Are You Focusing on Your 5%

Last Global Leadership Summit 2009, I had a privilege to listen live to Pastor Wayne Cordeiro from Hawaii. I've heard before that he is of Filipino descent, but from what I read in Wikipedia, I'm still confused. But anyway, he shared a very insightful message that focuses on the personal well-being of us leaders. Somehow most of the sessions in the GLS focused (for me) on sustainability, either personal, ministry or financial etc. In his session entitled "Dead Leader Running" he mentions about focusing on your 5%. He says that studies show 85% of what we do can be done by other people; 15% can be done with minimal training; while only 5% of what you do are the roles and chores that only you can do. We are not Superman. In fact, the Bible says that our bodies are like earthen vessels or jars of clay in which God puts His treasure. Earthen vessels--we need to take care of ourselves because often times its not the priorities that we forget, but according to Ptr. Cordeiro, our humanity. So he proposes to us to take take and discover our 5% and focus on those things. He gives his personal 5% as an example: (1) A growing relationship with Christ - Only you can do that for yourself. You cannot delegate others to take care of your relationship with Christ. (2) Marriage - only you can be the spouse of your spouse. (3) Family - Family first before ministry. Because ministry never runs out, but you have only one family. (4) Ministry, Vocation, Physical Health and Rest. About the importance of taking a break, he says "rest is a forethought", and not an afterthought. Because in the economy of the "new reality" (as Hybels put it), rest is important for long-term effectiveness. Wayne finishes with an illustration of the Olympic flame. Every four years, before the Olympic Games start, the Olympic torch is taken from one city to another, passed from one athlete to another. The goal is not to take the torch from point A to point B the fastest, but to keep the torch burning throughout the course of the run. Run to fast and you may end up with a burned wick instead of a healthy flame. It speaks a lot about life. It doesn't matter who finishes or succeeds first, the more important thing is are you running with your soul and your character.

Last Saturday: Global Leadership Summit

Pastor Bill Hybels in the flesh .. Here he exhorts on the local church being the hope of the world.

With friends Zarah Grace and Carrie.

We had a quick stop at Oasis, our venue for the wedding.

More photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124508&id=647782491&ref=mf

Seven "Theses" about the Sabbath

In the letter of Paul to the Galatians he addresses a problem concerning some of the brethren are getting confused by a new teaching, that Jesus is not enough for them to obtain salvation, but they must adhere to the Mosaic Law of circumcision in order to seal the deal--entry to heaven's gates. Paul says, "Man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law." (Gal 2:16).

In this post I will address the idea of seventh day worship, like circumcision was part of Old Testament law or the Mosaic Law. (What is seventh day worship?) Here are seven reasons why I don't believe that the fourth commandment on the Ten Commandments does not imply strict compliance to Saturday worship today (in no particular order):

1. Because now there are only two commands. Because Jesus already summed up the whole law in two: (1) Love the Lord your God which is the greatest commandment, and (2) love your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:36-40).
   
   
2. Because today is a period of grace and freedom from the Law. Galatians say that "it was for freedom that Christ has set us free, no longer to be subject to the yoke of slavery" (Gal 5:1) (hey, that's a song!). In another portion of Galatians it says, "for the fruit of the Spirit is love ... against such things there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23). The law that stumbles us toward despair because everyone has fallen short of God's standards has already been replaced by a period of grace through Jesus.
   
   
3. Because Jesus already reinterpreted the Law. Because Jesus taught that the essence of the law matters than literal interpretation. For example, the Mosaic Law of "thou shalt not murder" (Ex 20:13) was reinterpreted by Jesus to thou shalt not murder even as you plot hate towards your brother (Mt 5:22-23). "thou shalt not commit adultery" (Ex 20:14) into thou shalt not commit adultery even as you look lustfully towards your sister (Mt 5:27-28). Note that he begins his discourse with "you have heard it was said", not the past tense. And then he reinterprets the law with this new phrase, "But I tell you the truth". Thus, I believe that keeping the Sabbath holy today is honoring God's command of setting aside a day for rest and worship.
   
   
4. Because our righteousness is bound by faith and is beyond law. Because the Mosaic Law are designed for the Israelite nation (Ex 20:1-2, Deut 5:1). As children of Abraham we are beyond the Mosaic Law (Rom 4:16, Gal 3:7). Abraham was beyond the Mosaic Law. Abraham is not an Israelite. The word Israelite itself determines to whom the nation was attributed--Jacob or Israel by God's rename (Gen 32:28). Israel was only the grandson of Abraham. Therefore, Abraham cannot be an Israelite, instead we could say that Israel or Jacob through whom the Israelite nation comes from, is an Abraham-ite. Abraham was not declared righteous by the Law, (1) because the Mosaic Law didn't exist until Moses' time, and (2) Genesis and Romans both say that Abraham was declared righteous because he believed in God or he had faith in God and not by the Law (Gen 15:6, Rom 4:3, Read Romans 4) . Paul writes to the Roman Jews that we are children not of the law but of Abraham, thus we are free from the Mosaic Law (Rom 4:16). It is true that Jesus quoted from the Law, but (1) the New Testament hasn't existed yet therefore the Law served as God's commands for Him, but (2) He challenged these commands in obeying the underlying purpose rather than the physical command (as in previous reason) and (3) when He quotes it, it becomes a new Jesus command by itself.
   
   
5. Because it is practical. Because if this is so, our weekend workforce (those who need to work on weekends hitting Sabbath) don't have a chance to obey this command, no matter how sincere they worship God.
   
   
6. Because it is liberating. We need to evaluate ourselves does the concept of "7th-day worship". Does it allow me to experience the freedom from the law which Christ died for? Or is it leading me towards legalism and self-attained righteousness through works? Read Galatians. The Judaizers addressed in the Galatian letter are promoting Jesus plus law (circumcision) formula equals salvation but Paul vehemently bashes this idea because Jesus alone saves.) Didn't the Bible commanded us to worship God every day, every time? Didn't the early church of Acts met together everyday to praise God and study the apostles teaching?
   
   
7. Because the glory of Christ is the final standard. Finally because this is not "central-central" to our faith, Christ is. Adherence to proper rites and rituals do not save, Christ does.  In both cases, we can agree that God designed one day for us to (1) worship Him, (2) rest from work and (3) appreciate His and our creation (the results of our work). But these should not outshine the glory of Christ. It's all about Jesus. We may adhere to 7th day worship rites but our hearts "are far away" but we may choose to rest and worship on a Thursday or any other day sincerely and passionately. Thus we see the measurement of true obedience is not found in the physical (day of the week), but on the spiritual condition of man's heart (worship). Jesus said that the Son of Man (pertaining to him) is Lord of the Sabbath (Mt 12:1-14), and his standard for Sabbath is not physical (observance of the law), but spiritual (desire to do good and please the Father). 

Soli Deo Gloria.

[This is in polite response to a question raised in tonight's Carecell about the validity of 7th day worship (Saturday as true Sabbath). This has helped me evaluate and fortify my convictions about the topic.]

Supplement readings:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Church_of_God
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrongism
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwide_Church_of_God#Criticisms
• http://www.thebereans.net/arm-sda-ans.shtml

Seven Thankfuls

Thankful ...

1. It was a great Carecell once again at Makati. We also had new friends. Thankful for the friends there.
2. I got to register as a voter even for the last minute.
3. I got a new copy of my driver's license after I lost it and spent two days applying for new one, half a day at MMDA to pay my violation fines. A learning moment, the bad things we do always catch up with us so better deal with it now.
4. At spurt of a moment while waiting for a friend in Makati I dropped by my school ASCM to check on my grades for last semester. It happened that I can already apply for graduation because I am away this semester and next year would be too late.
5. For Netty who is always a constant support and care despite my flaws.
6. For good friends who are a source of cheer and encouragement.
7. That I was able to spend last week with young people and Chi Alpha workers to teach and inspire young people to reach the campus.

Walking through the tombs

It was the first time after many years that All Saints Day fell on a Sunday. So after our morning service our family went to the cemetery to visit our departed. As usual we parked three to four blocks away from Chinese Cemetery because of the crowds. I am fond of these visits for the reason that walking through the tombs and mauseleums of the Chinese Cemetery is like walking through a museum or walking through time with it's different periods of architecture and designs. This time the place had gotten older somehow you can feel that it was wasting away. After some 30 minutes of staying at my dad's parents grave we prepared to leave and go back to our car. It was during this time that a sudden emotion came over me .. of gloom and utter depression of the place. I remembered Ecclesiastes where Solomon writes, "Life is meaningless ... everything is meaningless." I thought, did each person lying in these graves did something during their lifetime? Something worthy of God's approval, something that pushed the boundaries of God's cause further out so that His kingdom will reach to the ends of the earth. Then I resolved to myself, I will not let that happen with this life of mine. Just like Doctor Octopus (Spiderman 2) said to himself in the struggle of good and evil in himself, "I will not die a monster." I will not pass through this life without doing something, my two cents, for God.

God of This City by Chris Tomlin

A very timely song as I prepare for the next season of ministry in my life. "Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done ..."



VERSE 1
You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

VERSE 2
You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

REFRAIN
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

CHORUS
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

2nd National Chi Alpha Summit

This was a post I made for the XA website:

We just wrapped up the National Chi Alpha's 2nd National XA Student Summit held in Cliffside Retreat House in the scenic Tagaytay City. The summit was attended by a total of 54 student and youth leaders and pastors represented by different churches, sections and districts of Assemblies of God. This year's summit was entitled "Momentum" and its main thrust is the Movement of Making Disciples. Discipleship is indeed the irreducible aspect of any campus and student ministry. The summit focused on training the delegates. There were three levels of training: Level 1 focused on personal student evangelism and disciples. Level 2 focused on leading student discipleship and small group. And Level 3 focused on mobilizing students for church-based campus ministry. Intensive and passion defined each level's training and discussions with our National Chi Alpha workers. It was also in this summit that the Intentional Moves discipleship program was introduced as the suggested discipleship curriculum for our campus ministries in alignment to the Assemblies of God's thrust on discipleship and mobilization. Our guest speaker for our chapel service was youth missionary Ptr. Jerome Sack who inspired us with the Word. By the end of the summit a call for commitment was raised and many young people came forward and some shared of being called towards deeper service for the Lord in full time ministry or as student missionaries in their schools.

It was also revealed by our National Youth Director Rev. Sur del Rosario that he intends to do this summit annually as a venue for training student and youth leaders and pastors in starting campus ministries in their own locales. In an effort to further establish the three fronts of the National Youth Ministries Network (Christ Ambassadors or church youth, Chi Alpha or campus ministry, and Young Adults), one of the thrust in the national youth department is to further establish the three fronts as a separate sub-department the NYMNet. Next year the National Chi Alpha will be coordinated by NYMNet staff Ptr. Patrick Tan and Ptra. Merla Laanan.

Click here for photos from the XA Student Summit 2009.

Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear)

One of my favorite songs. This songs comes from Paul's words in Philippians that says I count all things rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. This song expresses gratitude of a life of knowing and being known by Christ.



Knowing You Jesus
by Graham Kendrick

VERSE 1
All I once held dear, built my life upon,
All this world reveres and wars to own;
All I once thought gain I have counted loss,
Spent and worthless now compared to this.

CHORUS
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness,
And I love You Lord.

VERSE 2
Now my heart's desire is to know You more,
To be found in You and know as Yours,
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness

VERSE 3
Oh to know the power of Your risen life,
And to know You in Your sufferings;
To become like You in Your death, my Lord,
So with You to live and never die.

Day in the Life: These Two Weeks

I'm a few days near the end of my semester. And I still have one paper to submit. It's hard. 'Cause the sembreak mode is already starting to move in.

Today we had a wonderful time once more at our Makati Cell group. Lately we started meeting continuously every week at Ate Susan's house. It's great that you have people of peace in your ministry. The Bible talks about the man of peace who welcomes the Christ's disciples in a particular city. In this case, our people of peace in our outreach cellgroup is Gerald and Ate Susan. I thank God that once more, our attendance have been stabilizing after a few weeks back when we're reduced to a handful. May He continue to nurture our members in His love and knowledge.

Things have been taking a halt this few weeks because I'm sort of trapped in these unfinished businesses I'm still not attending to. I need to start regrouping and get back in the game. 'Cause next week I will be gone for three days because I'm teaching in the Chi Alpha Student Leaders Summit in Tagaytay City. I need to finish my paper. Do some legal document stuff for our wedding, and most of all follow-up on jobs at work. It's a bit nerve wracking that we're a few weeks to our next payable for the wedding. I really thank God for Netty who always balances me out. We're really made for each other. When I'm freaking out, she normalizes me. When she's freaking out, I normalize her. I am reassured that God continues to make me aware that He is watching over us through little things. Please continue to remember us in prayer for provision and peace of mind. Despite these momentary setbacks, I am growing impatient to be permanently with her now. At this moment I am 86 days away from that realization.

I am meditating from this verse and this chapter this week: "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)

Isaiah 41:19-21

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.

I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,

so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Last Saturday's Concert

This was from our Firebrands Youth concert held last Saturday at Binondo Full Gospel Family Center. Some of the folks here are friends who visited, and young people from our daughter church in Valenzuela Full Gospel Family Center.