I was so impressed by General George Patton's speech that I had to quote it in full. He is regarded as one of the United States' most successful field commander of any war. He continualy strove to train his troops to the highest standards of excellence. I cannot claim to know in depth who he is. I have read a little about him in my US History classes in college. However, I do admire his courage, tanacity, and "chutzpa". I think leaders ought to have these characteristics - whether in secular or ecclesastical capacities. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Often we read of leaders with serious lapses in character. And whether we like it or not, there is always a greater expectation upon church leaders to behave impeccably, to be above reproach in every aspect of life. I am not suggesting sinless perfection. But then again, didn't Jesus say that we should be perfect as his Father is perfect? Selah.
One of my concerns about our spiritual leaders here in the Philippines is spiritual weakness masquerading as niceness. No person of biblical account who was worth his salt was a wishy-washy, namby-pamby, jelly-bellied, weak-spined coward. They were made of firmer stuff. But this is the fruit of discipline -- something almost unknown to Filipinos, even in the church. Sigh! Pastors are a dime a dozen. All one needs to do is go to a Bible School, pass the course, and, voila, one is a "Pastor". It doesn't matter whether the person is called into the ministry, he passed the course.
I am concerned that the 107 years of evangelical Christianity in the Philippines accounts for a meager 6% of the nation's population. The figure would be significantly lower if we survey how many are mature enough to discern God's will and ways to fulfill their destiny and to disciple others to spiritual matuirty. There is something terribly wrong. I have heard of so many prophecies by locals as well as foreigners that God has a wonderful plan for the Philippines, that we will be Asia's missions launching pad, that we are the burning bush, and other wonderful visions of grandeur. These will be nothing more than rhetoric if we don't get our act together. Someone once defined insane as a person who does the same thing repeatedly but expects different results. Have we become insane? Unless we change how we "do church," we will continue to get the same results over the next century.
Wake up, Philippines. There is a new wind blowing!
Monday, December 26, 2005
General George Smith Patton
Below is a quotation of Genreal George Smith Patton:
"Now, I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.
Men, all this stuff you’ve heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans, traditionally, love to fight. Americans love the sting of battle.
When you were kids, you all admired the champion shooter, the faster runner, the big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war. Because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.
Now, an army is a team. It lives, sleeps, and fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap. The bilious bastards who wrote that stuff about individuality for the Saturday Evening Post don’t know anything more about battle than they do about fornicating.
Now, we have the finest food and equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world. You know, by God, I actually pity those poor bastards we going against. By God, I do. We’re not just going to shoot the bastards. We’re going to cut out their living guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We’re going to murder those lousy Hun bastards by the bushel.
Now, some of you boys, I know, are wondering whether or not you’ll be chicken under fire. Don’t worry about it. I can assure you that you will all do your duty. The Nazis are the enemy. Wade into them. Spill their blood. Shoot them in the belly. When you put your hand into a bunch of goo that a moment before was your best friend’s face, you’ll know what to do.
Now there’s another thing I want you to remember, I don’t want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position. We’re not holding anything. Let the Hun do that. We are advancing constantly and we’re not interested in holding to anything – except the enemy. We’re going to hold onto him by the nose, and we’re gonna kick him in the ass. We’re gonna kick the hell out of him all the time, and we’re gonna go through him like crap through a goose.
Now there’s one thing you men will be able to say when you get back home – and you may thank God for it. Thirty years from now when you’re sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee, and he asks you, “What did you do in the great Worlkd War Two?” – you won’t have to say, “Well, I shoveled shit in Louisiana.”
Alright now you sons of bitches, you know how I feel.
Oh, I will be proud to lead you wonderful guys into battle anytime, anywhere. That’s all."
"Now, I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.
Men, all this stuff you’ve heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans, traditionally, love to fight. Americans love the sting of battle.
When you were kids, you all admired the champion shooter, the faster runner, the big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war. Because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.
Now, an army is a team. It lives, sleeps, and fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap. The bilious bastards who wrote that stuff about individuality for the Saturday Evening Post don’t know anything more about battle than they do about fornicating.
Now, we have the finest food and equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world. You know, by God, I actually pity those poor bastards we going against. By God, I do. We’re not just going to shoot the bastards. We’re going to cut out their living guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We’re going to murder those lousy Hun bastards by the bushel.
Now, some of you boys, I know, are wondering whether or not you’ll be chicken under fire. Don’t worry about it. I can assure you that you will all do your duty. The Nazis are the enemy. Wade into them. Spill their blood. Shoot them in the belly. When you put your hand into a bunch of goo that a moment before was your best friend’s face, you’ll know what to do.
Now there’s another thing I want you to remember, I don’t want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position. We’re not holding anything. Let the Hun do that. We are advancing constantly and we’re not interested in holding to anything – except the enemy. We’re going to hold onto him by the nose, and we’re gonna kick him in the ass. We’re gonna kick the hell out of him all the time, and we’re gonna go through him like crap through a goose.
Now there’s one thing you men will be able to say when you get back home – and you may thank God for it. Thirty years from now when you’re sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee, and he asks you, “What did you do in the great Worlkd War Two?” – you won’t have to say, “Well, I shoveled shit in Louisiana.”
Alright now you sons of bitches, you know how I feel.
Oh, I will be proud to lead you wonderful guys into battle anytime, anywhere. That’s all."
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas
To all of you wonderful folk who take the time to read me blogs, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a blessed and fruitful New Year. It is my sincerest desire that you come to know the Lord more intimately and passionately. May your heart be ablaze with the things that move the very heart of God. Shalom to al of you.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Thanksgiving is just around the corner
This year it will be on Nov 24. Although an American holiday, my family has been celebrating thanksgiving for over 20 years now. Dinner always includes the traditional baked turkey with all the trimmings (liver gravy, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce), cold fruit salad, etc. This is a dinner we all look forward to with great anticipation. The family has grown since we first observed this and now includes grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. This is also a sort of a reunion since we don't get together regularly anymore.
What makes Thanksgiving really meaningful is that we don't gather to just eat and enjoy warm fellowship over a sumptuous and generous spread. We congregate around the dinner table and one by one offer up a prayer of thanks to the Lord who has been so good to us over the past year. Everyone, including the grandchildren old enough to speak, participates. Interestingly enough, this time of prayer is filled with laughter, joy, tears, and most of all, a deep and sincere gratitude to a God who, in the midst of trials and testing, suffering and joy, ups and downs, has always been there. He is faithful indeed.
There is an old chorus whose lyrics have come to mean so much to me over the years.
Think about His love
Think about his goodness
Think about His grace that's brought us through
For as high as the heavens above
So great is the measure of our Father's love
Great is the measure of our Father's love.
How could I forget His mercy?
How could I forget His love?
He satisfies
He satisfies
He satisfies my desires
Great is the measure of our Father's love,
Perhaps you, too, could have a time of thanksgiving. The turkey and other foods are not important. It's just the bonus, so to speak. The important thing is coming together with family (or close friends if you're not with your family) and offer up a prayer of thanks to the One who gave His life so unselfishly for YOU.
Shalom!
What makes Thanksgiving really meaningful is that we don't gather to just eat and enjoy warm fellowship over a sumptuous and generous spread. We congregate around the dinner table and one by one offer up a prayer of thanks to the Lord who has been so good to us over the past year. Everyone, including the grandchildren old enough to speak, participates. Interestingly enough, this time of prayer is filled with laughter, joy, tears, and most of all, a deep and sincere gratitude to a God who, in the midst of trials and testing, suffering and joy, ups and downs, has always been there. He is faithful indeed.
There is an old chorus whose lyrics have come to mean so much to me over the years.
Think about His love
Think about his goodness
Think about His grace that's brought us through
For as high as the heavens above
So great is the measure of our Father's love
Great is the measure of our Father's love.
How could I forget His mercy?
How could I forget His love?
He satisfies
He satisfies
He satisfies my desires
Great is the measure of our Father's love,
Perhaps you, too, could have a time of thanksgiving. The turkey and other foods are not important. It's just the bonus, so to speak. The important thing is coming together with family (or close friends if you're not with your family) and offer up a prayer of thanks to the One who gave His life so unselfishly for YOU.
Shalom!
Friday, September 23, 2005
YOU NEED MORE MONEY!!!
Sure you do! Almost everyone needs more money. Everybody wants more, but it is also quite elusive. But something I am learning is that God never intended for man to either look for money or to work for money (Haven't you noticed that this causes so much stress? How can this be of God then?). He intended for money to both work for you and look for you. Yup, you read correctly, money is supposed to look for you. How does this happen? Come and attend the Principles of Financial Increase seminar that I will be conducting on October 22, 2005 at the Food Dome, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. Registration is only PhP400 which includes lunch, snacks and bottomless coffee and tea. We will start at 8:00am and go through to 5:00pm. Purchase your tickets right away because they're going very fast. Seating is limited. For more details, call (632) 4138595, 9287028, and telefax (632) 9201195.
There are three ambitious goals that this seminar will achieve assuming you put these principles to practice. (1) First, you will realize just how rich you really are. As a matter of fact, you can become a millionaire by the time the seminar is over. (2) You will become recession- and inflation-proof. Never again will you have to worry about the cost of basic goods and other things you desire. (3) Finally, you will learn how to become a money-magnet. You have probably heard that you should let money work for you instead of you working for money. That sounds great, but how! Let me show you how. It's really not as complicated as you probably think. And the best part is that ANYBODY can learn this. You don't need huge amounts of money to make huge amounts of money. (Oh and one more thing, this seminar is not about networking or multi-level marketing. What you will learn here are principles -- principles of financial increase and freedom.)
This is perhaps one of the most powerful seminars on wealth increase you will attend. So don't wait. It's time for the Philippines to rise out of poverty. The power to become wealthy is literally in your hands. Run to your phones and call now. See you there.
P.S. If you don't want to become rich, DON'T COME. This seminar will change your life. Be warned!
There are three ambitious goals that this seminar will achieve assuming you put these principles to practice. (1) First, you will realize just how rich you really are. As a matter of fact, you can become a millionaire by the time the seminar is over. (2) You will become recession- and inflation-proof. Never again will you have to worry about the cost of basic goods and other things you desire. (3) Finally, you will learn how to become a money-magnet. You have probably heard that you should let money work for you instead of you working for money. That sounds great, but how! Let me show you how. It's really not as complicated as you probably think. And the best part is that ANYBODY can learn this. You don't need huge amounts of money to make huge amounts of money. (Oh and one more thing, this seminar is not about networking or multi-level marketing. What you will learn here are principles -- principles of financial increase and freedom.)
This is perhaps one of the most powerful seminars on wealth increase you will attend. So don't wait. It's time for the Philippines to rise out of poverty. The power to become wealthy is literally in your hands. Run to your phones and call now. See you there.
P.S. If you don't want to become rich, DON'T COME. This seminar will change your life. Be warned!
Make Poverty History
For those of you that either know me or have read some of my past blogs, you know that I am committed to eradicating poverty here in the Philippines. Although a tall order, I know it can be done. I have to believe it can be done. I can't believe that the Philippines has had a reputation of being the only Christian nation in Asia (not true anymore now) for so many years for nothing. I'm sure this has to account for something. But even if that were just happenstance, I also believe that we can do something about poverty. This is something that will not happen either by itself or by myself. Together we can do this.
If you click the title of this blog, it will take you to a website that is also committed to fighting global poverty. This is an even more ambitious plan. I am all for it. Hey, we only live once. Let's shoot for the stars! Check out the sight. Perhaps we can start soemthing here in the Philippines, too.
Have a great day! Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.
If you click the title of this blog, it will take you to a website that is also committed to fighting global poverty. This is an even more ambitious plan. I am all for it. Hey, we only live once. Let's shoot for the stars! Check out the sight. Perhaps we can start soemthing here in the Philippines, too.
Have a great day! Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Who is really worse off, RP or US?
It is with much shame that I read the headlines of one of the major dailies today: "US: RP worse off under Noli" (PDI, 092105) I can only agree with this. This has been my position from Day 1. But, as everybody knows, the elections were rigged, and the outcome is as it is. The forces that be think only of themselves and not what is truly best for the nation. This is a travesty and a mockery of the democratic system. Alas, what can I say?
Another front page article betrays the juvenile ways of our Veep when he said: "I don't remember his face" concerning US Embassy Charge d'Affairs Joseph Mussomeli. This is not the way the second highest government official should talk about anyone, especially someone in the foreign dilpomatic corps.
However, lest this become a veep-bashing blog, I feel I also the need to revise the daily's headline to: RP: US worse off under Noli. No reflection on my American friends, but the US is not so much concerned about RP affairs as it is its own. The US has consistently bullied, harassed, manipulated, and controlled govenrments and nations for its selfish ends - case in point, Iraq. Once again the US is applying pressure on the Palace to "set things right." But my jaded question on the matter is, set things right for whom? I realize that the US is not ready to relinquish its strangle hold on Philippine affaris until we have been sufficiently raped and pillaged - in a respectable and diplomatic way, of course. And what is the Philippines doing about this? Lifting up her skirt. Ouch, that smarts!
This begs the question: Although I agree with US sentiments about VP de Castro, should we then shut down the impeachment process or stage a worn-out, no-longer-popular coup, or worse, EDSA 3? Heaven forbid! We can't afford being the laughing stock of Asia anymore! We should let the democratic process take its course. Let the chips fall where they may. And if GMA is ousted, then we deal with the de Castro constitutionally. But we cannot allow our fear of the Veep's ineptitude keep us from doing what is right. After all, we have, since Marcos' time, allowed our political system and electoral process to be as it is. We have only ourselves to blame. Wake up, Philippines, and smell the coffee!
May the Lord have mercy on us all. And may we have the couraage to do what is right - especially so when what is right is also unpopular.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
WLCM Logo II
One of the artists in church got a little creative and made a play on our existing logo. I thought it was really nice so I decided to post it here for you guys to see. You'll probably be seeing more of this as we make more for the various ministries of the church.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Of Civil and Spiritual Disobedience
From the birth of the Church to the present, it seems as though we haven't learned our lesson. It is true that when we don't learn from history, we are doomed to repeat needless mistakes. It is appalling to witness the atrocities and folly done all in the name of God. Once again we are witness to such frivolity and drivel, the mantras of "Gloria resign" that are being thoughlessly chanted in the streets. (This is no indication as to whether I favor President Gloria Arroyo's performance or not.) Once again I aim my disappointments at Christians.
Although I respect the opinions of others vis a vis their position on whether the President should resign or stay in power, I am also not blind to the scandal that is presently hovering over the President and her relatives. Needless to say, this needs to be addressed at the soonest possible time. Trial by media is clearly not the biblical nor democratic procedure for such matters. The President, for her sake and the country's, must face the allegations of fraud and corruption head on with swiftness. The other alternative is resignation.
However, what I find alarming is how Christians publicly cry for the President's resignation. I recall David of Holy Writ, in the presence of then King Saul, wicked to be sure, stayed his hand of execution nonetheless on not one but two ocassions.
Despite repeated encouragements from his servant that this was indeed a God-given opportunity to oust a wicked and corrupt king, David simply replied, "I will not touch the anointed of the Lord." He was so convicted by God when he but snipped a piece of the monarch's clothing while the latter lay asleep. If God dealt with David such how can we, even in our wildest imaginations, condone "Christian" protests (if there can even be such a thing)? How can the church leaders, both Protestant and Catholic, justify deviating from the Word of God and still think their actions righteous? Has the Church lost the ability to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? Must the Church utilize worldly means to effect spiritual change? Has the Church forgotten that Christ commands that we not conform to the patterns and customs of this world? Has she lost her ability to win her battles on bended knees?
I am aware that faith without its corresponding action is dead. But we also need to be aware that carnality is not a reasonable course of action to one's faith. One Christian leader once declared that "in the absence of revelation, common sense will do." It is precisely this paradigm that has plunged ancient Israel into trouble and eventual captivity. Must we await the same fate before we rouse ourselves from our spiritual stupor?
I am left with only two possible options to rationalize some of our brethren's actions. The first is outright rebellion. The Bible condemns rebellion of any kind. It calls for a humble submission to the king of the land and to continually lift him (or her) up in prayer that there may be peace in the land, for ALL authority is established of God. The other alternative is deception through ignorance of the Word of God. Frankly, I don't know which is worse. God's people perish for lack of knowledge.
What then are our options? Do we cry for the ouster of our spiritual leaders? Heavens, no! We would be just as guilty as they. The only Scriptural response is to fall on our knees and cry out to God for mercy. Let God be the one to deal with our leaders. It is not for us to take action against them. Let us not make the mistake of touching the anointed of the Lord. If God cannot deal with them, then perhaps we are serving the wrong God. I am calling the Church to an unconditional but sober (not blind) submission to our leaders - spiritual and political.
Do I sound like I'm contradicting myself? I hope not. I only wish to bring to light some actions which I believe are not congruent with the Holy Scriptures. May the Lord have mercy on us all.
Although I respect the opinions of others vis a vis their position on whether the President should resign or stay in power, I am also not blind to the scandal that is presently hovering over the President and her relatives. Needless to say, this needs to be addressed at the soonest possible time. Trial by media is clearly not the biblical nor democratic procedure for such matters. The President, for her sake and the country's, must face the allegations of fraud and corruption head on with swiftness. The other alternative is resignation.
However, what I find alarming is how Christians publicly cry for the President's resignation. I recall David of Holy Writ, in the presence of then King Saul, wicked to be sure, stayed his hand of execution nonetheless on not one but two ocassions.
Despite repeated encouragements from his servant that this was indeed a God-given opportunity to oust a wicked and corrupt king, David simply replied, "I will not touch the anointed of the Lord." He was so convicted by God when he but snipped a piece of the monarch's clothing while the latter lay asleep. If God dealt with David such how can we, even in our wildest imaginations, condone "Christian" protests (if there can even be such a thing)? How can the church leaders, both Protestant and Catholic, justify deviating from the Word of God and still think their actions righteous? Has the Church lost the ability to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? Must the Church utilize worldly means to effect spiritual change? Has the Church forgotten that Christ commands that we not conform to the patterns and customs of this world? Has she lost her ability to win her battles on bended knees?
I am aware that faith without its corresponding action is dead. But we also need to be aware that carnality is not a reasonable course of action to one's faith. One Christian leader once declared that "in the absence of revelation, common sense will do." It is precisely this paradigm that has plunged ancient Israel into trouble and eventual captivity. Must we await the same fate before we rouse ourselves from our spiritual stupor?
I am left with only two possible options to rationalize some of our brethren's actions. The first is outright rebellion. The Bible condemns rebellion of any kind. It calls for a humble submission to the king of the land and to continually lift him (or her) up in prayer that there may be peace in the land, for ALL authority is established of God. The other alternative is deception through ignorance of the Word of God. Frankly, I don't know which is worse. God's people perish for lack of knowledge.
What then are our options? Do we cry for the ouster of our spiritual leaders? Heavens, no! We would be just as guilty as they. The only Scriptural response is to fall on our knees and cry out to God for mercy. Let God be the one to deal with our leaders. It is not for us to take action against them. Let us not make the mistake of touching the anointed of the Lord. If God cannot deal with them, then perhaps we are serving the wrong God. I am calling the Church to an unconditional but sober (not blind) submission to our leaders - spiritual and political.
Do I sound like I'm contradicting myself? I hope not. I only wish to bring to light some actions which I believe are not congruent with the Holy Scriptures. May the Lord have mercy on us all.
Monday, August 08, 2005
New WLCM Logo Launched
Last July 31 the Words of Life Christian Ministries celebrated its third anniversary. Prior to that, we held a month-long logo design contest. There were over sixty very well-designed entries that made it extremely difficult to pick the one that would represent the ministry. After much time and sorting, we finally narrowed it down to the one that we felt depicted the spirit of WLCM.
On the right you will see the logo that was chosen. It shows a fusion of both the coroprate and church worlds. We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of this world. Hence, although in it, we are not of this world. We are a disctinct entity not entirely human for we contain the very DNA of God. We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ and our citizenship is in heaven. We are called to make a difference in this world and with the help of God, make this a better place to live in.
May the Lord bless us all. Shalom!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Eradicating Poverty
There are a few things I am really passionate about. One of them is about eradicating poverty in the Philippines. Although a tall order, I believe it is doable. Towards this, I conduct a seminar entitled "Principles of Financial Increase". In it I systematically show how simple it is to become wealthy. Every believer has been (and I stress HAS BEEN) equipped by God to succeed financially.
There are three inadvertent effects this nine-hour seminar will have on you before it concludes - assuming you do agreee with the principles taught. First, you will become extremely wealthy. Second, you will literally become recession-proof. And third, you will become a money-magnet. Sounds incredible? It's true. The principles presented here are proven. They work all the time, anywhere, regardless of your financial status or the health of your national economy. These principles will work for you whether you liave in Asia, Europe, Africa, or the US. Someone once differentiated a good economy from a bad one. In a good economy a lot of people make money. In a bad one, a few make money. The point being that there are those who will be making a profit regardless of market conditions. I am aware that there are many who teach the "Prosperity Gospel" which is in reality no gospel. This biblical teaching has been abused, misused, misunderstood, and therefore misapplied. And this has produced greed in the believer instead of a greater commitment to the Lord.
In the movie Coach Carter, Timo Cruz, one of the student athletes, was repeatedly asked by Coach Ken Carter, "What is your deepest fear?" One day he presents a stunning and powerful answer that starts out with. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." WOW! I cannot agree more. Unfortunately, so few know this. Our identity crisis keeps us from exploring our true potential. This traps us in the vise grip of mediocrity. We become Joe Average. This is a travesty and waste of one's God-given gifts and talents. If you are a born again, blood-washed child of God, you have been given an anointing for wealth. You are anointed for wealth and you have the capacity to become wealthy beyond your present imagination.
In this seminar you will also learn the primary purpose of wealth. Not committing to this purpose forfeits anyone from possessing this abundance. There is much that can be done when wealth is plentiful. I believe the biggest problem of the /chruch today is an identity crisis. We have forgotten who we are and whose we are. Poverty is a fruit of that problem. This seminar attempts to rectify that.
If you are interested in this semianr in your area, post a comment and I will get back to you at the soonest possible time. Remember this: It's not your fault if you are born poor. But with all that the Lord Jesus has equipped us, it's your fault if you die poor.
There are three inadvertent effects this nine-hour seminar will have on you before it concludes - assuming you do agreee with the principles taught. First, you will become extremely wealthy. Second, you will literally become recession-proof. And third, you will become a money-magnet. Sounds incredible? It's true. The principles presented here are proven. They work all the time, anywhere, regardless of your financial status or the health of your national economy. These principles will work for you whether you liave in Asia, Europe, Africa, or the US. Someone once differentiated a good economy from a bad one. In a good economy a lot of people make money. In a bad one, a few make money. The point being that there are those who will be making a profit regardless of market conditions. I am aware that there are many who teach the "Prosperity Gospel" which is in reality no gospel. This biblical teaching has been abused, misused, misunderstood, and therefore misapplied. And this has produced greed in the believer instead of a greater commitment to the Lord.
In the movie Coach Carter, Timo Cruz, one of the student athletes, was repeatedly asked by Coach Ken Carter, "What is your deepest fear?" One day he presents a stunning and powerful answer that starts out with. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." WOW! I cannot agree more. Unfortunately, so few know this. Our identity crisis keeps us from exploring our true potential. This traps us in the vise grip of mediocrity. We become Joe Average. This is a travesty and waste of one's God-given gifts and talents. If you are a born again, blood-washed child of God, you have been given an anointing for wealth. You are anointed for wealth and you have the capacity to become wealthy beyond your present imagination.
In this seminar you will also learn the primary purpose of wealth. Not committing to this purpose forfeits anyone from possessing this abundance. There is much that can be done when wealth is plentiful. I believe the biggest problem of the /chruch today is an identity crisis. We have forgotten who we are and whose we are. Poverty is a fruit of that problem. This seminar attempts to rectify that.
If you are interested in this semianr in your area, post a comment and I will get back to you at the soonest possible time. Remember this: It's not your fault if you are born poor. But with all that the Lord Jesus has equipped us, it's your fault if you die poor.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Are we ready for a President de Castro?
Should President Arroyo go or stay? That's the questioin that many are asking today. I will purposely skirt answering this question. Rather I will pose some thought-provoking questions.
If Arroyo resigns, are we prepared for a President Noli de Castro?
Some are chanting that both should resign. I'm not advocating that Noli should be the next president. But for the sake of our fledgling democracy, constitutional ascension must be respected and observed. Otherwise, we will open Pandora's political box and let all hell break loose. A mockery will be made of the Constitution.
So I go back to my question: Are we prepared for a President Noli de Castro? Hmmmm. . .
Yes, we can also have him impeached (assuming we find an impeachable offense) after he takes office. But are we prepared to do that? Can our ailing economy withstand another shock wave? I don't think so. I think we need to seriously consider the ramifications of an Arroyo resignation or impeachment.
Should she stay? Should she go? Hmmmm. . . thinnk about it.
If Arroyo resigns, are we prepared for a President Noli de Castro?
Some are chanting that both should resign. I'm not advocating that Noli should be the next president. But for the sake of our fledgling democracy, constitutional ascension must be respected and observed. Otherwise, we will open Pandora's political box and let all hell break loose. A mockery will be made of the Constitution.
So I go back to my question: Are we prepared for a President Noli de Castro? Hmmmm. . .
Yes, we can also have him impeached (assuming we find an impeachable offense) after he takes office. But are we prepared to do that? Can our ailing economy withstand another shock wave? I don't think so. I think we need to seriously consider the ramifications of an Arroyo resignation or impeachment.
Should she stay? Should she go? Hmmmm. . . thinnk about it.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Misleading the President
Too many Arroyos are embroiled in one form of corruption or another. The First Gentleman’s “noble” act is dubious. Then there’s the son’s alleged involvement in jueteng. Iggy’s Jose Pidal is a broken record. And then the crime that broke the camel’s back – the phone call. It seems that President Arroyo’s “inappropriate” call has become her undoing – a wound for which there is no cure now except by amputation. In a recent issue of Time magazine, she claimed that God, no less, put her into office. Anyone can claim that. Was she deluded? deceived? duped? hoodwinked? I believe she was misled.
Shortly after then Vice-President Arroyo’s rebellious ascension (biblically speaking, that is) to power in 2001, Christians flocked around her and gave her all sorts of “prophetic” words to comfort and assure her. In truth this was more a political move than anything else. It was, in my opinion, excessively premature. Retrospectively, it is becoming increasingly evident that these “prophecies” were, at best, encouraging misrepresentations. We have misled our President into thinking that there was some divine mandate on her and that her administration would be under God’s hand of blessing. Is it any wonder then that she said what she did in that Time interview? How can there be divine favor when her method of rising to the highest national office is constitutionally questionable? How can anyone think that good can come out of betrayal and treachery? And now the skeletons are coming out. Even her allies have fled. It would be comical, if it weren’t so pathetic, that suddenly several of our legislators are saving their skins by preempting the listening of the tape knowing that their verbal signatures are indelibly etched on the magnetic ribbon. It was predictable that someone would mention that it was normal for candidates to call Comelec officials during elections. Since when did common practice determine morality and ethics?
Even our current roster of Church leaders need to do some serious introspection. Some of those who are most vocal now are the very ones who led a “holy” rebellion. What a contradiction in terms! I recall in November 2000 how a group led a revolt against then President Estrada calling for his resignation before the hallowed halls of the Senate. They were at the time behind Vice-President Arroyo. And now once more they are chanting the same tune but with altered lyrics: ARROYO RESIGN! When are we going to learn to listen to God before we speak to man?
Galatians 6:7 says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” Power was stolen then. We see history repeating itself. And the Church is blinded by the glitz of politics. We desire the king’s favor. But wasn’t this the downfall of the Church in the fourth century when Emperor Constantine instituted religion thus plunging not just the Church but the whole world into the Dark Ages? Must history always repeat itself?
Shortly after then Vice-President Arroyo’s rebellious ascension (biblically speaking, that is) to power in 2001, Christians flocked around her and gave her all sorts of “prophetic” words to comfort and assure her. In truth this was more a political move than anything else. It was, in my opinion, excessively premature. Retrospectively, it is becoming increasingly evident that these “prophecies” were, at best, encouraging misrepresentations. We have misled our President into thinking that there was some divine mandate on her and that her administration would be under God’s hand of blessing. Is it any wonder then that she said what she did in that Time interview? How can there be divine favor when her method of rising to the highest national office is constitutionally questionable? How can anyone think that good can come out of betrayal and treachery? And now the skeletons are coming out. Even her allies have fled. It would be comical, if it weren’t so pathetic, that suddenly several of our legislators are saving their skins by preempting the listening of the tape knowing that their verbal signatures are indelibly etched on the magnetic ribbon. It was predictable that someone would mention that it was normal for candidates to call Comelec officials during elections. Since when did common practice determine morality and ethics?
Even our current roster of Church leaders need to do some serious introspection. Some of those who are most vocal now are the very ones who led a “holy” rebellion. What a contradiction in terms! I recall in November 2000 how a group led a revolt against then President Estrada calling for his resignation before the hallowed halls of the Senate. They were at the time behind Vice-President Arroyo. And now once more they are chanting the same tune but with altered lyrics: ARROYO RESIGN! When are we going to learn to listen to God before we speak to man?
Galatians 6:7 says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” Power was stolen then. We see history repeating itself. And the Church is blinded by the glitz of politics. We desire the king’s favor. But wasn’t this the downfall of the Church in the fourth century when Emperor Constantine instituted religion thus plunging not just the Church but the whole world into the Dark Ages? Must history always repeat itself?
Monday, July 04, 2005
The Philippine Circus
Once again Filipinos have to deal with an absurdly immature display of political soap. Between the presidential snafu of making an inappropriate, ill-timed phone call to a Commission on Elections official and the First Family’s proverbial hand caught in the jueteng jar, we can only wait with bated breath how this circus will turn out. This will perhaps be the beginning of President Arroyo’s undoing. This is not a prediction on the outcome of all this. Then there’s the Opposition waiting like buzzards for anyone to fall by the wayside.
What’s wrong with us? Haven’t we learned anything since toppling a dictator almost two decades ago? We have a democracy that’s about twenty years old and we still refer to it as “fragile”. I believe the problem is not so much the democracy as it is the leaders we elect (even though most win through an ancient political formula called cheating). Filipinos, by and large, lack at least two basic concepts that keep the nation from moving forward. The first of these is the concept of public trust. One needs to be trustworthy with whatever is entrusted to him. More so when we are talking about public office. This is where a Filipino is found wanting. This makes a Filipino almost untrustworthy – a major lapse in character. We possess a knee-jerk reaction to always putting numero uno ahead of everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. We think of ourselves first. “What’s in it for me?” This paradigm will surely bog down any organization – including Philippines, Inc. Rare is the public official that puts country and constituents above personal gain. I am not against personal gain per se, but not at the expense of others.
Second is the concept of public property. We have this attitude of ownership. We own whatever and wherever we find ourselves. That’s why we have no sense of transgression when we litter the streets, urinate or spit in public, and sticking chewing gum under cinema seats. Is it any wonder that our public officials bicker like five-year olds? Help! We are being governed by a bunch of children.
So what now? What will keep this blog from being just an opportunity to air a gripe? Theologically speaking, I believe we, the Church, have the greatest fault in all this. Think about it. We are the ones made in the image and likeness of God for the purpose of exercising dominion over all the earth (Gen 1:26), then we are the ONLY ONES that can truly do something about some of our national issues. Let the changes begin with us. Let us learn to exercise discipline. Stop at red lights (even when there are no cops), dispose of litter properly, learn to use toilets not trees, and a zillion other things to make this a better country to live in. I realize this will not improve our country in the short run. But it should make for a generation with integrity in the future.
What’s wrong with us? Haven’t we learned anything since toppling a dictator almost two decades ago? We have a democracy that’s about twenty years old and we still refer to it as “fragile”. I believe the problem is not so much the democracy as it is the leaders we elect (even though most win through an ancient political formula called cheating). Filipinos, by and large, lack at least two basic concepts that keep the nation from moving forward. The first of these is the concept of public trust. One needs to be trustworthy with whatever is entrusted to him. More so when we are talking about public office. This is where a Filipino is found wanting. This makes a Filipino almost untrustworthy – a major lapse in character. We possess a knee-jerk reaction to always putting numero uno ahead of everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. We think of ourselves first. “What’s in it for me?” This paradigm will surely bog down any organization – including Philippines, Inc. Rare is the public official that puts country and constituents above personal gain. I am not against personal gain per se, but not at the expense of others.
Second is the concept of public property. We have this attitude of ownership. We own whatever and wherever we find ourselves. That’s why we have no sense of transgression when we litter the streets, urinate or spit in public, and sticking chewing gum under cinema seats. Is it any wonder that our public officials bicker like five-year olds? Help! We are being governed by a bunch of children.
So what now? What will keep this blog from being just an opportunity to air a gripe? Theologically speaking, I believe we, the Church, have the greatest fault in all this. Think about it. We are the ones made in the image and likeness of God for the purpose of exercising dominion over all the earth (Gen 1:26), then we are the ONLY ONES that can truly do something about some of our national issues. Let the changes begin with us. Let us learn to exercise discipline. Stop at red lights (even when there are no cops), dispose of litter properly, learn to use toilets not trees, and a zillion other things to make this a better country to live in. I realize this will not improve our country in the short run. But it should make for a generation with integrity in the future.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
WLCM Vision Statement
I pastor a growing church in the Cubao are of Quzon City, Philippines. At this point of my "blog journey", I simply want to state the vision statement of Words of Life Christian Ministries.
"We are called to prophetically influenced the nations."
That sounds rather like a tall and ambitious order. Ya figure? Well, if our God is as big as he says he is, then this should be a walk in the park. Yes, I know these things don't happen automatically. There's going to be a lot of work, prayer, strategizing, preparation, and warfare, to name but a few logistics, that come with the territory. Nevertheless, I believe that this can be done. It may or may not happen in my generation or tenure as pastor, but that's where we're headed. Next time I blog, which I hope is soon, I will explain some details of the vision statement. For now, SHALOM!
"We are called to prophetically influenced the nations."
That sounds rather like a tall and ambitious order. Ya figure? Well, if our God is as big as he says he is, then this should be a walk in the park. Yes, I know these things don't happen automatically. There's going to be a lot of work, prayer, strategizing, preparation, and warfare, to name but a few logistics, that come with the territory. Nevertheless, I believe that this can be done. It may or may not happen in my generation or tenure as pastor, but that's where we're headed. Next time I blog, which I hope is soon, I will explain some details of the vision statement. For now, SHALOM!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Welcome!
HI guys! I finally made it into the 21st century! And I have repented now and am becoming an addicted Mac-head! Huhaaa!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)