Practical Christian Living

Well, I don't know. I'm writing here because I'm preparing for tomorrow's talk on "Practical Christian Living" for IVCF's LCDC at Lipa City.

Here are some of what I am going to share tomorrow:

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. -John 4

“We must learn that Christian Living has something to do with real life. It has to do with our family life, school, dorm 24/7. I think that Jesus is saying to us what living like Him is all about- it affects all our daily life, how we walk, talk, react, study and work."

No matter where you are, Jesus meets you there.

No matter what others call you, Jesus knows your name.

No matter what you’ve done, Jesus won’t reject you.

This is what Jesus meant  when he started conversing with the woman.

This is what practical Christianity is all about.

Christian Living becomes “PRACTICAL” only when we learn to meet others where they are, journey with them and accept them as they are.

Practical Christian Living is in itself evangelistic. It means that our life, our worship, our day-to-day activities is a strong testimony to others that they may see WHO Jesus is and that He is WAY to eternal life.

Recommended Reading: John 4:23-26

Do pray for me. Thanks!

Fire Burns by John Owens Ministered to me again

So I attended the last service of Victory UPLB this evening and guess what. The song set my heart burning and burning and I pray it will not end... I was having LSS of the song when I did my run after the service (well, after the singing, I left after the songs).

Here's the lyrics and video from Youtube, listen and meditate on the song:

Don't wanna go back Lord
to the way I used to live
the way I used to live
I won't go back Lord
to the way I used to be
before you rescue me..

I will not stop
til' every tribe and nation
bows before You..
I will not stop
til' they all see your glory
see your glory..

Lift up your eyes to see
The glory of the Lord is on the earth
Arise.. Arise.. Arise..

CHORUS
Your Fire Burns within me
Burn within me with your fire

BRIDGE
Arise generation no longer forsaken
Arise, Arise, Arise

My favorite part would be "I will not stop til' every tribe and nation bows before You.. I will not stop til' they all see your glory see your glory..


Yes, this is my heart's desire before and until now it beats a rhythm in the bottom of my heart.

Manila Hostage Crisis Prayer

As much as I want to be updated with what's happening in my country, I think I better turn off the news. Stop finger pointing. Dig deep in my heart and ask God what to do now?

I feel sorry for Mendoza's family and the HK nationals. It just tells us how viral this cancer of sin is in our society.

But who's to blame? I say, I am.

Oh, God, I cry... heal our land! 

Reflections on Living with the Mangyans

"Nagpapasalamat ako dahil nakakapagtanim ako ng saging at sa kalabaw."

-Gerry, 10 years old Mangyan

Mangyan kids singing songs

I'm still reflecting on the things that happened to me last week, on the mountains of Mindoro Oriental amidst the Mangyans.


In our church (and I believe in many of our churches) we are expected to dress up, put a smile on our face (even we are still sleepy), shake hands, and say hi, pray and look good and okay (even though you are not). When there is an event, everyone is happy and there is food- lots of it. This is good, BUT...


Living with the Mangyan community in the San Teodoro mountains for 4 days I learned


1. Humility and Self-evaluation. Because of the muddy trail, I have no choice but to climb barefoot. My feet feeling every rock and muds on the ground. I can feel what the Mangyans feel at least for a while. I feel humbled. More than that, I learned to evaluate myself. I looked at myself and found that there are things that I that I really don't need. How about you?

Playing Snakes and Ladders

2. Patience and More Patience. The busy Manila streets and city life would pressure you to do more in less time; multi-task; and spread yourself too thinly in the stuffs you committed yourself to. The Mangyans are laid back, the young people play basketball the whole day, kids play. They don't worry about the things they need to do, or the food they will eat. They are patient, they now how to wait. Mind you, they know how to fall in line too! I saw this during the feeding we did.

3. Justice and Equality. On our way to the mountain, about 3 hours climb we met some natives going down with their carabao-drawn sledges carrying rambutans and lanzones to be sold in the market. They would sell those for P60 a kilo. Then those products will be sold by the middlemen at a higher price without any labor. So unfair!

Then we gave some old clothes, again so unfair! Why do we give old clothes to them and buy new clothes for us. Isn't just to satisfy our ego? Just to say that we did help. I am guilty! My heart is crying with this fact. Lord, have mercy and forgive me of my injustice. Can we call is charity if the things that we give the are the things they well deserve?
One thing more, the White Beach in Puerto Galera is their true home. They own that but who are those people who enjoy the benefits, the businesses, hotels and income? We have become to engrossed with ourselves getting rich and we forget equality and justice. Isn't that our Father, our God is a God of justice and equality. Then if I don't exhibit justice and equality, can I call myself His 'son'?
Thank God He is also the God of love and patience and mercy.

4. Contentment and Gratefulness. I eat 4-5 times a day in my house. They eat 2 times a day but I never heard them beg for food or ask for something. They just continue with their lives. I tried eating twice on our 3rd day just feel them and I am grateful to God for I can enjoy eating 3 or more times a day. Whatever food on the table is, I am thankful.

Rambutan

5. The Best Things in Life are Free. Edible ferns, banana, lanzones, rambutan, marang, papaya, ang many more. The Mangyan pastor said, "dito sa amin kapag may bunga/prutas hindi mo sya kailangang bilihin, hinihingi lang lahat yan." (here, when you saw some fruits and you like it, you don't have to buy it, just wask for it and we will give it to you). I think it a no-no to buy from them because they want to give it freely. Now, let me ask you as I asked myself, "Who is richer?" They or I?


Thanks to Doc Francis for the photos.

Snapshots Verses: Isaiah 52:7

Let's have some photoblogging today.

After some 2 hours of hike to Sipit, Saburan where 97 Mangyan families live.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet

of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation..."

- Isaiah 52:7 NIV

you can make it your wallpaper, just mention JeepneyJesus blog.

Ikaw ang Dios ng mga Mangyan

I just came down from the San Teodoro Mountain, Oriental, Mindoro- in Sipit-Saburan, Villaflor, Puerto Galera to be exact. It is a 3-hour ride and hike from White Beach, Puerto Galera were most tourist are found.

The 2nd team who went up the muddy trails

I decided to join this trip at the last moment with 2 simple reasons: to be with the community and to see again my some friends in the field- Paul, JM, Pre and Julius.

A typical Mangyan house

Some realizations during this mission exposure trip:

Mangyan community at Sipit-Saburan

1. I'm rich. I do not have a full-time paying job right now. By choice, I resigned form my work as a faculty member and prefect of a private HS in Los Banos. The money I used during this trip was given by my loving Ninang who loves to help missions-oriented endeavors. Anyway, looking on the situation of the Mangyans in the area, it broke my heart. On our way up, we met a lot of Mangyans bringing down their produce (rambutan and lanzones) with their carabao-drawn sledges, they are barefoot. And they would only sell the fruits P60 or less in the market. Thats hard work. I saw their houses which are bare with basic necessities- no bathroom, living room, dining area- just one room for everyone. One thing more, they don't eat 3x a day because they don't have something to feed on. Then you don't want to be close to them because they smell real bad. Still, God loves them and there are people willing to care. Kudos to Doc Francis, Paul B and Nikki. God loves the Mangyan through your hands and feet.

Feel them with your hearts and hands.

2. God is richer than I can think of. I wasn't that expectant that I can join this hike because I don't have money. But God provided at the right time. On the first realization, I told you that the Mangyans are to be pitied on, but God provides for them. They enjoy the fresh water for free. They don't have to buy 'mineral' water. God owns that stream from the mountains. God provides them with lots of fruits. During our last day, some young people gave us bananas which tastes better than DOLE bananas we buy at SM. Then after I taught basic guitar chords to Ariel (a 15-year old Mangyan), he gave me 4 pcs of Uloy or Marang. God has blesed them with a large natural plantation of edible ferns. It would take you years to harvest all the ferns available.

He loves what I cooked for him.

3. There are 7 kinds of Mangyan, 7 different tribes and God is the Lord of them all. If you haven't listened to Chris Tomlin's "God of this City," google it on the net and try listening (research too how was is written). Anyway, this song has a Sipit version that goes like this, 


"Ikaw ang Dios ng Sipit, Ikaw ang Hari ng Mangyan, Ikaw ang Dios ng kabundukan, Ikaw...
Walang katulad mo, wala ng hihigit Sa'Yo...
Marami pang magagawa, maraming pang mangyayari sa Sipit..."


My heart cried when I heard this version. True enough God showed that He is King of the Mangyan tribe when we learned that many believed in Christ as their Lord and Savior during the mission trip. And thats not all, more stories of changed lives and personal conversion stories not only from the Mangyan tribe but even to the volunteers. There is none like you Our Lord and Our God.

JM and Nikki teaching kids some action songs, let you small light shine!

Before I end this post, I would like to thank Ninang Oyie for sponsoring my expenses on this 5-day missions trip and Medical Ambassadors Philippines for leting me experience this journey. Thanks din pala Precious for putting the info on your Wall, that's how I learned about the trip. I'll join the trip to Tarlac next month ha. I want my heart to be broken again.


Pictures from Doc Francis, MAP Photos and mine.

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Some Realizations

"We need to resist making unhelpful distinctions where we play off one thing against another. Prayer for example, is not opposed to work; and the search for solitude is not opposed to active involvement in our world." -Charles Ringma

This sentence from Charles Ringma blew me off! Caught me off guard. Its been like forever when I last updated this spiritual journey of mine. Busy, I would say. Too busy to listen and make some realizations on life and spirituality. I focused so much on my other blog where I share my travels and running escapades. 

To be honest, I was groping in the dark. I had some reflections when I went on a 2-week backpacking trip but I always try not to focused on them. I can also remember the times where I spent conversing with God in an island off Guimaras and inside the chapel in Trappist monastery. Yes, I talk to God even in Catholic churches and I always find God there.

My point, I think our work or what keeps us busy or going is not opposed to prayer. We converse with God in our daily activities. I observed the Trappist monks that their work is their prayer. We can do that too!

Thank God I'm still in my sanity and I was able to have some solitude while involving myself to the community I'm in.

Just pray that I will make more time to update this journey. I want to look back on this blog and find the development God is doing in my life.

Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen

After graduation from seminary, a favorite professor of mine, Dr. Rene Chanco gave me a devotional book, "Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen" by Charles Ringma. I'm not really a fan of devotional as I want to have my readings straight from the Bible. But this particular book got me. When I started reading it, I was caught. My heart was pierced as with a double-edged sword. I always bring it when I'm out-of-town so as to reflect and dig deeper on my heart.

The past two months, I was looking for that book and I cannot find it. Good thing I have another book by Henri Nouwen "The Genesee Diary" which is his written account of his long spiritual retreat when he entered a Trappist Monastery. Which hopefully I can use to salvage my failing spirituality.


The whole point of this post? I miss my book "Dare to Journey" and I need to buy another one like that.

This is one of the reflections Charles Ringma shared on the book,

WASTED TIME: taking time for inner renewal (Suggested Reading: Psalm 46:10)

There is just so much that needs to be done. Extra demands at home and at work. More time with the family. Keeping up with our exercise program. planning the next holiday. time out for friends. Involvement in our children's school activities. Completing the new management course.

So we try to do more while our energies ebb away and we become like uprooted trees with our roots wildly gropping for  the sky. Thus we anxiously throw our arms toward heaven, praying for extra grace and special enabling, when instead we should be planted again in nourishing soil. That soil is not meant to make us do less, but to change our priorities so that we take time to be still. And in the stillness, find new strength and hope.

Henri Nouwen reminds us that "time given to inner renewal is never wasted." In fact it is the fuel for the journey, and more importantly, it is the discipline that will shape the fabric of our being.

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On Making Disciples (Part 2 of 2)

This is part 2 of the 2-part series on Discipleship we used during the FUSION Youth Ministry Planning Retreat at Baguio City last June 12-14, 2010. You can view part 1 HERE.

Ice Breaker Questions:

1. Who is Jesus in your life?
2. What’s the most challenging ‘word’ or ‘command’ you got from God?


WORD (Luke 5:1-11 NIV)

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.


MAKING DISCIPLES IS ALL ABOUT
1. Obedience (v.5)


2. Partnership (v.7)


3. Sacrifice (v.11)

Like what we usually do in Facebook, comment on this:

“Discipleship is relationship”

This statement hit the nail on the head. The right to disciple is earned through a framework of relationship. Joey Bonifacio, not only coined the term; he even entitled one his blog sites with it.

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Challenging Quotes:

"Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ."

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Change the campus, change the world!” 

-Rice Broocks

“In the spiritual life only one thing produces genuine joy and that is obedience.” 

-Richard Foster 

"One can believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and feel no personal loyalty to Him at all - 

indeed, pay no attention whatever to His commandments and His will for one's life."

-Catherine Marshall

“I always try to turn my personal struggles into something helpful for others.”

-Henri Nouwen

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. One important lesson from this passage and how will you put it into practice?

2. How is God talking/challenging you as of now?

3. Name 1 or 2 of your friends or relatives whom you want disciple for Jesus. Pray that you would have an opportunity to minister to them.

PRAYER

Again, thanks to Greenhills Christian Fellowship Paranaque, to our ever supporting Pastor, David dela Paz, Elder Laverne Demetria and Arnold Ordiales for organizing this timely planning retreat.

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On Being a Disciple (Part 1 of 2)

I just want to share the material we used during our recent planning retreat at Baguio City. I hope it can be of great use to you.

"ON BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS"

Ice Breaker Questions:
1. Who is the most influential person in your life?
2. While growing up, what is the most important lesson your parents told you. Do you still apply it in life?
2. Given 3 days off, whose company would like to be with?

WORD: Matthew 4:18-22 NIV

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him."

DISCIPLESHIP is to...

1. Follow Jesus (v.19)

2. Fushionize/Fellowship with other followers(vv.20-22)

3. Fish men (fish for non-followers) (v.19)

Like what we usually do in Facebook, comment on this:

“Anyone who follows Jesus is called to help others follow Him as well. When Jesus commissioned us to make disciples, He called us to reach out to our family and friends, teaching them to obey all that He commanded.”
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Some Challenging Quotes:

“Sow a thought and you reap an act; Sow an act and you reap a habit;

Sow a habit and you reap a  character; Sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

-Samuel Smiles

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

-Galadriel, Lord of the Rings

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”

-Jesus Christ

“He wants to make us like Jesus Christ before He takes us to heaven.

This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility and our ultimate destiny.”

-Rick Warren, PDL

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. One important lesson from this passage and how will you put it into practice?

2. Are there any commands of Jesus that you are having a hard time obeying right now??

3. Name three or more of your friends or relatives who do not have a relationship with Jesus. Pray

that you would have an opportunity to share the gospel with them soon.

PRAYER

Thanks to Greenhills Christian Fellowship Paranaque, to our ever supporting Pastor, David dela Paz, Elder Laverne Demetria and Arnold Ordiales for organizing this timely planning retreat.

Prayer from a Pastor's Heart

"Dakilang Maykapal, patawarin Nyo po kaming mga relihoyoso kay Kristo na walang pagmamalasakit sa aming Kapwa at Bansa. Patawarin Nyo po kami at baguhin ang kaisipan at kalooban tungo sa kabutihan ang aming mga barangay at pamayanan!"

-Ptr. Jack Alvarez (he is a pastor of a small church among the poor and the weak in Manila)

Cross of the Week: Open Your Eyes

"Buksan ang Iyong Mata"

This wooden cross is a shot from Jen Cas in La Roca Resort in Los Banos. Jen says that,

Kahit saan tayo tumingin there is always a cross signifying God is everywhere. We just need to look around and we will find it, even in simple things :) Minsan kasi, nakakalimutan natin na nandiyan si God kasi natatakpan ng kung anu-ano like problems, happiness etc. Pero kung pagmamasdan lang natin ang paligid, si God laging nakabantay lang.

(God is present in places if we choose to look for Him. It is hard to find Him if our hearts are not in tuned in finding Him.) 

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The Anonymous writer to the Hebrews says, 

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." 

-Hebrews 12:2  The Message

Kapag 'Di Ka Nag-Church, Di Mo Mahal si Lord

I was talking to a young people this afternoon. He confessed that he didn't attend the church service this afternoon. Bakit? "Naglaba kasi ako" was his reply. Adding, "Sabi ng guest speaker, 'Kapag hindi ka nagchurch, di mo daw mahal si Lord...' " Jokingly, my reply was, "Di mo pala love si Lord eh..." I know he got my point.

(Pic from www.oldmp.com)

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Question: Since when did going to church became the measurement of our love for the Lord? Para sa mga kababayan at kapatid sa Panginoon, "Kelan pa naging basehan ang pagsimba/pagsamba  ng ating pagmamahal kay Hesus?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against going to church. But to make it the measure of my love for God... means our janitor loves God more. 

WATCHATINK?

Cross of the Week: Let Your Cross Shine

This is the first on the theme CROSS this May and June. Every Monday we will feature a cross so stay tuned.

"Ang Iyong Krus ay Paliwanagin"

After 724 steps climb you will be welcomed with the huge steel cross on Mt. Tapyas, Coron, Palawan. This cross can be seen by navigating ships even from afar. A guide to travelers that Coron Island is already near.

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Interestingly, you cannot find the word "CROSS" in the Old Testament. There are 33 "cross" but are used as a verb (to cross, cross over Jordan river). 

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Photo Credits: Jeca Betco

Atheist Meets the Church Sound Technician.

Joketime muna after the serious Sunday Service.
Note: This story was in Tagalog but for the sake of foreign readers we will try our best to convey it in English. This happened in real life

Last Sunday after the worship service with the guest speaker preached for almost an hour (the battery in wireless microphone was drained because of the looooooooong message), the church technician in our church started to crack some jokes. So while waiting for our lunch I started to listen (Erap jokes first and then some jokes on Christianity). Hmmmm, I guess the looooong message was not yet enough for me- I was still looking for “the Message” now from the kwentuhan after the church service.

Our church technician (aka Mic) told of the story about an atheist (an atheist denies that there is God). Here it goes: The atheist was proud telling others that there is no God. He doesn’t believe there is one because he cannot see it. Then one of the listeners asked, “Why don’t you believe that there is God?” The atheist replied, “To see is to believe!” and added more proofs that God didn’t exist.

So the man made 3 illustrations (maybe he is a Baptist, he likes the 3-point outline).

He looked to the sky and saw an airplane. He asked the atheist, “Is there a pilot in that plane?” Without thinking twice, the atheist replied, “Yes there is! It will not fly without one.” “Good thing you know, even if you do not see the pilot” said the man.

“I bet you never doubted your mom as your true mother, that you really came from her,” the man added his second point. To which he replied, “Yes, without a single doubt, I came for her.” “But you didn’t see it, right?” said the man.

Lastly, the man asked the atheist, “Do you have a brain?” (Scratching his baldhead) The atheist replied, “Of course, I do!” The man said, “I don’t believe you! Because as you said to see is to believe.

Lesson: Not everything is experienced by our five senses, the air we cannot see but because of the breeze we believe it. The sun we cannot see, but because of the sunlight, we believe. Love we cannot see but because we feel it, we believe. God we cannot see, but after we believe we see.

Funny it may seem that I heard “The Message” from our sound technician. 

JeepneyJesus Needs Help...

Calling contributors, writers and photographers. I would like to share this blog to people who are with me in this journey called "life." It would be great to publish online your works, reflections, stories, drawings or anything you think will be of help, encouragement to others. Any idea is very much welcome para marami sumakay sa "jeepney" na ito.  Just ask the BARKER for more details. 

My Working Theme (What to expect in the future posts?)

JeepneyJesus or jeep ni Jesus aims to know more of the Jesus who walked and lived among us (John 1:14) 2000 years ago. 

The owner of this blog believes that Jesus can be known when viewed from an Asian perspective, applying our Oriental eyes and learning from the culture of His day. 

He himself is the Way in this crooked generation, the Truth in this pretentious world and the Life in this hopeless planet (John 14:6).  

Jesus is a rabbi, a prophet, a son, a brother, a carpenter, a friend, a simple man with a powerful life and message that turned the world upside down. The King who spoke of a Kingdom which cannot be seen with human eyes, a revolutionary leader who made his followers stout in sharing the good news that Jesus is the Savior, God of all. 

His uniqueness is unquestionable, his character irrefutable, his message unfathomable, his reign indisputable, his power immeasurable, his truth undeniable, his blessings uncontainable, his grace overwhelming, his love irresistible, and his kingdom unending.

got Jesus?