Let these bits of wisdom guide us all in choosing our next sets of leaders.  These following words may be brief, but speaks highly of the essence of leadership that the Philippines need.

Let our decisions not be persuaded by just mere hearsay and publicity stunts. All the more we need to look at the character and vision of our leaders.

Thus, here are some words about leadership. Let their lessons be the bedrock for our WISE decision making.

Our nation’s leaders and managers for the next three and six years depend on the decision we make during the few minutes we will be in our respective precincts.

I hope and pray that most Filipino voters will be wise enough not to short sell the nation’s future for money, cheap talks, empty promises and publicity stunts.

A leader is a dealer in hope. -Napoleon Bonaparte-

“A wise leader doesn’t completely abandon the past but builds on it as he or she moves toward the future.” -From a Bible commentary, Be strong Joshua-

“He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander” -Aristotle-

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. -Theodore M. Hesburgh-

“A tyrant is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader.” -Plato-

“You do not lead by hitting people over the head – that’s assault, not leadership.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower-

“Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.” -Edwin H. Friedman-

“Whoever is providing leadership needs to be as fresh and thoughtful and reflective as possible to make the very best fight.” -Faye Wattleton-

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” -John Quincy Adams-

“Leaders aren’t born they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” -Vince Lombardi-

“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born — that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.” -Warren G. Bennis-

Seems like my prayers have been answered for direction and rest.

It makes me realize how God made an example to rest on the seventh day after His creation of the universe. In essence, He tells us how important it is to make time and move away from all the works and troubles of our lives. This way we will feel His presence and glorify Him for everything He has done.

Lots of things have happened, lots of new things that I have learned. One by one, I will try to make a journal online of the things that I learned all throughout these past few months.

Two things I regretted lately. One is that I missed some weekends for small group gathering. Two, I had less time for my family. In the end, the things that matter most are God and family.

On a side note, little did I notice, that half of the year is almost near.

Whew! how time really flies so fast.

That’s why I’m hoping that I can capture the precious moments of my life.

Thank you, Lord.

Have a Merry Christ-must day!

We must not forget the center of all the celebration – Christ. So, it is a must that He should be in our hearts, not just tohay, but for all of the days.

Let this season be an opportunity for us to reflect on the goodness of God – as He sent His son to earth to bore our sins. May this time give birth our better relationship with God.

I pray for goodness, peace and joy to be with us all this season and always.

-Rey Belen-

Anyway, I have been pressing on to be single for life for the past several years. Even at times I had chances to commit myself to very fine ladies, after knowing they’re ready for a relationship already, I would chicken out since, I would find the relationship as “cheap thrills” for me. As if the relationship would be just be a waste of time and effort for both me and the girl.

I thought, it would be for my best interest, and for the people around me, to consider being single for life. I have a son to rear at the same time, being the eldest child, I feel I am responsible in taking care of my mom in the near future, since my dad passed away.

So, I thought I can be single for the rest of my life.

Many times I have had opportunities with great women. They would even tell me that I should think of my future… like who’s going to take care of me when my son is already a grown up. And when things start to get serious, I would jokingly tell them that’s the reason I want to be rich, by the time I am old, I would hire caregivers to take care of me. I know the intentions that they have for me are good but I have never given so much thought about settling down with somebody.

It never sinked-in to me until just recently. When I least expected it.

It’s all about this girl (ofcourse, not a boy, LOL) I barely know the girl, and she barely knows me (and that’s the tough part).

I can see the elegance behind her simplicity. Her discipline behind her actions… Her character behind her gestures… the consistency in her manner shows much of her beauty inside out.

Recently, as I prayed. I find myself praying for her, more and more. A gesture I, honestly, don’t do much. Yeah I do pray for other people, but not as much as I prayed for her, considering that I don’t know her that much.

The funny part is that I haven’t even started courting nor even telling to her my intentions. And that most probably, she might have boyfriend (ofcourse, I’m not bad enough to pray that they be separated, that’s not a lie – believe me. hehehehehe)

Amidst all those circumstances, I find myself praying even more and letting God do as He wanted. Asking Him more for wisdom and understanding than asking Him to change the circumstances in favor of me.

I find it very interesting…  realizing, I have changed so much. Funny, but more importantly, it revealed the true color of my heart. I’m not the old selfish me in praying.

If I may say, though I asked God for her heart and hand for me, but at the end of my prayer, I would ask God to do His will not mine.

Now I find myself wondering what kind of love story God has in store for me? (Cheezy point again. LOL).

Going back to the girl, I had a chance to chit-chat with THE GIRL.  Somehow, we were able to talk about “THE GIRL” I desire now. I told her about my prayer for the girl. She said she find it very sweet of me to pray for the girl and to dedicate her to God. And she added that I would be a blessing to the girl if ever we end up together.

Would she still find it a blessing, if she only knew it is her? Hahahahaha!

Anyway, whatever happens, the more important thing about this new phase in my life is the lessons I’m learning.

I learned that truly God restores us in the form that He wants us to be. We may have come from the pit of very awful past, but God can restore us in ways we may not be able to fathom. Like for instance in my case, it was an “excuse” for me to be single – but now as I dig deeper into me, it was my way of saying “God, I quit already of you providing for me a partner”. As if I’ve already given up that God has that perfect girl for me.

You can’t share something you don’t have. And I believe that God has restored me in a way that I may be able to share my life to a partner.

Sometimes when we thought that God is over in changing our lives, the more we will be surprised that He has more things in store for us – the best things in store for us.

Second, that I learned to see what are the things in me that I don’t let Him to lord over me.

Third, I learned that the more I rely on Him, the more that I pray, the more that I’m changed.

Forth, the essence of remaining faithful and pure for that person you would like to settle with – even before you meet him / her. And that’s the most important value I’ve learned now. I’ve had my fair share of  “misdeeds” in the past and I realize, it may have given me “temporary” pleasures, but never did it gave me joy and fulfillment. No wonder now, I experience this kind of joy inside, because I have a pure intention for a girl at the same time I want to be faithful and pure as well.

Fifth, the more uncertainties we have, the more we should rely onto God.

Truly, God nursed my heart to a form I was not so much aware of myself. He restored that soft spot in me that I was trying to shield for a long time from anyone – even Him. The only way that I feel we can truly love others, if we experience how God has loved us. The way He changed my view of Him, changed the way I love – for God is love.

And I find myself now, seeking nurse. Maybe God will use a nurse to nurse my heart for a lifetime. Hahahahaha!

On a side note, do you suggest that the I change the title should be the “cheezy side of me” than nursing a heart. LOL

You read it right… Christians are LOSERS…

I’ve been giving this so much thought. And as the days passed by, the more I felt compelled to write (rather, blog) this article.

I made this conclusion right after a pastor in one of our ENLI sessions in Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF) sometime between August to November last year. He recalled his encounters with the young Christian leaders in their school during his college days.

He recalled that he thought of those youth leaders as “three-dimensional losers”… because they seem to be “losers” from every angle. And that statement sounded so funny… and TRUE.

That instance I thought, “Yeah, true enough, you are a loser when you’re a Christian”.

In history, many believers lost a lot of things. Their family, fame, power, influence, money, name it, they lost it.

Let’s try to look at some people.

Joseph (the Dreamer) lost his family and his reputation.

Moses lost his possession, power and fame and the comfort of the new home.

Job lost his family, possession and good health.

The apostles let go of their jobs.

See what I mean?

Christians are LOSERS.

I bet you will agree with me now, the third time I stated it.

Right?

I guess so.

Again, let’s look back in history and learn from it.

Joseph became influential and powerful in Egypt, and helped save his family and the whole Egypt from famine.

Moses became God’s instrument to free the Israelites and noted as one of the greatest leaders in history.

Job regained his health and wealth.

The Apostles became the first movers and shakers of the church and are noted for their works up to now.

All these happened after they lost EVERYTHING they knew “important” to them, in exchange of seeking God.

I have my own share of same “truth”.

I lost my domestic partner. I lost my job. I lost money. I lost a lot.

I became a “LOSER“. But during those “losing streaks”, I found God.

Finally, the greatest “loser” of all is Jesus himself.

Why? How?

Jesus gave up His life, in order to save us all.

Wow! That’s the price of “losing” something in order to gain bigger things.

What a way to lose, right?

That’s how God works. We won’t be able to fathom it, but definitely, God knows the best.

Now, if that is what this world call a loser… then I want to be in line with those “LOSERS”.

I, Rey Belen, “LOSER” of this world… but winner in Christ.

Are you going to take that same oath to? Just in add your comment (or oath) in the comment box.

LOL.st that the I change the title should be the “cheezy side of me” than nursing a heart. LOL

What’s laminin? Well, you better watch to find out. It’s worth your time. Believe me.

It’s amazing how simple things can be so meaningful, especially to the lives of many. For one, this video I saw (as per recommended by my classmate back in high school) is fascinating and really moving.

After watching this video… there’s one thing I’d like you to remember that I would say, if I were infront of you…

I TOLD YOU SO.

Anyway, these past two weeks, amidst the busy schedule, I still managed to read my Bible. One is for my daily 4 chapters (for my ENLI class) and the other at random. Just trying to find out what God wants to tell me.

I’m so amazed that for these past two consecutive weeks, I read two related verses. One in the Book of John and the other one in the Book of Matthew. As if God was trying to press something on my mind.

37″All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 39…I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” John 6:37 and 39

27 “… no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Matthew 11:27

I was awe-strucked by these “love notes” that God sent me. I believe that God is confirming that He chose to reveal Himself to me. Now that explains why I have this different “hunger” for His word lately. As if I was asking not for just a “head-knowledge” account of His words, but rather, a more personalized way. For He was about to amaze me by His wonders.

I am convinced that this is one of them. These verses indicate not an attitude He wants me to change nor a sin that He wants me to neglect. Rather, these are statements, ASSURANCE statements, confirming that He chose me as one of those people that He wanted to reveal Himself to.

It’s like God telling me,

“Rey, you know what, I chose you to be close to Me. I know you’ve been through a lot. You may have lots of issues against me before, but what are those again? I forgot them already, the day you chose to follow My Son and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. That’s why, you, Rey, deserve to be part of the Family. Welcome, I will show you more things about Me.“

it’s like a very warm welcome. The warmest I could have ever felt and imagined. Similar to a warm blanket covering me me during a very, very cold night and sealed by a soothing hug from a person you would really like to be with no matter what, re-affirming me: “Don’t worry, You’re home now.”

No wonder why Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to sperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‘Cause since the time God chose to reveal Himself to Paul, truly, Paul was forever changed.

I believe that God changed me as well.

Like Paul, there’s no turning back for me. Especially now, that I experienced the love God has for His people.

I’m just glad and very much grateful to God.

I had an opportunity (or should I say urgency) to speak to the artists in our next project on February (The Voyage of the Lass), it gave me an idea, that coincides with the date, December 1. I coined it beginning of the end. I told them figuratively, it’s the start of the end, start of the last month of the year.

And while saying so, many ideas sprung out of my mind.

One notion was that for people to have a better life, we should make a conscious effort to start saying goodbye to our old “bad” selves. What I mean is that to have that commitment to objectively look at ourselves to find out the “bad” in us and say goodbye to them, one by one.

For these old bad habits or thoughts or behavior hinders us and will definitely hamper our chances of getting the best things that we ask for in life.

The same principle is used by once overweight people. They achieved their dream weight after they consciously committed to begin ending their old bad eating habits and start renewing their mindset.

Even, the Bible tells one of this principle, (actually there is more to this, but I will just point one).

Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (niv) or “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of the old.” (NKJV).

This is when God rebuked Israel of their “old” sinful selves were doing. Thus, the Israelites were not seeing the best things that God can do for them.

Same thing goes to us. The moment we continue doing our old bad habits, we wouldn’t be able to move forward to what lies ahead of us. Not to mention, the lost of focus to what can be in store for our future is sidelined due to our rekindling of the past (that’s another matter to discuss).

What’s worse to think of is that these old bad things in us are just little “monsters” that grew stronger and stronger due to our lack of conscious effort to end them.

In short, I believe that the moment we begin ending these bad thoughts, habits and behavior in us, we will be closer to the better life in store for us. And no one can hinder us in moving towards a better life, except for us – especially the bad part of us.

Thus, as a good starting point as it may appear, December 1 may be a good starting point for us all, the beginning of the ending month of the year. And as we do that, we are declaring to ourselves coincidentally that we are leaving our old selves to the old year – and start renewing our minds to start the new year.