The Fern and the Bamboo

One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo". He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been
struggling, you ave actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the
bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others." He
said. "The bamboo had a different purpose from the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come, "God said to me. " You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness. Bad days give you experiences. Both are essential to life.

Keep going.....

Richard Gomez for Senator

WHAT?!

My Multiply Site

Man oh man. I didn't realize that I've had this site for almost two years now. But it's only now that I's using it. Anyway, if you want to see some photos, just go to jfzabarte.multiply.com or click on the title of this blog. It'll take you there immediately. Please feel free to write up your comments.

It's been a while

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've posted a blog. I've been quite busy over the last several months. I'm hoping to discipline myself to more writing time. It's a new year and some old habits need to be replaced -- blogging, or the lack of it, being one of them.

Take care y'all

Reducing the Bible

If the Bible can be reduced to one sentence, what would that be? What would the central theme of the Bible be? I know some of you would say love, grace, sacrifice, passion, etc. And although these themes are evident in Holy Writ, none is the central theme. Before you take up your stones, hear me out. I am aware that the Bible says the God so loved the world that he sent his Son so none would perish. I totally agree that love motivated our Father's actions. But why did he send his Son? I believe the answer is found in Gen 1:26, And God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over... all the earth." God made man for one central purpose: to have dominion over the earth. Unfortunately, Adam abdicated his role as ruler of the planet to an unemployed cherub, who later took on the title "god of this world." From Gen 3 all the way till the end of the Sciprtures is God's unfolding plan of redemption in order to reconnect man to God and re-establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

Lay your mind on this: Jesus came to preach one message, and one message, only. Matt 4:17 records the sole topic of his messages throughout his public ministry: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Lk 4:43, "But I must preach the kingdom of God..." Matt 24:14, "And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole worl as a testimony to many nations, and then the end shall come." Matt 6:33 declares "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Jesus was obssessed with the kingdom of his Father. Jesus didn't preach on any other message - not on prosperity, deliverance, or even about being born again! He taught on these topics, but he never preached on them. In fact, we spend more time telling people to be born again when Jesus only mentioned this once, to one person, and at midnight at that.

Perhaps a change in diet is in order. We should seriously consider what we serve every Sunday in our churches. Let's keep it simple. Jesus said, "Follow me!" Let's do that. We need to reprioritize what we do and preach. I believe it was also Jesus that said, "I only do what I see my Father doing. I only speak what I hear my Father speak." It is my firm belief that when we return to the original intent of God, we will soon see the Kingdom of God re-established on earth.

My next blog will address some fundamental differences between a monarchy and a democracy.

The Kingdom of God

A kingdom’s central figure is the king. He is the sovereign ruler and his authority establishes the kingdom. The king is also a lord, which means he personally owns EVERYTHING within his domain – including the people in it. The rights and privileges of the citizens of a kingdom are extended at the graces and mercies of the king. Furthermore, a king is not voted into power, nor can he be voted out or impeached. If the king is wicked, the people suffer.

The kingdom of God is a very real kingdom. It is even more real than the country you currently live in. Every kingdom has the following elements:
• A king
• A territory
• A constitution
• Citizens
• An army
• A code of ethics
• A commonwealth
• A social culture

God’s kingdom is no different. It is only with a kingdom paradigm that Isaiah’s prophecy becomes clearer: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. (9:6-7)

Your president will still sleep well at night whether you get to pay your utility bills or not, whether you have a place to sleep in or are evicted, or whether your children go to school or not. A king however, takes everything personally. He makes sure that your needs are met. The state of the kingdom and its citizens is the glory of the king. Poverty becomes a personal shame.

I think other religions understand this concept more than Christians. I was once invited to speak in a Muslim nation. Unknowingly, I blurted out, “Jesus is Lord over (name of nation)!” After the service I was gently corrected by my host not to make statements like that when there are people in the congregation that they did not know. When I asked why, he gave me an answer that permanently shattered my ignorance. He said that Muslims are out to establish their kingdom. When you say Jesus is Lord over this nation, you are making a treasonous statement because that means you are toppling their government and establishing another government. Wow! I never saw it like that. Our mindset is too religious. We are thinking religion and faith while others are thinking kingdoms and governments. We have missed the point all along.

Next blog I’ll talk about a king. How does he differ from other earthly rulers? What are some characteristics that differentiate him from other rulers? Why did God manifest himself as king as opposed to president or prime minister or dictator?

The Democratic Flow (Flaw) of the Church

One of the biggest problems of the Church today, whether of modern- or post-modern paradigms, is her democratic bias. Whether we like it or not, our theology has been shaped by and large by Western minds. This has to some extent been disadvantageous to the third world countries. About two centuries ago, the United States became a democratic nation. Those familiar with this great nation's history know that her forefathers fled Great Britain to escape religious persecution. It was in the New World that they forged a nation which will very soon become the "land of the free and the home of the brave." Whether deliberately or as a matter of evolution, even her religion, Christianity, evolved into a something that destabilized its very underpinnings. It was at the birth of denominations that this democratic bias finally took firm hold of Christianity.

In the people's desire to "manage" Church, Inc., they naturally embraced democracy as a form of government and ecclesiastical political structure. But is this wrong? Isn't democracy better than socialism or communiism or even parliamentarism in the church? Some have even gone so far as to even make a CEO of the pastor. A travesty, in my estimation.

God is a King, not a president, prime minister, or dictator. A king rules a kingdom. A monarchy is diametrically different from other forms of political rule. Until the people of God learn how to operate in the Kingdom of God, we will, at best, come up with good ideas on morality, but always stumble and fall short of the precepts of God. Many thrid world nations have a better grasp of moanrchies than many Western first world nations.

My next few blogs will further explain my point.

Reduce Your Life!

There is a reason why you are here on planet Earth. That reason is your purpose. That purpose is God's will. Only God knows why you're here. No one else on this planet can tell you why you are here, the reason for your existence. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans not to harm you, but to prosper you that you might have hope and a future."

When you don't know your purpose, your life is an experiment. When you don't know your purpose, you waste your time, resources, strength, talents... your life. Purpose is what gets you up every morning - including Mondays. Purpose is the "why" of your life. Until you know your purpose, nothing makes sense. Purpose is what gives meaning even to your suffering, difficulties, sorrows, pain, and hardships. Purpose makes you go one more step after a failure, and way beyond your last victory.

The richest places on the face of the planet are not the diamond mines of Africa, the jungles of the Amazon, or the gold mines of Africa. There is a rich place not far from where you live. It's the cemetery. The cemeteries of the world contain books that have not been written, songs that have not been composed, paintings that have not been painted, plays that have not been acted out, sermons that have not been preached. These are still in the people that were buried there. They never expressed them. And so these were buried with them. The saddest thing in life is not death, but a life without purpose.

Can you reduce your life to one sentence? What is the reason for your being here? Until you can answer that question in one sentence, your life isn't focused, your mission isn't clear, your purpose is vague, your direction is foggy. You will be plagued with boredom, insignificance, and fear. Think about it. Why are you here?

As the Church, so the Nation

I am so convinced that the only hope of any nation is the health and vitality of the true Church of Jesus Christ. A nation's economic health, level of corruption, choice of national leaders, advances in science, technology, and education -- all these depend on the Church. I realize that this may be a tall order for the Church. But after all, righteousness exalts a nation, and sin is a reproach to any people. This is not so much about whether Christians should run for public office, or whether a believer should preach in every street corner. I believe Christians should learn to live out the gospel in every aspect of life and living. This will require a radical paradigm shift. We are commanded not to conform to the patterns and behaviors of this world, rather to be transformed by changing the way we think. Our cognitive processes must be so diametrically altered for our lifestyle to make any kind of impact on soceity. I am primarliy, but not exclusively, talking about a working knowledge of the Word of God. No, this is not about how many passages of Scripture you can commit to memory. This is about knowing enough of Holy Writ so that everything you think, say, or do reflects the very nature of Christ and the Kingdom we represent,

It's about time for Christians to let their light shine for all men to see. This will, inevitably, attract persecution. But since when did we back off from such? This is par for the course.

I am still rather perplexed that Christians are so quick to back off from pain and difficulty. Except for some places around the globe, it really isn't life threatening to profess one's Christianity. In many places, such as the Philippines, we do not have to fear capital punishment for having and professing faith in Jesus Christ. We are not prohibited from carrying and reading our bibles in public. And, unlike in the US, we are free to pray in public.

If we truly love our nation, it is imperative that we live lives that will make a difference, lives marked by righteousness, peace, and joy. For of such is the Kingdom of God.

King of Kings

I am constantly amazed at how wonderful the Kingdom of God really is. It is the only kingdom where every citizen has the ability AND opportunity to be kings -- simultaneously! I think it was Dr. Myles Munroe who said, "If you don't become a king, he won't be King of kings." Wow! What an insight. Jesus calls us to a higher standard of living, kingdom living. As a matter of fact, thisis the only way one can live on earth and succeed in every sense of the word.

The Kingdom of God is a violent kingdom. The Bible says that the kingdom suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Too many people think that the Kingdom of God is a kingdo of peace. It is true that he is the Prince of Peace and that he is the source of peace. Through Christ we have peace with God, and by that the peace of God. But the kingdom is a kingdom that suffers (an old English term which means "allows") violence. Another version says that it advances forcefully. And the citizens lay hold of the kingdom or operate in the kingdom with violence -- or forcefully. Point of clarification: I am not advocating violence against man as in terrorism. That's reserved for another religion. Neverhteless, there is a battle we are waging; not against flesh and blood, but against powers and rulers of darkness in the spiritual realm. And this is by no means for the faint-hearted. Some say that Christianity is a religion for the weak. And I say try walking by faith and let's see if they can handle it.

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of faith. Faith is the currency of the Universe. It's the one currency that will trade in any nation, at any time, under any circumstances. A friend once said, when the faith of man touches the grace of God, miracles happen. How true. God's grace is always available and sufficient. All you and I need is mustard seed faith. That means you we don't need great faith in God. Just faith in a great God. It's one thing to talk about faith. It's another thing to live it. but that's for another blog. Enough said.

Keynote 3

For all you Mac users out there, I'm happy to say that iWork '06 has been released. For those of you that are still in purchase limbo, let me say it will be worth every penny you spend on it. Not only are the transitions better and smoother, you have greater control over the stills and videos you include in your presentation. Click the title of this blog and it will take you to the Apple website so you can navigate your way to taking the app for a spin. I'm thoroughly happy with it.

In the Philippines it will cost you about PHP5600. Go for it!

Why Democracy Can't Work (Yet) in the Philippines (Part 2)

What do I suggest? I'm glad you asked. Mind you, I'm not a politician, so don't bother me with details. But here's what may work in the Philippines. Whether we like it or not, the concept of family is here to stay for a while -- at least till we grow up in maturity and discipline. Therefore our minds and emotions will operate on that level. I believe we need a "dictatorship" - a benevolent dictatorship -- something like a Mahathir or Lee Kuan Yew or Bolkiah. These are strong leaders who are perceived to be good by the general public and therefore loved and followed. In President Arroyo we have, for the most part, a strong leader. But she isn't perceived to be good. For now she is seen to be anything but good -- except by her immediate family and all those who stand to benefit from her being in office. Truth to tell, I didn't vote for her last 2004. But of all the choices we had (and have), I have to agree with her, she is the best person to lead our country. But she has to get her act together. There are certain things she will have to do:
1 Settle the cheating issue once and for all,
2 Get Mike Arroyo out of the country. He is perceived as Mr Corruption, and
3 Don't listen to FVR too much. He is anything but good for the country.

Will this solve the problem? Heck, no, not by a long shot. But I think it may get the ball rolling in the right direction. Do we drop our attempts at working on a viable and workable democracy? No way. I think we need to continue. But we need to understand what we're up against so we don't always lock horns with one another. We need to work together. This is the only country we have.

Why Democracy Can't Work (Yet) in the Philippines (Part 1)

Once again the Philippines' "fragile" democracy is rocked amid coup attempts by military and politicians of the opposition. The already weakened economy is once more taking a bashing it can do without. Interestingly, the Administration, in its attempt to safeguard democracy, declared a state of national emergency. The opposition, in its bid to also safeguard the democracy, called the people to again take to the streets in the hopes of staging an EDSA III. God Almighty, help us! Sometimes I wonder if I should laugh at this circus called Philippine Politics or cry at how we are handling ourselves.

But can democracy really work in the Philippines? I don't think so. At least not in its true form. Democracy calls for a system of checks and balances, a true representation of the People, a court system that protects even the weak, and... well, you get my drift. Utopian? Hardly. I think it can work, but not in the Philippines - at least not yet. I think one of the major setbacks we face is the concept of family. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for family. But this can be a terrible liability when misapplied. A couple of days ago, former President Ramos was interviewed on television and unwittingly exposed the culprit. He said, when asked if he considered himself an adviser to the president, that he was more like a kuya or big brother and that the president also had an ate or big sister in Cory Aquino. He further said that the Philippines is like one big family -- naturally, with the three of them as the "top dogs." Herein lies our problem. In a family, the younger siblings do not correct or tell the kuyas and ates what to do. The younger members of the family are expected to obey the older ones without reservation or hesitation. The juniors are to turn a blind eye to all mistakes and shenanigans committed by their older siblings and even expected not to follow them.

A democracy assumes that the people are intelligent enough (ouch!), mature enough (ouch again!), and disciplined enough(ooh that stings) to govern themselves. I'm not saying Filipinos are dumb. I believe we are not lacking in that department. However, we are quick to react -- to quick for our own good. This is because we are immature and undisciplined -- a terrible byproduct of over 400 years of slavery to various nationalities. We celebrate over 100 years of independence, but we still sport a slave mentality.

We do not have a democracy in the Philippines. We have a mutated form of a democracy and an oligarchy -- a monster, if you will. That's why, like a family, the younger siblings, when they don't get their way, behave like spoiled brats. They cry, complain, rant, and rave till they get their way. Children call it fighting, adults call it coup attempts. For so long as we delude ourselves into thinking we have a democracy, we will continue to fight one another's definition of freedom. How many coup attempts have there been since Marcos was ousted? Almost as many years.

(To be continued)

Of Paranoia and Power Grabbing

I am constantly amazed at how we Filipinos have a habit of acting before thinking. The local dailies today blaringly reveal what clowns our politicians can be. We read of the ISAFP possessing pre-knowledge about the escape of the four Oakwood mutineers. Then there’s the massive wiretapping done by, again, the ISAFP, a supposedly apolitical group, against the opposition. Oh, and of course, we can’t forget Michael Ray Aquino the alleged spy of the opposition accused of passing classified information to help further destabilize the current administration.

So true is the saying: Politicians make strange bedfellows. Ex-Education Secretrary Florencio Abad stood with then Vice-President Gloria Arroyo with no less than his daughter Cecilia Paz holding the Bible upon which Ms Arroyo laid her hand as she was sworn into the office of President of the Republic. And not too long after that he joins the Hyatt 10 asking, nay, demanding, Arroyo to resign.

On the other hand, we still haven’t learned the basic principle that governs the universe: Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. Every major religion teaches this in one form or another. Anyone that grabs power from a superior, regardless of how “evil” the superior supposedly is, will inevitably reap his actions. History has repeatedly shown that powergrabbers have had to tenaciously and paranoiacally hold on to power only to find it wrested from them… sooner or later. Even if former President Estrada were guilty of all the crimes he is being accused of, he should have been given due process and his day in court to defend himself. If guilt can be proven beyond reasonable doubt, then let him be sentenced accordingly. But grabbing power based on allegations, no matter how incriminating, is not right. In fact, it is both unconstitutional and criminal.

And now President Arroyo is facing charges of election rigging which led to a once-again short-circuited impeachment procedure. Rigging elections would be a “normal” and expected reaction of one who would take power in a forceful and unbiblical manner. This is not to say that Ms Arroyo has, in fact, done it. The courts still have to prove that. But when the Administration lawmakers foolishly foiled the impeachment process, the citizens are forced to draw their own conclusions, which could be more damaging than being accused in court. More than helping, I think Ms Arroyo’s advisers are successfully digging a deeper grave. So much for wisdom. But such is the way of paranoia.

Let me put it this way: How can anything good come out of grabbing power? How can righteousness come out of sin? A fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? And more indicting, can a leopard change its spots?

Think, Philippines. Think.

Of Weakness and Ministry

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!

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."

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.