I am personally excited to hear and learn from Francis Kong and His keynote speakers tomorrow! It will be my first time to attend a learning event like this with my brother! I’ll be sharing in this blog this weekend the things we can adopt as we mentor and build up student leaders.
If ever you’re coming there too, see you around!
This is our vision. This is our cause!
We strongly believe that the future local or national, even global leaders in the making are in our city’s campuses! When we connect with them, build good mentoring-relationships with them and impart the values that we believe are foundational for their personal development, we are surely making a difference in our nation!
This year, we are currently having our second wave of LIFE Classes at San Juan National High School. With the recommendation of their principal, the guidance office has partnered with us last July 2011 in developing necessary values among some of their freshmen students.
But what’s exciting is I’m not doing this alone! 
In this post, I want to honor our faithful, available & committed volunteers who makes these LIFE Class possible!
When we were preparing for this second wave of classes, I was so surprised and glad to know that the majority of our volunteers this time are the college students we are life-coaching back in PUP San Juan Campus! This is really amazing! They’re getting the cause and they’re jumping in!
Thank you coach Paul, Dave, Michelle, Joy, and Mica I know you guys have a lot of professional work to do but you still want to invest some time with us in this campus. To our “mentees” from PUP-SJ, coach Adrian, Mitch, Joyce, Richelle, Roschelle, Coline, Anna, and Vangie thank you so much for serving joyfully! Your passion is viral!
We would also would like to honor Noel, Rachel, Neram, Tonie, Nikki, Joshuavelle, Joy Cab, Joy Bau, Kuya Bernie, Jay, Alvin, Bryce, and Mike who helped us jumpstart our early LifeClass and LifeGroups at the beginning of last year, from Promenade to Bgy. Corazon De Hesus to the 2nd flr. of Mcdonald’s Wilson, your efforts were never in vain! More students and more sections are yet to come this coming school year 2012! We’ve only just began!
We look forward for more people who would partner with us in this. Indeed when we change a campus, we change the world!
At times when I take a taxi going home, I usually get into interesting conversations with the drivers. Some would be political (e.g. the latest impeachment or government issues), some are relational (that he’s working so hard for his son’s children because his son as a lot of kids and is still is living at their house) and some are just trivial (Some would show me their ice picks or Barbecue sticks and tells me their action plan whenever a hold-upper would try to rob him). This time it was Theological.
The driver asks: “So how do you explain to your students about the origin of God? Who created Him by the way?” I smiled and thought about his seemingly deep yet honest concern. He did not seem to be going for an argument.
He just needed someone to give him the truth. So I said, “Sir, I think that question needs to be checked of its presumption.” I said “As humans, we all have our own ideas and opinion about life, ourselves and even about God. But the only ultimate arbiter of whether any idea or opinion about anything is right and true is this sacred book called the Bible. History tells us that it has been written by men but it was divinely inspired by God Himself so we could have an accurate picture of who He is. Some notable men have questioned it’s reliability and some have even tried to put an end to it but they all failed against it. Even the science and art of textual criticism have proven its credibility and reliability so we could be assured of its authority…”
The driver was nodding. Seemingly convinced about the things I was sharing.
And so I continued…”The Bible tells us that GOD IS ETERNAL. He has no beginning and no end. That’s why He is God. The Bible helps us know and understand how God our True God is. This is why people need to read it.”
We went on with the interesting conversation. He also shared some of his concerns about his family in Florida but by that time, the taxi was now at our gate. He thanked me for shedding him some light. He said he hopes to see me again around Greenhills, San Juan.
I only hope he truly meets Jesus.
He would make a great taxi-missionary!
I’ve heard of this game card since last month (December 2011) and almost all my friends, cousins, relatives, the students I know, and youth from church and even workmates are into this fast-paced, totally addictive card game that you can play in minutes!
To win in this game you just need to complete 3 property sets. It may sound easy but the thrill and the fun comes on how you go about it! Its really funny when you see kids act like adults and adults act like kids!
This game card is really a great way to bond with your students, youth group, workmates, your friends and your family! Get to know them more and have happy moments together!
Here’s how Bojo and I get to know more about our new workmate-BB the Bear!
As of today, 1,080 people have been reported dead and about 1,079 are still missing!
How can we help and be a part of the current relief and restoration operations?
Right Start, a foundation we are supporting in Victory Greenhills, will be doing Relief Operations at CDO next week to help those who were badly affected by the Storm.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING DONATIONS:
Bank of Philippine Islands account under RIGHT START COMMUNITY DEV’T INC. – Account Number: 004021-0129-42
Banco De Oro: account under RIGHT START COMMUNITY DEV’T INC. — Account Number: 2030132221
DOLLAR ACCOUNT: Banco de Oro under account name: Right Start Community Dev’t Inc. account number: 102030129115
Let’s send some love and support to our fellow Filipinos in every way possible!
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
-Galatians 6:10
Its Christmas time and for most of us who are working in various fields of profession get excited for this what we call “13th” month Christmas bonus.
For students, Christmas bonus would mean extra allowances or “ampaos”. Those red envelopes with cash inside! (To our “ninongs” and “ninangs” get ready! No hide and seek please!:))
Yet whether you call it your extra wage, your extra allowance or just your extra cash, we all should be wise in being good stewards of it.
Here is my 3-question “Act Your Wage” purchasing principle. I learned this from Mr. Chinkee Tan, Randell Tiongson, and those people whom I personally know and look up to who handles finances very well:
Question #1: Is it a NEED or a WANT?
Question #2: Are You Buying it in CASH or CREDIT?
Question #3: What Does God have to say about it?
Here’s an example:
Question #1: Is it a NEED or a WANT?
Hmm… something could really be a “wanted-need”, a gadget, say iPhone4s…but do I really need a little robot called Siri to get things done in the most excellent, effective and efficient way? Will it help me to better accomplish the cause I’m living for? If yes… then go for it! But wait! Another question….
Question #2: Are You Buying it in CASH or CREDIT?
Taking the iPhone4s example again…Can I really really afford it? I mean really as in I won’t exhaust all my personal bank account savings just to get one? Did I really save up for it? Am I going get one thru credit and pay it monthly? Hmm… If I really really need it and if I can afford it in cash I guess there’s no more issue, let’s go for it! …but wait! Last question!
Question #3: What Does God have to say about it?
Does God have to be still in this? I guess yes if you’re heart is set to honor him in everything…Here’s what, God has always wanted the best for us! The thing is our “best” might be just “good” in His eyes. And His timing might be the “best” thing we could also consider.
If you have that peace and you know God is blessing you with whatever it is you are purchasing, then go and enjoy God’s favor!
“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”
-Prov. 10:22 (NLT)
Merry Christmas everyone! Let’s keep ourselves from [financial] trouble!
1. Too Slothful?
Maybe we’re just too lazy to sit up, get up, open our lips, to ask God and believe Him for His will to be done. Prayer requires action. It takes energy. It takes discipline. Prayer requires your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
2. Too Satisfied?
Have you tried asking people about their prayer concerns and they would simply tell you “am ok”, “nah am good”, “not much to pray for”. What?! We’re made for more of God in our lives! For all of Him in our lives! Praying makes us realize that God has a lot in store ahead than just being saved, seated, and satisfied “cute on fire” Christians!
3. Too Strong?
Or maybe we feel we feel too strong enough and are self-sufficient.
“God’s grace and power for me today? Nah Thanks God ako na to (I believe I can handle things today) This is our Broken mindset!
True Strong people have the strength to admit they’re weak apart from God’s grace.
Effective Prayer Tips? Click Here
Our LifeBox staff just had a great Christmas celebration recently! The great year end report, the growth in the students were reaching and mentoring, favor on campuses, the new ones on staff and just the value of relationship everyone had with everyone-all were amazing! Pastor Joseph shared a word on thankfulness that I thought of blogging about and sharing with you and the rest of student leaders out there!
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him, with thanksgiving”
-Psalms 69:30
1. Thanksgiving Protects Our Hearts
-A good heart is a heart that is set on God! It has never been because of our efforts or abilities that we are who we are right now nor accomplished what we have accomplished now. God alone makes things grow! Thankfulness keeps us from the peril of pride and self-worship.
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me…”
-Psalm 50:23
2. Thanksgiving Honors God
-There’s nothing like giving praise and glory to God! It just satisfies our deepest soul! When we magnify him and adore His greatness, there comes a peace and a joy that just thrills our hearts and be more closer to Him!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
-Philippians 4:6
3. Thanksgiving Prepares us For Greater Things
-Thanksgiving and Faith are just inseparable! A heart that’s grateful is ready for bigger things! Thankfulness prepares our heart to be in faith for the future. A grumpy ungrateful heart is one that will have a hard time believing God for greater God-sized possibilities!
As Christians, God’s people who have been caught in the Amazing grace, love and goodness of God, we are the ones who have the most reasons to be thankful! Giving thanks should be constant (at all times), intentional (willful) and specific (precise). Indeed, all is grace!- All pure God’s great and sovereign grace!
Blessed is the leader
who knows where to go
Why to go there and how to get there
Blessed is the leader
who knows no discouragement
Presents no alibi
Blessed is the leader
who knows how to lead
without being dictatorial
Blessed is the leader
who leads for the good of the most concerned
not for personal gratification
Blessed is the leader
who develops leaders while leading
Blessed is the leader
with a head in the clouds
and feet on the ground
Blessed is the leader
who considers leadership
an opportunity to serve.
What does it look like for churches to make Disciples?
Love. Liberate. Lead. Launch!
Watch this video: This is Making Disciples
