Arnold's posts with tag: jesus
 I'm wearing my "Jesus is human, too" t-shirt today. It is fast becoming one of my favorites.
I first wore this shirt during one of those last Sundays I spoke at Grace Place when I covered the topic on the humanity of Jesus. It was very personal to me as I was in the middle of something during that time. I preached to myself.
I learned, as I taught, that Jesus underwent the exact human emotions that a typical human being would have. He felt lonely, abandoned, he was confused (oh, yeah, debate me on that!), at one point, he felt like giving up. And since he underwent these kind of sufferings, he can relate with what I'm undergoing though, and to yours. He wasn't just a distant God, he is also a close human friend.
I have to constantly remind myself that Jesus is human, too.
 Blogs all over on how to celebrate Valentine's day. I'll take the other side where no one seems to notice: a valentine's day for the loveless. If you don't have a partner to celebrate the day with, or have been broken hearted recently, I have two things for you: * You still have you friends. In fact, you can invite your single friends for a group date. Deo and his grace group together with some friends at Grace Place, our church in Makati, are going out tonight to watch a movie. * You still have God. He cares for you. He loves you more than any man or woman can. In fact, you are the apple of his eye. As for me, I have a date today. I'm dating my former girlfriend, with whom I have a son.
Perry Noble's post today disturbed me. I'm disturbed because I needed to be disturbed and I'm not getting it. Make sense? If not, here's why: Craig Groeschel's book, “Chazown” mentioned a prayer by Sir Francis Drake that says… “Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord.” Too little vision. Too comfortable. Is that what I am right now? I want God to disturb me in my relationship with Jesus. The danger of being a long term Christian is complacency. Too much familiarity. Jesus becomes a routine. And I don't want that to happen. I want Jesus to become fresh everyday of my life. (In connection with that, I'm writing a series of blog next week on "Falling in-love with Jesus). I want God to disturb me in leading Grace Place. I want His church to do dangerous things. Things that have not been done before. Things that are short of sin. Everything to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. I want God to disturb me in my relationship with Joy. I don't want us to be on status-quo. I want me to always offer her something new. I want God to disturb me in my relationship with my son, Johann. I want to improve, I want to learn -- being a father is never taught in schools. I want God to disturb me. Humble me. Humiliate me for his glory. Destroy me and rebuild me. And then spring out a better, bigger vision for me as a leader, a husband and a father. Are you disturbed?
 I'm back from a holiday blogging haitus.
I don't normally start a year with a resolution. Instead, I set goals that I try to reach.
Here are my goals for 2008 that I thought I would share.
1. Learn 1 particular programming language. I'd like to try Java.
2. Be active in professional clubs. I'm a member of Philippine Internet Commerce Society (PICS) but have been inactive. Recent events in my professional life shows that there's power in partnerships within the industry where I belong. So I'm going to do just that.
3. Release one rockin' web application. Can't expose more details here, but it sure will rock.
4. Plan a really great weekend getaway with Joy for our 5th year anniversary. That's this July. Ganns gave me an idea. ;-)
5. Learn how to Communicate for a Change.
6. Release more blessings in writing through this blog -- it's.not.about.me.
7. Read the entire Bible in NLT
8. Be a better husband to Joy, a better father to Johann, a better leader to Grace Place and Team Sparrow, and a better follower of Jesus Christ.
Instead of a new year resolution (which isn't bad at all), how about reflecting on your special moment with God this year? Let's look back and see how God has been faithful with us in the past. This will give us courage and assurance of his faithfulness as we face the coming year.
What was/were your most special moment(s) with God this year?
Believe it or not, my most special moment with God this year happened in our comfort room. Yes, you read it right. Comfort room. During one of the lowest moments of my life this year, God spoke to me clearly (ok, not in an audible voice, you, charismatic you :D ). During that season of my life, I knew I need to have a stronger faith to trust God to face the biggest challenge yet, but I'm not trusting him. He spoke to me in such a way that I had to debate with him whether I really need to do what He wants me to do. I struggled, but in the end I obeyed. As a result, my faith grew a notch higher and I'm seeing his hands at work even more clearer now. All started in our comfort room -- in a quiet time with God.
What was/were your most special moment(s) with God this year?
I seldom do a long post. I don't know how to make this in parts, so bear with me. A couple of Saturdays ago, Kuya Prudy and I went to Raon to buy stage lightings for Grace Place. For those of you who do not know, Raon is the electronics hub of Manila. We are supposed to meet at Avenida, which is near Raon at 9 am. Now, I confess that I'm not really a "Manila boy". Drop me anywhere in Manila, even in the most familiar places, and I will be lost. This time is different. I'm confident about my trip. I've been to Raon a couple of times. I was sure that I am familiar with the place. I can even clearly imagine how I parked at a church, walked at a street towards Avenida then turned to Raon St. To cut the 2-hour story shorter, I parked in the "same" church, went pass through the plaza towards the street that "leads" to Avenida. While walking, I was wondering how I've walked a little further than what it took me before. I called Kuya Prudy and said I must have turned to the wrong street. He told me to wait for me at the Plaza and he will pick me up. I went back, waited at the plaza. After 10 minutes, I wondered why Kuya Prudy is still not in sight. So I called him again, here's how our conversation went: Arnold: Where are you? Prudy: I'm here at the plaza as we agreed. A: I can't see you. P: Where exactly are you? A: I'm standing in front of the church. P: Yes, me too, I'm standing in front of the church. But you're not here. (Can you now feel how confusing this has become?) P: Can you describe your surroundings? A: Well, I see Prudential bank, and there's a San Lorenzo Ruiz statue. (By this time, I can imagine my buddy containing his laughter, and, appearing composed on the phone, he said:) P: I'm at Sta. Cruz church, you're in Binondo church. Stay where you are and I'll pick you up. Funny story. But that actually is a humbling experience. I thought I know, but actually, I don't. I thought I can do it that's why I didn't ask for help. What's even more funny is, Kuya Prudy was describing a location that I thought is the same as where I am (both locations have a church, a plaza and a fountain. Both also have a rotonda.) But it was not the same place. I'm lost, as simple as that.* * * There was an interesting discussion in another blog post that I made. Check it out. You see, we live is a Christianized country. (Take note that I chose to term "christianized" not "Christian". I'll let you know later). 95% of our population was baptised, we can see churches all around. People go to church every Sunday and during religious festivals. Some pray earnestly. From my experience and the experience of people at our church, when we invite them to a grace group meeting or Celebration Sunday, alibis go between one of these: * "Don't worry about me. I have my faith" (They actually meant they go to a church) * "I already have a relationship with Jesus" (They actually meant they pray the rosary and go to church on Sundays) * "I grew up on this religion. What's the difference? Why would I change religion at this point?" If you're reading this and you feel offended, I don't mean to, please understand me. I'm just so passionate about letting you know and experience a real relationship with Jesus. A real relationship with Jesus is not about going to church on Sundays, or praying whether the rosary or whatever you're acustomed to. This is what I call cultural Christianity. You may think you're on the right direction because you grew with it, you're doing good things, you're not "hurting people", but have you considered that maybe you're not really on the right place -- as I have painfully experienced last Saturday? I'm not talking about changing religions. Seriously. That's not my goal in this piece. I've heard this comment a lot of times, even from close family members. But really, it's not my intention. What you need is not a new religion, what you need is a new relationship. A real relationship with Jesus means accepting that you are a sinner and God is holy. That you messed up big time -- because that's what the Bible says, we're all sinners. Seriously, it sounds easy, but if you'll think about it, it takes a lot of humility to admit your sinfulness. That's why I hear a lot saying "I'm going to heaven as long as I'm sincere or have not caused harm to anyone". Trust me, that's not the way. A real relationship with Jesus means you accept his forgiveness. After you admit your sinfulness, God did not leave you with your guilty conscience. That's the purpose for Jesus' death on the cross. To wipe out your guilt and be forgiven. God is a God of second chances. Whatever you did in the past, he's willing to forgive and give you a clean slate. You don't deserve it, but because of Jesus and his love for you, he gives it anyway. That's what we call grace. A real relationship with Jesus means you repent. Repentance means a 180 degrees turn around. You change directions. You turn from your ways. If you believe that you have control of your life, now Jesus has. You turn away from your sinful relationships, sinful activities and decides to leave what you know God won't approve of. A real relationship with Jesus means you make him the boss of your life. This means you're not in control of your life from now on. He takes the driver's seat. He becomes the Lord of your life. Lord over your decisions. Lord over your mistakes. Lord over your plans. Lord over all of your being. If you decide to have a relationship with Jesus, what's in store for you? You'll have joy in your life -- no, I'm not talking about happiness. Happiness is based on what's happening around you. I'm talking about joy, that inner peace of mind that comes from trusting someone who is bigger that you. You'll have the purpose of living. You'll have your passion restored back. You'll be excited about living your life daily. And, did I say, Jesus is the only way to heaven? He said, in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". If you start a relationship with him, God has given you a passport to heaven with Him. If you have not received Jesus in your life yet, do it now. Stop what you're doing and pray in your own words. Tell him you agree with him that you sinned, and you confess that you are and accept his forgiveness. Cry if you may, let your regret and repentance be covered by His love and grace.
Today, our friends at US of A are celebrating a tradition close to their hearts -- Thanksgiving day. It's really a nice tradition where family and friends come together for dinner and thank God for the great things that he has done. I hope we can have that here, too. Oh well, let's settle for Christmas. For this post, I'd like to reflect on the things that I want to thank God for. 1. I thank God for my wife, Joy. We've been married for more than 4 years. It wasn't a joy ride as most newly weds can testify. But those 4 years are the most exciting, love-filled time of my life. I thank her for loving me inspite of my mistakes. My love for her grows deeper and stronger each day. 2. I thank God for my son, Johann. God has taught me a lot of things about his love by being a dad. I can imagine how God can be so patient with me as I am with my kid. I sometimes, if not most of the times, get so irritated by his naughtiness, but since I love him, I extend grace and love. God must have been doing the same with me. 3. I thank God for Grace Place. Life isn't boring if there is a goal, a mission, something to look forward to. And with this young church plant, God is showing me how we can create a huge impact in the lives of people. He is giving us a glimpse of how Grace Place can help make his name famous in the city. And, for that, I'm thankful. What are you thankful for?
The Philippines is a Christian nation. According to statistics, about 95% of the population registered or claimed to being a Christian. Unfortunately, though, in my assessment, 9 out of 10 of those who claimed to be Christians are just "gray cow" Christians, worse, may not be real Christians at all. Here's what a "gray cow" Christian looks like. He is baptised as a Christian, most when they were a kid. Goes to church on Sundays, sometimes every other Sunday. Prays, in variety of forms, mostly through a liturgical, repetitive prayer commonly known as rosary. Some who hates the rosary prays a different way but do so only for the sake of praying. Owns a Bible, but is used as a display in their altar. Gives offerings, whatever is left which is normally some loose change after he bought his Big Mac. I'm not here doing some religion bashing. I'm just stating some facts that actually happen among us. If you want to get rid of the religious rat race where you feel you're going nowhere, consider these: * If you really want to become a real, "purple cow" Christian, you need to start by having an authentic relationship with Jesus, if you still haven't. I don't mean joining a religion. I mean Jesus, the one who died for your sins. Follow this link to have some idea how. * Go to a bookstore and get a real Bible. Not the kind that your mom placed on your family altar. Get something that is new. I suggest the one that has a "New Living Translation" on it. If you're new to reading the Bible, don't start from Genesis, start from the Gospels. I suggest starting from the book of John. * Find a church that teaches about Jesus and the Bible. You need a spiritual family to support you. Remember that I'm not talking about religion. If you see a church that claims they are the only way, run as fast as you can. If you find a good one, volunteer. Help out. * Give generously. Support the needy. Remember that what you have is not yours, it's God's. By being generous, you're acknowledging that God own what you have and you're just giving it back. * Invite your friends to church. If you like a movie, you share the excitement to your friends and actually invite them to see it themselves, right? Now, Jesus has the most amazing story. A story that can change everyones lives. How can you skip sharing Jesus to your friends? Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Give suggestions on how to be a "purple cow" Christian. Share you thoughts please.
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