men, women, young, old, Filipinos, Internationals, rich, poor - everyone with glad and sincere hearts ready to give their best.
in numbers....
I was overwhelmed by the number of people who participated. By now several hundreds.
they gave.....
water, food, clothing, time, energy, spirit, encouragement, skills. It was amazing.
they received....
mothers, daughters, fathers and sons received and organized the goods.
they sorted....
sizes, shapes, clothes, shoes, canned goods, bread, rice, noodles, milk, baby products, soap, medicine, water even candles and flashlights.
they packed....
Assembly lines took care of packing in bags and boxes ready for distribution.
they carried....
Bagged goods that were packed were made ready for shipping to distressed areas.
they lifted....
Boxes of relief goods had to be lifted into trucks, vans, cars and even fire trucks.
they went....
Pastors, students, men and women braved the murky waters and risked all to get to the people in need.
they rescued....
Pastors, volunteer rowers, mountain climbers, students even business people rescued those who were trapped in their homes.
they led....
Some tempted to go chose to stay and lead. There was so much coordinating to do: vehicles, gas, volunteers, coordination, safety, communication - most of all: prayer.
and they prayed....
While the flurry of activity was going on a team of intercessors prayed non-stop for the nation and the volunteers.
and took no credit.
It has been an amazing 6 days since Saturday. Thank you everyone you were all amazing. We continue to pray that the typhoons end and that the waters recede as we all try to rebuild lives.
In May of 2007 while visiting Jacksonville I had an interesting encounter with a Mormon missionary to the Philippines. His journey of faith in Christ so amazed me I wrote one of the longest posts I have ever written then about it. His name is Kevin Mixan. The picture left is with Kevin (center) and his daughter. Once again in May I met up with Kevin - this time in Layton, Utah, Mormon country itself. Once again he is a missionary this time to reach his old friends.
This picture is of Corey Malan with his wife Jassie and their children. Corey was another Mormon missionary to the Philippines. His journey of faith is as amazing as Kevin's.
This picture was taken at the Alpine Church in Ogden Utah just outside of Salt Lake City.
Alpine Church is an awesome church that was planted 8 years ago by founding pastor Brian Dwyer. I hope he does not mind me saying this as Brian is such a level 5 leader who tries hard to avoid calling things to himself. So humble the church web site does not even have his picture.
Alpine has 2 campuses (Ogden and Layton) with about 1,300 in attendance.
Here's Brian (extreme right), Steve Bennetsen (extreme left) and Scott Creps, the men who lead Alpine. Brian and Steve came from Chicago to pioneer the church.
I loved interfacing with this men - their humility is contagious, something I can really learn from them. They had non-stop questions and willingly asked what I could critique about the church - unbelievable!!
Yet their passion for Jesus was unbelievable.
Here's Brian (left) about to pray for the meal we were about to have with the church's key leaders and their families at the home of Nick and Pam Belangdal.
Here's Josh and me enjoying a moment with I believe one of Steve's sons.
I love the fact that these men are so passionate and disciplined and yet you knew that they were clear about their priorities of marriage and children.
There was sweet fellowship in that home. Thanks Nick and Pam Belangdal for having us.
After dinner we just sat around and talked about making disciples. These guys have the discipleship DNA strong. Takes one to know one.
You could also tell they were very smart guys who knew what they were talking about. Passion level was so high it got late.
Their wives were equally impressive. Unfortunately I won't have the space and time to write about my short encounter with Tracy (Brian's wife) at children's church. She reminded me of our early days in Victory.
As a practice one of the first places I visit is Children's Church and they got that covered well too.
Thanks Brian, Steve and Alpine. I truly enjoyed hanging out with you guys. It was an honor and a privilege to have met you.
In case you're wondering where this is in your city - this was a few blocks from my hotel - just loved running with those snow capped mountains in view.
Thank you Nick and Pam Belangdal for hosting us and for connecting Brian and company to us.
The secret is simple - it's TEAM. There are currently 68 services that are held in 13 locations in Metro Manila every weekend and each one deserves a level of teaching quality that will help people to continue to grow in God.
The option: Find a good preacher shoot a video of him and broadcast it to 68 locations or raise up an army of pastors and teachers who can equip a generation of Christians.
It starts with reviewing the series' that has been preached over the last 3 years.
The sheet on the left lists all the series of messages from the past.
This is essential to determine the spiritual diet that congregations have been fed and making sure essential spiritual nutrients are not left out.
Step 2 is to gather more than 50 preachers, youth leaders (to make sure we stay relevant) pastors, theologians, children's church directors and key staff to pray, share insights, discuss, debate, shoot down ideas and formulate the best series for the next 18 months. This discipline allows the church to hear all the valuable voices of the ministry.
Step 3: After the direction is established - the group is divided into 9 teams each with a corresponding team leader, pastors, children's church director, youth leader and theologian. Each team is responsible for 2 series of the 18 months from January 2010 to July of 2011.
Step 4. Then it's time for more discussion, more debates, questions, suggestions and shooting down. Voices bothyoung and old, men and womenare carefully listened to. No idea is too bad or too good. The goal is to reach for the truth and present it in the best way possible. Videos, graphics, skits, props, costumes, music, special effects, hand-outs - everything is tried in order to deliver the message in a clear and practical way.
One of the things I love about Victory is the commitment, dedication and trust that these men and women have for one another. This posture allows for a free flow of discussion and a willingness for ideas to be heard - to disagree with, to question, to shoot down, to modify - all in the spirit of coming out with the best so that people can grow further as disciples. I love it!
After lengthy discussions and dissecting verse upon verse and looking at Hebrew and Greek words - each series is broken down and given life to.
A series of questions is used by each team to formulate the big idea, key thoughts and insights as well some of the creative suggestions. Step 5. Then its time for each group to present their series to the whole body for more discussion, tweaking and adjustments.
Step 6. After finalizing the series - data is compiled and it all goes to Victory's Communications Group who create the titles, handles, graphic designs for approval of the pastors. The result are some of the series over the years.
Watch out for the latest: Lupang Hinirang. A fresh take on the Book of Nehemiah starts in 2 weeks at all Victory centers.
The picture (lleft) shows the Asian IMT that recently concluded its annual meeting in Yokohama Japan.
It has been an honor and a joy to be a part of this team.
Day One:
The meeting centered on the Asian churches and their various concerns.
I wish I could go into great detail as to the many plans and advances for church planting and ministry.
Unfortunately some of these plans are considered high risk and are best kept under wraps.
Some of these apostolic leaders live in some of the most dangerous regions of the world that are hostile to the Gospel.
Left to right: Scott Douma - IMT Asia Director and Senior Leader of 11 EN Churches in Japan, Beside me is Jun Escosar - President of Every Nation Ministries Philippines.
Man with erased face is responsible for our movement inside a very restricted nation where we now have a number of churches in key cities too risky to mention details here.
Picture of the wives of these men being hosted by Japanese church leaders' wives.
The common denominator among great church leaders is that they are blessed with equally amazing wives.
Day Two was a time to hear the concerns and perspectives of these women. I have found that leaders who ignore the perspective of women often don't make the best decisions for churches.
Here I am having a Ramen break with Pastors Larry Matsuwaki of Every Nation Singapore and Ray Mercer of the EN church in Yokosuka, Japan where I will be ministering tomorrow.
Can't believe we will be planting more than 20 churches in the coming 12 months. Pretty amazing!
Early morning runs. Yokohama is a great place to run, specially at this time of the year - cherry blossom season.
Here's Marie and me going for one of those runs along a row of cherry blossom trees lined by the Yamashita Park (nothing to do with the treasures hidden in the Philippines) by Yokohama Bay.
Beeeaauuutifull!!!!
Here's Marie and me at the EN Yokosuka Church. It was a treat to be amongst a multi-cultural church in Japan. The pastor is my good friend Ray Mercer who is American married to Satomi (of Blah, blah, blog fame) who is Japanese.
The girl in the picture is Reiko who's father Katsuo is Japanese and mother Marga is Filipina.
Had a great moment celebrating Easter at the church.
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9
The last 2 weeks can only be described as up, up, up, down, up, down. Here's why:
The picture on the left is from the 16th Commencement Exercises of the Every Nation Leadership Institute. Over 1,000 people graduated.
It has been 16 years since Victory has been training it's members in the ENLI Leadership Program. This has resulted in over 10,000 leaders trained.
Undoubtedly this was an up moment seeing all that has been accomplished.
This event also marks the end of the ENLI Program at Victory Churches and ushers in the new program called Training for Victory.
Anotherup moment as we unveil the program in the coming months. Training for Victory is expected to be a more concise (tighter) program using advanced training techniques.
Here I am exhorting on how God desires to enlarge our tents. Watch out for its unveiling in June.
Last Saturday March 28 I was in Baguio City to officiate the wedding of Zach Sycip of Victory Fort and Rinka Romero from Victory Alabang.
Zach grew up with my sons and was one of my second son's best friends. I can still see these 2 boys in strollers and running around in children's church.
The wedding was great. It was good to see God's faithfulness to His people.
Here's Marie and me after the ceremony en route to the reception. The rest of the morning was a great time to catch up with old friends (Charlie, Zach's dad and others) as well as meet new friends.
Great food, great company, great weather and great stories of how God puts people together.
Our son David (extreme left) with some of Zach's close friends and well wishers.
Boy these guys have grown, I used to see them when they were so tiny.
Left to right: Paolo Valenciano, Carmen Reyes, Iyo, Enzo and Mandy Marcos.
Definitely another up moment. Congratulations Zach and Rinka hope you guys have a great life together!!
While in Baguio our family celebrated Joshua's (our third son) birthday, he turned 23 the following day. A major up for me.
Here we are clowning around just before we headed back for Manila.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5a
While we celebrated I received a text message that a friend and member of our congregation at Victory Fort had passed away.
Jessica Mapua who battled cancer for years finally rested. Jessica is a glowing example of the grace of God.
She was a living testimony of one who outwardly was wasting away but inwardly was being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). She was an amazing woman. This was my first down.
Last Tuesday, I again attended a graduation, this time of the Every Nation's School of Church Ministry.
The program is designed to train individuals who desire to go into church ministry.
Here I am shaking hands and giving Jeff Eliscupidez of Victory Fort his certificate of achievement.
Jeff was a businessman like me who was involved in lubricants and at one point was in the hotel and hospitality industry.
The 3 men in the picture with me are Junjin Gepilano, Jeff and George Borbor. All 3 men are members of Victory Fort.
Junjin used to work for Philippine Airlines and will be functioning as a pastor at the Fort with Jeff. George will be moving to Liberia soon to plant a church there.
Another up in the week, just thinking of what God's about to do in the lives of these men. It was also at this time that I learned that the father of a close friend (my brother in law Jay Duque) had passed away too. My second down. Three months into the year and already I have seen 5 close friends pass away.
Everyone knows that life has ups and downs. As a pastor however, emotional ups and downs are constant.
From counseling people who have lost jobs, loved ones to broken relationships, tragedies to the exhilaration of weddings, births, birthday parties, successes and victories. It's a weekly emotional roller coaster ride. Thank God that with His call comes His grace to do all that He has called us to do.
This year's volunteer recruitment Sunday at Victory Fort was a huge success. The banner above showcases 12 Superhero characters for the ministries of the church.
These characters are original drawings rendered by Antz Escartin, a church volunteer who happens to be a professional animator and has done work for such companies as Hanna Barberra.
Volunteers were also given a special edition packet of hero playing cards showcasing each super hero complete the the gifts (power), who they are and the skill requirement of volunteers.
Here's Ganns Deen Victory Fort's Director for Communications who spearheadedthe project handing a set of cards to a volunteer.
Equally amazing is how the Fort's creative volunteer team turned the carton characters into real life super heroes on Volunteer Weekend.
Here's the collection of heroes - all volunteers, posing with a mom and her daughter.
Youth Superheroes donned by volunteer couple Steve and Ivy Young. The costumes also by volunteers.
Serious stuff!
Here's Communications Superhero played by Joaquin Valdez with young boy enjoying Volunteer Sunday while his parents sign and assist.
Background: Children enjoying Volunteer Sunday. The idea, start them out while they are young. Churches grow through discipleship. That's because disciples serve and volunteer.
Here's the Worship Team booth with worship leader Teri Sambajon (left) and other volunteers with Superhero Duo played by John Cuay and Cookie Icarangal.
Note the special Victory logo guitar John is holding. It does not play real music its a wooden prop made by one of the creatives volunteers based on Antz's drawings (click on pictures to enlarge).
Here's a picture of the 800+ new volunteers who attended last Saturday's Orientation Weekend.
This has been one of the biggest turn-out of new volunteers.
From here volunteers went to their designated ministry teams for orientation.
This picture shows the heads of the various ministries: From L: Mae Perez, Director of Worship Services introducing: Ramir Mallari (Administration), Ganns Deen (Communications), Arnel and Nancy Ramirez (Creatives), Sheryl and Wallace Panlillo (Hospitality), Crickette Abello (Kid's Church), Teri Sambajon (Worship Team), BJ Lego (Tech), Emil Abello (Ushering) and Rich Blaylock (Youth).
Here's Paolo Punzalan orienting the volunteers on the organizational structure of Victory Fort.
Paolo also explained the importance of volunteerism and hosted the Orientation Weekend.
Here I am explaining to the volunteers that the goal of all that we do is to make disciples.
At the the end of the day all roads lead to making people who come to church a follower of Jesus.
Just want to take this time to honor and thank all of our volunteers who have faithfully served over the years and welcome all the new.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
The Real Life Foundation is Victory's compassion arm that serves the poor of the city. Its main thrust is to help deserving high school students through college. Here is an old video about Real Life that still captures the heart of the organization. Watch and see how real lives are helped and transformed through educational scholarship.
Recently Real Life had a fund raising event at the Manila Peninsula. Brother artists Alex (Photographer) and Han Van Hagen (Etching) held an art exhibit in cooperation with the Rotary Club International (Holland and Das Marinas, Makati) and Nokia.
Brothers Van Hagen with Lynn Nawata, Real Life Executive Director (in red) and Dr. Joey Castro, Founder and Program Director (extreme right) at the event in the Peninsula.
Alex in between Lynn and Joey. Han extreme left.
Some of Alex's work on display. These were shots taken during a trip to the homes of some of Real Life's scholars.
MC David Celdran explaining to guests about the exhibit and the program.
Others in the picture are delegates from Rotary Amsterdam.
Han Van Hagen explains how long it takes to make one of his etchings, approximately 2 months. Han's works can be found in Museums in Holland. I wish I could afford them.
Han and Alex with Real Life scholars Ariel and Yahwehlyn who volunteered to serve and host guests for the evening.
Steve Murrell, founder of Victory and Chairman of the Real Life Foundation and Alex Van Hagen with me. These guys could pass for twins, check out white shirts, glasses and perfectly shaped heads.
Thank you Alex and Han, your generosity will always be remembered.
Congratulations Lynn, Doc Joey, Sony and company you guys are the greatest!!!
I hate not finishing what I set out to do. By that I'm referring to the marathon 30 day blog for One Life To Live. I was so sure I could do 30 days straight of blogging. I guess Strength Finders is right - I have Achiever as my number 5.
Anyway - I missed the last 3 days after coming back from Australia just trying to keep up with the staff, apostolic team, emails, letters, bills to be paid, spend time with my sons, celebrate Joseph's (my oldest) birthday together with his girlfriend Carla who happened to celebrate her birthday on the same day and had to visit with my sister in law who lost her husband (Marie's brother), and of course preach my usual 2 services yesterday Sunday.
Today is the last day for the series and a post on legacy, another word for heritage. My most loved legacy is family and friends. Here are a few pictures:
Joe and me with tiny Johnny Murrell. Loved this kid - he's too big to cuddle now.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
With the boys back then during my meat eating days. As you can see I also looked more like what I ate in those days.
Having a good laugh with my funniest son. This guy knows how to have fun.
Marie and the boys giving me a small birthday bash. Celebrating with us are Steve Murrell and Manny Carlos. I guess this was some 15 years ago.
At a wedding with David
Joe, Marie and Josh at the Campus Harvest Conference
The family picture at my 70's theme surprise 50th birthday party.
Glad to be back. Australia was great. COC is a fantastic movement of churches. Thanks mates for your hospitality and generosity.
Today is day 26 and still on the subject of legacy. This will be short as I need to get to bed, caught this bug that's making me feel nauseated, please pray for me.
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. Ecclesiates 7:1
One of the legacies we can leave is the simple matter of a good name. I like the contrast that Solomon gives us - perfume.
Back in the 1980's and 90's I dabbled with perfumes. I sampled perfumes from suppliers from France, Switzerland, Japan and the US. It was part of my business. I was at the time manufacturing home and personal care products - under the Barclay brand.
Perfumes are used for 2 reasons: to mask an existing smell (detergents, waxes, etc.) and to leave a more pleasant one (fruity, floral). Solomon explains that a good name is better than fine perfume. A good name need not worry about masking a bad odor. Good names are not about cover ups but about being transparent and real.
Good names leave a fragrant memory in the hearts of others. Lord I pray that we would desire a good name more than great riches; may we esteem it more than we would gold and silver.
It's frustrating that as I get on the final leg of this of our marathon 30 day blog my location in the Gold Coast in Australia cannot reliably open my multiply site. It opens just about everything except of all things: Multiply and Facebook.
Yesterday I could not open the site at all. That's why I'm taking advantage of this moment to do 2 short posts on legacy. Got to make it short as i'm not even sure if this one will post after I have composed it, so here it is, two quotes from the Shooks' book:
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give".Winston Churchill
"If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." C.S. Lewis Hope this gets posted!
Coming into the home stretch of this marathon blog of 30 days straight. Finally did the last session for the COC Conference in Australia - 13 sessions in 7 days. Will take a short 3 day day holiday break before I head on home on Thursday.
This last week is dedicated for Leaving a Legacy. Right now my location has a very slow internet connection, which can be challenging. But by the grace of God I shall prevail and finish this last week.
When I think of legacy my first thought is the legacy my grandmother left me - to know Jesus Christ and to have the gift of eternal life that comes from Him. The divine assurance of my destiny far outweighs anything I can think of.
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3
This is the last post on Learn for this series on One Life To Live. From the book One Month to Live I got this quote:
The difference between school and life? In school, You're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson. Tom Bodett
6th post on the subject of Learning: Read. Still one of the best ways to learn. Think about it, God wanted us to read so much, He wrote the Bible to read everyday. Thank you all for the book gifts and those who recommended them. Here's my book list of the first 2 months of the year.
The Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman and William Pentak. The first book I read this year. Highly recommended by Manny Carlos. A unique take on leadership. A kind of allegory but is based on real life experience. Quite unique in its approach.
Funny, compelling, (convicting) and has lots of good insights. A book for husbands, leaders in society or in church. Suggested group study with staff and friends.
Kingdom Principles by Myles Munroe.
A book recommended by one of the Metro Manila pastors whom I can't remember who at the moment.
The first book of Dr. Munroe I have read. After reading this book I have never been more aware of the kingdom theme of both the Old and New Testaments.
Great insights - really enjoyed this book, I bought 2 more Munroe books.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
The book was given to me by my son David for Christmas. From the author of Tipping Point and Blink, this book was very entertaining and has lots of surprises.
Takes you to towns like Roseto in Pennsylvania and how they were formed to the back rooms of New York's Garment District, to the roots of the Beatles, the truth about champion hockey players and a host of other amazing stories.
Even more interesting is how the books ends.
One Month To Live by Kerry And Chris Shook.
Recommended by Steve Murrell. The ideal book we used for the outreach campaign this year. Nice read, crisp, fresh almost like a nice weave that warms you.
This is the book that inspired the pastors of Victory Fort to blog for whole month. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it - so many good quotes, insights, ideas that are so practical and applicable.
100 Ways To Live To 100 by Charles Inlander and Kristine Kelly.
Read this book back in 1998 and found it in my stash late last year and decided to reread. Enjoyed it more now than when I first read it then.
Published by the People's Medical Society, a leading consumer health advocacy group. The book is unbiased in it's views pertaining to medicines and best practices. Much of which deals with prevention and common sense wisdom on health. An easy read and contains lots of valuable info.
Coaching 101 by Robert Logan and Sherilyn Carlton.
Recommended by Steve Murrell and Kevin York. Will prove to be one of the best tools for relating with people. Great, great stuff.
Interestingly after reading this book and going through training sessions in Manila with Kevin I found that our Australian friends at COC have also gone through the same book.
Like Victory's 4Es, Discovering Victory's 5Ps, Love's 4As, this book simplifies Coaching into 5Rs: Relate, Reflect, Refocus, Resource and Review.
Almost Catholic by Jon Sweeney.
Found this book at Borders in Singapore last year. Interesting read for pastors and gives you a good understanding of the Catholic head and heart.
Written by a professed Protestant missionary who came to the Batangas in the Philippines. The books covers much of the Catholic practices from: Chapels and taking vows, the Crucifix, heaven and hell, the Rosary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus and whole lots more.
Read. It is still by far the one of the best ways to learn.
After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Colossians 4:16
Post No. 5 on Learn. Left New South Wales (Sydney) lunchtime. I'm now sitting in my hotel room in Melbourne just before 5 in the afternoon awaiting the evening session of the COC State Conference in Victoria.
Got picked up from the airport here by a man named Bob Ireland a retired computer programmer, who's a member of the COC Church here. A man with a humble disposition but when engaged had a lot of depth.
I asked him about the fires around Victoria and Melbourne that wiped out entire towns and he explained to me how they happened.
Shocking, horrifying and scary. Interesting how ordinary gum trees and strong winds can be lethal. Learned another new thing today.
Yesterday I wrote about teachers and thanked as many of those who have been influential in my life. Today I want to write about tests. In my last post I wrote about my dislike for school. While I disliked school I knew that for anyone to go anywhere you needed to pass tests. Failing a driving test means you don't get to drive hence you don't get to go anywhere.
Tests are necessary for learning. In essence they are done for 2 reasons. The first reason is to check if we have truly learned what we have been taught. The second is to be able to ascertain if we could be moved to the next level of learning. Failing a test simply means we have not mastered the subject and cannot be moved to the next level.
Joseph the son of Jacob was tested by God. He tested him in his father's house, in the pit, at Potiphar's house and in prison. Each test was to see if Joseph was ready for the next level.
Undoubtedly the hardest test was in the palace. When he had become successful and had all the power. It was choice between his anger and bitterness of the past or the to fulfill God's plans and purpose for his life. The Bible records that Joseph learned his lesson and passed the test:
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:5
God will always send tests our way. It is always a part of the learning process. The reason for them is to see if we have learned our lessons well so He can move us to next level of life that He has for us.
God I pray that You will teach us to have willing heart to be tested, to be refined and to be proven. Help me pass the tests You send my way. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Day 4 of Learn in our series One Life To Live. To learn we need teachers. I grew up in a home of teachers. My ancestors were teachers.
My mother was a teacher (at the Ateneo De Manila). My father was the son of a teacher (in PWU and the author of Ateneo's Grade School Pilipino books). My grandmother's father was Rafael Palma (picture left) of UP's Palma Hall and one time president of the University of the Philippines and Senator. His wife was an educator. My 2 aunties were educators. I married a woman who was the daughter of a teacher. In short I have been around teachers all my life.
It is ironic that I became a college drop out and didn't like school. When I think about it I am not sure what the reason was. It could be that I was just a rebellious child or I had too much of school that I can't seem to get away from it even at home.
To this day I'm not sure what the real reason was. The one thing that these teachers did teach me was that I always needed a teacher whether formally or informally.
I have always looked for teachers whom I can learn from. Here is a short list of teachers I would like to thank over the years:
My grandparents who taught the value of work, integrity, excellence, loyalty and a host of other values. My grandmother who was responsible for teaching me about Jesus. Thank you Papa for making learning fun. For playing Monopoly, the Game of Life, Stocks and Bonds, Scrabble and poker with me, I think I learned more about Math and "wordsmithing" from these things that from actual school.
For teaching me how to write and compose letters - for showing me how to read financial statements and how to treat people properly. Thank you for the movies and for the unorthodox way of educating me. Thank you for understanding that I was just a different person and needed a different way of learning things.
Thank you Mom for refining the out of the box lessons from Pop and for understanding there was something in me, it just didn't come in the usual package.
Thank you for the gift of speech and good grammar, for modeling reading which you taught by example. For teaching me etiquette and proper behavior and to never fail to say thank you. You'd be proud to know I did say thank you to the young waitress today who served us at lunch (all the way in Australia) even now that I'm 51.
I'd like to thank my grade school teachers at Ateneo the years with you were the one's I enjoyed most, if not for you I may have never made it even to high school. For teaching me how to read and write. Thank you Mrs. Eusebio, Mrs. Badua, Ms. Javier (my first crush), Mrs. Alejo (for believing in me even when educational boredom started in your grade, and definitely not because of you but the system).
Thank you Lauro Magnaye, Bert Villarama, Bert Villacorta, Tony Gonzalez and all your circles you were the first men who patiently mentored me in business and how it actually works. Those days are simply awesome and the lessons unforgettable.
Thank you Danny and Eggie De Guzman, Deng and Suzelle Samonte for teaching Marie and me the Bible in our early days as Christians, you will always be remembered.
Thank you Steve and Deborah Murrell for making the Bible come alive as it is lived out in front of our eyes. We will forever be grateful.
Thank you David and Sandy Houston, John Rohrer, Rice and Jody Broocks, Joe and Marily Orosa, Jim and Kathy Laffoon, Phil and Karen Bonasso, Sam and Nancy Webb Russ and Debbie Austin, Manny Carlos, Jun Escosar, Ferdie Cabiling, Juray Mora, Kevin and Rene Conner, Bret Fuller, Kevin York, Paul Barker, Ef Tendero, Fred Magbanua and all of the other teachers around us who are too many to enumerate here - many of you know who you are. Thank you Kurt Scaherer and Dieter Beer for giving me global insight on management and business.
Thank you for my coaches and instructors - for Tito Salazar my running coach, Coach Edito for swimming and Dave our spinning trainer. Thanks for being patient with me guys.
More importantly thank you Jesus the greatest Teacher of all. Thank You that You are always here, available to validate, correct, adjust , clarify what I have been taught and for bringing it all together. Thank You for the extraordinary teachers You have brought to my life but like You said ultimately there is only One real Teacher and that's You - Thanks.
Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. Matthew 23:10
Debbie Weil author of the Corporate Blogging Book would be proud of me (he, he) for blogging 18 days in a row. It was her book that got me started on blogging and finally made me understand what it is and what it is not.
One of my first posts was entitled Compartments In My Life, which I wrote in January 2007. Today 2 years later I'm on this marathon blog of 30 days non-stop and enjoying immensely.
This week is still about learning. As many of you know I am currently in Australia doing a conference for COC Pastors and Leaders.
As I write this post I am sitting in the lobby of my hotel in the Sunshine Coast waiting to be driven to the airport (thankfully there is wireless internet in the lobby) to fly to Sydney for the State of New South Wales Pastors' Conference.
Yesterday at the Queensland Pastors' sessions I met with over 100 pastors and wives and had a blast of a time talking about discipleship. Four solid sessions and one open forum, I was exhausted.
During the sessions there was a man who kept serving me. I thought, they must have assigned him to make sure I had what I needed.
At first he asked if I needed water, then it was about whether I needed something printed. After each session the man was quick to whisk me away from oncoming delegates who had many questions. I guess he knew I was trying to catch my breath and was preparing myself spiritually, mentally and physically for the next sessions while managing to survive jet lag all at the same time. Smart man. And Alan thank you very much!
Once he got me to a private room he served the senior leaders with great food, pastries, drinks all laid out like we were in a hotel. By the end of the 3rd session I was tired and was just sitting at the office of the State Chairman Chas Gullo while everyone stayed and chatted with delegates. It was then that the man engaged me in the room.
It was a moment to try out my new coaching skills and ask questions. As we talked I learned a lot:
Alan Thompson was an Aussie who grew up in a dysfunctional home.
About 15 years ago he moved to England in search of career opportunities.
While there Alan learned the tricks of the hospitality trade, working with some of the best chefs of Europe.
A decade or so later Alan had the brilliant idea and vision of buying an old dilapidated inn - from where he built The Royalist Hotel, a high-end boutique hotel in Gloucester.
It is registered in the Guiness Book of World Records as England's oldest hotel (947AD).
In time Alan would sell the hotel and make tons of money. It was then that he decided to come home to Australia and settle in the Sunshine Coast.
Here at the COC Church in the Sunshine Coast he would encounter Jesus make Him the Lord of his life. In his own words: "I didn't have a crisis - no health issues, marriage was great, I was just empty." Money never satisfies.
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10
Since then he has been serving the church in various capacities. His newest project is acquiring a 65 acre mountain property to be turned into another resort. Amazing what you can learn about a person if you kept yourself open and listen.
Clearly God is not against wealth and success, He just wants to make sure that nothing else satisfies us but Him.
Here were a few quick thoughts I learned from Alan:
On business: I asked him: Did you buy the hotel when it was successful? To which he said , not exact quote: I don't buy other people's successes that's because you end up paying more. I make dilapidated things successful and then sell them.
On dreams and visions: "You have to get your vision much bigger than you for God to get the credit."
What was really impressive was Alan did not look, feel or talk anything like the ambitious, arrogant, know it all that you would expect from someone who has achieved success. In contrast he was humble, meek, very teachable and willing to learn. So willing he had just finished a 3 year course on Christian ministry.
Lesson I learned: You'll never know what you can learn from capsicums and chefs.
Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 20:6
Spending 8 days in Israel last January I learned a lot of new things. No doubt my spiritual, theological, relational and ministry understanding was enhanced.
But the the other thing I learned had nothing to do with spiritual matters but something to add to my diet.
Generally I start my mornings with fruits (papaya, pineapple, banana, an orange and an apple). I like the colors, the taste and the health benefits it gives me.
But while in Israel I saw a curious practice at breakfast time which I have not seen anywhere else ( at least not in the magnitude it has been practiced there). Breakfasts had a substantial assortment of vegetables. The most common of which were olives, cucumber, eggplant and capsicum.
We all know what olives, cucumbers and eggplants are but what in the world is capsicum? Capsicum is another word for pepper. Still in other regions of the world it may also be called chili.
There are generally 2 kinds of capsicums - the small and the big. The small which is usually hotter and the large bell peppers are usually mild and and when ripe and red (or yellow) can be sweet. Interestingly, it is very healthy as it is filled with lots of vitamins, minerals and natures ingredients that strengthen one's immune system.
Today I have added bell pepper to my meals. I cut them in strips and munch on them throughout the day. With half a bell pepper everyday I have felt the benefits in terms of better bowel movement and increased energy.
You might be saying, "ok, great, what's all this got to do with One Life To Live. Here it is:
Growing up I hated eating bell peppers. Didn't like what they looked like and how they tasted. Today I'm in love with it.
The point: you can learn to love what you used to hate. The key is to be open. This could be a relationship, a practice, a lifestyle, a good habit, an attitude and I'm sure you can think of others. Today I not only love bell peppers, I also enjoy its health benefits, I even know its other name, capsicum. Live to learn, life's too short and God's creation too rich to be ignorant.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Psalm 119:66
Today also marks the start of the second half of this 30 day blog undertaking. This week is all about learning humbly.
Tonight I sat at dinner with 3 men and their wives who are considered fathers of COC: David McDonald and his wife Trish, left - COC's Chairman, Chas Gullo his wife Fran, right - State Chairman of COC Queensland and a man named Kevin and his wife, Bev, not in picture. I wish my wife was with me just to pick up some minsitry experience on being a pastor's wife. The average age of these men is 62.
Each of these men have at one time or another been a senior pastor, church planter, national leader, father of other men who have also become pastors. They are leaders of one of Australia's leading church planting movements.
Listening to their stories over dinner was amazing. Stories of church plants in various parts of the world - today they have over 1,000 churches worldwide.
However, more than all the so called "ministry success" what was most impressive was their humility to have someone like me who is a decade younger and has less experience to come in and teach them how to become better disciple makers.
Tonight I stood in front of over 100 pastors and their wives of COC Queensland and was amazed at the remarkable attitude of humility that these leaders have. An appropriate way to remind myself that in this one life to live, I need to follow the example of these men.
That no matter how old I am and whatever accomplishments may have been achieved there is always room to learn. The key to this is to remain humble.
Thank You Lord for bringing me here and showing me firsthand, front row seats on how to keep learning humbly.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
To everyone - good night - I am pooped and need to go to bed - got 4 more sessions tomorrow.
As I write this post it is 1:10 in the afternoon in Australia (11:10 AM in Manila).
I'm sitting in my hotel room in the Gold Coast getting ready to start a 4 city tour of COC (Christian Outreach Centers) Conferences which starts here and moves to the Sunshine Coast tomorrow, then onto Sydney and finally in Melbourne - "whew".
Today is the final day for the week long blogging series on LOVE. Unfortunately, while I wish I could end it on a high note, I can't. Yesterday afternoon before I left Manila - my love failed. Here's what happened:
Like most weeks prior to a long trip life becomes like that of a busy bee.
Meetings, decisions that need to be made, emails that need to answered and sent, plans that need to be seen through in your absence, family matters that need attending and a host of last minute stuff combine to make things very exciting (and stressful).
This past week however, was even more interesting. For one the pastors and leaders of the church were going through a week long series of training seminars on assessment and coaching on top of the ongoing Metro-Manila wide outreach campaign - One Life to Live.
With that came leaders and friends from overseas who had to be hosted. And my brother in law, Jay Duque arrived in the middle of the week to visit his ailing father. I also needed to prepare 6 messages that had to be contextualized for Australia complete with hand-outs and power points. In short it was a rather busy week.
I finally got around to pack in the morning of Saturday the day I was leaving. Thankfully my flight was not till 7:30 PM. Which means I had to leave the house by 4.
At about 2:30 PM I was packing my brief case when I noticed my credit card bill had arrived. After a quick scan I realized that I had gone over my credit limit due to payments made for my annual insurance premium. Over extending was a thing I never do, but this week I did and the bank had charged me for over extending my credit limit.
While I knew the timing was tight I decided to give the bank a call and explain the situation. I started by saying that I had just come from overseas (Israel) and have been swamped and would send the check to pay for most of the bill even before it was due. I committed to do that by Monday even while I was gone. All was fine until the young lady said: "We want to let you know that this is the last time we're going to reverse the charges for over extending".
My patience and my kindness broke. While I did not raise my voice I knew my heart was boasting (I thought: do you know how long I have been your client), I was proud (I thought: do you have any idea how much business I have transacted with you guys), I was rude (I told her: You know this is not the last time this is going to happen), I was self-seeking (I thought: get my issues fixed fast, I have a flight to catch), I was easily angered (I told her: if this is the way you deal with us we'll best look for another bank), I kept record of wrongs (I thought: do you want me to enumerate the times you guys dropped the ball on us) and I must admit at one point I momentarily albeit shamefully delighted in evil for them. I had 1Corinthians 13 in reverse.
While most of the above were only thoughts they were non the less very real. But my other statements above and some that are not written here had enough sting on them to hurt. They were enough to capture my true sentiments and spirit.
In short I blew it. A week of blogging on love lost in one afternoon. A grim reminder that it is always easier to say something that to live it out. After I hung up I knew and my wife made sure I knew I was wrong. Unfortunately, I did not get the young woman's name and could not call back to apologize.
As I drove to the airport I put up a prayer for her that she would one day encounter a more loving Christian, more importantly I sent up a prayer for me. "Forgive me Lord for being impatient and unkind. For misrepresenting you. Grow me in this area of love to be patient and to be kind regardless of the circumstance."
At the airport I found out that my flight was delayed which meant I will not make it to my connecting flight once I landed - all my impatience was not worth it.
After reading my Bible in the plane I prayed: "Thanks Lord, for loving me despite my problems and issues. Thank you for even considering me worthy to speak to pastors and leaders about what it means to love. Please give me a good night's sleep in this bumpy plane. And if I should wake up and find myself facing You, I'm just glad to know that love does not start from me but emanates from You!
I have never slept so well on one of the bumpiest flights I've been on. Guilt from my errors was washed away. The assurance that I am loved despite my imperfections watched over my soul. And to know that if I hung around the Lord long enough I will one day learn how to love the same way He does, is very reassuring.
If I had 30 days to live I pray that I would always live to love despite my limitations. I'm just so glad that:
We love because he first loved us. 1John 4:19
I thank God that even when our love fails, His never does!
The idea behind this marathon blogging of 30 days was to find application to the book One Month to Live.
In order to do that we have broken down the month into 4 weeks. On the first 8 days we focused on LIVE (Procrastination, Seasons, Letters, Health, Risk, Dreams, Death). This week the focus has been on LOVE. In the next 2 weeks we will be looking at LEARN and LEGACY.
Today is the second to the last post on LOVE.
Earlier this morning just before six, I heard noise from my second son's (David) room as he was waking up. He engaged me in a discussion about how he spent yesterday. It was a good moment to hear him download his thoughts, experiences and ideas.
Somewhere in the conversation he shifted the discussion and started talking about the difference between my generation and his. He asked the question why is it so easy for people today to get a divorce, to dump a relationship, to be unfaithful?
The obvious answer is because people are sinners and live lives that are not in tune with God's way and truth. But David knew that already and that wasn't his point. He was explaining how the options people have today are so enormous that at the first sign of a leak - they decide to jump ship, why? there are so many ships around anyway.
Why keep a friend when there are millions available in facebook? Loosing one is as easy as finding one and vise versa, so why bother maintaining? Why go through the trouble to sacrificing, of getting to know someone intimately?
That's because at a certain point a life long relationship fulfills us in ways temporary ones don't. The most obvious of which is to know that in the midst of my own faults, mistakes and idiosyncracies this person loves me.
Which brings me to the post today. It is true that love is patient and that it is kind, it rejoices in being patient and being kind but for love to be love -
To always protect, trust, hope and persevere is to be faithful. Without faithfulness there is no love. Over the years I have guided my relationships with faithfulness by answering a few simple questions:
Will this activity (or relationship) I'm about to do endanger my relationship with my wife, children in any way?
Will the time I invest in this activity (or relationship) help me create consistency and security with my most important relationships?
Just yesterday I asked myself these 2 questions. Over the years it has kept me from making serious mistakes. From faults like viewing the wrong web sites to a seemingly insignificant distraction that wastes one of most precious resource which is time, these questions help me stay on course.
Faithfulness is vital. It is creates 2 things - a level of consistency that builds security. Let me explain. When we are faithful we are consistent, consistency builds security, much like the way we know the sun will rise and set tomorrow. God's consistency gives us a level of security. Consistency is something people can build on.
Hard to build on something you're not sure will be there tomorrow. Security assures those around us that they are in a safe environment they can depend on.
Day One: 
The p
This event also marks the end of the ENLI Program at Victory Churches and ushers in the new program called Training for Victory.
Here's Marie and me after the cerem
While in Baguio our family celebrated Joshua's (our third son) 
Last Tuesday, I again attended a graduation, this time of the Every Nation's School of Church Ministry. 
The 3 men in the picture with me are Junjin Gepilano, Jeff and George Borbor. All 3 men are members of Victory Fort.
