Snowball

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. Matthew 8:1

When Ed Panlilio, a priest, declared to run for governor in our province Pampanga, he was pushing a wooden cart loaded with a boy with a handful of followers at his back. His campaign was based on moral governance and volunteerism. People buy posters and shirts to campaign for him. People were buying their own meals and gas fuels during motorcades. At the end of the campaign period, thousands and thousands of people flocked the miting de avance. A confidential staff told us that the campaign snowballed. Meaning it started small but as it rolled down it got big and large.

The science of snowball is that as it comes down, it gets bigger and larger. It accumulates volume as it rolls down and down. The verse above shows that science. Jesus came down from a mountain and multitudes followed him.

In this world we live in, who wants to follow a person who is coming down. Who wants to tail a person who is not going up? This society preaches follow those who are at the top. Never get into the footsteps of those who are coming down. We always would like to be associated with those who are going up and not the people on the way down. We make friends to those who are climbing up and refuse the call of friendship of those who are sliding down.

Jesus knows otherwise.

Jesus shows otherwise.

In our walk with God, He calls us to humility. To come down. To be under God rather than above God. To be last rather than to be first. To give rather than to receive. To serve rather than to be serve. To lose life in order to gain it. To look out for others and not for self.

You can not lift those who are down when you are at the top.

Come down. And by God's grace, be like a snowball.

With God Alone

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. Isaiah 49:4

Have you thought you toiled in vain? Have you thought for nothing have spent your strength? I have.

I told my parents that I will be volunteering for Christ’s Youth In Action or CYA, a national movement for college students in the Philippines. As a volunteer, I will receive no compensation. My parents were expecting I can help out with the family finances after getting my degree. But I was convicted to make this big step. At first my mother was hesitant however my father was inclined to allow me. After all discussions about cutting down my weekly allowance from them and working extra time for our small family business, I was a CYA volunteer. Making the big decision is not as easy as ABC.

* There were times my parents got sick, and I said to myself “Is this how the Lord repays my service?” If I had a job, then I can help out for their hospital expenses.
* There were times I have stressed relationship with my brothers and sisters in CYA due to different approaches in our evangelistic activities.
* There were times in came to my mind that “What in the world am I doing here?” when the students are not impacted when we reach for them.
* There were times I observed my batch mates having their time of their lives as they prosper in their electrical engineering career. And here I am working free for the Lord which is not even aligned with my degree.

Looking back, I praise and thank the Lord for the courage and strength that I made that big step for Him. Because of my four years in volunteering in CYA, God has blessed me with growth and love for Him and I am what I am now because of those formative years in CYA.

I am a zealous and passionate Christian I am with the fire I carried in God from CYA. I am a husband I am with the love and respect I experienced with God in CYA brothers and sisters. I am a father I am with the training I learned being cared for and for caring for young people. I am an engineer I am with the work ethics and principles I was blessed in CYA.

God calls us to serve Him. And when we do His work, we can be discouraged. When things do not go exactly as we expected, we get disappointed. Our reward is not dependent on the results of our service. Our recompense is not based on the response of people with our service. Our reward and recompense is with God alone.

Unaltered Altar

From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel, pitching his tent with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. He built an altar there to the LORD and invoked the LORD by name. Genesis 12:8

Abram moved from one place to another as directed by the Lord. And from one place to another he built an altar for the Lord.

It’s not about building a physical altar for God. But a conviction to be committed and consistent in living for God alone wherever he settled. When Abram moved to a new place, he sure he carried the usual loyalty to enthrone God in his place, in his life and in his heart. He maybe have a changed of address however he has no change of faith. New community to be with however the same God on his side. Maybe a new culture to live in however he still live for his living God. From one place to another, Abram has an unaltered life in God.

Have you moved? From one place to another? From your country to another? Transferred from one province to another? One community to another? New to your workplace? Have a new group of friends? Have a new school?

Build God’s altar wherever you move. God is the same God where you came from. His love goes with you. His faithfulness follows you. His grace consistent as the day. You may have a change of atmosphere or weather or location and God is the same God of all these circumstances. The challenge of moving is to be committed to your commitment. The test of relocation is to continue to place God at the center of your location.

Wherever you move, build an unaltered altar for God.

Wherever you move, live an unaltered life for God.

Seeing Blessing

All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you. Genesis 12:3

Thank God! You are here!

Have you heard those words many times or seldom? Are people blessed when they see you? Are they uplifted when you are in company with them? With just a thought of you, are they encouraged enough? Do they experience hope instead of hurt in your presence?

The thought of being a blessing to all places where you are at is a daunting challenged. We are to be a blessing not only to those who love or respect you. People who wronged you, will find blessing in you. People who blame you, will find blessing in you. People who exclude you, will find blessing in you. People who are unlovable, will find blessing in you. Or you feel you are not blessed enough to be a blessing.

All communities will find blessing in you. In Angeles City, Philippines. In Albany, NY. In Christ’ Youth in Action. In Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. In Bale Ning Guinu. In Family of Faith in New Jersey. In Bukas Loob sa Diyos in albany, NY. In St. Helen’s Parish in Niskayuna, NY. In Holy Family Parish in Albany, NY. In National Transmission Corporation. In Holy Angel University. In Pterra Consulting.

When we are a blessing to others, people see the magnified God. Even they are poor, they will be satisfied. When they are feeling inadequate, they will be empowered. When you come, light will overcome as they are enveloped in darkness. When they are in despair, they will see God’s plan. They will find comfort with your support. They will find a home, those who are abandoned. Be a blessing by simply being there.

With your actions, they see God’s hand. With your words, they hear His message. They shall find blessing in you from God.

Cross to the Other Side

“Let us cross to the other side.” Mark 4:35

Jesus told the disciples to cross to the other side. He went with them through the storm. He ordered the wind to be quiet and still. He saw the disciples were fearful. And in the midst of the squall, Jesus showed the disciples, fear not but have faith. And the disciples crossed to the other side. From being men of fear to being men of faith.

Friends, Jesus invites us too to cross to the other side. And crossing to the other side with Jesus is not so easy at all. We will encounter storms and gusty winds in life as we take the journey. However our security lies in the fact that Jesus is in the boat. That Jesus is in our lives. He is with us to make us quiet and be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). He is with us to make sure we cross to the other side.

From fearful to faithful.
From old creation to new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
From weakness to strength.
From pride to selfless.
From deserving to serving.
From perishable to eternal.
From death to life.
From sinner to saint.
From crowd to disciple.

Be with Jesus and cross to the other side.

Father's Will

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10

You never brought me to school. You did not watch when I had victories in Science Quiz Bees. You never bother to ask me what would I wear or if I had a date for the Prom. I had four graduations in my whole life and you never attended one. You did not watch even a single basketball game I played. We never played any game together. We never watched a movie together. And never had a time in a fast food with you.

I can go on and on. But one thing is very clear in my heart and mind. My father was not there because he was running our small business. What will you do if you have eight children all going to school? My father was passionate in preparing our future. My father was committed to give us prosperity. Today as I write this, I believe that I am a successful married man with a wonderful wife and joyful two daughters. I am a young Professional Electrical Engineer working in a respectable electric power systems consulting company. My siblings likewise finished their courses and are well to do. Looking back, my father's will was done.

Most of the time, we think our Father in heaven is a father in absence when life is rough sailing.

You were laid off from your company. Finances are on all time low. You were diagnosed with a disease. A family member or a close friend died. Your marriage is challenged. Family is in disarray.

We assume the Father has abandoned us. We think He is busy to attend to His child. We suppose He has forgotten us. We think He is not there.

The Father is always with us. And all these difficulties and challenges come to past. The Father's will leads to a future. A future full of hope. A future of prosperity. A life of fulfillment. That is the Father's will. And His will be done.

Big Steps for a Big God

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. Mark 5:22-24

He was a synagogue official. He supervised observance of the law. He was there to identify which is clean and unclean. Though a man in position, he was feeling the lowest point in his life – death of his daughter. His stature can’t heal his daughter. Rituals of the law can’t heal his daughter. He has religious standing and he administers the law and yet hope of healing does not come.

And on this day, he decided to put his hope not on the law but on Jesus who came to fulfill the law. His actions declare his name, Jairus, which means “God enlightens”. God enlightened this synagogue official that hope and healing lies not on the law but in Christ alone. Jairus is begging for hope and healing. Jesus is giving hope and healing.

Jairus made a big step. He might be where Jesus is to list down Jesus’ shortcomings in the fulfillment of the law. But maybe as Jairus is capturing moments against Jesus, Jesus captured his heart. He knelt down before the Jesus whom he supposedly to guard on the requirements of the written law. With this, his job maybe at the exit door. Jairus made the big step not for himself but for somebody else.

Jesus made a big step too. He is not only passing by to adhere Jairus’ request, He is going to Jairus’ home. To make the dead rise. To give hope to the hopeless. To heal the broken heart. For the unbelievers to believe.

We can make big steps through God’s grace for others. We can be instruments of God’s enlightenment to others. High hops to give hope. Large leaps to give light. Jumbo jumps to give joy.

Go to another country to do God’s work. Talk to a stranger about Jesus. Give a talk in the prayer meeting. Lead the prayer meeting. Volunteer for the parish. Volunteer for the community. Give up time for self to do time for others. Make a long distance call to a friend in crisis.

Jesus made the biggest step by dying on the cross. He invites us to die and live for Him. Draw strength from Him to make big steps. Big steps offered to a big God.

Small Steps of Hope

“If I just touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” – Mark 5:28.

She had spent all she had. She had suffered greatly from hopping from one doctor to another. No clinic or hospital has made her well. Her condition is at worst. No health. No wealth. For twelve long years she had suffered. For dozen of years, she hoped she will be healed. She hoped she will be healed by her doctors. She hoped she will be healed using her money. And she hoped in vain.

She had nothing but God alone. And on this day, she hoped He will heal. She said, “If I just touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” She hoped. He healed.

She just touched His cloak. Just a little gesture. Just a tiny tidbit. No big deal. No magnificent action. It’s not like multiplication of the bread. It’s not like the large catch of fish in Galilee.

And here Jesus is showing us we can have and share hope of healing to others by committing ourselves to small steps. Touch someone through small steps.

Henri Nouwen wrote – How can we choose love when we have experienced so little of it? We choose love by taking small steps of love every time there is an opportunity. A smile, a handshake, a word of encouragement, a phone call, a card, an embrace, a kind greeting, a gesture of support, a moment of attention, a helping hand, a present, a financial contribution, a visit … all these are little steps toward love. Each step is like a candle burning in the night. It does not take the darkness away, but it guides us through the darkness. When we look back after many small steps of love, we will discover that we have made a long and beautiful journey.

In Christ, we can bring hope and healing to our family and friends by committing to small steps. Small steps, blessed by God, will bring hope to the desperate.

Our small steps are God’s giant leap.

Two Miles

Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Matthew 5:41

In the past week, I had the opportunity to provide time for the Filipino Basketball League in our area. During the meeting of the team representatives, I observed I needed to step-up. I volunteered to take care of the basketball games schedule, synchronize teams to serve as committees for each game, coordinate the opening program ceremonies, calling the referees and communicating with them our own rules of the game, and coordinating everything for my team.

I had to drop a meeting scheduled weeks ago which my wife and I have with other Filipino couples to do all the stuff I stated above. I sent out a notice of cancellation through email to postpone the meeting with the reason of organizing the basketball league. It was a very late notice as it was two days before the meeting.

During the basketball opening weekend, the following happened:

* Teams did not come early for the opening ceremonies, the emcee for the opening ceremonies did not show up, opening ceremonies was canceled
* The games schedules were to be adjusted according the referees’ schedule
* The rules I talked about with the referee over the phone were revised
* Players came for their games but had no time to serve for the other games
* We almost defaulted our games since my teammates came in trickle for our games

Frustration and discouragement enveloped me during the weekend.

I was pressed to go one mile but I was required to do two miles.

When we went home, our emails have a message that a couple came for the postponed meeting. I had to accept the responsibility since my postponement came in late and I believe in this culture, time is very precious and people have other things to attend to like family time and work. I sent an email apologizing for the mixed-up.

Frustration and discouragement might have enveloped them during the weekend.

Someone went one mile with me, but I required them to go for two miles.

I’ve realized one mile is not enough. There’s a need to go beyond that. Someone have to give it to me. I have to give it to someone or everyone.

Grace from God is available all throughout the whole marathon.

When asked to go for one mile, go for two miles.

This Qualification

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor. 3:4-6

I studied in a elementary public school.
I went to high school at a non-sectarian institution.
I graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in college.
I went to study further and got my Masters in Engineering.
I am the blacksheep of the family.
From elementary through college, I had this habit of stealing money from my parents and my aunt.
I have this weakness on sexual thoughts and fantasies.
Time and time again, I have fallen into sexual sins.

Does this resume belong to a minister of the new covenant? Looks like an engineer who is a heavy sinner to me.

All by God’s grace, I have experienced the following:

* Leading prayer meetings
* Leading various Christian communities
* Speaking in recollections, retreats and conferences
* Training people to do God’s work

The confidence I have is not based on my education and credentials. The confidence that I carry is not based on what is written on my diplomas. I am not educated to preach. I was not educated to lead people onwards to Him. I did what I did not because it was written on a letter. God is my confidence. His Spirit is my strength. By His grace, I arise and lead His people. By His grace, I stand before an assembly to speak about Him. By His grace, I taught His people to do great things for Him. I have nothing to take the credit. God deserves all the acclaim since I am not qualified.

God is not a human resources manager who has a checklist if you are up to the job or not.

God alone is our reference. This is our confidence.

God appoints and God anoints. This is our qualification.

I am blessEd

Blessed….. Matthew 5:3-10

I am blessEd.

My daughters keep on losing their baseball caps and jackets in school. I am blessEd, my daughters do not get lost.

I come home and my daughters’ room is a mess. I am blessEd, my family life is not in a mess.

My wife is almost sick, with headaches or body aches, each day. I am blessEd, I have the opportunity to comfort her daily.

I speak via long distance communication with my siblings back in the Philippines. I am blessEd, I have a growing relationship with my brothers and sisters.

I have to wash the dishes and cook wares after each meal. I am blessEd, it means I have partaken of God’s providence.

We are paying monthly bills and property debts here and back in the Philippines. I am blessEd, God has given us assets and capability to meet our obligations.

We seldom have to have savings each month. I am blessEd, God provides our daily bread.

We had a company meeting and it was announced that we will not have our usual mid-year bonus. I am blessEd, I have a job.

Look beyond the things you do not have. Look over the opportunities you have missed.

You have a lot in your hands. Want what you have. Embrace His grace. Bless God for you are blessed by God. You can say it too.

I am blessEd.

Armed with His Presence

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

I was giving these technical trainings to fellow TRANSCO engineers, all seasoned with various experience. Every time I come before them I feel anxious and have the nerves since they can inquire on difficult relationship of my lecture and their actual practice. Their questions range from theory to reality. As I proclaim technical lessons for the seminar, my manager sits at the back. When I get the hardest hit of query, my manager bails me out. He stands up to bring light to the issue under discussion. I have all the theories and limited experience in my mind but his presence is my greatest arm.

The disciples are sent to proclaim the gospel. Make disciples out of the disciples. Their three years with Jesus might be enough to lean onto. Their hearts which heard the teachings of the Messiah might back them up. The life they shared with the Master might bring things in place. On the other hand, Jesus sends the disciples, not reminding them of the three years of experience being with Him, but telling them to hold on to His presence. To be mindful that He is with the disciples always until the end. Be confident for He is with us. He is telling His disciples, "Depend on My presence." Depend not on your skills. Depend not on your abilities. Depend not on your talents. Depend not on your expertise. Depend not on your gifts.

We have Jesus with us always as we go where He sends us. We are armed with His presence.

The Little Boy Factor

The God of Multiplication Series

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish………..” John 6:9

There is a student here who has skills for making posters.

There is a teenager here who has an aptitude for hosting.

There is a college girl here who has knack for arranging things.

There is a bachelor here who has flair for audio systems.

There is a woman here who has good cooking hands.

There is a man here who has a good sense of humor.

There is a laborer here who has a neat approach to building things.

There is a husband here who has organizing proficiency.

There is a wife here who has skills in making greeting cards.

How about you? Fill in the blanks.

There is _____________ here who has ____________________.

Give what you have. There is no such thing as a small contribution in God’s work; He has the power to multiply.

Present what you have before His Presence.

Not Ours

Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:17

She gave it back. For one reason, it was not hers.

Mildred Perez, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Hongkong, has no job after filing a complaint in court against her employer who sexually assaulted her. Since Hongkong laws do not allow a complainant like her to take up employment, her two kids back in Nueva Viscaya, Philippines have to stopped their college courses. And for two years now she is digging and rummaging garbage bins for a living and for funding her visa extension. She even has a lump on her head that needs minor surgery which would cost about HK$3,000.

On a day after renewing her HK visa, Mildred picked up an envelope from a trash bin containing $176,000 in cash (in denomination of $1,000) and four checks: one for US$13,000, another for US$5,000, a third for US$3,250, and another for HK$10,920 as reported by INQUIRER.net.

The amount of money could have save her from her miserable life. But she had grown with a father who taught her to give back anything that is not hers. She contacted HK information center about the company who lost the envelope and to cut the story short, she gave back what she has found to the rightful owner.

Jesus talks about give to God what is due to God. We found ourselves with all the things, tangible and intangible; we need to live by in this temporal immigrant life. We have skills and talents that matter small or big impact. We have resources which can bring someone food on the table or education for a lifetime. We have time to share a good word of encouragement or a gracious presentation of the Gospel.

Everything we have we received from Him. Everything we posses He gave us access. Our dear life is breathed through His grace. More than honesty, we acknowledge the privilege that our possessions, our abilities, our time, and our single life be given back to the rightful owner.

Give it back to God. For one reason, it’s not ours.

God of Details

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

I saw those two numbers. Two numbers that matter in the work I was doing. At first, I was about to panic for in this work I am doing, millions of numbers are involved. I was troubleshooting the results and saw there was something wrong. I went through the data input if I have some typo errors but not. Turned to the files where I got the data and that led me to those two numbers which made the results flawed. If I have not corrected those two numbers this work will be in vain and will not be complete and perfect.

Is our God like that? Yes. God delights to go through the details of our lives. He cares for our significant decisions and minute routines. He would go great lengths to bring us to the right direction in our big and small upkeeps. God maybe in charge of the universe and putting the stock market in balance but He is also mindful that there are rather tiny matters in our imperfect lives that must be corrected. How about these:

* Tiny negative thoughts about a co-worker
* Small negative feeling towards a blogger
* Taking some minutes from your work hours to visit Facebook
* Peeking at those semi nude actresses on TV or websites
* Portraying dismal facial expressions towards your child
* Small events of gossip with your community leader

Our God works in mystical gigantic ways. But those immense miracles are founded in details. The Psalmist wrote about God knitting us in our mother’s womb. Needle coming in. Needle coming out. Thread by thread. Breath by breath. It is all about detailing His creation.

Our God is a God of Details. Your life is a detail. You are a detail. God is concerned about your small words, thoughts and actions that you may be complete and perfect.