BHKJOURNAL_09-0044: GOD AS THE LORD OF THIS NATION...

"I thank God for the nation He has given you. May you see God's hand in everything your nation is going through. I pray for you to have faith that God watches over your nation, and will shield it from destruction. May you not be troubled by what you see, but be encouraged that God is in control of everything. I declare God's word: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. May you begin to see God as the Lord of your nation."

This is one of the prayers of Ptr. Jay Duque in a devotional book that he authored and was given to me by some of my friends on my 26th birthday. Yesterday, it was the second time that I have encountered this prayer.

If we will assess the situation of our country today, you could really understand the Filipinos who went abroad for a better living and the Filipinos who told us that there's no more hope in our country anymore. In other words, we can not blame them.

I am not against these people who went out of the country for a better living. In fact some of them became a blessing by remitting much of their salaries to our government. I am not even against the people who tell that our country do not have any hope anymore but I am against the curse that they continue to tell in our county.

If we will go back to Ptr. Jay's prayer, there's so much hope for the Philippines when we put this nation to hands of the Lord and when we declare God as the Lord of this nation.

I had a conversation with a friend last night about the obvious cheating before even the election come, the injustice that we're suffering from the hands of our officials and the many negative things that we're experiencing. We even said that if we're not followers of Christ, we might curse already because of the immoralities but at the end of our conversation, we end up saying, "LORD, let your will be done!"

We are still hoping for a better Philippines and we are also declaring that our nation will be blessed and will be the Tiger of Asia once again. All we have to do as a people is to unite as one and put our full trust in our God.

As I end this blog, I want to say honestly that I was troubled by the things that are happening in our country - graft and corruption at its best, biggest massacre in history, declining economy and a lot more. But when I went back to the promises of God, I am once again at peace that there would be a big turn around coming for our beloved nation.

Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in our nation!

May GOD bless the Philippines!

NUMBERS GAME IN THE PRAYER MEETING

Few months ago, our Prayer Meeting Team prayed that the church would be more in love with prayer. We also asked God to increase the our attendance before the end of the year. We asked HIM to help us reach the "30-point mark" and reach the "100 point mark" this December.

In some point, we broke the 30 barrier and just last week we reached the 100 mark because there was an this special event called the WORSHIP NIGHT. Last night in the prayer meeting, we have a less than 50 in attendance.

I am used to see greater things coming when special events are being help and I am also used to the fact that in every victory there is a backlash.

I went to the WORSHIP NIGHT last week and I really enjoyed worshiping GOD that way when you can feel His presence all over the place. After the event, one of my friends (Ptr. Sherwin), plurked that he's hoping to see the same number in our Prayer Meetings, so am I!

What I did not expect is the big turn around... I only saw less than 50 people last night as we come to GOD and pray once again as a congregation. It was more 50% declination from last week's number. I was expecting that after the WORSHIP NIGHT, the people will see a greater picture and they will be expectant for more of that experience in the coming weeks.

We are are wrong with our expectations but we are still holding on to that vision that this year, our congregation will see and put into their hearts the value of corporate prayer.

The Bible says that if there are two or three people who gathered in His name, He will be there. How much more if we will cry out to GOD as a whole church?

Can you see the bigger picture?

Earlier today, I saw a picture of a Father and his children in my mind.

He is running after his children and when he caught any of his child, he's embracing them... His children start to grow up and while growing up, they still run but this time, they left their father... The father feels hurt but he keeps running for his children whom some of them have gone astray... One of his child stops running and starts crying, the father is the first one who approaches and gives comfort to that child... The others are still stubborn and thy keep running away - some of them almost ruined their lives but their father comes to them for rescue. As they see their father not giving up to them, they're about to say sorry for the mistakes that they have done but before they can even say a word, the father hugs them already and he started telling them one by one, "My child, I still love and will love you forever no matter what."

Going back tot the Prayer Meeting, I am really hoping and praying that it will be the most exciting meeting that we are looking forward to attend to.

I am telling about numbers in the start of this blog. I count people not just for the sake of recording but I count people because their lives count!

Finally, I want to say to everyone that you can feel the presence of GOD not just in a WORSHIP NIGHT but also in the PRAYER MEETINGS or wherever you are!

I hope to see you all in the Prayer Meeting on December 9, 2009, 6:00 PM, Wednesday @ Victory Baguio Center...

GOD BLESS US ALL! =)

NEW WAY TO WORK

Apathetic bosses… Bad companies… Corrupt leaders… Deteriorating salaries… Extra-stressful loads… These are just some of the ABC’s of people when it comes to approaching work. If, you will notice, the approaches are all negative. It gives a fact that the workers who see this are just dragging themselves in going to work. They even hate Mondays because it’s another day to start a stressful week.

Now, there is one question that is being asked; is there a new way to approach work? Definitely, there is a new way!

The Bible says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it will all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

It might be an old principle but I believe it is not being used by the workers of today. I also believe that if the workers will just apply this biblical principle, they will become more productive in their workplace.

And if they will habitually apply this, their lives will never be the same again.

I am a worker myself and if the workaholic term is an understatement when you talk about me doing such. Work is a very enjoyable thing to do for me; it’s just like a basketball game that I don’t want to end. But do I approach work in such a way ever since?

Definitely, the answer is a big NO! I also approached work the way I started this blog. There were times that I literally drag myself in going to my stressful work but there was a change in me when I realized that to approach in a new way, all I have to do is go back to the old way which we called the BASICS!

Now, every time I go to work, I can feel the excitement! I felt like I am the most energetic man in the world! I love the feeling of imparting my joy, energy and biggest smile to my colleagues. I don’t even care on how small or large the amount that I will see in my pay slip. All I can see is the joy of honoring God by giving my best shot while working.

Let me assure you that if you will do the same, your company would be one of the most competitive team in the world of work. If you will have the same approach, even an office without any standard will look up to you and they will even make you as their standard!

If we will go back to the first word in the scripture that I have shared, it says, “whatever” – in other words, whether we’re eating, drinking, playing or working, we should give our best shot! Whether we don’t’ like our work that much, there would be a difference if we will a have a change attitude towards work. If we work at it with all our heart without any grumbling, I believe God is pleased.

So, there new way to work is not really that new, but we have to renew our minds. Let us all think what is noble and that is to approach work in its highest level. Our Creator loves to work and if he created us in His own image, He expects us to love our work too, whatever it is.

It is not just pleasing the people around us and being delighted while enjoying work, it is all about pleasing and working for the One who make us approach work in a renewed perspective.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.”

Libert Ong
bestfriendlibert@gmail.com
elance id: bestfriendlibert

Sabi ko po ng magsimula ang taong ito, it will be a year of breakthroughs at bago matapos ang taon, naging year of the break-up siya!

Ilan po sa aking mga kaibigan ay nagkaroon ng break-up sa taong ito! Ilan po sa kanila ay wedding bells na lang ang hinihintay ngunit nagbago ang ihip ng hangin!

Ilan din sa aking mga kaibigang lalaki ay hindi pumasa sa knailang mga nililigawan at ilan sa mga kaibigan kong babae ay nasakatan ng mga mapanlinlang na galaw ng mga gusto nilang mga lalaki.

Hindi ko na po sasabihin kung sino ang mga ito pero lahat po sila ay nasaktan. Kaya next time, tandaan niyo, “NEVER ASSUME UNLESS IT IS STATED!”

Speaking of nasaktan! Nasaktan din po ako para sa mga kaibigan ko at di lamang iyon… Ako ay nakaranas rin po ng sakit sa mga nangyari sa aking buhay.

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Naalala ko noong nakaraang buwan sabi ko sa isang plurk message ko na I AM REFUSING TO FALL IN LOVE… Hindi lamang po iyon sa girlfriend-boyfriend kind of love kundi sa nangyari sa paligid ko…

Dapat po ay patungo na ako sa isa sa mga pangarap ko na maging ngunit may mga pangyayaring naganap na naging daan upang ako maging un-employed na naman!

Dumating ang literal na mga bagyo sa bansa at mga bagyo sa aking buhay lalo na sa pinaka-pinahahawakan kong PAMILYA!

Sobrang mahal ko po ang FAMILY namin and for 26 years, na-so-solve namin ang mga problema namin internally until September came!

I was really broken ng ma-confirm na may iba ng pamilya ang tatay ko(ngayon taon lang namin na-open ang problema kasi di na namin na kami na lang kasi may involve ng mga tao). September 2 ko na-confirm just for days before September 6. According to my birth certificate yun ang marriage date ng mga magulang ko, 1st time ko sana sila mababati ng Happy Anniversary pero isang dagok ang dumating!

Kasunod pa nito ang operasyon ng aking nanay sa Saudi na medyo kritikal!

Masakit! Broken kaming lahat sa pamilya at nakita ang buong istorya! Sobrang sakit na para bang ayaw ko na magmahal muli!

Gusto ko magalit ng lubos at di ko matanggap na nakalista na kami sa broken family list pero ang nakikita ko ay ang masasayang memory ng aming pamilya…

Feeling ko ng mga panahon na iyon, wala na akong mamahaling tao, kahit crush walang pumapasok sa isip ko… Nasaktan ako dahil sa pamilya ko, nasaktan ang mga kaibigan ko, naskatan ang buong angkan, hahayaan ko bang may masaktan pang muli?

Pero dahil ang ating DIYOS ay DIYOS ng pagmamahal at pagpapatawad. Sinimulan ko ulit magpatawad, magmahal, maghanap ng mga inspirasyon at mag-MOVE ON! Tinulungan din ako nga Small Group Leader ko at mga kaibigan ko upang muling makaahon!

Ilang luha ang aking iniiyak sa Panginoon at ilang pagluhod sa lupa ang aking ginawa upang magkaroon muli ng pagmamahal sa aking puso. At ang Panginoon ay sadyang may awa at di Niya ako pinabayaan.

Gusto ko pasalamatan sina Kuya Gerard, Melay, Jesse, Nathz, Sally, Charlie, Juancho, Jeoffrey, Jomark, Darryl, Ate Cathy at sa mga hindi ko nabanggit na tumulong sa akin… Pasensiya na pero maraming-maraming salamat talaga sa inyong lahat!

Nagsimula akong mag-MOVE ON, I entrusted everything to my GOD, I persevere and never gave up and my GOD started to control our lives once again!

Kanina, tinawagan ako ng Mommy ko (kaka-birthday lang niya nung isang araw), nag-start na rin siya mag-move on at ang mga kapamilya namin na dating galit na galit sa kanya ay nakita ang tunay na pangyayari at nagsisimula ng maki-pag-ayos sa kanya…

Tulad ng story ni Job sa Biblya, nang nawala ang kanyang pamilya, mas naging fruitful pa ang naging kapalit. Alam ko may mas magandang plano ang Diyos sa pamilya namin!

Hindi pa Siya tapos sa aming pamilya! Ako ay umaasa pa rin na pagdating ng panahon, maaayos din ang lahat! Isang leverage lamang ito sa buhay ni BHK na mahirap tapakan sapagkat may sira na di pa naayos pero darating ang panahon na mararating rin ang top of the ladder!

Nagyon ay natuto akong magmahal muli! Bumalik ako sa first love ko – si GOD! Ang aking BESTFRIEND, aking LORD at aking FATHER!

Natuto ulit ako magkaroon ng inspirasyon sa buhay at lumawak pa ang vision ko para sa mga tao sa paligid ko kabilang ang aking mga kaibigan pati na ang bansang Pilipinas! Truly, GOD is in control of everything! =)

WE ARE NOW MOVING ON! =)

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

VICTORY BAGUIO’S GOT TALENT!

VICTORY BAGUIO’S GOT TALENT!

GRAND FINALS
DECEMBER 10, 2009
6:00 PM, VICTORY CENTER
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MECHANICS:

1. Open to all Small Group Leaders and Ministry Volunteers.
2. Form a Team (minimum of 5 members, max of 15)
3. Prepare a presentation that will depict the theme, “Honor God. Make Disciples.”
4. Prepare a 3-5 minute presentation. Please do not exceed.



* Submission of Entries will start on Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2009. Secure your entry form at Victory Center.

* Audition/Elimination will be on Dec. 8, 2009 at 6PM onwards.
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For more information…
Contact:
Libert 0917-904-1224
Sally 0919-501-7968

THE GOVERNMENT OF…

THE GOVERNMENT OF…
By Libert Ong (Brave Heart Kid)
November 28, 2009

Most of us are still grieving for the lost souls of our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao who suffered a brutal assault from the arms of the “unknown” killers who massacred them without any inhibitions!

Many of us condemned the brutal crime and we all wanted justice for this people but sad to say, it looks like we will wait again for so long before the case would come to an end. It might be a long process once again but I am not losing hope!

People might see the negative things right now and the lack of faith in the judiciary system here in the Philippines but I see otherwise! I am seeing a vision of the Filipino being united once again, having faith with each other and more importantly, accepting the fact that we are weak when we don’t have GOD in our lives.

I know and I believe that someday there would be a change in the government system; corruption would go down to zero and officials will unite for a common goal. I also see that someday, our economy will go up and we will be the Tiger of Asia once again. We will really be the head and not the tail.

The Bible clearly stated in Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

If everything will be under JESUS’ shoulders including the government, there would be peace, righteousness and blessings that will flow in our beloved nation!

A blessed Christmas to everyone!

BHKJOURNAL_09-0039: ANG MAMATAY NG DAHIL SA'YO...

ANG MAMATAY NG DAHIL SA'YO (November 26, 2009)
By: Libert Ong (Brave Heart Kid)

Mahal ko ang bansang Pilipinas! Ikaw mahal mo rin ba ang bayan mo?

Noong mga nakalipas na buwan, sunud-sunod na Baguio ang dumating sa ating bayang sinilangan na tila ba katapusan na ng ating pamumuhay dito sa mundo.

At pati ang ating likas na yaman ay unti-unting nasisira dahil sa mala-delubyong pagsubok na ating dinaranas o dinanas.

Ilang araw lamang ang nakaklipas magpasahanggang ngayon, maraming mga kababyan natin ang binawian na ng buhay dahil sa karahasan na naganap sa Maguindanao na pinaniniwalaang may kaugnayan sa politika.

Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang pagtaas ng petrolyo, pangaunahing bilihin at malamang ay maging hudyat din ng pagtaas ng pamasahe.

Ang ating gobyerno naman ay patuloy pa rin sa pangunguna pagdating sa korupsyon.

Ang ating mga kababyan ay na-aagrabyado pa rin sa ibang mga bansa.
At ang mga nakatira sa Pilipinas ay patuloy na naghihikahos sa buhay.

May pag-asa pa nga ba ang ating bayan upang makaahon muli?

Ako po ay naniniwala na sa kakayahan nating mga Pinoy na magkaisa at masgsimula ng pagbabago para sa ating Inang Bayan.

Ako po ay nagdarasal na muling umunlad ang ekonomiya ng ating bansa.

Alam ko at may pananampalataya ako na sasagutin ng Maykapal ang ating dalangin. Ngunit hindi nagtatapos doon ang lahat, kailangan din natin reumesponde sa Kanyang pagtawag na pangalagaan ang bansa na ipinagkaloob Niya sa atin.

Marahil, ako ay parte ng isang movement ngayon na nagsusulong sa kandidatura ng isang presidentiable pero ang aking adhikaning ibabahagi sa inyo ay isang personal na pananaw.

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MARIIN ko pong KINOKONDENA ang pag-massacare sa mga kababayan kong nasa Maguindanao!

Parte din po ako ng mga mamamahayag na may kalayaang makapagsabi ng saloobin. Alam ko po na may mga napaulat na kapatid naming mga mamamahayag ang namatay sa brutal na pamamaraan.

HINDI po MAKATARUNGAN ang ginawa niyong pamamaslang sa ating mga kababayan na ang iba ay wala naman kinalaman sa mga pansarili niyong interes!

Tulad nga po ng napag-usapan namin ng aking kaibigan, nakakainis na po ang nangyayari sa ating bansa! Kailangan na ng pagbabago sa lipunang ito!

Hindi po kami titigil sa aming laban para sa aming mga kababayan.

Maybe I am risking my life in writing this post but as Ninoy said, "The Filipinos are worth dying for." My mother (who's celebrating her birthday today) might not allow me to write this one but I have to do something for my country and countrymen!

Tama na po ang korupsyon! Tama na ang pagiging ganid sa kapangyarihan at sa kayamanan. Ibalik natin ang tunay na demokrasya sa Pilipnas! At bilang simula, tayong magkakabayan ang magkaisa muna dahil hindi kayang mag-isa ng lider ng ating bansa na paunlarin ang bayan kung di natin siya tutulungan!

Bilang isang mamamayan, sisimulan ko ang ilang mga simpleng hakbang para sa pagbabago ng bayan:
* Mag-se-seggregate ako ng basura...
* Tatawid ako sa pedestrian lane...
* Pipila ako ng tama...
* Magbabayad ako ng tamang buwis...
* Bibigyan ko ng VISION ang mga kabataan na may pag-asa pa sa ating bayan...

Maaring simple lamang po ang mga hakbang na ito ngunit alam ko marami ang hindi sumusunod sa mga alituntuning ito. Masakit pa, ilan sa kanila ay lider ng bansa, mga pastor o mga pari, mga leader ng organization at mga nagpapatupad ng batas. Sila pa ang unang mga pasaway, paano tayo magiging maunlad kung ganyan?

Minsan sa aking buhay ay naging guilty din ako sa mga bagay na ito! Inaamin ko nagkamali din ako.

At dahil gusto ko makita ang pagbabago, sisimulan ko ito sa sa sarili ko. Kakalimutan ko na po ang mga pagkakamaling iyon at susuungin ko ang magandang kinabukasan na parating para sa ating bayan. Makikita ko ang pagbabago at gagawa ako ng paraan para dito sa tulong ng sa ati'y Lumikha.

Matagal ko na pong hinahangad na makapag-lingkod sa ating bayan at mag-iwan ng marka sa buhay ng lahat ng sektor ng bayan. Ngayon ay nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na impluwensiyahan ang media at politika. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para sa bansang Pilipinas at para sa aking mga kababayan.

Hanggang kamatayan ay maglilingkod ako sa Lupang Hinirang dito sa Asya sa kahit na anong pamamaraan!

So help me GOD!