MY RADICAL BIRTHDAY...

Today is a special day (for me, at least!).

It's my birthday. I write this at 6:30PM-- killing time before I head off to our midweek service, after having the whole day to myself and the Lord, almost totally secluding myself from my friends; wanting to take time to think, pray and enjoy the day alone (with God). I came out of my apartment in the middle of the day for lunch. By noon, I have received a total of 104 text greetings, and I remember texting back to just one person; not that I'm not appreciative, I just had to control myself from diverting my attention from having a contemplative day. Eccentric though it sounds, that's what I've planned on doing for my birthday- spend it alone.

My personal birthday lunch at Bizu was a blast, in weird way! While I did not splurge (I just had the simplest meal on the menu), I had a party--but a party can never be just for one, but I did have a party for one. Silly, huh!? The only trouble I had was in choosing which cake to celebrate my birthday with. There were just too much to choose from I decided NOT to have cake at all.

My birthday. While a special day had nothing special in particular, no unusual group of folks surprising me with a party or a band of guys with whistles. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just a Wednesday I spent to thinking about how much I have to give thanks for. Perhaps you had a moment like that. How blessed we are. I started thinking about how my personal faith journey has been. How much I’ve learned and grown. The mistakes I’ve made and how I have been able to overcome them despite myself. Decisions and choices made. Dreams - some unfulfilled, but dreams worthy of dreaming just the same.

Family. Friends. Good work that matters and great colleagues. Life. Health. Freedom. A place to call home. Peace of mind. Clarity of thought. I had a good time and came out overwhelmed. It occurred to me that I should not wait for another birthday to be thankful. But birthdays lead us to remembering, assessing, naming: lest I forget or take for granted, or assume too much brilliance on my part, God’s abundant presence in my life. And all the unexpected ways and places where God shows up in people and circumstances to provide little miracles, manna and sustenance for my journey.

BACK FROM EXTREME ZERO

Well, I had a blast last weekend at Extreme Adventure Camp!

Extreme Adventure Camp is one of GCF Crossover Ministry's two major out-of-town weekend events. The other one is called Crossover Conference. How are the two different? The Conference, which normally takes place in October is more geared towards spiritual retreat, study and physical respite. Extreme is more of adventure-filled camp at the end of summer-- an Amazing Race of sorts, with games and activities that have spiritual implication, coupled with worship and teaching to corroborate the theme and spiritual implication of the games. My assignment this weekend is to lead a devotional message, man a game station, and facilitate a men's buzz group.

To begin with-- there was this funeral car on the road with a hilarious license plate (LAS 114)! My last name is LAS and finding my name on a license plate of a funeral car just felt a wee bit creepy in a hilarious kind of way!

Rizal Recreation Center is a lush tropical Christan resort and conference center in Laguna run by the Rev. Joe Mauk, together with Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation, and Tom Randall, a Christian athlete/missionary. After 3 hours of driving a scenic route, we arrived at the resort, immediately realizing that there is another camp going on- the college camp of CCF (our neighbor church here in Manila).

Rev. Joe Mauk, a missionary in the Philippines for 28 years now, is known for his collection of and passion for spinning tops! Yes, tops! His largest to is 28 kilos heavy and requires more than 100 kilos of scrap metal hauled up by a pulley on a tree and ten men to spin (see video below)!

We proceeded to the covered court for the morning worship and devotion. The praise and worship was led by Archie Sy. My Gossip Girl/Grey's Anatomy-inspired devotions ended with the people's overwhelming excitement for lunch!
The afternoon games were amazing! Too bad I wasn't able to take photos of the whole event because, like I mentioned, I manned the pool-side activity station which confined me withing the pool area all afternoon!

Our speaker was Col. Mike Asperin (Ret.), an elder at GCF and leader of the JOSHUA Ministry, GCF's arm reaching the Philippines' uniformed men and women. It was a Purpose-Driven Life sort of preaching series that allowed the campers to discover their purposes. Fifty percent of the campers were newbies-- a number of unchurched, a few moving up from the Youth, and a number of church attendees who were never involved in any activity other than attending services.

One of the things the resort is known for over any other resort/camp sites is the buffet! The food got to be overwhelming for me at times. Everyone had to forget about their diet and decided to go on a splurge last weekend.

Over a little conversation with Pastor Chris, he mentioned that the Extreme Camp '08 is his last program with Crossover and he'd praying for a pastor to take the reins of the Crossover Ministry since he's married late last year. He and his beautiful wife Jo-ann are expectant parents. Recently, he was assigned to be Assistant Pastor for the Quezon City District.
Sometime last April, he approached me and asked if I would consider leading the growing and exciting ministry to young adults and singles just as he was being transitioned into district leadership. After some not-so-deep thought about the matter, I figured, my heart and passion is for the Worship Ministry. While I do get excited about ministering to folks my age, my heart cries for worship. I told some of the leaders in Crossover that if ever, I could spend 70% of my time with worship and 30% with Crossover, just as I would have spent my work time at Covenant Presbyterian should it (had it) push(ed) through.

Over my quiet time at camp, I wrote in my Moleskine that in my life as a young adult thus far I have learned two valuable things: 1. Days that begin with a devotional quiet time are better than days that do not; 2. God's sovereign will is inescapable! Whatever God's will is, there is no escaping!

THURSDAY AT THE MOVIES

Prince Caspian and Christianity.
On my days off, I either write something on my Moleskine or watch a movie at a nearby mall when something good is out.

This week, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian came out! I can never be more thankful for having Christian parents who instilled in me the value of books and reading. The Chronicles of Narnia were stories I heard at bedtime from them until I was old enough to dish out books from the school library and read them on my own. My early exposure to the stories wired me to like the movie.

The novellete Prince Caspian is not exactly the strongest in the seven-book Chronicles. It's more of a transitory section to advance the series. 1300 years after the Pevensie kids left Narnia, the Telmarines have invaded and populated the land, driving the original Narnians to extinction. The inhabitants purportedly found their way to a then-leaderless Narnia after "a great famine". More importantly, it is also the site of a 'chink' that leads from Earth to Narnia. Six pirates and their wives from our world were shipwrecked and fell through this gap into Telmar, producing lines of proud, warlike descendants, the Telmarines. These are the Telmarines who eventually invade Narnia, at the time in disorder, after a famine in their own land and attempt to rid the country of its magic. It is from this line of Telmarines that Prince Caspian is descended.

Aslan is portrayed by Lewis as the Jesus Christ. Aslan's father (the "Emperor-Over-Sea") is God the Father. Some believe the story is a parrallel to Moses and the freeing of the Israelites. Edmund and Lucy assist Prince Caspian in his attempt to get to Aslan's country (over the sea) in Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

More obviously, the new Narnia can be seen as a parallel to the modern world, in which old beliefs are scoffed at. "Who believes in Aslan nowadays?" asks Trumpkin when he first meets Caspian. Those who "hold on", like the badgers, are praised: this links with Lewis's views on religious faith. Faith is another of the major themes of the book.

Ben Witherington writes: It ıs always a dilemma for film makers as to how strickly to hew to the original story lıne and this film certainly takes more lıberties than its predecessor for sure sacrıficing a literal renderings or reproduction for better action and flow.

I actually don't much mind this since the original story needed a bit of help but it would certainly have been more helpful to keep in some of the more Christian philosophy of Lewis (quoting the line 'Things never happen the same way twice' is insufficient to explain things). Lewis was perhaps the most influential non-Calvinist apologete of the 20th century and these films have an opportunity to explore that and so explore a world where all things are not predetermined by the active or passive will of God. The opportunity is missed to pursue this line of thought more effectively. Oh, and wait, I love the closing song, The Call by Regina Spektor.

A Trip to the City.
One of the things I most appreciate about being single guy having two very-special-and-in-every-way-platonic female friends to hang out with is I get to watch intelligently-written chick flicks like Sex and the City without having to observe other men look at me like I'm some other gender-confused guy. I have seen a number of mostly enjoyable and intelligent chick flicks with my two friends. And, my two friends don't mind watching man flicks with me-- like the boring and almost-a-silent-movie, The Assasination of Jesse James (but I have the feeling they went with me because of Brad Pitt and nothing else).

Back to SATC.
While I do not approve the values it sublimenally promotes, I like the writers' style and how some social realities are revealed (and I'm happy for the necessary cuts made by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, cleaning up the movie a lot). As a Christian, it made me think about the values, expressions, felt and deep needs of 21st-century humanity. It got me to thinking: How do people continue the process of maturing and advancing on their spiritual journey? I think at the heart of it, spiritual growth has to do with one’s capacity to first love him or her self in a way that inspires constant renewal and personal transformation – and then through the grace of God, love others as we love our selves.

The movie was long with too much talk- well, the talk is part of why I like about it- but that's just it, while I did not fall asleep, I did think that the movie could've been shortened, and the writers could have gone straight to the point-- 2 hours and 20 minutes of PURE talk is just way too much for a man who likes words! For a time during the movie I thought I'd rather watch car chases and sword fights than a group of 40+-aged ladies in an Upper East side restaurant talk about boys!

But I must say also that we guys should watch stuff like that once in a while for our own benefit. We get to enter the world of women without being intrusive- we don't have to ask them questions that would reveal who and how they are, all we need is observe. It may help men understand how women are wired. That's why I'm glad I have these two friends I get to watch with. A quip like, "She was an smart until she fell in love" jokingly said though it was by a female reveals a lot of the female psyche!

GODWINKS

Dragged into the Sunset.
Through my office window I see the beautiful burst of orange light cast by the reddish sun bidding to set. I love sun sets, they catch my attention, but they also kick in the thought that darkness is falling. Suddenly, as I approached the the nearest window to admire the sunset, I felt like I was being dragged into another night. But darkness isn't permanent.

You’ve had another one of those days. Everything seems uncertain. You think: Wouldn’t it be great to wake up one morning and have everything be certain? Certain in love? Certain about your job? Certain about your future? Who could you talk to about this? Bigger question, who’d listen? Then your mind quickly assesses the immensity of your request. You want God to listen to you, right now. How ridiculous. There are six billion plus people on this planet. What if they’re all calling God at the same time? You slump. Deeper into the dumps. (srushnell)



Then--something happens. A little silly thing. God attracts our attention and then really puts us to the test. When we remain faithful, God's faithfulness abounds. Discouragement and disappointment turn into hope and victory.

I had just received an email from a friend who is relieved and overjoyed at the result of a recent crucial activity his church engaged in. The activity involved a major decision- a step taken that will issue a whole new era in their life as a congregation! In an earlier email from another member of that congregation, the person expressed frustration over the long process the church was dragged into. But now, the dragging has come to an end. From that experience of a long drag, the church has learned many things- things God wanted specifically for the church to discover. They are now ready to soar- something the church wasn't able to do to its full extent-- but now...!

A weird process. There is something to learn about in the process, and I found a lesson in the first verses of the 40th Psalm. It begins like this: I waited patiently for the Lord. I was beginning to learn that one must be patient. In time, the Lord inclined toward me and heard my cry. The lesson is: the wondrous importance of being listened to! God allows us plenty of time to come to the place where we know we are heard.

Then there are three more steps that God takes with people who wait patiently. The Lord lifted me up out of the desolate pit, freed me from the miry bog. I wasn't down in the pit anymore. Then there was the next step: The Lord placed my feet on the rock, making my steps secure. With my steps secure, I was out of the miry pit, out of the bog, on secure ground. Then the Lord put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.All of this comes from waiting patiently and patiently and patiently. That's the process God takes us through. I marveled at that process, weird though it may be for me. Maybe for the very first time in my life I was not trying to interfere with God. I was not giving God my timetable. I was not making demands of God. I was putting my life out there, and saying, "God, do what You will with who I am."

The purpose of our lives is to learn. God, in showing us a path, may be pointing us to a place where we will learn the most, even though we may be expecting and hoping for a place where it is easy and calm. Finding ourselves in a quandary (dilemma), inching forward with great difficulty, thinking and rethinking, trying and failing and trying again, may be just exactly what we are meant to do. God has put us into a place where we will grow deeper and deeper in understanding.There are times in our lives when God has enough faith in us to put us in a difficult place. Let us have faith in ourselves that we are able to finally see our way clear. How do we find our way clear? Wait patiently on the Lord. Listen to the voice of the blind man who said: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me, that I may receive my sight." Make his words our prayer and we will discover the benevolence of the universe. God will respond to our prayer in ways far beyond anything we can do by ourselves. (nymarblecaliandro)


Godwink, small talk and a Concert Series (?)


Squire Rushnell, author of a famous new book coined the word, "Godwink" - It's God communicating with you-- in a nonverbal way-- making a little miracle happen, right in front of you. This odd little coincidence-like moment, or answered prayer, He’s sending you--you… out of all of those billions of people--a direct personal message of reassurance.
In some "Godwink" moment I found myself sitting around the "three wonderful women in my life" in the last seven years! While it's common to see all three of them together, finding myself in a fun conversation with all three gave me that "Godwink" feeling!

Boots Dizon (middle in photo) was Music Ministry coordinator between 2000 and 2005- instrumental in many innovative things in GCF's worship life. It was around 2001 when I joined the Worship Staff to Lead Worship and plan worship events. with her assisting in coordination and follow-up of musicians, among other things she did with total finesse. In 2005, she resigned and has since completely involved herself in full-time mothering two teens, and working as road manager of her all-female singing group 4Word. She is one of the most committed praise and worship team members, and now a part of the Worship Planning Team I lead.

Lo Chua (in white) was Ministry Assistant from 2005 until she became Director for Ministry Information Support Service. She did Boots' job with equal finesse even though she is not as "creative and musical" as her predecessor. Her dedication and industry caused her "early retirement" from the Exalting Ministry to head the Support Ministry staff!

Ruby Poyos is the current Ministry Assistant designate for worship and music. I've never met any other woman so alert and enthusiastic as she- always ready to lend a hand. She's a "Jackie of all trades and a mistress of many things!" combined with her sincere and discernible heart for worship! She's perfect fit to assume the thrones vacated by the first two!

...together, we came up with a possibility of a GCF Concert Series to help retire the church's debt for the multi-million dollar ministry center and sanctuary we're housed in. We'll see what happens!

CONFRONTED....

Again, I had been confronted by the truth of a song.
I was sitting in the Church Library this morning in between services with a CD player in front of me trying to scoot through all the music collection as I plan out the worship services the coming quarter. In the last few days I have looked through the sermon topics for the next three/four months; gleaning ideas from it and prayerfully formulating worship themes. Having established the themes, listening to both old and new music, flipping through songbooks and octavos pretty much occupied my time.

(My sister-in-law walked into the library with my nephew, Jared who had just come out of Sunday School. Jared asked if he could stay with me, read some kiddie books while his mom worshipped. He complained of hunger so I gave him money to get a burger and coke, which he gladly ate with me joining him sitting on the library steps. He finished, and read on.)
For a particular worship theme, I chose Sandy Patti's God of All of Me which I intend for our Music Director, Jai to sing. Again, I found myself confronted by the truths it contained. Surrender and Sacrifice.

Surrender.
Surrendering implicates one's inability to go on alone- a problem which many people don't think they have to begin with. But in God's economy of things surrender is a fruit of another lovely word is grace. Even the cognate words of grace are all positive: gracious, graceful, gratis, gratitude, Graciás, graced. Who could not like grace? But an experience of grace should always result to surrender- not defeat, but surrender and sacrifice.

Accepting grace implies helplessness, paralysis, inadequacy. Many people have a hard time admitting they need Prozac to hold depression at bay or that they need food stamps and some welfare to help make ends meet. Shame often attends those who are on the dole, who are dependent instead of independent. That's true even when the assistance being granted through medication or some government program is restricted to just one area of life. Embracing grace, however, says something about the whole sweep of our existence. And for some that's just too big a load of shame, disgrace, and dependence to accept.

Sacrifice.
Ultimately, the courage to be requires the courage to let go. To let go is to sacrifice. The word sacrifice literally means to render sacred.

When we give up our life we render it sacred unto God, and Jesus returns it to us, but with a difference: what we get back from Jesus is a cross-shaped life in which service and the doling out of cups of cold water in his name mean more than the sum total of the rat race ever could. We receive from Jesus a life which, to some people, looks like "no life" whatsoever. We live a gospel which offends those who refuse to surrender. "But don't be afraid of those folks," Jesus gently says. "If you've surrendered to me, then I've got you. I've got you, and I'm not letting go. Ever."

Father take my heart, Hold it in your hand

Be the God of all of me

Father take my life everything I am

Keeper of my soul, God of all of me