Death by Assumptions

One time back in college, I was scheduled to report in a class about Michael Graves, a famous post-modern architect in the States. I like research and reporting then, so I told myself that I’ll do this project seriously (in Filipino, kinarir ko yung project). I did a good research paper. I put all my creative juices in my presentation (Powerpoint presentation was new then). I even got a short interview from Graves’ office in the States. I was so confident I would do well.

So the day came for my time to do my report. 15-minutes past and my professor didn’t arrive. So my peers and I decided to leave class and go to the mall because my professor was absent. Or so I thought. 5 minutes later, our professor came and did class. End of story: I failed the project because I missed my slot. No matter how I pleaded and explained, it didn’t matter. I thought my professor wouldn’t come anymore.

The Filipino adage that says, “Maraming namamatay sa akala (Many people are destroyed by wrong assumptions)”, is very true in my story and the next.

David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!” (2 Samuel 4:9-11)

When Rekab and Baanah learned of Abner’s death (Abner was Saul’s army commander, later served his son Ish-boseth), and felt that Ish-boseth’s reign will soon wane, they put matters into their own hands by killing Ish-boseth so to gain favor with David, Saul’s self-made nemesis.

This verse also alludes to an earlier scene when an Amalekite, whose nation is at war with Israel, came to pronounce Saul’s death in the presence of David, assuming that David will be glad upon hearing Saul and his son’s demise (2 Samuel 1:1-15).

They thought that by killing what they thought as David’s enemies (Saul and his house), that that was what’s on David’s mind, that it would please David to see the house of Saul destroyed, and what I think is the primary motivation of their actions, that David will regard them in high honor. They thought they were doing David a favor.

But they were so mistaken. Because everything they thought about who David was, is far from what was true of David. They were no citizens of David’s kingdom, lest part of David’s army. They have no direct connection or even a glimpse of David’s heart and vision. Perhaps what they knew about David was merely from faulty “second-hand” accounts of David’s enemies.

Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”

And sometimes, like Rekab and Baanah, we think we know the mind of God, we think our actions are pleasing God, and we think we are doing God a huge favor. Without the knowledge and the guidance of what the Word of God says about living a life that pleases God, we make our own rules, follow our own way.

For example: Relationships. Is your belief about relationships and how you are living it congruent to what the Bible says about it? Does your relationships—boy-girl, friendships, family relationships—please God? Are you sure? How?

How about in the areas of money, purity and thought life, and pursuit of success? 

Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

So how can we walk a way that leads to life? 

1. Don’t assume. Discover and pursue what God really wants. You can only discover what God really wants when you spend Time Alone with God by reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. And once you discover what God really wants, act on it.

2. Find godly advice. Beware who you listen and look up to. Are they a picture of godly character? Do they have an intimate relationship with God as well? Rekab, Baanah and the Amalekite got their view of David from faulty, second-hand views from David’s enemies.

3. Make God’s pleasure your number one goal. We make Christ truly the Lord of our life when we align and subject our plans and desires to His plan and desires for His children. Live to make God famous. Decrease so God can increase in your life!

PGCAG Triennial Convention 2012 Highlights

I’m back on my desk at home coming home yesterday from Iloilo. Participated in the 2012 PGCAG Triennial Convention held in Central Philippine University which kicked off last Tuesday and ended Thursday evening. It was an awesome time of fellowship with friends and co-workers. But I also missed some who were not able to join. The messages of the speakers rocked, especially Gary Denbow’s closing message about being a true disciple of Christ. That was so powerful. We also had our election and installed new leaders who will lead our movement. I am glad that Ptr. Rey is still leading our movement, especially in this season when we need to focus more on the Great Commission God has given us.

Two things the Lord has impressed in my heart during this time:

Psalm 2:8, “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” - God’s encouragement to me as to what the future will hold for our movement and our ministry. Again, prayer, and fasting, are the foundation of revival, hungry hearts seeking the Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice that more souls will be ushered into the kingdom of God, not only locally, but overseas. 

Nehemiah 6:3, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” - The work must not stop regardless of what the future holds. God is Sovereign and in control. Never let your guard down so that you will never be distracted from the one thing God has placed in your heart to do. The great task of rebuilding and strengthening our local churches and ministries is before us.

Here are some photo’s from the convention:

National youth department and Chi Alpha helping out with the convention’s program. 

We had our Chi Alpha booth during the convention and we got as much airtime as possible to promote our programs and services.

A thousand strong delegates and ministers of the Philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God! Praise the Lord!

After convention lunch at Alfrique’s with the National Youth Department and Chi Alpha. A visit to Alfrique’s is a non-negotiable when visiting Iloilo. 

Losing grip on leadership

All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service. - 1 Samuel 14:52

At this point Saul’s integrity and leadership had been spiraling down so fast. He was growing insecure and disillusioned. His decisions compulsive and indecisive. The men and even his son Jonathan did not respect him (Jonathan did his own exploits without his father’s knowledge, and the men saved Jonathan despite Saul’s oath to kill him ch. 14). All of this because Saul fell away from the Lord. Disobedience begets disobedience. It was trying to clean a mess with a dirty rag, you just spread the mess even further.

So it was said “All the days of Saul there was bitter war” on every side, not only with the Philistines, but with other nations around him. Saul did not find rest in his leadership until his death. And his growing insecurity had been obvious. Whenever he saw a mighty or brave young man, he took him into his army and tried to make it stronger.

When we fall away from God, and sometimes it’s the unsuspecting that leads us away from God like missing our time alone with Him in prayer and reading His Word. Inch by inch we step away from the throne of grace. And thus as we reject grace, everything we have once enjoyed freely, peace, provision, presence and protection, we now have to work for with our bare hands, struggling to meet the bare minimum. We find ourselves in No Man’s Land, struggling for survival. But abounding Peace, provision, presence and protection can be found in God. You don’t have to work for it! It’s now the work of grace, and Christ’s righteousness that clothes us.

What now?

1. Watch out that your leadership is subjected to God’s lordship

2. Sin begets sin, don’t linger in sin, it will only get worse. Run to God, you can never be careless in running to God, and the Bible says, “If you confess your sins God is faithful and just to forgive us.”

3. Don’t miss your time alone with God. It’s through prayer and God’s Word that we get a clear picture of our destiny. 

“And I give You praise, for You are my righteousness.” - I Worship You, Almighty God

Courage to be used for God's glory

Courage is a very important character in the life of the follower of Christ. The world and our enemy has laden the Christian journey with traps to distract and deceive Jesus’ followers. Traps of worry, traps of fear, traps of wealth and such. Without courage in Christ, we cannot keep our heads and follow our way to Christ. In fact, the common adage says that courage is not the absence of fear, but doing the feat in spite of fear. And this is true. We don’t lose the threats of the traps, but we shift our focus to the One who will lead us through the field of fear. Shifting our focus is simple yet very challenging, if we have not yet fully entrusted our lives to Him.

Courage is the doorway for the extraordinary. Andy Stanley says this. A single act of courage can be the tipping point for something extraordinary to happen. God invites us to experience Him in ways we have not experienced before. He invites us to offer our lives to be used for His glory. And yet, between us and us being a vessel of Christ, lies the path of courage on which we must put a step of faith.

It’s rare that we find Jonathan, David’s friend on the limelight of a Bible story, yet in this particular passage in 1 Samuel 14. We see that Jonathan at the center of the action. We find Saul and his army resting in the camp, waiting for their next move. But Jonathan and his armor bearer slips out of the camp to go to the Philistine camp. The full story is in 1 Kings 14. And here are some of my insights that I drew from this story:

Jonathan had courage because he is founded on the truth

“Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (v. 6). 

In the midst of the threat of the Philistine army, Jonathan didn’t lose the main truth: God is unstoppable. “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving.” It doesn’t matter if they were there just the two of them, or if they have the whole army over there. One truth was his solid foundation. God is unstoppable. Sometimes we mix up facts and truth. Yes, the challenge you have right now is as real as it can be. That’s a fact. But the truth is more powerful—the truth of God’s Word. No matter how grave your problem is, or how daunting the challenge to step up to a higher level of faith. God will see you through. Now, if you knew that God is unstoppable and nothing can hinder him. What’s stopping you from stepping out in faith?

Jonathan consulted the Lord before taking action 

“If they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands” (v. 10). 

Jonathan did not make any move without seeking God’s approval. And the approval that Jonathan sought was not a vague assumption of the Lord’s will, but it’s as clear as black and white. As followers of Christ we must seek God’s undeniable affirmation, and not just assume what you think God wanted you to do. Know this: God can and will mightily use you, but God doesn’t put up with double-minded people. Don’t just assume what God wants. Seek and discover what God wants. And He has given us the gift of prayer and the gift of His Word to know His will.

Jonathan acted on what he knew and believed

“In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre” (v. 14).

Discovering God’s will is not the end, but a means so that we can act upon it. Knowing that God has given the Philistines over to Jonathan, he began his descent and launched an attack on the Philistines. Many of us ask and eager to know what God’s will is. But are we prepared to act when God places it before us? And then we discover, most of the time the reason why we what to know God’s will is not because we are too ready to follow it, but it’s because we want to know if we are going to be safe. And there it is again, your old self who wants to be in control of your own life rearing it’s head. Didn’t the Bible say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God doesn’t only want you to obey him blindly, but God wants you to obey Him because He is in control.

Jonathan’s victory was only a part of God’s bigger plans. 

“Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts, and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God … Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords … So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven. (v. 15, 20, 23)

Jonathan’s victory was only a portion of God’s overall plans to deliver Israel from the Philistine army. Jonathan killed twenty, God sent a panic that made the Philistines kill each other. Ultimately it’s not Jonathan whose the lone victor, but more was to be credited to God. Always remember that if God is bringing you success, it’s ultimately for His glory, and you’re just have to be thankful that He brought you in the ride. This perspective always leads a leader to a place of humility and awe of God’s offensive grace.

So what now? 

1. Be founded on the truth of God’s word. Don’t believe the lies of the world and the enemy.

2. Consult the Lord before making a move. God has given us access through prayer and through His Word to discover His desire for our lives.

3. Act upon your godly convictions. Remember, a single act of courage can be the tipping point of something extraordinary.

4. Recognize your place in God’s bigger plans. Ultimately our victories should place us in humility and should bring God all the glory. 

May we find the courage to respond to the call God has placed in our lives. 

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Richard & Neri's Wedding

Candy, Me, Richard & Neri, Nette & Carrie

Yesterday, we have once again witnessed the goodness of God through a wedding. Richard & Neri finally solemnized their vows as husband and wife before an intimate crowd of close family and friends. Not only was I attending to witness this memorable event, but I was there to serve as a ninong to both of them. Richard and I grew up together at church and had the privilege to speak into his life as I served as a youth leader and youth pastor. He met Neri while working a few years ago in Citibank Makati, and eventually moved and promoted to Citibank Sydney, Australia. Both of them loves the Lord that’s why I’m confident that they will do just ok.

The wedding was one of the best weddings I’ve been to. It was so intimate and heartfelt. The wedding was held at Shangri-la Mactan. The ceremony was held on a chapel on top of a hill over looking the sea and the sunset. The reception followed in the evening on the beach side and feasted on a bountiful spread of grilled seafoods among others. The program was beautiful in that, it was filled with details that made it personal and intimate.

To Richard and Neri, may you have a long and fruitful life ahead. The best of your days are yet to come. Continue to make the Lord the center of your relationship, and all will go well with you. Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!

Beautiful mother of the groom and our ninang Lourdes Say.

The path to the reception.

Me, Mark & Brznf

Best weddings ever.

Chi Alpha Update: Ministry in Mindoro & The Power in Jesus' Name

Dear friends and supporters of Chi Alpha,

Thank you for your prayers and support to Chi Alpha Student Ministries. Last Monday, we went to Mansalay, a municipality south of Oriental Mindoro. We were there to do a 3-day Chi Alpha Leadership Training or XALT, hosted by the Oriental Mindoro sectional youth department led by Ptra. Apple Casaol. The training was a result of a Chi Alpha consultation we made last April 6, 2011 also in Mansalay. This time there were seven of us who comprised the Chi Alpha Luzon Team of trainors: Me and my wife Nette, Ptra. Joan, Ptra. Khit, Ptra. Shiela, Kuya Jed and our newest teammate Ate Kharen Panganiban from Montalban, Rizal.



Chi Alpha Team at Batangas port leaving for Mindoro.

I’m thankful that all of the team made it to this trip, despite of some of us only having budget for one-way trip. But time and time again our loving Father never fails to show us his provision, greatness and love always at the right time.

This training was unique in so many ways. One is that this is one of the few instances that we train as part of a larger event, this time, a youth camp. The camp was held for 5 days. We led the 3-day training from Tuesday to Thursday. And we’ve met with new challenges. The camp had 125 registered young people from different walks of life. Each of us had to hold a class of between 20-50 students at one time, without the aid of the usual training manuals because of the young poeple’s modest means of provision. But we did not let this setback keep us from being spontaneous and creative.

I was assigned to lead the class of Level 3 Students primarily made up of youth leaders and pastors. It’s always a joy to minister to these young leaders, knowing that I was once like them in need of someone to enrich and mentor them. I enjoyed sharing to them my personal testimony, leadership experiences and dreams for the youth, campus and ministry.



Patrick with Level 3 class. Ptra Apple Casaol sectional youth coordinator at the far left.



Nette with her class of high school students.

We also had an opportunity to minister to these leaders and organizers of the camp one evening. Observing their tiredness and need of spiritual refreshment, we invited them for a time of worship, prayer and consecration. This was one of the best highlights of this trip: Praying for them, seeing them get baptized and filled in the Holy Spirit. During this time, as the Word of God was read in our midst, one of the youth manifested a demonic spirit and had to be restrained because it was so strong. Admittedly being a minister living in the city, I only have witnessed demonic possession like this once when I was young before this. I am reminded right now how Paul tells us to always be ready and prepared “in and out of season.” So the group began to pray that the evil spirit leave this poor young man in the mighty name of Jesus, in bold command and in prayer of tongues. It was a short struggle, thanks to the mighty power of Jesus, he was delivered from the evil spirit. One of our leaders had to counsel him, and led him to renounce his involvement with the occult and folk healing. Truly our Lord is the Name above all names! Even demons literally bow down in the mention of His Name! At the end of our time together, some have also received a clear call to go in ministry.

I am just amazed at how God continues to show Himself to me and my wife in many ways, as Provider, Healer, Deliverer, Shalom and more. I am humbled that He would choose display His greatness in my life. I pray that God will reveal Himself to you as well in new and faith-increasing ways, as you entrust your life to Him as His promised us that if we trust Him with all our hearts, he will direct our paths.

Thank you for praying for us and we ask you to continue to pray for us:

1. Pray for Patrick as he goes to Iloilo on the 24th-27th for the PGCAG Triennial Convention. Pray for provision and strength.

2. Pray for the Chi Alpha Team as we continue to train in different locations for the rest of the summer (Legaspi, Naga, Ifugao, Palawan, Samar, Cebu). Pray as each team members raise their ministry funds. Pray for strength, protection and anointing for our trainors.

3. Pray for Patrick as he goes to APTS for Asian Institute of Youth Studies. Patrick will be teaching a session about Training Leaders in the Campus Ministry Track. Pray for wisdom as he prepares and teaches. Pray also for the delegates who will be coming from 16 nations, that God will use each person to extend His kingdom and to the nations of the Asia Pacific.

4. Pray for God’s direction and leading as we move into a new season of student ministry. Pray that God will open new doors of opportunity to reach more students and train more churches.

5. Pray for Nette as she man’s her clinic in Makati. Pray for strength, wisdom, gentleness in handling patients.

We also appeal for your support to send our workers to their training destinations. You may support us by buying Chi Alpha Bibles to support our ministry operations. You may contact me for more information.

Thank you for your continuous prayer and support to Chi Alpha Student Ministries. God bless you mightily!

Blessings,

Patrick & Nette



Pat & Nette visit Buktot Beach day before the training. Thank you Lord.

Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro

Nette and I just returned from the annual youth camp of the sectional youth department of Oriental Mindoro (April 16-20). They invited Chi Alpha to do our leadership training. This photo was my Level 3 (leaders) class taken yesterday. The lady on the far left is Apple Casaol, youth coordinator of Oriental Mindoro section. The girl in blue beside me is Jonalyn who is a member of this section’s first Chi Alpha ministry in MinSCAT (Mindoro State College of Arts and Technology). It’s always a blessing and a privilege to share your life with the next generation of leaders.

This was taken a day when we arrived in Mindoro, day before the training. Our hosts graciously brought us to Buktot Beach, an awesome beach still hidden from public view, boasting its fine white sand similar to boracay’s. Too bad we’re just there for a while and just took some pics. On the front row is the Chi Alpha Luzon Team made up of (L-R) Jed, Shiela, Khit, Kharen, Joan, me and Nette. The two on the back row far right are Maricel and Ralph, staff members of the youth department who were also in my mobilizers class.

Of course, we never miss the mandatory jump shot photo in every destination we go to.

It was only when we came to this place that Nette and I remembered that it’s our monthsary April 16. So we’re two years and four months strong. I’m really blessed to have Nette come with me in this camp. It was a bonding experience and fun to do ministry together.

I’ll be sharing more details about our time in Mindoro in my next post. Tomorrow Nette and I leave for Cebu, this time to witness the wedding of one of my youth, Richard and his fiancee Neri.

Transitions

It’s almost midnight, Nette and I will be going to Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, along with the whole Chi Alpha Luzon Team. This will be our first training on our summer schedule. We’ve been here in August 2011 and our visit and the cause was received positively. I’m glad to learn that as of now there are two Chi Alpha Student Ministries that I’m aware of. One in Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology and another in John Paul II College. 

It will be a hectic schedule from this week until next week. Tomorrow until Thursday we will be in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. Friday til Sunday we will be in Cebu to attend Richard and Neri’s Wedding in Shangri-la Mactan. Then Monday next week up to Saturday I will be in Iloilo to help out with the PGCAG Triennial Convention. I get a week break which is not actually a break because I’ll be back at my office desk. Then a week after I’m back again on the road. 

In all of these things, I thank God for the opportunity to do this. Thank you Lord for settling everything as we go to these trips.

As I was wrapping up some projects for the week and at the same time praying in my mind for the week ahead God impressed a word to me. “Peace”. And then I remember His words, my peace I give to you, a peace that the world cannot give and understand. I am taken also to the verse “Cast your cares upon me because He cares for You.” God knows I have cares but I surrender them to His feet.

What makes a miracle?

Once in a while I come across a potential client that was not as quickly sold out about my capabilities in design as I want to. They would interview me like they’re asking “Can you really do it?” or “Are you good enough for my standards?” Now it’s much easier to diffuse the air of doubt by showing them what I have designed in the past. But a person doubting your ability is usually an uncomfortable moment to be in. 

One day Jesus went to visit his hometown Nazareth. But instead of receiving warm welcomes, he received cynic looks and doubtful hearts. They lacked so much faith that he “could not do any miracles” except for a few:

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. - Mark 6:5-6

The question “What makes a miracle?” seem skewed as if there’s a formula to make one. We cannot manipulate God into doing something for us. The question is not “Who makes the miracle?” but “What makes/constitute a miracle?” In this passage we can observe two things that must be present if we want our prayers answered:

(1) An intercessor with an intimate relationship with the Father. Though not mentioned here, in other passages we see that Jesus had an intimate fellowship with God. Spending time alone with God was a regular staple for Jesus. The longer hours Jesus spent in the prayer closet, the more potent His prayers have become. We may fail to recognize that when Jesus tells a lame person to walk, or a blind man to see, Jesus is an intercessor actually praying in faith. Which according to Richard Foster author of Celebration of Discipline, it is a prayer in a form of a command, a prayer so confident it assumes it knows the Father’s will. 

Jesus’ close fellowship with the Father in living prayer, and not by his deity (Though he was God, did not consider His deity as something to be grasped, Phil 2), enabled Jesus to become a channel through which God can work supernaturally. Therefore it’s an encouragement to us men, that with a close and intimate relationship with the Father, seeking the Giver and not the gifts, we will be able to become vessels for the Master’s use. 

Yet in Nazareth, though Jesus is as ready to perform miracles as God is eager to dispense them, Jesus faced a barrier—the recipients’ lack of faith.

(2) An expectant and believing heart. Jesus wasn’t able to do any miracles because the people of Nazareth lacked faith. From the beginning, they have doubted Jesus’ identity and ability, “knowing” Jesus was one of them. How many miracles in our lives we could have missed because we lacked the faith and anticipation of God’s answer to our prayers?

In this passage, we have an anointed intercessor (Jesus) and faithless crowd. And nothing much happened. What can we learn from this? Imagine if we assume the posture of the intercessor, intimately acquainted with our heavenly Father, and the posture of the expectant believer? What great things can God do in a spiritual environment like that?

My prayer is that may we our highest desire is to seek God earnestly to be intimately acquainted with Him. May we also have an expectant and believing heart to pray and intercede in faith and anticipation—prayers turning into answers.

Undeniable: How God's answer came through my e-mail

Note: I was planning to write about my reflection about yesterday’s retreat, but it turned into a testimonial about provision. So I’ll just complete my thoughts about yesterday’s retreat at another time.

I am by the grace of God

During the retreat, I enjoyed our time of sharing our faith journeys and our victories and current challenges in life. As I listen to each person’s stories, I can’t help but be in awe of God because He truly can utilize every person whose willing to be used by Him. I am reminded of the verse that says we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this power is not from us but from God (2Co 4:7). That God is a specialist in calling ordinary men to do His extraordinary bidding. We have nothing to boast about except God’s offensive grace.

Prayer

A huge chunk of our time there was spent in prayer. Through one of our sessions about prayer we were reminded that prayer is the most potent weapon of the Christian worker. It was the only discipline that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them. Jesus spent hours “before day” in prayer before doing ministry, so that His ministry had 100% success rate. To spend hours of Time Alone with God is to spend less hours “fixing problems” with men.

I heard once from Joyce Meyer that we should seek to become persons of divine experience rather than persons who only have heard how God moved in Scripture and other people’s lives. Time and time again God is always on time, His time. The team rejoiced at the thought that God is like a mighty eagle, swooping down to snatch us (Filipino: dagit) just when we’re inches and seconds from drowning.

I myself can testify to the power of prayer. This year, my wife and I decided that we will be more serious about our prayer and fasting time, desiring to be seek His will and be more intimate with Him. We have also decided to be more serious about giving. And in the past two months, God has been answering our prayers like manna. And He answers in ways that you cannot mistake where the provision had come from. You’ll know immediately it was from Him because His fingerprints is all around it.

Like just last Sunday morning before church, Easter, I remembered our “oil jar” is almost done and I begin to think about the week. The temptation to worry was there. Being tempted to worry is like being offered a sweet candy to suck on. With worry, it’s a temptation to sulk in it. But I have learned better than to give in to worry right away. God has given me my own share of molding moments when it comes to provision. So I just kept the thought in my heart knowing that God is always on time. “Careless abandon” is the posture I adapt for most times in times like these. Just let God be God. I prayed a prayer of trust to a loving Father who will provide on time. My prayers have been like that lately, not one of scrambling desperation, but one of expectation and trust for His answer. 

His answer came that same morning, just like talking to a person face to face, you expect the person to respond. The answer came in a form of an e-mail. I had a previous client of mine, many years back, like three years ago, I did a small project for him, but he failed to pay me. I have forgotten about it already. That client e-mailed me that morning saying how glad he was able to find me again (find my email) and that he still owe me some money and that he will be paying it now. It was a provision I was not expecting. After I finished reading it, I was just speechless and dumbfounded (in Tagalog, natameme). That same day, the client wired his payment to my account. And not only that, he had new projects for me to do. God has did it once again!

And the Easter sermon that morning was called “Easter Surprises”.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21

Back in the old habit?

Woke up from an afternoon nap. Went to church this morning for Easter Service, it was a wonderful Easter message by Ptr. Sur del Rosario entitled “Easter Surprises”. I had an Easter surprise myself early this morning. A surprise that reminded me and my wife that Jesus cares and He is taking care of us. I’ll save that for another story.

So as I was working in my computer I hear from the outside of our house “sa letrang B numero siyete”. The Bingo table is back on our sidewalk apparently. It’s painful to hear this like some people are back in their old habit, as if the last few days of Lent meant nothing, or at least a time of confession and asking for forgiveness, but Easter comes and it’s time to party again. I remember the same when I was still living in Caloocan when on Easter Sunday, for some of our neighbors it meant back on the liquor table and debauch themselves ‘til kingdom come.

I wanted to tweet about it. To air this agitation in my heart. But I don’t want to sound like a bigot. I hear my mind tell my heart, before you make your feelings public, do a self-reflection on yourself first.

Jesus didn’t die and rose again to set up a new religion. New religiosity of the same evil heart. But Jesus literally went to “hell and back” so that we can have hope of a new heart, a transformed life. So that we don’t have to do give in to destructive ways, but He offers a change of management. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

As a recipient of this grace that I received through the cross and the promise of eternal life through the resurrection, am I a true witness of Jesus’ resurrection? Am I marked by a changed life? Do I display a life living under the grace of God? So much so that people around me see it, and “praise their Father in heaven?” Am I back in the old habit of Christianity by words and not by action (Kristyano sa nguso, hindi sa puso)? I thank God because through Christ and the power of His resurrection it is possible to live a transformed and victorious life, and become a blessing to others.

Far be it that we cease to tell the world about Jesus and His gift of life and transformation. Let the light of resurrection break within us that others may be led and their paths lit.

-

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. - Romans 8:11

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Resurrection Sunday

I’m sure it will be a great day Sunday. Woke up with a clear head this morning. Last night had been awful. I had severe headaches I think due to the cool and warm temperatures in and out of the mall. Yesterday morning, we visited our parents in Caloocan for lunch. It was nice to see them again, and see them well. My dad is looking good after he colored his hair black again. He will be preaching today’s Easter message. We left in the afternoon and decided to have my haircut. My brother rode with us up to Binondo then he biked to church. We went to SM Manila, but the barber I used to have my haircut was already gone. We then went to SM Makati, and had my haircut. It turned out pretty good.

This week I have to hear three people pass away. It’s unusual to hear someone dying in Holy Week. But well, Jesus did, centuries before the tradition was even set. But today brings us hope, and a reason to press on, that we may leave this earth for now, but soon, just like Christ rose first from the dead, so will we who have known Him. Thank You for your gift of eternal life.

He is not here [in the tomb], He has risen!

A Day in the Life

This morning Nette and I for a morning ride at The Fort. The bikes haven’t been used for a while so it needed some air. Got to the gas station and had an intense time airing because it was my first time to do it without someone helping me. But after that it was a great ride.

The Help

I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stocketts. I took interest in reading the book after seeing the movie of the same name. The movie vied for Best Picture in this year’s Oscars and had won other movie awards so I thought it was a good story. It’s a story about three women that took the courage to voice out the stories of black domestic helpers in Jackson, Mississippi at the dawn of the civil rights movement. 

What I appreciate most about this book is the theme of courage. Someone said courage is not the absence of fear, but doing something despite the presence of fear. The three women in the story acted upon courage to voice out the plight of the help by writing a book despite the risk of being found out and facing the consequences of their actions. 

I remember Andy Stanley once talked in his podcast about courage. And he says that a “single act of courage is often times the tipping point for something extraordinary.” And that is true in this story.

Am I courageous? I need to be. I need more of it. I need the courage of:

• Abraham - followed God in faith even if he didn’t know where he was going


• Moses - led the Israelites from Egypt through the desert, short of the Promise Land


• Joshua - led the Israelites to the Promise Land, had to grow out of Moses’ shadow


• Gideon - delivered the Israelites in spite of his insecurities


• Jesus - chose the way of the cross in spite of the pain and suffering for the greater good of mankind.

Two Bible promises we can hold on to so we can act courageously:

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Matthew 28:20 - I am with you always to the very end of the age.

Beauty of the cross

This afternoon I got to go to the Fort to buy halo-halo for the people in the house. I wait at the car as Nette orders inside.

I looked around me and I noticed two construction cranes in the skyline, one of which is the up and coming Shangri-la hotel rising in 2014. Once in a while I like looking at different skylines of cities in photos and I know that a cityscape with awkward construction cranes does not look good. It’s an eyesore, a reminder that something is not yet complete. But it represents progress and development. They are important in building high towers.

Then I remember about the cross of Christ. When you try to picture it, a wooden cross, rough, flaky one might get saludsod by just touching them. It’s bloody, from the man hanging on the cross. His body beaten, bruised and wounded. A crown of thorns pressed on his head cutting his flesh and blood stinging his eyes. A man in agony, in pain. Who would dare look to such a painful scene and not cringe at the sight.

“The stone that the builders rejected, has now become the cornerstone.” (Acts 4:11, NLT)

But it is in this place, in this moment, that Jesus utters his victory call, not with a triumphant shout, but with a faint last breath, “It is finished.” Mission accomplished. He chose the way of the cross. The way of suffering, and death for you and me so that we “will not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Like holding your wife’s wrinkled hand and looking through her eyes in old age, we find a new meaning of beauty at the cross, a beauty that is beyond aesthetics. And far be it that this completion in the chapter of our universe is the end of all things. Endings always give way to new beginnings, new hope and new life, through a risen Christ, our Savior.

May we find the beauty in what Christ has done for us. May we recognize our need of Him and receive it as ours. May it speak true to our lives, that there’s new hope and new life through Christ.

Keep calm and know He's always with you

Woke up an hour ago and found a text message from my mom. A girl who once went to your church met an accident yesterday. There was a hold-up in the jeep she was on so she jumped out of the speeding jeep and bump her head on the concrete. Now she is in coma (I read in FB, in critical condition, hope she’s out of danger now) in Chinese General Hospital.

What an unfortunate event. Praying that she will recover and be back on her two feet. In the name of Jesus.

Can’t help but remember my own mishap with hold-uppers last January when I visited Daet, Camarines Norte for Chi Alpha. It’s very important to always keep calm, and know that God is with you even in times like these. The following is an excerpt I wrote before about that experience.

January 30, 2012:

The night of Monday was a memorable one, of how God protects His children. Yesterday morning, I woke up from a bad dream, someone’s chasing me and trying to do harm on me. I told this to my teammates, and I said it’s been a while since I had a dream, and I just brushed it off and went on the days activity. That night, I boarded a Philtranco bus from Daet to Manila around 9PM. Because the bus had still empty seats, it took more passengers along the way. I was nudged to place my backpack where my laptops and gadgets are under my seat, and I slept. By approx 11PM, I woke up to a commotion on the bus, there was an ongoing hold-up situation on the bus! Everyone was looking down as instructed by the robbers—there were 4 of them toting guns and icepicks. From the back they started making their way to each passenger. 

Silently I began to whisper and pray, I began to pray, “In Jesus Name, In Jesus Name!” I began to pray in tongues. And suddenly there was this clear assurance in my heart as if God was saying “Do not be afraid, I am with you.” The word was as clear as day. And I felt this security envelope me, my fear slowly removed from my body. When the robber turned on me, he asked me for my money, so I removed my wallet and opened it up for him, hoping he would just take the money and leave my wallet and important ID and ATMs behind. And he did. He took less than a thousand from me. Thank God because I didn’t place all the money that I had in my wallet. I had more in my suitcase. He also patted my pants pockets hoping to find a cellphone which was on my right pocket. I was praying Lord don’t let anyone text or call me or I’ll be in trouble. Because the cellphone was lodged deep in my pocket, he didn’t find it. I was also worried about the backpack that had my laptop and other gadgets, I was able to hide it under my seat and it became invisible to them. After they got want they wanted, they went down the bus and we hurried off to the nearest police station to file a blotter. 

Thank God for His protection because nobody was hurt, and only a few amounts of cash were taken from me. After the incident, I found myself surprisingly calm. And I began to thank God for His protection, His wisdom and presence at that time. He is not just the God of my future or my past, He is God of my Now. I have once again proven that we have an awesome God!

One more day before holy break

Today is Holy Wednesday. It was our last day at the office. By the way, I work as a web developer and graphic designer for Asia Pacific Media Ministries and ICI Ministries Philippines. There were less people on the streets that the usual since some have already gone ahead with their Lenten vacation.

Today I am thankful because the latest issue of Moms Magazine has been delivered to the office. It’s quite exciting because the topic is about Overseas Filipino Workers, and there’s an insert in the magazine, a new publication called Men in Progress, a complimentary newsletter for men. Everyone in the staff seems satisfied with the output. I’m satisfied myself. It was also my first time to write for MIP, so Kuya Ptr. Alvin Tud, our MIP magazine editor, handed me a gift of Php200 worth of gift certificates from Starbucks. It’s always fun to receive good things.

I’ve been also working on our new online store that will sell our videos and books that we’ve produced. We had a wonderful meeting in the afternoon to go through some decisions to make for the project. One was choosing a name for the online store. A few suggestions came to mind, and after an intense brainstorming of seven people in a small round table at Bro Bill’s office, Alvin (our other Alvin at the office) offered the name Sari-sari Media, which rung nice to everybody’s ears. I’m looking forward to get this online store working soon.

Thank God for a productive day.

Who is Patrick Tan?

When I was born, my parents named me Patrick Vincent Cua Tan. I was born on September 11. Today I am 30 years old. I am a husband to my wife Nette. We got married January 16, 2010, two years ago. I am a web developer and a graphic designer since 2002. I am a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ since I was 15. Today I serve as a campus worker for Chi Alpha Student Ministries.

This is my life.

This is a continuation of my blog: The Mind of the Melancholeric Man. You can read blog between 2004-2011 at www.melancholeric.blogspot.com.