Slippers for Christmas

Slippers.  Flip-flops.  Whatever we call them they are not the most important thing in our fashion world.  We use them casually, in our homes (some even leave them outside their homes!), when our feet need to rest.  We take them for granted.  Of course there are some that take slippers seriously, who buy the Havaianas, or the Adidas slippers so that they look "cool" and fashionable even at home or at the beach.  But generally speaking, what is in a slipper?  It's just an extra in life.

But I recently realized how important slippers can be.  Our church recently partnered with "MEANS", a U.S. based Christian organization that supports churches and projects here in the Philippines, to bless elementary school children this Christmas with slippers.  We gave away slippers to all elementary students of the school.  The first thing that came to my mind was "slippers? why such a simple gift?".  Was that all that the budget could afford?  Couldn't we think of something a little more important, or needful for these children.

Then, we arrived in the school.  This was one of the first things that I saw:

Ok...we were giving away slippers, so it was only fitting that they make a christmas "tree" out of slippers.  Cute.  Until someone told me that these were the actual slippers that the children were using to go to school!  So, I took a closer look...

Most of us will never allow our slippers to get this worn out, even if we just use them at home.  The moment they become uncomfortable or look worn out we buy new ones.  But these children were so hard up that they would use their slippers to the very end!  As long as there was something shielding their feet from the ground they would wear it.  In fact, some of them did not wear slippers to school at all!  Some of these kids were children of farmers, lived in relocation sites, and could not afford to buy slippers whenever they wanted.

Many of us look at slippers as "extras" - things we wear at home, or at the beach.  Some look at them as fashion statements, buying havaianas, adidas, or nike slippers and wear them with pride.  But we forget that there are those who look at slippers as necessities, to the point that even if they look like the pictures above they still use them "till their dying day", whenever that is.

That's when I realized our giving away "slippers" was no small thing for the children.  It was a joy to see them excited, and smiling, when they received their gifts.

What may seem simple to us, may be a big thing to someone else.  This is why we should never withhold ourselves from giving to others, no matter how simple the gift.

Acts 20:35 (NIV)
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

We are usually more excited to receive, just like little children during Christmas who only think of what gifts they will receive.  Human nature believes that it is "more blessed to receive than to give".  But Jesus promises another kind of blessedness - a blessedness that comes from Him, and that comes from giving.  If we just allow ourselves to be givers, no matter how simple the gift, we not only bless others, but allow ourselves to experience the blessedness of God.  If we would just make ourselves available to the Lord to be His instruments of giving.

Remember what John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He GAVE...".  

Keeping the Peace

Had a very encouraging text conversation the other day.  There was a little misunderstanding in our church, where an action was done without consulting one of our ministry heads about it.  Of course this brought reaction and it was questioned.  As small as the situation was I think many of us know how Satan will bring all his might to make a molehill into a mountain and escalate the problem to the point that chaos and disunity comes upon a church, therefore destroying its testimony.  And not just in churches, but in all relationships - marriages, family, ministries, friendships.  All Satan wants is to hinder our lives from being models of the Lord concerning His life.

I was just so encouraged, blessed and thankful that after all the questions and clarifications were sent through text, the ministry head who was affected sent this message:  "But anyway pastor, there's nothing we can't work out.  We can talk about it with the administrator next Sunday".  Wow, a big smile coming from a very thankful and blessed heart came, and I thanked God for moving, and allowing the ministry head to have that attitude.  It obviously killed the fiery arrows that Satan had fired our way, and allowed the Holy Spirit to be the one to solve the misunderstanding for us.
This was God's Word in action, being applied in a situation that could have erupted and brought dire consequences.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Can you imagine if each one of us, in our own contexts - whether it is the church, or in our marriage, families, friendships - when we have misunderstandings or conflicts, would just apply God's Word, can you imagine how peaceful and loving our relationships would be, and how this would speak to the world!  If all of us would just be conscious of the Lord's working in our hearts, building Christ's character and love, and if we would just work it out, being completely humble, gentle, bearing with one another, and making every effort to keep the unity we have in the Spirit - what a blessing this would be, and what a testimony we would make to those whose lives we affect - at work, our families, in our church.

Do you not know?

Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

When Isaiah asked the Israelites this question it was a rebuke of sorts - "Do you not know?  Have you not heard?".  Of course they knew, and for sure they heard, for from childhood Hebrew children were taught about their God.  But they forgot.  Just like us!  If we're humble enough to admit it.
Peter had a similar rebuke from the Lord.  He had just seen the Lord walk on water, seen His power, and for a few steps actually began walking with the Lord.
Matthew 14:29-31 (NIV)
29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"


Imagine, Peter had just seen the power of Jesus, and yet he had a moment of doubt.  Just like us!  How the Lord has to remind us time and again who He is.  


I had a similar rebuke through an experience my daughter had while in her "OJT" (on the job training) in Singapore.  As a parent you're used to keeping track of your kids - what time they leave and come back home, how they're feeling, giving them medicine when they're sick, making sure they have all that they need.  All of that was cut from me when my daughter left for Singapore!  I just have to trust in the Lord to take care of her (as if it was not the Lord who was taking care of her when she was here with us...how we forget!)
But it's easy to say you trust in the Lord, and actually know it, feel it, see it.  There would be days where she would not text, or go on line and keep in touch with us. And I would wonder how she is, if she reached her dorm safe, if she was tired or sick or if she needed something!
And then something happened that God used to rebuke me.  Here are excerpts of a message she sent to me:
"cried while walking in the rain on my way home, not because I was sad or cause I got wet in the rain (I forgot my umbrella!), but because I felt so protected and loved by God. grabe dad, While it was raining (to me this was a miracle), i noticed that i didn't get soaked even though the rain was really pouring around me, only a few drops lang talaga! dad grabe, i really cried talaga. it felt like God's hand was actually above me protecting me from the rain. It really touched my heart. :) you really don't have to worry about anything dad, see how he takes care of me. :)


Wow, what an experience she had!  The Lord was showing her that He was with her.  And He used this to remind me of who I should be trusting in.   When I read the last line of her message it was as if it was the Lord speaking to me - "you really don't have to worry about anything dad, see how he takes care of me. :)".


The words of Isaiah echo in my heart - "Do you not know?  Have you not heard?"... Ouch.  Sorry, Lord, many times I forget.  I thank God that through that miracle in Jenina's life He reminded me of who He is.  That's how loving and faithful our God is - even when we forget He reminds us, together, of course, with a loving rebuke.


2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
7 We live by faith, not by sight.

Coffee anyone?

I won't take credit for the title of this new blog.  My older sister actually came up with the term every time me and my siblings would sit down over a cup of coffee and discuss matters about the family, our personal lives, and whatever topic would come out.  So, thanks to my sister for coming up with this title, which I will borrow for this new blog I'm starting.  Actually this is not really a new blog for me, at least with regards to my writing about personal experiences and lessons I learn from the Lord.  My former personal blog used to be "A Ray of Light", but I decided to change the name and theme to make it a little more personal and open.  So, to my former followers - there were about 2 or 3 of them, I hope you continue following my journey with the Lord through "Coffee Confessions".

For me there's something about coffee that seems to open up the mind, the heart even.  When I need to think, ponder upon something, or work on something I usually have a cup of coffee beside me.  A cup of coffee with a friend, or when discussing church or personal matters with someone, is always better with coffee.  It has a way of breaking barriers, allowing us to open up to one another.

That's what I want this blog to be - a way for me to open up with you my personal experiences and lessons that I learn from the Lord and His dealings with me, as if I'm having a cup of coffee with you guys.  And I pray that He may use these experiences to encourage you to continue in your walk with the Lord, or maybe even open up a new relationship with you and God.

1 John 1:3 (NIV)
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

There was a day when I died…

I read a quote today from a friend in facebook.  It was a quote I read many, many years ago when I was still training in ministry, and I thank God that reading the quote again has refreshed it’s message.  This is what it says:

There was a day when I died; died to self, my opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God -- George Mueller

There was a day when I died.  What an important day that is for a Christian.  More important than a birthday, an anniversary or whatever special day we may have marked in our calendar.  Why?  Because it’s the day when Jesus truly became Lord of our lives.  Every true and authentic believer in Christ will remember a day when this happened to him.  I remember mine vividly.

I was under training as a Minister of the Gospel, way back 1986 or 1987.  I was assigned to Tagbilaran, Bohol.  Being born and raised in Manila that was a real culture shock for me!  No malls, no taxis, very little cars during that time.  All you saw were trycicles.  I struggled with the thought of actually living there for the rest of my life.  I was warned about this when I first entered training for the full time ministry, having confirmed in my heart that God was calling me to be a Pastor.  Our Senior Pastor then would always tell us that we should be willing to die, to give up everything, all for Jesus.  My commitment and love for our Lord was having its most important test.

I remember actually coming to God in prayer and telling him “Lord, I don’t want to be here.  Send me back to Manila”.  Imagine, me telling God what He should do for me!  But that’s how strong my “self” was.  Of course I wasn’t just going to decide on my own to go back to Manila.  I knew I needed God’s confirmation.  But that was my prayer – I wanted Him to bring me back to Manila.  Then I opened my Bible and was lead to this passage:

John 12:24-26 (NIV)
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Ouch!  Just like the two-edged sword that it is, the Word of God spoke straight to my heart.  I wept, in shame, that I had even dared to tell God what He should be doing for me.  Just like the kernel of wheat Jesus spoke about I needed to die to bear fruit for His glory.  I needed to hate my life so much to keep it.  And if I was truly serving the Lord all I had to do was follow Him.  Where my Master is, that’s where I should be.

And just like that I gave up the fight, threw in the towel, and died.  Funny because a few weeks after I “died” someone else was assigned to take over the work in Tagbilaran, and I was asked to go back to Manila.  A few months after though I was on my way to Ozamiz City in Mindanao, but by then my heart had already been slashed by the Sword of the Spirit, and I was willing to give myself, bring myself, wherever God wanted me to be.  After a few months I was back in Manila, got married, and eventually God brought me to where I am today, Bacolod City.  I am where God wants me to be.  And the only time that I will leave this place is when my Lord tells me that I’m needed elsewhere.  But if not, I will be where He wants me to be.

And up to today I am still dying.  The Lord continues to deal with our hearts, moving us to give up things, preferences, habits, that are not part of His plan, His working in our life, and that will not bring Him glory.  Dying to self will never stop.  But there must be that one day, that one moment, when God deals with our heart, that we “fall to the ground and die” that we may bear fruit.  Do we have that special day?  Do our hearts celebrate our “deathday” – the day we decided that we were not going to save our life, that where our Lord is that’s where we should be.  That day when we decided in our hearts that God is the one we were going to honor for the rest of our life.