Leaders

"The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not ‘What a lovely sermon’ but, ‘I will do something!" -St. Francis de Sales

"God measures your leadership by how you serve, not by how many you serve." -via Katrin Licas

"And I would say this, too, if there are pastors listening to this: Pastors, your job is [to] set the tone in this regard in the church. I meet so many people who go to a church where their pastor has never openly said he’s done anything wrong. And that’s kind of an old school concept that we have in church that, “He’s our leader and therefore he’s infallible.” And the Bible just doesn’t teach that. It does teach that we [pastors] have to live up to certain standards (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1), but we are to lead and be the lead repenter and be transparent. Your church is either a safe place to be clean or it’s not. And I would put that burden upon whoever’s leading it. You lead the way. And if you find that your people aren’t coming to you regularly and they’re not interacting with each other and really being transparent about where they’re falling, then there’s a real problem there that probably starts with you.

“We set the tone as pastors when we don’t openly confess our sin and repent of it.”

I think a lot of times we dismiss too quickly the criticisms that non-Christians have of Christians. I think we should really listen more. Because oftentimes, even though they tend to be generalistic and stereotypical, they’re spot on. And I think if you went outside the studio today and talked to as many non-Christians as you could and said, “What do you think about Christians?” they would all probably throw out the word “hypocrite,” and there’s some truth in that. And I think that we set the tone as pastors when we don’t openly confess our sin and repent of it." -Mars Hill Church

Understanding Him.

"The God of the Old Testament didn't change, humanity's understanding of God evolved over centuries of experience." -The Rev. C. Douglas Simmons

"How is it that my view of the unchanging God is forever changing? Why is it that whenever I think I’ve got God figured out, He reveals Himself in a whole new way? He is perfect and complete yet my learning of Him never ceases. I think for all eternity, I should have the grandest time just trying to know EVERYTHING there is to know about my God." -Rev. Eli Lopez “The God of the Unexpected”

"I had dinner with a good friend, John. What one would notice about him is his passion for his craft, photography. I could feel his love for it. He can endlessly tell you about his discoveries and learnings about the art. During a wedding photo shoot, I felt that he was very excited of every pose, every possibility of a perfect shot. He has invested much in it; his resources, time, sweat, and energy. He has attained much success in the field of photography, yet he tells me that he is still barely scratching the surface. "There is more to learn," he says.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;

it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them (Ephesians 2: 8-10).

I've realized that Christ is passionate about us. We are His masterpiece, His handiwork. He is interested about us and is continually excited to hear how we are doing in our lives. He awaits upon us in prayer. Jesus wants to speak to us, endlessly and passionately, if we listen.

We are His craft, His favorite creation. All through our lives, He wants to mold us to perfection. We respond through our free will, inviting Him to shape us to His intended design, even if painful at times.

Many of us might have known our Lord through school, talks, or prayer meetings. Yet, we are barely scratching the surface of what we know about God. He is a divine mystery. There's still much much more to learn about our great God.

May we be passionate about God as much as He is passionate about us." -GodisEnoughForMe

Clothes

"In my closet hangs a sweater that I seldom wear. It is too small. The sleeves are too short, the shoulders too tight. Some of the buttons are missing, and the thread is frazzled. I should throw that sweater away. I have no use for it. I’ll never wear it again. Logic says I should clear out the space and get rid of the sweater.

That’s what logic says.

But love won’t let me.

Something unique about that sweater makes me keep it. What is unusual about it? For one thing, it has no label. Nowhere on the garment will you find a tag that reads, “Made in Taiwan,” or “Wash in Cold Water.” It has no tag because it wasn’t made in a factory. It has no label because it wasn’t produced on an assembly line. It isn’t the product of a nameless employee earning a living. It’s the creation of a devoted mother expressing her love.

That sweater is unique. One of a kind. It can’t be replaced. Each strand was chosen with care. Each thread was selected with affection.

And though the sweater has lost all of its use, it has lost none of its value. It is valuable not because of its function, but because of its maker.

That must have been what the psalmist had in mind when he wrote, “you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Think on those words. Your were knitted together. You aren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Craftsman."

-Max Lucado

Eros & Agape

Eros is “being in love” and even though it is a good and noble feeling, like all feelings it will come and it will go. That is why we shouldn’t base our relationships on Eros but instead base it on the more mature and deeper love: Agape. Agape is not only the feeling of love but the will to love. Just because you cease to be “in love” does not mean that you cease “to love.” There is a fine line between feeling in love and choosing to love.

"Agape

Even if they lied. Even if they said they would never leave you. Even if they ignored you. Even if they annoy you. Even if they treat you like crap. Even if they betrayed you…

Love them anyway.
Love them anyway. because the greatest sign of love is to love someone even when it’s hard. loving someone when it’s easy isn’t very difficult. anyone can do that. But loving someone who is difficult to love… requires so much patience, kindness, respect, courage, wisdom…. and that is what makes you a better and stronger person.That is what makes you different. because when you overcome all those obstacles for the sake of someone else? What better way to show love than to love when you don’t want to? Because hating someone is so much easier. Pointing out someone’s flaws is so much easier. Because being angry, jealous or hateful towards someone who’s hurt you is so much easier than loving them instead.

“agape” is a rare word in Greek that refers to the kind of love that doesn’t serve itself, but extends itself for the sake of another.

so, my resolution for 2011?
love the unlovable. agape." -Lanie Valencia

Cleanse

"When my daughter was a toddler, I used to take her to a park not far from our apartment. One day as she was playing in a sandbox, an ice-cream salesman approached us. I purchased her a treat, and when I turned to give it to her, I saw her mouth was full of sand. Where I had intended to put a delicacy, she had put dirt.

Did I love her with dirt in her mouth? Absolutely. Was she any less of my daughter with dirt in her mouth? Of course not. Was I going to allow her to keep the dirt in her mouth? No way. I loved her right where she was, but I refused to leave her there. I carried her over to the water fountain and washed out her mouth. Why? Because I love her.

God does the same for us. He holds us over the fountain. “Spit out the dirt, honey,” our Father urges. “I’ve got something better for you.” And so he cleanses us of filth; immorality, dishonesty, prejudice, bitterness, greed. We don’t enjoy the cleansing; sometimes we even opt for the dirt over the ice cream. “I can eat dirt if I want to!” we pout and proclaim. Which is true—we can. But if we do, the loss is ours. God has a better offer." -Max Lucado

The Barber

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. They eventually touched on the subject of God.
Barber: I don't believe that God exists.
Customer: Why do you say that?
Barber: Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn’t exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can’t imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.
-------
The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again.
Customer: You know what? Barbers don't exist.
Barber: How can you say that? I am here. I am a barber, and I just worked on you!
Customer: No! Barbers don’t exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.
Barber: Ah, but barbers DO exist! That’s what happens when people do not come to me.
Customer: Exactly! That’s the point! God, too, DOES exist! That’s what happens when people do not go to Him and don’t look to Him for help. That’s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the world.

30 EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

1. A baby is taking its first few steps without falling.

2. Two people somewhere in the world, are falling in love.

3. Somewhere, someone is admiring a breathtaking sunrise, and somewhere else, a surreal sunset.

4. A soldier of sorts is diligently fighting the fight so you don’t have to

5. Someone who suffered from a severe injury last year is back on their feet.

6. A small group of people are building something that will soon make the impossible possible.

7. Somewhere on Earth a double rainbow is stretched from one end of the horizon to the other.

8. One of the next Billboard-chart-topping musical artists is patiently rehearsing in her garage.

9. A piece of literature is being written that will eventually change your perspective on life.

10. A friend is helping a friend rise above thoughts of suicide.

11. People of various religious backgrounds are in temples, churches, mosques and other places of worship praying, wholeheartedly, for world peace.

12. An elderly couple is celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

13. Two best friends are laughing so hard that they aren’t even making any noise.

14. A firefighter is running into a burning building to rescue a perfect stranger.

15. Someone in your hometown genuinely wants to be your friend.

16. A new mom is lying in a hospital bed and holding her baby twins for the very first time.

17. Someone is taking a shower and singing happily at the top of their lungs.

18. There is someone out there who smiles when they think of a specific moment they once shared with you.

19. An alcoholic just celebrated one full year of sobriety.

20. Volunteers in major cities all over the world are working at homeless shelters caring for those who are less fortunate than themselves.

21. A high school athlete just broke their own personal record.

22. Two teenagers just received their very first kiss ever from each other.

23. Someone is hugging a friend who desperately needs it.

24. Someone just placed their spare change in the charity collection cup at the grocery store.

25. A small group of friends are sitting around a table sharing funny stories and cheerfully reminiscing about the good old days.

26. Honest people are working for various government entities to help protect your basic human rights and civil liberties.

27. An emergency room surgeon is in the middle of saving his patient’s life.

28. Someone is holding the door open for the person behind them.

29. Someone out there is missing you and looking forward to your next visit.

30. We are reminded that extraordinary things happen to ordinary people, and that there is beauty and wonder in everyday life.

You've already won.

I lost a game today, and I wanted to win so I could end the night with that. We were so close to winning but everything turned around and we lost.

I was legit pissed a bit and halfheartedly saying to myself: "It's okay, just a game."

And then that voice in my head said: "You've already won what matters most."

Me: "What?"

Voice: "Do you believe in God?"

Me: "Yes."

Voice: "Do you believe He forgives sins?"

Me: "Yes."

Voice: "Then you've already won."

...wow.

Speech

"For whatever is in your heart determines what you say." -Matthew 12:34 (MSG)

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
- Proverbs 18:21

"When people think of war, they usually picture guns, bombs, artillery shells, and weapons of mass destruction. But almost every battle is started by words. Actions may speak louder than words, but words are also bullets than can kill as good as any gun. Proverbs 18:21 mentions that, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” The book of James compares the power of tongue to a fire: A great forest can be burned to the ground with just a small spark. The words we say, no matter how carelessly they were said, has the power to make or break a soul.

Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Matthew 12:36-37. However, He also said that those who use their tongue properly will “eat its fruit.” You can grow good stuff with your words by being uplifting and positive. If you speak loving and honest words, it’s like you’re walking around in a garden with rich soil and spitting watermelon seeds. Every time you spit a seed, you grow a watermelon. So will you grow a melon patch or just weeds? It depends on what you plant." -Lorryzel Badajos

Seek Him while He may be Found.

Because in just a little while more, He will be unsearchable. The salt of the earth will no longer exist, and the dead will no longer rise. The sick will no longer be cured and the sun will no longer shine. Seek Him now while He may be found.

Miracles

"Our Lord says to stop asking for miracles because your lives are miracles. A true miracle is a child in the womb; a mother’s love is a miracle; a forgiving heart is a miracle. Your lives are filled with miracles, but you’re too distracted by material things to see them. Jesus tells you to open your ears to hear his messages and open your hearts to receive his love. Too many people have lost their way and walk the easy road that leads away from God. Jesus says to pray to his mother, and the Blessed Virgin Mary will lead you to God Almighty. The Lord has come to you with messages of love and the promise of eternal happiness, yet you ask for miracles instead. Stop looking to the sky for miracles. Open your heart to God; true miracles occur in the heart." -Segatashya, Our Lady of Kibeho

Drunkenness

"People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim." -Ann Landers

"The difference between men and pigs is that, pigs don't get drunk and act like men." -David Vickery

Brothers

"Do not worry on finding the right woman, concentrate on becoming the right man." -via Rocky Nguyen

"You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her." -via Monica Ponce

"If we are not strong enough to hold a door for a sister, or not strong enough to pick up a bag for her, then we are not strong at all." -Rovi Papa

Treasure

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21

2010

2010 was an interesting year. And I cannot praise God enough for it.

Seeing as 2008-2009 were probably some of the best years of my life (those were the years that I first truly met Him), God made 2010 a year of tearing down.

Wow, wow, wow, stop! You must be thinking: “Gabe, why the negativity?!” But I’m not being negative at all. :) I’m being truthful and honest, and I don’t think 2010 could have been done in any other way in God’s grand plan for my life. Certain routines and connections in some of my closest friendships were “torn down” you could say, but in all honesty I see why God did that, and it took me a year and a half to figure that out haha!

But enough about all that, I just really praise God for 2010 as much as I have for 2009, 2008, and so on. The thing about losing something of yours, about why certain things like our best friends, our girlfriends/boyfriends, or our achievements and successes, are taken away from us is because we sometimes forget that we still need to grow and expand. Like a crop that has already been producing a certain fruit, sometimes it’s time that we start learning new things in life that God wants to show us. The crop is “uprooted”, “plowed”, and prepared for a new seed. And what kind of fruit this newly improved crop will produce and what kind of tastes and nutrients it will bring are a mystery that only God’s timing can tell. But for sure, that new fruit will be better than the last.

2010 has taught me so much in its process, and I can say that I have gained so many new closer friendships with people I never knew I would and I have strengthened so many other relationships that I had, unfortunately, never really taken the consideration to before.

2010 taught me what hate, jealousy and expectations really were and what they could do to a person and the relationships around them. What they could do to your relationship with God.

2010 taught me what it meant when they said that faith took more than just your emotions, but your reasons as well. It taught me what it really meant when God said, “offer ALL that you are to Me.”

2010 taught me a whole lot more about forgiveness. About how forgiveness is not forgetting, how forgiveness is not ceasing to feel the pain, and about how forgiveness is not a onetime event.

2010 taught me about God’s other most gracious F gift other than forgiveness: Freewill. It taught me what God meant when He said, “You have the choice.”

2010 taught me what “Let go and Let God” really meant.

And finally…

2010 taught me, and started me on this journey, of finding my true self.

I think 2011 will be a year for that, and maybe a couple more years for that as well. Who knows! But in the end, I know I’m still learning and growing, even with these “2010 taught me’s,” I’m still going to be learning more about them too. I feel like there’s a lot to keep up, but I know God has my back.

Anyway, Happy New Years everyone! God bless and take care!

Love your brother in Christ,

Gabriel

Promises.

PS. To future self: Ha, you read your old 2010 post. How different do you feel? ;)

Praise God.