Chronicles of Grace

BATMAN BEGINS

2006-12-26T21:18:00.000+08:00

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

2006-12-25T00:25:00.000+08:00

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

2006-12-22T21:33:00.000+08:00

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

Who Are The Young Workers of Today?

2006-11-03T21:35:00.000+08:00

November begins a month long journey for me. The first of all events is being a speaker at the 2^nd Work in Progress Conference of the Young Adults Ministry of the Philippine General Council of the Assemblies of God in Baguio City.

This has been a long awaited invitation for me as I enjoy being with the young adults – the Generation X. Who is the Generation X worker and what do they need and want. It is important to know who this generation is in order we can create more effective and need based ministries for them that will not just help them in their spiritual lives but in the workplace as well.

1. A Sense of Belongingness and Teamwork - Generation X employees value a sense of belonging and teamwork and this value was shaped by the way Xers are raised. Most of the generation X grew up in single parents’ homes – some belonging to OFW families and others have their separated parents or both parents worked outside the home. Therefore most of them spent their childhood with babysitters or relatives. These environmental factors developed within Xers a strong sense of individualism, but they also created a deep hunger for relationships. Although it may seem inconsistent in light of Xers' willingness to leave organizations to capitalize on job opportunities elsewhere, the upbringing of Xers has actually created a desire for a sense of belonging through lasting relationships. Specifically, Xers seek to build relationships with people in the workplace who they perceive to have wisdom and experience. What, then, do Generation X employees want from their jobs with regard to a sense of belonging? Generation X employees want to have relationships with mentors. Specifically, Xers want mentors and leaders who lead by example. They are unimpressed by authority and they are drawn to managers who earn their respect by walking their talk rather than managers who believe they deserve respect by virtue of their title. Generation X employees also want to feel as though they are part of an overall mission to which they can make meaningful contributions. Managers can affect this by involving them in decision making, respecting their opinions, appreciating what Xers have to offer and communicating with them in a more interactive versus authoritarian manner. Further, managers who share as much information as possible with their Xer employees, rather than hiding or hoarding such information, will benefit from Xers' ability to synthesize massive amounts of information from diverse sources in order to devise creative solutions to business problems. As far as teamwork, Generation X employees do want group affiliation. While they do not seek the prestige of belonging to any given group like their Boomer predecessors, they do seek to identify with individual members of their teams. For this reason, Xers want leaders who understand their talents and who work to integrate them into teams by linking their individual talents to team initiatives.

2. The Ability to Learn New Things -Generation X employees value the ability to learn new things. They demand constant learning experiences to develop their skill sets and to maintain their marketability. The more organizations invest in training and development opportunities for Xers, the more they will capture Xers' hearts, generate loyalty and commitment and positively affect retention rates through increased job satisfaction. In fact, in a study made involving Generation X consulting engineers reveals that Xers, at least early in their careers, believe that professional development is more important than salary. Even more noteworthy, perhaps, is that Xers will override their fundamental desire for work-life balance to work beyond the hours established for their job if the projects requiring overtime enhance their learning opportunities or provide them with meaningful experience. So, what do Generation X employees specifically want in their jobs in terms of learning new things? Xers want company-sponsored training opportunities; they view such ongoing opportunities as crucial to their career advancement. The training programs that are most appealing to Xers are those that allow them to resolve problems during breakout sessions, include fun activities and provide sufficient time for questions and answers. Xers also expect the trainers to display expertise on the topics they are training. Generation X employees also want their jobs to include a variety of assignments because it provides them with the opportunity to learn new skills. A limited variety of activities represents potential for boredom and a lack of learning and advancement. A broad variety of assignments, on the other hand, are more likely to create natural learning opportunities for Xers by virtue of real problems with actual situations. Learning from real situations, or action learning, is the preferred learning style of Xers.

3. Autonomy and Entrepreneurship
Generation X employees value autonomy and entrepreneurship. It is important to Xers to maintain personal freedom and individuality as employees. This freedom, like the ability to learn new things, is an employment condition that is more important to Xers than money. What job characteristics represent the autonomy that Generation X employees seek? Their upbringing has lent to an independent nature and, thus, they want the freedom to govern themselves. Xers want leaders who honor their independence by granting them day-to-day autonomy and giving them creative responsibility so that they can address problems on their own terms because they are used to solving their own problems. Additionally, they prefer to organize their work on their own and are willing to accept the risks of operating independently. Xers have a strong need to exercise their independence and individualism, and they shun arbitrary displays of authority. Although they expect leaders to set specific goals for them, Xers do not want to be micro-managed. They want to manage the processes associated with achieving the set goals. They want to set their own priorities, make decisions and even make their own mistakes. Finally, Generation X employees want to manage their careers like entrepreneurs. They want to choose distinct career paths for themselves; they do not want employers to choose their paths for them. Xers believe that they need to move from company to company to enhance their marketability and continue their development, and they do not want their mobility to be limited.

4. Security - Generation X employees value security. Security, however, does not mean the same thing to a Xer as it does to a Boomer. Xers do not believe in the idea of job security like their predecessors who believe that security equates to longevity in their jobs. Xers define security by the quantity and quality of their skills. So, although they do not expect to build job security, they do want to build career security through the acquisition of marketable skills and experience. What, then, do Generation X employees want from their jobs in terms of security? Xers want opportunities to develop their skills and gain valuable experience, so the work and the work environment should support continuous learning through such things as training programs, job rotation programs, dynamic career paths and exposure to a variety of projects. Additionally, Xers want to cultivate relationships with mentors who lead by example and from whom they can learn. Ironically, by offering such learning opportunities to Xer employees, increasing their sense of career security and helping them to prepare for the job market, organizations increase the likelihood that Xers will want to stay with them.

5. Flexibility - Generation X employees value flexibility within their jobs and the flexibility to move between jobs. Within their jobs, Xers want flexible working hours that they can set for themselves and flexible working arrangements such as telecommuting and unique schedules, as well as time off for community service and activities outside of work. They also expect flexibility versus prescriptive direction from their leaders, allowing them to multi-task and manage their own work their own way. Generation X employees also want the ability to move freely between jobs, which they usually do after about three years on the job. Boomers, who think of long-term employment as lifetime employment, view Xers attitude about job mobility as disloyal while Xers simply call it flexibility. Xers witnessed their parents' loyalty being disregarded during the downsizing of the 1990s, and they developed a realistic view of their loyalty versus an organization's bottom line. They view jobs as means to obtain the resources they need to live, and will take jobs with different organizations if current positions do not allow for the work-life balance they desire. Additionally, Xers will seek employment elsewhere if they are unable to move up within an organization - a phenomenon becoming more and more common. Xers are outnumbered by Boomers in the workplace at a ratio of almost two to one because Boomers are choosing not to retire. This blocks Xers from advancing even if their performance warrants it, causing them to move to other organizations

Trust Prevails

2006-10-25T19:15:00.001+08:00

We walk by faith not by sight. This is the kind of faith Abraham demonstrated and it pleased God. But faith must be tested, forging our character adn refining our trust to prepare us for the day when our faith will become sight.

Several times Abraham was tested. First, when he was told to leave Ur. At 75, he gathered all his belongings and went to unfamiliar frontier-the land God promised. Second, he separated with his nephew, Lot to avoid further strife. Third, he relinquished his plans for his eldest son, Ishmael. Despite his deep love for Ishmael, he had to determine to follow God. Fourth, his faith was again tested and confirmed with his willingess to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac. What we can learn from Abraham's faith is stated in the following poem:

One by one He took them from me.

All the things I valued most,

Until I was empty-handed;

Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,

In my rags and poverty;

Till I heard His voice inviting me,

"Lift your empty hands to Me!"

So I held my hadns toward Heaven,

And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches

Till they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended

With my stupid mind and dull,

That God could not pour his riches

Into hands already full?

We have "security blankets" in life - things and relationships that provide for us a sense of security and steadiness but these are the very things that keep us from fully trusting in the Lord. But we need to give up this security in order to allow God to do what He does best and that is to provide for us in times of crisis. God's plan is always full of wisdom and truth. If things cannot make sense, all we have to do is to trust His heart.

"Show Me The Gospel"

2006-10-03T11:58:00.000+08:00

Lanao del Sur, Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, Philippines – Traveling 2 hours north of Cotobato City, some thoughts are running through my mind as what I will end up with in this small municipality. We were met in Cotobato City airport by a group of men in 4x4 vehicles who came from the estate where we have a business meeting with the owners of a plantation in the area. The place is so remote that a 4x4 vehicle is the most suitable piece of equipment. There are public jeepneys that ply through the area and dozens of Philippine Marines checkpoints. Its an adventure in itself!

Then at the last end of our trip is a military detachment and a most unlikely steel bridge going to the plantation of 3,500 hectares of cassava and natural/ organic tropical fruit trees. In the midst of virgin forest and huge plantation, there stood a compound that reminds me of Baguio City of old. It is like a small American town in the 1940’s. It is the compound of almost 600 Christian and Muslim workers employed by one of the largest producers of cassava starch in the country. It is almost of complete town in itself. There are housing projects for all workers, a preschool, primary and secondary school, a hospital and a commissary that makes their own organic bread and ice-cream, jams and other kinds of produce. It also has other grocery items and school supplies. It is powered by its own hydroelectric plant and has its own water plant. It is a self-sustained community. The owners, devout Christians, have also feeding centers for the malnourished children in the community especially the for Muslim community nearby. The school can be considered one of the best in the country with 98% success rate in college entrance exams in nearby private colleges and universities. Compared to the public school, each class has only 25 students maximum, has a computer room and a library. I never really imagined that in such a remote area there is a little piece of paradise.

The land is so rich and they have found out that Bible commands regarding planting can be scientifically true. Example are of which is they lay some of the land unplanted every 7 years so that the land will have time to self-nourish itself (Lev. 25:1-4). We visited the fruit trees that are organically grown. We tasted the fresh coconut that has pandan flavor in it. We interviewed people from different faiths and how they appreciate being able to be given employment opportunity despite their differences in faith.

Many times, I reflected on the how I can “show” the gospel to those who see the divine in a different way. And what I saw is exactly what I was looking for. This is a place that has become a beacon of light in this region. People in this area are professionals but they have chosen to live here because this is where they get their source of income and sense of fulfillment. In a place like this wherein you have all you need, who needs to live in a concrete jungle with all the stress and pressures that are most of the time unnecessary or are caused by external environment. This place is paradise – fresh, naturally grown produce, fresh air, fresh spring water and a wonderful view of the ocean. My task is to create this into a healthy organization and to make the company sustain all its efforts for the community. Its desire is to serve the community by providing employment and a uplift their plight. The best way to “demonstrate” the gospel without necessarily “preaching” it.

A Taste of Heaven

2006-09-25T23:38:00.000+08:00

Its amazing how under God’s leadership we are one and God’s leadership principles cuts across denominations, economic status, profession, regions, age and even language. Who have ever thought that a Baptist will teach a group of Pentecostal pastors on principles of leadership. Some thoughts on the Leaders Empowering Emerging Leaders Seminar conducted at Bacolod City with the Pentecostal pastors in Negros Occidental district.

Again and again, leadership is relational. If leadership should be transformational then leaders should develop relational skills. Leaders who want to mentor other leaders should relate, understand their uniqueness and develop them in accordance to what God hopes them to be.
Leadership is not about “me” but its about others. Confirming again and again what has been a new paradigm of leadership for me, its always about others. Its not about our agenda, it is always about the other’s agenda.
Leadership is about the God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is boundaryless. It is not found in “our church”, “our denomination” but it is bigger than we thought it is. God’s children are all over the world, they can be found everywhere. The world does not move around us, it moves around us and others. The ministry is not ours, it is God’s. He owns it we are just his stewards which means He decides whether we will continue with our tenure or not. Ministry is not also for ours to keep, it is for us to take care of.
Leadership is not about managerial skills but it is the ability to motivate people to a direction that God has intended them to be. To help them uncover what God’s purposes in their life is and make them believe that they are able and capable of achieving God’s purposes in their lives. That God has greater purposes for them than what they are experiencing now. They need to be encouraged to think of a better tomorrow for themselves and for others.

Now I can say to myself, I have tasted heaven. This is true unity in Christ. We are one and we must unite with each other and keep the bond of peace.

The Christian As A Change Agent

2006-09-15T23:36:00.000+08:00

We have always heard the phrase "change agents" and this is the one of the thrusts that the Lord has given us - to the change the world. Yet many Christians find it difficult to change because several assumptions: activity, programs has been correlated with the absolute word of God. Many time I say to my students we do not change the message we only change the method. Christians in the marketplace are so used to change because corporations in order to remain competitive recognize the need to be sensitive to the market. Change is constant in the business that's why many Christians are looking for security and for some steadiness and the sad part is that they look for it inside the church. That's why when they become comfortable with the programs of the church they dare not change. And the assumption is that what we're doing since it is being practiced by the New Testament church and is written in the Bible should not be changed, the message and the mission strategy of Paul is absolute. Second assumption, ministry is connected with a place or with a particular program. When we say we are called to a certain ministry we look at the church or the organization or the ministry program. But ministry is not a place nor a program it is a mindset, it is a purpose and it is an inner motivation. God calls us to ministry wherever we are so it is not connected to a place. Third assumption is that change is instant. When a person receives the Lord Jesus in his heart, he is instanlty changed. Then we get frustrated when after a year the person is showing some rough spots in this attitude or habits. But change is a process. It is a process that an individual goes through, a process that an organization experiences. It is constant, it never stops. It is a journey and not a destiny. Thus, when change does not happen in accordance to our timetable we get frustrated. So we translate this assumption even to ourselves. We do not feel victorious in the way we live our lives because we easily get discouraged when we do not get what we want. But we are all a work in progress. When we want to become physically healthy we work hard at the gym, we discipline ourselves in terms of our diet intake. But why don't we have the same discipline when it comes to our spiritual and emotional aspects.

We are called to transform the world but how can we carry on this calling when we ourselves do not welcome transformation in our lives and our organizations. The Lord is continually changing me. The journey is sometimes rough but for me what is important is that I am on the journey. My final destination is heaven and I know that I have a long way to go. But while on the road, I want to enjoy the view, stop once in a while and establish relationships with the people along the way, live behind some markers and take note and learn from the experience. But all I want to do is to enjoy the ride and allow God to transform my life through this journey. And I hope and pray that I was able to live some lasting impressions with the people I will meet along the way. Enjoy the journey because at the end of the road, the Lord will be there to welcome us.

Can integrity be a determinant for success in business?

2006-09-11T09:00:00.000+08:00

I just finished reading the book "Integrity: The Courage To Meet The Demands of Reality" by Dr. Henry Cloud, a Christian psychologist from California. He is also a consultant for various Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations. In this book, he gave 6 essential qualities determine your success in business. Integrity is more than just honesty because a person with integrity has the ability to pull together, to make it all happen no matter how challenging the circumstances. The 6 essential qualities of integrity are (italized notes are my thoughts):

Are able to connect with others and build trust. Character is an integral part of integrity. The ability to connect authentically which leads to trust. (Sometimes people don't just get it. When we build about authentic connections, it is not always about us and our agenda. We connect with people because we are interested in them and we want to listen and learn from them. In the workplace, we are taught to be focused on the things that we are involved in. But sometimes this idea of being focused and prioritizing transcends in our relationships. We focus on our task but when it comes to people, we focus on them. It all about them not you.)
The ability to be oriented towards the truth which leads to finding and operating in reality. (We most often assess one's character through the externals that's why many of us tend to admire people on what we see they can do rather than what they really are inside. Maybe because we also tend to focus the improvement of ourselves externally but we refuse to see the reality of what's inside us.)
The ability to work in a way that gets results and finishes well which leads to reaching goals, profits or the mission. (If we are able to know who we are inside and out then we are able to accomplish greater things because we are able to balance our own strengths and weaknesses and use this knowledge to do our tasks with joy.)
The ability to embrace, engage and deal with the negative which leads to ending problems, resolving them and transforming them. (In the book Good To Great, this is called "brutal facts", our strength of character is sometimes determined when we face troubles and tribulations. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul is saying that we can be hopeful in the midst of our suffering because it is one way of gauging our spiritual maturity. We need to be joyful despite our troubles because in the midst of suffering there is hope.
The ability to be oriented toward growth which leads to increase. (Many of us are good problem solvers, we can make things better and things improve but it is only improvement of what already exists. But we need to be growers . But being a grower takes effort, the ability to sustain pain. The grief, too, that there are times we need to let go of things in order to go to the next level. )
The ability to be transcendent which leads to enlargment of the bigger picture and oneself. (There are things in life that are bigger than us. God, His principles and values He gives to us are bigger than us but they have been made transcendent because these principles He wrote it in the Bible. Yes, they are bigger than us but God made it all possible that it can be transcendent and it is not impossible to do.)

Success in not related only to talent and brains because there are many bright and talented people who have not been successful. And the most successful are not the only ones who have the most talents. What Cloud is demonstrating in this book is the makeup of the person. All of us can grow in the kinds of real character that bring about fruitful relationships and achievement of purpose, mission and goals. Integrity is not something that you either have or don't have but instead is an exciting growth path that all of us can engage in and enjoy.

Integrity: The Reality to Meet the Demands of Reality by Dr. Henry Cloud (Harper-Collins, 2006)

Jesus Paid It All ... Then Why Do We Live in Debt

2006-09-07T21:54:00.000+08:00

Dr. Andrew Liuson, President and CEO of Cityland Development Corp. has given an inspiring message on "Debt Free Living" to Seaoil employees and business partners. It is always inspiring to hear Dr. Liuson, a successful businessman yet remaining faithful and humble before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has found what true success is - success that is eternal, long lasting and will always remain.

Just a few thoughts and reflection on his message:

Money is neither good nor bad, but it is simply a neutral medium of exchange. Money does not make the world go round but it surely moves the world and turns it upside down. Money affects the world economy and can either divide or bring closer the rich and the poor. On the other hand, money represents wealth, power and status; as such that it has the tendency to wield extraordinary power over our lives. The questions is not whether you have money but does money have you? Not whether you have material possessions but does your material possesions possess you?

Money is not evil in itself but what the Bible speaks of is the love of money as the root of all evil. It talks about money, like natural resources, material goods or time itself is ours to be used for the glory of God, not to take the place of God.

We must keep on reminding ourselves that God must be first in our lives and that material things cannot satisfy our deepest need. The only way to acquire deep and lasting happiness that always satisfies is when we focus our minds more on accumulating treasures in heaven.

"So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-33

Cool blogsites to visit: http://www.chrysalisministries.typepad.com and http://bolsinger.blogs.com

A Glimpse of Community

2006-08-28T13:22:00.000+08:00

I just recently flew in from Iloilo, the place of my family heritage. I visited our ancestral home and attended the funeral of my grandfather, my father's uncle. As I sit around and visited with family members and friends, I got a good glimpse of what their sense of community is. Traditions that are dying together with the septagarians who have kept it for so many, many years.

My greatfather is one of the first migrants of the small town of Maasin, coming from the next town of Cabatuan, to be the first municipal mayor and judge of Maasin. My grandfather also came from Sta. Barbara, married my grandmother and stayed in Maasin until his demise decades ago.

My grandfather's wake was nothing less than extravagant - I think. The wake lasted for 2 weeks. The family made several tents in the street where our house is and fed everyone in the community everyday - breakfast, lunch, dinner - for the whole 2 weeks. They had to butcher 2 cows and several pigs and chicken for the event. The community participated in cooking and preparing the house for the guests. It was their way of saying they are with the bereaved. And for the bereaved they felt they were responsible in giving back to the whole community by feeding them. They were not doing it grudgingly but with pure joy because they feel they have a responsibility towards each otehr. During the funeral, the jeepneys were just willing to give people a free ride to and from the cemetery. In the church, everyone also participated.

For somebody coming from the city, I sometimes think of such traditions as wasteful use of time, energy and resources especially in a funeral. But for the people involved it was their expression of love and affection to members of their own community. Being an action person, I sometimes dread going home to Iloilo thinking that I have nothing to do there and so if I go the most I can stay will be 1 day. We, city dwellers, are sometimes so conscious of our personal space, our privacy and it is becoming a me-thing. But in a true community, personal spaces are sometimes sacrificed for the sake of the community. And when we give up our personal space and comfort, it opens doors for us for others to come in our lives and be with us. It is a time for us to connect with others and share our lives with them.

I wonder if this kind of community was what Jesus experienced at the time of the death of his good friend, Lazarus. Or when everybody was gathered in the home of a member of a community - Zaccheaus, Matthew, etc. and the gospels are filled with stories where Jesus was with large crowds even in private homes. Yes, Jesus went to the mountain or garden to spend time with God but when he is not praying Jesus was always with the people and his community. The community loved him because he spent time with them. The teachers of the Law did not because they considered themselves above the community.

I am thankful that God had opened my eyes and now I can see.

An Ode To Those Who Have Touched My Life

2006-08-24T22:34:00.000+08:00

Butterfly - the symbol of the Chrysalis Ministries is indeed a fitting symbol and representation of the recently concluded International Chrysalis Institute - Asia.

Thank you, Tod (Bolsinger) for reminding me that I should remain faithful in that part of the kingdom of God that God gave me. I may not be a popular teacher but that does not matter as long as I am doing my part in His greater kingdom. Some people are really gifted by God to be great preachers, teachers and they can attract thousands in their conferences. But that should not bother me, what really matters is that I remain ... faithful to His call and allow Him to do the rest.

Thank you, Tom (Phillips), for reminding of developing Christ-centered values and making those values work for my advantage. I am now revisiting those values that I have articulated and am in the process in putting those into actionable plans. Indeed it requires discipline to be able to stay close to these values.

Thank you most of all to my mentors, John and Carol (Dettoni) for giving me the opportunity to coordinate the institute. It was a rewarding task and faith moving. You have believed in my potential and you have helped me uncover my gifts and talents. In this turning point in my life, you have taught me to remain calm, compose and to be still because God is sovereign and is in control. Your life and not just words are inspirational and has motivated me to dream and trust God for great things. You asked me another ICI-Asia and I say "YES" even if I have to coordinate it once again. It has blessed me more than anyone else.

To all the participants, you have awakened me to the fact that there's hope in the future because of leaders like you who have strong convictions of a better tomorrow. You have blessed me with your presence and with your friendship.

A Reflection of Life

2006-08-24T22:28:00.000+08:00

I don't think it mortality that seizes you as one becomes mature. Nor is it anxiousness about your accomplishments. What consumes you, rather is the challenge of self-understanding - to know in your heart, independently of other people's opinions, what is distinctive about you, what kind of a person you have become, to reconcile with this person, to have figured out what needs to be done in the remaining years to make this idiosyncratic life hopefully a "work of art." I know there is ample time left and I want to find my "blind impress" where I want to know more about myself. I just joined a new ministry but at the same time wanted to find meaning in what I was doing. An opportunity came when I was asked to be part of the Doctor of Education program of Asia Graduate School of Theology.

In one of my classes, I met Dr. John Dettoni and his wife, Carol. It was their invitation to the Kenneth Hansen, Jr. Leadership Institute (KNHLI) in California that opened my eyes to the issues of leadership and the importance of mentoring. After a few years of seeking God's direction in my life, I found my niche. I honestly assessed my gifts, abilities, experiences and the people I influence. I am thankful that God has brought mentors in my life whose only desire is to bring the best in me and help me develop my potential.

I have several assumptions about mentoring and leadership development. I have been used to motivational speakers, have learned a lot from them but after several months what they have taught me has been left in the books or manuals they gave. But in the KNHLI, I experienced a different model of mentoring that has helped me in my development. John and Carol spent time with us and I appreciate them sharing their lives and resources by visiting us in our home country and by inviting us to the institute in the US. I always look forward whenever John and Carol would visit us because there a time when we can discuss about life, decisions and pray together. Mentoring, also continues even through email and phone calls. In the institute, we also spent learning and have fun time together. The institute has changed my perspective about ministry. It also opened many doors of opportunity for me.

I come from Greenhills Christian Fellowship - a church of 3,500 attenders located in the heart of a central business district. The district has a population of more than 100,000 young professionals mostly in the outsourcing business. And many of these adults spend their waking hours in the workplace, so I decided to have an active role in a workplace ministry. My aim is to point workers to Christ and equip them with Kingdom principles in doing their work or business. My goal is a use a new paradigm of doing ministry to individuals in the workplace. I aim to help believers transfor their workplace for Jesus Christ and to provide resources , ministries and information that will help them fulfill their calling in the workplace. Therefore, I believe that the principles and values by which Christians should work on are found in the Bible. My strategy is to provide development seminars on workplace issues especially those related to leadership and ethical management; provide simple business, financial and career counseling advice; coaching and mentoring; and a be a resource for the next generation by being an educational resource for youth and young adults as they transition in their workplace.
Today, I am a part-time professor and I help out in the church planting ministry of our church focusing on Makati City - the prime financial district of the Philippines. I started two Bible study groups among the officers of two of the country's major banks. I have help create the Leadership Development Plan of pertoleum company with the purpose of developing a values based corporate culture. It is my utmost desire that all companies desire to develop ethical leadership among their employees and use Biblical principles in doing business.
But my ultimate joy is to be able to mentor young men and women in the ministry and help them uncover their full potential and capabilities and to be life-long learners of God's word. My prayer is that God will continue to use me for the building of His kingdom and that I remain laser focus on the purposes God has for me.

With joy in serving Christ,
Grace Sumbillo, Ed. D.

Who am I?

2006-08-24T14:12:00.000+08:00

Grow a leader- Grow the organization.”1

These words of best-selling author and leadership specialist, John Maxwell, sum up the fact that “a company cannot grow without, until its leaders grow within.” 2 The key words then for growth are Leadership and Organizational Development.

Grace Sumbillo has over 19 years of experience in these areas. She has spent the last 3 years molding leaders through mentoring and relationship building as Associate Director for Human Resource and Ministry Education of Greenhills Christian Fellowship.

She has also honed her skills as a professor of Personnel Development, Educational Administration, Organization Development and Change, Transforming Leadership, and Human Resource Development & Management in various educational settings which includes Alliance Graduate School, Asian Theological Seminary, International School of Theology-Asia and PACE Graduate School.

She is also affiliated with Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and the Philippine Society of Training and Development.

She holds a Doctor of Education (major in Adult Education) degree from the Asia Graduate School of Theology, a Master’s of Divinity degree from Asian Theological Seminary, a Bachelor in Christian Education from the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor in Science in Business Administration from the Philippine Women’s University.

Currently, she serves as Leadership Development Mentor of Seaoil Philippines Inc. and Organizational and Human Resource Consultant of various companies - Nutrinova, Philippines Inc., ICI Ministries and Asian Theological Seminary – MBA program.