Joshua Back in School!!!

So last Sunday, I was able to talk to Reuben hia (Joshua's Dad). Not only is Joshua back in Junior Church, but he's also back to school (SSHS) until lunch time. It's a really great news.

So MRI results showed that his tumor, on January 3, 2009, had a dimension of  4.2 * 5.7 * 3.5. Compared to the results last September 7, 2008 of 5.7 * 7 * 4.8, this seems to be more or less 40% of what it used to be. Though, I really don't know how it is computed; his dad said that it only shrunk a little. Anyway, a little can go along way. 

God is really amazing. Let us always remember to thank him and to "pray unceasingly" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Summer Conference 09'

Our church's family summer conference will held during [no surprise] Holy Week. It will be from Tuesday, April 7, to Saturday, April 11 (most probably). It will MOST PROBABLY be held at Ilocos. Estimates mention that it will cost around p8000 per person. So start saving now!!!

As for the theme and whatever we are going to do there.. I'll post them later on after I get the details.

Building Bridges to Reach the Non-Christians

This entry is targeted for Believers, feel free to read.

Last Friday, January 9 at Grace Christian Church, Ptr. Jeanette Yu was invited to speak about the theme "What Can I Do For You Lord?" She talked about reaching out to non-Christians and spreading the Gospel to them. It was time for soul harvesting! She challenged everyone to spread the Gospel in our own families. It's a small step that can have a big impact! We love our families right? So we ought to share to them the truth! For those who fear rejection, Ptr. Jeanette said that being ridiculed is but a small sacrifice. What if the person dies and you know that he has not accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior? Then it's a big burden that you'll have to carry. There will be a lot of "What IFs" on your part and maybe regrets. After all, it is not us who will convince them to accept Christ; it is the Holy Spirit's work. We are just instruments of God who will convey the message for Him. So before we do, we must pray to God for wisdom and strength to be able to say the right words.

I, for one, have a big fear of rejection and fear of not being able to answer their questions. I feel inadequate and fear that I don't have the right amount of wisdom to share the Gospel. SO what needs to be done? Then study God's word. Read the Bible everyday and meditate on it. Memorize the verses. In that way, we'll be able to prepare ourselves. If we love God, we'll give time to Him. We love spending a lot of time with people we love, so why not spend time with God Who created us?

There was this article in A Beka book Bible Doctrines For Today that I have read. It has a great impact on me and convicted me that in ancient times, people were on fire for God. They spread the Gospel even if it meant risking their lives. Nowadays, people are free to spread the Gospel in most places, but still we don't share the Gospel because we fear rejection. What an irony that people were more passionate in sharing the Gospel when their lives are in danger that people who can freely evangelize but chooses not to because of fear of ridicule or rejection. Think about the souls you can save and the joy of the angels and God Himself when one soul accepts Christ. One can have a lot of impact. That "one" can change a lot of lives and influence a lot of people. In the parable, The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin, people were looking for that lost sheep/coin even if they have 99 of them already. Just like in the souls of the people, even if 99 were saved already, God will rejoice for that 1 mere soul who was lost and is now found!

So I encourage you to pray to God to give you strength, wisdom and courage to reach out to people. One person can make a difference and that's you! Go out and make disciples of all nations! Let us fulfill the Great Commission.

Here's the outline of Ptr. Jeannette Yu's Building Bridges to Reach the Non-Christians:

A. See people from God's perspective

- they are lost without Christ and will end up in hell.

- overcome your fear of rejection or ridicule.

B. Pray that God will open their minds and hearts with the gospel

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM

* attend social functions

* greet during birthday and special occassions

* text inspirational quotes once a week

* listen and encourage them when they have problems

* comfort them if their loved one died

* invite them to the fellowship

* treat them out

* share your testimony to them

* live an exemplary Christian life

- pray and read God's Word everyday

- strive to live a happy life

- memorize verses

EVANGELIZING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITH

* don't attack their religion outright

* chair illustration

* appreciate good things about their religion

* talk about common points of their faith and Christianity

* discuss but do not debate differences

* don't force or make them guilty

* don't get discouraged or be makulit if the person rejects the gospel

* keep praying with him/her

EVANGELIZING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT PERSONALITY

* emotional vampires

* keep in mind that God has accepted us in spite of our weaknesses

* ask God to grant us unconditional love for the unlovable

* look beyond mere appearances

* focus on their positive traits

EVANGELIZING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURE

* avoid racial discrimination and generalization

* befriend them

* take time out to spend with them

* appreciate the good things about their culture

* learn their language

EVANGELIZING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEXUAL ORIENTATION

* don't ostracize or make fun of them

* understand why one becomes homosexual

-abusive/absentee father

-domineering mom

-influenced by media and friends

-for fame or money

-molested/raped by the same sex

-cheated by a boyfriend

HOW I REACH OUT TO MY GAY/LESBIAN FRIENDS

* treat them with respect

* accept them for who they are although they know I don't condone homosexuality

* use biology to convince them that no one is born homosexual

source pix: http://livethered.blogspot.com/2007/06/building-bridges.html\

Ye Cannot Serve Both God and Piracy (just a guide)

Before you start reading. I'm just going to warn you.... 1) this is very long. 2) this might be offensive to some.

According to Matthew 6:24 (and Luke 16:13), "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

So the question is... is it OK to buy pirated CDs and DVDs?

Ahem.... well, the answer to it is, of course, NO-NO-NO-NO- and...... NO!!!

Yes it seems innocent, but this is one of the most common sins we commit. Yes, we, including me, most likely commit or have committed this. There was at least one moment in your life that you've consciously or unconsciously pirated something. Perhaps copying a cassette tape to another... or burning a CD of a song you borrowed... buying the fake software that you really need in school... perhaps making a photocopy of a text book in school or a score of song..or even just downloading.. and many other mediocre stuff that seemed innocent when we did it.

First of all, if you have never bought any genuine software, game, CD, or DVD in your life....I don't blame you. I understand it if you say you'll just buy from Tutuban. I myself, don't have the capacity to buy every original software that I need.

Well... according to the Bible, "Thou shalt not steal". There's no argument there. So, is software piracy stealing? You'll probably say "the ones who sell them are the ones stealing them." We're creative beings, so we can always come up with a good excuse. But isn't buying pirated [or, if you don't mind me saying, stolen] goods just the same? Besides, piracy is derived from sea pirates. It literally mean "robbery at sea".

Let me introduce you to the so called LICENSE. Yes, each software, CD, and DVD is a copyright protected item. It means, they are not free. Just because you have a DVD writer does not give you the liberty to copy any given software. Even the NERO you're using is probably pirated.

Anyway, every time we buy a genuine CD or DVD or software or digital downloads, there's a so-called license agreement. Most of us don't read the conditions of the license, and it's perfectly normal not to. I haven't met a single person who reads those. So I'll give you some samples of what's written in it... 

1. You cannot lend it your friend who is just going to copy it.
2. You cannot install it to every one of your computers. Just one, unless it is a multi-user license.
3. You cannot download it, unless purchased from an official website.

Basically, no copying, no selling, no buying pirated, no downloading. You know what I mean....

It's practically normal for us to use pirated copies. Our downloaded and copied mp3s, the Windows in our PC, the movies that we are watching. Everyone, most probably, has a pirated copy of something. Being in a third world country makes it difficult. We are already struggling with food, gas, and rent....why bother complicate things further by buying genuine merchandise? Why not just go with the flow?...everybody does it. [We'll answer these questions later.]

To give you a good idea on how much an average person has pirated... this is a sample:

Each song in your IPOD is around P30 (FlipTunes). Multiply that by the number of songs that you have in your IPOD, which is give or take around 500 to 4000 songs... So it's around P15,000 to P120,000. Wow! that's alot of money.

The Windows XP or Vista that you're using... For the laptops, it's probably a licensed copy, so don't worry. However, the desktops..at least 90% of the time, NO. That's a price range of P2,000 to P8,000 depending on the kind of Windows that you use.

Genuine movies cost around, P150 to P1000, depending on the quality and age of the release. The older, the cheaper. If the movie just came out and you're cheap, you'll probably download or buy them in your friendly neighborhood pirated store. Each movie ticket costs at least P120, which is twice the cost of pirated DVD. So count all the movies that you've watched with your pirated DVDs, and multiply it by P120. My guess is, you have around 10 to 30 DVDs stashed in your home.

The Microsoft Office that you use in your office and house. That's at least P4500, EACH.

All the PS2 and XBOX360 games that are in that big CD bag of yours... It costs an average of P1500 each... My guess is, if you have a console, you'll have at least 20 games.

All in all, an average guy has pirated more or less a minimum of P25,000... and that's excluding all the past piracy's. For every generation software that you've used.. For every upgrade that you've used... you have to pay for them separately. It's not a one time payment deal, unless specified.

Anyway, we are a poor country..blah blah blah.. I know... So here are some tips that can help alleviate this predicament.

1. Music. Each song is around P30. You'll usually play a good song for days, or even weeks. So a weekly expense of P30 for a new song isn't a bad deal. 
2. Music. If you're still too cheap, sell your IPOD and get portable radio. If the song is good, I'm sure they'll play it. You can even be more entertained, a lot of DJs are entertaining.
3. Windows. Well, we use our windows for around 3 to 5 years before we upgrade it to the newer version. Windows XP came out on Oct 2001 and started to be common at the start of 2002, and is still widely used today. It  has been commonly used for more than 6 years. That's 72 months. If you do the math, you'll just need to set aside, P28 to P111 a month, not a week, only a month. Start saving now before the next Windows comes out. 
4. Windows. An alternative to Windows is to use Linux. It's free, and it's not as hard to use as most people tend to think. It's a lot faster too. Although, you'll get some disadvantages... But FREE is FREE, and the advantages out weights the small discomforts. All of its software's are free. It's a lot faster, especially when surfing. You won't have worry about your parents trying hack into your computer, cause they probably wouldn't know how to use it. You'll look smarter too.
5. Movies. if you can wait for the movie to come out on DVD, it always depreciates over time. You can gather all your friends and each person chips in the P50 you'll be using to buy the DVD. Just gather 9 friends plus yourself... You can buy an original copy. And you get to keep a copy to watch over and over again. 
6. Movies. Or just watch at the movie theater. A good movie is always best seen in the big screen. 
7. Movies. Rent it!!!
8. Movies. And for the ultimate cheap skate, wait for it to come out on Studio 23 or HBO.
9. Microsoft Office. Just download Open Office it's a rip off version of Microsoft Office. It doesn't have the same features, but it's free. And it has all the essentials that we need. It is also a good practice of our grammar skills (less effective grammar check). It's just like the time when everybody is so used to using Nokia that Sony Ericson just won't sell. It's a matter of what we are used to using.
10. Other software's. If you use Linux, there's no other problem with that. Every software available is free. For Windows users, each kind of software usually has a free software alternative, especially essentials like anti-virus software's. So don't worry, you can have a pirated free computer. And if you really need to purchase something, just save up for it. If you can buy a desktop, it means you have money. Besides, if you take a look at your computer and all the programs that you have, you don't really use most of them. Some of them are just there cause you MIGHT use them. To prove it, how many of you have Microsoft Access?!?! and how many of you can honestly tell me you know how to do a query?
11. Games. For many, like myself.. this is very important. If we get tired or finish a game, we move on to the next. Some people finish a certain game in a day or two. This is going to be tricky. First of all, don't buy any console if you're too cheap to buy the original games. Each game costs from P1000 to P3000, usually around P2000. Well, you can just stop playing in computer shops.. It will save you around P50 a day. That's more or less P1000 a month. 
12. Games. Oops..still not enough. Well, you can get second hand games for that amount. And, if you're not wasting 2 hours a day on playing in computer shops...it means you have an extra 2 hours to study or to get a part time job. If you study harder, mommy might give you a little extra bonus allowance so that you can buy your games. 
13. Games. For those of you workers out there, just set aside p100 a day, you'll get an average of one game a month. 
14. Games. Another way is to have a lot of friends who like the same kind of games as you do. For example, you all have an Xbox360... Each of should buy a different title once every month or two. If there are five of you in your group, that's already five games to play with in two months...and that is enough. If that's not enough, you're probably failing a few classes. Parents!!! do you agree??? So don't allow your kids to talk you into making your Wii or Xbox modded to play fake games.
15. Wait for SALEs. Like any other product, clearance/warehouse sales would always occur from time to time. Just wait for them.
16. Get from abroad. Some times it is cheaper to just buy from abroad (should be with in Asian region). I would always hear of people's friends and family going abroad. A software there could be a lot cheaper. So just search the internet and see if you can save up by asking them to buy on your behalf.

It may be hard to follow all these, but let's take it one step at a time. I may be blogging this, but I'm also one of those who are struggling here. So let's help each other out. Let us pray and encourage one another. Helping each other over come our struggles. 

Anyway, for the rich guys out there, just buy the original...  Your money is worthless if you can't use it for good.

What about me? I currently have around 300 downloaded MP3s left, after deleting over 2000 of it. After deleting some, I have 64 PSP games left. Pirated Windows, at least four pirated software's, not including the ones I haven't installed.

Here's my own personal plan. Find the original CD, and pay for it, or pay the mp3 online at least one song a week. Set aside enough money every month to pay for the next generation Windows 7 coming out July of this year. And the hard part.. delete all the PSP games that I'm not playing [I'm still narrowing it down]. Find second hand PSP games over the net, starting with the ones I like best, some of them just cost p500. It's at least half cheaper than the retail price. Any additional games that I play on the computer, I try to buy the original. In fact, I just spent a little over p4000 to buy a certain title for the PC and a PSP game that I've already played. For the software's, I'll buy the licenses of those software's in a span of a year or two [I'll probably get the latest at the moment I buy them], or just delete them if I don't really use them. My first priority aside from video games is to save up to buy my own copy of Windows 7, hopefully by the end of the year. All else can come after.

To answer the question earlier, why bother doing this?...  a lot of non-Christians out there know that piracy is illegal, and they say that we Christians are just as bad as them. How much is a few thousand peso savings compared to the Salvation of another? Do we really want to face God some day and tell him.. "I just wanted save a little money." Money that has no worth in eternity. We are to be blameless in all aspects of our lives, just like Daniel and Paul.

Philippians 2:14-16

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."

Another thing is.. if we keep on pirating, a lot of companies will close down due to bankruptcy...It means, the song or game or movie that they specialize that we love could go bye-bye. And the workers there, who also have families to feed, will lose their jobs. Do we really want to be accountable for their loss?

If you really need it and don't have the money... Hey, God provides our needs, remember? Just pray!!!

By the way, those of you who download from torrents, limewires, and other peer-to-peers... you're not off the hook. You're just as guilty as any buyer or seller of pirated goodies.

I challenge each and everyone of us... Let us try to amend our ways, and build a better testimony for others to see.

source pix: http://wearcam.org/pictures_on_mit_card.html and 

http://www.edsupport.cc/mguhlin/archives/2007/07/entry_3356.htm

Monday Basketball Fellowship

If any of you have noticed in the Sunday bulletin, there is a portion that lists all the Bible Study groups. One of them is listed on "Monday Men's Group - 7:30pm GCHS GYM". It's about time they change that, because

1) the Gym already burnt down, and 

2) the group has moved to PACE Academy.

So what does this group do? Obviously, basketball!!! But it isn't an ordinary basketball group. Before every game, there would be a short prayer and devotion. 

The group aims to reach out to both Christians and non-Christians through the use of basketball. And why use basketball? Because guys love to play basketball. It is an opportunity to get to know one another through basketball. Encouraging and helping each other become better Christians. And possibly evangelizing new comers who have never heard of Christ.

If you are interested to join or help out, please subscribe to our yahoogroups for details.

FYI, this group has been around for more than two years. It used to be held at Bellevue, then GCHS gym, and now at Pace. God Bless!!!

Joshua Updates Again

I've promised to give you an update regarding Joshua. However, I'm still not sure of the results of the MRI yet. I wasn't able to talk to his dad last Sunday. BUT BUT BUT.. I heard from our beloved pastor that Joshua attended Junior Church last Sunday. WHOA!!! Can you believe it? God is truly working in Joshua and his family's lives. I'll post more updates once I get concrete facts. Let us continue to pray unceasingly for more of God's miracles.

YPF(10/17): Our TRUE Comfort Zone by Ptr James Chiu

For a few months now, Young Professionals' Fellowship has been using the theme.... "Stepping Out Of Our Comfort Zones". We had different speakers with in the year, such as Ptr Doris Limand Ptr Kathryn Ann Tan that shared their personal testimonies for them to step out of their comfort zones.

Last October 17, we introduced Pastor James Chiu (with the glasses) -- a second year BSOP student. He graduated from Naga Hope Christian High School and Ateneo Naga University. He is currently having his OJT at Grace and will be staying 'til the end of this month (January). So all you guys, be nice to him, so that he'll come back after he graduates. By the way, he is also the so-called long lost twin brother of our very own JP. See? The similarities are uncanny!!!

Even their names both start with J and are both new testament authors (John and James).

Anyway, getting back to the topic. James didn't share his testimony... His message was more of a spiritual awakening. I guess the title should "What is Our True Comfort Zone" or "What should be our Comfort Zone". 

First of all, you'll probably say "huh?? Ain't we been learning on how to step out of it? And now we are looking for its true form!?!?". Before we answer these questions.. Let us define Comfort Zone: 

1) Wikipedia defines it as "the set of environments and behaviors with which one is comfortable, without creating a sense of RISK."

2) it is something we are used to in our lives. 

According to James, Comfort Zones or CZs change over time.....

Things change quickly, especially technology. Some of us may have been used to the Ipod Shuffle that evolved into the Nano then Video then IPhone. We were so used to desktops, now laptops and even PDAs. Cellphones weren't even common back then. Now, it's so rare to find anyone who doesn't have a phone.

Another example is the cycle of our lives. We spend four years in high school, then another four to six years in college, and now work... and so on... We grow older, we experience more stuff. During that graduation in high school, we were all so teary eyed, because we were so afraid to leave. And again, we got teary-eyed after four years in our college graduation. Those were comfort zones... we were so used to them, that we have no fear. We have a sense of relaxation and comfort.

Moving on.. we as Christians have become a new creation (2 Cor 5 :17). The central part of our lives changes. Every other part of our lives change too. Our habits, character, out look in life, goals...and yes, our comfort zones. According to Romans 12:1-2, be renewed!

Our lives are filled with comforts.... our sofa, car, house we live in, social life style, status, names, family, friends, identity, physical features, fashion style.. all these are false comforts. They are not our real comfort zone. The moment we became a Christian, our comfort zone changes.. It changes to God -- fellowship with God. That is our true comfort zone. We are pilgrims or aliens living in this temporary world. We should not be comfortable here... Our comfort zones are in heaven and eternity.

This world we live in will never accept us... They will persecute, laugh, mock, hate, insult, and do a lot of things just to hurt us. We tend to pretend we are comfortable.. but are we truly comfortable? Are we sharing the Gospel? How many of your friends know of your faith? How many of them have been informed of the Gospel? Let us step into God's realm. Let us do what He is leading us to do. It takes FAITH. Even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. It took faith to accept Jesus Christ, so I'm sure we all have even the slightest amount of faith.

Take Joseph from the book of Genesis. His life consisted of a lot of ups and downs.. He was loved by Dad, then sold as a slave... became the head of Potiphar's household, yet put in prison for a crime he didn't commit...  became the governor of Egypt and so on.. Each time he was comfortable, God removed him from his comfort zone. In the end, God's purpose for him and Israel was fulfilled.

But the best example is Jesus Christ... He was comfortable in Heaven, living beside God the Father and the Holy Spirit. He left His genuine comfort zone just to be a normal human, who have been mocked , spit, insulted, tortured upon and many more. He experienced the wrath of God the Father so that we could all experience salvation. He didn't feel comfortable doing it, of course...but He did it for love.

As closing.. here is a question and a challenge for each of us....

What is earthly life compared to eternity?

It is our response to step out as a show of gratitude to what Christ's example has done.

Want to Enhance Your EQ?

For many of us, we've always wanted an opportunity to share the Gospel to our non-Christian friends and relatives. However, "nahihiya tayo" (we are embarrassed) , or we just don't know how to. Sometimes we don't even have the opportunity to invite them to just a simple fellowship or Bible study. We're afraid that the topic might turn them off, or just confuse them more about Christianity.

Anyway, we're in-luck (or the more appropriate term BLESSED), Zion fellowship has invited Ptr Jeanette Yu from the United Evangelical Church of the Philippines to speak to us on the topic "Enhancing Your EQ". It is a very short one time workshop that can help anyone of us. And if your friend gets defensive, just tell him/her that: 1) It won't be an evangelistic event. 2) It is a workshop that can help anyone. and 3) He/She won't be the only one new that will be attending.

This is an opportunity for us to invite our friends to church. Just try to invite them, and let the Holy Spirit do all the convincing in their hearts.

2009 Philippine Balloon Festival

The 2009 Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held on February 12 to 15 this year. Both Zion and Young Pro Fellowships will going on February 13 to enjoy the festivities.

It will be held at Clark Civil Aviation Complex, right along side Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

Basically, we'll leave Grace around 9pm on the 12th (Thursday) to stay over night at Fontana, and wake up around 3am and head straight to event. We'll be back more or less 4 to 5pm on the 13th (Friday) and still be able to attend fellowship in the evening.

For those who are interested, you may contact me @ speng_14@yahoo.com.

Joshua MRI Results Today

Joshua's MRI results came in today. His dad probably has it already. I still don't know if it is good or bad news. Anyway, I'm just asking all of us to pray for good news. Thanks.

New Look for 2009

Forgive me for suddenly changing this blog's look. I've been experimenting on which template is better for 2009. For now, I've chosen "Stretched Denim Light". However, I still want a more appropriate template. I'm open to suggestions here. Happy New Year!!!