ENOUGH GRIT AND GRACE

A cold shower after a real fun dinner and movie, Mama Mia with friends, I sit in front of my computer waiting for the late night news to come up!
My friends and I spent a couple of hundred pesos for dinner and our movie tickets. As professional single young adults, the rising cost of everything doesn't seem to affect the way we spend. Perhaps, the feeling of invincibility of youth still linger- we spend because we can afford, and nothing, no one can stop us!

Tomorrow, public transportation fare goes up: a peso or so for jeepneys, cabs will raise their flag down fare by 10pesos, buses will raise the minimum fare by a couple of pesos. Gas price has gone up almost a 100% in the last three months or so! This afternoon, the students from several universities all over Metro Manila staged a walk out, and marched to the streets in protest of the government's inability to halt the rise of cost of basic goods and necessities. This crisis is global. Whether one lives in the US, Argentina, France or the Philippines, the rising cost of living is felt in astounding ways. It may be not be as strongly felt in Sweden as it is in Thailand, there is no escaping. Is there hope for my country? Is there hope for humanity.

But there is hope. Humanity has thrived over millenia despite all the storms of life, God designed humanity to be resilient. I call that grit - that innate indomitable spirit each human being possesses. But grit is not enough, because grit without grace is can only bring humanity up to a certain point of resilience.


A mini-crisis takes place in the Gospel. I was just reading about it today. Jesus sleeps in a boat while his disciples face a dangerous and difficult storm in the middle of the sea. Even though Jesus was smack dab in the middle of that boat, with his disciples, they were not spared the storm. The clouds and wind didn't say, "Oh, there's Jesus, we better go around. And there are his disciples, faithfully serving him. We'd better side skirt them, too." In fact, the clouds and wind hit so hard that professional fisherman thought they were going to die. And when that happens you know it's got to be a bad storm. [1]

John Wesley was making a transatlantic voyage when his ship encountered a fierce storm. He and others clung to their bunks and hid their heads. Also on that ship was a group of Moravian Brethren Christians. At the appointed time, just as they did every day, they calmly gathered to hold their daily worship service and sing praises to God, in the middle of the storm. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, was impressed. From that moment on he prayed that God would give him the ability to likewise ride out life's storms with the same confidence he saw demonstrated that day. Because grace makes grit more meaningful and a lot stronger.


The disciples, in the midst of their desperation, finally looked in the right direction. My guess is that at first they were looking at each other. They were probably saying, "C'mon John grab that sail harder." "Andrew, steer, row." Some of you may be going to all the wrong places and people for answers. Look to God! He's the only one who can help at this time. The problem for many people is they have never hit a big enough storm. They have never come to the end of their limits or themselves. Have you found yourself praying more in the last five days? Why? Because we realize how dependent we are on God. And we are desperately aware of our limits. That's what storms are. They bring us up short of our limits. [2]


The disciples needed to understand their main problem was internal, not external. Our greatest problems are always those within us, not those around us. Jesus did calm the storm. He did take care of their fears. He did stand up and look at the wind and waves and said, "Quiet, be still." But he didn't take care just of their fear, and just of their felt needs, he went deeper to look at their unfelt needs and he said, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"[3]

Horatio Spafford was waiting on his wife and children to cross the Atlantic. And midway across, a storm capsized their ship and his family was lost. On his return voyage, he asked the captain to stop somewhere in the area where he believed his family's ship capsized. And as Spafford looked over the side of his ship he penned these words, "It is well with my soul. When peace like a river attendth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say. It is well, it is well with my soul." [4]


That's grit and grace.



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1 "God, Don't You Care," Rev. George Antonakos, September 16, 2001
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Christian Worship Hymnal, 1955 Judson Press

WHO WANTS TO BE HAPPY?

Noah, the church's Human Resources Department Administrative Assistant came by my office asking about the movie he was writing a review of- The Pursuit of Happyness. His problem was that he was reviewing a movie he has not yet seen! Given my personality, instead of immediately helping him, I tried to convince him to watch the movie first before even proceeding. Given his bubbly and insisting personality, he bubbly insisted that I tell him the plot and speak my mind concerning the movie! I did. I also told him to check my blog if he wanted to know more about what my thoughts on pursuing happiness!

Happiness. Even the US Declaration of Independence has a clause containing it to highlight its importance alongside freedom, and even life itself. It reads, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”[1] Because they say, life is of no worth without freedom or happiness.

But, whether sacred or self-evident, do you believe you have a right to happiness? I think that’s the way the phrase has insinuated itself into our consciousness. Notice I dropped a few words. I said, “a right to happiness,” as opposed to the original, “a right to the pursuit of happiness.” They are somewhat different things, if you think about it. The former suggests a universal human entitlement. The latter a universal human goal.[2]

You might remember the well-known and well-beloved words in Matthew’s gospel known as the Beatitudes, sometimes called “the blesseds”. In order to make them more accessible, one modern translation presents them this way: Happy are those who are spiritually poor…Happy are those who mourn…Happy are those who are humble…Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires…Happy are those who are merciful…Happy are the pure in heart…Happy are those who work for peace…Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires…[3]

Of course, these are very different from what passes for happiness in today's culture— they have nothing to do with material desires, for instance. Within popular culture, doesn’t happiness equate with having stuff and things accompanying a relatively carefree life? Ever-onward upward mobility, graced with good lovin’, good food, good times and good health?

Think about every other possible thing you believe you need, must have, in order to live fully, completely, as a whole person, freely pursuing your happiness. And then, consider how this pursuit becomes an enormous burden given our tendency to make secondary ends our primary drivers.

We read Jesus say to his listeners, “Come to me, all that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”[4]


But, honestly, we tend to ignore the phrase that invites us to take on his yoke. We’re not entirely certain we like the sound of that. In fact, it sounds kind of contradictory, doesn’t it? Our rest will be found in taking on a yoke? Taking on a yoke sounds the opposite of freedom. But, that’s the paradoxical faith we profess. Laying down our burden at the feet of Jesus, taking on his light yoke, we find our true rest, even, our heart’s deepest desire, call it happiness.[5]



So here, at the end, comes as an invitation to set down the burden of your pursuit. Let it go. If only for the rest of the day. Take on the light yoke Jesus offers instead. Try it on. You’ll find it fits your need like a glove and with it comes a freedom you never could possibly have imagined.[6]

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1 wikipedia, US Declaration fo Independence
2 4th of July 2005 weekend,, S.Bauman Christ Church NYC
3. Today's English Version
4 4th of July 2005 weekend,, S.Bauman Christ Church NYC
5 ibid
6 ibid

"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" SAYS GOD

(The succeeding story appears with permission)

Last night in our Bible study, one guy shared why he was no where to be found by any of our church friends in the last several months. Well, he was going through a phase- a phase I wish none of my readers will ever go through. He'd grown so disappointed with his own life and the things surrounding his circumstances that he came to believe he had no control over the things he was facing and thus he goes through this phase. But even before I continue, let me say that, first, I think the decision he was making in the phase is just plainly insane; second, it's not a decision one makes to get God's attention. He was giving up on God!

While he was sharing, every ounce of who I am wanted to leap over the table, grab his head, shut his mouth and make him listen to what I was about to say. Finally, after detailing all that had to him, I was able to speak. In the spirit of Christian love, I tried to rebuke, discourage, encourage, reprimand, uplift, edify and admonish the guy's soul. That's what the Church is all about- we are a hospital for the broken, the battered, the bruised and the bored.

In my short little speech (since I wasn't the one facilitating), I told him and everyone that the decision to give up on God is in every way insanely inane. I know the word insane is strong, but that's just it. In the process, I told him that we should never give up on God because He never gives up on us. He never tells us "Catch me if you can" instead He says, "Take a closer walk with me because I want a closer walk with you."

During our prayer time, I told him that I was glad to see him and that he should never feel that way towards God ever againm because, if anything, trials and tough times are designed to make us better people, stronger and humbler beings. They are designed to chisel a character out of our rough souls!

What is God's will for your life, and in mine? I want to say something that is very important about understanding the will of God and our ability to discern what it is. God never has very much communicated with people through burning bushes. He chooses chiefly to communicate through burning hearts. Hearts passionately in love with Jesus Christ. If you are really, really serious about finding God's will for your life, but you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then that is the place to begin.[1]

You can divide God's will into his general will and into his specific will. His general will is always, always very clear. We find his general will clearly revealed in Scripture in the area of what you and I are to believe; ethics, morals, life-style, how we are to behave.

But most of our questions about the will of God don't come in that general area, do they? They come in a specific area. Who should I marry? Should I take this job or that? Am I to move? Should I continue chemotherapy or not? A lot of times, we get worked up in tizzy over what God's specific will for our lives is, without grounding ourselves and being sure we understand what God's general will is for our lives.[2]

Like the Christian guy who was fretting over 'Should I move in and live with Anne, or Sheila?' Well, if he knew the general will of God, that would not have been a question at all. He wouldn't have top choose between Anne or Sheila. Read through the Bible with me in its entirety; so that over the years as you will rub up against other people the clearly revealed general will of God, it becomes our anchor. It becomes our guidepost. It becomes the lens through which we can better discern the specific will of God. I can tell you now what God's supreme will for your life and mine is: its that we have an intimate personal relationship with him through Jesus Christ.[3]

Matthew Henry, the great Biblical scholar, one night was walking home and he was mugged, beat to a pulp, his wallet stolen. That night in his journal, Matthew Henry wrote these words: "Lord, I thank you. I thank you that I have never been robbed before. Lord, secondly I thank you that they took my wallet, but not by life. Thirdly Lord, I thank you that I was the one who was robbed, not the one doing the robbing."

The word "thankful." In the Anglo-Saxon it means "thinkful." When we examine our lives, when we think out our lives, when we think about our lives in the light of God's grace and our personal relationship with Christ, it is then we ought to be thankful for a whole lot of things. We have such a God of grace and mercy. Isn't it wonderful that he blesses our lives, not just in those areas where we are thankful. When was the last time you gave thanks for our shampoo?[4]

He continues to bless us, even in areas when we are not thankful. But you know what? When you and I are thankful, our heart beats more closely in sync with God's heart. When that happens, you and I are much more likely to discern God's specific will for our lives.

Martin Luther once said that, "If it were the will of God, I would plant an oak tree today, even if I knew Christ were coming tomorrow." [5]

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1 Sermon June 20, 1999, Dr. Ron Scates Central Presbyterian Church, Baltimore
2. Ibid
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
5. Luther's Sermon, The Bondage of the Will

A SONG, A NOTE, A THOUGHT

INDIANA. HOW JON MCLAUGHLIN BECAME OFFICIALLY MY FAVORITE INDIANA-BORN MUSICIAN!

All I've kept myself updated with the last couple of years has been Christian Contemporary and Worship Music! Then comes Jon McLaughlin!

Yesterday afternoon after the Church, I was demonstrating to Joy, the pianist, how a portable speaker system that I'd just been given by one of the guys in the worship team works. As we were picking what song to play, she clicked "So Close" from the movie Enchanted. I've seen the movie but the song never had a recall for me. But hearing "So Close" again-- every word of it, was close to amazing!

I was just leisurely listening to random music while finalizing this Sunday's worship set when an unfamiliar but soothing tune in the piano started playing; a soft-sounding singing voice of a man started putting intelligently written words to the tune. The title immediately caught my eye: INDIANA! A state name that has become close to me in the last several months, where a number of people I have not yet met in the flesh have taken a special place in my heart!

Here's a video and the words to the song:

I'm glad I never lived next to the water
So I could never get used to the beach,
And I'm glad I never grew up on a mountain
To figure out how high the world could reach.

I love the miles between me and the city,
Where I quietly imagine every street.
And I'm glad I'm only picturing the moment.
I'm glad she never fell in love with me.

For some the world's a treasure to discover.
And your scenery should never stay the same.
And they're trading in their dreams for explanations.
All in an attempt to entertain.

I love the miles between me and the city,
Where I quietly imagine ever street.
And I'm glad I'm only picturing the moment.
I'm glad she never fell in love with me

The trick of love is to never let it find you.
It's easy to get over missing out.
I know the how's and whens, but now and then,
She's all I think about.

I wonder how it feels to be famous,
but wonder is as far as I will go.
Because I'd probably lose myself in all the pictures,
And end up being someone I don't know.

So it's probably best I stay in Indiana,
Just dreaming of the world as it should be.
Where every day is a battle to convince myself
I'm glad she never fell in love with me.

A huge part of me wishes to rewrite this song to fit my situation, but the song is already good as it is!

A NOTE RECEIVED, A THOUGHT CONCEIVED.

A surprising note was handed to me by an anonymous kid last Sunday. He ran quickly as soon as he got the note in my hand and did not get the chance to ask who it was from. In a church with several thousand people, I may never identify who this letter is from.

Hi! I join a number of other people who have been asking why we never see you lead worship in church anymore. Most of the worship leadership on Sundays is done by other worship leaders- who by the way, do a wonderful job leading us in heartfelt worship. Although we see you worship in your usual spot close to the band section- always joyful, expressive and uninhibited before God, yet it still feels a bit different for our loved worship pastor whose 2nd and 3rd Sunday leading we always look forward to not on stage but as a part of the congregation. Some months ago, Pastor Luis mentioned that you're leaving for Indiana, perhaps that is why we hardly see you lead. But we do hope you'll lead us again before you fly States-side, at least 10 Sundays in a row! God bless your heart, PJon. 

When the January to June 2008 schedule of Worship Leaders was made late in 2007, it was prepared with the assumption that I will be in Indiana by now. Obviously, I am not, although I wish I were!

On Sunday, I stand again to lead worship for the first time since Palm Sunday and Easter! I have led only three times in six months! I seriously missed worship leading. And although opportunities to lead worship arose a number of times I chose/needed/wanted to step aside for a while to set my heart straightened up, my mind refocused. My heart was set on leaving in April, my mind had drawn up plans for the worship ministry at Covenant. It has taken sometime for me to recover from a visa denial heartbreak. I still am in the process of a system reboot! God knew that I would need a couple of months to fully recover! I love how God providentially set man's plans in place according to His will!

The ball has started rolling for me. Life is beginning to get back to normal- even better!

Do I still think about Covenant? Yes I do. I'd be lying if I say I don't. Do I still wish to go? Yes, I'd still love to pay my new Hoosier friends that worship on Knox Drive a visit!

Do I still want a sabbatical? Yes, more than anyone would know! I'd still love to ride a bike on these plains.

But I am completely satisfied with what God has for me at the moment.

A NOTCH HIGHER, A DIG DEEPER

On the way to the movies to watch Hancock tonight, I bumped into a lady. I've not seen her in church in a while. The last time she was absent from church for a season was when she went to the States to take care of some stuff. We smiled and shook hands. I asked why I have not seen her in church for some time now.

"Well, Pastor, I now go to another church- where the Spirit is present in worship!"

I said, "I'm glad you still worship eventhough it's in another church."

I continued, "What do you mean by the 'Spirit is present?'"

She answered, "A church where there's more life and freedom in worship, where people can shout, dance, run, lie on the floor and be more exhuberantly expressive to God!"

I told her, "I'm sorry, but I don't think you got the definition of the Spirit's presence right." But even before I finished my sentence, she remarked,

"I mean Spirit-filled. Pastor, you're our favorite worship leader...When my family noticed some months ago that you're not leading anymore and learned of the possibility of your leaving for the States, we decided to move to a more Spirit-filled church."

I seriously prayed in my mind and took every word from her last statement captive and placed it at the feet of Christ. I went on to explain what the term/phrase meant Biblically, theologically and practically as concise as I can.

1. Being Spirit-filled is not a subjective reality but an observable and measurable reality as it was in the life of Barnabas and the deacons named in Acts 6.

2. When the Spirit fills an individual or a community of believers, expect to find permeating qualities of joy, gratitude and humility.

3. When the Spirit fills an individual or community, do not expect to find a life or atmosphere permeated by complaining, discontent, lack of gratutude and arrogance.

4. When the Spirit fills an individual or a community, expect to find permeating qualities like love, joy, peace, kindness, goodnessm faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

After explaining, she said she's coming back to our church. I told her that whether she returns or not really depends on what she wants, and that she should be sensitive to the Lord's will. But I respectfully asked her to stay where she's currently attending and be a blessing to that community. She still said she might come on Sunday.

As we walked away from each other, I wondered about what she said, what I said, and what God might be saying by allowing me to encounter that lady in the mall on my day off!

Quickly, I remembered what WA Criswell once said, "God sends people into our lives just when we need them, to say the right word, His word, just when we need it."

You see, just this week I convened our church's new Worship Creative Planning Team composed of people who have been active in the Worship ministry with discernible hearts for worshipping and serving our first Love, Jesus Christ. The team agreed that we do need to ask the Spirit to take our worship life as a church and as individuals a notch higher! The Spirit has taken our 5000-member church into transitions and growing levels of worship expression. But we believe, with the rest of the Pastoral Leadership, that we must never be too comfortable in the notch the Lord has taken us to. We must ask Him to take us higher in our worship, we do that by knowing Him deeper!

Each August, the Worship Studies class of FEBIAS College of Bible, among other groups from as far as Korea that visit GCF throughout the year, attends our service to learn about the innovations GCF worship has become known for! But beyond innovations and excellence, I pray that we will be known for our heart for and expressiveness in Spirit-directed worship, and a genuine yearning to be led deeper in it.

Does our worshipping community possess a discernible permeating qualities of joy, gratitude and humility? Or is there an atmosphere permeated by complaining, discontent, lack of gratutude and arrogance. Can a visitor find permeating qualities like love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Can a visitor observe and conclude that "God is really among [us]!"?