My site died and now it’s been resurrected!

Sorry for the delay in bringing it back up.

Thanks so much @dannyvanommen for your help. May the odds ever be in your favor.

Starting July 10, worship services at the Victory Fort will have a few adjustments.

This is to give our Taglish service a morning option.  It will also give our English services a later option in the morning.

Thus, our services will be

8 AM – Taglish
10 AM – English
12 NN – English
2 PM – Taglish
4 PM – Taglish
6 PM – English
8 PM – English

Here’s a promo for our 8 am services.

Remember, this schedule change will happen July 10.

It can’t be!

You’ve heard of that cliche – “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

That’s how it’s been with you, Jenn.

After 15 years, 4 kids, numerous trips with you, our kids, fun experiences, sad ones too …

You’re an awesome friend, confidant, companion, movie partner, popcorn partner, ‘watching-a-tv-series’ buddy (24, chuck, monk, big bang theory), someone to minister with…

Looking forward to the next 15 and more years.

I really, really don’t mind growing old with you… not at all.

It was good to get unplugged for a few days. Internet access was intermittent and mostly we were in the different islands of Coron, Palawan.

God’s created a beautiful planet. It was once again highlighted when we got to visit one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. I told Jenn, “the Philippines is really a beautiful country. We need to get out of the city more often and appreciate what God’s given us as a nation.”

Here’s a highlight video of our trip.

Gallup Poll made a research and surveyed 10,000 people.  They asked these 2 questions: “What leader has the most positive influence in your daily life?” and “Can you list 3 words that best describe what this person contributes to your life?”

You would expect the ‘usual suspects’ like purpose, wisdom, humor, humility, vision.

But it seems that the people gave a clear picture of what they want and need from the most influential leaders in their lives.

Here’s the list:

1. Trust

2. Compassion

3. Stability

4. Hope

Trust was on the top of the list.

One of the people that were interviewed said, “The truth is your bond- you die keeping your promises.  If you send the message that your word is not worth much, you’ll be paid back on that.”

The research revealed that “the chances of employees being engaged at work when they do not trust the company’s leaders are just 1 in 12.”

In stark contrast, the chances of employees being engaged at work are better than 1 in 2 if they trust the leadership of the organization.

Trust increases speed and efficiency in the workplace.  As Steven R. Covey would say in his book, “Nothing is as fast as the speed of trust.”

Best Buy’s Brad Anderson says “the key to building trust is being authentic, even if that means letting people see his flaws.  As a leader, he feels no choice but to be very candid – even when delivering difficult news – because that’s the only way to build trust.  It is the most cherished and valuable commodity in a work environment.”

More on the other 3 in my next post.

One of our leaders in church asked me a question the other day on the subject of drinking.

It’s a consistent topic that is often ask.  This one was particularly on drinking and being in ministry.

(I wrote a similar article in another post here)

I couldn’t give him a specific ‘rule’ because that’s not how life works.  Life is not about formulas and steps; nor a bunch of rules and regulations.  God has given us His Word to bring guidance.  Therefore, these principles will be at work whether you are in Europe or Asia, 70′s generation or millenial kids, below 18 or over 18 years old.

Here are 3 questions that might help you form guiding principles with regards to this topic.  In fact, these can be questions that can be asked not just in the area of drinking but in any area we are faced with in our daily lives.

1. Does it glorify God?

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

While drinking is not necessarily wrong, drunkenness clearly is.  Check out  Galatians 5:21 and 1 Peter 4:3.

Asking this question will bring us back into focus as to WHO we want to please – us or Him?  If I do this thing (not just drinking), will I glorify God?

2. Will it cause anyone to stumble?

Paul continues his point in 1 Corinthians 10:32, “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God…”

Causing someone to stumble would mean causing one to not follow Jesus because of the example we show.

We, by the way, are called to be His ambassadors.  We are no longer of the world (Peter calls us aliens in this world… haha) but we are definitely still in the world.

3. Is it a good example to follow?

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1)

When I do what I do and someone watches my life, is it a good example to follow?  Will they be encouraged to follow Christ as well?

With this being said, I want to book end this post by saying, we definitely cannot do this on our own.

We rely on the grace of God to glorify Him, to not cause anyone to stumble and to be a good example for others to imitate.  As Zechariah 4:6 clearly says, “not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”

And truly, His grace is sufficient.

I attended a Standard Operating Procedures training this afternoon at Victory Fort.   Because of the growth God’s been giving, coupled with it are challenges hinged to the growth.

Ms. Summer Parcon, a child psychologist shared about reasons why kids steal.

I just thought I’d share this with those who might be interested – parents, teachers, educators, kids church volunteers…

1. Poor impulse control

There may be many reasons for this.  One of which was permissive parenting.  When kids are given everything they want when they want, they may get frustrated when they don’t get what they want and resort to stealing.

2. Observational learning from adults.

If a child sees that daddy brings home office supplies, then they will think it’s also ok to do the same.

As Pastor Ferdie says it, “Monkey see, monkey do.”

3. Need for attention.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of family.  Surveys have shown us time and time again that when a child doesn’t get this at home, they will try to find it outside the home, even if that may cause them to do something they know is wrong.

4. Emotional lack

Lack of family closeness and support can be some of the reasons.  Kids who feel this may feel empty inside and may take things to fill that void.  There may be a lack of opportunity to express themselves so they displace it by taking other people’s things.

5. Peer pressure

One of our greatest needs as humans is the need to belong and to feel accepted.

Some want to appear tough, bold and important.  So when they get dared to get something that’s not theirs, they try to prove themselves to fit in.

6. Thrill and excitement

Stealing can lead to a sense of accomplishment.  It brings a certain rush.

7. Envy

Because of the influx of nice gadgets and stuff, kids might feel a pressure to have that item.

Hope this helps.