EARLY CHRISTMAS SURPRISES

There's just so much to write about! But I'll try to make this blog entry as concise as possible.

Second Sunday of Advent Thoughts. First off. It's the second Sunday of Advent. There is a prayer that reminded me at the beginning of this Christmas season of God's amazing power to give peace and hope. It’s called the Serenity Prayer, generally attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr. I’m certain most of you have heard it or read it; it begins this way:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

That’s the part that’s most well known. But it continues like this:

“Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is…not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to his will; that I may be reasonably blessed in this life, and supremely blessed with Him forever in the next.”

Coming across it again a day ago, I thought it sounded like an Advent prayer. It’s a prayer about truth and hope that could become our own if we are willing to open our minds and hearts to the promises we proclaim in the coming weeks of Advent. Don’t be anesthetized by the food and the parties and the travel. Don’t be hounded into a shopping blitz. Instead, pay attention; stay alert; keep awake.

GCF Christmas Concert. For three consecutive years, GCF has presented the Singing Christmas Tree Festival. This year's theme is Emmanuel- Celebrating Heaven's Child. I'm so proud of our Choir, drama team, musicians and technical people! I praise God for their commitment and discernible heart for worship!

(photos by Kate Florentin)

At every presentation time the auditorium was packed! The three weekend presentations gathered a total of close to 5000 people, which the Lord has blessed with a sum of 700 new professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! My statistics are raw at this point, but the numbers are somewhere probably somewhere higher than mentioned.

I simply couldn't imagine how huge that harvest is. Now the Lord tasks the church to follow these people up, disciple them and help them grow in the faith for the building of God's kingdom, ultimately for the glory of God.

In addition to not-yet-Christians who came to watch were some folks from other churches- some came to observe and get ideas, some came for tradition, some were invited by GCFers.

The Spirit of the Lord used the presentations to clearly issue a call for some people tro salvation which is amazing!

Friends and a new friend. A man from Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada came by Manila to spend a weekend to visit and speak with some folks. Sixty-one-year-old, cattle rancher Richie Davies came for that purpose alone, and I believe he got some of the most vital information he needed from his less-than-a-3-day-long trip.

He goes back to Canada tomorrow morning and present a report to his church concerning his very fruitful and meaningful trip. It was pretty hard to shake his hand, say "goodbye" and see him walk away at the end of the day today following the last Christmas Concert presentation because the Lord has beautifully allowed friendship and brotherhood to forge over a simple and short weekend eventhough I know I would see him again.

My GCF co-workers and fold riends helped me in playing a good host to him over the weekend. This afternoon, Cindy Camungao, Kit and Ruth Paraso, Ross Tan and myself had an amazing fellowship over lunch with Richie. Cindy brought her famous chicken - pork adobo and sinigang na hipon, while ate Ruth and tita Boots took care of the rice and desserts!

I will hear from my new friend soon.

Creating authentic community is a driving concept for our cultural moment. Of course, in a very real sense, this has always been the case, if not expressed in the same way across the generations. Human beings have always striven to make sense of how individual identity corresponds to the collective – to family, tribe and nation.

Well you can see how this longing for authentic community relates to Jesus’ summary of the human agenda: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind' - this is the great and foremost commandment, and there is a second like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

THE HEAVENS SMILED AND I FROWNED

THE SMILE

The moment I stepped out of my condominium building at 6:05 last night, I was greeted by an unexpected cosmic beauty- my eyes gravitated towards the unique sight in the sky. The guard at the condo said, "Sir, tonight is a good night to propose to a girl! You will never be turned down, you have the approval of the heavens with a sweet smile!"

THIS PHOTO CAPTURES IT WELL. IT'S HOW IT APPEARED FROM WHERE I LIVE

I have never seen the sky smile that way. The sweet smile was so cute I couldn't take off my eyes off it as I walked to the Promenade where I was going to wait for some family members for dinner. I was so fascinated with the sight that on the steps of the Greenhills Promenade with my turkey sandwich and Greek salad on my lap I sat together with a number of other fascinated people. The phenomenon eventually generated conversations among ourselves. Astronomers later named Venus and Jupiter to have consisted the "eyes" and a crescent moon coming together. So they say, this sends a message of happiness to Earth. It was amazing!

This morning in Chapel Service at Faith Bible College, the amazing Psalm 19 was read as a call to worship. As we stood to read, my mind kept racing to the beautiful sight last night.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

THE FROWN

Since the beginning of the semester, I have tried my best to prepare for each class meeting of the Worship Studies class. Reading ahead, keeping informed, enjoying new learnings-- such occupied my head and heart on days and hours when I'm done with stuff related to my ministry in the local church.

I have said at very the onset that the first half of the semester will involve a lot of reading because we need to study theology and history of liturgy designed to make students understand why churches do what they do. In short, we need to study the reasons behind our practices.

Given my nature and as a way to be understanding of my students situation-- being busy with so much paperwork required in their other classes, I decided not to give any written assignments for them to submit each class metting. All I wanted them to do was read and learn on their own and be prepared for the discussion in class. And to make things a lot easier for them, I printed a hand-out for them to read.

This morning in class, my class saw me FROWN for the first time since the semester began for about 10 seconds, and then my face turned stern. The stern face pretty much loomed over the entire class 'til it was dismissed. The discernible disappointment kept the class clinging to their pens and notebooks to anchor them from wave after wave of disappointed looks from the adjunct professor.

What caused the frown to appear? you ask. Well, I asked a question and saw the entire class flipping page after page over the hand-out I gave them hoping they'd find the asnwer to my question. The problem is, the answer is in the hand-out! And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the students were groping over every page to find the answer that I expected them to already know had they read the hand-out!

I couldn't help but speak of the farce I observed them doing-- flipping pages trying to look smart. I think the class realized my disappointment when I made some comments concerning the "stupid questions" they asked-- questions they do not have to ask if they only read the hand-out. What made me want to flip all the more was when I got the excuse "Sorry sir, but we were too busy to read." Seeing that that comment even made my facial muscles contract all the more-- a combination of smile and frown, one student said, "We're really sorry, sir, we failed to read."

We went on with the discussion all through that gloomy atmosphere until I dismissed the class.

On my way to GCF, I kept thinking of grace, and how I should deal with each student with it. God deals with us with grace. I am reminded of Jeremiah's thoughts in Lamentations 3:22-23, Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. That's how the Lord wants me to deal with each student just the way God deals with me.

But as a way to put grace at work, I have also decided to change the set-up of the class by not giving away hand-outs, re-structure the class discussion, give pop quizes, and have them read on their own. Maybe I expected way too much from them and treated them on a graduate/masteral level. But they're not like that just yet. They need to be treated at the elementary level. But even that is a struggle for me because these people are supposed to be maturing people training to become leaders of evangelical churches.

Some people have yet to learn the value of education. They must learn that now otherwise, I'm afraid that the irresponsibility they display in school might be carried on to their professional ministry in the future and that is not good!

THE KOENIGS' WEDDING

"She is not interested in any guy; I think she has the gift of celibacy!" so I told a guy who confided he was interested in her once, five years ago. I was wrong.

She married Morris Koenig last Saturday. And despite their difference- cultural, age and physical stature (he's 6'4" she's 4'6")- they fell in love and decided to tie the knot.

Brenda was a senior in Bible College when I entered as a freshman. But I think she was already in her thirties when I enrolled, and I learned from her batchmates that was being groomed to become registrar of the college. The year I was going to graduate, she'd enrolled at the Asian Theological Seminary. She met her a couple of years ago through a common friend. He liked her, she liked him back, they fell in love.

It was a simple ceremony and dinner attended by, maybe, around 100 people. And because it was almost exclusive for family and some really close friends, I wondered how and where I fit in in both categories-- other than the fact that we went to the same school, I can't think of any other way we got close. Given that fact, the invitation came as a surprise. I knew she was getting married last Saturday and I really didn't even expect to get invited. But I'm thankful, I did get an invitation.

The wedding ceremony felt like it was just a sideshow to the actual event, a Bible college alumni homecoming- for me, at least. But of course, that evening was for her and her husband, Morris. Morris invited Brenda's friends to coffee at the ground floor of the hotel where they were to spend their wedding night after the simple dinner. And again, I was counted among that number.

The coffee time with some Bible college alumni following the wedding was a delight!

Sad-- I wanted a venti dark chocolate cherry drink, I got a peppermint latte

Girls from Bible college.

My niece uploaded photos of Thursday night's Thanksgiving dinner! That turkey looks amazing-- but what's a Filipino-Chinese feast without pansit (left foreground)!!!!

THANKSGIVING DAY

Until around Tuesday night, I still hadn't decided what passage to preach on for Thursday's Chapel service at Faith Bible College. After some praying and a walk around Greenhills at 12:15AM, the Lord led me to thoughts about developing an attitude of praise and gratitude, since after all it was Thanksgiving day, although the Philippines does not observe Thanksgiving day officially. I was led to preach on Psalm 105:1-7, a great psalm of thanksgiving and remembrance.

I once saw a bumper sticker that says, 'If you can read this, thank a teacher.' Well that is true. But let's think a little bit deeper about that bumper sticker. If you can read it, it is because you are alive. It is because your heart is beating. It is because your eyes can see, and all of those things are nothing less than a gift. Every time we give thanks for something we will find ourselves ending up thanking God- from whom all blessings flow. And so authentic worship and authentic living for Christ always begins with gratitude. Give thanks.

As I was studying and writing the sermon, my mind kept racing to thoughts of communion. The Greek word for "thanks" - efcharisto is the root word of eucharist - a widely recognized word that refer to communion. I felt that having communion on Thanksgiving Day after hearing a sermon on gratitude would be so appropriate. I called the Bible College chaplain and asked permission if I may officiate the ordinance of communion at chapel because I'm preaching on Thanksgiving, and it would be great for the students to gather around the table of Thanksgiving-- a eucharistic celebration. With the permission of the chaplain, I tweaked the worship order by inserting something that had not been planned for.

Yesterday morning, the Bible college community gathered around the table of thanksgiving by partaking of the symbols of Christ's finished work. It was a unique way of observing Thanksgiving! I wish I was able to to take pictures of the meaningful chapel service but I couldn't since I preached and presided over communion.

After lunch, I received an important phone call from Canada for which I am grateful. A church in Canada is sending someone to Manila just to fellowship with me!

Another feature of my day was having had the privilege of spending time with some Bible college alumni who were there for an afternoon denominational district meeting. It was fun hanging out with them, update each other with the happenings in our lives and ministries.

Arriving at GCF at 4:30 for my worship planning meeting, I couldn't help but be thank God for the people who are a part of the team- kindred spirits.

Before my day ended, I got a text message from a friend inviting me and another close friend to watch TWILIGHT (again)! But before the movie we have dinner together-- sort of a thanksgiving dinner at Burgoo. They didn't serve turkey there so I had steak instead, and again, I thanked God for friends.

When you think back over the year on what all many blessings God has bestowed in ones life, through the hard times and many good times, there are many ways to be thankful.

Life can be hard but through even the tears of struggles that fall one can always draw a sigh of comfort and say YES! I am blessed to be thankful for this and for that in my life. God has truly blessed many blessing on me. I sing Praises to him for many things he has deliverd me through and will still deliver me through.

And at home last night, I spent time thanking God for my family, and everything else.

I am thankful for the gift of life and the capacity to find joy in it. I am thankful for finding my little piece of this wonderful earth and the ability to tend and enjoy all the wonders of growing things. I am thankful for my family, my home church and the warmth and safety and support they provide me. I am thankful for the love of my family and of a few good friends. I feel blessed. I am thankful that I am free in Christ.

TWILIGHT

After my meeting with a new clergyman friend, I went and saw Manila's advanced screening of Twilight tonight with Lennie and her friend Greg.

I was just chatting with my nephew in Tampa about it and how the vampire-human love flick fever has swept across America. Apparently, in my chat with Josh, he too has contracted the fever.

While standing in line waiting to get into the cinema, I realized I was surrounded by mostly teen-aged girls-- who were obviously there just to see Robert Pattinson. Because of them, for the first time in a couple of years, I felt like a kid again!

It was a fun movie-- largely due to the fact that every appearance of Pattinson, or a romantic phrase or act, there would be what I could only described as a cacophony of teeny-girly-cheesy-giddy noises accompanied by occasional foot-stomping! I can't blame them, the movie is cute. I would not be surprised if the makers of Not Another Teen Movie-type stupid flicks come up with a spoof of it!

Twilight is a young adult novel written by author Stephenie Meyer, an active Mormon church member. It was originally published in hardcover in 2005. It is the first book of the Twilight series, The novel is followed by New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.

The story goes: Isabella "Bella" Swan moves from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, to rainy Forks, Washington, to live with her father, Charlie. She chooses to do this so that her mother, Renée, can travel with her new husband, Phil Dwyer, who is a minor league baseball player. In Phoenix she was a bit of an outcast, so it surprises her that she attracts much attention at her new school, and is quickly befriended by several students. Much to her dismay, several boys in the school compete for shy Bella's attention.

When Bella sits next to Edward Cullen in class on her first day of school, Edward seems utterly repulsed by her. He even attempts to change his schedule to avoid her, leaving Bella completely puzzled about his attitude towards her. After tricking a family friend, Jacob Black, into telling her the local tribal legends, Bella concludes that Edward and his family are vampires. Although she was inexplicably attracted to him even when she thought Edward drank human blood, she is much relieved to learn that the Cullens choose to abstain from drinking human blood, and drink animal blood instead. Edward reveals that he initially avoided Bella because the scent of her blood was so desirable. Over time, Edward and Bella fall in love.

The seemingly perfect state of their relationship is thrown into chaos when another vampire coven sweeps into Forks, and James, a tracker vampire, decides that he wants to hunt Bella for sport. The Cullens plan to distract the tracker by splitting up Bella and Edward, and Bella is sent to hide in a hotel in Phoenix. Bella then gets a phone call from James in which he says that he has her mother, and Bella must give herself up to James at her old dance studio, to save her. She does so, and while at the dance studio, James attacks her. Edward, along with the rest of the Cullen family, rescue Bella before James can kill her. Once they realize that James has bitten Bella's hand, Edward sucks the venom out of her system before it can spread and change her into a vampire. Upon returning to Forks, Bella and Edward attend their prom and Bella expresses her desire to become a vampire, which Edward refuses to let happen.

No, I won't theologize the movie this time. Sorry to disappoint my theologian readers! Maybe in a another blog entry!