Manager-in-Training

 

 http://publicphoto.org/c/business-finance/

There's this passage that always gets to me. (Is that you, Conscience?)

It's the Parable of the Talents. (Several judgment stories like this are found in Matthew 25.)

The Story About Investment

     “It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.

     “After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
     “The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
      “The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’
     “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
      “‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’

It's criminal to live cautiously like that.

Funny. I've heard of people getting into jail for wasting money, but not for saving!

But the thing is, it's God's money (and other resources like time, gifts, opportunities). And He will always make that resource grow. The question is, will we let Him? When He gives something to us, do we give it back to Him, to be used for Him and by Him? Or do we just drift along, or actively use those resources with the wrong motives?

I often find myself foolishly wasting time and money. Thank God, He never gives up on me. Every now and then I find that gentle nudge in the right direction.

Specifically, these two books are treasures. One is very short, sweet and practical:

Ang Pera Na Hindi Bitin: 

How to manage your money so God will entrust you with more

by Ardy Roberto

(Read sample chapters here. PhP 50 in OMF and National bookstores.)

The other is quite deep but really worth reading or even browsing:

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No

To Take Control of Your Life

by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

(The authors talk about the book here. P250 in Philippine Christian Bookstore.)

Now it's time. Time to manage my time, money, and everything else.


"Those who honor Me, I will honor." 
(1 Samuel 2:30)

A couple of weeks ago, I committed to honoring God even more with my money. I chose to invest in His work over improving myself (i.e., going to The Gym). I don't think it a coincidence that managing my time suddenly became easier. As in much easier.

Here's my schedule for this school term. This might seem pointless or silly to some, but for someone like me, it is a miracle.

Just like that, Time Management: check.

Giving more for God's Kingdom doesn't make me poor. It just takes wisdom and discipline. Yesterday my friend suddenly gave me a piece of advice: get a lump sum to balance every week or so, instead of withdrawing every time there's a need or want. Again, miraculous insight for someone like me.

Money Management: check.

As for the self-improvement... I finally got to lift weights, jog, and dance again. For how much? The first is free, the second is free, the third only PhP 50.

That's Body, Time, and Money Management too: check.

King Jesus says it best:

"Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:30)

Thank You Lord for being a Great Owner, and for helping me be a good manager. It's great to work for the King. ♥

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

(Matthew 6:30-33, The Message)

Light rising from the east (On the Corona impeachment)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5342516928_db54dff241.jpg

The Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines was impeached by the Senate last Tuesday in an unprecedented 20-3 vote. GMA News gives a comprehensive overview here.

http://philippinesgoforgold.blogspot.com/2012/01/chief-justice-corona-impeachment-trial.html

Former Chief Justice Renato Corona was perceived to be allied with the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and therefore in conflict with current President Benigno Aquino III. So how tricky to have a trial of Executive vs. Judiciary, as presided over by the Legislative branch, and where everybody in an ideally fair trial could be seen as partisan.

http://www.thephilippineisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pres_Noy_Aquino-1_03.jpg

I wasn't able to follow this trial at all except for the final day itself, where each senator gave his vote and an explanation thereof. I was impressed and enlightened in particular by Senators Drilon, Escudero, Lapid, Legarda, Osmena, and of course the presiding officer, Senate President Enrile. More memorable moments here.

The main reason for Mr. Corona's impeachment was non-disclosure of properties in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. The fascinating thing is, the prosecution won despite itself. They lacked evidence and they were ill prepared. Many senators simply pointed out the facts: a "lowly" court employee dismissed from government service for the same act although on a much smaller scale, and a simple pie chart showing the amount of Mr. Corona's undeclared assets compared to those he did declare. Other senators were convinced to convict, ironically, because of the witnesses of the defense: Ombudsman Carpio-Morales and Mr. Corona himself.

The trial was smoothly concluded but questions lingered about the lack of due process. In my humble opinion, the technicalities of the law were overruled but justice and truth prevailed. Our country has already gone through two peaceful "extra-constitutional" revolutions in the past quarter century. This could mark the third. I believe we're maturing with each revolution; that we're getting the spirit and the letter of the law.

Also, every now and then I hear my Christian brothers and sisters declare (yes, prophesy) righteousness in this land. President Aquino was elected on a platform of righteousness and reforms are certainly being instituted now. For example, the dispute pitting Aquino's own family versus the farmers who tilled their land is now settled. Moral accountability is now demanded of our public servants. 

Of course, there is still much to be desired. Some analysts see a darker future after this trial: quite possible. But a brighter future is equally possible. At the very least, the resolution of this very trial evokes hope in me. That we are already on the road to moral and economic recovery.

Politics and public affairs. (To use our latest tourism slogan:) It's more fun in the Philippines  :D

P.S. More lessons from the impeachment trial here.

P.P.S. It might sound like I voted for President Aquino last 2010 but I didn't. I'm just an eternal optimist  ;)

P.P.P.S. I'm optimistic but not blind. P-Noy needs to lead the people in righteousness and not just boot the people who aren't. On the same note, I should stop talking about righteousness and get back to my appointed duties (i.e., schoolwork). Toodles!

Dilemma resolved. (?)

So, Jacob physically wrestled with God while Job did it philosophically. (Job's body, family, and possessions were wrecked badly enough.)

Jacob: I will not let You go until You bless me.
(Demanding!)

Job: Why, what did I ever do to deserve this?
(Demanding too...)

Teci 1: I don't get it Lord.

Teci 2: Please give me what I want.
(Yes, demanding in my own way.)


I'm not supposed to understand everything but something clicked yesterday. Something that made sense in God's own way. A dilemma resolved. Hopefully I'm not just seeing what I want to see. So as always, still trust and listen and hang on to God.

But thankful for the peace and the resolution. Because I have already seen how good and wise God is, even when I don't understand. It's just a cherry on top when I do.

Talk it out!

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." [1]

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." [2]

For the longest time, my favorite (fictional) person was this mutant mind reader. But I'm neither a mutant nor a mind reader, so I need *communication*. When there is a conflict, problem or issue, there has to be a resolution.

A leader of mine says we tend to judge other people by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intentions. When it comes to *others*, I tend to just be judgmental and assume the worst. This should not be.

The Bible talks about satan, the eternal enemy of God and all His works (including us, His children), who accuses us before God and each other. How many times have I agreed with satan when I serve as judge, jury and executioner towards others?

Remember (preaching to myself):
1. I might be wrong. I do not know all the details.
2. I am just the same, or worse. C.S. Lewis says, "My heart — I need no other’s — showeth me the wickedness of the ungodly." (Thanks for the quote Rayda.) Acknowledging my faults makes it easier to forgive others'.
3. I am not The Judge. I do not have the authority nor the power. I am just a fellow sister.

And that is why communication is important. When there is an issue between two parties:
1. Perhaps it was only a misunderstanding.
2. Perhaps one party did hurt/grieve/injure the other, but unintentionally.
3. Perhaps one or both did injure the other, but why?

All these can be resolved if each party airs his/her/their side... and listens to the other side.

We are different people, but let's take these differences constructively. We can learn from each other and grow. Let's appreciate each other, understand, and celebrate. :)

I'm not a mind-reader, but I am a person with one mouth and two ears. May I use them well.

The God of ... Profit?

Today's "Verse of the Day" at BibleGateway.com:

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.”
- Isaiah 48:17


It might seem a bit strange getting money tips from "The Holy One of Israel", but then again, He is the God of all things good and perfect. Plus, I believe the word "profit" has just been given a bad turn by those who abuse their fellowmen with deceit and treachery.

But it is possible to do honest, God-glorifying work, that benefits all parties concerned. And it is possible to receive well-earned rewards, and profit even.

When that happens, let's remember to thank the One who gave us both the talents and the blessings. :)


You shall remember the LORD your God,
for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,
that He may confirm his covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
- Deuteronomy 8:18

Living Sacrifice: Burnin'!

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,
by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern
what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:1-2


The same God who has told me in various seasons
to be still and to let go,
to keep silent and then to speak,
to rest, and then to work,
... is now telling me to BURN, SHINE, and LIVE!

Let Your will be done in my life. Amen  :)

The Liberty Manifesto

Then you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall set you free.
     - Jesus

My life; His story

It's hard to compare, even dangerous.
Because there are different callings, but One Source.

Run your own race; live your own life to the full.
HE is its Author and its Finisher.

The Obvious Post

'Obvious,' a teacher of mine said
In our field, the term is near derogatory
It is considered a waste of time pointing out what we all know to be true

But if such a thing is true, and obvious even,
     how come in that person's life
     it's not obvious, but hidden
     perhaps, forgotten

And so I resolve to keep on stating the obvious
     to people who agree with their heads and stop there

I will speak the obvious
     until its truth is seen
     not just in ideals but in actions

Heart guarded, eyes forward, feet straight

Keep your heart with all vigilance,
     for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
     and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
     and your gaze be straight before you.
Make level the path of your feet;
     then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
     turn your foot away from evil.
- Proverbs 4:23-27

Light Shines Into Darkness

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
     which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
     they do not know over what they stumble.
(Proverbs 4:18-19)


Light shines into the darkness
not the other way around.

"The kingdom of heaven is advancing."
It is heaven on the offensive
"The gates of hell will not overcome it."
It is hell being defeated

We are on the attack
Forceful men advancing
Aslan on the move

Be not afraid to live and shine. :)
(As a blogger, this means less drafts and notes, and more posts. :D )


You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand,
and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16)

He found me

Feeling lost and insecure? Hurt, frustrated and angry?
In all of this... where was God?




You Found Me
by The Fray

I found God
On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west
Was all but won
All alone
Smoking his last cigarette
I said, "Where you been?"
He said, "Ask anything."

Where were you
When everything was falling apart?
All my days
Were spent by the telephone
That never rang
And all I needed was a call
That never came
To the corner of First and Amistad

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me

In the end
Everyone ends up alone
Losing her
The only one who's ever known
Who I am
Who I'm not, who I wanna be
No way to know
How long she will be next to me

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me

Early morning
The city breaks
I've been callin'
For years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages
Ya never send me no letters
You got some kinda nerve
Taking all I want

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Where were you? Where were you?
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait?
To find me, to find me

Amazing

Amazing
by Aerosmith


I kept the right ones out
And let the wrong ones in
Had an angel of mercy
To see me through all my sins
There were times in my life
When I was goin' insane
Tryin' to walk through the pain

And when I lost my grip
And I hit the floor
Yeah, I thought I could leave
But couldn't get out the door
I was so sick n' tired
Of livin' a lie
I was wishing that I would die

It's amazing
With the blink of an eye
You finally see the light
Oh it's amazing
When the moment arrives
You know you'll be alright
Yeah it's amazing
And I'm saying a prayer
For the desperate hearts tonight

That one last shot's a Permanent Vacation
And a how high can you fly with broken wings
Life's a journey - not a destination
And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings

You have to learn to crawl
Before you learn to walk
But I just couldn't listen
To all that righteous talk oh yeah
I was out on the street
Just tryin' to survive
Scratchin' to stay alive

It's amazing
With the blink of an eye
You finally see the light
Oh it's amazing
When the moment arrives
That you know you'll be alright
Oh it's amazing
And I'm saying a prayer
For the desperate hearts tonight


"So, from all of us at Aerosmith
To all of you out there, wherever you are.
Remember- the light at the end of the tunnel
May be you. Goodnight!"

The true light is already shining :)

"Its truth is seen in him and you,
because the darkness is passing
and the true light is already shining."
- 1 John 2:8

Watch City of Ember. :)

No more curse. No more death. No more night. No more tears.

From Revelation 21:22 - 22:6: some of the last words in the Bible regarding the last-yet-everlasting days.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.

And they will reign for ever and ever.

The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place. "

What can i say?

No more tears.

:)

He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.   (Isaiah 25:8)

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."   (Revelation 7:17)

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."   (Revelation 21:4)

failing to do right

from the Daily Bread column of the Philippine Star

Failing to Do Right
Sunday, September 9, 2007

To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. — James 4:17

In his book Eight Men Out, Eliot Asinof records the events surrounding the notorious ”Black Sox” scandal of 1919. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox baseball club were accused of taking bribes from gamblers in exchange for intentionally losing the World Series. Although they were never convicted in a court of law, all eight were banned from baseball for life.

But one of those players, Buck Weaver, claimed that he had played to win despite knowing about the conspiracy. Though Weaver’s performance on the field supported his contention, baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis ruled that any player who had knowledge of the scandal, yet chose not to stop it, would still be banned. Weaver was not punished for doing wrong, but for failing to do right.

In his letter to the first-century church, James wrote, “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (4:17). In a world filled with evil and darkness, followers of Christ have the opportunity to shine their light. That often means we must resist the urge to do nothing.

When faced with the choice between doing good and failing to do anything at all, we must always choose to do what’s right. — Bill Crowder

Heavenly Father, help me to honor You throughout my life by being a light in this dark world May it never be said that I failed to do what I knew to be good, just, and right. Amen.

READ: James 4:13-17

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. — Edmund Burke


The Bible in one year:
• Proverbs 6-7
• 2 Corinthians 2

what do i know?

I dedicate these next two songs to the One source of all Love and Truth :)


WONDERFUL WORLD
(the wonderful version by Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon and James Taylor here)


Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took

But I do know that I love You
And I know that if You love me too
What a wonderful world this would be

Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra
Don't know what a slide rule is for

But I do know one and one is two
And if this one could be with You
What a wonderful world this would be

Now I don't claim, to be an A-student
But I'm trying to be
For maybe by being an A-student, baby
I could win Your love for me

Don't know much about the Middle Ages
Looked at the pictures and I turned the pages
Don't know nothing 'bout no rise and fall
Don't know nothing 'bout nothing at all
It's you that I've been thinking of
And if I could only win Your love
What a wonderful world this would be

==================================================

TO LOVE SOMEBODY
by The Bee Gees


There's a light
A certain kind of light
That never shone on me
I want my life to be lived with You
Lived with You
There's a way everybody say
To do each and every little thing
But what does it bring
If I ain't got You, ain't got faith
You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love You

In my brain
I see your face again
I know my frame of mind
You ain't got to be so blind
And I'm blind, so, so, so very blind
I'm a man, can't You see
What I am
I live and breathe for You
But what good does it do
If I ain't got You, ain't got faith

10,000 new Christians in China...every day :D

whoa :)

http://evangelicalperspective.blogspot.com/2007/08/bigger-than-us.html

hallelujah! :D

i've only been outside the Philippines twice, and both times to China, so i'm really personally happy for the Chinese people :)

you rock, God. come on!

optimize your search

"don't look for Me where I am not," God said.

it was one of those times when i knew He was speaking, but the content of His message sounded more like the words of the Sphinx in Mystery Men. (sorry God.) or maybe i was hallucinating. i was on a four-hour flight after all.

but as i said, i knew that it was He who was speaking, and soon enough i learned the truth of His words. you see, i went to *the* happening nightclub/bar/disco in the city, and i totally felt like i was in the midst of a worship service to...hmmm, some god or goddess of fertility? of wine and celebration? of sex, drugs, cigarettes and alcohol? to sum it all up, i went to a temple worshipping the self, and --- as much as i enjoyed dancing with some friends --- i felt shame at the blatant indulgence of it all. to be honest, in preparing to go there, i talked to God but did not consult Him: all the while i was telling Him, "oh, but God, i want to go, i really want to go..."

two weeks later i learned the meaning of what God was saying, all the more clearly. as i got to know who my wonderful classmates and teachers are --- they truly are my friends now --- i also have come to see who they are not...or, more specifically, Who is not in their lives. it is an absence that goes beyond culture shock; i am not talking of difference in culture, or academic background, or personality. God is not there.

surely God is everywhere, but He gave us the freedom to choose, to open the doors of our hearts to Him, or not. as one of the very few Christian friends i knew here put it, it is not people's fault that they don't have God in their lives. well, let me modify that a bit. maybe they don't know about God (yet), or maybe they have already made a decision to not recognize God as, well, God. but in any case, where there is life, there literally is hope --- it is not yet too late for them to turn to God, to let Him save them from the (just) punishment of their sins so they can spend an eternity of goodness and joy in His presence.

i am neither good nor sinless. but i can say what i do because i have seen the miracle of a transformed life --- that of my own, only through God's power, and God's mercy.

how can i feel God's presence where He is not?

maybe, instead of expecting those around me to reach the standards of perfection in goodness and holiness...*i* should let God shine through *my* life more.

then it would be easier for them to realize that God exists, that He is all-powerful, that He is all-loving.

then it would be easier for them to bow down to Him, and follow His command, to love God and everyone else.

then it would be easier for me to feel God's presence and bask in His love.


optimize my search.


:)

God's presence :)

[message i sent to someone who just felt God's presence in such an overwhelming way that it still brings tears to her eyes. she was comforted and she felt God telling her that everything will be good :) ]

hi ______ :) am so happy for you :) just continue sensing God :) i pray that you'll DROWN in His presence over and over again :) we can't get enough of Him...and besides He is more than we can handle or contain ^_^ everything will be great :) God bless and may His light shine on us even more brightly! :)