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Spirituality anyone?

2010-08-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

It was about a month ago while paying courtesy and presenting our ministry to a friend, when I first had this now lingering thought that bothers me from time to time.

Being out for a couple of months, I asked my friend to give me a pulse of the campus for me to understand and in a way strategize entry points for ministry.
The lengthy conversation had its peak on awful situation of the new and upcoming students.

The concern is that the students are no longer spiritual as they ought to be. And the sole goal is to bring back that spirituality among them. So I'm asked to come in to complement on that aspect. I asked him if this is all that we want to see--a certain level of spirituality. Accordingly yes, that's the goal.

Our conclusion:

No wonder we've lost the spirituality because that's all that's required of them.

If the whole goal is spirituality the solution would be so simple. It can just require anyone to at least show up-show up in church, sing praises, show up in small groups, show off in prayers and the likes. Students can feel spiritual doing that. It's actually simple and easy; yet dangerously superficial and shallow (and this is what we reap so this is what we will change).

We can offer them far more than spirituality. We can teach, coach, disciple the students to live out biblical christianity.The two are different because the former requires us to just show up but the latter invites us to live a life of obedience. spirituality is simple and easy, Christianity is simple but not easy. But it is the real deal. By now we have to end the sight of seeing students being in church but seemingly powerless against sin. We have to see a generation who knows what it is to take up their crosses, what it entails to be a Christian, what joy it brings when they make decisions for God, and what glorious rewards and blessings obedience brings.

The Daniels and Davids of this generation will spell the difference. And they're coming out like wildfire.They will make a statement why the righteous are bold as lions.
There's gonna rise a generation who will hear, read, and obey the Word of God and we are discipling them now.

Pres Aquino looks beyond

2010-06-29T02:12:00.000-07:00

"The main objective is to educate the future generation."

Over a press conference aired through ANC and DZMM, Philippine President elect Noy Aquino stressed this very important note concerning the next generation of Filipinos. The remark may seem broad but nevertheless it's full of hope.

Tomorrow we'll witness him come in as the 15th president of the Philippines.

photo from www.misyononline.com

Smoke over milk

2010-06-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

This kid's just two years old and he smokes about 40 sticks of cigarette a day. He goes tantrums if he's not given a stick when he wants to smoke. Worst is his dad thinks it's really okay and people think he's pretty cool.

Don't be dumbed down to think the problem here is ignorance. It's not. As long as you're in your senses you know it's weird when a 2 year old prefers smoke over milk. The problem here is tolerance. How many times do we have to suffer the consequences of tolerating bad stuff early on? Dealing with the next generation involves a lot of disciplining, teaching, rebuking, and correcting. Try not making them acquainted with discipline early in life and you get the fangs and raised eyebrows when they grow older-just the right time for us to regret for not doing our part.

Spot for students, always

2010-06-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Wilson Lee Flores last night had dinner w/ Philippine Star reader (former Zamboanga student) & his wife who emailed me 5 years ago, he & his new wife are here in Metro Manila for a short trip so I invited them to dinner. No matter how busy I am in realty business & other stuffs I do, I always reply to every letter from my column's readers & give special attention also to letters from students. I have a spot for students, always

June 24 at 12:55am · Comment
This was the Fb post of Mr. Wilson Lee Flores after our dinner last week. Mr. Lee Flores is a realty entrepreneur and broker, Philippine Star columnist (with the funniest email address), magazine editor, and part time teacher. He is so busy. Very busy. But as he puts it, he gives special attention to students (which I was when we had email correspondence years ago). I love it when older folks invest a lot on the next generation. I emailed him years ago just to comment on his column. Recently, we got to call and text him unknowingly interrupting him on his meetings. But then he made way for me and my wife for us to meet up and hang out. Over dinner, together with some of his friends, we had a great conversation about our work in the ministry, the state of the students today, and how important Dumaguete being a university town is. It was already an honor being with him and his friends, but they went to as far as really listening to us talk our hearts out over matters concerning the next generation.I just really wish for more people like him in our nation.

23 Days before the EN10

2010-06-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

30 minutes after the registration for the Every Nation World Conference 2010 opened in the Philippines, I got to contact TicketWorld through phone from Zamboanga for a reservation. The woman on the phone told me it was crazy. People were just rushing to get it line even hours before they opened. Because it was that crazy, they know it's gonna be something BIG! The upcoming conference's got something big and special for the STUDENTS. If you're a student and you're not yet registered, let us help you with it. Contact me @ 09062321689 or Ree @ 09179001064.

Do Hard Things

2010-06-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm on page 73 of our new book, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. So far it's a great read. It's a new generation Randy Alcorn endorsed book written by the twin brothers of I Kissed Dating Goodbye author Joshua Harris. The authors started the TheRebelution.com and were supposed to hold conferences in Manila and Cebu but failed to due to their mom's illness. My wife picked this book at Powerbooks and I must say it's one of those that helps us get on track. How I wish this one was available ten years ago. If you are a teenager, invest on this, this might really bring out the elephant in you! Buy it now. My Rating (so far): 4 of 5 stars. Hehe

My wife is reading Malcom Gladwell's Tipping Point and On the Anvil by Lucado. My rating based on how she's glued to it: 5 of 5 stars.

I think it's important to keep this going

2010-06-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

I've just used up 3hours of tonight trying to rearrange this site. I'm back to blogging and I hope to keep this going. This is just really important.

image from lakwatsero.files.wordpress

Now it's funny being right

2009-11-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

I had a short conversation with an old HS pal over lunch. Him learning about my upcoming wedding triggered quite an interesting conversation. He begun asking me sincere questions like:

For a such a short time being together, you're getting married right away?
You really did propose to her? That thing still happens, really?
You're telling me you're getting into this with the real intention of really marrying her?

At my answers, he nods in sincerity and at the same time can't stop laughing in disbelief. He just can't stop laughing, no ounce of sarcasm just pure amazement.
I asked him, You ever wonder why nowadays it looks funny doing the right things?

With that, I got him to wonder with me.

Wonder why?

3Rs in discipleship

2009-10-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

Honor God. Make Disciples.

To have this, we teach you to
Realize
Receive and
Respond
to the love of God.

Yellow grieves

2009-08-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

"It wasn't until we got over the self pity that we were able to accept suffering as part of our life with Christ. A man or woman reaches this plane only when he or she ceases to be the hero."

Corazon Aquino, 1933-2009

All she wanted as a housewife was to serve his husband and be a good mother to their kids. It turned out she will have to serve her oppressed nation and nurse a wounded generation.

For the sure taste of democracy and the restoration of integrity in the government, thank you Her Excellency President Cory Aquino.
Laban as you say, Laban the Filipinos will do.
_________________________________
Two more weeks and class is over for me. The next three months after this, I will be focusing on formally raising my ministry support and attend to my wedding preparation for January. I'm asking you to please do pray for me. :)

People Group Report

2009-07-28T01:55:00.000-07:00

This was our initial people group report presentation under missiologist, Dr. Jun Escosar. I'm doing a report on the Kapunungan ng mga Mass Communicators of Silliman University. I'll be blogging soon as to why I picked this group.

I will have to do surveys and intervies for this.
Im pretty glad that a lot of information are on the school's website.

Rice in not bahaw

2009-07-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

Ptr Rice Broocks was in town for the Victory @ 25 celebration. He asked for a meeting with the campus ministers and we were invited as well. Ptr Rice started Victory together with Ptr Steve back in 1984. And he was one of the proponents of putting much focus in campus evangelism. Picture inset is his book from 1985 which sloganed change the campus, change the world. 25 years after that, the passion resonates the same!

photo from uylaryet.multiply.com

Say what?

2009-07-15T01:32:00.000-07:00

This was our communication class this afternoon.
As ministers, we put value in learning communication skills because much of our work will involve communicating whether it be preaching, teaching, talking,...be it in small groups or a church congregation.

Talk about putting premium in learning this, we had three of the best communicators teach us this afternoon-Pastors Paolo Punzalan (Fort), LA Mumar and Robert Hern (Pioneer).

Do I dare to say I want more of me?

2009-07-13T01:41:00.000-07:00

Ever watched that gremlin movie wherein those small creatures multiply when they get wet?

I was given a nice gauge as to how I could evaluate myself from time to time. It's a simple question that encompasses the totality of everything I do and everything I am. Here it goes:

Am I bold to say that I'm willing to see myself multiplied? Meaning there'd be dozens of me everywhere I look. The whole place is filled with myself with my exact character, attitude, convictions, and the like.

Hmmm.. Should I dare say yes? Nope. But I'm challenged to be able to say yes in the future.

Robert says...

2009-07-11T05:36:00.001-07:00

"The issues of life are life and death, and every day that we are indifferent to our reponsibilities is a day lost to the cause of Christ."

"There is no place in the Kingdom for a slacker (escapes work), for such an attitude not only precludes any growth in grace and knowledge, but also destroys any usefulness on the world battlefiled of evangelism."

Robert E. Coleman, author of The Master Plan of Evangelism

Micro will make metro

2009-07-11T05:01:00.000-07:00

When a delegation of foreign officials visited Thailand, the government had an entire slum area covered end to end to avoid distaste over the unsightly area.
The last Olympics, I read Beijing did the same.

Just how general can this be?

When you drive along Manila or in my case commute along Manila, you see the same thing bannered under the Metro Gwapo Urban Facelift project. along C5, you'd see concrete walls bordering or rather covering the shanty areas. Other houses along the highway are painted the trademark pink and blue to make them look at least adorable or likeable as Hello Kitty is.
Fly to Cebu and anyone would witness the same thing.

Just how micro could this be?

Have you tried to witness a classmate, household helper, or maybe your mom sweep the dust under the rag? I mean hide the dust under the rag. Ever tried cleaning your place knowing that you dint really clean but hid everything behind something else.

Looking at this paradigm, it makes me think just how much our attitude towards small things today will make their metro mark in the future.

Just wondering if we could learn to hate this general indifference. I think we can. And we will always think we can until we get a move on it.

Four Rounds

2009-07-09T05:03:00.000-07:00

This day shall go down as one of the most memorable in my schooling. We had a whole day of review (oral recitation). And it's probably the longest to date. Imagine the whole day being at the edge of your seat murmuring grace to yourself while waiting for your popsicle stick with your name on it to be called. When you don't get it, you remain standing till you get a question right. Three unanswered questions and the three knockdown rule is official-one page paper. We usually have this for an hour on Mondays. So when you get it right, you're safe the entire time. This day was like forever. We each had four rounds of it! Good thing I made all four. Grace.
What I like though, is when my classmates applaud when you get it right (You don't experience that elsewhere). They look at you when you're wrong as if wanting to tell you the answer. The "C'mon! You can do it spirit" is there! Goodness, that' s rare! I'm wowed.

Top 5 things I learned in school today

2009-07-08T02:11:00.000-07:00

1. I shouldn't let my passion for ministry overtake my passion for Jesus.
2. I have to keep learning and learning or else I'll get stuck.
3. I can have the anointing and be successful yet not have the character.
4. I have to pop my head everytime it bulks to critical level.
5. The next Archie Lim is Archie Lim. I'm unique and I need not be a copycat.

At least this one's saved

2009-07-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

It was dreadful when my fiancee's i-phone shifted back to its at&t default when making an in i-tunes update. It has hundreds of my favorite pictures of her and us so that seals the burden. But lo and behold, I found out that some of my favorite pictures from the phone has been saved in my laptop! Here's a favorite of mine; i love it when she makes faces. She's in Cebu and I miss her a lot. A lot!

Please speak grace for our wedding preparation. Thank you!

Sneaking to say Red Mango's the best

2009-07-05T03:25:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak blog...
I just can't keep my mouth shut. I had one of my life's best snacks at Red Mango. Fresh frozen yogurt with mangoes and peaches. The best.
I'm working on my assignments for tommorrow-three readings with papers and another paper for Bible interpretation class. That should come first. :)

University Belt Freshmen Night

2009-07-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

I'm a context person and generally I'm always fascinated at knowing how things came to be. I always pick up good from something I've learned. I knew Victory started in Recto in 1984. So when I got there on my way to a mall, I was deeply conscious of my mind fascination as to where in that congested place it all started. And boy I can't imagine it even started there. That place was a potpourri of sweat, fumes, and a tapestry of garbage. I got it, if the people who started it weren't real at all they won't be there. That just seals my kudos to them.
That Recto church has since found its way in the University belt.
July3 7pm, St. Thomas Square along Lerma in Sampaloc. It's freshmen night at Victory U-belt. It was my second time there, and I must say last night while watching the event my heart was ablazed. There were thousands of students from different campuses converged in the center. After treat performances by Abby Asistio, Luke Mijares, and Cardio Boys, Ptr Gilbert shared an encouragement simply telling the freshies to get connected with God. I believe the word took its grounds and its just a matter of tme to see those come in fruition. Looking at the multitudes od students, passion overtook me and I prayed for the church and its leaders. That place will see thousands of this nation's leaders who will take on a stampede of righteousness. Years time, this nation will never be the same that even our five senses will attest to this. Not many may believe it now, but I'll search for for this blog in my archives when that day begins to happen.

Generation Why

2009-06-27T02:37:00.000-07:00

The i.generation (Generation Y 1982-2002) and the current Cyber Generation are in total contrast with the past generations (the current toothless and hairless, kidding!).

Much has been said in pointing out the differences and the logical contradictions and 'abnormalities' and lameness of this present generation. I don't need to point out every single obvious perception about the latter.

With all the obvious setbacks, we were asked once in class, 'why should we understand this generation?' to which my answer was, 'we need to understand this generation because they have been misunderstood as a purposeless generation.'

It maybe true that the progression of the world sees a pattern of regression among the turning generations. it can be an object of disgust and ridicule but never a case for hopelesness. I think what marks the diference for all who notice is whether who gets burdened and remain burdened and who gets burdened and decides to do something of his burden.

Why the campus?

2009-06-27T00:44:00.000-07:00

In a 'dna transfer class' i was made to understand that:

70 % of our generation is below 30 years of age.

The fact presented in the diminishing age of salvation says 19 out of 20 who become Christians do so before they reach the age of 25.

50 % of our nation's population is under 20 years of age, 30 % are under 30.

The composite of youth in our nation shows that 10% are out of school, 25% are 'ruined', while 65% are in the campuses.

Should we reach the campuses? I'd be silly to say no.