Truly the recent CI is one of a kind, many “FIRST” happened, the GLORY and GRACE of GOD was truly
evident and it touched lives and hearts during  CI. Personally, right now when I recall
the events I can’t help but cry out of JOY and GRATEFULNESS to our LORD who truly worked during
the CI, and what’s really overwhelming was that HE used us (the volunteers) to fulfill HIS plans for the CI.

GOD IS REALLY GREAT!

I am really planning to write a blog after CI, I will either narrate what happened and recall the
memories or write a message for the youth regarding how GREAT the LORD is during the CI. But as I
was thinking of something to write, a thought/reflection came into my mind, actually it is a
question. “Anong mas importante yung CI o yung PAGKATAPOS ng CI?”.

Siyempre parehong importante yun pero as I was really thinking hard, I realized (and most of you will agree)
mas importante yung PAGKATPOS NG CI, because CI was made to equip the MYF after and outside the CI.
Like what we learned during the CI, “Hindi porket nakapag-CI ka na, OK NA YUN”, “Hindi porket  
naging active ka na sa MYF after ng CI, OK NA YUN”, “Hindi porket, nagbago ka na ng onte after ng  
CI, OK NA YUN”.

Masakit mang isipin, pero the BIG SHIFT is not yet happening, the BIG SHIFT didn’t end at CI but
rather the BIG SHIFT is just STARTING. TRUE CHANGE can’t happen overnight, it is an everyday
process, it is an everyday COMMITTMENT to JESUS and ONLY THROUGH JESUS.
So ang magandang tanong cguro pagkagising natin sa  umaga eh “IS MY LIFE committed to CHRIST?”.

Being committed for me is not a onetime big time  event like CI it is an everyday event.

Isa pang naisip ko eh, “ano ba ang kinasaya ko/natin sa CI?” “Yung nakakilala ako ng bagong friends?” “Yung  
naging ka-close ko si Crush?” “Yung naging Officer ako?” “Yung finally naging staff o BS Leader na ako?” 
“Yung finally nakasama ka na ng CI?”

Ano nga ba?
YES valid lahat ng kasiyahan na yan, pero di ba nakakalungkot na yang mga yan ang nangingibabaw
na kasiyahan? Na tipong pag tinanong ka, yan ang sagot mo at magiging testimony. Hindi ba mas ok
na kaya ka masaya sa CI ay Dahil “Na-realize mo na kailngang magbago, na kailangang mag-commit  
kay Lord, na kailangan ko si Lord, na tinanggap ko si Lord bilang tagapagligtas at Panginoon”.

Bakit ko sinasabi itong mga ito?! Kasi KAILANGAN nating mapapalalahanan.
KAILANGAN nating malaman  yung DAPAT.

I know a lot of people who have attended lots of CI, but still didn’t experienced the BIG SHIFT.
I  also know a lot of people who haven’t attended any CI but is experiencing the BIG SHIFT in their
lives.

The BIG SHIFT is not about CI, it is not about the MYF or the CHURCH, it’s about JESUS, and US  
accepting and dedicating our LIVES to HIM. So let us all be reminded that our CHANGE doesn’t end
nor happens all at once during CI, it is a DAY to DAY event.

Dati nagreflect kaming District officers sa cycle ng pagiging active ng mga MYF at eto yung na-discover namin.

January – on FIRE! (kasi kakatapos lang ng CI)
February – Mejo on FIRE na lang! (busy sa mga ka-date at school)
March – WALA NA! (busy na sa school)
April – Mejo paparamdam at active na ulit (lapit na summer camp eh!)
May – SUMMER CAMP NA, ACTIVE na ulit.
June – July – ACTIVE, BIBO yan! (xmpre after ng summer camp on fire eh)
August – October – Walang paramdam…. (busy na sa school)
November – Mejo balik loob (lapit na CI eh!)
December – ayan ACTIVE na!

Pag may work: BUSY all year round!hehe.

Na-tamaan ka ba? Ako kasi OO, minsan o madalas gnyan din ang cycle ko, gumagamit ako
ng iba’t-ibang dahilan para di mag-church, di maging active at mag-serve at di mag-dedicate
ng time, talent and resources ko kay Lord. Pero sana mag-BIG SHIFT na tayo..
Sana talagang yung pinakita natin nung CI ma-apply natin ngayon at sa susunod pa at sa buong buhay natin.

Bago ko tapusin itong post na to, I just would like to share yung objectives nung CI (na dapat alam natin)
at sana mag-reflect tayo at gawin natin itong objectives sa ating buhay:

1. To really know Christ
2. To learn to apply CHRIST-like attitudes in today’s time
3. To learn how to maintain a life styled in Christ

AT! alalahanin natin na… “True Change is through Christ!”

So mga Tropa….BIG SHIFT na!

Romans 12:2

“….Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect – Romans 12:2 (NLT)”

To God be the Glory!

But actually that song made me realize something, yes it is a song meant for fun or for joking around, but actually it means something, it conveys a deeper meaning that we Christians should look into.

Yes, Christian Life is soo fun and soo beautiful, that it feels like na parang “Kain, Tulog” ka lang talaga, but actually “kain tulog lang” also means that one is LAZY or doesn’t work at all, and maybe this was the message that the song is trying to convey, that often times we Christians ay “Kumakain at Natutulog lang”..
That we Christians are not working at all or are being LAZY at being Christians..

I can’t speak for everyone, nor am I judging others, but oftentimes most Christians (including myself) STOP at one level in being a Christian,

What do I mean about this?

An example would be like this:
When I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior 10 years ago at a youth camp I was really on fire but then after, as years went by, I went to High School and College, I was a little bit contented with my Christian life;
I was Attending Sunday School every Sunday, Attending Church, Doing Ministry in the Church and Doing good deeds but sometimes I do drink, attend parties, have “Flings”, do “cool” stuff,  with knowledge that these things would not really hurt my Salvation or would not really hurt my relationship with Christ, because I was so contented with accepting Him and was also a bit satisfied with what I have done helping the Church especially I was one of the Youth Leaders (Sikat na Leader pa!hahaha!), and was part of the worship team.
I knew that time that, that was ENOUGH, that it was OK, sabi ko pa nga sa sarili ko, “Ok na cguro yun, tutal mabait naman ako, di naman ako perwisyo sa iba in fact matulungin pa nga ako eh,minsan nag-ququiet time at devotion naman ako (take note MINSAN!) saka karamihan din ng ibang Christians na kilala ko ganun din eh, di hamak na MAS OK AKO sa IBA”.

What’s wrong with me that time? Some may look at it na “Ok naman na siya eh”, Christian na siya saka Active naman”.. But you know what’s wrong?

I stopped growing in Faith, I stopped yearning for the Word, the FIRE was there but it was not ENOUGH to lighten up my LIFE my THOUGHTS, definitely I was a BETTER PERSON after accepting Christ but not a NEW PERSON, ( 2 Corinthians 5:17:  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! )

I was LAZY na tipong “Kain Tulog”  lang ang buhay Kristiyano ko, I stopped working.

Being a Christian is ACCEPTING JESUS as your SAvior, yes it is very essential and it is very important, but that doesn’t stop there. Being a Christian at Ang Buhay Kristiyano ay hindi isang gabi lang na iiyak ka maglulupasay tapos luluhod ka at itataas mo ang kamay tapos ok na. Di lang din siya na, attend ng Church every Sunday at maging part ng Praise and Worship team, maging Sunday School teacher, maging Choir member, maging biggest tither, maging Church Council Leader in short maging one most active member ng Church. I tell you, it doesn’t stop there, it shouldn’t stop there.

Ang BUHAY Kristiyano ay ang PAMUMUHAY KRISTIYANO,.. ano daw? Ang BUHAY mo ay dapat parang Kay KRISTO.
1 Corinthians 11:1:  Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ

Now let me ask you, does your life only revolve around the Church and the Praise worship team or the Church council? Does your life only revolve around revival nights? Does your life only happens every Sunday?  Of course not, your life also revolves around your School, your Work, your Family, your Parties, your Past-time, your Leisure,  your Day and Night, your Relationships and many others.
Your LIFE is everything about YOU of course, sa tagalong IKAW ang Buhay mo, at ang BUHAY mo ay IKAW.

Now let’s ask ourselves from the ones that listed above, is our being Christian practiced to those things? Or is it only present in our family but not in our past-time and relationships, or present at work but not when we wake up and go to sleep. Ang Buhay Kristiyano ay hindi lang kain tulog, ang Buhay Kristiyano ay pagtatrabaho at hindi pagtigil sa pagpuri at pag-glorify kay LORD sa KAHIT ANONG BAGAY na ginagawa mo:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Remember KAHIT ANO!

It is really hard to live a Christian Life in this world, as John 15:19 says ” If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

Pero it can be less hard for us to live in this world, if we delight ourselves in the presence of the Lord, if we always seek His presence, His Holy Spirit because Philippians 4:!3 says ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and let us also be reminded that Jesus overcame the world, John 16:33 says “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Kayang Kaya nating mamuhay ng isang TUNAY na KRISTIYANO, wag tayong tumugil wag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa kung ang paligid natin ay nagiging hindi na ok, bagkos dapat talagang magpatuloy tayo at palakasin natin ang bawat isa. Remember palakasin at wag SILIPIN!hehe.

Isang dahilan ng downfall ng isang Kristiyano ay ang pag-compare/pag-silip ng buhay niya sa kapwa Kristiyano o kahit sa ibang tao. “Ay bakit ako ang bait bait ko, active active ko pero siya na puro inom gimik at kasalanan mas ok pa yung buhay”, “ay bakit ako na talagang tunay na nagseserve ay ganito pero siya na active din pero may iba pang lifestyle, ganito ganyan”…
WAG na WAG nating hayaan na maging ganun ang thinking natin, kaso inggit at pag-doubt sa kabaitan ni Lord ang mangingibabaw sa atin.

Alalahanin natin na ksama sa pamumuhay Kristiyano ang ating pagtingin sa ating kapwa. Wag tayong mainggit, mag-judge basta basta, dapat tayo ay mag-dasal at mag-encourage sa bawat isa.

Gaya nga ng sabi dba, ang BUHAY KRISTIYANO ay sa Pananalita, Pagkilos, Pagkain, Paglalaro, Pagporma, Pagiisip, Pagmamahal in short sa LAHAT!

Let’s start living TRUE CHRISTIAN LIVES!

To God be the Glory!

“Hindi na sa akin importante kung panalo o talo ka talaga, ang mas importante ay alam kong lumaban ka ng PATAS, di ka tumakbo o umilag lang, bagkos ikaw pa ang naging mas agresibo kahit ikaw ang CHAMPION, nagensayo ka ng mas MATAGAL kesa sa mga dati mong laban at higit sa LAHAT di mo nakalimutang PASALAMATAN ang DIYOS bago at pagkatapos ng LABAN Mo”

Pagdadasal kita Manny dahil alam kong masakit ang PUSO lalo ngayon na kahit ang kapwa PINOY na iyong binigyang karangalan at kasiyahan ay binabatikos ka.

salamat Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao at
Naway pagpalain ka ng ating Panginoon!

- Iyong malaking tagapaghanga,

Ace

So after a week before that feeling came, Pastor Gilbert Cedillo messaged me at FB, but I though it was just regarding
one of the main concerns of the youth because Pastor Gilbert is one of our youth advisers, but he invited me to speak at their Church, and then boom, my feeling was right, right there I knew that God gave me that feeling.hehe!

Anyway, I just would like to share to you my sermon script about ” The Real essence of 1 Timothy 4:12″

Enjoy and spread the Love of Christ!

I.

4:12 Huwag hamakin ng sinoman ang iyong kabataan; kundi ikaw ay maging uliran ng mga

nagsisisampalataya, sa pananalita, sa pamumuhay, sa pagibig, sa pananampalataya, sa kalinisan.

4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

Napaka-popular ng verse na ito sa mga kabataan ngayon, actually parang every MYF sunday or summer

camp or ci eh ito ang madalas nagiging verse.. Dahil siguro talagang akmang akma ito sa ating mga kabataan sa ating mga myf.

Pero madalas sa ating mga kabataan, ang nagiging focus natin sa verse na ito ay ang first part na:  “Don’t let anyone look down”, sarap pakinggan dba? “Don’t let anyone look down!”, tipong nakataas pa kilay mo may pilantik pa pag sinasabi. Hehe!

Tayong mga kabataan ay ngkakaroon ng sense of pride, ng sense of “Yes, KABATAAN AKO!” pag naririnig natin to, although totoo naman na talagang ineempower tayong mga kabataan sa verse na ito, pero minsan o madalas ay naooverlook natin ang MAS IMPORTANTE na part, yung DAPAT maging focus talaga which is yung 2nd part:

“kundi ikaw ay maging uliran ng mga nagsisisampalataya, sa pananalita, sa pamumuhay, sa pagibig, sa pananampalataya, sa kalinisan”

“but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity”

Bakit ko nasabi na mas focused tayo sa “don’t look down”, what’s my basis ba?

Panoorin natin tong video na to: (statistics)

6.8 Billion World population (as of 2009) –>More than 50% are YOUTH

- 47% Are smokers

- 9.2% Are out of school

- 21% are involved in violence

- 27% have sex before they marry

- 70% drink alcohol (half got drunk last week)

- 5.3% induce illegal drugs

-4 out of 5 watch pornography

-2 out of 5 have attempted killing themselves

Let Us Pray:

Panginoon, hipuin nyo ang bawat tengang makikinig ang bawat matang makakita at ang bawat puso na bubukas sa bawat magandang salita na manggaling sa inyo. Gamitin niyo po ako Panginoon, para kayo’y mapapurihan at Makita ngayong umaga.Ito an gaming samo’t dalangin sa matamis na pangalan ng aming tagapagligtas na si Hesu Kristo. Amen

Diba talagang we don’t let anyone look down on us? Talagang hinde!

Tignan mo naman bata pa lang eh natututo na ng mga bagay bagay na ganyan. Na actually, parang dati mga matanda lang ang gumgawa actually dapat HINDI ginagawa at all!

Now yan ba yung point ni Paul kay Timothy? Example ba yan?
Kahit sa ating mga myf na: talaga bang we set an example?
Tayo ba ay nagiging modelo ng Panginoon?

Isa isahin nating ang 1 Timothy 4:12

Ginagwa nga ba natin ang dapat para maging mabuting ehemplo?

1. In Speech

- Normal na ang pagmumura, normal na ang “green” words/jokes, normal na ang magalit at

magsabi ng masama sa kapwa na kahit ang facebook ginagamit na natin para sa mga salitang yan, na minsan mapapa-“tsk tsk” ka nlng eh.

Ngayon isa ba tayo sa mga normal na yan? Sa bawat salita ba na ating sinsabi, sinusulat o pinopost

example  ba Tayo? ng Panginoon? O example sa kalokohan at kabulastugan?hehehe.

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

“There is power in words” gaya ng madalas sabihin. Kaya dapat we should use our mouth in glorifying GOD, na dapat bawat bitaw ng ating bibig iisipin natin pleasing ba to kay Lord?

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my

Rock and my Redeemer.

2. In Conduct

- Merong kasabihan na we should “Act according to our Age” kung bata ka act na bata ka, or kung matanda ka act na seryoso ka pero di ba mas ok kung we

“Act according to our Faith”

- “Action speaks louder than words” ika nga nila. Kaya ang ating bawat kilos ay dapat maging ehemplo ng Panginoon.

- Sa bawat “pag-cut ng klase o pangongopya, sa bawat bote at upos ng sigarilyo, sa bawat suntukan

at sabunutan, sa bawat porma at kilos, tayo ba ay example?

Romans 13:13

Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy

Ang isa sa pinaka-masaklap na tanong na maaring marinig ng isang kristyano sa kanyang kapwa, mapa-kristyano man o hinde ay:

“Ayyyy Kristiyano ka pala? Talaga Kristiyano ka?weh di nga?!

Si Mahatma Gandhi, isa sa pinakam-magaling, matalinong tao na isang bayani sa India at buong mundo ay actually nagbigay ng comment sa mga Kristiyano, ang sabi niya:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

Dapat sa Kilos pa lang kita na kagad si Lord.

3. In Love

Alam nyo ba na ang 1st and 2nd greatest commandment ay tungkol sa LOVE?

Matthew 22:36-39

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Do we really love GOD with our all? Does it reflect in our devotion, our service, our tithes and

most especially our love for others (family,friends etc.)? Or ang devotion ba ay pag Band practice lang at CI?

Or ang tithes ay pagka may sobra lang? Or tayo ba ay madaming kaaway at kagalit at kahit si kuya si ate o si nanay at tatay ay sinusuway? Ako po minsan ay ganyan..mahirap pero kailngan nating magmahal ng tapat kahit sa hindi kaibig-ibig, commandment eh, 2^nd Greatest pa!

1 Corinthians 13: 6-7
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

4. In Faith

Do we really carry our FAITH or do we compromise it according to our needs?
Are we true to our convictions?

Ang ating pananampalatay ba ay suot natin pagka nagkakayayaan ng mag-cutting at mag-DOTA nlng? O pagka may sobra sa

baon na binigay ni tatay? Kahit sa relationships natin, icocompromise ba nating ang ating Faith para sa ating mamahalin?

Naalala nyo ba si Shamcey? Willing ba tayong i-let go ang lahat para sa Faith natin. sabi nga dba

FAITHNESS First!

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

We should stand up for our FAITH at whatever cause!

1 Thessalonians 5:8

let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

And lastly…

5. Purity

In thoughts, actions and words

Sa pagseserve sa Church, pure ba ang intentions natin?
Sa pananalita at pag-iisip pure ba ito? Oh laman ito ng intriga, ng pangungutya, ng bitterness, ng

kalokohan at ano pa.

Sa pagkakaroon ng relationship pure ba yung intentions or kahit ikaw na nasa relationship na, pure ba

ang nagiging actions nyo?

Colossians 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Alam nyo naisip ko…

Kaya minsan talagang ilulook down talaga tayo di dahil sa age natin pero dahil sa actions

natin..

“ah kasi bata pa xa eh kaya ganyan ah kasi matanda na yan”.

Dba mas ok pakinggan kung

“Ah kasi Kristiyano xa”

Verse:

1 Peter 2:12

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world

At madalas ginagawa nating dahilan ang ating edad para gumawa ng bagay na di kaayaaya, di ba lagi

nating dahilan:

“Bata pa naman ako, hayaan kong magenjoy muna, ok lang wag mag-seryoso” pero pagtanda naman natin eh halos gnun din ang linya  “matanda na ako eenjoyin ko na ang buhay, at gawin ang  lahat ng gusto kong gawin”

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it

So Parents, train your Child.. Sorry for my example, but I remember my parents kung paano nila

kami trinain.. Yung tatay ko po, ever since na ngkaisip ako, lagi kaming pinapakain ng gulay, as in

sapilitan yan, tlgang isa isa kaming nilalagyan ng ampalaya, okra, malunggay at kung ano pa every

meal, and tlgang kailngang ubusin mo yun.. xmpre as a kid ayaw mo yun eh, pangit ng lasa eh pero

alam niyo po, I am so thankful for that training dahil hannggang ngayon tlgang mahilig ako sa

gulay na it really helps my health and my diet.

Now imagine, if ngayong myf plang tayo, or ngayon pa lang whether matanda bata, mejo matanda we start training ourselves to a TRUE

Christian LIFE, imagine what will be the outcome of that in the next 5-10 years,

Sabi nga nila:

“Practice makes permanent”

1 Timothy 4:7 “train yourself to be godly”.

Titus 2:12

Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age

Now is the time to start, reading our bibles and praying everyday, now is the time to start to

serve the church and be good stewards, now is the time to be upright in speech and conduct, now is

the time to exercise our faith and be pure.

Now is the time to be GOOD EXAMPLES of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Pastor Joey said in his sermon last anniversary, that

“Your/Our life is the most powerful sermon”

Sino po dito ang gustong maka-inspire ng iba? Sino po dito ang gustong maka-touch ng iba?

Lahat tayo gusto natin yan, pero alam mo kung paano mo magagawa yun?
Maging superhero o bayani? Pwede. ,
Maging politiko at mamudmod ng relief goods? Pwede na din

Maging pastor or teacher at laging mag-sermon? Pwede pwede yan.

MAmigay ng pera? PWedeng PWede.. hehe!

Pero alam nyo yung madali at talagang effective?

Yun ay yung mamuhay ng tama, ng wasto, alagaan ang Lifestyle at maging Good Examples. Tiyak yan

mga kapatid, maraming maiinspire na kagad.

Before I end the message of our Lord, gusto ko lang mag-share ng isang kwento:

There was this young person (a girl), na bata pa lang ay hindi nagsawang maglingkod sa Panginoon.
At hindi lang siya naglilingkod sa Panginoon, siya din mismo ay isang magandang ehemplo sa kanyang

School, in Fact Masipag, at matalino siya at naging scholar pa sa isang Magaling na University. at

hindi lang siya isang magaling na estudyante, magaling din siyang Anak at Kapatid sa kanyang

pamilya, isa siyang example tlga at hindi niya hinayaan na kahit 19 lang siya ay tumutulong siya,

mabait at faithful na servant ni Lord through the Church, her family, friends and society. Naging

good example siya at naging significant sa maraming tao. Kaya’t nung siya ay biglaang napunta na sa piling ni Lord, marami ang nalungkot, marami ang nanghinayang sa buhay, at mahigit 6,000 ang nakiramay sa young girl na ito na ang pangalan ay Given Grace Cebanico.

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom

Given Grace was a great example, hindi nya sinayang ang kabataan nya, She didn’t let others

look down on her because she was a Great example, a Great example of how to live like a Christian.

Mga Kapatid “Now is the time” (whether MYF, WSCS, UMM, MYA ka) to be examples for the believers in Speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

Remember , HINDI “pag-nakagraduate ka na, or  naka-graduate na ang panganay mo, o pagka mayaman ka na, Remember NOW NA”

Let us Pray

Panginoon, patawarin niyo po kami sa aming pagkakasala, sa aming pagiging hindi magandang ehemplo, sa aming pamumuhay na minsan o madalas ay hindi buhay Kristiyano, at mula ngayon whether ako’y bata o matanda, magiging ehemplo kami at aming sisikapin na ilagay ka sa bawat kilos, salita o gawa na aming gagawin, manguna ka Panginoon at ikaw ang humawak sa aming mga buhay. DAkila ka Panginoon, Salamat po at sa iyo ang papuri magpakailan pa man. Sa ngalan ni Hesus. Amen

To GOD be the GLORY

I know that this year’s CILT will be different from the past CILTs that I have attended, because the Directors (Ate Tin,  Ate Kat, Ime, Pau, Net, Gilbert, Jervey, Gracezl, Dandan) really conceptualized it to be different from the usual, a SHIFT from the normal, a CHANGE sa nakasanayan na, but you know what honestly, I didn’t expect it to be that BIG of a SHIFT to be that BIG of a CHANGE.
I can’t speak for everybody who have attended it, but I know many were really blown away by the GRACE of GOD that was so evident in the CILT.

From the Team building session (Thank you Bong, Kuya Eboy, Ate Beng and Ate France) to the challenging message by Ptr. Floyd, up until the “brainstorming”  sessions with the Directors about the “Like” and “dislike” activity. Even up to the  ” all night kwentuhan” with Mike, Wes and RR and can I just also add the CG with the Program Comm People and the powerful sharing and “iyakan” sessions with ALAB Judah (Glenn, Martin, Buboy, Thei, Cam, Rusty, Aaron, Mike, RR, Wes, Divine, Jessi) during BS and add to that the lessons from Ate Jen, Ate Joy, and Kuya Ryan.
But wait, who can forget the last night with Kuya Nante and the rest of ALAB (Kuya Mars, Kuya Mark, Ptr.Jay-r, Ptr. Floyd, Kuya Eboy) making a surprise visit to lead the worship ++  Aaron’s testimony and the Sharing/Exhortation of Kuya Nante.

There’s a lot more to mention, because every moment in the CILT was precious, the “tawanan” and the “kulitan” was obviously there, xmpre hindi naman mawawala sa MYF yun eh, but what’s really amazing was that a COMMITMENT TO CHANGE really happenend in those 2 days, the HOLY SPIRIT really moved in the CILT.

Some people say, “ay mejo paubos na ang mga metodista”, “ay ang gulo na ng methodist church di na kasi siya SPIRIT Filled”, “ay kanya kanya nang agenda”, “ay mga MYF natin di na good role models”.. Possibly true, maybe it really is the case, but you know what after the CILT,
I felt a strong sense of HOPE, that a BIG CHANGE will happen a BIG SHIFT will occur and I believed it is already happening and CILT was a big evidence to it…

Lamentations 3:21 – “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope”

Just a bit of a background, when the program comm together with some directors were formulating the Theme, Title, Thrust etc.. What’s really amazing was that we all agreed right away with everything, we were all on the same page, we all had that longing for CHANGE and I strongly believe God was with us during all the meetings and conceptualization and I realized all of that during the last night of CILT, where Kuya Nante was sharing his thoughts, observations. I was crying almost the entire time that night, because I was just so amazed at how God works, at kung gaano ginawang SAKTO ni Lord ang mga bagay bagay on how everything fell into place.

I believe everyone who have attended the entire 2 days of CILT were blessed but REMEMBER,  CHANGE doesn’t happen overnight, it is an everyday COMMITMENT, it is an everyday DESIRE to CHANGE for the LORD, an everyday CRAVING to turn and not look back to the SINFUL LIVES we USED to LIVE and an everyday LONGING to be with the PRESENCE of GOD.

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform 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”

I challenge everyone who have read this, to write, to share, to tweet or even to preach the CHANGE that is happening in your LIVES and to proclaim of how GREAT our GOD is. EXERCISE THAT CHANGE KAPATID!

*”clap clap clap” HATAW NA!*

To God be the GLORY!

Last August 19, people from different ages (MYF, MYAF, UMM, WSCS) graced the event, where the praise and worship was lead by ALAB Judah (QCPACE BAND) and the message of the Lord was given through Pastor Adelbert Frejas of PUMC. It truly was a blessed night where lives were touched and spirits were filled. Not only did the people get to praise and worship the Lord that night, they also met different people from the different churches in QCPACE, it was truly an all-in-one event that will truly bless anyone that will attend to it. It really felt like an epidemic spreading rapidly.

                 Want to catch the epidemic? Want to be filled and blessed? Don’t worry because Contagious is not a one-time big time event, because through the grace of the Lord, Contagious will be a regular event happening every 1^st and 3^rd Friday of the month at the MASA Mission Church beginning 6:30

You can Join the Contagious Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/192876357446594/) or the the NWD-QCPACE MYF Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/139141832774555/) for more info.

Apart from the joy of winning 3rd Runner-up, was the joy of Shamcey’s answer to the Q&A portion of the pageant. For me it was one of the best answers that I have heard in my entire life because she did not compromised her faith, she did what she felt was the right thing to do and that is to honor God.

Nowadays so much emphasis is given on LOVE, and to be specific ROMANTIC LOVE. TV Shows, Movies, Books all show how LOVE is very powerful, how it change things and how it can have an impact to a person’s life. Yes it is true, LOVE is really powerful. GOD even said that LOVE is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ), but sadly that power is not properly used, where PEOPLE will really do anything for LOVE, for ROMANTIC LOVE.

The question on Shamcey ( “Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person that you love why or why not?”) was really very timely, because nowadays that’s the norm where people will just do anything for the person they love. From FAITH switching, to CRIMES, to ADULTERY, to SUICIDE..they will really do everything.

Doing bad things for love, is not TRUE LOVE, compromising things for love is not TRUE LOVE. Jesus said in 1Corinthians 13:6-7 that ” Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.

Shamcey was really right when she said that “If I had to change my religious beliefs I will not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God who created me, and I have my faith, my principles, and this is what makes me who I am, and that person that loves me, should love my God too.”.

God 1st loved us, God is our ONE great LOVE and our TRUE LOVE so why compromise HIM? The Bible says in Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God”, so in Romantic LOVE we should seek God FIRST, we should put ALWAYS put HIM FIRST.

Shamcey showed us in that short answer how we should deal with relationships. That we should keep the faith no matter what, we should stand by our principles because that’s who we are and we should all LOVE the LORD 1st before loving others.

I am not a big fan of the Miss Universe Pageant, but I see to it that I give full support  to the candidate of the Philippines every year, but actually this time I really felt that something is different in Shamcey, that she is one of a kind, that she can probably win it, so I voted for her online, was updated via Twitter and FB and somehow participated in discussions about her.

I was right about Shamcey, she is really something, she is really one of a kind. Although she didn’t win it all, but she truly captured everyone’s heart especially Christians all over the universe, because she kept the Faith and Honored God even if it means not winning the title.

“Question: Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person that you love why or why not?

Shamcey’s Answer: “If I had to change my religious beliefs I will not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God who created me, and I have my faith, my principles, and this is what makes me who I am, and that person that loves me, should love my God too.”

To GOD be the GLORY!

True Stewardship

Stewardship is a “gasgas” topic, every year, we dedicate 1 month to celebrate it, actually most of the time yung sermons, teachings, bible studies focus heavily on Stewardship specifically on tithing. and if you would ask most Christians especially young Christians/MYF like me, the

1st thing that would cross our minds would be the 3 T’s. Time, talent and treasure.

Nung ako po ay nainvite ng mga youth leaders ng NFUMC para mag-sermon, at sinabi nila sa akin na Kuya Stewardship month po. Ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ay yung 3 T’s. At buti nlng, Praise God may isang kaibigan na bglang kaagad kaagad na sinabi, “wag na yung yun! Palagi na lang yun.Focus ka sa

ibang aspects ng Stewardship!”

Then after that, Napaisip ako, meron pa bang aspect ang stewardship? Di ba *3Ts lang yun? Tapos nagmeditate ako nakinig ng mga sermon, nagbasa ng mga articles, nag-research, para malaman ano nga ba ang stewardship?

Ano ba ang tunay na stewardship?

*Now, what is stewardship ba talga??

- to refer to a responsibility to take care of something  belonging to someone else. (according to the dictionary)

- Matthew 24:45-47

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.(NIV)

Framework

Master – Stewards

Stewards

- one who manages another’s wealth. He does not own it, he uses it for the profit of his master.

“We own nothing, God owns Everything”

- The main theme of Stewardship.

Important to keep this mindset about Stewardsship.

Stewardship begins and ends with the understanding of God’s ownership of all

Wala po tayong pagmamay-ari, lahat ay kay Lord. At sa pagiging steward yan ang dapat na laging nasa isip natin. Pera, Panahon, Talento, AT ang mga mahal sa buhay, ang ating  kalikasan kapaligiran, ang ating pagaaral at ang Ating buhay ang lahat lahat sa atin at sa palagid natin ay kay Lord

LAHAT!

So looking back at the meaning of being a steward, the question now is are we managing EVERYTHING THAT we have for the profit of our Lord, are we offering it to bring Glory to Him?

Yes, one may say, na yes active ako sa Church, na yes, nagchechurch ako palagi, at yes nag-ooffering ako at nagtithe ako, pero alam nyo ba na hindi lang yun ang stewardship.

Stewardship is more than that because Stewardship is a way of Life, because our lives belong to the Lord.

So offering our WHOLE LIVES, managing it well is what Stewardship really is.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (NIV)

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.(NIV)

Stewardship is not just every sunday, Stewardship is everyday, every moment of our Lives

Ang isang halimbawa na lang ay yung pag-aaral mo, alalahanin mo, kay Lord yan. Ginagawa mo ba yung makakaya mo para mapalagaan yung pag-aaral mo? oh sinsayang mo lang ang oras

mo sa pag-dodota, pag-gimik (ouch ako yan!) o sa ibang bagay?.

Ang trabaho mo ay bigay din ni Lord, minamahal mo ba to at sinsiguradong nagagampanan mo ng maayos o pa-banjing banjing ka lang at pumapasok para lang sumuweldo??

Ang magulang mo o ang mahal mo sa buhay, bigay din sila sayo ni Lord, pero are you making sure na they are taken cared of.

Lagi kong naalala ang prayer ng mommy ko na “Ang mga anak nya daw (kami) ay hindi sa kanya kung hindi kay Lord, kaya lagi nyang inooffer at pinauubaya kami kay Lord”..

NGayon ganun din ba tayo, can we say na sa pag-aaral, trabaho at pati sa ating mahal sa buhay ay inooffer at pinapangalaagaan din ntin?

“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof;

the world, and they that dwell therein.”

Psalm 24:1 (KJV)

LAHAT as in LAHAT kay LORD! wala tayong pagmamay-ari!as IN WALA!!kaya ang pag-ooffer sa kanya ng LAHAT ay hindi lang TAMA super TAMA talaga”

Actually mabait nga tlga si Lord eh.

Just think of it

Biruin mo sa 7 days natin, Isang araw lang tayo required sa church, tpos di pa whole day, sa pera natin 10% lang ang required ibigay natin, yung 90% para sa atin na, minsan nga hindi pa tlaga 10% ang naiibgay natin kasi xmpre icoconsider pa yung tax,sss,pag-ibig,gastos tpos yung matira dun pa 10%.

Pero ang tanong, narerealize ba natin yun? Oh sasabihin nlng natin ay grabe may youth activity pa after ng church, ay grabe may praktis pa ng choir ay grabe wala nkong pera, wala nkong baon wala nkong pang-gastos tpos itatithe ko pa?

The Truth is God doesn’t need our Money our effort or even our lives. He is GOD (omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent).

1 Chronicles 29:12

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. (NIV)

We only do or we should do this because we love Him because He first loved us, We do stewardship and be good stewards as a response to His goodness.

Remember: “God never stopped loving, God never stopped giving”

Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Siguro Minsan nagkakaron din tayo ng kaisipan na ang pag-offer or pagiging stewards ay DAhil KAILANGAN, at minsan dahil alam nating mababalik ito, dba lagi nating nririnig “give and it

will come back to you”, Kaya minsan napapgod din tayo,

nagrereklamo na bkit kailngan pa?

Actually tama na dahil kailngan, dahil responsibilidad ntin yun gaya nalang ng tithing, at oo tama din na mababalik, naku si Lord pa! Super faithful siya! sabi nga sa kanta dba (Forever God is Faithful)..

Pero Di ba mas magandang mangibabaw yung gingagawa natin dahil LOVE natin si Lord na

dahil sa pagmamahal natin gagawin natin ang pagiging isang mabuting steward

1 Corinthians 13: 3

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. (NIV)

Si Lord lahat ng ginawa nya para sa atin ay dahil mahal na mahal nya tayo na to the point na hindi sapat na bigyan nya ang

tao ng manna from heaven (Story of Moses), na hindi

sapat na iligtas nya ang tao sa slavery at gera (david and all the prophets)

at patawarin tayo kahit ilang beses tayong magkamali (peter,david etc.),

Pero more than all of that binigay nya ang Anak  nya at inoffer pa nya ang kanyang buhay para sa atin through dying at the cross. Sakit dba?

Ngayon ginawa ba ni Lord yun dahil lang responsiblity nya yun at in return mamahalin natin xa,

Ginawa nya yun without assurance na mamahalin xa, lahat ng ginagawa nya lahat ng

yun dahil He so LOVED us!

JESUS died at the cross because HE So LOVEs you and me.

John 3:16

In stewardship love must be our driving force, dahil like what paul said, love never fails and if in stewardship love is always there, then our being stewards may never fail.

let’s just say your favorite sport or game mo. Mahal mo yung ginagawa mo na yun na kahit matalo, mapahiya, mapagalitan ka dahil sa paggawa mo nun, you will still continue with it because you love it and just like in the church, mapagsabihan ka ni pastor, mabatukan ka ni ate at ni kuya at di ka man ma-recognize dahil sa pagiging steward mo, itutuloy mo lang ng itutuloy

Dahil mahal mo si Lord at para sa kanya yun.

Francis Kong once said

“If you love God, you would love what He wants you to do”

The Lord wants us to tithe, to offer our talents,  our time, our everything.

We will because we love him

We will be good stewards with what we have,

It is not a question of how much, of how big, how plenty, of

how bonggacious, of how many but of how you gave your ALL,

Kahit taga-bati ka lang every sunday ng good morning, kahit P10 na tithe dahil 100 lang ang baon mo every week, remember

The story of poor widow?

Luke 21:1-3.

1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.[a

3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.  (NLT)

Stewardship is more than your treasure, time and talent.

Stewardship is about your whole life, dedicating it to the Lord.

Sabi nga sa kanta dba

“Habambuhay, papupurihan ka, Habambuhay maglilingkod sayo,habambuhay pag-ibig ko sayo’y iaalay”

Let us be good stewards and offer our lives to the Lord.

Glory be to God

Amen

5 best picks in the PBA

1. Benjie Paras(1989)

- Fresh from the historic Championship of UP Maroons in the UAAP, Shell chose the highly rated Benjie Paras as its 1st choice in the 1989 draft.

Shell made the terrific choice, because not only did the Tower of Power won the Rookie of the year Award that year, he broke records by also winning the MVP plum, making him the only player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP award at the same time. Truly Paras can be credited as the best number 1 pick in the PBA.

*by the way the 1989 class was one of the most successful class in PBA History players in this batch are Ato Agustin, Nelson Asaytono, Paul Alvarez and many other notable players.

Resume:

2 time PBA MVP (1989, 1999)

Rookie of the year

Silver Medalist (Asian Games 1990)

10 time All Star

2 time All Star MVP (1994,1999)

25 greatest players

2. Allan Caidic (1987)

- The Triggerman, was a hot commodity and was already gaining popularity back in his collegiate days in UE and in the Philippine  Amateur team so being number 1 in the draft was no surprise at all.

Considered one of the deadliest shooters in the whole ASIA and arguably the best here in the Philippines, Great Taste wasted no time, in picking the 1-time MVP it’s 1st pick and true enough Caidic showed to everyone why he was chosen as the number 1 pick in the 1987 draft. Please remember that Caidic still has the record for most point scored in a game by a Filipino with 79 points in 1991.

Resume:

PBA MVP (1990)

Rookie of the year

Silver Medalist (1990 Asian Games)

Gold Medalist (1986 Fiba Asia Championship)

All Star MVP (1993)

7-time All Star

25 Greatest Players

3. Danny Ildelfons0 (1998)

The Demolition Man was a notable figure in his amateur and collegiate days (NU) so it was no doubt that he would be the #1 pick for the 1998 draft and San Miguel, was so eager to get him that they have to trade their number 2 pick (Noy Castillo) + cash to Shell to get Danny I (Shell drafted Danny I).

In just 3 years in the PBA, Danny I already won many awards that includes the Rookie of the year award and back-to-back MVP awards (Only Bogs Adornado and Alvin Patrimonio have done the same feat) so it is without any question that Danny I can be considered one of the best picks in the PBA Draft.

Resume:

2-time PBA MVP (2000 and 2001)

Rookie of the year (1998)

7-time All Star

All Star MVP (2005)

4. Vergel Meneses (1992)

A Superstar heavy bomber and was considered the next-Samboy Lim in his PBL days, Vergel was already making a name for himself as a future PBA star, so Presto quickly chose him as their #1 pick in the 1992 Draft.

Although The Aerial Voyager didn’t won the Rookie of the Year and was beaten by Bong Ravena. Vergel bounced back immediately the following years by winning the Most Improved Player and MVP award and giving Sunkist two titles, and an almost grandslam in 1995. A member of the 25 greatest in the PBA, Vergel is certainly one of the best number 1 picks ever.

Resume:

PBA MVP (1995)

Most Improved Player (1993)

Bronze Medalist (Asian Games 1998)

11-time All Star

4-time All Star MVP (1995,1998,2000,2003)

25 greatest PBA Players

5. Willie miller (2001)

The “Thriller” didn’t start his pro career in PBA. After a successful PBL and NCAA stint, Miller opted to join the Nueva Ecija Patriots at the now-defunct MBA, but after disappointing seasons in the MBA, Miller joined the PBA with Red Bull making him as its #1 pick.

Miller didn’t flourished quickly with Red Bull because he had to play back-up to starting guard Jimwell Torion, but after 1 year with Red Bull, he quickly became a reliable point guard and an instant superstar because he became the league’s MVP with just 1 season in the league. Miller was always shifted to other teams, but that didn’t stopped him from retaining his superstar status as he quickly transformed his teams to championship-caliber ball clubs. He earned his 2nd MVP at Alaska after leading them to their 1st championship after 5 years.

Resume:

2-time PBA MVP (2002, 2007)

11-time All Star

PBA All-star co MVP w/ JayJay Helterbrand (2007)

Honorable mentions: Marlou Aquino (1996), Kelly Williams (2006), Dennis Espino (1995)

5 worst picks

1. Alejandro Araneta

The only article that I can find in the internet is a phrase in Alaska’s Wikipedia that says ” The team had the top pick in the draft and grabbed Alex Araneta out of Ateneo. But in later years, Araneta was considered a bust and was out of the league by 1997.”

Resume:

none

2. Peter Jao (1990)

1990 draft was considered one of the worst in the History. Only Gido Babilonia and Gerry Esplana( 1990 rookie of the year)  are the players who had decent PBA careers. Now for Peter Jao, I can’t even find an article or an item about him in the internet! Is he related to “Dr. J” Andy Jao?hihihi.

Resume:

None

3. Yancy de Ocampo

One of the Top 20 PBL Players of all-time, Yancy was considered as the franchise player of FedEx as he was the first ever pick of Fedex so it was expected that he will be the cornerstone of the franchise. Skilled with a good low-post movement and a reliable outside shot, the 6-9 center didn’t met the expectations of Fedex so he was shifted to Talk n’ Text and now with Brgy. Ginebra.

Resume:

2007 PBA Mythical 2nd-team

4. Jack tanuan (1988)

The 1988 class was full of talent, but some talents were direct-hire rookie free agents like  Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa and Ronnie Magsanoc, so the draft was left to only a few players like the late Jack Tanuan and Samboy Lim. Jack Tanuan wasn’t a bust but was actually a contributor to the teams he played for like Purefoods and Swift, but what made me put him in this list is the fact that he was chosen as the 1st pick instead of The Skywalker Samboy Lim.

Resume:

Won two titles with Purefoods and two titles with Swift

5. Rich Alvarez (2004)

Rich Alvarez a two-time UAAP MVP and a PBA Rookie of the year, had a great start in the PBA. He met expectations during his early years but later on, was side-lined with injuries that prompted his many PBA teams to shift him. He has been shifted 5-times and now plays with Talk n Text in a reserved role. Alvarez had a great potential as a rookie but was overshadowed in the later years by his great batchmates James Yap, Marc Pingris, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David and many others (2004 draft class was considered as one of the finest).

Resume:

Rookie of the year (2004)

1 time member of the All defensive team

Honorable mention: Paolo Mendoza (2000)

Will JV Casio be considered one of the best or one of the worst? Let’s watch out and see!

Matthew 18:20 says that “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” As officers we just want the activity to be focused on JESUS not really caring of whether, “Sana Madaming umattend, Sana masiyahan sila”, we decided upon ourselves that there is no such thing as a perfect event but there is such a thing as being UNITED in having one goal, which is to Glorify God. God is really true to His promise that He will add everything to us if we seek Him first (Matthew 6:33) and God is really great that He did gave us everything that we needed, from the big attendance (200+ young people), attendance from all the nine churches of QCPACE-NWD, the budget and support form the nine churches,  (especially to the Puno UMC for sponsoring the venue and for lending its equipments) and positive feedback from the youth regarding the program. We were able to acquire all that we needed and all of that is because of our one Goal to Glorify God.

Rev. David Sablan Jr. of Puno United Methodist Church was the speaker for the DYF. His message focused on faith and emphasizing that one can’t have that faith without accepting Jesus as their Personal Savior (4 young people accepted Jesus as their personal Savior during the altar call). The Northwest District Band and the PUMC Band led the praise and worship for the 200+ in attendance.

Building a strong, healthy and growing church is only possible if its foundation is centered in Christ and all of its people are united in that foundation. The MYF as part of the United Methodist Church believes that their contribution in this foundation in Christ is essential, and having activities like the DYF will surely be a contribution in uniting the young people in building a foundation that is centered in Christ.

CHRIST ABOVE ALL!

- Ace C. Acosta

Christian Nurture Formation Head

QC PACE-NWD MYF