Image – MCGONZAGA

Relationships | Why dispose?

April 16, 2016April 22, 2016Posted in DiscipleshipTagged Christian Living, christianity, Friends, Influence, RelationshipsLeave a comment

On my previous blog, I wrote about relationships and how they aren’t disposable. I shared about how my friends and I overcame the challenges and how to stand firm in saying “no” to disposable relationships. These are the friends I found in church who are truly for keeps. They have been a blessing and indeed, as described in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” That is why I truly value them.

Now, let’s talk about the people who we allow to influence us . Among the key relationships within our circles, Identify among them who you need to move to your outer circle of influence or totally disconnect with, due to it’s unhealthy influence in us. The Bible warns us about that in 1 corinthians 15:33, It says;

Let me share with you other versions to help us better understand it.

Spot on these quote…

People who we choose as friends are the people who we allow to have influence in our lives. The bible says in Proverbs 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

We need friends that point us back to God in whatever situations, Who are honest and sincere to point out our shortcoming, mistake and sin and walk with us in our faith and vision in in life. However we do not completely dispose those who we feel that brings us aways from God’s purpose,but leave enough space to keep the line open for us to share the gospel and minister to, and even have them in our prayers.

Here are a few questions to ponder on our current relationship that we allow to influence us most?

Are my friends empowering me to live a Godly life?
Are my friends pushing me to go deeper in my intimacy with God?
Are my friends building up my character and faith in God?
Are my friends tolerating me in my worldly and ungodly ways?
Do they speak the truth? and choose not to please me?

We need Godly men and women in our lives, that will help us grow deeper in our faith and relationship with Jesus. People whom we keep close to our hearts that remind of faith, vision and direction in life. People who stand along with us in our journeys and battles.

It is never enough to hold our tongues

March 28, 2016March 28, 2016Posted in DiscipleshipTagged #FreeEbook #PowerOfWords BookReflection, christianity, Declarations, WisdomLeave a comment

As I read “Wisdom and Declarations” written by my good friend Caleb Galaraga, it reminded me of the good people who have encouraged me & spoke powerful declarations in my life that helped me become a better person. However, it also reminded me of the devastating words said to me that had a negative impact in my life as well as the things that I’ve said that brought more damage than encouragement. The bible says that the tongue has the power of life and death. In his book, Caleb encourages us to live a life committed to choose to speak life. It means speaking words that build people up, intentionally encouraging others, and choosing your words wisely, no matter what situation or circumstance we are in.

I remember those times when I was sleepless, pressured, and frustrated while running the university week activities with the student council officers and volunteers. At the main hall, I vented my anger on someone in public with a scandalous yelling and reprimand. That forever changed my relationship with a fellow student and officer at the student council. A great wall was created in defense to me. I have repented and apologized so many times, I tried to restore the friendship and working relationship that affected me and the entire student organization I was in. There was no excuse for my behavior. What has been said cannot be taken back.

About a year ago, my friends and I attended a wedding. One of my friends who went to that event at that time was an atheist. There was a time in the event wherein we had the opportunity to hang out with a pastor along with his wife, during the hangout conversation, the hurting experiences he had in the past from church leaders resurfaced. It was a powerful moment when the pastor listened to him and sincerely apologized in behalf of the leaders. We all felt that forgiveness has been release, healing and restoration took place. After that I have never heard him utter words of hate or anger towards the church.( as far as I know) Our ability to humbly ask for forgiveness brings people whom we have hurt to the healing and restoration process.

To most of us who have uttered damaging and not so encouraging words, when we learn our mistakes, it is never enough to hold our tongues and say we will never do it again. I like what Caleb said in his e-book, “choose to commit to a life that speaks life, regardless who we speak to, regardless of their past and their mistakes, regardless of circumstances and situations”. The words we speak brings good or bad results.

I highly recommend the e-book to everyone and also for group study and discussions. Caleb’s e-book “Wisdom and Declaration” is free for download, click the link below and it will direct you to the download site.

Click here : http://calebgalaraga.com/book/

Social Media | Optimizing influence

March 14, 2016March 14, 2016Posted in Campus Ministry, DiscipleshipTagged living missional, purpose, Social Media, StewardshipLeave a comment

Life is precious that in our lifetime, we are gifted with influence and one of the avenues of our influence is on social media. In social media alone, over 32% of the total Philippine population in 2015 are involved and most of them are on Facebook.

With that in mind, whatever we communicate in our social media platforms (Facebook, tweeter, Instagram and etc.) brings a certain degree of influence and bearing. Come to think of it, How are we going to effectively use our social media platforms? How are we going to make a difference through these things ? Here are some principles we can consider in making greater impact in your social media sites:

1. Identify your values

What we post intentionally or unintentionally may communicate or miscommunicate what you value. Identifying what we value helps us have a clear judgement on what we consistently pound to the public.

Let the people know what is valuable, so innate in you and close to your heart and share them to the world.

2. Personal Mission Statement

Once you have identified your core values, now, comes your sense of purpose that enables you to a have missional life, so what’s your personal mission statement? If you haven’t have one, now is the best time to reflect, whether it may be for this season or longterm.

Be missional and be intentional, whether it may be inspiring others through photos and encouraging and uplifting others through words. What’s your advocacy? Where do you think God is placing your purpose in the puzzle of a global picture?

3. Communicate consistently what you value.

There is power in consistency, If you’re a person who aspires to bring encouragement to people through social media or whatever endeavor it may be, then, consistently communicates it. Over-communicating the same message in different ways enables readers and followers to actually grasp deeply what you want to say. Make it to a point that they would eagerly look forward for your next post.

4. Filter what you post.

Embracing what you value will be your ultimate guide in filtering your messages. Filtering is necessary to check whether what we are about to communicate is align to our values.

I had my share of irresponsible postings that completely miscommunicated in million ways just by a single picture or a sentence.

In my journey towards living a life with purpose, and reaching the next generation. God showed me that I am a steward of my social media influence as well. To bring the same message of Hope that He gives me, share his faithfulness and plant the seed of his power through the readers and social media followers.

Overwhelming bigger

June 29, 2015December 7, 2015Posted in DiscipleshipLeave a comment

Praying for the campus

June 14, 2015December 21, 2015Posted in Campus Ministry, DiscipleshipTagged Campus Ministry, christianity, culture of prayer, Every Nation Campus, Leaders huddle, prayerLeave a comment

As the school year starts, we wanted to commit and dedicate our campuses to the Lord, We have gathered our student leaders fresh from Ignite 2015 for a time of praying for one another , praying for the campus and direction of campus ministry.

We place Jesus at the center and reason of everything of why we do campus ministry. We are excited for this year school year for the great harvest ahead, open doors and personal breakthroughs for our leaders.

Serving at IGNITE 2015

June 12, 2015December 21, 2015Posted in Campus Ministry, GalleryTagged Every Nation Campus, Ignite 2015, Serving, Volunteering, Youth Conference, Youth LeadersLeave a comment

This month I had the privilege to witness and served thousands of students from the Philippines and 36 other nations worshipping the Lord Jesus, At the IGNITE 2015, The Every Nation Campus Asian Conference. I was privileged to served along with hundreds of volunteers, mostly student leaders from different campuses. I was so blessed and encourage by their heart to served, I was thankful for all their commitment and sacrifices to make these conference a success and possible. I’m sharing some of the photos from Pre-conference to the conference with some of the people I served with.