" (giving your best in doing your homework). Firstly, students don't need to be told that- that's a given! A student is supposed to study just as a burger is supposed to be eaten! (I have no idea why I used burger as an analogy to students--I don't even think they're analogous), but you get the point! Second, I think that kind of a sermon topic is more of a rebuke than an encouragement to them. I don't want to stress them out in chapel! Chapel services in Bible college are supposed to be times of refreshing for students. But then, the Word of God is "inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

We'll see what happens as I prepare.

I'm off to the University of the Philippines to watch a concert!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

...PANTS ON FIRE

Busyness has kept me from blogging! Each time I feel driven to write, something important comes up. I even worked during the holiday and dragged four people with me! I totally forgot about my little fern plant sitting on my balcony, now half of its leaves are brown!

Anyway, now I have time to write. Lately, I have been faced on all sides about "truth that matters." Beginning last Monday to today.

On Monday, prior to my all-day meeting with the Worship Planning Team, I was met with the Executive Pastors at church with the Rev. Ben Brown, Pastor of the International Baptist Church of Singapore who shared a personal story about his church's ministry involvement of distributing Bibles in a communist country At first he sounded like he was condoning the communist party's action on banning the importation of Bibles printed in foreign countries into their land. But he also mentioned that the governement of that country is gracious in that it allows Bibles to be printed within the country if requested! He says that it's just the same as the US Immigration does not allow individuals to bring in fresh animal meat products into US ports of entry. The problem with other groups is that they illegally import Bibles into communist soil and engage in lying when the communist allows its printing within their territory!

He also mentioned about the miracle that took place when they were distributing Bibles. Their group brought into a town boxes containing 342 Bibles. He looked at the large crowd of 600 people excited to get their BiblesHe then looked at the boxes and was afraid of disappointing a couple of hundreds who won't get a Bible that day, but his group went on. One by one, individuals came. Dr. Brown personally handed them their copies. After an hour, there were about two hundred people left standing in line. Do the math, my friends!! He looked at the boxes again and saw that there were only boxes each containing 45 Bibles- again do the math! After a Bible to the last man in the line, Dr. Brown had a copy left in his hands! With tears in his eyes he looked up and said, "God, did you just perfom a miracle? If you did, why do I still have one Bible left?" As soon as prayed that a woman who was guarding the door ran to him and asked for a Bible.

Four people from his team from IBC Singapore witnessed that miracle. In another town a couple of days later, the same miracle happened, but this time, everyone in the team witnessed it- 300 Bibles, 600 people, and everyone got a copy! When they had given away Bibles to everyone, he had four Bibles left in his hands. Ben Brown asked God, "What will we do with what's left?" As soon as he said that he heard a pastor ask one of his teammates, "Do you have four extra Bibles I can give to my non-Christian neighbors?" They did not distribute Bibles illegally and they witnessed a miracle! But then I was confronted with another question- are those that distribute Bibles illegally committing a sin?

On the other hand...

I was reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran Pastor who in late 1943, started working on essay titled “What does ‘Telling the Truth’ mean?” He was involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. In Bonhoeffer’s particular context, telling the truth- "we want Hitler dead!" might be the right thing to do in principle, but principles alone weren’t going to stop the murder of over 6 million innocent people. You see, if he told about his designs for Hitler’s death, Bonhoeffer would certainly be killed; if he didn’t then maybe he and his compatriots might have another chance to stop the senseless killings. His context required that nothing – not even the truth – could be taken for granted.

dietrich_bonhoeffer

Eventually, Bonhoeffer was executed for his role in the plot against Hitler, and he never would finish his essay on truth. But what we have of it is more than enough to provoke the mind and heart. In the essay, Bonhoeffer considers the case of a young boy who is asked by his teacher, in front of his classmates, “Is it true that your father often comes home drunk?” The boy indeed had numerous recollections of his father’s drunken state, but under the watchful gaze of his classmates, and the accusatory manner of his teacher, the boy denies his father’s drunkenness. Bonhoeffer goes on to comment, “One could call the child’s answer a lie; all the same, this lie contains more truth – it corresponds more closely to the truth – than if the child had revealed his father’s weakness before the class…It is the teacher alone who is guilty of the lie.”[1]

Bonhoeffer reaches this surprising conclusion because, he argues, truth is not an objective utterance that can be judged right or wrong; rather, truth exists in a web, in a context of relationship, which is guided by things larger than mere principles: by love, care, respect and honor. The young boy Bonhoeffer describes must also answer the question of his father’s weakness in a specific context – the context of love, care, respect and honor of his father. It is true that his father drinks excessively, but the father is more than just a drunk; he is the boy’s dad. The teacher has failed to recognize this context, and has thus crossed a boundary by using truth as a weapon to harm and shame. He creates a situation that would destroy relationship rather than foster it. Thus, Bonhoeffer concludes that the boy answers truthfully because he chose to honor context and relationship by disobeying principle.[2]

And in my quiet time I read about...

The story of the birth of one Hebrew boy at a time when the king ordered the murder of every Hebrew boy at birth. He is not killed as was required by royal decree; instead his mother and sister plot to save his life. They’re cunning and brilliant; manipulative and heroic. They place the baby in a basket, and set it down the river Nile in the direction of the palace where Pharaoh’s daughter lives. Apparently, the baby’s sister had access to the princess, and when the child is brought to the princess his sister is there to advocate for him. She suggests a Hebrew woman to nurse the child, which just happens to be the child’s mother. Thus, the Moses is saved, the family unit is preserved, and in time another Hebrew boy, like their ancestor Joseph, will dwell once more within the home of Pharaoh himself. Now you tell me, did this mother and daughter act untruthfully? Because of their courageous actions Moses will grow up in the household and under the protection of the very man who ordered his death at birth, and under Pharaoh’s patronage and tutelage he will grow to be the great liberator of his people. The irony of it all! [3]

movie-10commandments-01

These are incredible stories, all of which serve to expand our understanding of the value of relationships, of the nature of truth, and of the character of God. They are unpredictable and unsettling. They pose important ethical conundrums. Is it any wonder that Paul wrote: “O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are God’s judgments and how inscrutable God’s ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord (Rom11:34)?” [4]

The God we worship isn’t bound. Who has known the mind of God? How unsearchable and inscrutable are God’s ways!

___________________________
1 Rev. Jose Viera, Truth That Matters CCNYC 081708
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 NIV Bible

Saturday, August 23, 2008

SUNDAY WORSHIP: CAPTURED BY GRACE

While I giving some encouragement to the Chancel Choir before their rehearsals this afternoon, a thought came to mind- the unique role of musicians in scripture, and the role of music in our life as individuals and together as the people of God! I found it a bit hard to thank them for their ministry without breaking.

This morning (and tonight), they sang (will sing) a beautiful anthem titled "Were It Not for Grace" which they have done a number of times before. I knew they were rehearsing a different song for today's services, but about two weeks ago as I met with the Worship Creative Planning Team to design the service, the Lord directed us to asking the Choir to sing this amazing song from the cantata, "My Redeemer Lives." Today's sermon title is Blinded to See the Light- the Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)- thus, we thematically developed the worship service with God's amazing grace as a focal point, and there isn't a more approriate anthem to support the preaching than that song.

Since I lead normally worship every second and third Sundays of each month, the other Sundays in which my other worship leaders are assigned, I dedicate to either my regular oversight of the services and ministries, or taking opportunities to minister some place else. Today, I sat in the congregation. During the offetory, Willie Co and the Choir sang the anthem- I was so moved I felt a drop of tear run down my right cheek. After the song, I looked around and saw that I wasn't the only one reaching for a hankie. There wasn't a dry eye in the 2100-seat room. By the time Dr. Ben Brown, pastor of International Baptist Singapore (guest speaker) preached everyone already heard a sermon in a song. But his preaching gave more substance to an amazing spiritual meal. Everyone was reminded beautifully of God's powerful grace that captured us.

A couple of weeks ago, Joey, our Worship Service Stage Manager and I were having coffee in between services when he asked, "Pastor, what would you be doing if God did not call you?" I answered, "I know where I'd be...wandering down some pointless road to nowhere...I know how that would go...forever running but losing the race, were it not for grace." He said, "Hey, isn't that a song?" I said, "Yes, and that basically sums up my story...and yours."

It is always good to be reminded afresh, day by day, of God's grace. It keeps our feet on the ground, and not take pride of the accomplishes God has so graciously allowed for us to experience. It propels us to share our knowledge of God's grace with others who like us equally need it.

Yesterday, I met a college guy in a Christian gathering. Within 10 minutes since I met him, he started trying to impress me (us) with his knowledge of a particular subject, and eventually confound me (us) with the vastness of his acumen. In no longer than 30 minutes into the meeting, while we talked about giving away Starbucks gift certificates as prizes to some attendees to an event we were planning, he said, "Not everyone likes Starbucks...I know I don't." Another guy retorted, "Well, you shouldn't assume that you'll get a prize." I was so repelled by what I believed to be his sheer self-centeredness I no longer wanted to hear anything he had to say. All through the meeting and into lunch, I didn't talk to him. But as I ate, I was reminded, "Where would I be if God was repelled by the pride I possess." After lunch, I reached out to him, shook his hand and pronounced a well-meant "the Lord graciously bless you."

As the people of God, we are called to the Ministry of Reconciliation- the message that God is calling people unto Himself through Christ, and all humanity to reconciliation with one another. As part of that which has already been reconciled to God, the worship and glory of God is now our highest calling and priority. The Ministry of Recociliation is the message we proclaim in order that all people might come to a point of knowing Christ, being reconciled to God and live their lives for Him in worship.

...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting men's sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors,
as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ's behalf:
Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I would have made it better in school if only I had a smarter seatmate!

Eleven years is a long time, don’t you think? Take a moment and think about it. The year was 1997. Where were you were ten years ago? Where were you living? Working? Who were you dating? Who were your friends? Are they still around? What have been the gains and losses during those eleven years?

I would have made it better in school if only I had a smarter seatmate!

Unfortunately, I did not learn everything I needed to learn in life in school. No matter how smart the folks I hung out with or sat beside back in the day, there are things I never really learned. I wish that seminaries and Bible colleges will include "Business Administration," "Accounting" and "Management" courses in their curriculum, because now I'm forced to do things related to such subjects in the context of ministry, and I feel so inadequate because I never had the slightest exposure to them. What can I do? All of them come with job description! Regardless of the fact that prior to my Theology and Ministry degrees, I majored in journalism- thus, my love for writing, and took a course in Worship/Liturgical Composition. It doesn't take a genious to figure out that those concentrations ever came under the shadow of business administration.

Everyone is a life-long learner, and I have no problems with learning new things. In fact, not very long ago I realized that I can open a print advertising firm with my five-year-old young knowledge of Adobe Photoshop. I've started making videos using a plain Windows Movie Maker program, as I am learning in the process of learning the more complex and professional-grade Adobe Premier Film/Video Editing system. Anyway, that's not really the issue.

In mid-June eleven years back.

I opened an envelop containing a letter from New York City informing me that I had been selected to participate in an international exchange program. It told me to pack my stuff, prepare my passport, and be ready to be received by the host university around this time of the year eleven years ago. Leaving a pretty girlfriend behind, a family that was just beginning to recover from a mother's death, and a church I so loved, I was in the dorm at 5AM, August 22, ready for a new school year, a new exchange program, unaware that much of what I have yet to learn would be some of the major stuff that God would want for me to learn for ministry and life.

The housemother coming out of my room excited to explore the unfamiliar university campus, meet new people and check out some churches I can visit while I was there. The Rev. Pearl, an Anglican priestess clearly told me to go to bed because I just had a long trip and needed a rest before the evening's welcome gala. I was like,"The Gala isn't happening til after 13 hours!?" I snuck out and explored.

There was an instance in the middle of the program when certain things that happened in the past began to sink in- homesickness, my mother's death from which I never really recovered til that time, a heart-wrenching break up followed by an almost whirlwind romance turned sour as quickly as it took form, questions concerning the validity of my faith and everything I've always believed to be true. I began to feel insecure in the middle of what may seem to many as otherwise- a scholarship, an exchange program, new friends, a bright future.

It was in a beautiful sanctuary of a church called "Knox" on Caroline Street where I felt that somehow, in the deep resources of my heart and mind, I believed that, God was taking me- one step at a time, one day at a time, with new horizons waiting for me and divine possibilities that I could not even imagine. I just knew that, one day, my life would be better.

How good it was to stand on that holy ground one more time! The experience was as life-giving – life-changing – as before. People started to walk into my life and our lives begin to interweave. Their struggle was my struggle. My pain, their pain. Their hope our hope. They were for me, God making Himself tangible for me.

uchea 97 2
with Anna Gille (US) and Siswinanto (Indonesia)

One thing seems certain: Jesus is forever showing up in places and circumstances that seem dead and hopeless. He is forever bringing new life and new possibilities into the lives of people who cry out for him. And, I am convinced that God is in that place and God is where we are now - ushering us into something better. Making the world just a little more whole.

It would be good to think back once more over the past eleven years to where you were in 1997. Remember all those persons whose loving touch helped you on your way, helped you to arrive at this point: those friends, neighbors, siblings, parents, co-workers, children. And, remember those whose lives you touched. Perhaps more than you can count. More than you will ever know. Doesn’t it feel good? Doesn’t it feel good? My soul says, “Yes! it feels God's goodness.”

Thank God for amazing and smart seatmates who make this life journey better!

ubchea 97 1
International Partnership Scholars 1997
Hosts: Trinity University (PH), University of Waterloo (CN), American College India (Madras), Central Philippine University (PH), Pacific Lutheran (WA), Drake University (IA), , Tokyo Women's (JP), Satya Wacana University (IN)
Top (L-R): Dantes Tan (PH), Priscilla (IND), Vinoo Gladstone (IND),
Jon Las (PH), Jeff Cornelius (IND), Aiko (JP), Dharish David (IND), Jen Baumgarten (US), Josy (US), Kyung Won Baik (KOR),
Middle: Jeyadev (IND), O'Hara (CN), Pante (PH), Andi Swanson (US), Yuuka Shiomura (JP), Siswinanto (IN), Anne Gille (US), Marj (Taiwan), Inah (PH), Nadja (MAL), teacher, Bonifas (IN)
Bottom: Selva Meenkshi (IND), Fan Kit Yan (HK), Arvin (PH), Loretta Ho (HK), Sayaka Nishikawa (JP), Noemi (PH), Kinuko Fukami (JP), Wiwilai Sangsuwon (THA), Petra Williams (US), Obungen (PH) Rhee Min Hee (KOR), Ramil (PH)
Not in photo: Mariel Picardal (US), Amy Mack (US), Sasha Rickard (US), Jonah (US), Troy (US), Kasanun Sangthong (TH), Amy Lewis (US), Tina Dulay (US)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

GOD WINKS WHEN NOTHING'S LEFT BUT BANANAS

I love my days off. I get to go back to bed and sleep 'til around 11AM after doing my devotions and morning prayer around 6!

Waking up late in the morning, I walked to my fridge to find out that there's nothing in it but bananas, milk, orange juice, peanut butter, strawberry jelly, a box of Chinese green tea, a bag of chili powder and cheese...oh, and a bag of un-ground coffee beans, among other stuff with questionable nutrition content! There's no real food but bananas! Bananas and orange juice for lunch isn't all that bad...It's even healthy, I guess! For some reason, I've been having this unusual craving for bananas lately. Maybe I'll have chili powder for dinner? I guess that's all a part of the exciting life of a single-- so many things happen like ending up eating chili powder!

CIMG0417

I just finished stuffing a plastic bag with the week's laundry which I'm bringing down to the mat later. I have a meeting at four with the Worship Creative Planning Team (on my day off!). I might have dinner and watch a movie at Eastwood later tonight with my amusing artekulet (yeah, I spelled that right!) friends (one is wondering lately why she isn't in a relationship yet, the other has been nursing a wounded heart for the last three hundred years-- seems like).

That's pretty much my day! Unless God winks and sends in a great surprise, an amusing situation, a blessed appointment! He does that. Some people just can't see it because they choose some other vantage point.

I'm the type who loves and thrives in routine. But there are times when I choose to take a different direction to break it. That helps me from keeping my head down and hustle, and hustle, and look up one day and wonder, "How did I even get here?" It's keeping my head up and staying on the lookout for God's hand at work, or His appointment just around the corner. Otherwise, I will have trouble realizing it immediately.

And when there aren't any signs of God-winks anywhere, we are not without hope. In fact, that's all we need to keep our heads up and eyes open. "All I have left is Hope.”

On Monday, I was having coffee at the Promenade at the end of the day- a holiday. I saw a friend four years my senior who, back in the day (about eight years ago) seemed to have the perfect life: a beautiful, successful wife; a cute little baby; a lovely house in a nice subdivision; financial success; and a strong faith. Regrettably, life had drastically changed. The marriage had ended; he rarely saw his kid; he lives alone in a studio; and he is still financially strong, but without they are "money without meaning," so he says. The only thing that seemed to remain constant was his strong faith. He tells me that when opens his fridge all he finds are bananas, and is satisfied. "All I have left is Hope” says he.

banana

That simple comment is a testament to faith, although I have to admit that I used to dismiss it as naïveté or denial. I was frustrated by what seemed like a cliché use of faith. It's what old maids say about their future romantic life. It's what people say to convince themselves out of their pathetic life and feel better. “All I have left is Hope.

Hoping and wishing are two different enterprises. While we often speak of them synonymously, theologically speaking they are quite different. We tend to use the word or concept of hope to describe what we want for ourselves or for others. “I hope Heather calls.” “I hope I win the lottery.” “I hope he doesn’t get hurt.” “I really hope I get this job.” You see, our use or understanding of hope tends to be pedestrian; not unimportant, but pedestrian nonetheless.

Yet theologically, Hope is something altogether different. Hope is an act of faith; it isn’t something that simply happens to us or for which we cross our fingers and close our eyes. Hope is the determination to act and to live, expecting that God’s will be done. Hope is often that which is contrary to our instincts or inclinations, perhaps even difficult. Yet, as my friend would say, there comes a time when all you can do is to live Hopefully.

I marvel at people who have the courage to live this way- hopefully, and I wonder what it will take for me to follow their example and thus be the bearer of God’s Hope in this world. What will take for you? Imagine what you know of your tomorrow (actually why wait for tomorrow?) and ask yourself “How can I be the bearer of God’s Hope right now, right here?”

Monday, August 18, 2008

SUNDAY BAPTISM AND MONDAY REST

Sunday. I had a rather emotional morning baptizing six young people, the last of whom in the batch is a real good friend- Justine, a girl I've known since she was five, now a bright-eyed beautiful twelve-year-old. She's a daughter of one of our volunteers worship leaders, Kit, editor of a business newspaper whose wife Ruth, is a member of our Worship Creative Planning Team. I don't get to baptize often because as worship pastor, my presence is needed in the new worship center. Incidentally, I was asled to baptize last Sunday, the same day Justine is scheduled to be baptized.


Baptism was set to happen after the preaching in relation to the topic based on Acts 8 where Philip the Evangelist explained the Gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch. Baptisms take place in our old worship center where the baptismal pool is, and the ceremony is fed via a closed-circuit television system.

While we waited for the Director's queu from the new worship center, I gave some thoughts to the kids about our view of baptism and gave final instructions, and just had sheer fun spending time while we waited for the queu. Noticing that one of the kids, a 13-year-old, stood four inches taller than I am (I'm 5'8.4"). I asked if I could actually do a "practice" baptism with him in the pool. He agreed.


Finally, our queu came. The kids one-by-one came, each shared a brief testimony and was baptized. Then it came down to Justine, my 12-year-old friend. As she walked down the steps into the pool to join me in the water as I called her name, memories of her as a little kid who used to sit on my lap and ask for a story, who used to sit beside me as I practice piano in the choir room, who used to sit with me on the floor while we made art stuff in between services- now going public with her faith and willing to be baptized. In my wallet is a little piece of art work she made for me when she was six.

She read her testimony. I lifted my hand and as I pronounced the baptismal formula ("...I baptize you in the name of Father, Son and the Holy Spirit"), my voice cracked a bit, and I had to pause, overcame by emotion.


After the service, all her godparents (at her dedication as a baby) who sat around the baptismal pool earlier brought some goodies and food in celebration of her baptism which we shared at the Fellowship Hall. Justine walked to me and asked, "Why did you pause?" I told her, "I paused because I didn't want to cry infront of 2000 people!"

Monday. A holiday- Ninoy Aquino Day! I slept almost through the day- something I have not done in quite a while! I always knew I needed that but never had the chance until today!


Sleeping hours were interspersed with two movies, and a short paper work.

Ninoy Aquino. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., was a Philippine senator and a leading oppositionist to the autocratic rule of Ferdinand Marcos. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (now named the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor) upon returning home from exile in the United States. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the limelight and subsequently to the presidency, replacing the 20-year-old Marcos regime.


The following is an interview by Pat Robertson of Ninoy Aquino in the 700 Club.








Saturday, August 16, 2008

CALLING WORSHIP MUSICIANS!!!!

Many congregations use the piano in worship to accompany songs. Traditional churches use it only to provide variety and to give the organist a break. Others have consciously decided to use the piano instead of the organ on a regular basis. They have discovered that piano accompaniment is not only suitable but preferable to organ music for their style of worship. I do not remember going to Sunday worship where the piano was never played.

At GCF, the piano has been the primary instrument used in our worship celebrations, usually partnered with a syntheziser. Old hymns, modern praise and worship songs, anthems and instrumental offertories were accompanied by the piano and synthesizer. Until about six years ago, GCF never had a regular band in worship!

piano 1

I remember volunteering in the worship and music ministry as a Bible college student and was designated Worship Leader for Wednesday Service, the Sunday 3PM and 6PM services. A couple of months later, my status changed from volunteer to full-time staff, with primary concentration on Designing and Planning Services and leading Sunday Worship!

The worship staff figured that since a younger fellow has taken the baton in worship leadership, it was time to "upgrade!" I remember coming to work one morning excited with the coming of the new musical instruments we purchased! It was an amazing feeling! The first Sunday we used the instruments in worship may be characterized as a disaster! We groped in the dark. Our instrumentalists were mostly amateur and belonged to different bands, which added to the already unfamiliar situation. Some older folks didn't like it. But we knew that the Lord was leading us toward that direction, we just needed to get our acts together. We found ourselves taking baby steps and occasional leaps and bounds! We lost a couple of families to a more traditional church and didn't like the direction GCF Worship was headed.

Worship

We held the first "Instruments of Praise" - an all-day event where we invited everyone who played an instrument in a praise jamming session with famous artists who attend GCF. The event doubled as a recruitment program for new musicians! Out of that event, we recruited dozens of musicians who now comprise our regular worship band!

From a time when all we had were a piano and a synthesizer, we now cannot even imagine our worship gatherings without a complete band accompanying our songs!

We have a number of committed musicians whose lives are a total blessing to the church. But over the years, we have also lost a few of these people mostly to lucrative job offers abroad and individual personal issues they felt they needed to address that made them decide to stop playing for a time, while some simply are tired and in need of rest.

I'm on the verge of planning another "Instruments of Praise." But I'm bent on giving it a different name.

A church our size needs more musicians than we can get. I hope I don't sound selfish, but our church is in great need, and I'm praying for more and more musicians to come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who will commit their skills to Him for His glory.

We need people who listen to the voice of God; people who want to sing to Him; people with sacrifices of praise to give to Him; willing to take the direction He wants us to go.

We can worship without a band, even without a piano. But we want to praise God with what He has given us even as we seek a transformative space that allows for the King of Kings to make his dwelling amongst us in worship (Ps 22:3). Whenever God touches down in a place, amazing things happen.

Pray with me for more worship-driven musicians!

If you're a Christian musician living in Metro Manila with a total heart for worship looking for a church in which to serve, drop me a note: jon.las@gcf.org.ph

Friday, August 15, 2008

THOUGHTS ON BAPTISM

This Sunday, we will baptize fifteen people. At GCF, we celebrate Baptism every third Sunday of the month, and Communion every second Sunday.

baptism

I love how we incorporate the Christian ordinances (sacraments), particularly, baptism, in our worship celebrations because the congregation gets to witness the powerful and moving testimonies and the outward symbol of following Christ altogether. In turn, the congregation is encouraged to see others coming to faith in Christ, join them in celebrating their new life in Him and be able to reflect on their on experience of baptism. An additional benefit to such a practice is that people who are have not yet made a decision to follow Christ in baptism get encouraged to take a step of faith in going "public" with their faith!

Baptism is an ordinance given by Christ to the Church be done to people who have decided Him. While there are a number of modes (manner) espoused by different Christian denominations, GCF, as a Baptist congregation practices full immersion because the word baptizo means "to dip." Baptists believe that baptism is only for those who can understand and profess their faith, and is an external symbol of an inward reality. This is called believer's baptism.

However, I remember a couple of instances when the baptismal candidates were too sick to be immersed- and I'm not talking about flu or cold, but really sick, with open wounds and tubes sticking out of their bodies- so the Senior Pastor opted to perform a "waterless baptism!" In a friendly theological discussion some of the other pastors, myself included, mentioned that we were him, we would have have performed aspersion or sprinkling on the forehead! So, if you're smart, in that statement, you SHOULD have figured out my personal view on the modes of baptism!

In the Orthodox and Catholic tradition, baptism is believed to have salvific (saving) effect.

In Reformed/Presbyterian churches, baptism is the visible sign of entrance into the New Covenant and therefore may be administered individually to new believers making a public profession of faith. Babies are baptized in this tradition with the understanding that baptism extends the Covenant to the households of believers which typically would include children, or individually to children or infants of believing parents. In this view, baptism is thus seen as the functional replacement and sacramental equivalent of the Abrahamic rite of circumcision and symbolizes the internal cleansing from sin, among other things.

Romans 6:4 tells us that baptism expresses our faith in the working of God to raise Jesus from the dead. We believe that Christ died on the cross, buried and rose from the grave and reigning today at the Father's right hand in heaven from which he will come again in power and glory. And that faith in God's working - God's glory as Paul calls it - is how we share in the newness of life that Christ has in himself. In baptism, we profess that we join in the life of Christ.

Baptism portrays what happened to us when we became Christians. This is what happened to us: we were united to Christ. His death became our death. We died with him. And in the same instant, his life became our life. We are now living out the life of Christ in us. And all this is experienced through faith.

This is what it means to be a Christian - to live in the reality of what our baptism portrays: day by day we look away from ourselves to God and say, "Because of Christ, your Son, I come to you. In him I belong to you. I am at home with you. He is my only hope of acceptance with you. I receive that acceptance anew every day. My hope is based on his death for me and my death in him. My life in him is a life of faith in you, Father. Because of him I trust your working in me and for me. The same power and glory that you used to raise him from the dead you will use to help me. In that promise of future grace I believe, and in that I hope. That is what makes my life new. O Christ, how I glory in what my baptism portrays! Thank you for dying my death for me and giving new life to me. Amen."

JesusBaptism

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A COUPLE STORIES FROM SOUTHWESTERN SEMINARY

In our Monday Morning meeting, the Senior Pastor shared a real encouraging anecdote.

To begin with, some of our more mature pastors have recently arrived from a summer residency program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Twelve of our older pastors are in the process of completing their Doctoral Studies, and a summer residency at the Fort Worth campus is required of the cohort.

A number of months ago, our Senior Pastor went to Fort Worth to meet with Dr. Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern to ask for a discount on tuition and fees for GCF students and take great consideration of the dollar-peso exchange rate! Pastor Luis said, "There is no way a Filipino pastor can afford to pay for Doctoral Studies at Southwestern." When Pastor Luis pleaded for a discount, Dr. Patterson took out a .38 calibre pistol displayed on his shelf and jokingly said, "This is self defense to the blatant 'highway robbery' you're instigating!" They laughed. Dr. Patterson went on and said in a serious Texan tone, "Luis, I don't know if Southwestern could afford to provide that much of a discount for everyone you're church is sending."

patterson

On that same day, Dr. Patterson received a phone call reporting that oil was discovered underneath the campus of Southwestern!!! Pastor Luis said, "Paige, I believe God has just provided us an answer to our need!"

swbts2

Southwestern Seminary celebrates its centennial this year. Since its founding, Southwestern has sent out more than 40,000 graduates to serve in local churches and mission fields around the world. In 1908, B.H. Carroll established the seminary on the campus of Baylor University. It was moved to its current location on Seminary Hill in Fort Worth in 1910 and was placed under the direction of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1925. Paige Patterson was elected as the eighth president of the seminary in 2003.

Southwestern Seminary however is not without its controversies. The most recent major one surrounded the firing of Dr. Sheri Klouda from her post as Professor of Old Testament Languages in 2006. She became Assistant Professor two years prior to Patterson's election as President by the same Board of Trustees that elected her to her post. Klouda was the only woman in the School of Theology that conferred upon her a PhD, which in effect gave her the "authority" to teach. Dr. Klouda needed to be fired and replaced as a professor because she was a woman.

In the summer of 2006, Sheri was graciously elected to a professorship at Taylor University in Indiana, where she is appreciated for her work and for the contributions she is making to the academic community there.

klouda
Dr. Klouda signing a covenant of adherence to the Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
at the 2002 SWBTS Convocation

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

THE MYSTERY GIFT GIVER

Mystery Giver Strikes Back.

Only two good friends of mine know this and I didn't want to blog about it because I found it really creepy, plus, I didn't want to sound like a total brag. But now, I feel I should at least write about it.

Around Christmas, I received gifts from an anonymous human being. The gifts range from little trinkets to imported candies; but the most expensive was a nice red tie from Marks and Spencer which I choose not to wear! Then the gifts stopped coming.

Tonight, coming home from Bible study, I opened my mailbox in the lobby to get my mail and found an Enchanted movie VCD with a Post-It message that reads "A gift to you, Mr. Unit 7**! Now, if that ain't creepy enough, I don't know what is. But I'm watching the movie now still trying to figure out who it came from! But that will pass. I figured, I must be thankful for the gifts!

One of my friends said it could be from a girl living on my floor, or a mother who thinks of me as her son. Another friend asked "What if it were a dude?!" I prefer the first two possibilities- they're more flattering! Haha!

enchanted

The first time I saw Enchanted I was far too tired and sleepy to enjoy the Disney flick. So besides the song "True Love's Kiss" I didn't remember any other until Joy made me listen to Jon McLaughlin's "So Close." I'm actually enjoying the movie for the first time now!

However, I must say, I never really liked fairy tales and prince-princess romance stories! I live in the real world where a man doesn't have to slay a dragon or fight a wicked witch; where a man doesn't have to travel on horseback to a castle far, far away to save a damsel in distress.

A Long Phone Talk One Afternoon.

This afternoon, busy as I was with so much stuff to finish for Sunday, I received a call from a girl in his twenties. The call seemed haphazard. The caller didn't have any any specific topic in mind or a case to present. It felt like a random phone call from a kid wanting to talk with a buddy on a lazy afternoon last! Honestly, receiving such a call was the last thing I ever wanted to get this afternoon. I was sick last night, my morning was full, and my afternoon was just as cramped.

rotary-cell-phone

But I didn't want to be rude by saying goodbye and just hang up. I listened to her, answered her random questions, and continued working on my computer. It was a struggle for me who has a one-track mind to talk on the phone and work on three different documents that involved writing, editing and planning!

Sooner than I expected, the real topic emerged: "love life!"

For a woman who is turning 28, she is concerned that her time's running out, and her are chances getting slim. She feels that she will never be complete until a man enters her life. I felt the genuineness of her concern. She's not alone facing such a predicament. I know a host of others. However, I felt I wasn't the right person she should be speaking with about it. But I was so moved, I offered to pray for her and gave some godly encouragement.

I told her to choose joy. I repeated the words over so it will sink in her head somehow. Sometimes, it's best to say something over and over to get that hang of it! But, there was not much joy in the situation to focus on. There were no silver linings. She felt there was no way she could look on the bright side of things. It was dark. I hope she understood me saying, “Well, we’re just choosing to trust in God that He’ll take care of us, etc.” We’re going to choose joy.

Joy definitely doesn’t make perfect sense sometimes. It’s not a scientific equation that states: if you do this and that, it will always equal joy. Not always. There are times where we obey out of fear. Even with a little bitterness. But when we choose to follow Christ with joy, I know it blesses Him ... and us.

THE MYSTERY GIFT GIVER

Mystery Giver Strikes Back.

Only two good friends of mine know this and I didn't want to blog about it because I found it really creepy, plus, I didn't want to sound like a total brag. But now, I feel I should at least write about it.

Around Christmas, I received gifts from an anonymous human being. The gifts range from little trinkets to imported candies; but the most expensive was a nice red tie from Marks and Spencer which I choose not to wear! Then the gifts stopped coming.

Tonight, coming home from Bible study, I opened my mailbox in the lobby to get my mail and found an Enchanted movie VCD with a Post-It message that reads "A gift to you, Mr. Unit 7**! Now, if that ain't creepy enough, I don't know what is. But I'm watching the movie now still trying to figure out who it came from! But that will pass. I figured, I must be thankful for the gifts!

One of my friends said it could be from a girl living on my floor, or a mother who thinks of me as her son. Another friend asked "What if it were a dude?!" I prefer the first two possibilities- they're more flattering! Haha!

enchanted

The first time I saw Enchanted I was far too tired and sleepy to enjoy the Disney flick. So besides the song "True Love's Kiss" I didn't remember any other until Joy made me listen to Jon McLaughlin's "So Close." I'm actually enjoying the movie for the first time now!

However, I must say, I never really liked fairy tales and prince-princess romance stories! I live in the real world where a man doesn't have to slay a dragon or fight a wicked witch; where a man doesn't have to travel on horseback to a castle far, far away to save a damsel in distress.

A Long Phone Talk One Afternoon.

This afternoon, busy as I was with so much stuff to finish for Sunday, I received a call from a girl in his twenties. The call seemed haphazard. The caller didn't have any any specific topic in mind or a case to present. It felt like a random phone call from a kid wanting to talk with a buddy on a lazy afternoon last! Honestly, receiving such a call was the last thing I ever wanted to get this afternoon. I was sick last night, my morning was full, and my afternoon was just as cramped.

rotary-cell-phone

But I didn't want to be rude by saying goodbye and just hang up. I listened to her, answered her random questions, and continued working on my computer. It was a struggle for me who has a one-track mind to talk on the phone and work on three different documents that involved writing, editing and planning!

Sooner than I expected, the real topic emerged: "love life!"

For a woman who is turning 28, she is concerned that her time's running out, and her are chances getting slim. She feels that she will never be complete until a man enters her life. I felt the genuineness of her concern. She's not alone facing such a predicament. I know a host of others. However, I felt I wasn't the right person she should be speaking with about it. But I was so moved, I offered to pray for her and gave some godly encouragement.

I told her to choose joy. I repeated the words over so it will sink in her head somehow. Sometimes, it's best to say something over and over to get that hang of it! But, there was not much joy in the situation to focus on. There were no silver linings. She felt there was no way she could look on the bright side of things. It was dark. I hope she understood me saying, “Well, we’re just choosing to trust in God that He’ll take care of us, etc.” We’re going to choose joy.

Joy definitely doesn’t make perfect sense sometimes. It’s not a scientific equation that states: if you do this and that, it will always equal joy. Not always. There are times where we obey out of fear. Even with a little bitterness. But when we choose to follow Christ with joy, I know it blesses Him ... and us.

Monday, August 11, 2008

A DIRECT RESULT OF WORSHIP

Yesterday's worship at GCF.

It's been a month since we have started reformatting our services at GCF. The Spirit overwhelms us by gracing our worship experiences that may be described as journey into God's throne room.

As Worship Pastor, I hear a lot of commendations from a number of individuals about the wonderful experience of worship they've been having at when we gather. There has been a noticeable change in the way the people in the congregation respond in worship! People whom I have not seen raise their hands in worship have started doing so. There is a growing sense of joy in worship from the Spirit!

While people come to me to express their sentiments, there is a small group of dedicated worshippers who meet each week to pray, seeking the Spirit's and planning the services that is encouraged to see people worship and have a genuine encounter with God! Every commendation acts as an affirmation that what we envision for GCF's worship life is what the Lord has had in His mind for us. The new Worship Creative Planning Team has been on a journey of discoveries and rediscoveries, sensing together that we are being led by God's Spirit in the planning and execution of the worship celebrations.

jing-013

jing-012

Early in June, I did a blog entry expressing my heart concerning worship at GCF, after figuring out why the Lord allowed for my move to Indiana be postponed. I started praying for four things to happen in our services. I see each being answered in varying degrees!

1. A NEW THING (Isaiah 43:19)

2. DESIRING HIS RENOWN (Isaiah 26:8)

3. DESIRING HIS NEARNESS (Psalm 73:28)

4. LIFE CHANGE (1 Corinthians 14:24)-

The Saturday before last, I was preparing to rehearse some worship songs with the choir when my office phone rang. The front desk officer of the church insisted that I come down immediately because I was the only pastor available and that there was a man in tears needing someone to speak with. I had the counseling room prepared and came down quickly. I came into the counseling room and saw a man in his 30s with his eyes that looked like they have been shedding tears for a fairly long time!

I asked God for discernment and guidance. After a formal introduction of who I am, I sat and asked him to join me in prayer. He admitted he's a bisexual and is in huge trouble! That's all I can share at this point. I tried sharing the Gospel with him but he kept saying he's Roman Catholic, he didn't want to "convert", he just needed someone to talk with. I asked that he will never be freed unless he decides to trust Christ. He listened, but he did not make a decision. I told him to come try one of services when he has time.

Last night after the service, he came up to me, looking a lot better. He said, "Pastor, Christian worship service is so new to me. I have never seen so many people so happy and at peace! I don't know how to explain this but I felt an overwhelming sense of peace when you were leading us in songs....I don't know the songs but I wrote the words of the one that moved my heart the most."

Between the pages of a neon green covered notebook were the words:

'Taking my sin, my cross my shame...
when I fall down you pick me up, when I am dry you fill my cup...
Jesus...You are my all in all.'

He goes on to say, "I am now feeling a lot better, Pastor. I feel secure and safe. I have decided to break free from my past. When the older Pastor said that I should trust Christ, I remembered what you said. Tonight, I did. That means I am a Christian already, right?"

I smiled and said, "Yes. Yes, you are!" He looked at me and said, "God is here...and I am going to attend services from now on until my visa for ------ is approved. When I go abroad I will look for a church like GCF."

I don't know with you, but that is a direct answer to my fourth prayer item- that when we worship if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in...he will be convinced...he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

IN OTHER NEWS:

Heidi and MB. This morning, I got a text message from Heidi (in dark purple blouse) saying goodbye after a three-week vacation in the Philippines. She and MB fly back to North America (to Toronto and Grand Rapids, respectively). It was fun seeing them in church on all the Sundays they were in Manila. They have been very active in GCF the whole time they were serving as missionary teachers at Faith Academy, particularly in Mosaic Growth Group for international young adults. They always came with a treat (brownies, cakes, muffins, etc.) to the Bible study, to the delight of everyone. MB (in pink)said worshipping at GCF was definitely a highlight of the trip!

mb heidi jon ing
me, Ingrid, Heidi and MB at the lobby after church

Saturday, August 9, 2008

THE OLYMPICS AND THE STATE OF PHILIPPINE SPORTS

The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was marvelous. It showcased in detail the Chinese culture and arts that have taken its modern form after thousands of years of refining and preserving!

The fire cauldron was lit by Li Ning who at the the very center of the stadium lifted from his feet and ascended to the top of Bird's Nest and started running on air like those in typical Chinese superhero movies!


beijing 1 beijing 2

Overall though, the opening ceremony was majestic!

What's Wrong with Philippine Sports?

The Philippines sent a mere handful of athletes- a little more than a dozen!

The athletes sent were Harry Tanamor (boxing), Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Joan Christel Simms, Ryan Arabejo and Daniel Coakley (swimming) Sheila Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga (diving), Hidilyn Diaz (weight lifting) and long jumpers Maretella Torres and Henry Dagmil. Shooters Eric Ang and Javier have been in Beijing since last week, while taekwondo jins Mary Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go will only depart on Aug. 11 since their event will begin Aug. 20.

There are countries that have sent lesser number of athletes, but for a nation like ours that became known all over Asia for being one of the most athletic countries and won a lot of golds in the early days of the Asian Games, instead of progressed, digressed egregiously in sports over the last several decades.

If you take note of the names of the athletes we sent, three of them have foreign names!

We sent a little more than a dozen athletes most of whom perhaps were trained some place else, to the biggest sporting event in the world. I don't know with you, but I'd say, that reflects the pathetic state of Philippine Sports! Filipinos know nothing but boxing and basketball!

How do we improve our passion for sports? There really aren't many programs that promote athleticism in the country. I mentioned in my last entry, I met Lloyd Dyson last year when he came to visit Manila from the UK (his mother is Filipina). He was just 16 when I met him but hed already been engrossed with rowing! I know rowing is typically British. But the point is, at his young age, he already possesses the passion for that sport! What caught his attention? What sparked his interest? What did the adults around him do to develop a greater passion for his sport?

We do not have a lot of programs that allow for the discovery of skills in slumber within every kid! As a kid, all I learned to play were volleyball and basketball. We had other kinds of sports at school and I had friends who were promising at every sport. But none of them ever pursued. The most agile friend I had who would have made a great gymnast now runs a small grocery store. A classmate named Donn and his team were some of the strongest volleyball players I've known. Donn now runs a beauty parlor! They are among those who have been discovered to be gifted, whose passion for their sports have been doused by a major Philippine sporting reality!

Reality: IT DOES NOT PAY TO BE AN ATHLETE!

And because of that, sporting has become a mere hobby for many Filipinos. We would excel in our fields according to our own set definition of the word "excellence"! We make it quite well in the Southeast Asian Games. We barely win 10 Golds in the Asian Games anymore. Our involvement in the olympics is reduced to mere participation!

We have a measly national budget for sports! Our supposed sporting experts go to work just to get paid and forget that they are to forge in young lives a love for sports.

The games have just begun. I'm praying for our athletes, and I still hope that the Philippines will get a medal!

BEIJING OLYMPICSAND THE STATE OF PHILIPPINE SPORTS

The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was marvelous. It showcased in detail the Chinese culture and arts that have taken its modern form after thousands of years of refining and preserving!

The fire cauldron was lit by Li Ning who at the the very center of the stadium lifted from his feet and ascended to the top of Bird's Nest and started running on air like those in typical Chinese superhero movies!

beijing 1 beijing 2

Overall though, the opening ceremony was majestic!

What's Wrong with Philippine Sports?

The Philippines sent a mere handful of athletes- a little more than a dozen!

The athletes sent were Harry Tanamor (boxing), Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Joan Christel Simms, Ryan Arabejo and Daniel Coakley (swimming) Sheila Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga (diving), Hidilyn Diaz (weight lifting) and long jumpers Maretella Torres and Henry Dagmil. Shooters Eric Ang and Javier have been in Beijing since last week, while taekwondo jins Mary Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go will only depart on Aug. 11 since their event will begin Aug. 20.

There are countries that have sent lesser number of athletes, but for a nation like ours that became known all over Asia for being one of the most athletic countries and won a lot of golds in the early days of the Asian Games, instead of progressed, digressed egregiously in sports over the last several decades.

If you take note of the names of the athletes we sent, three of them have foreign names!

We sent a little more than a dozen athletes most of whom perhaps were trained some place else, to the biggest sporting event in the world. I don't know with you, but I'd say, that reflects the pathetic state of Philippine Sports! Filipinos know nothing but boxing and basketball!

How do we improve our passion for sports? There really aren't many programs that promote athleticism in the country. I mentioned in my last entry, I met Lloyd Dyson last year when he came to visit Manila from the UK (his mother is Filipina). He was just 16 when I met him but hed already been engrossed with rowing! I know rowing is typically British. But the point is, at his young age, he already possesses the passion for that sport! What caught his attention? What sparked his interest? What did the adults around him do to develop a greater passion for his sport?

We do not have a lot of programs that allow for the discovery of skills in slumber within every kid! As a kid, all I learned to play were volleyball and basketball. We had other kinds of sports at school and I had friends who were promising at every sport. But none of them ever pursued. The most agile friend I had who would have made a great gymnast now runs a small grocery store. A classmate named Donn and his team were some of the strongest volleyball players I've known. Donn now runs a beauty parlor! They are among those who have been discovered to be gifted, whose passion for their sports have been doused by a major Philippine sporting reality!

Reality: IT DOES NOT PAY TO BE AN ATHLETE!

And because of that, sporting has become a mere hobby for many Filipinos. We would excel in our fields according to our own set definition of the word "excellence"! We make it quite well in the Southeast Asian Games. We barely win 10 Golds in the Asian Games anymore. Our involvement in the olympics is reduced to mere participation!

We have a measly national budget for sports! Our supposed sporting experts go to work just to get paid and forget that they are to forge in young lives a love for sports.

The games have just begun. I'm praying for our athletes, and I still hope that the Philippines will get a medal!

Friday, August 8, 2008

OLYMPIC DREAMS

Since I was 10, I have but one simple dream:

To watch the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics LIVE!

As a young school boy, I remember vividly sitting on our carpeted living room floor in front of our old Samsung colored TV watching three Koreans lighting the cauldron at the Seoul 1988 Olympics! Since then, I never missed watching the televised opening ceremonies, and there was never a time I never wished I were there on site LIVE!

gal1988s_l_14

During the opening of the 1992 Barcelona Games, my jaw dropped at the sight of an amazing archer shooting a lit arrow from the floor of the stadium to ignite the cauldron several meters high and away! It was perhaps the most dramatic lighting I've ever seen!

barcelona archer

My mother was invited to attend the National Association of Realtors convention held in Atlanta three months before the 1996 Olympics! It was very disheartening to say the least! All I got from that trip was a black T-Shirt with a nice colorful embroidery of the 1996 Games logo! The Parkinsons Disease-stricken Muhammad Ali shakingly lit the cauldron with both hands.

ali

At the Sydney Olympics 2000, the cauldron emerged from a pool and ascended to the top of the stadium's side via an escalator of sorts, complete with a waterfall! It was beautiful!

freeman_gal_l_10

At the 2004 Games in Athens, the cauldron looked like a gigantic pen that swung upwards after it was lit! It wasn't as fancy as I expected it to be-- Athens being the place where the Olympic Games were born!

Olympic athens

Today, the Beijing Olympics will open and the same feeling as I had at every opening ceremony is rekindled. Again, I am wishing I were there-- in Beijing. Obviously, the television and the internet are the only means by which I can be at the opening.

I don't think my childhood dream will ever get off my head until it is fulfilled. I hope that at the 2012 LONDON GAMES I will be able to actually be at the opening (and closing) ceremonies! (PRAYING! PRAYING!)

In addition, last year, I met Lloyd, a teenager being trained for the Royal Rowing Team of the United Kingdom. He might participate in the 2012 Games! At least, by then I know someone who might actually participate!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

STRANGE THINGS

A Photo. A girl handed me a photo last Sunday and asked if I could give to the librarian so her Church Library ID will be processed. I had no other place to put it other than my wallet. So I slipped it over my own ID. Over breakfast the next day even as I insisted to pay the bill, a relative saw the picture in my wallet and concluded with great joy that I have finally found a girl! No one will know how much explaining I had to do to convince my well-meaning relative that the girl in the picture is just a friend! He believed.

A DVD. My relative realized on my second attempt to explain after his second round of teasing that the girl in the picture isn't in any romantic way related to me, he gave a DVD, No Reservations- the reason being: "besides the fact that you find Catherine Zeta-Jones pretty, you need some romance in your life." Thoughtful. Just a wee bit out of place! I should say though, that I have been wanting to buy a DVD copy for a fairly long time since the price went down from when it first came out. I bought a VCD set several months ago and accidentally leaned over the poor CDs on my bed and cracked 'em beyond use! I'm watching the movie as I type this entry!

no-reservations-3

A COLD. Four day into this really nasty cold, I'm hoping for a miracle for this to go before Saturday worship and choir rehearsals. Last night at our midweek service, I led worship sounding like my nostrils have been stuffed with loads of cotton, and I had trouble reaching high notes. I am feeling a lot better now compared to the last couple of days when I found my head on my office table tucked between my two arms. I knew I should have stayed at home to rest but I had so much things to do! For some reason, the medicines at the Church office hardly worked! I had taken a few pills since I began feeling I was coming down with a cold. I should talk to the HR Director to put in a fresh and effective supply of medicines!


Cold

A NEW OLD BOOK. A week ago, I bought this book by Jim Cymbala called Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire which is sort of like the biography of the church he pastors, The Brooklyn Tabernacle. It now sits on my nightstand. It's an old book really- released perhaps 10 years ago but like it's title, I feel a blow of fresh wind everytime I open it and read a chapter before bedtime. It's inspring, really- inviting people to go back the basics of a life lived out in the power of the Spirit. I dare not do a book review here just yet- I will wait until I read through the whole book. But it is a must read for every pastor! How did it make it to this blog entry titled Strange Things-- well, I have walked past a pile of it in a shelf at a local bookstore, always wanting to purchase a copy but never actually doing it until lately. Now, I wish I read it earlier!

Freshwind


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

EXCITED YET SICK, AND A THOUGHT ABOUT ASLAN

Having been drenched last Friday after Passion Conference, I started feeling sick- coarse throat, a whole lot of sneezing, runny nose, and until after leading Sunday's last worship service, I started coughing real bad!

I had just returned from a friend's birthday dinner at Eastwood. All throughout dinner time, I was tried to not move much, hoping I wouldn't throw up a perfectly good minestra dei frutti di mare. Now I am feeling a wee bit nauseous, and typing this in bed!

I feel so weak. But I am also excited-- tomorrow, I'm scheduled to lead worship in our staff fellowship in the morning, and the midweek service in the evening. But I am weak! I cling to Christ! I cannot do otherwise. I am leading worship this Sunday- for which I am doubly excited, particularly with how the service is designed to flow and all that's supposed to happen! I am always excited to go to church each Sunday and see how the Lord works His will in lives during worship! I always see that God's will is at all times, good, for He is good. But often, His work is not safe in the worldly sense of the word. He wants to change us, and with change come blessings.


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In the wonderful children’s classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis reminds us that the divine-human struggle is fraught with danger. In this famous fantasy four siblings – two brothers and two sisters – find their way to a make-believe world called Narnia through a passageway in an attic wardrobe. There they confront difficult moral and ethical conundrums that will test their character, courage and faith. The story takes inspiration from the Gospel themes of betrayal, death, resurrection, and redemption. The character Aslan is Lewis’s representation of Jesus. [1]

At one point, the two sisters, Susan and Lucy, ask Mr. And Mrs. Beaver to describe Aslan. They ask if Aslan is a man. Mr. Beaver replies:

“Aslan a man? Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know ho is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!,” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and make no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver. “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about being safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”[2]

Our God is good, but not safe. I don’t know if you hear that as good news or not, but many Bible characters discovered in their weakness, it’s the truth. And embedded within this truth lies a blessing that’s beyond our wildest imaginings....


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[1] Stephen Bauman Limping and Blessing, CCNYC
[2] C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, HarperCollins, New York, 1978

Saturday, August 2, 2008

PASSION MANILA 2008

It was drizzling as we walked from church to the PhilSports Arena just a few blocks south. As we made the turn from Julia Vargas Road to Meralco Avenue, the hug traffic build up was a give away that the PhilSports Arena will be filled with thousands of people.

A long line of people surrounded the whole block where the arena stand. The block, let me say, is unusually huge because in it are the Department of Education is, an international school, and a huge football stadium. you can just imagine how people would surround such a big city block!

The line moved and I walked on as I talked on the phone with Jourdan hoping I'd see them somewhere in the line. Before I knew it, I was standing inside the holding area near the lobby where I met James Tioco of Makati Gospel Church, Jayjay Lizarondo of Pasig Bible Baptist, and Beth Murray of Passion who handed me a wristband, and let me in.

I was suprised to find no chairs on the main floor! College kids were sitting on the floor. A kid from church called out my name who saved me a "seat" on the floor. In my mind I said, "Uh-oh, mosh pit!!!" (I hate mosh pits!). I made my way to my saved section when a pastor from the Christian Reformed Church and the Youth Commission Chair of Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches approached me. We talked (occasionally interrupted by "hi's" from people I know, and don't know) until the program began.


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The service began with a video that segued to an awesome praise and worship led by Chris Tomlin and his team. It was beautiful seeing 8000 redeemed sing their praises to the Risen King! We sang The God of this City which was first sung in a brothel house in Pattaya, Thailand by a band of Irish worship leaders who got invited to perform in a bar, and presented Jesus in the process. The song is a prophetic claim that God's own Pattaya-- so is Manil, and everything else!


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Chris Tomlin was joined by Louie Giglio to do some announcements and a presentation of what Passion Movement is. It was good he did so, because until about half an hour before the event, I was overhearing people talk about Passion being a "concert!" It was laso awesome to learn that a month ago at the Passion London, the people there committed to pray for the Manila event, and in turn, Manila was asked to pray for the one for Kuala Lumpur! Just a number of weeks ago, I was reading Tim Hughes' blog about Passion London where 3000 attended.

It's both amazing and disheartening to learn that the Christian Church in the global south (the southern hemisphere) is growing in leaps and bounds, while the northern churches have lost a great number of people due to the imminent secularism and materialism! This is evident in as simple as the Passion Gathering. Passion Kampala Uganda gathered 25,000 students, while the Paris event was attended by 1400. London had 3000, Manila had 8000+! God is moving in the global south! I know He will revive the church in the north too!

Kristian Stanfill led a second set of worship songs- both familiar hymns and new materials! He did a good mix of old and new songs that both warmed our hearts and lifted the name of Jesus!


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Kristian Stanfill and his son, Isaac

ashley akinns The time came for Louie Giglio to preached about the "the Lord's renown" and our role in making His renown a driving force for our existence! He shared about Ashley Akinns and Fruitcake, reading directly from the Ashely's Journal- which is perhaps the most moving story I've ever heard in years (click here to read her story in Louie's blog). Her story, coupled with the Biblical teaching and the Spirit's prompting just made every heart at Passion last night so moved that each life will never be the same.



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The event closed with another "wild" praise and worship time led by Chris Tomlin, interspersed with giving an offering, and encouragements from Louie!


PRAISE GOD FOR PASSION!