but subconsciously don't

"the first giant reason why people are poor is because they don't want to be rich. because subconsciously, we don't think it fits us." - Bo Sanchez

for the second time, we conducted our Financial Literacy Seminar last sunday for the Singles for Christ (SFC) members in Taguig. and for the second time only few members of our chapter, most specifically our unit, came. again, we started late because people also came in late.

i told them that maybe Bo Sanchez was right. that consciously we want to be rich but subconsciously don't. i think if they really wanted to be rich no matter what time of the day they would have come with excitement but surprisingly they don't have the fire.

my unit head partner, girlie, said, "i think the members are not yet ready or shall we say doesn't understand yet the need to attend this kind of activity. we should continue this advocacy because this is very important. we just need to be patient."

my only consolation is, i just hope that they would find time to read the seminar talk outline that i sent them through our egroup. at least they have an idea what they've missed.

i thought evangelizing is the most difficult task on earth. but i was wrong. i think it's easier to evangelize other people to believe and trust God than to convince your families, relatives, friends, that financial ignorance is expensive.

one example is when i lend my book, the 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich by Bo Sanchez, to my brother and cousin just to share to them the same inputs that i gained from reading it but unfortunately it doesn't interest them.

well, let's try again next time. and i hope next time more people will come.

i thank my partners, co-speakers and supporters for making the seminar last sunday somehow a step forward toward our dreams of making it big for our God, our country and our families.

acknowledgment: Charyl Apuyan, June Cuenca, Marilyn Dacanay, Che Dela Cruz, DK Durian, Shen Echavia, Girlie Golipapa, Marlon & Tina Hernandez, Jerry & Levy Madrigal, Aisha Mua, Jing Ramos, Mavie Villanueva

i miss the ILC

me and my wife used to join the International Leaders Conference (ILC) organized yearly by the CFC Singles for Christ (SFC) when we were still single. it's a gathering of all SFC members not only from the Philippines but from different parts of the world.

it's a wonderful experience for all of us since we really enjoy the talks, the speakers, the mini-praisefest, the songs, the foods, the venue, the sceneries and the hospitality of the local people.

we went to Corrigedor, Bacolod, Dumaguete and the last one is in Manila during the SFC Homecoming. that was five (5) years ago. we missed the conference in Boracay, Baguio, Lanao del Norte, i forgot the other two.

this year, as SFC celebrates its 15th year anniversary, the ILC will be called ICON or International Conference. it will be held on February 15, 16 and 17 at the Clark Expo, Pampanga.

the theme for 2008 is "Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 13:34-35). heres's the theme song with the same title composed by RP Tesoro.

Love One Another

Verse:
Now the Son of Man is glorified
And God is glorified in Him
And if God is glorified in Him
He will glorify Him in Himself
And He will glorify, glorify Him at once

Refrain:
I give you a new commandment. Love one another.
As I have loved you, you must also love one another.
This is how they will know that you are my disciples
If you love one another.

(Repeat all)
(Adlib)

..And He will glorify, glorify Him at once

(Modulation)
(Guitar Only)

I give you a new commandment, love one another
As I have loved you, you must also love one another

(All instruments)

I give you a new commandment, love one another
As I have loved you, you must also love one another
This is how they will know that you are My disciples
If you love one another.

(Coda)

... Love one another

the vision

one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of prophecy. we we're blessed to experience such power.

the First Vision

during our reunion in sfc last two years ago, our invited speaker, rico, said that our group will be used by God to spread His good news of salvation in taguig. we were amazed but not necessary believe him since we have a unit based in central taguig and they are the one who's in-charge in conducting CLPs in that area.

the Second Vision

in that same year, we experienced the other gifts of the Holy Spirit: the gift of tongue, the gift of interpretation and again, the gift of vision. these gifts manifested through kelly, che and pao. the visions are: (1) tongues of fire; (2) flaming torch; and (3) heaven’s door waiting for us to come in.

contemplation

during our planning workshop in september, we announced these visions to the members while contemplating with its meaning. then, we received a message:

“The vision has its time, presses on to fulfillment, it will disappoints; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, and will never be late.”

still puzzled, we proceeded with hope that all these visions would be guide in continuing our struggle to evangelize this part of the world. after a few days, we found out that the verse could be found in the Book of Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 3 in almost exact words:

“For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.”

our sharings

in one of our upper household meetings, we reflected on the gospel from St. Mark (1:14-15) that reads:

“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’”

we agreed that maybe this is the year that all of the visions will be fulfilled. we really need to repent from our sins, have faith in God and believe in the gospel. sins keep us away from our Father. we have to resist temptation. we should always read the bible, the written promises of God. we should have enough faith to fulfill His mandates.

the fulfillment

last year, our unit in taguig was dissolved since most of the members left the country to work abroad, some married and some transfered to other places because of their jobs. today, the task of organizing CLPs in whole taguig is now in our hands. we now target fulfilling the first vision.

the population of bicutan unit is now slowly getting bigger. more and more members are now receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit thus the fulfillment of the second vision.

may God continue to use and bless us, strengthen and empower us in fulfilling His mandate.

with all these, may God be praised!

ps: additional prophecies during the SFC Metro Manila Conference July 27-29, Balanga, Bataan

First Prophecy:

"I am your God and let no one tell you otherwise. I have given you a covenant because My love for you is boundless. You continue to sin but I untiringly forgive you because you are mine. Keep your covenant. Pray as hard as you can and listen, for I will speak to you in ways the evil one will not understand. Have faith in Me for I have saved you and will continue to save you. You will be blessed not because you have resisted sin but because that is My promise to you since the beginning of time."

Second Prophecy:

"Lament. Repent. Be sent."