Church Growth

http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/2006/06/church-growth-god-makes-it-grow/

God ultimately makes a plant grow, but a gardener would be foolish to deprive his plant of water, sun and soil for fear that he’s manufacturing growth. The growth will happen if the conditions are right, so why not make what conditions we can right?

And God is still involved in each of those decisions. Trying to bring people to Jesus should never be about mindlessly following a set formula. We certainly have to do our part, and that may mean following a standard formula, but we also need to rely on God to work through that formula. Notice that the reliance is on God, not the formula, and as long as we rely on God there’s nothing wrong with the formula.

Some plants are intended to be small, others large. Some reproduce quickly, others sparingly — but all are designed to reproduce and grow to maturity. Healthy plants are beautiful regardless of size; yet overgrown plants are an eyesore.The more we can seek and see the Gardener’s hand in the life of our churches, the healthier they and we will be.

Multiple Choice

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
-Ephesians 5:15-17

Matagal tagal ko na ding pinagiisipan kung ano nga ba ibig sabhin ng God's will. And last night was a revelation to me! Mag intro muna ko bago ako magstart sa munting message ko hahaha...

There are always choices we make in our daily lives, choice to what to wear, what course to take, what gift to give to a loved one, what to do first, what to eat and etc. Each day we do have multiple choices, just like in exams. Ang maganda pa, pwede mong piliin ang kahit ano or sumunod sa mga bagay na sinasabi sayo, pero the question is, is that the best choice? Sometimes we think it's the best choice, because at the moment it looks good and perfect but as the time goes by ayun, nawawala na din and it will never last. At the end of the day, may times na regrets ang mararamdaman natin.

there are 3 choices we make in our lives, or maybe 4...........

A. My will
B. Parent's will
C. Friends' will

or 


D. God's will


eto magandang example....di ka nakapagaral, tapos may test ka pala, tapos ang hirap hirap pa nung exam what will you choose to do, to cheat or to fail?

honestly, at that moment, prang gusto mo na magcheat and minsan it feels so right at the moment kasi no choice ka na kung gusto mo pumasa di ba, pero here's the thing, God's will is the best for us, even if i fail that exam, God is teaching me about my mistake on not studying and He's up to bulding my character that will last for a lifetime......well, there you go, that's God's will ^_^

His will...
-needs asking
-takes time
-is not good at the moment but later you will realize it's the best thing for you

so yun lang, till next time! God bless...
i'll leave you with this verse, enjoy!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

Hostage and Miss Universe.

We make mistakes, many mistakes.


It is a constant in our lives to make decisions that will eventually lead to regrets. The last few days were indescribable. I am talking about the hostage taking and the Miss Universe 2010. Two events that made our country in the worldwide buzz again.


Hostage.


Last Monday, I was talking to my friend Guian about the importance of small groups and building lifetime relationships. Suddenly, tweets and statuses on Facebook and Twitter was flooded about the hostage taking in Quirino Grandstand. I didn't take it seriously, thinking that it was a just a usual hostage taking incident and police can handle it in no time. I was wrong, they are taking years to finish the negotiation with the hostage taker Captain Mendoza, an outstanding policeman fired because of involvement in some illegal cases. We turned on the TV to watch . Again, I was surprised of what I was watching. It is LIVE! I heard gunshots! SWAT and PNP were on standby with the heavy rain waiting for the go signal of their next action. I think it was past 9PM when the incident came to closure. Mendoza was dead. PNP cleared the bus. Medics rescued the hostages. Bodies were brought to the hospitals. Media came. And a lot of usiseros.


Thank God for spared lives!


Mistakes: Too much media coverage, zero crowd control and incompetence of PNP and SWAT
Disappointments: http://redkinoko.blogspot.com/2010/08/quirino-grandstand-hostage-taking.html?spref=tw


Miss Universe 2010


After the incident, one thing brought hope to the faces of every Filipino as our bet Venus Raj joined the coronation of Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas. All were praying and hoping that Venus can make it to the Top 15 and then get the crown. I've watch the live broadcast in Star World since ABS-CBN had a delayed telecast with a tons of commercials in between. Venus made it to the Top 15, the hosts called her name last and the excitement was all over the place. Filipinos were very loud on the venue. Then the she was called 4th for the Top 10. And our country was called last again, Venus was included in the Top 5! Little did I know, it was first for the past 11 years that our bet in the Miss U entered the Top 15, and now on the Top 5. That's an assurance of a runner up place and a crown. I got disappointed on how she answered the question. Anyway, I'm still proud of her in a major, major way! Since she made our country proud despite the event occurred the night before the pageant. She ended up as a 4th runner up and Mexico got the title and crown.


Mistake: Her answer to the final question.




Lesson:
We make mistakes because of the pressure put on us by people and situations in our lives. With these, we are prone to make poor choices and regrets. At the same time, we can learn from them and be a better version of ourselves and make wise choices in the future.


Proud to be Pinoy pa din!

Hanging out.

The best way to know a person is to take time to talk to them. You need to hangout with him/her.

Talking to people is one of the best things I love to do. So many things to talk about and new things to learn when listening. Here are some key points for a good conversation.

1. Don't forget the name.
2. Know your common interests.
3. Be open-minded.
4. Take time to listen.
5. Be true, be you.

So next time you want to know someone, practice these points and have great conversations in your favorite hangout places.

singer-composer-believer

just want to share you guys this song composed by Yeng Constantino and her best friend Paul. i know you're all familiar with some of her songs, but this one is AWESOME! yeng's mentor is acel van ommen, former moonstar 88 vocalist and a worship leader at vcf. mostly kasi puro english songs napapakinggan natin, lalo na pag inspirational/worship music and i admire how she uses her talent to share our Father's love. so here it is, take time to listen and be proud to be pinoy! pure talent!

PAG-IBIG MO..

di ko akalain makikilala ka puso ko'y kay raming hangarin,

ikaw lamang pala, ang kulang sa buhay na kay tagal hinintay na may pumunan

di ko akalain aking madarama ang pagibig mong sakin nalihim lang pala,

sa sulok ng puso ko tahimik naghihintay, kumakatok

ngayon na, ngayon na puso'y sumasambit

ngayon na, ngayon na puso'y umaawit

Ng pag-big mo, ng pag-ibig mo

di lubos maisip kung gaano ka mahal

pag-ibig mo lamang ang hinintay ng kay tagal

sayo lamang aawit ang puso ng ganito

walang ibang isisgaw kundi pangalan mo at pag-ibig mo,

ang pag-ibig mo ang pag-ibig mo, ang pag-ibig mo oh..

di ko akalain sayo lamang pala iaalay

ang damdamin maging pangarap pa ang kulay ng

buhay ko nag-iba ang takbo dahil sayo

http://yengunplugged.multiply.com/music/item/19/gawa_namen_ng_bestfriend_ko... 

live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC4JjqyAyII

i heart Yeng! God bless her!

Citipointe Live

I love Australia. I love Hillsong Church and Planetshakers. I love the accent. And another thing to love there is no other than, the Citipointe Church in Brisbane.


They are coming here on September 11 for a worship night at Philsports Arena (formerly ULTRA). Thanks to Becca Music Inc. in promoting this event. By the way, I'm selling tickets. Sad to say, only the free seating seats are available which costs P200.


Citipointe songs have some similarities in United's music. I can say, with them their songs are more personal with simple lyrics and powerful vocals. Heard them first during youth services at Victory Malate, U-Night. Man, that was great music. Devoted and Break the Silence, these two are my personal favorites.


See you all in September 11. Three weeks to go!

Movie Review: SALT

I was never an Angelina Jolie fan, but this time I think I'm gonna join the club. It's pretty late to write a review but bare with me, just want to share some insights.

- Salt is a satisfying movie in terms of the level of action and the suspense in the storyline.

- CIA officers rebelling against the government.

- Russians are mean. Peace.

- The President of USA is always the final target.

- Importance of having an identity

That was some weird insights. Too bad I was not able to watch in big screen.

Anyway, all in all I liked it. Thumbs up to Noyce and Jolie. I wanna join CIA and enjoy all its benefits specially on trips. 

FYI:

Salt was meant for Tom Cruise but he declined it (because of similarities in his character in Mission Impossible, Ethan Hunt). Then the script was rewritten for Angelina Jolie.