𝄞𝄞 Take a look at yourself and then make a change…

Posted in Random with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 11, 2009 by Passion Engineer

One thing that is very constant is change.  The culture of today is changing so fast that it’s so hard to keep up.  Everything has changed from the music to the clothes to the language.  Students today are very much different from the time when I was a student (Wow, I can’t believe I said that).  And even though I’m passionate about students encountering Jesus and following Him, it takes more than passion for students to follow Jesus.  The other day it hit me that I’m a decade older than an incoming high school student and such a gap made me realize that I’m out of touch with them.  I may know the kind of music that they listen to, the kind of TV shows that they watch, but knowing how they think, how they relate, how they communicate is a totally different ballgame.

Are you ready for it?

Am I doing things and just hoping and praying that what I do will result in students changing their views about the Bible, changing their mindset about church?  Or am I changing my perception about young people, changing the way I communicate and how I relate and connect with students?  Change is necessary but it is also critical to know what to change.  Winston Churchill said, “There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.” Keeping up with the changing times is a challenge and it’s a challenge that we ought to take head on if we want the next generation to know Jesus.

Dear God,

Posted in Random with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 2, 2009 by Passion Engineer

You had created something very special on this veryThe Lovely Couple day back in 19XX.  A woman was born into this world and learned about your love and grace at a very young age.  She grew up to be a godly woman pursuing the purposes that You have for her life.  One particular purpose You had was the relationship with a young and dashing suitor who would not give up pursuing her, leaving him to travel halfway across the globe to follow her and eventually marry her.  You have blessed their marriage for the last 25 years and have added to the lovely couple three wonderful, brilliant and good-looking kids… oh and also talented.  Your grace and love has allowed her to be a loving wife and a devoted and caring mother.  Your Word has been her firm foundation, Your love her everlasting comfort and Your grace has been her day to day strength.

I would like to say thank You for giving me that very special woman as my very own mom, who gave up a successful career to become a full time mother.  And out of her love for my siblings and I, she disciplined us and taught us Your Word.  Ever since I was young she kept on pushing me towards Jesus, which I’m thankful for because it was a push towards the calling You had for me.  And I’m sorry Lord for the times that I rebelled and disobeyed her because of something she said or did to me.  I know she may not be the perfect mom but she’s the perfect choice You had in mind to be my mom.

Thank You for adding another year to her life and I pray that this new year will be overflowing with Your fulfilled promises for her and an outpouring of your grace and Spirit upon her.  May she continually find her strength and comfort in You.

Thanks,

Bojo

The Family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I Love you!

No ID. No Entry.

Posted in Random with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 20, 2009 by Passion Engineer

During the 3PM service last Sunday, Raf Oca was telling me about the robbery that happened earlier in the day.  A group of heavily armed men dressed up looking like members of the bomb squad broke into the Rolex watch store inside Greenbelt 5.  The incident resulted with one of the robbers dead on the floor, an undetermined amount of watches stolen, and two policemen awarded for their bravery and courage.  The aftermath of such a high-profile crime has its list of people to blame.  One group of people probably on the top of the list are the security guards.

Some say that the mall security guards were overpowered by the armed men, while others say that they were deceived by the uniform of the robbers.  They told the security guards that they were responding to an emergency call in Greenbelt 2 (source) so it’s pretty believable especially with their outfits.  What I find ironic is that they were identified as bomb squad members responding to an “emergency,” but they were carrying M14 and M16 automatic rifles as well as a grenade launcher (source).  Why would a group of bomb specialists responding to a fake bomb threat carry high powered rifles?  Were the security guards even informed about the “emergency” or that there was a bomb squad on the way?  Times like these bring out my investigative instincts.

The mall security guards are probably the first line of preventive measures for crimes inside the mall.  I believe that we also have to take preventive measures as Christians.  If we’re not founded on the Word of God, if we don’t read and study the Bible and just rely on what we hear on a Sunday or from other Christians then we can easily be deceived and manipulated.  There are many philosophies and ideologies that may look and sound Christian but are not founded on the Bible.  I don’t blame the security guards because I wouldn’t want to confront someone with an M16 rifle either.  But as Christians we need to be able to stand up for the truth of the Word of God and not be overpowered by what the world says.

The Bible.  Start reading it!

“If the Bible were the most boring book in the world, dull, uninteresting and seemingly irrelevant, it would still be our duty to study it.  If its literary style were awkward and confusing, the duty would remain.  We live as human beings under an obligation by divine mandate to study diligently God’s Word.   A duty is not an option.” – R.C. Sproul

Children see. Children do.

Posted in Random with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 14, 2009 by Passion Engineer

This video was launched in Australia around three years ago for a campaign on social change.  The campaign emphasizes the need for adults to set a good example and break the cycle by making their influence on the next generation a positive one.  I don’t really know how effective the campaign was but I hope that it influenced families across Australia within the last three years.

When I found this video on YouTube I read a comment that said, “They probably used a camera trick or photoshop or a fake dog, they wouldn’t hit the dog.”  All this person was concerned about after watching that video was how the dog was treated.  And many times I find myself dumbfounded and stunned at the things some people value.  In the midst of a generation succumbing to drugs, premarital sex, apathy, inappropriate behavior, people can still find a more compelling reason to ignore the next generation.  A generation that could possibly become the next body of public servants who put taxpayers money to good use and not in their pockets.  A generation that could likely put up a corporation that finds ways to provide thousands of well paying jobs.  A generation that may have the cure for deadly diseases affecting the lives of millions.  A generation that could disciple people groups who have never heard of the name ‘Jesus.’

These events may or may not happen in my lifetime but I do believe it can happen.  You may call me idealistic, but I have so much belief and hope for the next generation that in spite of the negative adjectives of the youth today, there is still so much potential and promise.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Who is to lead?

Posted in Random with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2009 by Passion Engineer

Jon-Kate-Plus-8-tv-01Jon & Kate Plus 8 is a docudrama on TV about their family with two sets of multiples, 8-year-old twins and sextuplets who just turned 5.  The show documents the Gosselin family life and the challenges of raising up multiple children.  I’ve seen a couple of episodes of the show and I found it quite fascinating to watch the couple raise up their kids, especially the sextuplets.  Last June divorce papers were filed after 10 years of marriage and will be finalized later this month.  I don’t know who is to blame for the separation, there are a number of fingers pointing at Jon and the rest at Kate.  What I do know is who is to lead, the husband has the duty of providing leadership in the family.  The husband’s leadership role should start with spiritual matters and then flow into the practical side of family matters.  He has a duty as a father to discipline and raise up his children in the training and instruction of the Lord.  The separation of the Gosselin couple is very common even after being together for a decade.  This story and that of thousands of other couples may lead some to think twice about getting married, about having kids, about family life.  Some may not believe in marriage anymore, in being in a lifelong commitment.

And even in the midst of these disheartening stories there are those who Pastor Dennis, Thammie, Alyanna and Mikatake on their roles as husbands and as fathers with pride and passion.  Those who lead their families with the fear of God and the leadership mantle that has been placed upon them.  The list of these mighty men that I look up to and follow are just too many to mention.  But I would like to take this opportunity to honor a man who has become a mentor, a counselor and a friend to me, my boss, my senior GCD, Pastor Dennis Sy.  I’ve gotten to know him personally over the last two years and I have learned so much not just by what he says but how he lives.  I remember when starting the church in Greenhills, he spent a lot of time away from home so at times he would bring Thammie and Alyanna along with him (I don’t think Mika was born yet).  He would make it a point to practice what he preached about spending time with his wife and with his kids.  I remember when caught in between having to spend time with his family and an important meeting or event, I could see how crushed he was for having to sacrifice time with his family.  And because of the example of men like Pastor Dennis I’m inspired to become a husband and a father myself.

Oh, and…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR DENNIS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR DENNIS!

May LIFE ba ang buhay mo?

Posted in Students with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 24, 2009 by Passion Engineer

ENCM-TUAYesterday was the launching of the ENCM org in Trinity University of Asia (TUA).  Although the org has been existing in the campus for 3 years, the launching was an event to create awareness among the freshmen students and to inform students about why ENCM exists and what happens in ENCM.  The launching event was short and simple.  Majority of the students who attended the event were freshmen and signed up to be a member of the organization.  This creates continuity of ENCM in the campus since a number of the current members are already in their senior year.Acel

After sharing about life groups and our musical guest, Ms. Acel van Ommen, encouraging the students to be part of a life group, there were a number of girls who were already looking for a life group to join.  There were a bunch of students who also signed up to be a member of ENCM for the first time and were excited about the picture taking for their IDs.

ENCM TeamGreat job everyone who helped make the ENCM launching a success.  The creative backdrops and the L-I-F-E styro letters were all excellent, great job Marge, Ninyo and the rest of the gang.  ENCM-TUA team, Monette, Randolph, Steph, Tey, Silva, Ian, you guys are doing an outstanding job leading the org and bringing it to the next level.  Keep it up!

This is only the beginning…

People make the dream work!

Posted in Church with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on September 19, 2009 by Passion Engineer

vol⋅un⋅teer

/ˌvɒlənˈtɪər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [vol-uhn-teer]

1. a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.

2. a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.

THRIBE is run by volunteers.  If there were no volunteers then there probably wouldn’t be a THRIBE.  Instruments don’t play by themselves (unless they are computerized) and there would be no one to lead people to sing.  There would be no beautiful smiles to welcome people into the center and greet them in unison, “Welcome to THRIBE!”  No matter how powerful and high-tech computers may be, they still need to be manned by somebody.  The stage would be a sight for sore eyes without the creative minds that bring it to life.  I’m so proud of all our volunteers at THRIBE and their love to serve.

The music team – Ella, Ayi, Josh, Pau, and the rest of the gang.  Thank you for your dedication and sharing your talents with us.DSC-0788

The ushering team – Ian, Julian, Kath, and the rest of the good looking people.  Thank you for your heart to serve.

The tech team – Mira, Tey, Nikki M, and the rest of the tech savvy.  Thank you for contributing your time and effort.

The creative team – Marge, Ninyo, Chel, and the rest of the creative geniuses.  Thank you for sharing your creative gifts with us.DSC-0707

Emcees – Dave, Daisy, Rhev, Noel, thank you for your enthusiasm and liveliness.

Big big thanks to everyone who has volunteered in THRIBE in one way or another, even if it was just one time-thank you!  I can’t imagine myself working any other group of volunteers.  I know that with this pool of individuals we can take THRIBE to the next level and continue to make the name of Jesus known around us.

Let’s go THRIBE!

Kumbinsing!

Posted in Students with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 18, 2009 by Passion Engineer

header01Last night I was on the hunt for Mang Inasal.  The day before I went around the Cubao area looking for their restaurants.  The branch in Shopwise and SM were still under construction.  But last night I found out that there was one in Ali Mall.  So I walked from the LRT station all the way to the mall in search of my favorite inasal food chain.  I’m not to familiar with the mall and I believe it was also recently renovated so I went around, went inside to end my search.  But I couldn’t find it.  I was already very hungry so I decided to eat at their new food court.  When I exited the mall I wasn’t really sure where I was, so I decided to go around the mall until I found SM.  As I turned the corner, lo and behold, there was the Mang Inasal sign… but it was also under construction.

Ever since I tried the food at Mang Inasal for the first time several months ago I enjoyed it so much that soon I would find myself wanting to eat at the nearest branch.  The barbecue fast food chain has grown to more the 150 branches nationwide in less than 6 years.  I enjoy eating at Mang Inasal because of their very reasonable prices, the unlimited rice, and being able to eat with my hands.  10625_100878029928242_100000181368755_22508_8123266_n

I was thinking to myself that night, eating chicken that’s not from Mang Inasal, if young people feel the same way about the youth services we conduct.  In the middle of the week do students look for the youth service?  Are they excited about going to the service, do they look forward to it?  Do they feel a need to want to come back?  Is the preaching, the music, the people reasonable enough for students to want to invite their own friends?

I’m looking forward to they day wherein hundreds of young people have such a desire to know God, to follow Jesus that as much as possible they don’t want to miss a service, they don’t want to be late for a small group meeting.  They can’t help but convince their friends to go to service, to know about Jesus.  And I’m convinced that this dream is attainable with prayer and a real love and compassion for the students.  Jesus, is slowly capturing the hearts of young people.

The Reward of a Champ!

Posted in Sports with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 16, 2009 by Passion Engineer

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After beating the mighty Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, in straight sets during the US Open semifinals, Juan Martin del Potro creates yet another upset by beating Roger Federer in the final.  Not many people can say that they beat two of the top players in the world of tennis and fewer people can say that they defeated them in back-to-back days.  It was the Argentinian’s first Grand Slam title at the expense of the owner of the most Grand Slams in tennis history.  The young Argentine turns 21 in around 8 days and it took him awhile to process the whole final, the US Open trophy, the free car, and around $2 million in prize money.  He was pretty overwhelmed to be crowned the 2009 US Open champion after a fierce battle with Roger Federer.  All the young man could think about was cheesecake for his birthday.

Many times we can get overwhelmed with work, with school, with relationships, with challenges we face.  Not necessarily large_del potrothe negative situations we encounter but even when it comes to the time we commit and the energy we utilize.  Sometimes it’s good to reward ourselves to distract ourselves from what’s happening all around us.  When I get overwhelmed with the world around me I like to isolate myself by maybe walking around the mall alone or rewarding myself with a good meal or a relaxing foot massage.  It allows me to clear my mind and rediscover my passion, my purpose.

Cheesecake may or may not be your kind of thing but it’s good to remind ourselves every once in a while why we go to school, why we work, why we obey the Word of God, why we need relationships.  Sometimes a reward can be a reward in itself.

Dancing till the end…

Posted in Random with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 15, 2009 by Passion Engineer

When you talk about the movie Dirty Dancing or Ghost, the actor that comes to mind is Patrick Swayze.  He was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2008, which is one of the most deadliest cancers with one of the lowest survival rates.  He died on September 14, 2009.  Ever since his breakthrough performance in 1987 for Dirty Dancing he has been in a number of movies and TV shows.  His last role was on The Beast which was aired in January of this year.

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I’m not really a huge fan of Patrick Swayze but it was kind of a shocker to find out about his death, especially since The Beast is currently on TV.  What struck me about him though, was that even with his illness he was still passionate about something that he enjoyed doing until the end.  I’m less than half his age but I’m hoping that I would still be as passionate about ministry as I am today, hopefully even more passionate and on fire.  I probably won’t be ministering to the youth when my hair turns white but I most definitely will still be passionate about the next generation.