Passion Engineer

A Goal is still a Goal!

Passion Engineer — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:04:57 +0000

The England squad for the FIFA World Cup got knocked out of the competition by the beautiful football played by the young German team. I’m a pretty big fan of the England team but their Round of 16 game against Germany was really sloppy. All 4 goals of Germany came from the mistakes of the English defenders. To add insult to injury, the replay of a goal from Frank Lampard showed that the ball was clearly over the line but since the referee couldn’t see it, the goal wasn’t accredited to the English side. Since instant replay isn’t implemented by FIFA, that very controversial “goal” will be talked about because it may have changed the outlook of the English, who seemed demoralized for most parts of the match. If the goal was counted it might have given England more hope and confidence but it looked like Germany would still end up on top because of their great passing and composure throughout the match.

Thinking about what happened to my favorite team got my mind rolling in the direction of discipleship (I have a complex mind. naks! haha). Discipleship is no easy task. It takes time, energy, money, sacrifice and genuine compassion for people. We get encouraged, inspired and excited to share about Jesus to our classmates, family members and friends. But after a couple of weeks of sharing about Jesus, talking about principles from the Bible with someone, sometimes we may not see any change in them. After a couple of months you receive a text that he or she isn’t available to attend your Victory group. The excuses keep coming week after week, then all of a sudden there’s no reply.

Getting discouraged after something like that is a given, but it shouldn’t be a reason to stop and quit sharing about Jesus to others. It may seem like the “goal” didn’t count but in reality seeds about Jesus and the truth of His Word were planted. The time spent with people like that is not in vain because if you take a look at the replay of moments spent with them you will see Jesus being preached, the Word of God being taught and obedience to the call of discipleship. So don’t get knocked down if one person doesn’t respond the way you were hoping they would because those seeds will begin to grow at a time determined by the grace of God. A goal is still a goal, God is still God.

Friendship Milestone

Passion Engineer — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:48:25 +0000

I attended two beautiful weddings over the 3-day weekend. Weddings of two very good friends of mine that I’ve known for about 10 years. And I consider it a privilege to have witnessed these men enter a new season of their lives. I am so blessed to have walked with these men during my youth days and even up to today we’re good friends. During the reception of both weddings there were pictures being flashed of our younger years, when I was minus x-pounds. It made me thankful for having grown up with men like Jay and Francis. The three of us were among the first to help pioneer the youth group in Victory Alabang way back then. We’re from different backgrounds, have different personalities, come from different schools (well Jay and Francis were both from Bene). But no matter the difference we all had one thing in common. We all loved Jesus.

Many years ago we were told that the relationships we developed in church would not be temporary but lifelong. Back then that line just sounded good to hear, but now I have seen it become a reality. These men love Jesus and I doubt this reality would have been possible apart from Jesus. The memory of this important milestone in Jay and Francis’ lives will be stored away with all the other memories that I have accumulated with these men over the years. And when little ‘Jays’ and little ‘Kikos’ start running around I will pull out a memory or two to share with them.

Congratulations once again to Jay & Nina and Francis & Belle!

Saying “Gullible” slowly sounds like “Orange”

Passion Engineer — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:19:47 +0000

I was driving at the Fort yesterday afternoon along 26th Street heading for C5 south bound. At the stoplight where you can make a left to Market! Market! there’s a strip of orange traffic cones preventing the outer lane from making a left. As I drove through the intersection I realized two things. One is how the people of Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC) have responded to the traffic caused by drivers wanting to turn left from the outer lane. The other is to see the line of orange cones as a temporary solution for undisciplined drivers. Drivers who don’t like traffic want to make a left on the next green light so they occupy the outer lane causing even more traffic. Those orange cones may get the job done but in the progressive Bonifacio Global City, they’re an eyesore.

In a way we can sometimes fill up our own lives with orange cones. We love Jesus and pursue Him but when we commit a sin we may lack the discipline to repent, get up on our feet and pursue Him once again. Instead we come up with our own solutions so that our Christian friends will see that we’re back on track with Jesus. We go to church, attend a Victory group, carry a Bible around, speak in Christianese. Nothing wrong with doing these things. But if we continue to do them with the wrong motive we may end up getting stuck in a routine or getting burned out or both. All of these acts that we do can become an eyesore before God because what He looks at is the heart. Others may be gullible enough to buy into the Christian routine but not God. We may fall and stumble but let’s get up and live for Jesus, not for men.

Beyond Four Walls

Passion Engineer — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:48:11 +0000

As I gaze out the window I can’t help but be expectant for the move of God upon the next generation. Several days I ago I was in a summit for campus missionaries and I remember Pastor Manny Carlos talking about an awakening in the youth of today. My spirit started to get excited as I realized that God is doing something in the hearts and minds of today’s generation. He talked about a shift in the youth culture, which I believe will prove to be a great opportunity for students to know Jesus.

Honestly, I don’t know exactly what the move of God is, but I believe with all my heart that there will soon be a harvest of young people in the campus. With that in mind I think that it’s important to continue to believe God for strategies and creative ways to reap a harvest and that we go beyond the four walls that we have become accustomed to. The principle remains the same. Let’s make disciples, but I believe that we need to be willing to let go of what doesn’t work, be willing to take risks, be willing to listen to what people outside our four walls may say. Let’s not limit an unlimited God. The harvest is indeed plentiful.

The moments that define you…

Passion Engineer — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:58:38 +0000

Nine years ago I attended a youth camp that was very pivotal in my life. It made things black and white for me as a Christian. It was a moment in my life that makes me look back and thank God for the opportunity to make a change in my life. This happened when I was still in high school attending the summer youth camp in Caliraya. Just last week we held our own youth camp in the same place with about 80 young people. It was a great time for fellowship and fun, but it was also filled with moments that I believe this group will be able to look back upon. I had my share of moments as well but one moment that stands out from the rest was my passion for the youth being renewed.

It was during our third session where Pastor Dennis Sy preached about snatching friends and loved ones out from the fire. Towards the end Pastor Dennis called out those who wanted to receive the Holy Spirit to be empowered to reach out to their friends and families. Many of them came up front and as Pastor Dennis was praying for them we laid hands on them. Soon tears started rolling down their faces and their lips began to speak in tongues. I tried to stay composed as I was laying my hands on them but I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy for these young men and women. My heart was just filled with joy and excitement for the plans and purposes God has for them. It was as if the fire burning with me caught a second wind. A fire that burns for young people to realize the grace and love of God and seek the purposes He has for them.

I hope that we may be able to conduct another camp next year for the next wave of young men and women to encounter their share of moments that define their relationship with God.

How Sweet the Sound

Passion Engineer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:54:16 +0000

The latest season of American Idol started a couple of weeks ago with auditions in different cities across America. I enjoy watching the auditions of American Idol, it’s my favorite part of the show. You get to see some great talent in the auditions and watch captivating stories of some of the participants. And at the same time you get to watch some amusing auditions that will make you laugh out loud as well as the dramatic auditions. There was one particular guy who auditioned in Orlando and because of his refusal to leave the set was forced out in handcuffs. The irony behind the whole fiasco is the song he sang for his audition, Amazing Grace.

I wasn’t so surprised that the young man was in handcuffs because prior to his audition there was already a preview that it would happen, but when he started singing the song, Amazing Grace, that’s when the irony started to build up. We can sing the songs that proclaim the greatness of God, His amazing grace, His love and the good things He has done, but when push comes to shove and our faith is tested, our integrity on the line, what will we do? It’s difficult to live out a Christian life when everyone is expecting you to fall and give in. We do things that we know we shouldn’t be doing like that young man who shouldn’t be singing (not trying to malign him, but I agree with the judges). On our own strength it’s impossible to live out the Word of God, but the grace of God is available and makes the impossible possible. That’s why it’s so amazing!

“Beni Swa Leternel”

Passion Engineer — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:25:56 +0000

The New Year begins with a calamity hitting the island of Haiti. News about the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti has been flooding all news channels in recent days. A devastating tragedy that has the death toll climbing in the hundreds of thousands. After beginning the New Year with high hopes and expectations, one can be easily fazed with these headlines. A disaster of this magnitude dims whatever brightness the future may hold.

As I was going through some articles regarding the quake in Haiti I came across a particular paragraph that held my attention.

“Those gathered outside tents, on lawn chairs, sitting in the middle of empty streets, sang their hymns. One phrase in Creole could be heard repeatedly both inside and outside the hospital walls, as if those voicing the words were trying to make sense of the madness around them. “Beni Swa Leternel,” they sang. “Blessed be the Lord.” – New York Times

In the midst of adversity and difficulty the people in Haiti can blame God for the misfortune that has fallen upon them. But rather than point fingers they lift their hands singing praise to God. We may have our own problems and trials, which I doubt can even be compared to what the people of Haiti have experienced, but do we sit around and mope, find blame for our troubles or do we give praise to a God who deserves it no matter situation we find ourselves in? It may look crazy, but the next time you go through a difficult time try to give thanks and praise to an ever faithful God.

Happy New Year!

Passion Engineer — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:37:49 +0000

A new year is upon us and it’s a time for a fresh start, a time to start anew. Every beginning of the year we normally make new year’s resolutions to change a lifestyle or faith goals that we are believing and hoping will take place in the coming year. I haven’t yet set my faith goals for the new year up ahead but one goal that is a given year after year is to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been listening to the song, Deeper by Planetshakers for the last couple of weeks. It’s a song with a simple message of desiring more of Jesus, yearning for more of Him, not being satisfied with just reading or hearing about Jesus but really longing for Him. Here’s the song and the lyrics.

I want to know You
I want to hear Your voice
I want to feel You
More than before

I want to touch You
I want to see Your face
I want you Jesus
More than before

More of you Jesus i want more
More of you my Lord
More of you Jesus i want more
More of you my Lord

Take me deeper than I’ve been before
Take me further than God long for more
Take me higher than I’ve been before
Jesus I want more
Jesus I need more

More of You
More of You Jesus
More of You
I need more of You

According to my clock the new year is just 5 and a half hours away. I believe that God wants to bless us and fulfill His promises for our lives this year 2010 but I hope that we will desire the one who is faithful to fulfill those promises. That everyday we would hunger and thirst for more of God and develop a deeper relationship with Him.

Have a blessed new year everyone!

Psst – used to capture someone’s attention inconspicuously

Passion Engineer — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:17:38 +0000

Recently I was in Cubao, walking from the MRT to the LRT 2 and when I got to the footbridge that connects Farmers Plaza to Gateway, I heard a guy, bent over looking down towards the walkway of Araneta Coliseum, say that there was a fight. When I looked up across the footbridge it was all clear. Everyone on the footbridge was on the railing trying to catch a glimpse of the fight. Those who just stepped on the bridge headed straight for the railing to see what everyone else was looking at. I was drawn as well but as I looked down from the railing I couldn’t really see anything except bystanders stopping and staring within the proximity of the fight. My angle from the footbridge wasn’t any good so I just walked away laughing at myself for being drawn to the idea of someone getting a real bad beating.

While there are many things happening all around us there are only a few that catch our attention. According to Mark Hughes, author of Buzzmarketing, there are six buzz buttons that will start a conversation even with a random stranger. The six things that get people talking are the unusual, the outrageous, the hilarious, the remarkable, the taboo and secrets. Such as the unusual accident of Tiger Woods earlier this week, the outrageous massacre of innocent people in Maguindanao and the remarkable recognition of Efren Peñaflorida as “2009 Hero of the Year.” There are a few that are newsworthy but most of what creates a buzz soon just buzzes off.

Christmas is just around the corner and it’s a time to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born on this earth to bring good news to all men. News that has been buzzing from generation to generation. News that merits sharing it with friends and loved ones. People during the time of Jesus found it hilarious that He was claiming to be the King of the Jews and that it was taboo to call Himself the Son of God. The unusual accusation of an innocent man resulted in an outrageous crucifixion. He died and on the third day there was an empty tomb, which some tried to keep a secret. But no one can suppress the remarkable fact of Jesus’ resurrection, which has not only caught the attention of men but the hearts of men.

Manny of all trades, master of none.

Passion Engineer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:03:47 +0000

Last Sunday, Manny Pacquiao established himself as one of the greatest boxers that ever lived, not just in the Philippines or in Asia but all over the world. I saw an episode of the Pacquiao vs Cotto HBO 24/7 when he was training in Baguio city. During this episode, Typhoon Pepeng hit northern Luzon and wreaked havoc across Baguio. While people suffered from the devastation left by the typhoon, Manny could only sympathize with the victims because of his focus on boxing. He knows how important it is to stay focused on his conditioning and preparation even though he’s a celebrity in the Philippines with his own TV show, own movie, having multiple businesses, being a husband and a father.

It’s amazing to see how focused Manny Pacquiao was in the training he went through for this fight with Cotto, which I’m sure is the same intense focus for all his fights. And whether it’s in ministry, in work, in school, in everyday life, we need to be focused. We can get caught up in so many different things that are unnecessary and simply consume time and energy. We can be good at many different things but not great in any particular thing. Sometimes we need to know how to say, “No.” No, to the things that distract us, things that spread us too thinly, things that don’t contribute to what we want to achieve or accomplish. Craig Groeschel in his book, it, says when you increase your focus, you decrease your options. What are the things you need to say “No” to in your ministry? in schoolwork? in your job? in order for you to be less distracted.

When you’re focused not even a natural disaster can sidetrack you.