April comes along. With the excitement that I have for the sixth season of Game of Thrones, I also have certain things to be really grateful for this April.
Just before the fourth month of the year kicked off, I was able to reunite with some people from DZRB as we went there to support the STI students who will have their turns now to be the interns at the Bureau. It was a great experience. It was nice to lecture and share memories to the younger generations of student trainees.
April 2 became the climax of my entrance to the month as I became busy assisting my fellow ZPMI members for the most awaited launching of our album named Worthy. The concert was spearheaded by Michael Alba who directed the album. Such a joy in spite of the fatigue. There is so much story to tell about making music and singing praises.
A year ago, I was with Aizee that same date April 2. It was a Good Friday and we were left at Vien's residence to share that wonderful moment as friends talking about everything under the sun. I am expecting a very good April as we continue vacation time this summer.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Memories From Long Weekend Snaps
here we are right now, trying to grasp of the air left for our laid back bodies exhausted by the Holy Week. Yes we were busy every Holy Week. It is a prayerful week but it is also a week where we made family bond and friendship stronger.
I made it a point that Daniell Coby will experience his first Semana Santa this year. He was able to attend all the liturgical activities in Church for the Holy Week starting with the Last Supper Mass last Thursday, the Veneration of the Cross which happened last Friday including the end of the procession at the Church grounds. Lastly the Easter Vigil which happened last Saturday night. The only activity which he wasn't able to attend was the Salubong because he was dropped at bed sleeping.
Coby was also able to experience the swimming getaway which happens every Black Saturday here in the province. Just like me, he is a person who enjoys water a lot.
On the part two of our swimming party I did not let him join it because our initial venue of choice was Bunga Falls. However, we weren't able to get in there because of the high volume of tourists already enjoying the waters. We decided to move to another venue in Sabang which is RGO Resort. There, together with Jay-r and Joseph, we met Gilbert and his family. We had fun eating and drinking and swimming. This Holy Week is something to remember for the rest of the year and perhaps for the rest of history.
I made it a point that Daniell Coby will experience his first Semana Santa this year. He was able to attend all the liturgical activities in Church for the Holy Week starting with the Last Supper Mass last Thursday, the Veneration of the Cross which happened last Friday including the end of the procession at the Church grounds. Lastly the Easter Vigil which happened last Saturday night. The only activity which he wasn't able to attend was the Salubong because he was dropped at bed sleeping.
Coby was also able to experience the swimming getaway which happens every Black Saturday here in the province. Just like me, he is a person who enjoys water a lot.
On the part two of our swimming party I did not let him join it because our initial venue of choice was Bunga Falls. However, we weren't able to get in there because of the high volume of tourists already enjoying the waters. We decided to move to another venue in Sabang which is RGO Resort. There, together with Jay-r and Joseph, we met Gilbert and his family. We had fun eating and drinking and swimming. This Holy Week is something to remember for the rest of the year and perhaps for the rest of history.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Jesus Love Supreme Over Everything
In this very Holy Week I write about the love of Jesus. I don't want to dwell in the sinfulness of man. I just want to praise the greatness of Jesus' love which enabled all of us to attain heaven. The eternal life promised is now possible because of Jesus. How marvelous!
In the Bible, the august Word of God, the record of this all encompassing love has been repeated over and over. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we read of the first man and woman who sinned and used the leaves as covers for their bodies. God eventually has to kill an animal so that He clothe them back to their dignity. That symbolic act of putting back their dignity is a precedent sign as to how Jesus will be killed so that the dignity of sinful humanity may be restored.
Still in Genesis we read about Abraham asked by God to offer Isaac, his only son, in a holocaust. Abraham became the picture of the Almighty Father who because of His great love for the world, offered His son for forgiveness of sins. This thesis of the Divine offering of God is summed up in John 3 verse 16. Many times in the Old Testament, one will be amazed by how the picture of Jesus Christ is shown as its most prominent figure. Everyone was waiting for the Savior. The Old Testament is a very long Advent Season of Christianity. More than that, it is a detailed account of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.
However, the Love of Christ is experienced all the more by humanity when assumed our nature. Jesus incarnated. He took the form of our lowly being and became one with us, among us. Truly Emmanuel in all senses of the word. Jesus is God who became man but i also believe that Jesus is Love who became Grace. None of us deserve to be near him. None of us deserve to be treated by him. Yet he exploded compassion when he came here. He has made pity a normal act. He became Prince of Mercy to everyone. And in return what did humanity disbursed him? We wrecked havoc in his humility. He was tormented, he was mocked, spitted, and tried without system. He was disdained and accused. He was lashed in pillars and crowned with piercing stems. He walked in shame and contempt, dropped three times while carrying a heavy crossed. Stripped of his garments. Made a laughing stock by soldiers drinking soaks and lastly died beside two criminals.
Jesus deserves to be your redeemer. For at every time you feel like the world torments you and cast you out you can rely that He knows how it feels. He has been there. There is nothing in this life that Jesus wasn't able to penetrated let alone he doesn't know. Nothing in reality that Jesus is ignorant about. When you feel like everyone you loved turned their backs on you. You will know how Jesus felt like when all his friend ran away as he was arrested by the Roman soldiers. When you feel like you are unfairly tried by board members and authorities. You know that Jesus had been there and he was tried without evidences or right for counsel. When you feel like you are dying and afraid of it you know that Jesus begged the Father for his life too and he died. He died. There is nowhere that Jesus wasn't able to go. He went through death for you and he conquered so that you have nothing to fear. The love of Jesus reigns supreme over all the tragedies and miseries of life. You wouldn't have time to think of all catastrophes in life because His love trumps it every time.
He was love from the beginning. He is grace through it all. I like to point out how many times did Jesus became Grace to humanity in different ways;
1. Jesus is the Grace of Dignity. No one deserves him. And yet the first thing he did to start his ministry is to do a humble posture of baptism. He allowed John the Baptizer to baptize him even amid the reluctance of John to do so. John knew that no one is worthy to untie the strap of his sandals and yet Jesus was willing for it. He puts dignity to our lowly humanity. He respects us in spite of our sinful being. He chose his twelve inner circle councilors. These are people of terrible backgrounds. They were nobodies except for the Sons of Zebedee who are elite-recognized in their respective communities. They were not politicians nor are they Levites, just nobodies. Jesus was able to make a somebody out of a nobody.
2. Jesus is the Grace of Fulfillment. In the New Testament, Jesus comes as the perfection and fulfillment of all laws and prophecies. He actually did. He made the perfect law out of the many Mosaic laws constructed by the scribes throughout the years. He embodied all the prophecies of the Old Testament. He quenched the thirst of the woman at the well. He fed the 5,000 when he multiplied the bread and the fish. He completes every thing and he satisfies everyone. He is food for the hungry, sight for the blind, light for the weary and savior of the lost.
3. Jesus is the Grace of Victory. Jesus is the triumphant Lord of all. He is praised by the angels as the victor. He is champion of humanity. He conquered the force of nature. Many times Jesus controlled the events of nature in his lifetime. Once, he was sleeping at the boat, his disciples woke him up only to chide him that they are perishing from the storm that hit them in the middle of the lake. Jesus stood up and commanded the storm to shut up. The storm immediately cease and it earn the tremble of the disciples asking themselves who this man could be. Not only did Jesus conquered the force of nature. He conquered death. Even before he resurrected he was able to resuscitate three dead persons. First, the daughter of Jairus. Second the son of a widow he met while walking on the road. Lastly, he raised his best friend Lazarus. He can defy death and death submits to him.
The power of Jesus only became applicable to mankind because of the love of Christ. The love of Christ is always pre dominant to his power for without his love, no one can ever experience the power of Christ shown in redemption history. As we continue reflecting on the Holy Week message, we concentrate more particularly not on the process of redemption but on the love of Christ poured out for our heavenly and earthly welfare.
In the Bible, the august Word of God, the record of this all encompassing love has been repeated over and over. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we read of the first man and woman who sinned and used the leaves as covers for their bodies. God eventually has to kill an animal so that He clothe them back to their dignity. That symbolic act of putting back their dignity is a precedent sign as to how Jesus will be killed so that the dignity of sinful humanity may be restored.
Still in Genesis we read about Abraham asked by God to offer Isaac, his only son, in a holocaust. Abraham became the picture of the Almighty Father who because of His great love for the world, offered His son for forgiveness of sins. This thesis of the Divine offering of God is summed up in John 3 verse 16. Many times in the Old Testament, one will be amazed by how the picture of Jesus Christ is shown as its most prominent figure. Everyone was waiting for the Savior. The Old Testament is a very long Advent Season of Christianity. More than that, it is a detailed account of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.
However, the Love of Christ is experienced all the more by humanity when assumed our nature. Jesus incarnated. He took the form of our lowly being and became one with us, among us. Truly Emmanuel in all senses of the word. Jesus is God who became man but i also believe that Jesus is Love who became Grace. None of us deserve to be near him. None of us deserve to be treated by him. Yet he exploded compassion when he came here. He has made pity a normal act. He became Prince of Mercy to everyone. And in return what did humanity disbursed him? We wrecked havoc in his humility. He was tormented, he was mocked, spitted, and tried without system. He was disdained and accused. He was lashed in pillars and crowned with piercing stems. He walked in shame and contempt, dropped three times while carrying a heavy crossed. Stripped of his garments. Made a laughing stock by soldiers drinking soaks and lastly died beside two criminals.
Jesus deserves to be your redeemer. For at every time you feel like the world torments you and cast you out you can rely that He knows how it feels. He has been there. There is nothing in this life that Jesus wasn't able to penetrated let alone he doesn't know. Nothing in reality that Jesus is ignorant about. When you feel like everyone you loved turned their backs on you. You will know how Jesus felt like when all his friend ran away as he was arrested by the Roman soldiers. When you feel like you are unfairly tried by board members and authorities. You know that Jesus had been there and he was tried without evidences or right for counsel. When you feel like you are dying and afraid of it you know that Jesus begged the Father for his life too and he died. He died. There is nowhere that Jesus wasn't able to go. He went through death for you and he conquered so that you have nothing to fear. The love of Jesus reigns supreme over all the tragedies and miseries of life. You wouldn't have time to think of all catastrophes in life because His love trumps it every time.
He was love from the beginning. He is grace through it all. I like to point out how many times did Jesus became Grace to humanity in different ways;
1. Jesus is the Grace of Dignity. No one deserves him. And yet the first thing he did to start his ministry is to do a humble posture of baptism. He allowed John the Baptizer to baptize him even amid the reluctance of John to do so. John knew that no one is worthy to untie the strap of his sandals and yet Jesus was willing for it. He puts dignity to our lowly humanity. He respects us in spite of our sinful being. He chose his twelve inner circle councilors. These are people of terrible backgrounds. They were nobodies except for the Sons of Zebedee who are elite-recognized in their respective communities. They were not politicians nor are they Levites, just nobodies. Jesus was able to make a somebody out of a nobody.
2. Jesus is the Grace of Fulfillment. In the New Testament, Jesus comes as the perfection and fulfillment of all laws and prophecies. He actually did. He made the perfect law out of the many Mosaic laws constructed by the scribes throughout the years. He embodied all the prophecies of the Old Testament. He quenched the thirst of the woman at the well. He fed the 5,000 when he multiplied the bread and the fish. He completes every thing and he satisfies everyone. He is food for the hungry, sight for the blind, light for the weary and savior of the lost.
3. Jesus is the Grace of Victory. Jesus is the triumphant Lord of all. He is praised by the angels as the victor. He is champion of humanity. He conquered the force of nature. Many times Jesus controlled the events of nature in his lifetime. Once, he was sleeping at the boat, his disciples woke him up only to chide him that they are perishing from the storm that hit them in the middle of the lake. Jesus stood up and commanded the storm to shut up. The storm immediately cease and it earn the tremble of the disciples asking themselves who this man could be. Not only did Jesus conquered the force of nature. He conquered death. Even before he resurrected he was able to resuscitate three dead persons. First, the daughter of Jairus. Second the son of a widow he met while walking on the road. Lastly, he raised his best friend Lazarus. He can defy death and death submits to him.
The power of Jesus only became applicable to mankind because of the love of Christ. The love of Christ is always pre dominant to his power for without his love, no one can ever experience the power of Christ shown in redemption history. As we continue reflecting on the Holy Week message, we concentrate more particularly not on the process of redemption but on the love of Christ poured out for our heavenly and earthly welfare.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
She Still Remains
As I spend the day with my family in a very critical yet memorable date, I can't help but reflect on how much of an impact Lara Faye has made into my life.
For 13 years now there has been no other woman who made drastic changes in the way I live my life than she. The first person I can think of when I hear the word "wife" is she. All the best romantic memories and dreams that I have belongs to her person. Though I have moved on and let go of many things about her and her connection to my life, it is very hard to just unlearn some habits that are actually embedded into one's soul. As a claim from scholar says "You only fall in love once, the rest are product of infatuation." Could it be that the only time I fell in love is when I did fell in love with Lara Faye? However, that will sound so tragic given the very limited romance that happened between us.
As an existential person, it is my duty to make more meaningful events in my life which means augmenting more meaningful persons who incorporate with my life. I wish a happy birthday for Lara Faye. It doesn't mean I want her back in my life. She is happy wherever she is now. I know that in my heart. She is meant to live without me. If I will be asked, do I still love her I'd answer yes. But this is a very different love now. The love that doesn't desire her to be my wife. She will always remain in my heart. Still the most special girl until the woman of my life arrives.
One day,all of us will understand why our paths crossed and why did it all have to be a frustrating story. Up to that point, all we can do is hope for the best for each other. I ma praying for her every night so as to whoever is the guy who makes her happy. I know that Ronel takes good care of her. Her family is also special to me. All the memories. My high school life is one color brighter because of her memory. I could not have survived my college life if not for my dreams to pursue her. In every step of the way during my college life, she is a part of it. I can never be grateful enough.
Now, she's a part no longer. I have decided to continue it without her. She remains in the heart but not in my life anymore. She needs to be free. She can never be free if she's still the object of all my goals.
To the woman who added the best colors in my life;
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
For 13 years now there has been no other woman who made drastic changes in the way I live my life than she. The first person I can think of when I hear the word "wife" is she. All the best romantic memories and dreams that I have belongs to her person. Though I have moved on and let go of many things about her and her connection to my life, it is very hard to just unlearn some habits that are actually embedded into one's soul. As a claim from scholar says "You only fall in love once, the rest are product of infatuation." Could it be that the only time I fell in love is when I did fell in love with Lara Faye? However, that will sound so tragic given the very limited romance that happened between us.
As an existential person, it is my duty to make more meaningful events in my life which means augmenting more meaningful persons who incorporate with my life. I wish a happy birthday for Lara Faye. It doesn't mean I want her back in my life. She is happy wherever she is now. I know that in my heart. She is meant to live without me. If I will be asked, do I still love her I'd answer yes. But this is a very different love now. The love that doesn't desire her to be my wife. She will always remain in my heart. Still the most special girl until the woman of my life arrives.
One day,all of us will understand why our paths crossed and why did it all have to be a frustrating story. Up to that point, all we can do is hope for the best for each other. I ma praying for her every night so as to whoever is the guy who makes her happy. I know that Ronel takes good care of her. Her family is also special to me. All the memories. My high school life is one color brighter because of her memory. I could not have survived my college life if not for my dreams to pursue her. In every step of the way during my college life, she is a part of it. I can never be grateful enough.
Now, she's a part no longer. I have decided to continue it without her. She remains in the heart but not in my life anymore. She needs to be free. She can never be free if she's still the object of all my goals.
To the woman who added the best colors in my life;
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Friday, March 11, 2016
I'm Not The Myth
I wish I am the man you've always wanted to be.
I wish I can agree to all the accolades you want to give me when I celebrate my birthdays.
I wish I was the man you were talking about when you speak of ideal things in your life.
Sad that I am just a man. I am no extraordinaire. I am a man who depends on God's grace more than I depend on my wherewithal. I am no greater than anyone I once thought I was.
I have encountered things that I can't even do which for others are just as easy as ABC.
This is the reason why we need to find our core gift. In realizing that not all of us can make it to success by ourselves, we look for mentors who will help us find our core gifts. When we focus on our core gifts, we worry less. We see more possibilities than struggles.
Just last Sunday, Coby and I went to the Mass in OFM Novitiate house. There was something in my nephew that makes me admire him. He has a special core gift. He has natural woo ability. He treats other child as playmates and never as enemies. Many times I have encountered toddlers who naturally have tendencies to hurt other children. Coby has natural kindness and solidarity.
I am not the myth, you're grandma told you about. But I know I was born to help form the myth which one day will stun the world.
I wish I can agree to all the accolades you want to give me when I celebrate my birthdays.
I wish I was the man you were talking about when you speak of ideal things in your life.
Sad that I am just a man. I am no extraordinaire. I am a man who depends on God's grace more than I depend on my wherewithal. I am no greater than anyone I once thought I was.
I have encountered things that I can't even do which for others are just as easy as ABC.
This is the reason why we need to find our core gift. In realizing that not all of us can make it to success by ourselves, we look for mentors who will help us find our core gifts. When we focus on our core gifts, we worry less. We see more possibilities than struggles.
Just last Sunday, Coby and I went to the Mass in OFM Novitiate house. There was something in my nephew that makes me admire him. He has a special core gift. He has natural woo ability. He treats other child as playmates and never as enemies. Many times I have encountered toddlers who naturally have tendencies to hurt other children. Coby has natural kindness and solidarity.
I am not the myth, you're grandma told you about. But I know I was born to help form the myth which one day will stun the world.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Empowering Our Youth Today
In John 4 verses 1 – 21, we can read the story of Jesus and his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. This colloquy between a male Jew and a female Samaritan eventually ended as a moment of conversion more than just a conversation. What seemed to be a moment of disparity in the beginning became a moment of discipleship in the end. I think it is power of Jesus who turned the water into wine and turning sinners into saints that can make it all possible.
I have to confess that John 4 is one of my favorite Gospel periscope. Jesus was made famous by his first miracle of turning water into wine and now here he is, asking for water from a notarized sinful woman. It is a puzzle to many why she would fetch water from the well in the middle of the sun. Most women fill their jars at dusk. It is pretty obvious that she’s trying to avoid the company of other women. She is a subject of gossip and lascivious issues from among the residences of the neighborhood. The woman is a nobody. She doesn’t have a name. Jesus does. Jesus is also the content of the news around the town but it is of well dignified matter. She was a subject of gossip. Jesus is a man, she is a woman. Jesus is a Jew, she is not. Jesus is sinless, she is a sinner. Jesus is powerful, she is powerless. But in this particular moment in their crossroad lives, the tables were turned. Jesus is thirsty and she has a jar.
Jesus, the most powerful man to ever walk in the planet was asking for water to drink. She is not about to give him either. She is contained by the stereotype. She cannot reconcile what was happening. Her mind is telling her that this act is a no-no yet her heart feels pride in the fact that a man from the clean region of Judah is asking her for water. She’s taking pride of the jar she was holding. Her refusal paved a way for Jesus to strike a conversation…the conversation that will lead to her conversion. Jesus told her that if she only knew who it was who’s asking her for a drink she would be the one to ask for him something she might need. The woman still holding on and clinging to that one ace of card she had at her disposal to assert her once in a lifetime found power over a Jew made a sterling comment in question, are you greater than “our father” Jacob who made this well?
Jesus must have felt her. Jesus , upon hearing those words, wept deep inside in knowing that the woman was lost. She needs to move up. She wants to move up. Her entirety has been tortured by the sins from which the enemy has deceived her all this time. The enemy lured her into sensation. She was deceived that sensual pleasure is all that matters in her life forgetting about the other faculties that she has; her intellect, her freewill [to be used properly], her prayer life. All of these, were bonded into captivity for a very very long time and the absence made her the weak and evincible person that she is today. But Jesus came and felt all the pain. The absence of those faculties in her life made the void in her heart more than visible for Jesus to see. And Jesus came to fill the thirst in his stomach, yes. But more than that he came to fill the vacuum in her soul.
The conversation went on. It was long for the woman answered all Jesus’ statement with resistance. However, later in their dialogue things started to change in the favor of the Son of Man. The woman noticed that Jesus is different from everyone else she had seen in her life. She had been with a number of men. She slept with a number of men actually. She knew all their stories, their discrepancies. She knew their whims and their desires. She knew what they only wanted from her. Something they can get from her. This man, she noticed doesn’t need anything from her. He is full. He is complete. He is not even in need of the water from the well. He made her see that she was in need. This man, talking to her at the very instance is actually offering her something to give; The Word of eternal life. This Word which is by far more important than the water from the well. It made her exclaim, “I can sense that you are a prophet”, she knew that the Messiah will come and she asked herself if this could be the Messiah. After confirming her gut feel, she rushed to the neighborhood and told them about the man. She left her jar, the only object that provided her of temporal authority and went to the very community that she was trying to avoid all this time. Something has changed.
I like this story because Jesus offered us from here the exact methodology of life coaching. Life coaching is a transformative activity. It is not only transformative but it is progressive. It is not only progressive but it is affirmative. It should bring out the best out of the client who is being coached.
First of all Jesus “Entered” the territory of the woman. It is not invasion. Jesus did no trespass. Jesus was courteous. He asked for water. He knocked at her heart. He was waiting for her to give him something. Jesus did not coerced her to listen to his preaching. Jesus introduced himself gradually. Jesus “Entertained” her inquisitive mood. Jesus was not only giving her answers. Jesus was willing to listen. Jesus “Enjoyed” her company. They talked about the well, the water of life, and later would you believe, they talked about the place of worship. Jesus prophesied about the coming of digital age where people can worship in any place at any time because prayer tools will be accessible wherever they are. Jesus not only talked with the woman. He talked with sense. He was able to bring out the best of the woman’s knowledge about religion, something which the woman has never touched into conversation with her men before. He “Enlightened” the woman. After everything was said, the life coach must not only be a compassionate listener, the life coach is also a person who enlightens the patient or the client about the circumstances of life and the consequences of one’s actions. Jesus made her know about her own life. Jesus provided her a mirror to reflect on things that she had been doing. The woman realized that she was captive of her own desires for many years. Jesus showed her that there are better things than the pleasure that can give her, a life with a purpose is something more worthwhile. Lastly, Jesus “Empowered” the woman. Jesus did not only educate her about the truth. Jesus allowed her to share the truth. At once, she left her jar and went to the town and told them about Jesus. Jesus preached in Samaria, a place that doesn’t accept native Jews, because a new persistent disciple helped open their doors to him.
Living a life for Jesus doesn’t end in knowing who Jesus was. It doesn’t end in entertaining Jesus into one’s life and family. It doesn’t end enjoying the stories of the Bible or the services and fellowship. It doesn’t end in holding a doctorate degree in theology or in biblical studies. The life of a disciple for Jesus must continue to grow into full maturity by taking on the mission of Christ. It is essential to know that Jesus empowers all the believers so that we can also share his love to others. In doing so, we leave the things that may impede our performance of the mission. Early in our ministerial life, we are asked to identify which among the things in our lives are the jars that we need to leave. Those we keep on clinging to because we feel that they give us power and authority. For some, it is the worry and anxiety about financial or medical issues. Leave that. For some, it is the rituals and traditions of long time ago which we are trying to preserve out of identity and customary. For some, it can be persons we can’t let go because of the pleasure and luxury they can provide us with. Jesus already empowered us and by empowering us it means that we won’t need anything to hold on for authority and power. We need to remember that Jesus is powerful. He liberated the Samaritan woman from the captivity of the enemy. He turned sinners into saints by his words alone. Life coaches and Christian mentors are also called to empower people.
Christian Life Coaches and Youth Empowerment
I have learned that power must be found. Sometimes, like wind, it is already there but cannot be noticed by our naked eyes. Many people are captives of culture, political regimes, frame of mind, and sometimes even by religion. Many are in wrong conceptions and in need of somebody to correct their information about themselves. Unfortunately, the largest number of people who are profaned by their surroundings and wrong understandings of life are the youth.
In some places, the youth are illiterate and uneducated. Still in some other places, the youth are misrepresented and misinformed, others are malnourished and neglected. In some rural areas, the children ages 10 and above are sold to slavery, abused, and even oppressed. Their weaknesses are being taken advantage of by some cruel and uncaring adults. The youth need to be empowered. Holistic Mentoring program is a system that is patterned after the growth of Christ as a human person. It is also anchored on the precept of God in his first commandment which is a love that requires the totality of the human person. To love the Lord with one’s whole heart, mind, soul, and strength means that the person is in complete consonance with all aspects of human life. No area of human personality must be neglected. Wherefore, mentors are called to empower the disciples being mentored. The youth particularly must be empowered to carry on the call of commissioning.
It is easy to understand why mentors need to be empowering. For so many years, it has been evident to the world how devastating the effect of disempowerment to the youth is to small scale communities and even to large scale countries. Victims of abuses have remained silent and continued to live lives in depression. There were instances when juvenile delinquencies have resulted to hate crimes and many mistreated adolescent even committed suicide. Living a life with no direction is simply a result of improper guidance and lack of empowerment. Youth must first be empowered before they learn to use power. By power we mean authority and freedom to do something independently. The question now is how mentors empower the youth.
We always follow the 3Ds of mentoring pattern. I have always told co-mentors that there are only three things that every mentors do whether in sports, music, or in family life. First, mentors find the Design. This is the level of mentoring where the mentor learns the personality and strength of the mentee/shadow. It will be easier for every mentor to empower their students if they know where the power lies. Potential came from the Latin word “potentia” which means power. Second, every mentor needs to show the Direction to their students. This is the level of mentoring where the mentor lays the ultimate blueprint of their students’ future. Lastly, mentors assist their students in reaching their Destination. It is the level of mentoring where the mentor’s give delegation of tasks, advices for the betterment of vision, and provide necessary ethical help to ensure that the student maintains the right path. This is empowerment in toto. Three Ds to remember; Design, Direction, and Destination.
We Christian mentors need to believe in our students and mentees. It is the love and the faith provided by their mentors that fully awakens the power within them. Until the time that we are sure they are ready to handle their power by themselves, mentors must remain the best supporters that guide and lifts their mentees’ internal stamina.
I have to confess that John 4 is one of my favorite Gospel periscope. Jesus was made famous by his first miracle of turning water into wine and now here he is, asking for water from a notarized sinful woman. It is a puzzle to many why she would fetch water from the well in the middle of the sun. Most women fill their jars at dusk. It is pretty obvious that she’s trying to avoid the company of other women. She is a subject of gossip and lascivious issues from among the residences of the neighborhood. The woman is a nobody. She doesn’t have a name. Jesus does. Jesus is also the content of the news around the town but it is of well dignified matter. She was a subject of gossip. Jesus is a man, she is a woman. Jesus is a Jew, she is not. Jesus is sinless, she is a sinner. Jesus is powerful, she is powerless. But in this particular moment in their crossroad lives, the tables were turned. Jesus is thirsty and she has a jar.
Jesus, the most powerful man to ever walk in the planet was asking for water to drink. She is not about to give him either. She is contained by the stereotype. She cannot reconcile what was happening. Her mind is telling her that this act is a no-no yet her heart feels pride in the fact that a man from the clean region of Judah is asking her for water. She’s taking pride of the jar she was holding. Her refusal paved a way for Jesus to strike a conversation…the conversation that will lead to her conversion. Jesus told her that if she only knew who it was who’s asking her for a drink she would be the one to ask for him something she might need. The woman still holding on and clinging to that one ace of card she had at her disposal to assert her once in a lifetime found power over a Jew made a sterling comment in question, are you greater than “our father” Jacob who made this well?
Jesus must have felt her. Jesus , upon hearing those words, wept deep inside in knowing that the woman was lost. She needs to move up. She wants to move up. Her entirety has been tortured by the sins from which the enemy has deceived her all this time. The enemy lured her into sensation. She was deceived that sensual pleasure is all that matters in her life forgetting about the other faculties that she has; her intellect, her freewill [to be used properly], her prayer life. All of these, were bonded into captivity for a very very long time and the absence made her the weak and evincible person that she is today. But Jesus came and felt all the pain. The absence of those faculties in her life made the void in her heart more than visible for Jesus to see. And Jesus came to fill the thirst in his stomach, yes. But more than that he came to fill the vacuum in her soul.
The conversation went on. It was long for the woman answered all Jesus’ statement with resistance. However, later in their dialogue things started to change in the favor of the Son of Man. The woman noticed that Jesus is different from everyone else she had seen in her life. She had been with a number of men. She slept with a number of men actually. She knew all their stories, their discrepancies. She knew their whims and their desires. She knew what they only wanted from her. Something they can get from her. This man, she noticed doesn’t need anything from her. He is full. He is complete. He is not even in need of the water from the well. He made her see that she was in need. This man, talking to her at the very instance is actually offering her something to give; The Word of eternal life. This Word which is by far more important than the water from the well. It made her exclaim, “I can sense that you are a prophet”, she knew that the Messiah will come and she asked herself if this could be the Messiah. After confirming her gut feel, she rushed to the neighborhood and told them about the man. She left her jar, the only object that provided her of temporal authority and went to the very community that she was trying to avoid all this time. Something has changed.
I like this story because Jesus offered us from here the exact methodology of life coaching. Life coaching is a transformative activity. It is not only transformative but it is progressive. It is not only progressive but it is affirmative. It should bring out the best out of the client who is being coached.
First of all Jesus “Entered” the territory of the woman. It is not invasion. Jesus did no trespass. Jesus was courteous. He asked for water. He knocked at her heart. He was waiting for her to give him something. Jesus did not coerced her to listen to his preaching. Jesus introduced himself gradually. Jesus “Entertained” her inquisitive mood. Jesus was not only giving her answers. Jesus was willing to listen. Jesus “Enjoyed” her company. They talked about the well, the water of life, and later would you believe, they talked about the place of worship. Jesus prophesied about the coming of digital age where people can worship in any place at any time because prayer tools will be accessible wherever they are. Jesus not only talked with the woman. He talked with sense. He was able to bring out the best of the woman’s knowledge about religion, something which the woman has never touched into conversation with her men before. He “Enlightened” the woman. After everything was said, the life coach must not only be a compassionate listener, the life coach is also a person who enlightens the patient or the client about the circumstances of life and the consequences of one’s actions. Jesus made her know about her own life. Jesus provided her a mirror to reflect on things that she had been doing. The woman realized that she was captive of her own desires for many years. Jesus showed her that there are better things than the pleasure that can give her, a life with a purpose is something more worthwhile. Lastly, Jesus “Empowered” the woman. Jesus did not only educate her about the truth. Jesus allowed her to share the truth. At once, she left her jar and went to the town and told them about Jesus. Jesus preached in Samaria, a place that doesn’t accept native Jews, because a new persistent disciple helped open their doors to him.
Living a life for Jesus doesn’t end in knowing who Jesus was. It doesn’t end in entertaining Jesus into one’s life and family. It doesn’t end enjoying the stories of the Bible or the services and fellowship. It doesn’t end in holding a doctorate degree in theology or in biblical studies. The life of a disciple for Jesus must continue to grow into full maturity by taking on the mission of Christ. It is essential to know that Jesus empowers all the believers so that we can also share his love to others. In doing so, we leave the things that may impede our performance of the mission. Early in our ministerial life, we are asked to identify which among the things in our lives are the jars that we need to leave. Those we keep on clinging to because we feel that they give us power and authority. For some, it is the worry and anxiety about financial or medical issues. Leave that. For some, it is the rituals and traditions of long time ago which we are trying to preserve out of identity and customary. For some, it can be persons we can’t let go because of the pleasure and luxury they can provide us with. Jesus already empowered us and by empowering us it means that we won’t need anything to hold on for authority and power. We need to remember that Jesus is powerful. He liberated the Samaritan woman from the captivity of the enemy. He turned sinners into saints by his words alone. Life coaches and Christian mentors are also called to empower people.
Christian Life Coaches and Youth Empowerment
I have learned that power must be found. Sometimes, like wind, it is already there but cannot be noticed by our naked eyes. Many people are captives of culture, political regimes, frame of mind, and sometimes even by religion. Many are in wrong conceptions and in need of somebody to correct their information about themselves. Unfortunately, the largest number of people who are profaned by their surroundings and wrong understandings of life are the youth.
In some places, the youth are illiterate and uneducated. Still in some other places, the youth are misrepresented and misinformed, others are malnourished and neglected. In some rural areas, the children ages 10 and above are sold to slavery, abused, and even oppressed. Their weaknesses are being taken advantage of by some cruel and uncaring adults. The youth need to be empowered. Holistic Mentoring program is a system that is patterned after the growth of Christ as a human person. It is also anchored on the precept of God in his first commandment which is a love that requires the totality of the human person. To love the Lord with one’s whole heart, mind, soul, and strength means that the person is in complete consonance with all aspects of human life. No area of human personality must be neglected. Wherefore, mentors are called to empower the disciples being mentored. The youth particularly must be empowered to carry on the call of commissioning.
It is easy to understand why mentors need to be empowering. For so many years, it has been evident to the world how devastating the effect of disempowerment to the youth is to small scale communities and even to large scale countries. Victims of abuses have remained silent and continued to live lives in depression. There were instances when juvenile delinquencies have resulted to hate crimes and many mistreated adolescent even committed suicide. Living a life with no direction is simply a result of improper guidance and lack of empowerment. Youth must first be empowered before they learn to use power. By power we mean authority and freedom to do something independently. The question now is how mentors empower the youth.
We always follow the 3Ds of mentoring pattern. I have always told co-mentors that there are only three things that every mentors do whether in sports, music, or in family life. First, mentors find the Design. This is the level of mentoring where the mentor learns the personality and strength of the mentee/shadow. It will be easier for every mentor to empower their students if they know where the power lies. Potential came from the Latin word “potentia” which means power. Second, every mentor needs to show the Direction to their students. This is the level of mentoring where the mentor lays the ultimate blueprint of their students’ future. Lastly, mentors assist their students in reaching their Destination. It is the level of mentoring where the mentor’s give delegation of tasks, advices for the betterment of vision, and provide necessary ethical help to ensure that the student maintains the right path. This is empowerment in toto. Three Ds to remember; Design, Direction, and Destination.
We Christian mentors need to believe in our students and mentees. It is the love and the faith provided by their mentors that fully awakens the power within them. Until the time that we are sure they are ready to handle their power by themselves, mentors must remain the best supporters that guide and lifts their mentees’ internal stamina.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Welcome New Year of My Life
The entire Chinese community welcomed the Lunar New Year last Monday and together with them my friends and I culminated my entry to the 29th year. It is a celebration of welcoming a new year for my life.
Actually, the celebration is of two parts. First was done in Laguna where most of my old friends are residing and the second part we celebrated at the CCP Complex my third home.
These are some of the photos taken last Monday during my 29th birthday party. Attended by two of the closest couples to me, Aizee and Fericka with Mac and Vien, are my most special guests during that day. It was actually the happiest of 2016 so far.
Actually, the celebration is of two parts. First was done in Laguna where most of my old friends are residing and the second part we celebrated at the CCP Complex my third home.
These are some of the photos taken last Monday during my 29th birthday party. Attended by two of the closest couples to me, Aizee and Fericka with Mac and Vien, are my most special guests during that day. It was actually the happiest of 2016 so far.
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