Don't Grow Weary In Doing Well

I am not a very complex person. I am actually quite simple-minded. I [tend to] see things in black and white. Right and wrong. Good and evil. I even used to be an idealist. Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't say I no longer am one; at heart, I still want to be. It's just that I've had more than my fair share of disappointments and frustrations along this long and wearisome journey we call Life. Which is why, I suspect, the admonition, which is the title of this [pick one] rant / blog / complaint / exasperated outburst, begins with a three-word encouragement: "don't grow weary". "Weary" strongly hints that there are things up ahead that will exhaust one's vigor, freshness and hope. "Grow" means that these expected obstacles and challenges will surely become more and more daunting and, with them, one's weariness will grow. "Don't" implies that one will, like it or not, eventually become weary for sure. And what will we grow weary of? Doing well. Doing good. Doing right. As a minister of the Gospel, I have stood behind many a pulpit, speaking to innumerable faces, and encouraged them to stay the course. To not stray from the path of righteousness. To not grow weary in doing well. But lately, I have had to live up to my many admonitions. I have had to go up against the daunting challenges and obstacles. I have tried to do [and keep doing!] the right thing. But at almost every turn I have been met, not so much with violent opposition, but by cold, almost autistic [apologies to all people with autism everywhere] obstinacy. And this from people who are ensconced in places of authority [I kid you not, as I was typing those previous words I heard someone exasperatedly wish death over those people out of utter frustration!], people who are supposed to be "public servants" but, when approached by the public, of which I am one, suddenly become snobbish, obstinate bureaucrats/demigods with arms crossed, apparently waiting for me to either jump through their hoops or bring them a virgin sacrifice. And I did. I jumped through their hoops. All of them! Which is quite the achievement, seeing as I can't even jump. Alas, when one of them put their hand out, palm-side up, I had no virgin sacrifice to bring. And that was when things got really frustrating. All of a sudden the phrase, "I want to help you" began coming out of this denied demi-crat like a sudden onset of Turret's syndrome. And with increasing alacrity. "I want to help you." "I WANT to help you." "I REALLY want to help you..." Every 3rd or 4th sentence. The more he said it, the more it sounded like the nervous little cough people do when they really want to tell you something which they dare not verbalize out loud, in public, for fear of censure. Something like, "I'll take a bribe, thanks." Cough. "I want to help you." Cough, cough, cough. I wish to high heavens that there were some sort of really bitter cough syrup that I could have given to this person. And to every person who has this kind of nervous, nerve-wracking coughing habit. Anyway, back to the hacking hack. I had no cough drop for him. Or lozenge. Or syrup. Or bribe. And that was when he made life more difficult for me. By turning in an "all negative" report to his superiors about the matter which we had approached them about and for which we were asking their kind consideration. Actually, up until that point, I had actually been making headway. I had gotten my request heard by the head honcho of the department. He, in turn, referred me to his right hand person. Both had graciously sat with me and heard me out and agreed to help us out. So, they sent their people to our offices to look at the things we were asking consideration for. Lo and behold, those people came back to us with their, "We see no problem with your stuff! We'll tell our bosses the same." So far so good. And then the coughing started. Cough. "I want to help you." Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough. "I want to help you." "I WANT to help you." "I REALLY want to help you..." Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough. Like I said, sorry no cough drop. The following day, this gentleman came back to our office with an armful of "new evidence" - an allegedly new list of violations which we had not told them about. And guess what he told me. "I want to help you." Honestly, out of sheer frustration, I looked him in the eye and said, "If a person is drowning and he is within your arm's reach from the shore you don't tell him you want to help him, you reach out your hand and help him." He didn't get it. Cough. So I told him point blank, "Look, I'm a pastor. I don't do bribes. We have given you everything you have asked for, done everything you told us to do. So here's the deal: you go back to your bosses and hand in your report. And whatever they say to us, we shall abide by." And I showed him the door. I said those words because, prior to his coughing spells, he did tell us, "We see no problem with your stuff! We'll tell our bosses the same." And I believed him! (Told you I'm still an idealist at heart!) I called up his superior demi-crat to ask about our request, only to be told by said superior that I had "not been telling them the whole truth". that I had "kept [these allegedly new violations] from them" and that [surprise! surprise!] their people [Mr. Cough-cough and Co.] had submitted to them an "all negative report" as a result. And so we should just wait for their response by letter. Well... I was just speechless. Just as surely as if Mayweather himself had sucker punched me right on my chin through the phone. And so, through the haze that was my utter disbelief at how things had so swiftly gone from "lookin' good!' to "Cumulonimbus!!!" (Remember "Up"?). And all I could say was, "Yes, we will wait for your response." And just when I thought I had taken the worst beating of all.... someone high up from our end says, "Those guys who want a bribe...? Bribe 'em." That was when everything just started feeling like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Or Luke hearing Vader say "I am your father." That was when I realized that I was just plain weary. Tired. Worn out. And, not long after that, was when I saw those 6 words. Don't. Grow. Weary. In doing well. Well..... I am. Tonight, right now... I am. Thank goodness there's always tomorrow.

The Necessity of Adversity

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear the life testimony of former motel-mogul-turned-Christian-businessman Wyden King.

He told us the powerful story of his journey from infamy to righteousness - how he got started in business as a young man, full of the world and full of himself. As such, he had no qualms about starting his motel business, which soon boomed into a highly lucrative cash cow from which he milked an average of P2M/day! Of course, such an immoral venture was not without its price - he lost interest in his wife and began a years-long relationship with a mistress, which, in turn, cost him the love and respect of his children. Then, He came to know the Lord.

Not long after, the Holy Spirit began to convict him about the conflict between his newfound faith in Christ and his multi-million peso empire of carnality. Needless to say, the path of obedience and Kingdom-righteousness proved very costly for Mr. King. With great reluctance, plenty of financial sacrifices and much bargaining with God, he began the systematic dismantling of his powerful but immoral empire, a process that lasted quite a few years. Eventually, he and his mistress separated and he began to work on his marriage anew. Ultimately, he was rewarded by the LORD with the salvation of his children and the rekindling of his love for his wife. And now, he has the joy of sharing his powerful testimony and the Gospel of Christ to all who will hear!

Now, that was a great story, wasn't it? Full of drama and conflict. We all love a great story, especially if it involves great cost, great sacrifice and great triumphs.

But what about us? How do we handle our story? When the Author of our Faith writes in a new plot twist, say, an illness or a job loss or (God forbid!) the death of a loved one, how do we respond? Are we quick to declare our confidence and hope in Him, Whom, we say, has been faithful to us through the years? Or are we quick to wither away beneath the weight of our new adversity? Do we praise Him in spite of our circumstances, or are we more prone to complain... or curse?

Sadly, I must confess that I tend to fall in the company of the latter responses. And this, in spite of God's perfect track record of faithfulness and unfailing kindness that is never too early nor too late. I hang my head in shame.

How do we overcome this fallen tendency towards spiritual amnesia? How do we learn to finally man up and face our challenges with a more steadfast faith and a tougher resolve to trust in Him?

I believe we can begin by embracing this one simple truth: "Adversity is a necessary component in our Journey towards Christ-likeness."

In Job 23:10, it says:
"But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

It has been said time and again that God is not as interested in our comfort as He is in our character. Like the goldsmith, He isn't happy with simply unearthing us from our previous darkness; He wants to make us into a glorious, gleaming treasure - a thing of beauty that is a sight to behold - for all to see! In doing so, people will not only celebrate what we have then become but they will glorify and worship Him Who made us that way!

But how does the goldsmith - and God - do this? Through fire.

Bottom line, God is at work in us and His apparent instruments of choice are the flames of adversity. Such flames are not meant to destroy us but, rather, to undo us. For it is only when we are undone in the flesh that God can begin to do His deep work in our spirit. God is the skillful Craftsman Who, even now, is refining us through the fires of Adversity to fashion for Himself a People purified as gold, useful and fit for His Divine Purpose!

The sooner we embrace this truth, the sooner we accept this process and yield to Him Who holds the carefully measured flames in His mighty hands, the sooner we shall be fashioned into His image and likeness. From our tests will come our testimony; from our mess, our message.

And God alone shall receive all the glory.

10 Scripture Texts on God's Mission - Ed Stetzer

Here are some excellent verses to meditate upon as we seek to be CATALYSTs of Change for God's Kingdom in 2010...

GENESIS 12:1-3 The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

EXODUS 19:5, 6
Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.

ISAIAH 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
Who should I send?
Who will go for Us?
I said:
Here I am. Send me.

MATTHEW 24:14
This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.

MATTHEW 28:18-20
Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

MARK 16:15
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

LUKE 24:46-48
"This is what is written: the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high."

JOHN 20:21
Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

ACTS 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

1 PETER 2:9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for His possession,
so that you may proclaim the praises
of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God's people;
you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

SOURCE: EdStetzer.com

Just DO Something! - Kevin De Young

Listened again to Kevin De Young's POWERFUL message "Just Do Something!"

I already heard it late last year, but I really needed to hear it again!

Well, go ahead! Listen to it!

And may the Lord help us all to be men and women of "plodding vision" who will simply and wholeheartedly "Die to self, live for Christ and then do what you want, where you want."

Amen.

My watchword for 2010 - CATALYST

Sometime in the last quarter of 2009 I sensed the Lord drop the word "catalyst" into my spirit. Since then, I have been on an intensified, intentional quest for godly insights into the word, as well as its implications in my life.

So far, these are what I've dug up.

Webster's Online Dictionary defines a catalyst as:

cat·a·lyst 

Pronunciation: \ˈka-tə-ləst\

1 :  a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible
2 :  an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action

==

DICTIONAIRE defines a catalyst as...

> something that causes an important even to happen

> [chemistry] a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected

==

WIKIPEDIA defines a catalyst in conjunction with the process of catalysis, thus:

Catalysis is the process in which the rate of a chemical reaction is either increased or decreased by means of a chemical substance known as a catalyst. Unlike other reagents that participate in the chemical reaction, a catalyst is not consumed by the reaction itself. 

The catalyst may participate in multiple chemical transformations. Catalysts that speed the reaction are called positive catalysts. Catalysts that slow down the reaction are called negative catalysts or inhibitors. Substances that increase the activity of catalysts are called promoters and substances that deactivate catalysts are called catalytic poisons.

==

The following thoughts are from a Christian website that has already plumbed the depths of the implications of a person's live lived as a catalyst for Christ.

ELEMENTS OF A CATALYST LEADER

AUTHENTIC IN THEIR INFLUENCE
Influence is gained naturally, not through coercion or manipulation. 

This is a natural outcome when the leader is “being” (integrity, passion) and “doing” (calling, community, culture). Leading is an easy next step once the other core elements are being consistently practiced and modeled. 

UNCOMPROMISING IN THEIR INTEGRITY
Character, integrity, conviction, discipline and private, personal decisions – these all comprise the inner character and integrity of a Catalyst leader. 

I understand that my character and integrity is the guard to my soul and ultimately their life. This can’t be let go, can’t be delegated, it’s the foundation of who I am as a person and as a leader. It’s the basis from which my moral authority is grounded. It must be nurtured, guarded and found true under testing.

INTENTIONAL ABOUT COMMUNITY
People are in my life at all levels. Close personal friends that keep me accountable, question my deepest motives and help me stay true to the vision God has imprinted on my heart. 

I value the people that work for and alongside me, recognizing that I am fulfilling a leadership role with people God has entrusted to my care. Catalyst leaders value the wisdom of those more experienced than them and seek out council in all things of importance. 

PASSIONATE ABOUT GOD
I must have awareness of my small role in God’s big, developing story. This is critical to my humility, faith and trust in Him as the definer of how He will use me and my calling. 

To have this constant awareness, I must connect with God without ceasing through my life, study, music, art, film, vocation and relationships. My passion for God to receive Glory must be bigger than my desire for Glory.

COURAGEOUS ABOUT THEIR CALLING
God has a unique purpose that he desires to carry out in me. To know this purpose I must first know Him. To fulfill this purpose, I must trust Him and have the courage to act on it, which may feel like a risk. 

My talents and heart converge to create my calling and purpose. I am competent in my calling because I am committed to further developing and honing my talents and skills. My foundational understanding of how God is working during our times, determines the specific way I apply this calling vocationally. 

ENGAGED IN CULTURE
As a leader, I must understand the context God has placed me in. I must know the audience I am connecting with to have any opportunity of connection and relevance. 

Because God desires that Christ-followers engage and influence their surroundings, I will be a source of hope, redemption, justice and peace in my community, demonstrating a piece of the Kingdom of God in a fallen world.

===

Going with what I've gathered above, this is now my personal prayer:

May the LORD grant me / us the grace 

to move onward and forward 

with unflagging zeal and fervor 

regardless of past failures, setbacks and shortcomings, 

and continue to be "salt and light", 

engaged and affecting

but unaffected by,

this darkened, decaying world, 

instructed in His Wisdom 

and faithfully involved 

~ CATALYSTS of Change ~

thereby speeding the advancement

of Christ's Kingdom

solely for His Glory 

and His Name's sake.

Amen.

In 2009...

2009 is just about done. As usual, I thought I'd go over some of the most significant moments of the past 365 days in my life as a father, a husband and a sojourner.

Feel free to read along [it's your time after all], click on the links and reminisce with me.

Having gone over all the events that have transpired, all I can say is, truly, God is good!

I hope you, too, will find yourselves similarly, if not even more greatly BLESSED this coming 2010.

God's blessings, favor and grace to everyone!

=====

JANUARY - A Time of Testing

Our year got off on a great start when our beloved Chuck passed the UPCAT! Needless to say, we were all so proud of our #1 son and, now, "isko ng bayan"!  (This more than made up for the minor dampers of almost all our major appliances failing, especially our beloved TV.) 

My high school batch had our reunion after 25 years!  - Amazing. Quarter of a century later and we were all still the same idiots, just with bigger paunches and less hair.  I say that in the most respectful manner!  

After that, I had to venture out in faith. With absolutely no money for it, I had to trust God anew for my airfare to the US. To make matters more interesting, my 10-year US visa had expired. I needed a new one and fast! To compound matters, I was apparently beginning to manifest signs of  "post-polio syndrome". 

Not good.

Thankfully, the Lord armed my soul with one Word: 2 Chronicles 16:9.

FEBRUARY - A Time of Testing and Affirming Faith

Last year, after almost 2 decades of existence, our JAS sign got written up in a major news daily! This month, it was vulgarly covered by a bright LED TV screen that effectively blocked its visibility.   Would this be "the end of Mt. JaS"?

Well, in spite of what could be considered a major damper, what can I say but "God is good!" The US government granted me a new visa! And just in the time of nick!  Thanks to them, I got to attend not just 1 but 2 MCIN Conferences - one in Orlando, FL and the other in Dallas, TX! 

I also finally got to have my date with Lady Liberty and when I was invited to preach in NY by my good friends, Joey and Gigi Mercado! 

In Dallas, I also went on my very first safari and fed a buffalo!  Imagine that?  I also I got to worship with my Christ-family in Relevant Church there!

Back in LA, I got to witness, first hand, what I like to call "The Eye of God". This was a very personal moment for me as I had been holding on to His Word this whole time.

MARCH - A Time of Healing

This month saw me back in Vancouver, VBC where, among other things, my brother David took me to the Capillano bridge! This particular point in my physical and spiritual Faith Journey brought home a major lesson in my heart that God had been impressing upon me from Day 1 of this year. 

I think I finally got it - I am NOT a cripple.

APRIL - A Time for Action

Fresh from my stay with him, kuya-mentor-pastor Jaren commissioned me to put together 3 projects: 1) a medical mission for his US team to hold in Angono, Rizal;  2) a gathering of worshippers where he would share his vision for a world-record breaking event; and 3) a grand reunion of JOHIA, dubbed "Scattered, Now GODthered". This month saw the ScaNowGa meetings coming together and things beginning to take shape.

Incredibly, the minute we started taking action, God's hand of provision and favor seemed to bless us with several good things, including a new flat screen HD TV to replace our dearly departed old one. 

MAY - A Time of Miracles and Impossibilities!

All those meetings eventually culminated in a Triple Triumph, what with the one-day Medical Mission in Angono, the worship convergence that was iMerge, and the JOHIA Reunion all happening just as planned. The latter took place simultaneous with Rose's long-delayed operation, which the Lord totally turned into a wondrous miracle of provision! All told, we even ended up making money!

All this only highlighted the "impossible life" that we have been living all these years! Praise be to God alone! 

JUNE and JULY - A time of Transition

For the very first time, I became a >ahem!< "seminary professor" when I taught a class in Bible seminary! I was invited to teach a Homiletics class by Rose's previous employer, Manila Bible Institute. 

This month also found me asking no one in particular, "Who am I?" In response, I got a literal "Call" - a phone call that would bring me and my family to a Crossroad and open a great door of opportunity for me and usher into my life one of the greatest challenges I have ever faced.

This was also the time when we welcomed into our home a precocious little brown furball whom we named "Kayu", short for "kayumanggi". Amazingly enough, the lone "dog-hater" of the family soon ended up becoming the little she-pup's most adoring fan! When Rose needed to stay home for more than a month, cute Kayu kept her company and they ended up bonding and becoming the best of friends!

JULY

With the gracious permission of our  then-home church, ICS, our family began the work in Angono - that of pastoring the fledgling church birthed from my wife's school there. Sunday afternoons started seeing all five of us hailing a cab and heading to Purok 6, Sitio Mahabang Parang where we would worship with and share the Word to the growing body of believers there.

 

AUGUST - A Time to Look Back and Move Forward

This month saw our entire family go back to revisit one of our seminal ministries - the small church that we helped pioneer in Malanday, Valenzuela 18 years ago! 

Yes, it was time to witness the Debut of what was now Jesus Lord Almighty Church, Valenzuela! It was so good to see it not just "still alive" but alive and well! It now had at least 4 daughter churches, with one as far as in Mindoro! Glory to God!

This was also the time when  JASMin was born! It would now seem that the blockage of the JAS sign earlier this year was a precursor of "Greater things": the launching of Jesus Alone Saves Ministries in Angono, Rizal. As one dear friend [correctively] pointed out - "When God closes a window, He opens a door." Yup! A big one!

SEPTEMBER - A Time of GREATER Things

As if being pastor of one church wasn't a big enough challenge, this month saw us take what is probably one of the biggest steps of faith we've ever taken as a family yet. With the blessings of our pastor in ICS, September saw me become the senior pastor of Makati Hope Christian Church! I kid you not, this has turned out to be quite the challenge!

And speaking of challenges, I also took on the dare to blog for 30 days! Thankfully, I was kept company by a pro. 

And then, just when I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew, the whole nation met its match when, after 42 years, it was inundated by the Noahic floodwaters of ONDOY. 

OCTOBER - A Time of Overcoming

Turning tragedy into triumph, our nation rose from its traumatized condition and showed to all the world anew that our God-given resilience and ability to minister to "love its own", even in the times of greatest calamity, is still one of the best reasons to be "proudly Pinoy"! 

For our part, we in MHCC came together the students and parents, faculty and staff of Makati Hope Christian School and embarked on a relatively huge relief operation that ultimately lasted 'til mid-November and ministered to almost 2000 families in over a dozen flood-hit areas that included Taguig, Taytay, the urban poor community next door to our church, Talim Island, Valenzuela, and others.

NOVEMBER - A Time of Coming Together and Letting Go

This month saw me fly back to Laoag for Greater '09! T'was good to be reunited with my MCP-A family! It was good to come together with some of the "heroes" of my life - Mommy Lorie Cruz, Doris Guzman of MCIN, the young warriors of MCP. Sadly, our beloved "ate" Cristy could not be with us as she had to be in Butuan, preparing for her soon-coming departure for the US to be with her mom in Colorado. 

That conference effectively marked the end of an era for MCP-A. 

DECEMBER - A Time for Gratitude

This month Rose and I hit 20 years, by the grace of God. 

It's amazing to think that, just five minutes ago, I met this lovely, selfless, giving, God-loving woman, dated her, married her and had three wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, gifted, talented kids with her.

It's even more amazing to think that, after 20 years, she's still here. You see, as if to underscore our good fortune, another dear couple, good friends of ours who got married just a few days after we did, announced their divorce during our anniversary week. This was sad, sobering news.

And now, with just a few hours from Rose's 44th birthday, and barely three days away from the coming year, what have I learned from all the days and events that have transpired?

 That the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.

 That He is true to His Word; what He says shall come to pass, no matter how seemingly improbable or impossible.

 That, with God, nothing is impossible.

 That this great and wonderful God is on our side. 

 And for as long as we are on His side, GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME!

What is Christmas all about?

Christmas time comes, Christmas time passes.

But the Christ of Christmas is here to stay.

May His peace, favor, grace and blessing be with you and yours always!

~ Ptr. Jesse and Rose Dedel

Jesi Rose, Charles Keith and Joshua Erickson