At home kami dito. We will miss Enzo and Kicks. Ang dalawang magkapatid. hehehe. Hope to see more of you guys and if ever di na kayo maka attend. We want to assure you na ang pinagsamahan natin ay sintigas ng bato, mas matibay pa sa semento. : ) parang epoxy. Para na rin namin kayong kapatid. One of the reasons kung bakit gusto ko umattend ay dahil na rin sa inyong dalawa. You have served as an inspiration not only to me pero sa lahat.
We wish you all the best and you will always be in our prayers.
Always "Lapag and Proud"
God bless,
ariel
P.s.: to ernie and bernie: our username is hugaspaa@gmail.com
password is: alam nyo na.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Farewell Dan and Welcome Theo and Enzo
It was the 22nd of October (Wednesday). We had our AG at m'Blessed with 3 special fish steaks, 1 cheese dog foot long and a cappuccino.
Our discussion was nothing formal. We just had to update ourselves about each other's activities at home, office, community and friends.
Our discussion was nothing formal. We just had to update ourselves about each other's activities at home, office, community and friends. 
Bro Dan will be transferring to Makati AG. Farewell Bro Dan! We surely learned a lot from you. Thanks for stories you've shared especially the "Washing of the feet!" I hope we can invite you sometime for a teaching in our AG. On the lighter side, we'd like also to welcome 2 of our new members: Bro Theo and Bro Enzo!!! LAPAG niyoukoso! Translation "Welcome to LAPAG!"
We finished and headed home at around 10:30 pm. 
Thank you Lord for allowing our AG members to increase in numbers. I hope to see more brothers in our AG next week. God bless servants of the Lord!
-Erik
-Erik
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Fuel Saving Tips
Hi Bros! I'd just like to share with you an email I have received today. It's about fuel saving techniques. I know fuel consumption will increase exponentially for the coming years. It will be so until bigger entities in the market engage on Hybrid vehicles which considers alternative sources of energy.
I have summarized it as follows:
1. Replace damaged gas caps.
2. Maintain correct tire pressure.
3. Replace spark plugs regularly.
4. Replace dirty air filters.
5. Lessen sudden brakes and sudden acceleration.
6. Avoid exessive idling.
7. Avoid running over 60 mph or 96.56064 kph.
Most often we fail to notice these techniques and we end up consuming a lot of gas on the road. It's quite easy to do these steps. We just have to be reminded. This weekend I'll have our car changed oil. Thanks to this email I received.
Observe these and enjoy the extra mile you'll have. A blessed day!
Erik
AlNP-Alabanger
I have summarized it as follows:
1. Replace damaged gas caps.
2. Maintain correct tire pressure.
3. Replace spark plugs regularly.
4. Replace dirty air filters.
5. Lessen sudden brakes and sudden acceleration.
6. Avoid exessive idling.
7. Avoid running over 60 mph or 96.56064 kph.
Most often we fail to notice these techniques and we end up consuming a lot of gas on the road. It's quite easy to do these steps. We just have to be reminded. This weekend I'll have our car changed oil. Thanks to this email I received.
Observe these and enjoy the extra mile you'll have. A blessed day!
Erik
AlNP-Alabanger
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Fitness Challenge
Hi Bros,
I am suggesting a fitness challenge to everyone. As brothers, we need to be spiritually, mentally and physically fit.
Though a lot of articles are already written about the need to be fit physically, this time lets take a serious look at it and create a realistic goal where we can focus our attention. This time, its the AG's goal to be physically fit.
Why do we need to exercise?
It is not just because we need to impress. : ) hehehe. But because we need to create a body that can best serve our creator. It is our responsibility to do something about our present physical state. It is not just about exercise but other things like ridding ourselves of things that have a negative impact on our bodies, anu-ano yun? E alam mo na yun.
This time, I encourage all of us to post something that we commit to do in the week to come. Basta 1 week goal. Ako I am committing toa 30 minute walk and jog everyday, every morning. for 1 week. Kayo, basta kahit ano basta something that you think will be beneficial to your health.
God bless,
yel
I am suggesting a fitness challenge to everyone. As brothers, we need to be spiritually, mentally and physically fit.
Though a lot of articles are already written about the need to be fit physically, this time lets take a serious look at it and create a realistic goal where we can focus our attention. This time, its the AG's goal to be physically fit.
Why do we need to exercise?
It is not just because we need to impress. : ) hehehe. But because we need to create a body that can best serve our creator. It is our responsibility to do something about our present physical state. It is not just about exercise but other things like ridding ourselves of things that have a negative impact on our bodies, anu-ano yun? E alam mo na yun.
This time, I encourage all of us to post something that we commit to do in the week to come. Basta 1 week goal. Ako I am committing toa 30 minute walk and jog everyday, every morning. for 1 week. Kayo, basta kahit ano basta something that you think will be beneficial to your health.
God bless,
yel
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Planned Retirement
Planned Retirement
In a financial sense, retirement means the ability to stop working
and not worry about anything. It is the stage when we can just sit
back, enjoy and depend on our hard end assets to pay for our needs
whether or not it is a real need or only wants.
How do we plan for our future? How do we plan for that day when
suddenly all our needs are simply all settled nicely and all we have
to do is to enjoy our remaining days with our loved ones and have
quality time.
How about now? What do you do to enjoy that life ahead? How do you
see yourself some years from now? What plans have you initiated to
concretize that plan?
Some tips:
Invest on assets that does not reduce its value through time.
Investing on inflation free assets like valuable land, apartments and
investments that are protected from the falling stock share prices
like government issued bonds, T-bills and corporate bonds. In the
Philippine setting, the value of land may not be devaluing fast
unlike in the US right now because of the mortgage crisis that they
are having.
Invest on assets that pays itself like buildings that earns rental
income. A friend of mine decided to invest his money by building a
small apartment instead of a plain house for his family. By doing
so, he is assured to earn a living even when he is not working.
Invest on highly valuable insurance. Protect oneself from life's
various risks. There are insurance products that provides security
and earns a possible income in terms of investments. It is always
better to have a plan a, b and c so that things will work well no
matter what. Be honest with what you can afford. Think prospective
and practical, a lapsed policy is hard to accept especially if you
have already invested a considerable amount. Try also to consider
the inn's and out's of the insurance product. Double check if the
policy is really what the agent is telling you it to be. Don't be
fooled by sweet promises. Do your own research. You don't want to be
surprised after paying for 10 or even 20 years that you still have to
pay for some years more because what was explained to you then is not
really the whole information about the product that you are buying,
Investing on mutual funds. First, make sure of the company that you
are investing. The stock market is not yet stable, so you may buy
those that are linked with secure investments like treasury bills,
government bonds and corporate bonds. Its rate of return may be
moderate but definitely higher than what you can get if your money is
just deposited in a bank and time-deposit. Let the power of
compounding interest work for you. This is possible because you will
be leaving your money long term. Of course you can withdraw the
money depending on the contract usually after 1 year and subject to
deduction of certain applicable fees.
Plan for your estate and other clean up expenses. Buying now while
still alive will guarantee of cheaper expenses in terms of burial lot
and other expenses related to ones death. Your insurance can also be
helpful in settling these expenses. Sometime we fail to plan for
this dreaded event because of the seeming hard reality of facing the
reality of death. In the end it is always wise to plan ahead and be
practical especially for the welfare of those whom will be leaving
behind.
Planning for those with limited budget. You can set aside some of
your money to be used as an emergency fund. Plan ahead by having
Philhealth and SSS. Contributions to these institutions are helpful
investments that should also form part of your financial plan. You
can also avail of term insurance or those that are plainly for one's
protection and expires after one year. This is the cheapest type of
insurance.
If you have enough budget, you can also avail of a medical card so
that succeeding visits for your medical and dental need will be cared
for. If you can't, it is still a wise investment to undergo routine
check-ups as a preventive measure. Prevention is always better than
cure.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Have a healthy diet, exercise
regularly. If you can't afford to go to the gym because of cost or
lack of time, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car
far from your office so you can walk. Do some sit-ups, jog or join a
marathon event. Swim this summer and when able. Go hiking and other
events that are fun-filled and activity driven. It is also important
to know the basics of proper lifting. Use your legs instead of your
back when doing it. Doing the wrong thing again and again may
contribute to the rapid weakening of our backs. Consult a doctor or
a physical therapist to teach you more about this. Maintain a good
posture and make it a habit.
Plan your travel or day so that you may find time to do the things
that you want to do. You also conserve resources, like money and
time.
Eat food rich in fiber and fruits. You can consult your dietitian for
the best set of food for you to eat. Also ask for the best exercise
from your doctor, especially if you have a history of being injured
or other medical pre-existing condition. And most importantly,
everything should be done in moderation. What is important is a
disciplined lifestyle. Also do not smoke and drink too much.
Develop and foster quality relationship with your family, loved ones,
friends and even those who need your help and presence as well.
Protect and foster your spiritual life by having a regular prayer
time, reading the bible, going to church, your action groups and
prayer meeting and most importantly, action.
Protect the environment. Planning for ones future also includes
taking care of our future environment and our future children as
well. Learn to recycle. Turn of your lights or other electrical
equipment when not in use. Walk or use your bike. Use mass
transits, carpooling and wise use of water. When eating, get only
what you can finish. Repair the leaking faucets. Plant more trees
and pray that others too will also be doing their share to preserve
and protect the environment.
Please pass.. if you are helped by this document.
Yel
Alnp-alabang
If you need more information on investments or other information.
E-mail me: sr679@yahoo.com,
text me or give me a call
My new cell number: 0916-2390-800
In a financial sense, retirement means the ability to stop working
and not worry about anything. It is the stage when we can just sit
back, enjoy and depend on our hard end assets to pay for our needs
whether or not it is a real need or only wants.
How do we plan for our future? How do we plan for that day when
suddenly all our needs are simply all settled nicely and all we have
to do is to enjoy our remaining days with our loved ones and have
quality time.
How about now? What do you do to enjoy that life ahead? How do you
see yourself some years from now? What plans have you initiated to
concretize that plan?
Some tips:
Invest on assets that does not reduce its value through time.
Investing on inflation free assets like valuable land, apartments and
investments that are protected from the falling stock share prices
like government issued bonds, T-bills and corporate bonds. In the
Philippine setting, the value of land may not be devaluing fast
unlike in the US right now because of the mortgage crisis that they
are having.
Invest on assets that pays itself like buildings that earns rental
income. A friend of mine decided to invest his money by building a
small apartment instead of a plain house for his family. By doing
so, he is assured to earn a living even when he is not working.
Invest on highly valuable insurance. Protect oneself from life's
various risks. There are insurance products that provides security
and earns a possible income in terms of investments. It is always
better to have a plan a, b and c so that things will work well no
matter what. Be honest with what you can afford. Think prospective
and practical, a lapsed policy is hard to accept especially if you
have already invested a considerable amount. Try also to consider
the inn's and out's of the insurance product. Double check if the
policy is really what the agent is telling you it to be. Don't be
fooled by sweet promises. Do your own research. You don't want to be
surprised after paying for 10 or even 20 years that you still have to
pay for some years more because what was explained to you then is not
really the whole information about the product that you are buying,
Investing on mutual funds. First, make sure of the company that you
are investing. The stock market is not yet stable, so you may buy
those that are linked with secure investments like treasury bills,
government bonds and corporate bonds. Its rate of return may be
moderate but definitely higher than what you can get if your money is
just deposited in a bank and time-deposit. Let the power of
compounding interest work for you. This is possible because you will
be leaving your money long term. Of course you can withdraw the
money depending on the contract usually after 1 year and subject to
deduction of certain applicable fees.
Plan for your estate and other clean up expenses. Buying now while
still alive will guarantee of cheaper expenses in terms of burial lot
and other expenses related to ones death. Your insurance can also be
helpful in settling these expenses. Sometime we fail to plan for
this dreaded event because of the seeming hard reality of facing the
reality of death. In the end it is always wise to plan ahead and be
practical especially for the welfare of those whom will be leaving
behind.
Planning for those with limited budget. You can set aside some of
your money to be used as an emergency fund. Plan ahead by having
Philhealth and SSS. Contributions to these institutions are helpful
investments that should also form part of your financial plan. You
can also avail of term insurance or those that are plainly for one's
protection and expires after one year. This is the cheapest type of
insurance.
If you have enough budget, you can also avail of a medical card so
that succeeding visits for your medical and dental need will be cared
for. If you can't, it is still a wise investment to undergo routine
check-ups as a preventive measure. Prevention is always better than
cure.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Have a healthy diet, exercise
regularly. If you can't afford to go to the gym because of cost or
lack of time, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car
far from your office so you can walk. Do some sit-ups, jog or join a
marathon event. Swim this summer and when able. Go hiking and other
events that are fun-filled and activity driven. It is also important
to know the basics of proper lifting. Use your legs instead of your
back when doing it. Doing the wrong thing again and again may
contribute to the rapid weakening of our backs. Consult a doctor or
a physical therapist to teach you more about this. Maintain a good
posture and make it a habit.
Plan your travel or day so that you may find time to do the things
that you want to do. You also conserve resources, like money and
time.
Eat food rich in fiber and fruits. You can consult your dietitian for
the best set of food for you to eat. Also ask for the best exercise
from your doctor, especially if you have a history of being injured
or other medical pre-existing condition. And most importantly,
everything should be done in moderation. What is important is a
disciplined lifestyle. Also do not smoke and drink too much.
Develop and foster quality relationship with your family, loved ones,
friends and even those who need your help and presence as well.
Protect and foster your spiritual life by having a regular prayer
time, reading the bible, going to church, your action groups and
prayer meeting and most importantly, action.
Protect the environment. Planning for ones future also includes
taking care of our future environment and our future children as
well. Learn to recycle. Turn of your lights or other electrical
equipment when not in use. Walk or use your bike. Use mass
transits, carpooling and wise use of water. When eating, get only
what you can finish. Repair the leaking faucets. Plant more trees
and pray that others too will also be doing their share to preserve
and protect the environment.
Please pass.. if you are helped by this document.
Yel
Alnp-alabang
If you need more information on investments or other information.
E-mail me: sr679@yahoo.com,
text me or give me a call
My new cell number: 0916-2390-800
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
home
"Another summer dayHas come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
Just wanna go home
Oh I miss you, you know
And I've been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
"I'm fine baby, how are you?"
Well, I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that
Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I'm lucky I know
But I wanna go home
I got to go home
Let me go home
I'm just too far from where you are
I wanna come home
And I feel just like I'm living someone else's life
It's like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
This was not your dream
But you always believed in me"
The song above is sung by Michael Buble entitled "Home". And as I was listening this song from the jeepney I rode from Calamba to San Pedro last Holy Tuesday in time for our Holy Week break, I was strucked by the song.
Yes, another summer day has come indeed and I really missed home, my home in San Pedro. For all these months I rented and stayed in a dormintory here in Calamba near Letran campus. My life became truly different.
But more than just missing my home and my family, another thing I missed was my community in Lingkod Alabang.
I went to a point that I became a "wandering servant" a wandering lingkod. Though I had served San Pablo at attending Los Banos a few times, still, there was a yearning to go back to where my relationship with the Lord grew, honed, and pruned, and that is in Lingkod Alabang.
Yet during these "exiled" times that my Christian life was formed in another way. Inspite that I do not regularly attend to the prayer meetings of Lingkod either in San Pablo or Los Banos, I was trying my best to be faithful to the Lord through my work in Letran Calamba.
I really missed our community and I pray that soon I'll be home again. My contract with Letran Calamba will be due this March 30 and with the new work prospect in another school which is near my home in San Pedro, there is an assurance that I could serve regularly Lingkod Alabang.
Please pray for me as I prepare myself for my new work and in a new workplace ahead of me starting this summer, near my home, near our home in Lingkod Alabang, until we reach our true and heavenly home with the Father and Christ.AMEN+
God bless
- Dan
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Go to the Deep
Last Sunday, I together with the other brothers from GMMAQC attended a retreat at the Franciscan retreat house in Tagaytay. Tito Eddie conducted the retreat. The theme of the retreat is to go into the deep. How can I go the deep when my hands and legs are weak? Maybe I can’t even go the shallow if that’s the case.There are three important points that I learned in that retreat and these are:
Weakness
- Identify your personal weakness. Each of us have a personal definition of what weakness is all about. It is an internal struggle that affects our ability to decide and act. It maybe an outcome of our past, present environment and personal choice. Peter the rock, also had a breaking experience. Its like turning rock into tiny granules of sand. Weakening and destroying the strong rock that he is which may also happen to us.
Openness
- The process of knowing and eventually conquering our weaknesses will not be possible without the realization that we are weak. It is acknowledging that such weakness/es exist.
Working with others and oneself
- It is happy to know that there are people whom you can share your weaknesses. Be honest and open no matter what this admission of your weaknesses will mean to them. Talking about your weaknesses is not an easy thing to do. Seek sincere people who are willing to listen and offer you advices to help you get over those weaknesses.
- Working with oneself. After knowing what to change comes the stage of decision, action and evaluation. This is not an easy thing to do without asking God to help you. Think long term, think of God and ask for the grace to conquer it. Ask also for the decision to remain strong and the grace to remove the stumbling block of weakness in your daily behavior. After the action stage comes evaluation which is a daily process of monitoring if there is a need to fine tune things. Sure sin may come again as our weaknesses reappear. Through monitoring and evaluation, we can be proactive and reactive when we fall back into our old ways. Repent and do something to prevent our weakness to resurface.
As we continue in our walk as real brothers and sisters in Christ, it will be helpful to remember the WOW strategy to conquer our personal weakness.
God bless and WOW your weaknesses away!!!
Yel
Sunday, March 2, 2008
He is my Light
Early this morning at around 8:00 we were on our way to the Feast for a mass and a talk where the speaker was Bo Sanchez. I was in the car seated at the back seat. My sister was driving and seated at the shotgun was my mom. We were free of thinking any house chores and work related-activities. For me it was a perfect sunny Sunday morning. We prepared our hearts on our way by sharing our short personal prayers. While seated at the backseat of the car, I was thanking God for the blessings He has given our family. I thanked Him for providing us the car, the gas and even the fastened seatbelts that we were using. I thanked Him for so many things. I also thanked Him for making us able to finish all the things that we needed to do for the week by Saturday, and making Sunday a day dedicated for Him. That short moment remained in my mind right now as the day is ending. It was simple and short story of my life but I really felt His presence filled our hearts because I felt calmness in my heart. This night was really a good time to reflect. He has provided a lot of things in my life that I cannot count of. And so I reflected on the Gospel for today which was taken from the book of Saint John 9: 1-41. In the Gospel, it was written that He was able to heal a blind man and made him restore his sight. The focus of the Gospel was not about healing the blind man’s physical blindness, but rather it was about God explaining that He alone is the Light which brings more than physical sight. Many times we reject accepting the Light God has given us. We refuse to accept and do not believe of His blessings and His love. We tend to have an ungrateful heart that brings loneliness and sadness in our hearts. I really believe that when you accept God as the light you are able to see His blessings and have a peaceful heart. A heart free from worries.Thank you, Lord, for filling our hearts today. Thank you for planning this day for our family to reflect and examine the words you have spoken to us. Thank you for continuously being the light to our family. Jesus Christ, You are my light and love.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
yel's special day
last night Lapag celebrated Yel's birthday at Kick's house and also welcomed ang bagong Lapag na si JC. dagdag saya dagdag inspirasyon.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
book article review
Last night the Lapag bros welcomed new member JC coming from Lingkod Greenhills. The activity last night was book/article/story review. 
Erik shared some highlights from the book "Leadership Secrets of Saint Paul" by Jeff Caliguire. From this book, St. Paul's qualities was clearly shown on the stories of his mission in bringing many people to christianity. He was a very good example of a faithful and radical follower of Christ.
Erik shared some highlights from the book "Leadership Secrets of Saint Paul" by Jeff Caliguire. From this book, St. Paul's qualities was clearly shown on the stories of his mission in bringing many people to christianity. He was a very good example of a faithful and radical follower of Christ. JC shared the story entitled "The Gift", it talks about the story of the father giving his son a Bible instead of a car that his son was asking from him. The son became disappointed and so he left his father. Later in the story the father died and the son checked the Bible that his father gave and noticed that there was a key inside his Bible and knew that it was there since the time his father gave it to him on his graduation day. The story shows the value of God's desire to bless in small and big things. JC also shared his reflections on the book of Philippians in the Bible which also featured St. Paul's virtues.
Dom shared the book "Jesus Freaks" by the DC Talk an alternative band who radically expressed their call to remind us the works of Christ in the life of the martyrs. The book featured a lot about St. Paul who ultimately gave his life for Christ. 
Kicks through text shared the book "The Pilgrimage" by the famous author Paulo Coehlo. He personally like the author because of his vivid imagination which makes it surreal and out of this world yet, never far-fetched. One more thing is, the author also shows depth in the religious side - he is Brazilian and also a Catholic. It is a worthwhile and also an inspiring read with a bit of suspense, drama and trivial facts.
Kicks through text shared the book "The Pilgrimage" by the famous author Paulo Coehlo. He personally like the author because of his vivid imagination which makes it surreal and out of this world yet, never far-fetched. One more thing is, the author also shows depth in the religious side - he is Brazilian and also a Catholic. It is a worthwhile and also an inspiring read with a bit of suspense, drama and trivial facts.fyi
The BSP Investor Relations Office, in cooperation with the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc., invites you to the 2008 PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC BRIEFING: "The Philippines: Defying Gravity, Rising Steadily" on Friday, 15 February 2008, 10:00 AM at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.
This economic briefing will be highlighted by the Keynote Address of Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and presentations by her economic managers.
Interested participants are required to register by accomplishing the attached registration form and submitting via email or fax to:
INVESTOR RELATIONS OFFICEFax: 303-1565Email: info-iro@bsp.gov.phTelephone: 303-1581/523-7792Contact persons: Gigi Araneta, Shenyll Dizon and John Alonzo
Best regards,THE MARKET EDUCATION DEPARTMENTTHE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.T: +(632) - 688-7537 to 38 F: +(632) - 634-6695 E: marketeducation@pse.com.ph W: www.pse.com.ph
This economic briefing will be highlighted by the Keynote Address of Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and presentations by her economic managers.
Interested participants are required to register by accomplishing the attached registration form and submitting via email or fax to:
INVESTOR RELATIONS OFFICEFax: 303-1565Email: info-iro@bsp.gov.phTelephone: 303-1581/523-7792Contact persons: Gigi Araneta, Shenyll Dizon and John Alonzo
Best regards,THE MARKET EDUCATION DEPARTMENTTHE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.T: +(632) - 688-7537 to 38 F: +(632) - 634-6695 E: marketeducation@pse.com.ph W: www.pse.com.ph
Lenten Retreat for Men
Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon Metro Manila invites men to a lenten retreat in Tagaytay on March 1 and 2 at the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Tagaytay. Fee is P650.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Trusting Jesus
Today's meditation from Word Among Us devotional shows how much Jesus is willing to reach us in our most challenging times. Here's the meditation.
Meditation
Mark 5:21-43
Readings
How compassionate Jesus is! When Jairus told him about his little daughter and asked him to come and lay hands on her to heal her, he responded immediately. He interrupted all that he was doing to respond to one man’s plea for his little girl. Jesus’ response is all the more dramatic when you consider the turbulent relationship Jesus had with some of the religious leaders of the day.
Nothing could deter Jesus from his mission to heal the little girl. No discouraging report or mockery kept him from healing her. The only thing that delayed him was the faith of another woman. Jesus was so full of God’s mercy that he inadvertently healed one person while on his way to heal another! Can you see the kindness of Jesus? He wants us to know beyond any doubt today that he has come for us with mercy.
Sometimes we have trouble believing that Jesus is so good and compassionate toward us. Yet it is the lowly, hurting, and afflicted person, who may feel least worthy of Jesus’ love, whom he most desires to touch. Jesus never wants us to be afraid of coming to him, no matter what our needs.
In the face of our doubts about his love and our feelings of unworthiness, he speaks to us the same words he said to Jairus: “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Mark 5:36). This need for us to trust in him was part of Jesus’ message to St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun canonized by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. Jesus wants to have mercy and compassion on all. He wants us all to say with confidence, “Jesus, I trust in you.”
What is your greatest need today? Are you hesitant to bring it to Jesus? Trust him. He is good and compassionate. He loves you much more that you can understand. Encourage your loved ones to come to him also. As you come to know Jesus, you will see and understand that he was sent by the Father on a great mission of mercy. He is God’s mercy and compassion among us.
“Jesus, I praise you for your infinite mercy and love. I do put my trust in you. You are the good shepherd. Come and heal me of my deepest wound today.”
- from www.wau.org
I recommend you to read this daily devotional which can be accesed through the net for free on their site and can also be purchased for their monthly issue at some book shops.
Meditation
Mark 5:21-43
Readings
How compassionate Jesus is! When Jairus told him about his little daughter and asked him to come and lay hands on her to heal her, he responded immediately. He interrupted all that he was doing to respond to one man’s plea for his little girl. Jesus’ response is all the more dramatic when you consider the turbulent relationship Jesus had with some of the religious leaders of the day.
Nothing could deter Jesus from his mission to heal the little girl. No discouraging report or mockery kept him from healing her. The only thing that delayed him was the faith of another woman. Jesus was so full of God’s mercy that he inadvertently healed one person while on his way to heal another! Can you see the kindness of Jesus? He wants us to know beyond any doubt today that he has come for us with mercy.
Sometimes we have trouble believing that Jesus is so good and compassionate toward us. Yet it is the lowly, hurting, and afflicted person, who may feel least worthy of Jesus’ love, whom he most desires to touch. Jesus never wants us to be afraid of coming to him, no matter what our needs.
In the face of our doubts about his love and our feelings of unworthiness, he speaks to us the same words he said to Jairus: “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Mark 5:36). This need for us to trust in him was part of Jesus’ message to St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun canonized by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. Jesus wants to have mercy and compassion on all. He wants us all to say with confidence, “Jesus, I trust in you.”
What is your greatest need today? Are you hesitant to bring it to Jesus? Trust him. He is good and compassionate. He loves you much more that you can understand. Encourage your loved ones to come to him also. As you come to know Jesus, you will see and understand that he was sent by the Father on a great mission of mercy. He is God’s mercy and compassion among us.
“Jesus, I praise you for your infinite mercy and love. I do put my trust in you. You are the good shepherd. Come and heal me of my deepest wound today.”
- from www.wau.org
I recommend you to read this daily devotional which can be accesed through the net for free on their site and can also be purchased for their monthly issue at some book shops.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
it grows big
Today's reading talks about the mustard seed. here's the reading:
"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?" asked Jesus. "what parable shall we use to explain it? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade." - Mark 4:30-32
This may be one of the simplest parables that Jesus gave to his disciples but is one of the most important. The mustard seed being the smallest among its breed becomes the biggest when it grows. This reflects our talents, our relationships and above all our heart. We may have simple talents or gifts or skills but when used for the right purpose and offered to the right person it becomes as big as all the other talents. It specially grows when shared and nortured by a growing spiritual lifestyle. It may not always be extraordinary in the eyes of the people but it is in the eyes of our master.
A life shared in the name of the Lord is a life worth living. Worth growing. Worth dying.
- dom
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Romans 12
(for reflection)
A Living Sacrifice
12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Gifts of Grace
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
A Living Sacrifice
12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Gifts of Grace
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Love Tank
Love Tank
Hey I am not trying to be mushy here or try to be sentimental or something since February is just days away. My tita (aunt) requested me to write something about water and I thought of sharing this to you as well.
Water quenches our thirst. It fills up our stomach and gives us the nutrients and the medium to expel the toxins away from our body.
In a scene where Jesus met a Samaritan woman, Jesus said, “ Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring that will provide him with life –giving water and give him eternal life.”
Water will quench our longing, our need but there are some forms of water that will quench our thirst on a fleeting moment and yet will leave us even more thirsty as before. Why maybe the water that we drink is dirty causing us to have diarrhea or amoebiasis. Or maybe because the water that we drink is alcohol that evaporates even before it reaches our stomach. Just kidding. Or maybe because our water tank have a big hole and the water that we receive just goes down the drain as soon as it enters.
For the sake of our discussion, I will call this our love tank. No one can love us if we don’t see ourselves as lovable. Even Jesus will have a hard time convincing us if we refuse to listen and keep our hearts closed. Jesus commanded us to love one another as I have loved you. How can I love when my definition of love is something theoretical or purely memorized concept only. Or maybe my definition of love is flawed.
What then is love? Hehehe. Going back to my slam book definition:
1. love is blind
2. love moves in mysterious ways
3. love makes the world go round
I am just kidding actually. Love is more than just so and so. It means:
1. loving oneself means knowing when to say no. You don’t have to be a backboneless person just to please or appear to be pleasing to anyone.
2. love means being able to extend oneself to others not just because you are expecting to be loved in return.
3. love means knowing your limitations and weaknesses and doing something about it in order to keep youself strong: physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially and financially.
4. love means a constant commitment to be happy and choosing to be happy no matter how difficult our situation may be.
5. love means learning to take chances even if there is the risk of failing.
6. love means accepting ourselves wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Accepting our pit falls and positive points. Then doing something to rectify our pitfalls.
7. Love means to practice empathy. Because it is important also to consider the way others feel and behave and understand them.
8. Love also means doing little things that comes from the heart. Never mind if it will be noticed at all. a.k.a. kuripot : )
9. Love also means knowing how to say yes and give your all, nothing less but even more that you can.
10. Love means forgetting the past, forgiving and accepting.
11. love means allowing some margin of error to be committed and still able to smile sincerely to that person. Of course you have to tell the other person about his or her mistake.
12. We can’t love anyone even God if we don’t love ourselves. We do it because we know that we are precious in His eyes and worthy to be loved.
13. love is when you wake up in the morning and feel that you are the luckiest person on earth. Hehehe, mushy ba? Not really, I am serious. Love is a disposition to be positive even the world around you is negative.
love means a lot of things…… to be continued kung alam ko na. (if I already know) : )
In summary, love is something that can last only for a short moment of time or may even last for a lifetime. Love is deep when you know and understand the kind of love that God is offering. Like the water that God is giving. Water that will forever quench our thirst. Love that will forever fill our love tanks…..
Yel
Hey I am not trying to be mushy here or try to be sentimental or something since February is just days away. My tita (aunt) requested me to write something about water and I thought of sharing this to you as well.
Water quenches our thirst. It fills up our stomach and gives us the nutrients and the medium to expel the toxins away from our body.
In a scene where Jesus met a Samaritan woman, Jesus said, “ Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring that will provide him with life –giving water and give him eternal life.”
Water will quench our longing, our need but there are some forms of water that will quench our thirst on a fleeting moment and yet will leave us even more thirsty as before. Why maybe the water that we drink is dirty causing us to have diarrhea or amoebiasis. Or maybe because the water that we drink is alcohol that evaporates even before it reaches our stomach. Just kidding. Or maybe because our water tank have a big hole and the water that we receive just goes down the drain as soon as it enters.
For the sake of our discussion, I will call this our love tank. No one can love us if we don’t see ourselves as lovable. Even Jesus will have a hard time convincing us if we refuse to listen and keep our hearts closed. Jesus commanded us to love one another as I have loved you. How can I love when my definition of love is something theoretical or purely memorized concept only. Or maybe my definition of love is flawed.
What then is love? Hehehe. Going back to my slam book definition:
1. love is blind
2. love moves in mysterious ways
3. love makes the world go round
I am just kidding actually. Love is more than just so and so. It means:
1. loving oneself means knowing when to say no. You don’t have to be a backboneless person just to please or appear to be pleasing to anyone.
2. love means being able to extend oneself to others not just because you are expecting to be loved in return.
3. love means knowing your limitations and weaknesses and doing something about it in order to keep youself strong: physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially and financially.
4. love means a constant commitment to be happy and choosing to be happy no matter how difficult our situation may be.
5. love means learning to take chances even if there is the risk of failing.
6. love means accepting ourselves wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Accepting our pit falls and positive points. Then doing something to rectify our pitfalls.
7. Love means to practice empathy. Because it is important also to consider the way others feel and behave and understand them.
8. Love also means doing little things that comes from the heart. Never mind if it will be noticed at all. a.k.a. kuripot : )
9. Love also means knowing how to say yes and give your all, nothing less but even more that you can.
10. Love means forgetting the past, forgiving and accepting.
11. love means allowing some margin of error to be committed and still able to smile sincerely to that person. Of course you have to tell the other person about his or her mistake.
12. We can’t love anyone even God if we don’t love ourselves. We do it because we know that we are precious in His eyes and worthy to be loved.
13. love is when you wake up in the morning and feel that you are the luckiest person on earth. Hehehe, mushy ba? Not really, I am serious. Love is a disposition to be positive even the world around you is negative.
love means a lot of things…… to be continued kung alam ko na. (if I already know) : )
In summary, love is something that can last only for a short moment of time or may even last for a lifetime. Love is deep when you know and understand the kind of love that God is offering. Like the water that God is giving. Water that will forever quench our thirst. Love that will forever fill our love tanks…..
Yel
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
a call no one can resist
From last night's activity, we learn how important obedience is. Especially when it comes from our master. In this story, even before Peter followed Jesus, he was already calling Jesus master. But he has not yet decided to definitely follow Christ. Sometimes we are like this. We already call Jesus Lord but deep within we are not yet following his way of life. Like Peter, only when he personally encountered and obeyed Jesus did he learn to follow Christ. Here's the story.
Luke 5 : 1-11
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Go to the deep, and let down the nets for a catch."
5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
- dom
Luke 5 : 1-11
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Go to the deep, and let down the nets for a catch."
5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
- dom
serving a way of life
Reading today's reflection on the daily devotional "My Utmost for His Highest", I was reminded of what it means to serve. Here's a part of the reflection of Oswald Chambers:
Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.
Service is indeed an expression of absolute love. unconditional love. perfect love that comes from God.
- dom
Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.
Service is indeed an expression of absolute love. unconditional love. perfect love that comes from God.
- dom
Failing Forward
I sometimes get frustrated with the setbacks or failures that I am facing lately. I get burn out and sometimes just feel disappointed because what I entered into or decided to enter into failed to materialize.
Fire refines gold. In the same way does setbacks and failures work in our lives. Maybe this is what life is. It is a question of knowing how to become a better person despite the setbacks that we experience. Setbacks can either destroy us or build us into a better and more equipped person to handle even more difficult situations.
I realized that there are matters that are totally out of my hands and also things that I can do something yet choose to do nothing.
Success means two things. Success is the achievement of something not necessarily material things. It is also the adding of value of a person through the wisdom he acquires because of the lessons learned from his failure. Success in both positive and negative things. Failure can become a success if we choose to use it as a learning tool to further improve ourselves. It can also be our chain that will enslave us.
My professor in MBA told us that it is not the grades that we should be striving about. Never mind the grade but more important than the grade is what you learn and things that you can really apply in the real world. Theoretical learning are useless if you can't connect it to the real world. Learn to be practical and adjust your sails.
yel
Fire refines gold. In the same way does setbacks and failures work in our lives. Maybe this is what life is. It is a question of knowing how to become a better person despite the setbacks that we experience. Setbacks can either destroy us or build us into a better and more equipped person to handle even more difficult situations.
I realized that there are matters that are totally out of my hands and also things that I can do something yet choose to do nothing.
Success means two things. Success is the achievement of something not necessarily material things. It is also the adding of value of a person through the wisdom he acquires because of the lessons learned from his failure. Success in both positive and negative things. Failure can become a success if we choose to use it as a learning tool to further improve ourselves. It can also be our chain that will enslave us.
My professor in MBA told us that it is not the grades that we should be striving about. Never mind the grade but more important than the grade is what you learn and things that you can really apply in the real world. Theoretical learning are useless if you can't connect it to the real world. Learn to be practical and adjust your sails.
yel
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Leadership Secrets of Saint Paul - Part 1
As I read this book, I realized that this is one of the best ways of learning how to be a true Christian worker: to imitate a person from the bible and learn from his mistakes. Through the book I see Saint Paul’s life and ways being a practical solution in overcoming daily challenges. Let me briefly share with you his story from being Saul to Saint Paul as narrated in the first 3 chapters of the book.
1. Desire Something More.
Saul is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working, and articulate. He was the “Hebrews of Hebrews.” He was full of spirit. He believed that his life was significant and he was on a quest to prove it. Saul exemplified a quality the entrepreneurial leader can’t function without: burning desire. Entrepreneurs are different among the rest. The single most important among them is a burning passion that motivates you to seek to turn your dream into a reality. But REMEMBER, not every idea is worthy of time and energy.
2. Getting Knocked Off Your Horse
Saul was good and he knew it. He was bent on exploiting his position and gaining opportunity for all it was worth. But focusing your strength to negative doings, persecuting others, is not God’s plan. Edging God Out (EGO), is a deadly killer in organizations, businesses, churches, and entrepreneurial enterprises. If entrepreneurs purse this kind of thinking, God will intervene just as he knocked Saul off his horse. But always remember this is not the end... It is only the beginning.
3. Knowing Your Calling
Paul became an apostle which was his calling. But not only that we can serve through ministries. The works of monks and priests however holy and arduous can be, do not differ one whit from the site of God from the works of the rustic laborers in the field or the woman going about her household tasks. Thos who discover their God-given callings tap into a dynamic direction and confidence that can only come from the Creator himself. Our calling might be crystal clear already just like Paul’s. He was called to reach Gentiles, establish new churches, instruct them, and finding new leaders to mentor. Know your accomplishments in the past that made you proud. If you would have all the resources, what would you choose to do that will encourage you to give everything and will keep you from doing?
It’s not important for you as a leader to reflect not just on what you’re doing but also on who you’re becoming.
-Erik
Friday, January 11, 2008
Something more in my life
Everyday, I monitor the tasks that I do in my personal computer in an excel format. I place the date&time, task, company, team and important notes. I do this because I am very careful in what I will become after 5 years. What would I have learned? What are my options in my career? Everyday I would plan of something big that would be the highlight of my year. Last 2005, my highlight was to graduate with honors and pass 2 certification exams. Last 2006, It was working at Japan. This year 2007, I passed another certification. Currently, I am planning on another certification exam for 2008. I have been very excited and eager to learn something that would contribute to my career for the past few years. But I felt that I must focus on something more important. Something that will make me a better person in the future. Something that will define my purpose in life. If I can write down notes for my technical knowledge, I should also find time to write down for my spiritual knowledge. And so I decided to start reading something that would nourish my spiritual intelligence. I wrote down in my excel-formatted file entitled “Daily Schedule” the readings of the day. And through this, I can also monitor how well have I loved God and served Him by trying to live His life.
Thank you, Lord, for every day’s realizations and blessings that you bring to my life. Everything I have, such as my home, my family, my friends, my work and others more, came from you. Thus, I must pursue my life making you most happy.
-Erik
Thank you, Lord, for every day’s realizations and blessings that you bring to my life. Everything I have, such as my home, my family, my friends, my work and others more, came from you. Thus, I must pursue my life making you most happy.
-Erik
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
erik's special day
Here's a picture taken during Erik's birthday honoring after Kick's discussion on three of the 17 Qualities of a Teamplayer (thanks Kicks). Thanks to red and Maigie for the cake of Erik. Thanks also to the Deveza's who shared a special message to Erik through text.
17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player by John Maxwell
Selfless
2. Avoid Internal Politics
3. Display Loyalty
4. Value Interdependence Over Independence
· Take a subordinate role
· Give secretly
2. All problems are solvable
3. Problems either stop us or stretch us
· Refocus your thinking
· Rethink your strategy
· Repeat the process
2. Working with determination
3. Quitting when the job is done, not when you’re tired
· Work harder and/or smarter
· Stand for something
· Make your work a game
To cultivate an attitude of selflessness…
2. Avoid Internal Politics
3. Display Loyalty
4. Value Interdependence Over Independence
To become more selfless…
· Take a subordinate role
· Give secretly
Solution Oriented
Solution oriented people recognize that…
2. All problems are solvable
3. Problems either stop us or stretch us
To make yourself a solution oriented team player…
· Refocus your thinking
· Rethink your strategy
· Repeat the process
Tenacious
Being tenacious means…
2. Working with determination
3. Quitting when the job is done, not when you’re tired
· Work harder and/or smarter
· Stand for something
· Make your work a game
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
beyond dying
Reading yeasterday's reflection in the daily devotional "My Utmost For His Highest" of Oswald Chambers, which emphasizes the misconception of thinking that the ultimate thing that God wants us is the sacrifice of death. It is not - "Lord, I am ready to go with You... to death". But instead - "Lord, I am willing to be identified with Your death so that I may sacrifice my life to God". It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants us to be "living sacrifices" - to let Him have all strengths that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus (Romans 12:1). This is what is acceptable to God.
Many indeed took the sacrifice of death as a means of the ultimate sacrifice but God is asking us more than just death. That is to live and die for Him, holy and acceptable to God.
-dom
Many indeed took the sacrifice of death as a means of the ultimate sacrifice but God is asking us more than just death. That is to live and die for Him, holy and acceptable to God.
-dom
Thursday, January 3, 2008
January 2008 Litrugical Readings
2008 Jan 1 Tue: MARY, MOTHER OF GOD S (Octave of Christmas). Holy Day of Obligation. Nm 6: 22-27/ Ps 67: 2-3. 5. 6. 8 (2a)/ Gal 4: 4-7/ Lk 2: 16-21
2008 Jan 2 Wed: Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bps, drs M 1 Jn 2: 22-28/ Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4/ Jn 1: 19-28
2008 Jan 3 Thu: Christmas Weekday/ Holy Name of Jesus 1 Jn 2: 29 – 3: 6/ Ps 98: 1. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Jn 1: 29-34
2008 Jan 4 Fri: Elizabeth Ann Seton
1 Jn 3: 7-10/ Ps 98: 1. 7-8. 9/ Jn 1: 35-42
2008 Jan 5 Sat: John Neumann
1 Jn 3: 11-21/ Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Jn 1: 43-51
2008 Jan 6 SUN: EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Is 60: 1-6/ Ps 72: 1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13/ Eph 3: 2-3a. 5-6/ Mt 2: 1-12
2008 Jan 7 Mon: Christmas Weekday/ Raymond of Peñafort
1 Jn 3: 22 – 4: 6/ Ps 2: 7bc-8. 10-12a/ Mt 4: 12-17. 23-25
2008 Jan 8 Tue: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 4: 7-10/ Ps 72: 1-2. 3-4. 7-8/ Mk 6: 34-44
2008 Jan 9 Wed: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 4: 11-18/ Ps 72: 1-2. 10. 12-13/ Mk 6: 45-52
2008 Jan 10 Thu: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 4: 19 – 5: 4/ Ps 72: 1-2. 14 and 15bc. 17/ Lk 4: 14-22
2008 Jan 11 Fri: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 5: 5-13/ Ps 147: 12-13. 14-15. 19-20/ Lk 5: 12-16
2008 Jan 12 Sat: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 5: 14-21/ Ps 149: 1-2. 3-4. 5 and 6a and 9b/ Jn 3: 22-30
2008 Jan 13 SUN: BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Is 42: 1-4. 6-7/ Ps 29: 1-2. 3-4. 3. 9-10 (11b)/ Acts 10: 34-38/ Mt 3: 13-17
2008 Jan 14 Mon: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 1: 1-8/ Ps 116: 12-13. 14-17. 18-19/ Mk 1: 14-20
2008 Jan 15 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 1: 9-20/ 1 Sm 2: 1. 4-5. 6-7. 8abcd/ Mk 1: 21-28
2008 Jan 16 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 3: 1-10. 19-20/ Ps 40: 2 and 5. 7-8a. 8b-9. 10/ Mk 1: 29-39
2008 Jan 17 Thu: Anthony
1 Sm 4: 1-11/ Ps 44: 10-11. 14-15. 24-25/ Mk 1: 40-45
2008 Jan 18 Fri: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 8: 4-7. 10-22a/ Ps 89: 16-17. 18-19/ Mk 2: 1-12
2008 Jan 19 Sat: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 9: 1-4. 17-19; 10: 1/ Ps 21: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mk 2: 13-17
2008 Jan 20 SUN: SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 49: 3. 5-6/ Ps 40: 2. 4. 7-8. 8-9. 10 (8a. 9a)/ 1 Cor 1: 1-3/ Jn 1: 29-34 2008 Jan 21 Mon: Agnes
1 Sm 15: 16-23/ Ps 50: 8-9. 16bc-17. 21 and 23/ Mk 2: 18-22
2008 Jan 22 Tue: Ordinary Weekday/ Vincent of Saragossa
1 Sm 16: 1-13/ Ps 89: 20. 21-22. 27-28/ Mk 2: 23-28
2008 Jan 23 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 17: 32-33. 37. 40-51/ Ps 144: 1b. 2. 9-10/ Mk 3: 1-6
2008 Jan 24 Thu: Francis de Sales
1 Sm 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7/ Ps 56: 2-3. 9-10a. 10b-11. 12-13/ Mk 3: 7-12
2008 Jan 25 Fri: Conversion of Paul
Acts 22: 3-16 or Acts 9: 1-22/ Ps 117: 1bc. 2/ Mk 16: 15-18
2008 Jan 26 Sat: Timothy and Titus
2 Tm 1: 1-8 or Ti 1: 1-5/ Ps 96: 1-2a. 2b-3. 7-8a. 10/ Mk 3: 20-21
2008 Jan 27 SUN: THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 8: 23 – 9: 3/ Ps 27: 1. 4. 13-14 (1a)/ 1 Cor 1: 10-13. 17/ Mt 4: 12-23
2008 Jan 28 Mon: Thomas Aquinas
2 Sm 5: 1-7. 10/ Ps 89: 20. 21-22. 25-26/ Mk 3: 22-30
2008 Jan 29 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
2 Sm 6: 12b-15. 17-19/ Ps 24: 7. 8. 9. 10/ Mk 3: 31-35
2008 Jan 30 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
2 Sm 7: 4-17/ Ps 89: 4-5. 27-28. 29-30/ Mk 4: 1-20
2008 Jan 31 Thu: John Bosco
2 Sm 7: 18-19. 24-29/ Ps 132: 1-2. 3-5. 11. 12. 13-14/ Mk 4: 21-25
2008 Jan 2 Wed: Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bps, drs M 1 Jn 2: 22-28/ Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4/ Jn 1: 19-28
2008 Jan 3 Thu: Christmas Weekday/ Holy Name of Jesus 1 Jn 2: 29 – 3: 6/ Ps 98: 1. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Jn 1: 29-34
2008 Jan 4 Fri: Elizabeth Ann Seton
1 Jn 3: 7-10/ Ps 98: 1. 7-8. 9/ Jn 1: 35-42
2008 Jan 5 Sat: John Neumann
1 Jn 3: 11-21/ Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Jn 1: 43-51
2008 Jan 6 SUN: EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Is 60: 1-6/ Ps 72: 1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13/ Eph 3: 2-3a. 5-6/ Mt 2: 1-12
2008 Jan 7 Mon: Christmas Weekday/ Raymond of Peñafort
1 Jn 3: 22 – 4: 6/ Ps 2: 7bc-8. 10-12a/ Mt 4: 12-17. 23-25
2008 Jan 8 Tue: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 4: 7-10/ Ps 72: 1-2. 3-4. 7-8/ Mk 6: 34-44
2008 Jan 9 Wed: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 4: 11-18/ Ps 72: 1-2. 10. 12-13/ Mk 6: 45-52
2008 Jan 10 Thu: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 4: 19 – 5: 4/ Ps 72: 1-2. 14 and 15bc. 17/ Lk 4: 14-22
2008 Jan 11 Fri: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 5: 5-13/ Ps 147: 12-13. 14-15. 19-20/ Lk 5: 12-16
2008 Jan 12 Sat: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 5: 14-21/ Ps 149: 1-2. 3-4. 5 and 6a and 9b/ Jn 3: 22-30
2008 Jan 13 SUN: BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Is 42: 1-4. 6-7/ Ps 29: 1-2. 3-4. 3. 9-10 (11b)/ Acts 10: 34-38/ Mt 3: 13-17
2008 Jan 14 Mon: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 1: 1-8/ Ps 116: 12-13. 14-17. 18-19/ Mk 1: 14-20
2008 Jan 15 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 1: 9-20/ 1 Sm 2: 1. 4-5. 6-7. 8abcd/ Mk 1: 21-28
2008 Jan 16 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 3: 1-10. 19-20/ Ps 40: 2 and 5. 7-8a. 8b-9. 10/ Mk 1: 29-39
2008 Jan 17 Thu: Anthony
1 Sm 4: 1-11/ Ps 44: 10-11. 14-15. 24-25/ Mk 1: 40-45
2008 Jan 18 Fri: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 8: 4-7. 10-22a/ Ps 89: 16-17. 18-19/ Mk 2: 1-12
2008 Jan 19 Sat: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 9: 1-4. 17-19; 10: 1/ Ps 21: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mk 2: 13-17
2008 Jan 20 SUN: SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 49: 3. 5-6/ Ps 40: 2. 4. 7-8. 8-9. 10 (8a. 9a)/ 1 Cor 1: 1-3/ Jn 1: 29-34 2008 Jan 21 Mon: Agnes
1 Sm 15: 16-23/ Ps 50: 8-9. 16bc-17. 21 and 23/ Mk 2: 18-22
2008 Jan 22 Tue: Ordinary Weekday/ Vincent of Saragossa
1 Sm 16: 1-13/ Ps 89: 20. 21-22. 27-28/ Mk 2: 23-28
2008 Jan 23 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
1 Sm 17: 32-33. 37. 40-51/ Ps 144: 1b. 2. 9-10/ Mk 3: 1-6
2008 Jan 24 Thu: Francis de Sales
1 Sm 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7/ Ps 56: 2-3. 9-10a. 10b-11. 12-13/ Mk 3: 7-12
2008 Jan 25 Fri: Conversion of Paul
Acts 22: 3-16 or Acts 9: 1-22/ Ps 117: 1bc. 2/ Mk 16: 15-18
2008 Jan 26 Sat: Timothy and Titus
2 Tm 1: 1-8 or Ti 1: 1-5/ Ps 96: 1-2a. 2b-3. 7-8a. 10/ Mk 3: 20-21
2008 Jan 27 SUN: THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 8: 23 – 9: 3/ Ps 27: 1. 4. 13-14 (1a)/ 1 Cor 1: 10-13. 17/ Mt 4: 12-23
2008 Jan 28 Mon: Thomas Aquinas
2 Sm 5: 1-7. 10/ Ps 89: 20. 21-22. 25-26/ Mk 3: 22-30
2008 Jan 29 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
2 Sm 6: 12b-15. 17-19/ Ps 24: 7. 8. 9. 10/ Mk 3: 31-35
2008 Jan 30 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
2 Sm 7: 4-17/ Ps 89: 4-5. 27-28. 29-30/ Mk 4: 1-20
2008 Jan 31 Thu: John Bosco
2 Sm 7: 18-19. 24-29/ Ps 132: 1-2. 3-5. 11. 12. 13-14/ Mk 4: 21-25
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
17 Qualities of a Teamplayer
Discipline
“Discipline is doing what you really don’t want to do so that you can do what you really want to do.”
Three Areas of Discipline
1. Discipline in Mind
- Having an active mind
- Regularly taking mental challenges
- Constantly thinking of right things
“Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, of what is good, pleasing and perfect.” - Rom 12:1
2. Discipline in Emotions
- It means mastering our emotions or feelings
- Mastering our feelings is mastering our selves
- This means not allowing your feelings control your decisions. Rather the Spirit of God guide your heart.
“ … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” - Gal 5:22
3. Discipline in Actions
- A product of disciplined mind and emotions.
“Faith without works is dead…Faith is completed by works…a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
James 2:17,22,24,26
Mission Conscious
“Mission conscious is a sense of purpose and mission and constant drive to do what is best for the cause of the team”
Four qualities of mission-conscious players:
1. They Know Where The Team Is Going
- Learning from the past and looking for the future
“I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ…forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead. I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward call, in Jesus Christ.” - Phil. 3:12-14
2. They Let The Leader of the Team Lead
- Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
- For a team to win, a leader must be allowed to lead.
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ.” - 1 Cor. 12:12
3. They Place Team Accomplishment Ahead of Their Own
- Teamwork always require sacrifice
- The goals of the team takes precedence over personal goals.
“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through bond of peace: One body and One Spirit, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all and in all.” - Eph 4:1-6
4. They Do Whatever Is Necessary to Achieve the Mission
- Willingness to do the good for the good of the team
“Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep doing what you have learned and received. Then the God of peace will be with you.” - Phil. 4:8,9
Practical Suggestions to Improve Mission Consciousness
•Check if you see if your team focuses on its mission
•Find ways to keep the mission in mind
•Contribute your best as a team member
Relationship
“Relationships are the glue that holds team members together”
Characteristics of Team Relationships
1. Respect
- Everything begins with respect, with the desire to place the value on other people.
- Respect them because they are Human Beings.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also do. And over all these put on love, that is the bond of perfection.” - Col. 4:12-14.
2. Shared Experiences
- Relating is hard when you don’t know the person you are relating with.
- Our shared experiences establishes solidarity with one another
“Because of this, we have been reassured by you, brothers, in every distress and affliction, through your faith. For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord.” - 1 Thess 3:7,8
3. Trust
- Trust is the foundation of leadership
- It is also essential in good relationships
- No relationships lasts without trust
“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved”- G. MacDonald
has trusted us with so much
“We give thanks to God because God chose us as the firstfruits of salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth.” - 2 Thess. 13
4. Reciprocity
- One sided relationships don’t last
- There must be “give and take” so that everyone from the team benefits as well as gives.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have abundance in every good work.” - 2 Cor 9:6-8
5. Mutual Enjoyment
- When relationships grow and start to get solid, people involved begin to enjoy each other.
- as being together can turn even unpleasant tasks into positive results.
“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:8-10
To better relate to your teammates…
•Focus on others instead of yourself
•Ask the right questions
•Share common experiences
•Make others feel special
- As discussed by Dan during the action group.
“Discipline is doing what you really don’t want to do so that you can do what you really want to do.”
Three Areas of Discipline
1. Discipline in Mind
- Having an active mind
- Regularly taking mental challenges
- Constantly thinking of right things
“Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, of what is good, pleasing and perfect.” - Rom 12:1
2. Discipline in Emotions
- It means mastering our emotions or feelings
- Mastering our feelings is mastering our selves
- This means not allowing your feelings control your decisions. Rather the Spirit of God guide your heart.
“ … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” - Gal 5:22
3. Discipline in Actions
- A product of disciplined mind and emotions.
“Faith without works is dead…Faith is completed by works…a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
James 2:17,22,24,26
Mission Conscious
“Mission conscious is a sense of purpose and mission and constant drive to do what is best for the cause of the team”
Four qualities of mission-conscious players:
1. They Know Where The Team Is Going
- Learning from the past and looking for the future
“I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ…forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead. I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward call, in Jesus Christ.” - Phil. 3:12-14
2. They Let The Leader of the Team Lead
- Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
- For a team to win, a leader must be allowed to lead.
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ.” - 1 Cor. 12:12
3. They Place Team Accomplishment Ahead of Their Own
- Teamwork always require sacrifice
- The goals of the team takes precedence over personal goals.
“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through bond of peace: One body and One Spirit, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all and in all.” - Eph 4:1-6
4. They Do Whatever Is Necessary to Achieve the Mission
- Willingness to do the good for the good of the team
“Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep doing what you have learned and received. Then the God of peace will be with you.” - Phil. 4:8,9
Practical Suggestions to Improve Mission Consciousness
•Check if you see if your team focuses on its mission
•Find ways to keep the mission in mind
•Contribute your best as a team member
Relationship
“Relationships are the glue that holds team members together”
Characteristics of Team Relationships
1. Respect
- Everything begins with respect, with the desire to place the value on other people.
- Respect them because they are Human Beings.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also do. And over all these put on love, that is the bond of perfection.” - Col. 4:12-14.
2. Shared Experiences
- Relating is hard when you don’t know the person you are relating with.
- Our shared experiences establishes solidarity with one another
“Because of this, we have been reassured by you, brothers, in every distress and affliction, through your faith. For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord.” - 1 Thess 3:7,8
3. Trust
- Trust is the foundation of leadership
- It is also essential in good relationships
- No relationships lasts without trust
“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved”- G. MacDonald
has trusted us with so much
“We give thanks to God because God chose us as the firstfruits of salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth.” - 2 Thess. 13
4. Reciprocity
- One sided relationships don’t last
- There must be “give and take” so that everyone from the team benefits as well as gives.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have abundance in every good work.” - 2 Cor 9:6-8
5. Mutual Enjoyment
- When relationships grow and start to get solid, people involved begin to enjoy each other.
- as being together can turn even unpleasant tasks into positive results.
“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:8-10
To better relate to your teammates…
•Focus on others instead of yourself
•Ask the right questions
•Share common experiences
•Make others feel special
- As discussed by Dan during the action group.
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