BATMAN BEGINS

BATMAN BEGINS

Christmas afternoon became a time of catching up with one of my favorite things to do – watching movies. And this afternoon, HBO showed Batman Begins. What I expected to be a time of mere entertainment became a time of reflection because of what Batman’s friend had said “The real you is what is underneath (referring to the mask). What you do defines you.” It was at this same time that I started reading the book “Overcoming The Dark Side of Leadership” (written Gary McIntosh and Samuel Rina, Sr., originally published by Baker Books).

Each of us have our dark side and it manifests in what we do. There are many times that it manifests itself in pride, selfishness, self-deception and wrong motives.

Pride

Scriptures have so much to say “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2) “A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.” (Proverbs 29:23) Those in position of leadership are very susceptible to pride as power, fame and prosperity can be overwhelming and cloud our minds. Our proud minds tell us that we are better than others and that no one can replace us, we feel indispensable. If our security lies in our prosperity then we will do everything we can to protect whatever we have.

Selfishness

We were all born with a natural bent to gratify ourselves. It starts when we were still babies wherein egocentricity is part of our development. But as we mature we need to grow out of egocentricity and developed the need to serve others. But for many of us, we have not outgrown the stage of self. But the Bible reminds us - “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:14-16) And our attitude should be that of Christ – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Self-Deception and Wrong Motives

Even the most well-meaning thoughts and actions can sometime transform into something that the Lord hates. As critically reflect on our actions sometimes we deceive ourselves and our motives become unrighteous. “For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.'" (Mark 7:21-22)

As we examine ourselves, we in one way or the other manifest these four “raw materials” of our dark side. As the New Year is just around the corner, ask ourselves “Do our actions define us?” Let us examine ourselves and ask those that are closest to us if we do manifest these and ask the Lord to transform our minds, hearts and lives so we can live in accordance to His glory. This is the best time to start anew and live more peacefully with ourselves and others.

Kindlings from 2006

HOW DO I LOVE THEE, GOD?

Kindling from the Year, 2006

When she was fifteen years old, Elizabeth Barrett suffered a debilitating spinal injury and became partially disabled. Forced to spend much of her time indoors, she read voraciously and grew to become a brilliant scholar and author. When poet Robert Browning wrote to express his admiration for her poems, she began exchanging letters to him. The couple fell in love and married in 1846. Four years later, Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote one of the exquisite and well-known love poems in the English language. “Sonnet 43” begins:

How do I love thee? Let me count me the ways.

I love to the depth and breath and height

My soul can reach …

Psalm 116 is an extraordinary expression of love – addressed to God. “How do I love Thee, God?” And I find several magnificent truths about God’s goodness and deliverance in my life this 2006.

“I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications, because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2) I love the Lord because He bends an ear when I call on Him. I cannot count the ways God has answered my prayers – He has helped a whole lot when I was entrusted to be the team leader of the International Chrysalis Institute – Asia in August, 2006 where there were 40 young leaders came for 5 days in Subic for leadership development. Despite the rains, these leaders still decided to troop to Subic to network and learn from each other. 2006 did not start off the way I envisioned it to be yet the Lord gave me several opportunities to be consultant for several companies and ministries – Nutrinova, Philippines, Inc, ICI Ministries, Asian Theological Seminary-MBA program – as I even continue to be part-time faculty of Alliance Graduate School and mentor for the managers of Seaoil Philippines, Inc. Being part of these companies was a way wherein I can show others that it is possible to be true to God’s principles in doing business and at the same profit. It was also an opportunity to serve the Lord through the workplace ministry of Greenhills Christian Fellowship in Makati. This is also the year where I became involved with the International Christian Chamber of Commerce. The workplace ministry is also my own contribution to national transformation.

“The cords of death encompassed me and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I beseech You, save my life! Gracious is the Lord and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low and He saved me.” (Psalm 116:3-6) Being a consultant, I don’t have a permanent office of my own and I am thankful that every time I travel the Lord has been my source of safety and security. This year, Mindanao has been a hub for me. I made several trips to Davao City to attend/ speak in seminars. The most significant trip was my visit to a plantation in the middle of Lanao del Sur for exploratory talks for Organization Development of the company. It was one of the interesting travels I had. We flew in from Cotobato and flew out of Cagayan de Oro. Other out of town trips were courtesy of the Assemblies of God denomination which invited me to speak before their pastors in Bacolod City and to the denomination young professionals’ fellowship in Baguio City.

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12)

“I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:13) Why do I lift my cup on high? In order to publicly praise God and announce His anointing. In 2007, I shall be involved with the ministry called Christ@Work, a ministry dedicated to share Christ among business owners and executives. I am committing myself to continually share my faith with those in the workplace and the value of imploring biblical principles in their work practices.

“I shall pay my vows to the Lord, oh may it be in the presence of all His people.” (Psalm 116:14) I pray that every time I meet people they see Christ in me – a life living in praise and thanksgiving to Him whether in times of pain or joy. Evangelism has been a passion for me and I have placed it as one of my core values. May God find me faithful as I desire to be a witness for Him both in practice and in proclamation through the days of my life.

“To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:17) In all these, I want to let you know how thankful I am to the Lord for all His provisions and the many, many ways He has been good to me. He has provided for all my needs especially spiritually and emotionally. I cannot repay God enough for what He did in my life whoever I am right now is because of His grace. What can I do to show my love for Him? By sharing His goodness with others. I am praying that the year 2007 will be a year wherein I will be given the opportunity, the courage and the strength to share blessings with others especially those in the workplace.

Please pray for me as I continue to carry out God’s purposes in my life – teaching, leading and networking with people. May I always live a life of worship and thanksgiving to the Lord.

All because of God’s grace,

Christmas Greetings

LET US LIVE CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY

Christmas is more than a day at the end of the year,
More than a season of joy and good cheer,
Christmas is really God’s pattern is living
To be followed all year by unselfish giving …
For the holiday season awakens good cheer
And draws us closer to those we hold dear,
And we open our hearts and find it is GOOD
To live among men as WE ALWAYS SHOULD …
But as soon as the tinsel is stripped from the tree
The Spirit of Christmas fades silently
Into the background of daily routine
And is lost in the whirl of life’s busy scene,
And all unawares we miss and forego
The greatest blessing that mankind can know …
For if we lived Christmas each day as we should,
And made it our aim to always do good,
We’d find the lost key to meaningful living
That comes not from GETTING, but from unselfish GIVING …
And we’d know the great joy of PEACE UPON EARTH
Which was the real purpose of our Savior’s birth,
For in the GLAD TIDINGS of the first Christmas Night,
God showed us THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT!
Helen Steiner Rice


“But the truth of the Spirit in love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no Law. Galatians 5:22,23

Dear Friends,

May you all have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful and joyful New Year. Thank you so much for your love and support in my ministry.

Grace